Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo; Ecological Report

SEPTEMBER 2000

Dr. R. Jeffrey

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION
2. OWNERSHIP & DESIGNATIONS
3. RELEVANT PERSONNEL
4. GEOLOGY
5. HABITAT DESCRIPTIONS
6. FAUNA
7. MANAGEMENT ISSUES
8. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDIX I SURVEY NOTES
APPENDIX II SPECIES LIST
APPENDIX III PHOTOGRAPHS

MAP 1 HABITAT TYPES
MAP 2 SURVEY NOTES

1. INTRODUCTION

Tourmakeady is located on the western side of Lough Mask, Co Mayo. The site is situated to the west of the village, adjacent to the Glensaul River (Grid Ref. M 090 680). Most of the area that was was planted with commercial coniferous forestry has now been felled. Much of the site is infested with Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) and Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus).

The main aim of the Millennium Forest Project is to plant native species into the clearfell areas.

2. OWNERSHIP

The entire site is owned by Coillte.

3. RELEVANT PERSONNEL

Coillte Forester
Mr. Paudie Blighe
Coillte,
The Mall,
Westport,
Co. Mayo
098-26480/ 086-2538565

4. GEOLOGY

The Tourmakeady Formation comprises a mixed unit of limestone, limestone breccias and fine to coarse volcanic tuffs and breccias. This range of rock types was formed by igneous activity and oceanic sedimentation, which accumulated in a small ocean basin known as the South Mayo Trough during the Ordovician Period.

The area is overlain with acidic glacial till.

Soils are generally peaty gleys.

5. HABITAT DESCRIPTIONS

5.1 Clearfell
The majority of the site has been recently clear-felled (see photo. 2). Scattered Birch (Betula pubescens) have been left standing (photo. 1), as have occasional Oak (Quercus petraea). Regenerating Rhododendron and Laurel stumps are widespread in certain areas (photo. 3). Vegetation is patchy, dependant on factors such as the time period since felling and amount of brash present. Typical species pesent include Bramble (Rubus fructicosus agg.), Woodrush (Luzula sylvatica), Common Polypody (Polypodium vulgare), Male Fern (Dryopteris felix-mas), Soft Rush (Juncus effusus), Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) and Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). Some areas are more grassy, with herbs such as Herb-robert (Geranium robertianum), Redshank (Polygonum persicaria) and Tormentil (Potentilla erecta). Some quite wet areas also occur (photo 4).

5.2 Mixed Woodland/Scrub
Mature broad-leaved trees occur in the site, generally along the river and stream banks. These tend to be inter-planted with coniferous species and almost all areas are infested with Rhododendron and/or Laurel. Native tree species include Oak, Birch, Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Hazel (Corylus avellana), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and Willow (Salix sp.). Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is also present, particularly along the Glensaul River. Where Rhododendron has not become dominant, typical herb and shrub layer species include Male Fern, Common Polypody, Bramble, Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), Ivy (Hedera helix) and Holly (Ilex aquifolium). Mossy patches tend to be dominated by Pseudoscleropodium purum.

5.3 Conifer Plantation
The survey area contains a Sitka Spruce block at the eastern side. In part of this, the trees are widely spaced with a ground flora containing species such as Bramble, Ivy, Tormentil, Wood Sorrel, Willow-herb, Foxglove, Bracken, Common Polypody and Male Fern. Clumps of Rhododendron occur as do occasional broadleaf tree species such as Hazel, Birch, Ash and Holly.

5.4 River/Stream
The Glensaul River flows forms part of the southern boundary of the survey area and flows through a small section of the site. It is shallow and fast flowing with a rocky bottom.

Three streams flow roughly in a north/south direction through the site, with two of them forming parts of the site boundary.

5.5 Track
A number of tracks run through the site. These are used both for access for forestry operations as well as by recreational users.

6. NOTABLE FAUNA

6.1 Mammals
A Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) was seen during the site survey.

6.2 Birds
A Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), was recorded during the site visit.

7. MANAGEMENT ISSUES

7.1 Invasive/Exotic Species
The main management problem in this site is Rhododendron infestation. Rhododendron stumps are regenerating in the clearfell areas and there is still standing Rhododendron remaining. There is also severe infestation surrounding the survey area. Laurel is also encroaching on the site.

Some Spruce trees remain in, and adjacent to, the site. Mature Beech are also present and some Beech seedlings were observed.

7.2 Grazing
Deer have access to the site, so young trees will be vulnerable to browsing.

7.3 Recreational Use
There is a carpark at the eastern side of the site. The site is used for recreational walking and the most southerly track leads to a sign-posted waterfall, which occurs to the west of the survey area.

8. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

8.1 Eradication of Non-native Species
It will be necessary to remove all Rhododendron from the planting areas before any trees are planted. Remaining standing Rhododendron should be felled and the stumps removed or else the entire bushes could be uprooted mechanically. Any stumps that cannot be removed should be treated with herbicide. Regenerating stumps within the clearfell areas should also be removed/treated. These areas should also be checked regularly for seedlings.

The possibility of more widespread Rhododendron removal in areas adjacent to the site should be considered, as these will provide seed sources for the site itself. The planting sites will need to be monitored on annual basis to check for re-infestation.

Any Laurel in the site should also be removed.

Any remaining Spruce should be removed from the site and consideration should be given to the removal of some of the smaller Beech trees. The planting area should be monitored for growth of seedlings of non-native species.

8.2 Control of Grazing
It will be necessary to erect deer-proof fencing around any areas that are to be planted up.

8.3 Planting
The tiny remnants of woodland remaining indicate that Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea) would be a suitable species for planting. Some of the trees in/ajacent to the site appear to be intermediate between petraea and robur. Birch have been left standing in the clearfell areas and these will probably regenerate naturally into the open areas. Alder and Willow would be suitable species for wetter spots.

8.4 Recreational Use
As the site is used for recreational purposes, signs explaining the on-going activities and overall project would be useful for informing the public.

APPENDIX I SURVEY NOTES

Brief notes to accompany Map 2

1. Mature Sitka Spruce. Widely spaced trees. Rhododendron in clumps. Occasional small Corylus, Ilex, Betula and Fraxinus. One Quercus seedling seen. Ground cover species include Rubus fruticosus, Digitalis purpurea, Hedera helix, Oxalis acetosella, Juncus effusus, Polypodium vulgare, Dryopteris felix-mas, Potentilla erecta, Epilobium sp., Pteridium aquilinum. Grassy and mossy patches.
2. Quercus and Betula at stream. Also Laurel and Rhododendron.
3. Slope above road. Tall Calluna and Erica cinerea. Young pine planted, also Betula and Salix. Rubus, Pteridium, Cytisus, Luzula. Sitka Spruce planted behind.
4. Thick Rhodo/Laurel thicket to north of carpark. Mature Quercus also.
5. Sitka Spruce, large Betula, Alnus, Quercus, Sorbus, Salix. Thick Rhodo understorey.
6. Recent clearfell, occasional Betula and small Quercus left standing. Regenerating Rhodo and Laurel stumps. Ilex and Fagus seedlings in places. Occasional patches containing Luzula, Polypodium, Dryopteris, Rubus, Oxalis, Juncus, Digitalis.
Mature trees along stream edge Quercus, Betula, Sorbus, Ilex. Rhodo thick in places.
7. Mature Spruce. No undergrowth.
8. Thick Rhodo along track with mature Quercus, Betula, Sorbus.
9. Recent clearfell, occasional Betula remaining.
10. Thick Rhodo along edge of compartment.
11. Laurel/Rhodo thicket with Betula, Salix, Quercus Sitka Spruce extending into clearfell
12. Trees along stream. Large Laurel at bridge. Large Corylus also. Betula, Quercus, Sorbus, Salix, Fraxinus.
13. Clearfell with occasional Betula standing. Rubus dominated, also grasses, Juncus, Geranium robertianum, Ranunculus, Cardamine flexuosa, Polygonum, . Standing water in places.
14. Wet hollow, dominated by Juncus. Also Senecio, Potentilla erecta, Rubus. Sika Deer.
15. Belt of mature trees at top of slope. Spruce, Lodgepole Pine, Betula, Sorbus, Quercus, Ilex. Herb layer includes Luzula, Polypodium, Rubus, Dryopteris, Digitalis.
16. Trees remaining along stream.
17. Between stream and track: Betula, Fraxinus left after felling of conifers. Some Spruce left also.
18. Clearfell with occasional Betula remaining. Very little vegetaion. Occasional Dryopteris, Polypodium, Oxalis, Rubus.
19. Ilex, Betula, Quercus, Fraxinus, Corylus, Fagus on either side of track, extendng to river. Rhodo gets thicker going eastwards. Also Dryopteris, Polypodium, Lonicera, Hedera. Mossy in places.
20. Clearfell, mature trees left along river, similar to N 18. Rhodo thick in places. Single row of Alnus, Betula, Fagus, Quercus along track.
21. Area of Spruce remaining.
22. Between river and track: Fagus, Betula, occasional Spruce, Quercus, Ilex. Thick Rhodo. Spruce becomes dominant moving eastwards. Single row of trees on other side of track.
23. Quercus, Betula, Alnus, Sorbus, Salix. Very dense impenetrable Rhodo. Some clearance has occurred allowing Pteridium, Luzula, Rubus to colonise. Hedera, Ilex and Lonicera also present.

APPENDIX II SPECIES LIST

Trees & Shrubs:
Alnus glutinosa Alder
Corylus avellana Hazel
Betula pubescens Birch
Fagus sylvatica Beech
Fraxinus excelsior Ash
Hedera helix Ivy
Ilex aquifolium Holly
Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle
Picea sitchensis Sitka Spruce
Pinus sylvestris. Scots Pine
Prunus laurocerasus Cherry-laurel
Quercus petraea/robur Oak
Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron
Rubus fructicosus agg. Bramble
Salix caprea Goat Willow
Sorbus aucuparia Rowan
Ulex europaeus Gorse

Herbs:
Anagallis tenella Bog Pimpernel
Calluna vulgaris Ling
Cardamine flexuosa Wavy Bittercress
Epilobium sp. Willow-herb
Erica cinerea Bell Heather
Digitalis purpurea Foxglove
Geranium robertianum Herb Robert
Oxalis acetosella Wood Sorrel
Polygonum persicaria Redshank
Potentilla erecta Tormentil
Ranunculus sp. Buttercup
Senecio vulgaris Ragwort

Grasses & Rushes
Agrostis sp. Bents
Dactylis glomerata Cocks-foot
Festuca rubra Red Fescue
Juncus squarrosus Soft Rush
Luzula sylvatica Woodrush

Ferns:
Athyrium felix-femina Lady Fern
Dryopteris felix-mas Male Fern
Polypodium vulgare Common Polypody
Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

APPENDIX III PHOTOGRAPHS

Photo 1. Clearfell area with Birch trees left standing

Photo. 2 General view of clearfell area-note regerating Rhododendron stumps

Photo. 3. Clearfell area showing Laurel and Rhododendron regeneration. The broadleaf trees in the background occur along the banks of a stream

Photo 4. Wet hollow dominated by Juncus , with a belt of mixed woodland in the background.

Map 1 Habitat Map

The Millennium Forests: Tourmakeady

Scale: 1:10560

Legend

Clearfell
Woodland/Scrub
Coniferous Forestry
River/Stream
Track
Carpark

Map 2 Survey Notes

The Millennium Forests: Tourmakeady

Scale: 1:10560

Legend

Survey Notes

*Please note that it was not possible to reproduce figures for inclusion on the website version of the reports.