in SUMMER 2022 WE ARE carryING out an ecological survey in CORSTOWN BOG, A SECTION OF Ardee Bog

If you’d like to join us, CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

In June and July 2022 ecologist Catherine O’Connell visited us and carried out an Ecological Survey. We will share the results here soon!

We received a 2022 Peatland Community Engagement Scheme grant to carry out an Ecological Survey in a section of Ardee Bog. We are grateful to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for their support.

here are some of the natural treasures that we’ve found in Ardee Bog.

Sundew

Charles Darwin discovered that even the smallest gnat touching one of the sticky hairs of a Sundew plant was enough to start the process of bending the leaf in on itself in order to get as many sticky hairs to touch the prey and start the digestion.

Drosera, commonly known as the Sundews, is one of the largest genera of carnivorous plants, with at least 194 species. These members of the family Droseraceae lure, capture, and digest insects using stalked mucilaginous glands covering their leaf surfaces. The insects are used to supplement the poor mineral nutrition of the soil in which the plants grow.

SPHAgnum Moss

Sphagnum is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as "peat moss". Accumulations of Sphagnum can store water, since both living and dead plants can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; plants may hold 16 to 26 times as much water as their dry weight, depending on the species.The empty cells help retain water in drier conditions.

Hence, as sphagnum moss grows, it can slowly spread into drier conditions, forming larger mires, both raised bogs and blanket bogs. Thus, Sphagnum can influence the composition of such habitats, with some describing Sphagnum as 'habitat manipulators'. These peat accumulations then provide habitat for a wide array of peatland plants, including sedges and ericaceous shrubs, as well as orchids and carnivorous plants.

CurlewS

In June 2019 Jennifer Lynch, the County Louth Ranger, identified seven key sites in Ardee Bog where at least three pairs of Curlew are possibly nesting and feeding. Many more, up to twenty five birds, have been seem to visit the bog from the sea.

“likely feeding on low tide and returning to the bog to feed and roost overnight.”

—Ricky Whelan from BirdWatch Ireland

Download a Curlew information sheet here courtesy of the Irish Peatland Conservation Council.

WHIMBRELS

This Spring flocks of Whimbrel are feasting in the fields around Ardee Bog. According to Birdwatch Ireland Whimbrels are not known to breed in Ireland, so these birds must be visiting from Iceland.

ORCHIDS

Ireland has 30 native orchids, according to the Irish Orchid Society. Irish orchids flower in succession from early May until late July depending upon the species.

The Common Spotted Orchid flowers May through August, with pale-pink or white flowers and purple dots.

BOG COTTON

Bog Cotton was used by our forebears to stuff pillows and mattresses. Also known as Common Cottongrass, this plant naturally loves very damp peaty ground. Its leaves mostly arise from the base of the plant, often being tinged with red or brown. It has tiny insignificant little brown flowers in April and May. The little seeds are held in fluffy, downy, white tufts which quiver and shake in the wind, a most effective dispersal method. This is a native pant belonging to the family Cyperaceae.

BOG ASPHODEL

With a spike of starry, golden flowers which later turn dark bronzey orange, the Bog Asphodel is a joy to behold. It flowers July - August. In former times, in some areas, this plant was known as 'Maiden Hair' because the yellow flowers were used as hair dye.

REINDEER MOSS

WETLAND HABITAT

Fields surrounding Ardee Bog are part of the proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA). The aerial video above shows how they regularly flood. They are home to Curlews, Snipe, Swans, Frogs, and more creatures.

WALKING on water

We have been walking the bog and documenting the flora and fauna. Jennifer Lynch, the County Louth Ranger, joined us in June 2019 to survey the area. We found evidence of seven sites where at least three pairs of Curlew are breeding and nesting. Incredible!

Seán Walsh has taken aerial footage of the area during recent floods. Flooding has increased in recent years.

Ardee bog is a precious RAISED BOG

One of Ireland's most characteristic features is the bog. Covering 1,200,000 hectares (1/6th) of the island, Ireland contains more bog, relatively speaking, than any country in Europe except Finland. Across Europe, as well as in Ireland, bogs have been exploited in recent centuries as a source of fuel. With many of the bogs in the rest of Europe already gone, Ireland's now have an increased importance to the scientific community, as well as the tourist industry. Although most bogs appear similar, there are in fact two very distinct types:

Blanket Bogs are expansive, generally formed in wet or upland areas.
Raised Bogs are smaller, generally formed in lowland areas.

Most intact raised bogs vary between 3 to 12 meters in thickness, with a mean of 7 meters (23 feet). The image on the left shows an intact part of Ardee raised bog, county Louth, which was partially drained in the 1700s. Image of Ardee Bog, below, by Leo Swan.

Source: https://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/geography/bogs.html

Peter Foss is an environmental scientist and botanist. In 2014 he was Project Leader on the County Louth Wetland Survey III. In 2012 he was Project Leader and Consultant Ecologist on the Louth Wetland Survey II. Report for Louth County Council and The Heritage Council and The Heritage Council. In 2011 Peter was Project Leader and Consultant Ecologist on the Louth Wetland Identification Survey Part 1. Report for Louth County Council and The Heritage Council and The Heritage Council.

Click here to access the Louth Wetland Identification Survey by Foss, Crushell, O'Loughlin & Wilson, 2011.