Rosway Walkers were represented by two club members at a fantastic walk in the Slieve Blooms on Saturday last (a few pics below). Organised by Helen Lawless, Access and Conservation Officer with Mountaineering Ireland, Roswayers joined Minister Malcolm Noonan and other walkers from clubs and organisations in the region on a fascinating tour of the Clear Lake area, led by Áine, Robert and Pádraig from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
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| Attendees up on the hills on Saturday, with Helen Lawless on the right of the photo ©dboyle |
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Part of the group at Clear Lake ©dboyle
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The Clear Lake area is part of the largest state-owned Nature Reserve, which was established in 1985. The area is also designated a Ramsar Wetland site and Council of Europe Biogentic Reserve as well as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for mountain blanket bog. During the walk, the group was lucky enough to briefly spot a male hen harrier in flight and some red grouse. The Nature Reserve is home to a small colony of these species and programmes are in place to monitor both. A pair of golden plovers have also been recorded from the area but stayed out of sight on the day. Skylarks and meadow pipits sang in the background as people spoke so knowledgeably and with such passion about their work.
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| Waiting for the plover to appear ©fmaguire |
The link between the living environment and the necessity for conservation was evident as the group looked at the myriad of plant species, which the grouse in particular rely on for food. It was very clear that the appearance and disappearance of a species has an impact on the survival of another. Helen spotted bog rosemary in one area, a plant usually more usually found on raised bog. Elsewhere walkers observed badger prints, grouse poo and various grass species.
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| The grouse poo ©fmaguire |
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| Green tips of heather, one of the food sources of the red grouse ©fmaguire |
The impact of humans on the landscape was also discussed. Litter/dumping is an ongoing problem, as is the damage cause by dirt biking in this particular area. A number of prosecutions have taken place. The impact of commercial forestry was also discussed, as was the 'gorse' burning which caused so much damage to breeding habitats in the wider area.
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| Pink flower on bog rosemary, in a bed of Sphagnum moss. ©fmaguire |
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Club member Deirdre taking it all in on Saturday ©fmaguire
The NPWS were very clear that walkers are welcome within the Nature Reserve but advised keeping the group size small and to stick to known paths in order to minimise impact on the environment. The overall message was to walk with awareness.
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| Club member Fiona in conversation with Minister Noonan at Clear Lake ©dboyle |
Although Saturday was very cold, it was bright and the Blooms rarely looked so good. Happy to report that a great day out was had by all.
For further information on the Slieve Bloom Nature Reserve and the work of the NPWS, please see here.
