Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

49 as meadow vetchling, yellow rattle, the rare blue-eyed grass and a wide diversity of other grasses, which in turn, support butterflies and bees. This seed source and long grass habitat was once home to the corncrake and other ground nesting birds. However, the decline in quantity and quality of lowland meadow habitat has contributed to their disappearance. Yet, lowland meadows continue to be important for breeding waders. Purple Moor-grass and Rush Pasture This is a complex wet grassland, composed of many types of grass, such as quaking grass, sedges (e.g., carnation sedge) and rushes, as well as flowering plants like wild angelica. Purple moor-grass is always present in the mix. Purple moor-grass and rush pasture often occur as a patchwork with other habitat types, such as fens, floodplains, grazing marsh and lowland raised bog, which increases their value for biodiversity. You will see rush pasture habitat throughout Fermanagh, typically in field corners, wet hollows and as parts of other habitats. The best quality pastures are protected, which includes Moneendogue ASSI. The marsh fritillary butterfly is reliant on good pastures where devil’s bit scabious is present, as this is the only food plant of the butterfly. Our District is vitally important for this European protected species. Roadside Verges Roadside verges extend the value of hedgerows and adjacent farmland by acting as wildlife corridors between fields. When they are rich with grasses, such as sweet vernal grass, and wildflowers such as bird’s foot trefoil and ox- eye daisies, they add to the overall biodiversity value of the countryside. Roadside verges can provide seed heads for birds, nectar plants for butterflies and bees, and natural coverage for many insects, mammals and birds. Rural roadside verges in Fermanagh are of particular interest, as the rare blue-eyed grass and dingy skipper butterfly, both Priority Species in Northern Ireland, have been recorded here. Woodlands and Hedges Woodland is the climax vegetation for our area, meaning that if most habitats were left to progress with no interference from humans, some form of woodland would develop. However, as humans have settled over the years, many of our woodlands have been cleared for harvesting and to create farmland. Today, Northern Ireland is one of the least wooded areas in Europe, with only 1% of land under native tree cover. Coniferous Forests There are an estimated 37,500 hectares of woodlands in the Council area. Coniferous forests represent around 60% of that total woodland area and are normally found in upland areas. They consist largely of non-native species, such as Sitka spruce, Norway spruce, lodgepole pine and larch. Such forests play a significant role in the conservation of various priority species, such as the red squirrel and hen harrier. Key examples of coniferous woods include Lough Navar, Ely Lodge Forest, Castle Caldwell Forest, Gortin Glen Forest Park and An Creagan Forest. © SJ Beacom