Woodlands, flora & fauna

Glendalough native woodland

Native woodland along the shores of the Upper Lake at Glendalough. In the early nineteenth century this area had been stripped bare of timber as the rising population scoured the area for fuel and charcoal for smelting. The secondary woodland is now dominated by oak and birch but contains a variety of non-native species such as Scots pine, beech and sycamore. (Richard Nairn)

Copyright R. Nairn

Glendalough native woodland
Copyright R. Nairn

Glendalough native woodland

Native woodland along the shores of the Upper Lake at Glendalough. In the early nineteenth century this area had been stripped bare of timber as the rising population scoured the area for fuel and charcoal for smelting. The secondary woodland is now dominated by oak and birch but contains a variety of non-native species such as Scots pine, beech and sycamore. (Richard Nairn)

Copyright R. Nairn

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There is a strong flora and fauna community within the Wicklow Mountains National Park. The Coronation Platation, close to the Sally Gap, is dominated by Scots Pine. This is a very important habitat for the Red Squirrel, a Red Data Book species, as it feeds on its cones. Typical flora of the ground layer of the Coronation Plantation includes Ling Heather, bilberry and Purple Moor-grass.

Some of Wicklow’s best surviving examples of native broadleaved woodland are found at Glendalough Woods, and despite appearances most of the trees are quite young. During the 18^th century the woodland at Glendalough began to be coppiced, but bad management meant that by the mid 18^th century much of the woodland had been destroyed. Most of the trees at Glendalough today are only about 150-200 years old.

Sessile Oak is the dominant species, with an understorey consisting primarily of holly and hazel. The ground layer of the woodland is species-poor mainly due to grazing by deer and goats. Some of the flora includes Wood Sorrel, Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemone, and Herb Robert.

Stoats, otters and rabbits also inhabit the woodlands, and while foxes and badgers are present they are not likely to be seen during the day. The trees are teaming with birdlife as the oak woodlands provide an ideal breeding area. Commonly spotted birds include wren, chaffinch, blackbird, and blue tit. Reed Bunting and Willow Warbler are common in the willow and birch woodland surrounding the lower lake, while jay, blackcap and sparrowhawk are less frequent visitors.

Feral Goat

Feral goats

Feral goats among granite boulders at the old mining village in Glendalough. The boulders here are typical of the large blocks into which granite fractures when subjected to extremes of weather. The goats, which live here, may be descended from domestic animals once kept by miners. (Richard Nairn)

copyright R. Nairn

Feral goats
copyright R. Nairn

Feral goats

Feral goats among granite boulders at the old mining village in Glendalough. The boulders here are typical of the large blocks into which granite fractures when subjected to extremes of weather. The goats, which live here, may be descended from domestic animals once kept by miners. (Richard Nairn)

copyright R. Nairn

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The Feral Goat is one of the most distinctive animals of Glendalough. Both the male and female feral goats (billies and nannies) have a beard and long horns that sweep back from the head giving them a majestic, dominating appearance. When it comes to mealtimes, the feral goat is like any other goat – it will eat almost anything! Grasses, sedges, heather, young trees, bilberry and shrubs make up the bulk of their diet.

Although his breed is found in the wild, it is descended from domesticated rather than wild animals. Those found at Glenadalough are descended from the goats the miners of Glenealo Valley kept, but the miners left in the 1950s leaving the animals to fend for themselves. They are a hardy, agile breed and well adapted to life in mountainous areas. Other herds of Feral Goat in Ireland are found at Killarney, the Burren, and the Mourne Mountains.