Ballygalley Head ASSI

Ballygalley Head has been declared as an ASSI because of its species-rich dry grassland and associated species. Species-rich grassland tends to occur only where traditional farming practices have been maintained. Such species-rich grassland is now a rare habitat in Northern Ireland.

The vegetation at Ballygalley Head is typically grass-dominated, with an important grassland fungi assemblage. The grasses Sheep’s-fescue, Red Fescue, Common Bent and Crested Dog’s-tail are dominant with abundant Sweet Vernal-grass, Heath-grass and Silver Hair-grass. Sedges are also common in the sward with Spring-sedge, Glaucous Sedge and Carnation Sedge all frequent.

Herbs are widespread and diverse and include Wild Thyme, Eyebright, Lady’s Bedstraw, Fairy Flax, Common Bird’s-foot-trefoil, Mouse-ear-hawkweed, Heath Milkwort and Bulbous Buttercup.