About the reserve

Glendun contains a variety of habitats including species-rich grassland, scrub, mixed ash woodland, rough moorland and blanket bog.

In spring, migrant birds such as cuckoo, chiff-chaff, willow warbler and blackcap can be seen and heard preparing for the breeding season, along with resident species like dunnock, stonechat, song thrush, and dipper along the Glendun River.

On the blanket bog hilltop, you’ll find the charismatic red grouse, while the occasional golden plover and golden eagle have been spotted during migration. 

By summer, the woodland and grassland are full of butterflies such as small heath while on the bog, fox moth and emperor moth can be found.

Along with otters, who frequently hunt along the river for salmon, other mammals include red squirrel, Irish hare, badger, fox and pygmy shrew.

At Glendun, sheep and cattle grazing helps to maintain the site’s unique biodiversity. We also remove invasive scrub and look after the hedgerows in line with conservation farming management.