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Scragh Bog, Co. Westmeath

• County: Westmeath
• Area: 16 ha
• Bogland Type: Fen
• Natural Heritage Area Number: 692
• Year Purchased by IPCC: 1987
• Year Declared National Nature Reserve: 1992
• National Grid Reference: N 420 590
• How to get there: Scragh bog is situated 7 km north-west of Mullingar. Take the main Longford/Sligo road from Mullingar (N4). After the level crossing take the second turn right. The bog lies 1.5 km along this small road. If visiting the site access is via a right of way through a cleared forest plantation at the south eastern end of the bog. There is no other right of way and visitors should not disturb privately owned farmland. Extreme caution is recommended when crossing the bog and only those with good knowledge of the area should attempt it. The quaking edge of the bog is particularly dangerous. Never visit the site alone.

  The IPCC can accept no liability for injury to persons visiting the site.

Further Information on Reserve

INTRODUCTION

Some ten kilometers north-west of Mullingar, the traveler on the busy N4 trunk road to Longford and Sligo is afforded fine views of Lough Owel and the surrounding countryside. Few realise, however, that hidden from view in a long narrow valley on the other side of the road to L. Owel lies one of Ireland's premier nature reserves, Scragh Bog. Though only 16 ha in size, it harbors a diverse and interesting wildlife. Many of the rare species we see in Scragh Bog today, were common in the Irish Midlands during the period immediately after the end of the last glaciation, from 10,000 to 7,000 years ago. With the subsequent development of raised bog, these species were displaced and became extinct in most of their former habitats. Hence, in the few areas where they survived, we think of them as relict species. Scragh Bog is exceptional among such areas in the number of relict species it contains and in their abundance. Mainly on account of this, the site is rated as of international scientific importance.

• 1. Fibrous Tussock Sedge
• 2. Slender Sedge
• 3. Black Bog Rush
• 4. Bog Moss & Mud Sedge
• 5. Open water vegetation
• 6. Fen carr: Birch and Willow trees with Wintergreen
• 7. Conifer Plantation
• C and J indicate the Saw Sedge and the Blunt-flowered Rush, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF SCRAGH BOG

Like most Irish place names, Scragh Bog, derived from the Irish 'scraith' meaning scraw or mat and 'bog' indicating soft, captures an essential feature of the site namely its quaking scraw surface. This is formed from the matted rhizomes and roots of wetland plants such as Bog Bean, Marsh Cinquefoil, Water Horsetail, Bog Cotton and various Sedges. A consistently high water table level is also a feature of the site. In summer, the water table seldom drops to more than a few centimeters below the moss lawns and, in winter, water is visible in most small hollows and depressions. For brief periods during severe winter rains, flooding may take place so that open sheets of water interrupted only by the tops of tussocky vegetation and by Willow and Birch trees can be seen. As we shall see later, the hydrological regime and the nutrient levels in the irrigating waters are important factors in maintaining the unique character of the site.

FLORA OF SCRAGH BOG

It is above all for its flora that the site is justly famous. This was first brought to scientific attention at the end of the last century by the studies of the botanist H.C. Levinge, who lived in nearby Knockdrin.

The single most important flowering plant in Scragh Bog is undoubtedly the Wintergreen, Pyrola rotundifolia. This herbaceous plant, with its evergreen leaves and white flowers in mid summer, decorates the base of most Willow and Birch trees. In recent years it has been recorded at a number of other sites in the Midlands, but Scragh Bog remains its principal station in Ireland. It is surprising and largely unexplained why its distribution is so restricted given the copious amounts of seed it produces. More than likely, lack of suitable habitats is the main limiting factor.

If Wintergreen is the most important species, then the Sedges (family Cyperaceae) constitute the most important group of plants. Several species, with restricted distribution in Ireland, are present in considerable abundance. The most widespread is the Slender Sedge, Carex lasiocarpa. This tall fine-leaved plant, with short hairs on the fruit (utricles), defines the overall appearance of much of the vegetation. In a relatively narrow strip around the margins of the bog, this sedge is partly displaced by the even rarer Fibrous Tussock Sedge, Carex appropinquata. Towards the centre of the Bog, Sphagnum Mosses or Bog Mosses are frequent and here the graceful Mud Sedge, with its blue-green leaves and pendant female spike, assumes importance. In the south-eastern half, where the scraw condition is most noticeable, the Black Bog Rush Schoenus nigricans, displaying a pronounced tussocky growth form dominates an extensive area. At this end of the bog, the Slender Cottongrass, Eriophorum gracile, can also be found. Because of its rarity in Ireland and in Europe generally, this species is protected under the Wildlife Act 1976. In early summer, the sedge communities are given a splash of colour by orchids, for example, the Marsh Spotted Orchid and the rare Narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza traunsteineri).

Open bodies of water are confined to the south-western side of the bog. Here, apart from common species such as the Bottle Sedge, the Bulrush and Duckweeds, Stoneworts heavily encrusted with lime and the rare aquatic floating Frogbit can be found.

Bogs are normally noted for their moss flora, dominated by various Sphagnum species. While Scragh Bog contains several Sphagna, including the relatively rare Sphagnum contortum, the site is especially noted for the rich variety of Brown Moss or fen moss species. These often occur in attractive mosaic-like patterns and may provide complete cover, particularly in areas where the Slender Sedge is the dominant higher plant. The Bog also boasts of the Brown Moss Homalothecium nitens, a rare species that is now afforded legal protection not only here, but also in National Nature Reserves at Pollardstown Fen, Co. Kildare and the Owenboy Bog, Co. Mayo.

ECOLOGY OF SCRAGH BOG

From the brief account given above, it is clear that Scragh Bog is no ordinary bog. Indeed, in the strict scientific sense it should be referred to as a fen, i.e. a wetland influenced by waters coming from mineral soil and not relying exclusively on rainwater for nutrients as is the case in raised bogs. The irrigating waters tend to be mildly acidic to alkaline (pH 6 to 7.5) and have a high calcium content. On the other hand, minerals such as potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen are present in very low concentrations. This unusual nutrient regime, combined with a high watertable that shows no major oscillations of prolonged duration, are probably the main factors favouring the rare fen species and inhibiting the spread of commoner and normally more competitive wetland species.

FAUNA OF SCRAGH BOG

The diversity of habitats and plant life on Scragh Bog provides suitable breeding and feeding areas for a wide variety of animals, one of the most obvious being the Common Frog, which utilises these habitats to complete its life cycle.

There are interesting birds to be found breeding in the stands of Saw Sedge and Reeds. These include the Coot and Moorhen. The Sedge Warbler and Reed Bunting also breed in this area and notably build their nests high up in the Reedbeds. The wet, marshy ground so typical of Scragh Bog attracts Snipe who breed in these areas. Fen woodland or fen carr is an ideal breeding habitat for many perching and songbirds including Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird and Song Thrush. During summer the Birch and Willow trees are an attraction for Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs.

Grey Herons are another species to be seen on Scragh Bog typically standing motionless in the pool areas where they wait to catch unsuspecting prey. The Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, two birds of prey, are attracted to the site because of the plentiful supply of small birds.

A profusion of insects feature on Scragh bog. The larvae of Caddis and Mayflies feed mainly on plant fragments found in the areas of open water. The carnivorous larvae of Dragonflies, Damselflies and many species of Beetle also inhabit these wet areas. The free-flying adults of Mayflies, Damselflies and Dragonflies are commonly seen in summer months, their bright coloration attracting attention. Several species of note occur on Scragh including the rare Dragonfly, Coenagrion lumulatum. This is only its second recorded site in Ireland. One of the most threatened and rare European Horseflies, Chrysops sepulchralis, a small black Horsefly is abundant on the bog, while the snail-killing fly, Tetanocera freyi, whose larvae are predators of water snails, is also found on Scragh.

The most obvious insects are the Butterflies and Moths and Scragh Bog like many other sites contains most of the common species. The Butterflies include the Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Small Heath, Small Copper, Common Blue, Marsh Fritillary, Peacock, Orange-tip, Brimstone, Wood White and Small Tortoiseshell. The Moths include the Emperor Moth, Eyed Hawk, Oak Eggar and Fox Moth.

HISTORY AND FUTURE OF SCRAGH BOG

Investigations into the history of the area show that, like many Midland raised bog sites, the basin once contained a lake. The typical successional sequence at such sites, namely reedswamp, fen and raised bog, did not take place here. It was only in the early Christian period (A.D. 300) that a scraw began to encroach onto the lake surface. This resulted in the formation of extensive habitats favourable to the present-day rare fen species, many of which may have survived up to that time in restricted areas possibly at the margins of the basin.

Habitat conditions and the plant and animal life in Scragh Bog have changed, even if slowly, with time and change will certainly continue to take place. Indications as to the nature of future developments can best be seen in the central part of the Bog, where hummocks of Sphagnum are established in the fen vegetation. These hummocks are creating their own micro-environment where conditions are decidedly acidic. This, in turn, facilitates the establishment of species associated with raised bog, such as Ling Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Cranberry and the carnivorous Sundews. In other words, we can confidently predict that, like most wetland sites in the Midlands where succession has run its course, raised bog is also the ultimate destiny of this site. Meanwhile, the Nature Reserve at Scragh Bog can be regarded not only as a living museum where many rarities of the Irish wetland fen flora are preserved, but also a laboratory that will provide future generations with a unique opportunity of documenting the various stages and studying the processes involved in the transition from fen to raised bog.

DUTCH INTEREST IN SCRAGH BOG

The price which the Dutch had to pay for their industrial and economic development was a ruined landscape. At one time peatlands were extensive in Holland but today these have been reduced to some small, drained and cut-over remains. Although the Dutch are now trying to restore some of the nature values of these severely damaged sites, through very costly technical measures, they can never be brought back to their original state. In the Netherlands, bog conservation came too late. As the Dutch nation is now spending millions on peatland restoration, it feels obliged to help the Irish nation in its efforts to conserve a number of intact peatlands before it is too late. Many Dutch people, in response to our fundraising campaign, bought symbolic shares in Scragh Bog and in this way the site is conserved for future generations to enjoy, both Irish and foreign alike. Examples of sites like Scragh Bog in Holland only exist in the memories of the people - in Ireland they are still a reality - for the moment.

IPCC INTEREST IN SCRAGH BOG

Following the successful fundraising campaign organised in Holland by the Dutch Foundation for the Conservation of Irish Bogs, the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) were responsible for the purchase of Scragh Bog from local landowners, all of whom saw the importance of conserving this unique area. The majority of the site was officially handed over to Mr Noel Tracey TD, who had responsibility for conservation of peatlands, by His Royal Highness Prince Bernhard Fonds of the Netherlands at a major Dutch-Irish symposium on peatland conservation held in Baarn, the Netherlands in 1987. Acquisition of parts of the site continues and it is hoped that it will be completed by 1990. The IPCC is pleased that the site has been purchased - as it is the first time a peatland has been purchased by an Irish non-governmental organisation for conservation, heralding, we hope, a new phase in Irish conservation awareness. The future of the site is assured as it is to be declared a National Nature Reserve by the Wildlife Service, who will manage the bog for future generations to enjoy.

The conservation of the site with Dutch funds places a great obligation on Irish people to match the generosity of the Dutch people and ensure that at least part of our unique peatland heritage is conserved. The Irish Peatland Conservation Council are prepared to help. To this end we implemented a 'Save the Bogs' fund raising campaign which allows anyone to become a Friend of the Bog or to purchase a Symbolic Share Certificate in an Irish peatland and thereby ensure the future survival of some of our wild boglands. To succeed, we need your help and support.

FURTHER READING ABOUT BOGS

1. Anonymous (1976) Wetlands Discovered. Forest and Wildlife Service, Dublin.
2. Chinery, M. (1973) A Field Guide to the Insects of Britain and Northern Europe. Collins, London.
3. Cross, J. R. (1989) Wastelands or heritage? An introduction to bogs and fens. Wildlife Service, Dublin.
4. Ferguson-Lees, J., Willis, I. Sharrock, J.T.R. (1983) The Shell Guide to the Birds of Britain and Ireland. Michael Joseph Ltd., London.
5. Goodhue, D. (1980) Irish Bogs and Fens. No. 63 of the Irish Environmental Library Series, Folens, Dublin.
6. O'Connell, C. (1986) The Future of Irish Raised Bogs. The Resource Source Environment Guide No. 7. Environment Awareness Bureau, Dublin.
7. O'Connell C. (1987) Ed. The IPCC Guide to Irish Peatlands. Irish Peatland Conservation Council, Dublin.
8. Webb, D.A. (1977) An Irish Flora. Dun Dealgan Press Limited, Dundalk.

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