The upland environment of Northern Blanket Bog Montane Heath Upland Acid Grassland This guide aims to help you understand more about ’s uplands and Where What Who Status Where What Who Status Where What Who Status the wild plant and animal species that depend upon these areas for their existence. Wet, soft ground. Layer of peat 1-5 Most of the living Degraded through Generally found above This short (<10cm) wind- Dominated Significant losses Occupying Of greater cultural The open nature of Some heavily The wilder character of Northern Ireland’s upland environment becomes apparent metres deep. plant material in the actions of man 600m. pruned habitat is extremely by woolly of montane heath better drained than wildlife interest, grasslands allows grazed grasslands at about 150m, where earth banks and dry-stone walls replace hedges and where a bog is in the including drainage, slow-growing. fringe moss in recent years soils on heavily but remains a habitat small plants such as are dominated by less waterlogged overgrazing, burning, and contains mainly due to grazed upland to some scarce and tormentil and heath mat-grass. gorse, heather and rushes become more frequent. The rougher terrain combines surface 5cm. peat extraction dwarf shrubs, sheep grazing, landscapes. declining species. milkwort to grow. with harsher climatic conditions to constrain the extent of farming activity. Above and the impact of sedges, others also recreational 600m winter weather conditions sometimes approach those found in the arctic. recreation. mosses and pressure. These areas are also A reduction in lichens of high important for ground- sheep numbers The upland habitats of Northern Ireland with their plants and animals are very conservation nesting birds. could improve Priority habitat in a biodiversity. important in a European context. This is because we have prevailing southwesterly value. European context, weather systems that give a mild wet, oceanic climate (more than 2m yearly rainfall very limited extent in Care: Grasses grow from the base making grassland habitats more resilient to on in Fermanagh), a wide range of rock types (including Mournes granite, Northern Ireland. trampling than blanket bog or heath schist, Antrim Hills basalt, Fermanagh limestone) and genetically distinct Simon Gray animals and plants. The peaty soils under most upland habitats are nutrient poor Scrub from centuries of high rainfall and very acidic from the activity of bog mosses Simon Gray Restricted to the upper Supports a very rare Associated with This precious top part of our highest community of upland plants. priority species layer is likely to be Where What Who Status (Sphagnum). Found in valley bottoms Dead bog moss Home to species A changing, drier and most exposed such as skylark. impacted by climate and draped across and plant matter specially adapted climate may lead to When the going gets woody, Nature’s Important Now gaining About 12,000 years ago the glaciations which carved our mountains retreated to mountains (the Mourne change. gentle mountain slopes accumulated over to live in a nutrient- further degradation. 700m peaks, Cuilcagh, brambles catch at your stepping shelter and food increasing credit reveal bare rock surfaces and an uneven topography of rock debris, sands and and ridges. several thousand years. poor environment. Dart and Sawel). clothing, gorse spines stick stone to sources for small for its role in clays. The types of vegetation we see today (e.g. bog, heath and upland grassland in your socks, and you’re woodland. mammals and carbon and Surface is often uneven Expect bog moss Active blanket bog is habitats) vary depending primarily on rock type, climate and land use. They occur as Care: We can help the survival of this priority habitat by taking care to contain our trampling weaving your way through upland birds such water cycling. in character with (Sphagnum), bog a priority habitat in a pressure within established path lines, rather than widening the damage. willows, you are now in scrub! as stonechat. a fascinating mosaic of different habitats, in patches of different sizes and shapes. hummocks and pools. cotton and bog European context. asphodel. Care: Not greatly affected by recreation activity, the biggest threat to the survival of Woodland scrub is how it’s undervalued as a habitat. Care: Paths across bog are particularly susceptible to erosion and widening. Help prevent further damage to fragile blanket bog by keeping to the centre of existing paths and resisting Where What Who Status the temptation to jump off peat haggs. The natural treeline The government first started The main native General Cliff and Scree in Northern Ireland planting commercial conifer trees are birch absence Where What Who Status is believed to be plantations in Northern Ireland and mountain ash of native Upland Heath approximately 500- from 1911, before this the with occasional woodland Mountain A refuge for The mountain avens, moss Relatively robust cliffs, rock flowering plants campion and purple saxifrage habitats, historically Where What Who Status 600m. landed estates such as , stunted oak on in Northern Annesley and Kilmorey had more schist or granite Ireland’s outcrops and mosses which on ’s basalt cliffs protected by their Moving up the hill, Mature upland heath Characterised by Considerable mixed planting regimes and it is bedrock, and with uplands. and scree. grazing animals have are rare arctic-alpine species inaccessibility. as soils become with a diverse structure, abundant dwarf shrubs upland heathland these which give glimpses of the hazel and ash removed from more that have survived there since less waterlogged, including heather at such as heathers, bog loss in recent potential native tree cover can on limestone or accessible locations. the end of last glaciation. bog grades different growth stages myrtle, bilberry and times. bring to appropriate upland sites. basalt bedrock. imperceptibly into and a moss layer at the gorse. Nesting site for pergerine Some sites heath. base, provides a range of Widespread felling Recently you Some and raven. are showing micro habitats which add during the 16th and may have sites are degradation due to its biodiversity value. 17th centuries and noticed native showing to increased grazing practices since tree corridors degradation recreation activity. Particularly Upland heath in summer On wetter parts of the Pressures include have left only small alongside new due to Care: Climb carefully as the mosses and flowering plants hanging on in all steep, rocky prominent across colour is perhaps the most mountain, heathers will intensive livestock patches of native, forestry plantings. increased

terrain are slow-growing and sensitive to physical disturbance.

the Antrim Hills, recognisable and most be found alongside grazing, burning deciduous woodland recreation

of Northern Ireland’s Uplands Ireland’s Northern of Sperrin Mountains, photographed upland purple moor-grass, for agriculture, above 200m. activity.

Mourne Mountains, habitat. deergrass and bog air pollution and An Insight to Key Flora and Fauna Fauna and Flora Key to Insight An and moss (Sphagnum), this afforestation. At Aughrim Hill in the the scarp slopes of is known as wet heath. Mournes the Woodland Dogs on the hills – an animal welfare issue Wildlife Trust are currently James Hamill western Fermanagh. planting what will be the The survival of the birds and animals that live in the uplands is often On better drained Priority habitat largest native woodland in question due to harsh weather, predators and limited food.

slopes, notably in the in a European in Northern Ireland Disturbance by dogs is detrimental to already vulnerable wildlife.

Eastern Mournes a context. (110,000 native trees

Key habitats in Northern Ireland’s uplands greater abundance of The presence of a dog will also cause stress to sheep, and where dogs with on 60 hectares). A habitat is a place where plants and animals live and grow; habitats are typically the purple bell heather, are off-lead sheep may be chased and injured. The failure of a minority the dominance of dwarf Walking defined by their constituent species. Having names for different habitats allows of dog owners to keep their dogs under control means that dogs are not shrubs and the absence ecologists to quantify and map changes to our biodiversity. But more than this, of purple moor grass, welcome in most upland areas. habitat names provide language that helps us connect the landscape with what cottongrass and deer Please respect wildlife and farms animals by not taking dogs onto the grass are indicators of lives there. Our mountain journeys take us through a mosaic of different habitats, hills. Where dogs are welcome, ensure that your dog is under effective Kelley O’Reilly Smith dry heath. James Rainey with that variety adding life, colour and texture to our experiences. Habitat type control at all times. Make sure to clean up after your dog - there are can vary gradually with slope, aspect and altitude, or change abruptly to give clear Care: Its woody shrubs can make upland heath susceptible to damage by fire. Heather is Care: Consider the benefits native woodland can bring to our uplands and lend your support to risks to humans and livestock from dog faeces. boundaries. particularly sensitive to trampling. actions that help bring the trees back.

25 The Skylark’s distinctive head-crest rises 30 Red Grouse 31 Responsible recreation – can others enjoy up when alarmed. In the uplands they Lagopus lagopus tomorrow what we enjoy today? feed mostly on seeds from grasses and 33-40cm sedges. Once a common farmland bird, When disturbed Red Grouse explode into Walkers and climbers enjoy the uplands mainly for the physical challenge, pesticide use and changes to farming flight with rapid wing beats and a loud, the serenity and the beauty. The seasonal colour of habitats and wildflowers, mean the upland margins are now “quarrack-rack-rack”. Grouse are squat, the smell of heather, chance meetings with a hare or a fox and the flight of a important for summer breeding. plump, medium-sized birds that are peregrine falcon, all give treasured and worthwhile experiences. dependent on heather for food, shelter When you leave a tarmac road to head into the hills, you will be on land that and nesting. Heather makes up 90% of is often owned and worked by farmers and foresters (most land is owned Helen Lawless 28 the Red Grouse diet. by individuals or private trusts, some is owned by public bodies such as The loss of heath habitat through Northern Ireland Water and the Forest Service). Much of this land carries wildfires, overgrazing and conversion to legal protection from one or more upland conservation designations (Area Mountaineering Ireland Anthony McGeehan Mountaineering Ireland is the representative body working on behalf forestry plantations has greatly reduced of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation, National Nature of all hillwalkers and climbers on the island of Ireland. Membership is the grouse population. The Antrim Hills Reserve). These areas are special, representing many of our most important open to clubs and individuals. In addition to providing a comprehensive 25 Raven and the Sperrins have the largest grouse habitats, plant species and animal species of international conservation Anthony McGeehan range of services to members, Mountaineering Ireland’s work includes: Corvus corax numbers in Northern Ireland. importance (www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/biodiversity). Anthony McGeehan protecting the mountain environment; improving and securing access; 60-68cm Upland habitats provide us with essential services such as carbon storage providing opportunities for young people to experience our sport and The largest of the crow family and a common sight and sound of the mountains. 28 Stonechat 30 in peat and lowland flood alleviation. We believe that everyone who visits supporting skills development amongst all walkers and climbers. For more Intelligent and sociable, they communicate using up to 30 different calls; but it is Saxicola torquata 31 Peregrine Falcon or works the uplands should become aware of the impacts we have on the information on Mountaineering Ireland visit www.mountaineering.ie the deep, croaking “prruk, pruk” that draws attention. The Raven has a tumbling 12-14cm Falco peregrinus habitats, wildlife and services. The obvious impacts include litter - carry a Follow us on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/mountaineeringireland flight, diamond-shaped tail and long wings with ‘fingers’ at the end. A strongly Resident and commonly found in the 38-49cm small bag to take your litter home and consider picking up other litter you territorial bird, normally seen alone, but sometimes in twos or threes chasing other uplands, the robin-sized Stonechat is The Peregrine Falcon is the largest breeding falcon in Northern Ireland and the notice on the hills. raptors out of their territory. The youngsters form social groups before settling fastest creature on the planet. It is streamlined to dive at speeds of over 320km/h often seen perched on a fencepost or a The most visible impact of recreation activity in the uplands is the mark of our down and mating for life. to strike its prey with a single fatal blow from its strong talons. When not attacking, Environmental Defence Fund gorse bush. Distinctive in appearance, cumulative footfall, evident in muddy and eroded scars across the mountains. One of the few upland bird species that is on the increase. Ravens feed mostly on yet easy to recognise by its call which the Peregrine flies with a series of short wing beats and alternating glides, tilting Mountaineering Ireland’s Environmental Defence Fund was By choosing to walk on robust surfaces, such as rock, grass and drier ground, carrion but will eat berries and beetles. sounds like two stones being banged to show its pale under-feathers and broad pointed wings. established in the 1980s as an emergency fund to safeguard the and keeping to the centre of paths we can mitigate the spread of path erosion. together (hence ‘stone-chat’). Cold wet quality of Ireland’s mountain environment and to protect access Path repair work is expensive, walkers and climbers are encouraged to seasons with reduced insect populations From March to June loud screeching calls near rocky ledges may declare the to these areas. As an example, the Environmental Defence Fund consider contributing through monetary donation or voluntary effort. 27 Skylark have a dire effect on their numbers. Most presence of a nest. Help protect this magnificent species by moving away as was recently used to pay for a report on the landscape impact of a 26 Alauda arvensis Stonechats breeding in uplands move to disturbance causes unnecessary stress for the birds and interrupts their ability to With the exception of Forest Service land, a small number of public rights windfarm proposed for the western Mournes. The fund relies solely Billy Clarke 17-19cm lower altitudes in autumn. hunt and provide for their chicks. Peregrines were close to extinction in the 1960s of way and designated walking routes, access for walkers and climbers in on goodwill contributions. The male Skylark defends his spring but the population recovered following the banning of DDT. Peregrines prey on Northern Ireland is on an informal basis, which depends on the goodwill and territory by ascending 50-100m smaller birds including pigeons, and because of this are subject to persecution. tolerance of landowners. We can all help maintain that goodwill by acting Donate and help protect the mountains where he hovers, warbling incessantly 29 Any deliberate disturbance should be reported to the NI Raptor Study Group. responsibly. Find out more by visiting the Access and Environment section of If you’ve enjoyed this leaflet, and you’d like to help protect access (chirruping for up to for 15 minutes www.mountaineering.ie and the mountain environment, please consider making a donation at a stretch) before plummeting to today to Mountaineering Ireland’s Environmental Defence Fund - the ground. Skylarks appear similar to 32 Buzzard Signposts via the online shop at www.mountaineering.ie Meadow Pipits, but can be distinguished Buteo buteo 32 Dick Coombes by their song and flight pattern. The If it’s a big bird it’s most likely to be a Learn more about Northern Ireland’s upland environment and how we can Meadow Pipit flies lower and his song is Buzzard, now the commonest and most help protect these special habitats and species from the websites below: Thanks to all who contributed 26 Meadow pipit shorter, thinner in sound and he sings as widespread bird of prey in Northern belfasthills.org marblearchcavesgeopark.com This publication was funded under the Northern Ireland Environment Anthus pratensis he flutters down. Ireland. Identified in flight by its broad, butterfly-conservation.org mournelive.com Agency NGO Challenge Fund 2015 administered by Northern Ireland 14-15cm rounded wings with ‘fingers’, it also has ccght.org nationaltrust.org.uk/appeal/ Andrew Kelly Environment Link, updated 2020. Our most numerous upland bird, whose 27 a more widely fanned tail than the much daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/biodiversity slieve-donard-path-appeal In addition to those who provided photographic images, lisping “seep seep” call provides the larger Golden Eagle, but is more easily habitas.org.uk ringofgullion.org Mountaineering Ireland is very grateful for the advice of Jim Bradley, ambient sound of the hills. Meadow 29 Wheatear (the Victorians changed its name from distinguished by its pale cummerbund. ispotnature.org rspb.org.uk Alan Cooper, Trevor Fisher, Therese Hamill, Rory Hodd, Patrick Lynch, Pipits are small and ordinary to look at; Oenanthe oenanthe ‘white arse’) is easily seen as it flies A varied diet of small mammals, birds, helpingthehills.ie ulsterwildlife.org Mike Maunsell, Teresa O’Hare, Kelley O’Reilly Smith, Mary Tubridy and but in spring the male’s simultaneous 14-16cm low between rocky perches. Often carrion, and even earthworms and large leavenotraceireland.org wildflowersofireland.net particularly Vincent Mc Alinden. Series editor: Helen Lawless. parachuting and singing display is a A delightful sign of summer, Wheatears seen in pairs, the male has a striking insects has enabled their range to remarkable performance. are the earliest visitor to Ireland’s wraparound eye-band (shades). The extend across a range of habitats. Like Smartphone apps like Google Lens can help you identify what you find on Cover photograph: Although several species play host to the mountains arriving from Africa in late call is noisy ‘chacks’ interspersed with other predators, Buzzards strengthen the mountains, but it’s best to confirm sightings through other sources. If , , Cuckoo, whose intrusive egg mimics its March or early April. They time their ‘wheets’, their parrot skills are close to prey populations by removing weaker you have made a positive identification please submit wildlife sightings to courtesy of Leslie Ashe. host, the Meadow Pipit is its preferred arrival to coincide with the emergence perfection with the alarm calls of many individuals. The crag at Buzzard’s Roost the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (search for CEDaR online nursemaid. Most Meadow Pipits spend of insects. The Wheatear’s white rump other species retweeted in the Mournes is typical of their upland recording). This can provide valuable data on the distribution of species and

2019 18171615 1413121110987654321Anthony McGeehan Dick Coombes winter in the lowlands. breeding grounds. contribute to conserving them. 9 12a 12b 12c 21 Purple 23 1 Irish Hare 12 Heathers Moor-grass Lepus timidus hibernicus All three heathers commonly found Length 50-60cm in Ireland provide vital food, offer Molinia caerulea Native and unique to Ireland, the stability to friable peaty soils and A coarse perennial grass, Irish hare is a sub-species of the create habitats essential to the life characteristic of wet peaty slopes mountain hare found throughout cycle of many of the species featured and valley bottoms. In early spring northern Europe. Hare numbers have in this leaflet. its fresh green leaves are grazed declined due to changes in lowland When all stages of growth from by livestock before they become farming practice, but they remain young shoots to aged woody plants unpalatable. relatively common in the uplands. are present, heather plays a central In late summer the flower-heads Neat, flattened vegetation amongst role in a healthy upland habitat. (below) turn purple, whilst in autumn grassy tussocks is an indication of Healthy heathlands are not only the leaves turn red-brown bringing a hare’s resting place called a form. priority habitats under EU directives delightful shades to the hills, before Forms provide concealment, shelter they also provide valuable year-round dying off to a light buff colour. and a view of the surrounding grazing, recognized by their eligibility Its characteristic tussock growth area. As the hare’s eyes are set in for Single Farm Payments. Without creates a mosaic of humps and Zoë Devlin the side of its head its field of grazing heathland would gradually Helen Lawless Helen Lawless Helen Lawless hollows that add refuge value for vision is almost 360°. When Helen Lawless develop into woodland. wildlife but can make for difficult disturbed, the hare dashes across The loss of heather to wildfire or 12a: Ling Heather (Calluna vulgaris) 12b: Cross-leaved Heath (Erica 12c: Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) walking. 23 Bracken hillsides at speeds up to 50km/hr. severe overgrazing has disastrous is the most abundant of our heathers; it tetralix) is found in wetter places. Plump is found on thin peat and stony soils, Pteridium aquilinum During snowy winters white 9 Bog Moss effects on the many animals, birds, is tolerant of most soils and found almost bell-shaped pink flowers hang in a often with Ling. Vivid purple bell- (Height up to 2m) or partially white hares can Front Sphagnum spp. frogs and insects that shelter beneath anywhere in the mountains. Note the bunch at the top of the stem. Cross- shaped flowers grow in groups along In spring, Bracken’s curled leaves <100cm Jun-Aug occasionally be seen in Ireland. Back Bog mosses (Sphagnum) have vivid its evergreen canopy, feed on shoots very small, and very pretty flower. The leaved Heath is named for the way its the plant’s wiry stems. The leaves grow emerge from the soil and unfurl green and red hues. They form spongy or sip nectar from its flowers. You leaves are overlapping and appear to blue-green leaves are arranged in fours in threes, with tufts of shorter leaves into a branched leaf (this branching Mike Brown hummocks on wet peat and bog may notice tiny holes in Bell Heather cling to the stem. around the stem in a cross formation. where the longer leaves join the stem. distinguishes it from other ferns). pools. Their acidic nature inhibits the flowers; drilled by bees to extract the Bracken is poisonous to livestock and could be the discovery of a sett (with across the uplands at up to 25km/h decomposing action of bacteria and nectar. This nectar when processed 21 if uncontrolled, can extend over large 2 signs of fresh digging or discarded seeking females and showing their red fungi, the consequent build-up of dead by honeybees makes much sought- areas of hillside (as seen on the lower bedding by the entrance), a 5-toed underwings. There is reason for their plant matter forms peat, at a rate of after honey, most notably the Mourne <80cm Jul-Oct <30cm May-Sep <50cm Jun-Oct slopes of the Mournes and the Antrim footprint, or tufts of stiff grey hair hurry because they have no mouths, do approximately 1mm every year. The Heather Honey. Plateau). The spread of Bracken has caught on a fence. not feed as adults and live for only a specialised water-retaining cells of Bog been favoured by the dominance The sett is a system of underground week or two. moss allow it to absorb up to 20 times its of sheep on the hills, as the heavier tunnels and chambers which may In summer you may see the impressive own weight of water by capillary action. photosynthesise, produces energy hooves of cattle would damage its be occupied for hundreds of years. emperor caterpillars (up to 6cm long) Both these special characteristics led Bog 13 Heath Spotted 15 17 for growth. Use your phone or the emerging fronds. Bracken’s dense Badgers typically live in social basking in sunshine. They spend moss to be harvested, dried and exported Orchid magnifying lens on your compass to look canopy provides shade for primroses groups of two to six. In the uplands the winter in tough cocoons, emerging for use as an antiseptic wound dressing close-up at these diverse and bizarre and bluebells and important breeding groups tend to be smaller and for their brief winged freedom the during World War I. Dactylorhiza maculata organisms. With almost 1,200 lichen habitat for birds, but is also known to badgers can be solitary. next spring. Ireland’s most common orchid, the Heath species in Ireland, identification can be harbour ticks. Spotted Orchid has pink-mauve flowers difficult, most of us are happy just to Bracken dies off with the first frost Helen Lawless and dark spots on its leaves; it occurs on admire their beauty! and brings beautiful colours to the hills 10 on heath and bogs. Orchids grow slowly, Cladonia floerkeana is a bog specialist in autumn. 5 7 taking several years to flower. Orchid and one of a number of red-tipped seeds carry no food reserves, making lichens commonly known as ‘matchstick’ Front them incredibly light for successful wind lichens. Cladonia chlorophaea has cup- Robert Thompson Back dispersal. Survival after germination shaped stalks. They grow on bare peat 24 Teresa O’Hare depends on tapping into a soil fungus and dead woody stems in heath and bog. 2 Fox which helps the young orchids gather Watch out too for the bushy, grey-green Vulpes vulpes essential nutrients. Cladonia portentosa, commonly found Length (inc. tail) 100-120cm on bogs and amongst heather. 22 Bilberry / A member of the dog family, though Blaeberry some scientists now claim foxes share Roy Anderson more characteristics with cats, the red <30cm May-Aug Vaccinium myrtillus Zoë Devlin fox has the largest natural distribution 19 Found growing on heaths and dry across the globe of any land mammal bogs, this dwarf shrub is deciduous. 5 Common Heath Rob Ward other than humans. Fir Clubmoss Tormentil Leaves return in spring and pink Moth Robert Williams, Froglife 10 17 Foxes are extraordinarily opportunistic, Huperzia selago 13 Potentilla erecta bell-shaped flowers follow soon after. omnivorous predators, feeding on Ematurga atomaria Named for its resemblance to a 15 Common If there’s one flower every hillwalker Harvesting the delicious black fruits in carrion, small mammals (particularly Wingspan 22-34mm 7 Lizard miniature fir tree, fir clubmoss is one Butterwort should recognise, it’s this one. Tormentil’s summer is a celebrated ancient folk rodents) and ground-nesting birds. Flight May – June Zootoca vivipara of Ireland’s four species of clubmoss. bright-yellow flowers, with four heart- ritual. The local community around Depending on habitat and season, The delicate, common heath moth Length (inc. tail) 10-16cm A characteristic mountain species, Pinguicula vulgaris shaped petals, dot our hillsides for up to still gathers to pick invertebrate prey can contribute 30% can be seen flying above heather Hibernates: Oct – March which thrives above 300m. Clubmosses Butterwort, with its distinctive rosette of eight months each year. An indicator of bilberries on Blaeberry Sunday at the or more of the diet. As food is scarce on warm days in late May and June. The lizard, Ireland’s only native reptile, are amongst the oldest known plants. yellow-green leaves is a killing machine! acidic soil, Tormentil is abundant over hill beginning of August. In many parts in the uplands a fox’s territory can Males are easily identified by their may be spotted near warm, dry walls and During the Carboniferous period (350 It occurs on bog and wet heath, where grassland, heath and bog. Tormentil has of Ireland the highly nutritious berries Zoë Devlin range up to 10 square kilometres. large combed antennae which rocks. Your attention may be caught by million years ago) clubmosses were it supplements its nutrient-poor diet by been used to treat a range of ailments were picked for export to Britain, Although the fox’s night vision is five they use to seek out females. The the sight or sound of this shy creature the dominant plant life and are likely trapping insects on its sticky leaf surface in humans and livestock, and in the especially during the two world wars. times better than humans they hunt caterpillars feed off heather. quickly disappearing after basking in the to have grown up to 30m tall. Today’s and digesting them for their mineral 1700s it was used to tan leather (as its Bilberries are closely related to the 24 Gorse or Whin more by sound than sight. Common heaths and other moths sun. Lizards hibernate under thick grassy clubmosses are much smaller (5-12cm) nutrients. The insects have little chance roots contain a lot of tannin and there blueberries of North America. European Gorse Ulex europaeus are an important food source for tussocks or deep inside stone walls. but their basic structure has altered little. of escape as butterworts possess was a shortage of trees and tree bark in (70 – 200cm high) many upland animals. Only a tiny While other reptiles lay eggs, young possibly the strongest natural glues. Ireland at that time). It still has uses in Western Gorse Ulex gallii (photo above) fraction of eggs laid by a female will common lizards break free from their complementary medicine today, including (up to 80cm high) Helen Lawless 3 successfully survive to adulthood, eggs while still inside their mother. to treat toothache, sore throats and <60cm Apr-Jun Spiky shrubs with distinctive yellow most being taken by birds during If caught, a lizard can avoid death by 11 diarrhoea. flowers that provide shelter and Clíona Ní Bhréartúin their larval or caterpillar stage to shedding its tail, leaving the hunter <10cm May-Aug 19 Sweet Vernal-grass protection for ground nesting birds, feed to hungry nestlings. with a twitching stump. It can grow a Anthoxanthum odoratum and young saplings. Like clover, gorse new, shorter tail, but this will take much Sweet Vernal-grass occurs in hill 22 is a nitrogen-fixer and effectively valuable energy. Due to its elusive nature, 14 Heath Milkwort <20cm May-Sep grassland and heath as tufts formed makes its own fertilizer. record all sightings through CEDaR (see Polygala serpyllifolia from wiry flower stems surrounded by Harvested in the past as winter fodder 6 Signposts). Heath Milkwort grows on acid, peaty 16 flattened grass leaves (with white hairs for cattle and horses, and for use as soils, and blanket bogs. A low-growing where the leaf joins the stem). One of domestic fuel, gorse is highly flammable plant with several stems; the flowers the first spring grasses to re-grow on and burns at a high temperature. The 8 (usually blue, but occasionally pink, 18 hillsides, it is an important early food taller European Gorse, with bluish- mauve or white) are said to be shaped source for grazing animals. green stems and thorns, flowers in like tiny udders. Its name, milkwort, Traditionally, it was used as a hay fever spring, and gives off a coconut smell Front Back Harm Deenen comes from the fact that this plant was remedy. Crush the leaves and a sweet on sunny days in May and June. Andrew Kelly Harm Deenen Gillian Stewart traditionally used to make an infusion vanilla-hay fragrance is released. The European Gorse is found almost which, when ingested, would help to curious may wish to taste. everywhere, it needs deeper soils and 3 Badger 6 Emperor Moth increase the flow of mothers’ milk. This indicates land abandonment. Western Meles meles Saturnia pavonia belief and the name Polygala, meaning Gorse (also known as Autumn Gorse) Length (inc. tail) 90-95cm Wingspan 50-80mm ‘much milk’ come from Ancient Greece. is characteristic of dry heath habitat, Sivi Sivanesan, Froglife A shy, nocturnal hunter, with an Flight April – May <50cm Apr-Jun it grows as a dense, spiky mat, and Zoë Devlin Helen Lawless omnivorous diet similar to the fox’s, The emperor is the largest moth flowers in the autumn. Rory Hodd badgers are rarely seen on the hills in in Ireland. In spring you may see 8 Frog <20cm May-Sep daylight. Evidence of their presence a red blur as the males hurtle Rana temporaria 16 Round-leaved 20 Body length 6-9cm 11 Bog Asphodel Sundew 20 Bog Cotton Hibernates Nov – Jan Narthecium ossifragum Eriophorum angustifolium down to the root tips in the oxygen- 4 Ground Beetle on earth, with about 400,000 Frogs are surprisingly common in the A bog plant with a delicate yellow flower Drosera rotundifolia (Common Cottongrass) deficient peat. However, Hare’s Tail Carabus nitens species described, and perhaps as uplands, where wet vegetation and open and upright leaves. The flower spike 14 Sunshine colours radiate from this tiny Eriophorum vaginatum (Hare’s Tail Cottongrass lacks this feature; it has Length 13-18mm many more waiting to be identified. water provide safety to breed, hibernate turns into a deep orange seed-head, and beautiful plant which grows on Cottongrass) a single white seed-head in a dense This distinctive member of the and hunt. The frog’s skin colour is highly which lasts well into winter. wet bogs. The sundew lures insects The white heads of Bog Cotton or tussock of wiry leaves and will be ground beetle family (or ‘clocks’ as varied and can change tone to match its The species’ scientific name ‘ossifragum’ to their death, by catching them on Cottongrass are easily recognised, found growing on firm peat. they are often known) may be found 4 surroundings within a few hours. means ‘bone breaker’ referring to the old long sticky hairs. The added food value but look more closely and you The minute seeds of Bog Cottons Robert Thompson on upland blanket bog. Northern The females lay large numbers of eggs belief that after grazing on it the bones from digesting insects helps the plant may see two species. Common have fine white hairs, for wind Ireland holds important European (1,000-5,000) as a natural way to of sheep and cattle became brittle. In survive on nutrient-deficient peaty soils. Cottongrass has multiple white dispersal. Unlike true cotton, the hairs populations of Carabus nitens, yet counter the range of predators that eat fact, most bog vegetation is calcium Historically used to cure all manner of 18 Lichens seed-heads and long, smooth grass- of Bog Cotton lack tensile strength. there are no recorded sightings spawn and tadpoles. Around one in fifty deficient and unless supplements are ailments from warts to whooping cough, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia like leaves (often tinged reddish Up to about 100 years ago they were south of Carlingford Lough. of the eggs laid will actually survive to given, livestock can suffer mineral sundew displays a pretty little white chlorophaea purple at the end). The leaves mixed with wool or cotton and used Many ground beetles vomit on their become a froglet, and the very lucky deficiency. flower atop a slender stalk. The pioneering ability of lichens to emerge (in triangular formation) from in the manufacture of cloth, carpets prey and then wait for the digestive ones might live to be eight! establish in locations too hostile for wet peat and bog-pools. The leaves and roofing felt. It was also used to enzymes to make their food more All sightings should be recorded. In plants (such as bare rock) is the result and roots of Common Cottongrass stuff pillows, make candle-wicks and fluid and easier to eat. Beetle species winter frogs hide in frost-free sites, such of a symbiotic partnership between a have chambers that conduct air as tinder to start fires. make up 25% of all known life forms as under old heather stumps, grassy <25cm Jul-Aug <10cm Jun-Aug fungus and an alga. The fungus provides Roy Anderson Zoë Devlin Helen Lawless tussocks and deep inside dry stone walls. the structure and the alga, which can