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The haven of wildflower meadows, bird-friendly hedgerows and ancient woodland will become the conservation charity’s newest nature reserve and a place to share the benefits of nature-friendly farming with local farmers.
Fedian Nature Reserve (pronounced feyd-jan) near Derrygonnelly looks out across Lower Lough Erne. It is one of the last examples of pre-war farmland in Northern Ireland, untouched by fertiliser and slurry.
Brimming with wildlife, the habitat is home to threatened species such as red squirrels, pine martens and otters as well as woodcocks and marsh fritillary butterflies.
It will continue to be actively farmed, with low numbers of cattle grazing to maintain the wildflower-rich grasslands which are awash with orchids in summer including early purple, yellow bird’s nest and swathes of devil’s bit scabious.
An annual programme of guided walks will provide community access.
Peter McEvoy, Director of Land Management at Ulster Wildlife, says: “Fedian is a special place, home to one of the few remaining remnants of species-rich grassland and centuries old woodland in Northern Ireland – two vanishing landscapes that tell the story of what’s been lost and what we still have time to protect.”
