VISIT TO ANNAGINNY FISHERY AND PARK FARM THURSDAY 20^th JULY 2023

On Thursday evening 20^th July 2023 Alan and Charlene Abraham entertained 32 members of Cookstown Wildlife Trust showing us around their Fishery and Park Farm at Annaginny Road near Dungannon. We were amazed to hear that the whole area had been an open field 40 years ago. Over the years Alan dug out the 8-10-foot-deep lakes and planted extensive areas of native and non-native trees while recycling old classrooms to build bridges and recycled the old Desertcreat WI Hall to create a meeting room, reception and coffee bar. They now have a thriving fishery business and caravan park with up to 29 mobile and 14 static caravans with supporting facilities.  In the lower part of the park there is a comfortable looking holiday home made from an old container. Alan also has an apiary with several beehives. He is the “go-to” man in Mid Ulster for anyone needing advice or support with “beekeeping”.

A summer school runs in a marquee in the park teaching arts, crafts, wildlife studies and countryside skills.

Annaginny Park is obviously managed with the conservation and welfare of wildlife as a priority.

One of the lakes is a remnant from a turf cutting bog which fuelled nearby Annaginny House-previously a hunting lodge for an aristocratic family from Donegal. Alan dug out the other two lakes.

The lakes are stocked with Rainbow Trout, Bream, Roach, Perch, Eels and Carp while Gudgeon appeared naturally. A couple of 20lb Pike keep one lake clean by removing sick and dead fish. Alan showed us a huge Sturgeon in a tank which he plans to release into one of the lakes. On the side of the bigger lake Alan has also created a sandy bank for Sand Martins to nest in.

Alan pointed out cultivated areas of Jerusalem Artichokes, Borage, Mustard and Sunflowers. Some of this is for his bees. As we went around several wildflowers were pointed out by Ian McNeill.

There are 500 Rook’s nests in the wood. Several years ago, with incentive from a government grant,  Poplar Trees were planted to potentially supply a Belfast match factory. The factory closed prematurely and later in a heavy storm most of the shallow rooted Poplars were blown over into one of the lakes. A few of the Poplars remain. There are also several fine native trees including Scots Pines.

We were shown Red Deer, Wallabies (including an Albino), Emus, Rheas, Anglo-Nubian Goats, Jake the Donkey and a pen of “retired” racing pigeons and other fowl. A lot of the animals in the park have been “donated” by owners no longer able to look after them. These have included a Corn Snake, Macaws and a Terrapin.

We were shown a display of stuffed animals built up over the years as some “residents” have died off.

There is a remarkable larger than life polystyrene cow which has recently required protection with wire netting as Jackdaws have started pecking off pieces for their nests!

At the end of the tour we were entertained to light refreshments. The Chairperson thanked Alan and Charlene for a most interesting tour and congratulated them on how they were supporting wildlife at Annaginny.