Ayres NNR - The Ayres - Bride,Isle of Man - Flora and Fauna Information Signs on Waymarking.com

This information sign can be found in a car park close to one of the entrances to Ayres National Nature Reserve (NNR) in the north of the Island.

A description of the sign and the information which it shows about the flora and fauna of the Ayres NNR area is shown below:

Top Right Corner
Isle of Man Government
Coat of Arms
Reiltys Ellan Vannin

Top Centre and right
Ayres National Nature Reserve
Kemmyrk Nadoor Ashoonagh ny h-Ayrey

In the centre of the board is a map/plan of the Rserve which shows the boundaries of the National Nature Reserve, the Manx National Trust Land the Privately Owned Land. Other information shown on the map/plan are car parks, recreational areas (where parking is permitted and the viewing platform which has disabled access.

Left-hand edge (Top to bottom)
Lichen (Usnea articulata) (Scryss ny Greg), Lichen Heath (Reeast Scryss ny Greg), Common Lizard (Jiolgan-Leaghyr), Lichen (Cladonia portentosa), Little Tern (Gant Beg), Ringed Plover (Feddag Ainnit),

Alongside these photographs is the following text:
‘The Ayres has long been recognised by naturalist as an area of outstanding wildlife interest and unique importance. Official recognition came in 1996 when the Ayres was designated the Isle of Man’s first Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), and in 2000 the Ayres was designated a National Nature Reserve (NNR). These designations give the site special protection under the Wildlife Act.

The National Nature Reserve is 260 hectares (642 acres) and is jointly held by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (238 hectares), Manx National Heritage (20 hectares) and a private landowner (2 hectares).

The Ayres is an example of a raised beach, and is the ‘newest’ part of the Isle of Man. It has a unique combination of habitats for the Island including the shingle beach, marram dunes, fixed dunes, lichen heath, gallic heath, wet slacks and ponds. The Ayres also has many rare species not found anywhere else on the Island.

Lichen Heath
An Extensive area of Lichen Heath has colonised the raised beach at the Ayres. Lichen Heath is an extremely rare habitat not only on the Isle of Man, but also within the British Isles and worldwide. The Lichen Heath at the Ayres is an exceptional example of this type of habitat. Lichens are made up of a photosynthetic green alga and a fungus. The Lichen Usnea articulata only grows where the air is very clean. It is found in abundance at the Ayres. Usnea articulata usually grows on trees, but at the Ayres grows on bare ground.

Ground-nesting Birds
The Ayres is an important breeding area for many species of ground-nesting birds that have declined elsewhere in recent years. Little Tern, Artic Terns, Ringed Plovers and Oystercatchers nest on the shingle beach; their eggs and chicks are camouflaged to look like pebbles in the sand and are easily stepped on. Curlews, Lapwings, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits make their nests out of grasses in the dunes, health and wet slacks. Because these birds nest in the open and on the ground are extremely susceptible to disturbance. If your presence keeps the birds off the eggs for too long the eggs may become cold and die; unprotected eggs and young are vulnerable to predators. During the bird breeding season (April to the end of July) please stay on the paths and avoid walking on the upper beach. Raising chicks can take a long time particularly for a bird like the Curlew. The parent incubates the eggs for 30 days and it takes another 5-6 weeks before the chicks can fly.

Bottom edge (left to right)
Oystercatcher (Gant Beg), Curlew (Crottag), Meadow Pipit (Tweet Lheeannagh), Skylark (Ushag Happagh)

Centre-left (Below Plan of the Area)
‘Plants
The Ayres has a rich and varied flora including several orchid species and the rare Isle of Man Cabbage. The Early Purple Orchid is only found at the Ayres on the Isle of Man. In June, masses of Burnet Roses add colour and fragrance to the heath. Marram Grass stabilises the sand dunes.’

Photographs:
Top row (left to right):
Early Purple Orchid (Magglyn Leah), Isle of Man Cabbage (Caayl Vannin), Burnet Rose (Drughaig Veg), Marram Grass (Shaslagh)

Middle row (left to right)
Sea Sandwort (Lus-gheinnee), Sea Holly (Hollyn Traie), Restharrow (Streng Bow), Sea Bindweed (Kiangleyder Traie)

Bottom row (left to right):
Pyramidal Orchid (Magglyn Cughleinagh), Northern Marsh Orchid (MagglynGorrym-Jiarg), Bog Pimpernel (Follagher Curree), Hare’s - foot Clover (Cass Mwaaee)

Right-hand edge (Top to bottom)
Scarce Crimson and Gold (Lhemeen y Voolragh), Six-spot Burnet (Burneid Shey-spohitagh), Green Tigger-Beetle (Caraig-heegyrapgh Cheayney) Gannet (Gant). Sand Eel (Gibbin), Harbour Porpoise (Perkyn)

Alongside these photographs is the following text:
‘Rare Invertebrates
The Ayres is home to many rare and specialised invertebrate species, including 23 that are classified as nationally-scarce within the British Isles.

The Heath Bee-fly is classified as vulnerable because, within the British Isles it only occurs at a few localities in Dorset and the Ayres. This small fly mimics a bee and lays its eggs in the burrows of solitary bees. You may be lucky to see one hovering and flicking its eggs into burrows in July/August.

Within the British Isles the Scarce Crimson and Gold Moth is only found at the Ayres and a few localities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and has been classified as endangered. This tiny moth flies in June/July and occurs in good numbers at the Ayres which is an important site for this rare protected species. Their larvae feed on thyme.

Also on site are a wide range of other invertebrates such as grasshoppers, bugs, butterflies, moths, flies, bees, ants, beetles, weevils, centipedes, millipedes, woodlice, spiders, slugs, snails and worms.’

Below this narrative are 3 photographs of (from left to right):
Dark Green Fritillary (Breckag Ghoo-glass), Fox Moth caterpillar (Lhemeen Shynnagh), Heath Bee-fly (Quaillag-hellanagh Veg)

Below this is the following text:
‘Sea Life off The Ayres
Large shoals of Sand Eel attract sea birds to the Ayres. The Sand Eels are also a food source for larger fish, which in turn are food for Whales and Dolphins. Harbour Porpoises are regularly seen off the Ayres, and Minke Whales, Killer Whales, Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins and Risso’s Dolphins are seen occasionally. Basking Sharks are the second largest fish in the world, up to 11m in length, the size of a bus. They feed entirely on plankton, which they collect with their huge mouths. They are seen in the summer occasionally in large groups. Endangered Leather-back Turtles have been recorded off the Ayres and inquisitive Grey Seals are regularly seen along the Ayres shore. Velvet Swimming Crabs can be found from the shore down to a depth of 70 metres. These crabs are voracious predators, attacking and eating anything they can, including other crabs. Dead animals and algae also feature in their diet.’

Below this narrative are 3 photographs of (from left to right):
Velvet Swimming Crabs (Partan Snauee), Basking Shark (Sharkagh Souree), Grey Seal (Raun)

Visit Instructions:
Take a photo of yourself (and others) at the waymark and feel free to share any additional information or that is not contained on the sign or your experience generally.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.