Verge and Open Space Grassland Survey

Management Guidelines

Site Name:B15 Whitepark Road

Reference Number:Verge – V38

Grid References:Road co-ordinates: D044 444 (W) to D087 425 (E ) & N to D086 435Quadrat 1 - D08723 43518 (E of road)Quadrat 2 - D08684 43377 (W of road)Quadrat 3 - D07537 42735 (N of road)

Survey details:Total verge length: 13km (includes both sides of road)Survey area: 3 x quadratsDate first surveyed: 26.07.2016

Site description:This site consists of a short section of the B15 Whitepark Road between Ballycastle and Ballintoy, in addition to the side road leading to Kinbane Head car park (see map). The verges are often botanically rich including early purple orchids Orchis mascula, lady's mantle Alchemilla mollis, lady's bedstraw Galium verum, Devil’s-bit scabious Succisa pratensis, wild thyme Thymus praecox and kidney vetch Anthyllis vulneraria. Two car parks along this stretch of road are also being managed through the project. Separate management guidelines have been produced for the roadside verges adjacent to Coolmaghra Car Park (CP14) and Portaneevy Car Park (CP15). These sites are marked on the map below.

Most verges are rather narrow and steep. However the verge at the junction of the Glenstaughey Road (Quadrat 3) is wide and normally only a 1-2 metre wide strip along the road is mowed. A wider area should be brought under management whenever possible. The verge around Quadrat 3 is botanically-rich marshy grassland with meadow thistle Cirsium dissectum, marsh ragwort Senecio aquaticus and marsh orchids Dactylorhiza sp..

Management Options:

Not for car parks – See separate guidelines for CP14 & CP15

Mow twice per year - early spring (March) and late summer (September) Subject to review, this can be reduced to one late cut per year (September) Mow a wider strip where verges are >1m wide. Where possible mow a wider strip

than the standard 1m, at least every other year if this is not possible annually. This would be particularly valuable around Quadrat 3.

Remove cuttings. Removal of cuttings may be impractical here due to the nature of the road, but some local initiatives may be possible along key stretches (e.g. around Quadrat 3).

Survey in May and again in July. More quadrats should be established so that there is up to one quadrat per kilometre of verge.

Review management options every 3 years

V38 – Whitepark Road (with quadrats and associated car park areas)

Verge at Quadrat 1

Verge at Quadrat 2

Verge at Quadrat 3