£31k awarded for Causeway projects

Two of these projects will be delivered in the Antrim Coast and Glens areas.

The project will include working with the Glens Angling Club to deliver habitat enhancement works at the Dun River. It will see the construction of timber weirs in the upper reaches of the river, creating spawning pools to counteract the falling salmon population. Vegetative planting will also be carried out at various locations along the river bank which will contribute to feeding opportunities for the fish-stock.

This native planting will also promote stability of the riverbank, tackling erosion and flooding of the Dun River. Project will be delivered by March 31 2012. Project value is £9950.

A Trust officer will also be working with the Glens Red Squirrel Group to promote the red squirrel population in the area. Feeders will be constructed in Ballypatrick, Ballycastle, Cushendun and Glenariff to increase species numbers in the Glens.

The mortality rate of the Red Squirrel in year one of life is 75% and it is envisaged that this project will tackle this trend. This will be complemented with interpretation material for three Red Squirrel Trails in the Glens. The project will also be delivered by March 31 at a value of £4700.

A CCGHT officer is working with Butterfly Conservation NI (BCNI) to develop a leaflet featuring the butterflies and moths of the North Coast, which will seek to educate and increase awareness of the wide variety of species in the Causeway Coast and Glens.

CCGHT is working in partnership with BCNI and they are complementing this with a series of days on site carrying out practical conservation projects.

The works will involve surveying, scrub clearance and site enhancement works at Straidkilly and Murlough Bay to benefit butterfly species including the Silver Washed Fritillary, Small White Wave, Little Emerald and the Yellow Ringed Carpet Moth. Project value is £2500.