Fourteen members and guests attended Peatlands Park on Saturday 21^st January 2025. We were led by Ian McNeill and Jackie Arrell.

On the walk up to the old Visitor Centre we were greeted by low flying swallows and Goldcrest singing. We noted Garlic Mustard, Sage, Hedge Woundwort and almost ripe cherries.

The Ranger informed us to look out for Large Heath Butterflies as 18 had been recorded a few days ago. Also to look out for Common Lizards that may be sunning themselves on the boardwalk.

At the border round the Education Centre, Ian and Jackie pointed out Red Valerian, Herb Robert with its distinctive nodes and branches, St John’s Wort, Pendulous Sedge, Bush Vetch, Wood Avens, Yorkshire Fog, False Oat-grass, Meadow Crane’s-bill, Yarrow, Smooth Hawk’s-beard, Shield Fern, Cut-leaved Crane’s-bill, Nipplewort, Common Dog-violet, Lady’s Bedstraw.

Also Rosebay Willowherb Ian explained this had initially been confined to mountain areas but in the early 20^th Century  a strain was imported from North America which appeared identical to our indigenous variety but  became prolific almost invasive at all altitudes. It rapidly colonises after forest fires and was noted to grow on bomb sites after World War 2 and became known as “Fireweed”.

In and around the pond behind the Education Centre we noted Mullein, Marsh Bedstraw, Bogbean, Wild Angelica, Sorrel, Gypsywort, Flag Iris, Horsetail, Red Campion, Hogweed, Wall Speedwell, Creeping and Meadow Buttercup.

Jackie showed us a leaf that was home to a leaf miner moth larva with the classic expanding trail that could be traced.

Leaf miner moth larva track

At the big pond and Bog Garden Ian and Jackie pointed out Royal Fern, Thyme-leaved Speedwell, Common Mouse-ear, Cranberry, Oblong-leaved Sundew, Cross-leaved Heath, the two types of Cotton Grass, the single headed Hare’s tail and the multiheaded Common Cotton Grass.

We were surprised by the number of Pitcherplants, again an insectivorous plant. Ian explained how they had been introduced to Co Offaly from North America and then spread throughout Ireland.

Meanwhile we saw Large Heath and Meadow Brown butterflies as well as several dragonflies and damselflies including a probable Large Red Damselfly but failed to net any apart from a Meadow Brown as we were restricted to the boardwalk. We did not see any lizards. Several Willow Warblers were singing.

We were surprised at the proliferation of birch in the Bog Garden and surmise if unchecked it will ultimately lead to the demise of this interesting habitat. Presumably there are insufficient staff to remove the birch.

Along the now disused miniature railway we saw Prickly and Smooth Sow-thistle, Lesser Stitchwort, Selfheal, Silverweed, a real profusion of Scarlet Pimpernel as well as Yellow Pimpernel.

Scarlet Pimpernel                                                Yellow Pimpernel

We went briefly onto Derryhubbert Bog where we were shown Bog Myrtle, the rare Cow-wheat, Deergrass and White Beak-sedge.

Deergrass                                                              White beak-sedge

We returned to the car park accompanied by Blackcap song and a Bullfinch flew across.

Thank you Ian and Jackie for leading us on a very interesting outing.

Trip Report by Ernest Hunter