Woodlawn Wildlife

Introducing the Wildlife of Woodlawn

Three of the most common habitats for wildlife in Woodlawn are:

• Forestry
• Bogs and other types of peatlands
• Farmland

Forestry

Woodlawn is lucky to have numerous woodland trails under of the ownership of Coillte with open access to the public for recreation. The most common commercial tree found in Woodlawn is the Sitka Spruce. This evergreen tree is native to western North America. It is a fast growing tree and can reach up to 50 metres in height. You can recognise Sitka Spruce by its flattish blue needles and cylindrical brown cones. Other trees planted in the Woodlawn Woods are Norway Spruce and Japanese Larch. Native and naturalised trees grown include Ash, Sycamore, Oak, Beech, Birch and Alder. There is also plenty of willow, which is more commonly referred to as Sallies.

In the summertime, Woodlawn Wood is alive with colour particularly in cleared felled areas where the purple flowers

of Rosebay Willowherb can cover vast area.  Other plants worth looking out for are Coltsfoot, Ox-eye Daisy, Foxglove, Herb Robert and Wood Sorrel. Woodlawn Woods are home to many wild animals and birds. You may be lucky enough to sight Fallow Deer, Foxes, Hedgehogs or even Red Squirrels. Plenty of birds can also be spotted including Ravens, Snipe, Goldfinches, Bullfinches, Linnets, Coal Tits and Long-Tailed Tits. If you watch carefully you may be lucky enough to get a sighting of a Treecreeper or indeed Ireland’s smallest bird the Goldcrest.

Bogs and other peatlands

There are plenty of bogs in Woodlawn. Some are actively cut for turf, while others remain uncut or are now abandoned with turf cutting ceased. The bogs in Woodlawn are Raised Bogs and developed over thousands of years. Peat and ‘turf’ is formed from dead plant material which do not decompose due to water logging. If you closely look at a sod of turf you may figure out which plants formed it. Common peat-forming plants are Heathers and Bog Moss.

Three types of heather are found in the bogs at Woodlawn; Bell Heather, Cross Leaved Heath and Ling. There are also many different types of bog mosses. Bog moss is scientifically called sphagnum moss.  Sphagnum acts like a sponge and can hold vast amount of water. It is this water soaking property which makes the bog feel bouncy underfoot. Common trees found in the bog include Downy Birch and Mountain Ash. Other important plants include the yellow flowered Bog Asphodel, the light pinks of Bog Rosemary, Cuckoo Flower and Bogbean. Important shrubs include Furze Bushes and the fragrant Bog Myrtle which traditionally has been rumoured to deter midges!

Bogs are very interesting places and while at first glance they meet seem empty; there is plenty of activity in the bog. You might be see Snipe or Meadow Pipits. In the summertime, looking skywards and you might be lucky enough to hear a Skylark in full song. Sand Martins may have also been known to nest in the face of turf banks in Woodlawn! Some animals to look out for are the Common Frog, Fallow Deer and Irish Hare. Butterflies, damselflies, dragonflies are present also in great numbers. Keep an eye out for Common Blue , Green Hairstreaks and even Marsh Fritillary butterflies. Also in late spring watch for the Red Damselfly, one of the easiest to recognise damselflies in Ireland.

Farmland

Most farmland in Woodland is grazed by either cattle or sheep. Fields are medium sized with hedgerows forming field boundaries. In the fields you will find plenty of plants including Meadow Buttercup, Red and White Clover, Lady’s Bedstraw, Yarrow, Cuckoo Flower, Purple Loosestrife, Ragged Robin, Meadow Sweet, and Yellow Irises. It is also worth noting the different grasses present, including Cocks Foot, Cats Tail and Quaking Grass. The hedges are also worth studying as they contain besides a diversity of tree and shrub species many different flowering plants. You may notice Blackberry, Honeysuckle, Primroses and Violets growing amongst the hedges. The most common shrubs and trees found in the hedges around Woodlawn are Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Ash, Sycamore, Holly and Furze bushes.

A wide variety of birds are also present in the fields around Woodlawn including Starlings, Crows, Jackdaws, Magpies, Hovering Kestrels and if you are lucky maybe even a Buzzard or a Long Eared Owl! Birds more likely to be found perched in the hedge or near a hedge include Robins, Wrens, Blackbirds, Thrushes, Blue Tits and Dunnocks.