Site Code
Country: United Kingdom
Central coordinates: 54.21455310o [54o 12' 52" North], -7.22736250o [7o 13' 38" West]
Administrative region: Northern Ireland (Fermanagh)
Area: 59 ha
Altitude: 61 - 76
Site Description
Straddling the national border between Clones and Rosslea there are a group of strongly calcareous loughs in a series of kettle hole depressions. Nine species are present, including strong populations of several uncommon species. The range of species present suggests that there is still considerable scope for further investigation in this area especially on the Monaghan side of the border.
Botanical Significance
Noted for stonewort interest:
KNOCKBALLYMORE LOUGHS (H4726 & 4827): Chara aculeolat, C. curta, C. globularis, C.hispida, C. rudis, C.vulgaris.
Also old record for Chara virgata, probably still present.
DUMMYS LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H4827: Chara contraria, C.hispida.
KILROOSKY LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H4927: Chara aculeolata, C. hispida, C .rudis, Nitella flexilis agg.
SUMMERHILL LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H4927: Chara aculeolata, C.hispida, C. virgata, C.vulgaris, C. curta,
BURDAUTIEN LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H4928: Chara aculeolata, C.hispida, C. virgata, C. curta,
ROSE LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H5129: Chara virgata
CROMAGHY LOUGH (H130): Chara virgata
ANNACHULLION LOUGH (H130): Chara aculeolata, C. hispida, C .rudis, C. virgata , Nitella flexilis agg.
AGHAFIN LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H5229: Chara hispida
INVER LOUGH (H5231): Chara contraria
DRUMBARROW LOUGH (H5231): Chara virgata. Also old records for Chara aculeolata, C .rudis
RATHKEEVAN LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H5330: Chara hispida
UNSHINAGH LOUGH (H5532): Chara contraria
DRUMACRITTIN LOUGH (H5432): Chara hispida, C .rudis Also old record for Chara aculeolata,
CRAWFORD’S LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H5532: Chara hispida
KILLYVILLY LOUGH (part in Monhagan) H5533: Chara aculeolata, C. hispida (Information from ISA report 2004). The lough exhibits the natural succession from open water to terrestrial vegetation types and includes a number of rare and unusual plant communities, in addition to a number of rare plants. The aquatic vegetation is of particular importance, as it contains one of the most diverse and extensive submerged growths of Stoneworts (Charophytes) found I Northern Ireland. Five species have been recorded, including Bristly Stonewort Chara hispida, Hedgehog Stonewort C. pedunculata, Delicate Stonewort C. virgata, Smooth Stonewort Nitella flexilis and the regionally rare Rugged Stonewort C.rudis. Other species present include large, floating stands of Yellow Water-lily Nuphar lutea and White Water-lily Nymphaea alba, occasionally accompanied by Shining Pondweed Potamogeton lucens and Broad-leaved Pondweed P.natans.
The emergent vegetation consists of a fragmented fringe of Common Club-rush Schoenoplectus lacustris, backed by Common Reed Phragmites australis, and includes small stands of Great Fen-sedge Cladium mariscus and Tufted-sedge Carex elata. Behind the swamp there are scattered areas of calcareous fen, characterised by the predominance of Lesser Tussock-sedge Carex diandra and Long-stalked Yellow-sedge C. viridula ssp. Brachyrrhyncha. The calcareous fetypically grades into a narrow, calcareous marsh, characterised by a rich mixture of sedges and herbs, such as Grass-of-Parnassus Parnassia palustris, Knotted Pearlwort Sagina nodosa, Common Sedge Carex nigra and Carnation Sedge C.panicea. Additional habitat diversity is provided by wet woodland, dominated by Downy Birch Betula pubescens with occasional Goat Willow Salix caprea, and cuyt-over bog. (Information from NI Environment Agency)
Management guidance notes
Identified for its stonewort assemblages
Notes
None