Download Nature and Wildlife in Roscommon - The Heritage Council

Buttercup Meadow. Photo by John Earley
Ox-eye daisy. Photo by John Earley
Pyramidal orchid. Photo by John Earley
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GrasslaNd
Some types of grassland are particularly good for wildlife
and can have a wealth of species present (i.e. not just one
or two types of grasses!). These grasslands tend to be those
that are either on wet soils or in floodplains (wet grasslands
and callows), or are dry grasslands in areas that are in areas
that are too difficult to plough and therefore have never
been re-seeded, and/or where there hasn’t been much use
of fertilisers e.g. steep esker slopes, uplands.
The grassland in Killeglan along the road from
Ballinasloe to Roscommon is a fine example of dry speciesrich
grassland on limey soils and has been designated
as a Special Area of Conservation due to its high nature
conservation value. These areas of species-rich grassland
are relatively rare now due to the widespread and intensive
use of fertilisers and agricultural improvement. Killeglan
grassland has an abundance of beautiful orchids that love
the short grass and limey soils, including early-purple
orchid, green-winged orchid, blue fleabane and fairy flax.
Other types of grasslands of high biodiversity value
include wet grassland and callows (a type of wet grassland
or meadow that occurs in floodplains), and meadows (areas
of grassland that are infrequently cut that now mainly occur
along roadside verges). These grasslands are dominated by
tall grasses and wildflowers, can be rich in invertebrates and
important foraging and nesting habitats for birds.
Species Rich Grassland. Photo by Giorria Environmental
Services