Murlough is nominated for top UK nature area

Murlough is nominated for top UK nature area

11 September 2013

MURLOUGH Nature Reserve has always been regarded as a haven for wildlife and an oasis of calm.

Now it has been revealed as one of the UK’s favourite reserves which has recorded over 600 species of butterflies and moths, more than anywhere else in Northern Ireland.

Murlough is one of the 10 places nominated as the UK’s Favourite Nature Reserve in the Countryfile Magazine awards and is now in the running to be crowned the best of the best.

National Trust volunteer Andrew Crory carried out the moth and butterfly research and thanks to his efforts and the work of other volunteers and conservationists, over 606 species have been recorded at Murlough. They included 23 species of butterfly, 329 species of macro moths and 254 micro-moths.

The stunning location provides valuable habitats for a wide variety of specialist sand dune species as well as a long list of “firsts” for Northern Ireland that include moths such as Gold Triangle, Thistle Ermine and Marbled White Spot.

Other species have only been seen in Ireland at Murlough such as the micro-moth Double-striped Tabby and, perhaps most amazingly of all, Andrew recorded a Stephens’ Gem moth that had been blown all the way across the Atlantic, hot on the heels of Hurricane Katrina. Some more common moths including Iron Prominent, Least Black Arches, Netted Pug and Powered Quaker were also recorded at Murlough.

Andrew, who lives locally, started his career in nature conservation at Murlough and admits he “owes the site a lot.”

He continued: “I try to do whatever I can to keep it on the conservation map. Last year, I wondered if it was possible to bring the site total beyond 500 species of moths and butterflies and am delighted to say that we’ve recently passed the 600 mark and the tally is still creeping up. I believe the total could very well top 700 species.

“This is a cumulative effort thanks to the work of the early Irish naturalists like Watts and Foster as well as famous contemporary lepidopterists such as Ted Rolston, Kenny Murphy, John McClean and Dave Allen.”

Andrew explained a lot of effort has gone into the research and wants to thank everyone who has ever contributed a butterfly or moth record to Murlough, adding: “You’ve all helped to firmly establish Murlough as one of the most important places for wildlife in the UK.”

National Trust Coast and Countryside Manager, David Thompson, said it was “fantastic” that Murlough has been nominated as one of the UK’s favourite nature reserves and is encouraging people to visit the Countryfile website to cast their vote for “this wonderful place.”

He added: “The nomination is very timely as we reveal the results of our research. Murlough is one of the most important places for wildlife in the UK. The fragile 6,000 year old sand dunes are internationally important for wintering wildfowl and waders as well as the hundreds of species of moths and butterflies. It is also an excellent area for walking.”

• To vote for Murlough in the Countryfile Magazine awards log on at www.countryfile.com/awards. Votes must be registered by September 30.