Portumna Forest Park

1. Portumna Forest Park By Triona Byrne

2. Click on a title below QUIZ ? ? ? Main menu BackgroundTree SpeciesWildlife Castle

3. Background. • The name Portumna comes from the Irish ‘Port Omna’, meaning the landing place of the oak tree. • Portumna Forest Park is managed by coillte, the Irish forestry board. • It is situated on the historic demense of the 17th century Portumna castle. • Portumna forest park was acquired in 1948. • It covers almost 600 hectares (1500 acres) This is as big as 600 hurling pitches. • The Forest Park was formerly owned by the Clanrickarde family. Within the park there is an old abbey that dates back to the 15th century. • The mix of forest, open area, water and islands found in Portumna forest park gives a wide choice of habitat to support a great variety of flora and fauna. Back

4. Tree Species There is both native trees and exotic trees to be found in the forest. The forest is mainly coniferous but also contains a wide variety of broadleaved trees. Beech trees here are the oldest of the planted heritage in the park, believed to date from the late 1700’s. Scots pine is the main species of tree in the forest. The park now has one of the largest areas of scots pine in the country Back

5. Scots pine Larch Norway Spruce Oak Evergreens Maples Beeches Types of trees

6. Wildlife • The open canopy of Scots pine encourages an under-storey of native shrubs and grasses • There are open spaces, ponds, streams and the lake shore which makes a unique habitat for a wide variety of woodland flora. • Many wild animals can be found in Portumna forest park. • The fauna include red squirrels and pine martens and several species of bat as well as a long list of birds, butterflies and dragonflies Back to main menu

7. Animals found in Portumna Forest Park The Fallow deer The Hedgehog The Badger The Bat The red Squirrel The Pine Marten The Fox The Pigmy Shrew The Stoat The Rabbit

8. Flora and Fauna Lets have a closer look at two of the animals!!!

9. Fallow Deer • Males are known as bucks, females as does, and offspring as fawns. • The bucks only carry antlers. Antlers are shed each spring (March to April) and the new set begins to grow immediately • Fallow deer and their grazing are a significant part of the ecology of the park. • Fallow deer were introduced into Ireland by the Normans and have been part of the forest since the beginning Footprint. Deer are mainly grazers (eat various grasses). They will also eat leaves of various trees acorns,fruits and mushrooms All deer generally feed early in the morning and late evening and rest during the day.

10. Pine Marten Click to find out more • It is a native tree-dweller found in Portumna Forest Park. • It is probably the most difficult animal to find in the forest. • Up until recently,it was on the verge of extinction. • The pine marten is omnivorous. • It is one of the few predators able to catch red squirrels, which it chases at speed through the treetops, using its claws and tail for agility and balance. • Some food is stored in the summer and autumn for retrieval in the winter. • As a mainly nocturnal animal, the pine marten forages at night or dusk, and can roam more than 10 kilometres from its den in search of food. Paw Prints! Their Diet. In winter they eat rodents, small birds, insects, frogs. In summer they eat bird eggs, caterpillers, blackberries

11. Portumna Castle Portumna forest park is situated on the demense of the 17th century Portumna Castle.

12. The Castle • Portumna Castle is found on the grounds of Portumna Forest Park. • It was built prior to 1618 by Richard de Burgo (Burke), the 4th Earl of Clanricarde. • It was the Irish home to the de Burgo family for over 200 years until it was destroyed by fire in 1826. • The castles surrounding woods and parklands were taken over in 1948 by the Forestry Service and are now a wildlife sanctuary. Click to find out more! Back to main menu

13. Quiz • What trees are the oldest of the planted heritage in the park, believed to date from the late 1700’s? • What animal do these prints belong to? • Who introduced the fallow deer to Ireland? • How much land does the park cover? • What agency manages Portumna forest park?