Location
Brookend Nature Reserve is situated on the west shore of Lough Neagh, south of the Ballinderry River and north of the Blackwater River. Visitors will be able to access this reserve from the Coalisland to Ballyronan Road (B160), south of Ardboe, by turning right onto the Brookend Road and by continuing on to the end.
Sights and sounds
Like most of the shoreline of Lough Neagh, the fields at Brookend were once part of the lake bed but have been exposed by successive water level lowerings since the 1840’s. This reserve is known to be partially flooded in winter but drier in summer. Therefore, this provides ideal conditions for many rare and special plants to reside here.
During springtime, visitors will be able to hear the beautiful sounds of birdsong. As the sun shines, the pond margins shimmer with hundreds of dancing damselflies and dragonflies. The shore rings with the calls of cuckoos and curlews against the noisy background of the breeding colony of black-headed gulls on the island just offshore.
During summertime, the colourful grasslands are full of flowers typical of wetlands such as the ragged robin, bog cotton, greater bird’s-foot trefoil and marsh cinquefoil. Rarer plants such as cowbane and flowering rush may also be found.
Facilities
There is car parking available at the end of a rough lane.
Further information
Site manager: Tel 02838399195