Shannon Callows: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Low lying areas between Athlone and Portumna, Ireland}} |
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| ⚫ | The '''Shannon Callows''' ({{ |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}} |
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{{Use Irish English|date=January 2020}} |
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[[File:The Shannon Callows at Clonmacnoise - geograph.org.uk - 3802263.jpg|thumb|right|Callows at [[Clonmacnoise]]]] |
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| ⚫ | The '''Shannon Callows''' ({{Langx|ga|Caladh na Sionainne}}) are areas of flat land along the shores of the [[River Shannon]]. These areas lie between [[Athlone]] in [[County Westmeath]], where the river flows out of [[Lough Ree]], and [[Portumna]] in [[County Galway]], where it enters [[Lough Derg (Shannon)|Lough Derg]], in central [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. The shallow grade of the river here results in occasional [[flooding]] of the Callows.<ref name = IT/> |
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==Etymology== |
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The [[Hiberno-English]] word "callow" is an [[anglicisation]] of the [[Irish language|Irish]] word ''caladh'', which means "[[flood-meadow]]".<ref name = IT>{{cite web | url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/the-shannon-callows-uncertain-future-for-midlands-jewel-1.3974052 | title = The Shannon Callows: uncertain future for midlands jewel | author = Paddy Woodworth | date = 10 August 2019 | publisher = Irish Times}}</ref> |
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==Protection== |
==Protection== |
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The Callows are a classified as a [[Special Area of Conservation]] (SAC) |
The Callows are a classified as a [[Special Area of Conservation]] (SAC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.npws.ie/protectedsites/specialareasofconservationsac/rivershannoncallowssac/ |title=River Shannon Callows SAC - National Parks & Wildlife Service |publisher=Npws.ie |date= |accessdate=2013-05-21}}</ref> The Irish Wildlife Trust has a "callow reserve" on Bullock Island in [[County Offaly]].<ref name = IWT>{{cite web|url=http://iwt.ie/what-we-do/reserves/shannon-callows-co-offaly/ |title=Shannon Callows, Co Offaly | Irish Wildlife Trust |publisher=Iwt.ie |date= |accessdate=2022-04-15}}</ref> The SAC covers an area of {{convert|59|km2|sqmi}}.<ref name = EUNIS>{{cite web|url=http://eunis.eea.europa.eu/sites/IE0000216 |title=EUNIS -Site factsheet for River Shannon Callows |publisher=Eunis.eea.europa.eu |date= |accessdate=2013-05-21}}</ref> |
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==Wildlife== |
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Protection of the Callows is particularly important due to the many species of birds occurring on the Callows. Recorded are, amongst others, [[black-tailed godwit]], [[corncrake]], [[Eurasian curlew|curlew]], [[European golden plover|golden plover]], [[Northern lapwing|lapwing]], [[mute swan]], [[Common redshank|redshank]], [[common sandpiper]], [[whooper swan]] and [[Eurasian wigeon|wigeon]]. Mammals recorded include [[American mink]], fox and [[Eurasian otter|otter]]. Grazing of cattle keeps alder and willow from spreading. Sections of Callow at higher elevation and therefore less prone to flooding have a greater diversity of plants, in particular clover, creeping buttercup, cuckoo flower, marsh bedstraw, marsh marigold, meadow grass, meadowsweet, sedge and water mint.<ref name = Ask>{{cite web |url = http://www.askaboutireland.ie/enfo/irelands-environment/county-focus/westmeath/river-shannon-callows/ | title = River Shannon Callows | accessdate = 30 March 2020 | publisher = Ask About Ireland}}</ref> |
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The area was one of the most important breeding areas for corncrakes in Ireland and the local farmers supported a project to mow the callows later in the summer to give the birds the chance to rear a second brood. However, the early summer flooding which became predominant stopped the corncrakes breeding at all, the corncrake being said to be the first bird to be extirpated from Shannon system due to climate change. The Callows also support 80% of the Irish population of [[whinchat]].<ref name = IT/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:Special Areas of Conservation in the Republic of Ireland]] |
[[Category:Special Areas of Conservation in the Republic of Ireland]] |
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[[Category:Floodplains]] |
[[Category:Floodplains of Europe]] |
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[[Category:River Shannon]] |
[[Category:River Shannon]] |
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Latest revision as of 05:22, 6 November 2024
The Shannon Callows (Irish: Caladh na Sionainne) are areas of flat land along the shores of the River Shannon. These areas lie between Athlone in County Westmeath, where the river flows out of Lough Ree, and Portumna in County Galway, where it enters Lough Derg, in central Ireland. The shallow grade of the river here results in occasional flooding of the Callows.[1]
Etymology
[edit]The Hiberno-English word "callow" is an anglicisation of the Irish word caladh, which means "flood-meadow".[1]
Protection
[edit]The Callows are a classified as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).[2] The Irish Wildlife Trust has a "callow reserve" on Bullock Island in County Offaly.[3] The SAC covers an area of 59 square kilometres (23 sq mi).[4]
Wildlife
[edit]Protection of the Callows is particularly important due to the many species of birds occurring on the Callows. Recorded are, amongst others, black-tailed godwit, corncrake, curlew, golden plover, lapwing, mute swan, redshank, common sandpiper, whooper swan and wigeon. Mammals recorded include American mink, fox and otter. Grazing of cattle keeps alder and willow from spreading. Sections of Callow at higher elevation and therefore less prone to flooding have a greater diversity of plants, in particular clover, creeping buttercup, cuckoo flower, marsh bedstraw, marsh marigold, meadow grass, meadowsweet, sedge and water mint.[5]
The area was one of the most important breeding areas for corncrakes in Ireland and the local farmers supported a project to mow the callows later in the summer to give the birds the chance to rear a second brood. However, the early summer flooding which became predominant stopped the corncrakes breeding at all, the corncrake being said to be the first bird to be extirpated from Shannon system due to climate change. The Callows also support 80% of the Irish population of whinchat.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Paddy Woodworth (10 August 2019). "The Shannon Callows: uncertain future for midlands jewel". Irish Times.
- ^ "River Shannon Callows SAC - National Parks & Wildlife Service". Npws.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "Shannon Callows, Co Offaly | Irish Wildlife Trust". Iwt.ie. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- ^ "EUNIS -Site factsheet for River Shannon Callows". Eunis.eea.europa.eu. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "River Shannon Callows". Ask About Ireland. Retrieved 30 March 2020.