Lough Boora Parklands

 This popular walk consists of a 1.5 km trail that circumnavigates Boora Lake. The walk begins in the Boora Lake car park and proceeds along the southern shore of the lake before turning north along the raised railway embankment that runs parallel to the western shore. Over looking both Boora Lake and the Leabeg wetland, it provides an excellent vantage point from which to observe the many resident and visiting birds.

On drawing level with the Northern shore of the lake, turn Eastwards toward the Cycle Path Road which will then take you back to your start point

Thing to look out for:

With its views over Boora Lake, this trail is the ideal location from which to watch the courtship displays of the lake’s birds. The yellow dandelion-like flowers of Coltsfoot are one of the first plants to bloom along the edge of the path in spring followed by primroses and cowslips which line the old railway embankment – keep an eye out for the hybrid between these two plants.

Sound of snipe ‘drumming’

Summer gives rise to displays of a variety of orchids, Bog Cotton, Wild carrot and waterside plants such as Water mint, Purple loose-strife and Gypsywort. Skylarks spiral and sing above the surrounding fields and grasslands and you may be lucky enough to see linnets. Listen out for the distinctive sound of snipe ‘drumming’ – the noise produced as the air vibrates through the tail-feathers during steep, diving flight.

In winter the trail’s elevated position makes it the perfect place from which to observe the Whooper swans that over-winter on the Leabeg wetland and the extent of the winter flooding.