Pettigoe Plateau
Pettigoe Plateau is situated in Fermanagh in the west of Northern
Ireland, to the north of Lower Lough Erne, bordering the Irish
Republic. It is one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in
Northern Ireland, formed on a relatively low elevation rolling
landscape interspersed with hills with mineral soil and depressions
with several small lakes. The area of the Ramsar site is 1270
ha.
The extensive blanket bog that covers most of the site exhibits
the full range of characteristic vegetation and structural features
associated with this type of habitat. These features include:
- a large number of well developed pool complexes
- frequent acid flushes
- basin mires
- ladder fens
The bog vegetation is characterised by luxuriant Sphagnum
mosses, dwarf-shrubs and other associated species, with the
strong oceanic influence indicated by the constancy and abundance
of Purple moor-grass and the frequency of Bog Myrtle, the moss
Campylopus atrovirens and the liverwort Pleurozia
purpurea.
The site regularly supports nationally important numbers of
breeding golden plovers. The population is estimated as up to
12 pairs, representing 4% of the Irish population (based on
1987 and 1995 surveys). The site is also used by breeding hen
harrier, merlin and dunlin. In addition, the site is also notable
for greenland white-fronted goose.
