Lough Naman NNR
The once vast peat bogs on the hills
to the south of Lower Lough Erne have been extensively planted
with conifers. Now only a few small patches remain; each is
a significant example of a now rare habitat. Although still
recovering from fires in the mid 1970's, Lough Naman bog is
relatively undisturbed. The bog forms a dome in a larger expanse
of blanket bog. Bog Cotton and sedges grow on mossy hummocks
where tiny Sundews catch insects on their leaves which are covered
in sticky droplets. The insects are attracted to the boggy pools
that lie between the hummocks.
Golden Plover, dunlin and red grouse
used to breed here. Their disappearance from this site and surrounding
areas is probably as a result of changing land use.
Irish bogs are highly valued internationally
as more and more peat is commercially exploited for fuel and
horticulture or drained for agriculture.