Lough Boora Parklands

Life is far from dull in the Parklands during winter – just a little less obvious. Winter provides the perfect opportunity to see things that have been overlooked during the previous seasons. It is also a time when the Parklands are alive with visiting birds.

Winter birds arrive

A walk along the Boora Lake path provides a perfect view of Leabeg wetland, a site of National Importance for Whooper swans. By now the winter birds such as Dunlin and Golden plover have arrived and a walk along the wetlands may yield a glimpse of rare visitors such as Gadwall, Smew and Merganser. Peregrine falcons may be seen hunting throughout the Parklands in winter and their death dive as they hurtle towards their prey is spectacular to watch. Buzzards are occasionally seen hunting around Tumduff Mor.

Foxes courting season begins

Late winter sees the start of the Foxes courting season and although rarely seen evidence of their activity may be evident on snow-covered ground, for like the Badger they favour certain pathways, giving an indication of their territories.

Conifers add a splash of colour

This is the season when the Parkland’s Mosses and Lichens are most evident. Conifers provide a splash of green and the orange-red bark of the Scots Pine reflects the winter sun. A walk through the Parklands in winter is certainly a different experience - no less beautiful or interesting than the other seasons.