Irish Grasslands Project training event: Slieve Foye, Co. Louth

This event is now fully booked - please email Ciarán to be added to a waiting list - ciaranflynn02@gmail.com

This event is part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) funded Irish Grasslands Project – find out more at bsbi.org/irish-grasslands-project

Slieve Foye hosts an interesting mix of acidic and base-rich habitats thanks to its gabbro bedrock. We will explore the various grassland habitats to be found here. Learning the process of grass and sedge identification is a key aim of this training event. Many species typical of acidic, upland grasslands will be encountered such as Agrostis capillaris (Common Bent), Nardus stricta (Mat-grass) and Potentilla erecta (Tormentil). Herb-rich vegetation has developed where shallow soil overlies rock. Thymus drucei (Wild Thyme), Galium verum (Lady’s Bedstraw) and Linum catharticum (Fairy Flax) are all found here. Rock outcrops and base-rich flushes occur in a mosaic with grassland, and these will also be explored. Several interesting plants grow here including Schoenus nigricans (Black Bog-rush), Selaginella selaginoides (Lesser Clubmoss) and Campanula rotundifolia (Harebell). Along the way, we will encounter several sedges such as Carex flacca (Glaucous Sedge), C. pilulifera (Pill Sedge), C. pulicaris (Flea Sedge) and C. binervis (Green-ribbed Sedge).

Some steep uphill walking is necessary although a relaxed pace will be adopted. Meet at 10.30 am at the upper car park at Slieve Foye Forest Park (J 1680 1372), Google Maps link here. Bring suitable clothing and footwear, and a packed lunch. Booking is essential as numbers are limited.

Event leader: Ciarán Flynn.