Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

51 birds, such as song thrush and bullfinch. Other NI priority species that can be found in our parklands include red squirrel, many of the bat species and the spotted flycatcher. Ash Woods These habitats are distinguished by the dominance of ash trees in the woodland canopy, although other species such as oak and downy birch are also sometimes present. Mixed ash woods are renowned for the diverse range of plants present at ground level, including bluebell, primrose and wood anemone. As ash woods usually occur on base-rich soils, they are concentrated in the west of Fermanagh. Key woods include Hanging Rock and Rossaa NNR, Marble Arch Nature Reserve and Cladagh Glen. Hedgerows Hedgerows are defined as linear boundaries composed of planted shrubs, which are vital wildlife corridors within our fragmented landscape. A species-rich hedgerow should contain six or more woody species on average, within a 30-metre length. If the hedge has less than this but has a rich ground flora of grasses and wildflowers, such as primrose, common dog-violet, etc., then it can still be classified as ‘species-rich’. Hedgerows resemble woodlands in their basic structure of trees with an understorey. They are very important for the movement of birds and mammalss from one pocket of woodland to another, providing much needed refuge throughout the countryside. Hedgerows are vital habitats for wildlife, including plants such as primrose and herb-robert, birds such as the dunnock and yellowhammer, mammals such as bats, and many types of insects, such as butterflies and bumblebees. 10.0 Appendices © J Corry © Kate Carrothers