Lough Boora Parklands

Summer is a glorious time in the Parklands, the transformation from the browns and golds of winter and early spring to the mass of summer colour is truly amazing. This never ceases to amaze winter visitors who often proclaim that the Parklands and its walks are changed beyond recognition.

Birds attend their young

By summer the breeding birds can be seen with their young and summer visitors such as the Sedge warbler, Whitethroat, and Spotted flycatcher have arrived. Skylarks fill the air with song and Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are regularly seen hunting in the Parklands. The rare Hen harrier pays an occasional visit and August is the time to observe Merlins teaching their young to hunt over lakes and woodlands.

Butterflies emerge from hibernation

Summer sees the emergence or arrival of the Parkland’s many butterfly species. The Brimstone, Peacock and Tortoiseshell have emerged from hibernation and the rare Marsh fritillary and Dark-green fritillary can be seen at Turraun. The Red admiral and Painted lady arrive from southern Europe and North Africa in May and June and the distinctly coloured black and red, day-flying Cinnabar moth may be seen, although it is its orange and black stripped caterpillar that is spotted most often.

Plants and grassland are full of life and colour

The most conspicuous and profuse flowering plant of the summer is the Rosebay willow herb, which flowers from June onwards. Often growing taller than a man its dark pinkish-purple flowers can be seen throughout the Parklands - especially along the Mesolithic walk. A spectacular sight in July is the flowering of over a thousand Marsh helleborine that flourish on the ancient storm shoreline of Lough Boora.

Natural grasslands provide much of the Parklands summer beauty and colour. Purple moor-grass acts as a backdrop against which the many parkland flowers such as the Common spotted orchid, Marsh orchid, Lesser butterfly orchid and Bee orchid are displayed. Common centaury, Bog asphodel, Bog cotton and the insectivorous Sundews may be seen. Turraun is renowned for its wildflower displays, which can be seen along any of its walkways.  The Parklands are alive with life and colour during the warm summer months, making it an ideal time to take a walk along its many pathways.