Bog Meadows is an area on the outskirts of west Belfast of 47 acres of grassland and woodland managed by the Ulster Wildlife Trust - grid reference: J3172.[1] The M1 motorway passes through this area. To the west of the area lies Milltown Cemetery and St. Louise's Comprehensive College. To the east of the motorway is the Boucher Road area now mostly drained land with industrial units in the grounds along with underdeveloped areas.[2] It is drained by the Blackstaff River.[1]
Wildlife records
editFlora: Ophioglossum vulgatum (adder's tongue), Rorippa palustris (marsh yellow cress), Sagina nodosa (knotted pearlwort), Carex pseudocyperus (cyperus sedge), Carex pendula, Carex strigosa, Glyceria plicata, and Bromus racemosus (smooth brome).[1]
Fauna: Insects and sticklebacks are common along the drainage channels along with frogs, smooth newts. The birds recorded include coot, little grebe, Eurasian teal, mallard, tufted duck and moorhen are to be found on the open water along with grey heron, water rail and snipe at the water's edge. Other small birds such as European goldfinch, common reed bunting, European stonechat, and sedge warbler have also been recorded.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c Hackney, P. Ed. 1992. Stewart & Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland. Third Edition Institute of Irish Studies The Queen's University of Belfast. ISBN 0-85389-446-9 (HB)
- ^ Beesley, S and Wilde, J. 1997. Urban Flora of Belfast. Institute of Irish Studies and The Queen's University of Belfast. ISBN 0-85389-695-X
- ^ Scott, R.2004. Wild Belfast on safari in the city. Blackstaff Press. ISBN 0-85640-762-3
Further references
edit- Dean, C.Douglas. The Ulster Countryside. 1983. Century Books.
- Ulster Wildlife Trust
- O'Reilly, Des. "The Bog Meadows and the River Blackstaff". 2008. Stranmillis University College, Belfast.
- Bog Meadows Nature Reserve. in The Irish Hare. Ulster Wildlife's Membership Magazine. Issue 114 pp. 6–7. Winter 2016
54°35′02″N 5°57′58″W / 54.584°N 5.966°W
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