Heritage Week celebrates the rare birds on Sliabh Beagh Blanket Bog

Posted on By sconnolly2

A wonderful day was had with the Golden Eagle Trust and the Collaborative Action for Natura Network project on Sliabh Beagh, Monaghan yesterday.

Dr. Marc Ruddock introduced the sounds and sights of the bog to the participants, before everyone set off up the blanket bog plateau which covers three counties – Monaghan, Fermanagh and Tyrone.

The damp and misty weather failed to dampen the spirits, but it did dampen the behaviour of the birds who mostly stayed undercover.

The bog is a cross-border site with European and national designations for its protection, and the protection of bird species including the wonderful sky-dancer, the Hen Harrier.

Heritage Week celebrates the rare birds on Sliabh Beagh Blanket Bog      Heritage Week celebrates the rare birds on Sliabh Beagh Blanket Bog

Photos from left to right:

Frank Connolly helps his granddaughter focus on one of his favourite pastimes – watching birds, in this case a kestrel.

Dr. Rory Sheehan explains how sphagnum moss holds water and creates peat.

Note: The Collaborative Action for Natura Network project is funded through Interreg.