At the start of September survey work was undertaken on the third and final phase of the wetland survey in County Louth. Field work turned up some nationally important sites and some interesting finds on a wide range of wetlands habitats in the county.
The dry and wet heathland areas on Slievenaglogh were very colourful during the recent survey, with ideal grazing conditions noted.
A small lake near the summt of Slievnaglogh contained a well developed poor fen area, a rare habitat in Louth.
The umcommon heathland puff ball, Lycoperdon echinatum was also recorded on Slievenaglogh. This species is readily identified by the hairy surface of the puff ball, where 3 to 4 hairs are usually united at the tip.
A small area of Ulex gallii dry heathland with Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea was recorded at Killen.
As the survey was conducted at the start of September, fungi were recorded at a number of sites including this large example of Polyporus squamosus, Dryad's Saddle growing on a large Salix alba tree at Crowmartin.
While this vivid yellow Hygrocybe species or Waxcap was found on grassland grazed by sheep and horses on the lower slopes of Slievenaglogh.
#MapofIrishWetlands
