The natural world of Kenmare Bay
Kenmare bay is a 50 kilometre long Ria (a drowned glaciated valley). It resulted from rising sea levels that flooded the landscape as the ice retreated between 17000 and 13000 years ago. Today it is bordered by both the Beara and Iveragh Peninsulas. It starts at Kenmare and stretches southwest towards Dursey Island in County Cork, and to Lambs Head at Derrynane, Co. Kerry. Part of the ancient landscape can be seen near Castlecove, Co. Kerry, where during spring low tides, a submerged forest can be seen. Pine and oak tree stumps have been dated to between 4000 and 5000 years ago.
The natural land and seascape contains protected habitats and species that are unique to the area. On land, these include, the narrow-mouthed whorl snail (Vertigo angustior), the Kerry slug (Geomalacus maculosus), the natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita), and the Kerry lily (Simithis mattiazzii). Other species include, the greater butterwort (a carnivorous flowering plant), pine martins, grey seals, common, bottlenose and risso dolphins, basking sharks, minke, fin and humpback whales. The viviparous lizard, birds including the red-billed chough, white-tailed sea eagles, peregrine falcon and visitors such as Arctic, common, little and sandwich terns, Puffins, guillemots, razorbills, gannets, shags and cormorants are found throughout the bay. Trees include oak, ash, elm, birch, hazel, willow and holly. Habitats range from woodland to open grassland, blanket bog, wet and dry heath, cliffs and Mediterranean and Atlantic salt-marshes. Underwater includes habitats ranging from maerl and seagrass beds, sand, mud and kelp covered reefs. Species such as sea slugs, fish, and crustaceans are extensive throughout the bay. As a result Kenmare Bay is a designated Special Area of Conservation.Â
Vincent Hyland / Wild Derrynane
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