IT IS too early in the year for cuckoos and the woodpeckers are having a day off from pecking. The kingfishers are off fishing somewhere else and the dippers have dipped out of sight.
As for the red squirrels, not a word of them either… probably hanging out with the pine martens, which are also keeping their head down for the morning.
All in all, nothing to record in my notebook apart from a few wagtails and the sound of wood pigeons cooing in the distance. But then there are days when the pure pleasure of walking on a spring morning alongside a fast-flowing stream and through looming Douglas firs is enough in itself.
Tollymore Forest was planted in the 1940s on what had previously been grazing land and the occasional outline of a moss-covered boulder wall or arched doorway can still be seen. The forest covers the low slopes of the Mourne Mountains, from where the Shimna River rises and flows through the forest and into Newcastle before emptying into the Irish Sea.
A smaller river, the Spinklee, after flowing through the impressive Cascade waterfall joins the Shimna at the Meeting of the Waters.
Long a destination for walkers and adventurers, Tollymore’s trails ramble for miles through the mostly coniferous woodland, with clusters of larch, oak and beech. One of its major success stories in recent years has been the thriving red squirrel population, which has been decimated in Ireland in recent decades by the non-native greys, introduced from North America.
Pine martens, which have become all-but extinct in much of Ireland, have also been spotted in the forest. Another non-native, but one which doesn’t threaten out indigenous birds, is the woodpecker, which was first recorded in Tollymore around 15 years ago.
A new species of human has also been seen here in recent years – the lesser spotted mountain cyclist, enjoying a network of often challenging trails through the forest.
The Tollymore National Outdoor Centre has been largely responsible for tapping into the environs on its doorstep to cater to the growing demand for outdoor activities. The centre has just launched its 2017 First Step courses. With all the equipment provided, and training from qualified experts, the state-of-the-art facility situated at the foot of the Mournes makes it easy to learn new skills.
Centre manager Trevor Fisher says Tollymore is best equipped to allow people to enjoy their services in a perfect environment.
“Everything is geared to providing the best facilities and direction possible to enjoy our greatest natural asset – the Mournes. First Step courses are available in kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, rock climbing, hill walking, mountain biking and more.”
“Tollymore National Outdoor Centre also provides development and leadership courses for the more experienced outdoor enthusiast. We are the only national outdoor centre in Ireland and welcome 5,000 people each year so newcomers and existing enthusiasts keep proving, for all ages and all abilities, we truly are the gateway to the great outdoors.”
Tollymore National Outdoor Centre is owned and operated by Sport NI and funded by the Department for Communities; its new facility was opened in 2010.
:: For more information see tollymore.com
