Mullenakill 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.
Designation
Grid Reference: H 893610
Description
Mullenakill is an 8000 year old raised bog, within whose waterlogged 9m deep core lies the remains of past surface vegetation. Fed only by rainfall, the acidic bog supports a group of highly specialised plants.
Most vital to the ecosystem are the Sphagnum mosses, which trap the water that helps to preserve the plant remains. With nutrients always scarce, tiny red sundews supplement their diets by catching and eating insects. However, colour is abundant, the whites and yellows of the summer cotton-grasses and asphodels, giving way to the vivid autumn hues of the heathers and cranberries, while the mosses splash the surface all year long, with resplendant reds and oranges.
Moths and butterflies frequent the bog expanse, the rare Large Heath being a speciality to this site. Look out for the common lizards, they might be trying to spot a butterfly too, but not for the same reasons. Numerous snipe spend winter on the site and woodcock frequent the bog margins.
Please note: This is a wet fragile place, your footprints may outlive your visit by years, so please stick to the paths.
Facilities
Car parks, visitor centre, toilets etc. are at Peatlands Park.
A path system runs along the reserve's eastern margins, access is 5 minutes walk from the Peatlands Park Visitor Centre.