Ballalough Reedbeds is a small nature reserve set in 3.5 acres of land on the northern outskirts of Castletown.
The reserve is owned and managed by Castletown Commissioners and has areas of meadow, wetland, reedbeds and hedges; supporting a diverse range of wildflowers, birds and invertebrates and thus protecting our natural resources.
The management plan for the reserve involves the annual harvesting and rejuvenating of the reedbeds, so that they flourish. In time it is hoped the reserve may be able to identify a local partner for the offtake of harvested reeds for local thatching use, in turn supporting and promoting our cultural heritage.
There is a bird feeding station at the entrance to the reserve for children to identify which species are visiting, and there are plans to implement some bird hides within the reserve for further educational purposes and respectful bird watching.
Ballalough Reedbeds engage with the local community by encouraging visitors to take photographs of the species they find and submit them to the reserve managers, to contribute to important biodiversity research through citizen science.
The nature reserve is open all year round for visitors and the main emphasis of the project is educational for organised school trips.
