Wetlands - Waders And Wildflowers

County Fermanagh has a rich diversity of landscapes and habitats which are very important in supporting a wide range of flora and fauna (the flowers and animals found in the region). An example is wetland habitat, which is found throughout the county, and particularly around Upper Lough Erne and the Finn River.

Wetlands have a naturally high watertable. They are usually flooded for part of the year and remain wet until at least the middle of June. Wetlands include areas of fen, swamp and reedbeds. These wetland areas are particularly important for breeding waders such as snipe, curlew, lapwing and redshank. The decline in wader populations in recent times is attributed mainly to trampling by stock, predation and loss of suitable feeding and breeding grounds.

Wetland habitats also contain some fascinating plants which in the past were used for medicinal purposes. One such plant is the Bogbean, which has a clover like leaf and a dense spike of white flowers when in bloom. Bogbean was considered a blood purifier and was used as a remedy for boils. Tormentil, a small yellow flower, was used to relieve stomach pains and toothache. Some areas contain rare plants such as the European Irish Lady’s Tresses Orchid or Marsh Pea which were once common around Lough Neagh but are now only found around Lough Erne and the Westmeath lakes. Unfortunately these wetland habitats have been and continue to be threatened by the alteration of water levels, drainage, infilling, enrichment and the lack of appropriate management.

However, approximately 1200 ha of Fermanagh’s wetlands are being managed under agri-environment schemes, (Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and Countryside Management Scheme) which aim to protect and enhance the areas. Scheme participants receive financial rewards for adhering to specific management prescriptions.

The management requirements which must be followed are:

These restrictions minimise disturbance to nesting birds, provide ideal feeding conditions for adult birds and chicks and provide the ideal environment for a variety of plant species.

For further information on agri-environment schemes in Co Fermanagh, contact Countryside Management Branch at DARD Direct (Inishkeen House), telephone 028 6632 5004.