Following an invitation from our hosting a recent Community Wetlands Forum meeting, the committee of Drummin bog were  invited by the Girley Bog Mmeithal to learn about their community bog. It was a fact-finding day but social too as we started off with a picnic in the bog. It was a warm mild day with no rain, and we so enjoyed our several hours on this important natural habitat.

We are very much indebted to Kate Flood for leading us on such an informative day. Kateo is doing important doctoral research at NUIG on evaluating forthcoming EU ecosystem framework policy in regards to community engagement with boglands. Also, we wish to express our thanks to Natasha for supplying us our lunch. Natasha’s son Tim, has an extraordinary knowledge and enthusiasm for bogs and wildlife. We were not suprised to hear that he will be featuring on Ecoeye in January.  Thank you so much Girley Bog Meithal!

The Girley Bog Meitheal is a community based group of individuals and organisations involved with the conservation and management of Girley Bog. Follow Girley Bog on twitter @GirleyBog

Entrance signage

Carpark signage

Aims for the Girley bog

We started our tour off with a picnic on the bog

this syrup for Kate Flood’s cake was made from Girley bog plants and berries – yum!

Kate showing us old maps of Girley bog – its 300 acres; these old maps are great talking points for bog tours and local engagement

Kate had an old book with valuable historical bog management

Kate showing us old maps of Girley bog – its 300 acres; these are great for bog tours

Kate showing us old maps of Girley bog – its 300 acres; these are great for bog tours

Group talk

We discussed the pro’s and con’s of signage, this sign is perhaps a bit threatening.

A hazard sign

We were all interested in the materials used for the bog walkway

We were all interested in the materials used for the bog walkway

The Girley bog walk begins in a small woodland

Committee members enjoying the walk, with dogs!

The Girley bog walk has areas that adjoin forested areas

The bog walkway is single file but is all you need on such a fragile habitat

Kate stopped to show us bog cranberry plants

Bog cranberry

they tasted nice but we should leave them for the wildlife

Signage along the way

We loved how the boardwalk snaked around the bog

Drummin bog committee at Girley bog

and it had occasional seating

These were great pop-out signs

Such a wide open landscape on bogs

Such a wide open landscape on bogs

Kate talk about how the dry summer had caused the bog pond to disappear

Kate talk about how the dry summer had caused the bog pond to disappear

Looking at sheet pile to block drainage ditches to retain water needed for a healthy bog

Looking at sheet pile to block drainage ditches to retain water needed for a healthy bog

Looking at sheet pile to block drainage ditches to retain water needed for a healthy bog

antler lichen

tiny but stunningly beautiful cigarette lichen

tiny but stunningly beautiful cigarette lichen

tiny but stunningly beautiful cigarette lichen

More signage

Girley bog and moth enthusiast Tim showing us how he is breeding moths

Tim grows the moth pupae on sticks, to release back to the bog

Tim grows the moth pupae on sticks, to release back to the bog

and lets moth pupae grow on sawdust

moth pupae on sawdust

another bizaree twig-likecaterpillar