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Protected Areas

Montiaghs Moss ASSI

Last updated: 5 February 2010

picture of Montiagh's Moss ASSI

Site No ASSI 109
Area 151.28 (ha)
Declared Date 05/03/1997
Confirmed Date 30/10/1997
County Antrim
Council(s) Craigavon BC
Keywords Butterflies, Dragonflies
Higher Plant Assemblage
Invertebrate Assemblage

            

              

Largely cutover lowland raised bog within the Lough Neagh Basin consisting of an intricate mosaic of peat ramparts, trenches, pools, drains, interspersed with small hay fields, alder and willow carr and tall hedgerows. The diversity of habitats support a wide range of plant and animal communities associated with both acid bog conditions and rich fen and swamp. picture of marsh fritillary caterpillarsMontiaghs Moss is particularly important as a site for rare plants.
Of particular note, the drains, pools and old peat cuttings support a number of rare species including Irish lady's-tresses, frogbit and cowbane.
The area is also one of the most important in Northern Ireland for wetland invertebrates being the richest known site for both aquatic Coleoptera (beetles) and Aquatic Hetreoptera (water bugs). In addition, the dragonfly population is one of the most diverse in the country. The site also supports a rich terrestrial insect fauna, especially moths and butterflies.

         

        

  

Site Related Documents

Site map (.PDF 944Kb)Opens in New window, Citation document (.PDF 181Kb)Opens in New window and Views about Management document (.PDF 160Kb)Opens in New window.