Carrickfergus Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve

Guests gathered at Carrickfergus Mill Ponds on Friday (24th July) for the official opening of the site as a nature reserve and saw local children enjoy environmental activities including pond dipping and mini beast hunting.

Carrickfergus Mill Ponds is three hectares of land which is an urban oasis for wildlife. The main features of the site are the two former mill ponds which form part of the rich and varied industrial heritage of Carrickfergus. The site includes wetlands, mature trees, species rich hedgerows and grassland, with a good range of species for the size of the area. The Sullatober River flows through the site forming an important wildlife corridor, linking the coast with Oakfield Glen, Bashfordsland Wood and the countryside beyond.

A Local Nature Reserve is a protected area of land designated by a local authority to conserve its environmental and recreational value, with the primary land use being for conservation.This development is part of ongoing work within the Mid and East Antrim Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) which was officially launched in December 2014. The LBAP has three objectives: to help conserve habitats and species, to raise awareness of local biodiversity and to involve people in biodiversity projects and develop partnerships.

Councillor Billy Ashe, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, officially opened the site and took the opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the development of Carrickfergus Mill Ponds Local Nature Reserve, namely, Mid and East Antrim Council staff, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Biodiversity Unit and the Council for Nature Conservation and the Countryside (CNCC).

Cllr Billy Ashe with Council staff members Jackie Waide and Stephen Daye