Drumbegger ASSI

Drumbegger has been declared as an ASSI because of its species-rich wet grassland. 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 ASSI is situated 5 kilometers south of Derrygonnelly. Variations in soils and topography have resulted in subtle differences in grassland type, with species denoting both the wet and dry conditions occurring.

A special type of species-rich wet grassland known as purple moor-grass and rush pasture occurs over much of the site. Fen meadow, a particular type of purple moor-grass and rush pasture, occurs on the slopes where there is a steady hydrological influence flowing through the soil. This results in the occurrence of species adapted to both water movement and wetter conditions. Plants characteristic of this community include sharp-flowered rush, meadow thistle, lesser spearwort, Devil’s-bit scabious and the mosses glittering wood-moss and neat feather-moss.

In addition to the grassland itself, Drumbegger is also an important site for two protected species, blue-eyed-grass and the marsh fritillary butterfly. Both blue-eyed-grass and Devil’s-bit scabious, the foodplant of the marsh fritillary caterpillars, thrive on the wet grasslands at Drumbegger.