Killeter Nature Reserve
Nature reserves are chosen from among the very best examples of our wildlife, habitats and geology. They contain a wide range of species, communities and geology and their designation is a public recognition by Government of their importance.
Location
This nature reserve is located in Killeter Forest, 6 miles west of Killeter village near Castlederg.
Sights and sounds
Similar to many areas in North West Europe, the hills of West Tyrone often receive a large amount of rainfall from the Atlantic winds. As a result of this, the moisture and cool climate waterlog the soil therefore the normal breakdown of plant remains is extremely slow.
Moreover, the peat covers large areas of upland which are known as blanket bog. In Ireland today much of the blanket bog has been used as a means for fuel or planted with conifer trees.
Killeter Forest has two areas where the ‘blanket’ of peat is very deep and has lots of specialised plants. Some of these plants include white bog cotton and yellow bog asphodel which add to the overall beauty of the area throughout summertime. In the autumn, frost signals an end to the growing season and the bog has rich autumn shades of brown and orange.
During wintertime visitors may have the opportunity to see the berries on the cranberry or hear the Greenland white fronted geese as they fly over looking for a bog to feed on.
Visitors are advised to be wary of people and enclosed spaces as they no longer stop at this nature reserve.
There are also no facilities as we advise visitors to admire this site from the road. For a closer look at peat bogs they can visit Peatlands Park near Dungannon.
Further information
Contact the Site manager at phone number - 02838399195