Wildlife

Feral goats

Feral goats among granite boulders at the old mining village in Glendalough. The boulders here are typical of the large blocks into which granite fractures when subjected to extremes of weather. The goats, which live here, may be descended from domestic animals once kept by miners. (Richard Nairn)

copyright R. Nairn

Feral goats
copyright R. Nairn

Feral goats

Feral goats among granite boulders at the old mining village in Glendalough. The boulders here are typical of the large blocks into which granite fractures when subjected to extremes of weather. The goats, which live here, may be descended from domestic animals once kept by miners. (Richard Nairn)

copyright R. Nairn

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Wildlife: Deer and badgers are common in the woodlands and otters feed in the lakes and river. Bats are common in the valley. Red squirrels are regularly seen in the trees and stoats use the area for hunting prey such as rabbits. The oak woodlands are rich in breeding birds, especially wren, chaffinch, blackbird, blue and great .

The birch and willow woodland around the Lower Lake holds reed bunting and willow warbler. Jay, treecreeper, blackcap and sparrowhawk are scarcer but regular members' of the bird community. Wood warbler and redstart breed in most years in the oakwoods. Woodland butterflies include silver-washed fritillary, holly blue and speckled wood. Raven and peregrine breed on the cliffs above the Upper Lake and ring ousel can be seen on the higher ground in spring and summer. Herons and cormorants feed in the river and lakes which contain small brown trout. Whooper swans are present on the Upper Lake in some winters.