Wildlife
County Cork hosts a diversity of wildlife relflecting its geographical position on the southern coast of the country, its geology dominated by sandstone ridges and limestone valley floors, and the influence of the people who have settled here. Our natural heritage includes our native wild plants and animals, natural habitats, geology and landscape. Much of this heritage is to be found in what is commonly understood to be marginal land. It includes our bogs, wet fields, rough grasslands, uplands, mudflats and saltmarshes. These areas are treasure troves of biological diversity where native plants and animals continue to survive.
Our marine waters, offshore islands and our intricate coastline with its cliffs, inlets and estuaries are important areas for marine plants and animals. Coastal habitats include mud and sandflats or our river estuaries. These highly productive habitats stretch from the Blackwater Estuary at Youghal to the Rosscarbery Estuary. They support great numbers of wintering wildfowl including a broad range of species. Over 20,000 birds visit Cork Harbour each winter escaping the harsh conditions of their northern breeding sites.
The rugged coastline and islands of the western part of the county support reefs, sea cliffs, rocky inlets and bays. There are dunes and coastal heaths to the landward side of some of these areas. There are rare plant sites along the coast as well as important sites for breeding sea birds including Chough, Arctic Tern and Common Tern. More marine species such as Storm Petrel, Gulls, Guillemot, Fulmar, Gannet and Rozorbill breed on the off shore islands. Common and Grey Seal are also found along the coast. Lough Hyne near Skibbereen was formerly a freshwater lake that is now marine in nature as a result in a rise in sea levels. It is an internationally important site with unique habitat and rare marine plant and animal species.
The great rivers, the Bandon, Lee and Blackwater and their valleys dominate the central part of the county. They host rare and important fish and invertebrates including salmon, trout, lamprey, freshwater pearl mussel and crayfish. Habitats of the valleys and floodplains include woodlands, marshes, fens and species rich limestone grasslands. These areas are rich in biological diversity and host many native plant and animal species. There are Otters and other mammals including a number of kinds of bats and many kinds of birds living along these river channels. Many of the old woodlands occur within the grand demesnes that are found along the river valleys.
The Gearagh near Macroom on the River Lee is a site of international importance where the most extensive alluvial woodland in Western Europe is found. This unusual area has formed where the River Lee breaks into a complex network of channels weaving through a series of wooded islands. The alluvial woodland which remains today is of unique scientific interest. It has probably been wooded since the end of the last Ice Age and frequent flooding has served to enhance its character. The site is important for wintering waterfowl including Whooper Swans, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck and Golden Plover.
The upland areas of the Nagle, Ballyhoura, Boggeragh, Derrynasaggart and the Mullaghareirk Mountain ranges add to the range of habitats found in the county. Important habitats in the uplands include blanket bog, heath, glacial lakes and upland grasslands. Some of these sites also support notable plant communities and rare plant species. They provide breeding and feeding grounds for some of our resident birds of prey including Merlin and Hen Harrier.
Some facts and figures for Cork
Area of County 7454 km2
- 1094 km of coastline
- 44,608 km of hedgerow
- 4,406 km of treeline
- 79,188 ha of forest cover (17% Broadleaf)
Designations
Relevant legislation
For more information on wildlife designations and the law go to www.npws.ie (National Parks and Wildlife Service).
Trees
A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) enables local authorities to preserve any single tree or group of trees and brings them under planning control. Tree preservation orders are only made if it appears that a tree or group of trees need to be protected in the interests of amenity in the environment.
The establishment of a TPO brings the designated tree(s) under planning control and restrictions do apply. The permission of the planning authority must be sought before any tree with a TPO is lopped, topped or felled. When the authority proposes an order they have to publish a notice in one or more newspapers. Observations and submissions can be made to the planning authority within a period of not less than 6 weeks. Tree preservation orders are only made after careful consideration of all submissions and observations by the local authority.
Other relevant legislation, conventions and agreements include:
Who to contact for advice?
For issues relating to designated sites or protected plants or animals, contact your local Conservation Ranger:
for other wildife related issues contact:
Heritage Officer, Cork Co. Council, Millview House, Victoria Cross, Cork -
021 4818000.
Where can I view maps of designated sites?
Contact the relevant Conservation Ranger.
Downloadable Documents
