A resident of Carnamoyle has told the BBC that quad bike riders using Lisnagra Woods are having a negative effect on local wildlife.
The resident said the presence and activity of off‑road vehicles in the woodlands was disturbing animal life and altering the environment. The complaint highlights tensions that can arise where recreational vehicle use overlaps with sensitive natural areas.
Environmental and conservation groups have long warned that off‑road vehicles can disturb animals, disrupt breeding and feeding patterns, and cause erosion or damage to vegetation, particularly in small or fragmented habitats. Those concerns form the context for local residents’ objections in Lisnagra Woods.
Balancing public access and recreational use with protection of wildlife is a recurrent challenge for communities and land managers. Where conflicts emerge, measures such as designated trails, time or area restrictions, and enforcement of existing regulations are commonly discussed as ways to reduce impacts while allowing recreation to continue.
The report from Carnamoyle adds to debates in other rural areas about how best to manage shared countryside resources so that wildlife conservation and public enjoyment can coexist. Local stakeholders and relevant authorities will need to weigh the competing interests and consider steps to address the concerns raised.