Marine Biodiversity Data Portal - NI

Dunimeny Castle, North Coast.

[Site list for year 1987]

Survey number: 555 Event number: 19870528/21 Date: 1987-05-28 GPS: 55.21000,-6.24600. Depth: 3.5 to 0.2 m. [ View map ]

Site Description: Extensive limestone wave-cut platforms situated to the east of the Ballycastle Harbour carpark. The platforms nearest the car park are low, wide and very gently sloping having a ridged effect. They are moderately exposed and have wide shallow rock pools on the rock surfaces. The upper shore has patchy dried fucoids and Patella, the lower shore has a great deal of Laminaria, Himanthalia and Fucus serratus in distinct zones. There was also much Ulva (originally recorded as Enteromorpha) and extensive mats of the sand binding Rhodothamniella floridula (originally recorded as Audouinella floridula). The upper shore and mid shores had a great many littorinids (Littorina saxatilis species complex). The platforms further from the carpark are more typical of this location, and are higher with steep and vertical sides, being more exposed than the former. Deep rock pools occur on the top surfaces which are in the splash and wave wash. Deep gullies occur carved by wave action perpendicular to the shoreline. The rough pitted surface provides a habitat for many small littorinids throughout the shore. Shore backing is high cliff, the top half being basalt and bottom limestone. On the splash zone is a path forming a small man-made embankment. Fulmars and gulls nest on the cliffs.