Garry Bog
The Borough also contains many areas of ecological importance mainly the Garry Bog, a raised bog, located to the north of Ballymoney town and to the west of the River Bush. Unfortunately due to the pressures of agriculture and peat extraction, many of our lowland raised bogs are disappearing. In fact in Northern Ireland, we only have approximately 10% of our raised bogs left – (for further information click on www.ipcc.ie).
Peat bogs contain some very unique plants and animals ranging from insect eating plants such as the Sundew plant to smooth newts, which are specially protected. In fact Garry Bog was found to have a rare species of moss called Sphagnum pulchrum. Peat bogs are also important breeding grounds for Damsel and Dragonflies and are an important habitat for Irish Hares and Curlews – two distinct species whose numbers have declined to dangerously low levels. However the Environment and Heritage Service have recently developed Species Action Plans to help preserve existing numbers of both species – (for further information click on www.ehsni.gov.uk)
Garry Bog has been identified as an area of ecological importance by being designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), Ramsar Site, Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI). These various designations again reflect the environmental importance and sensitive nature of this area. Other ASSi’s, SAC’s and NNR’s located within the Borough include Caldanagh Bog, Dunloy Bog and Breen Wood. Important animal species have also been identified such as the Hen Harrier, Badger, Otter, Atlantic Salmon, Kingfisher, Irish Hare, Lapwing and various species of bat, many of which are protected by law, principally under the European Habitats Directive and 1985 (Northern Ireland) Wildlife Order.