Boleybrack Mountain

Boleybrack Mountain is situated north of Lough Allen and has been selected as an SAC for its extensive blanket bog, wet and dry heathlands, Molinia meadow and dystrophic lake environments.

Sciollam na Móna

Bog Asphodel

Sciollam na Móna

Bog Asphodel

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Rounded-leaved sundew

©Zoë Devlin www.wildflowersofireland.net

©Zoë Devlin

Rounded-leaved sundew
©Zoë Devlin

Rounded-leaved sundew

©Zoë Devlin www.wildflowersofireland.net

©Zoë Devlin

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The diversity of habitats in the Boleybrack Mountain region supports large plant communities. Flora typically associated with bogs is found along upland areas, including Ling Heather, Common Cottongrass, Sphagnum Moss, Bog Asphodel, Deergrass and Round-leaved Sundew. Cranberry and Dioecious Sedge, which are rare species for the area, have also been recorded in this habitat.

Red Grouse

The population is declining, and the Red Grouse has made it onto the Red List. Understanding the limited movements of grouse populations is important to reasoning their limited numbers. They are more affected - than other bird species - to changes in their landscape and perhaps the pace of change has been too swift for some local populations to react. Other possible causes include; disease, fertilisers, predators, hunting and climate change -The relatively wet Irish climate might influence the breeding success of ground nesting birds such as the Red Grouse.

Red Grouse

The population is declining, and the Red Grouse has made it onto the Red List. Understanding the limited movements of grouse populations is important to reasoning their limited numbers. They are more affected - than other bird species - to changes in their landscape and perhaps the pace of change has been too swift for some local populations to react. Other possible causes include; disease, fertilisers, predators, hunting and climate change -The relatively wet Irish climate might influence the breeding success of ground nesting birds such as the Red Grouse.

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Elsewhere in this SAC, Purple Moor-Grass, Devil’s-bit Scabious, varieties of clover, rush, and grasses cover the landscape. There are also areas of orchid-rich meadows, particularly dominant with Heath Spotted-orchid and Common Spotted-orchid.

Golden Plover, Red grouse, curlew, raven and hen harrier are some of the birds that enjoy the excellent feeding areas that the variety of habitats on the Boleybrack Mountain provides.