Lough Neagh 'is internationally significant'

12 February 2009 -

Travellers keen to see nature in Northern Ireland should head to Lough Neagh in Antrim, which has been described as a site of international importance by Antrim biodiversity officer Ruth Wilson.

Ms Wilson made the claim after a group of volunteers took part in World Wetlands Day and helped clean certain parts of the area.

She said Lough Neagh is a significant site with a rich variety of wildlife which needs to be protected and the work of local people in helping to maintain it is very important.

Ms Wilson added the area is also home to an aquatic marigold plant which only grows in the Six Mile Water, which may interest people keen to see nature in Northern Ireland.

"Lough Neagh is a wetland of international importance … apart from encouraging some of our rarer wildlife including the River Water Crowfoot, healthy wetland habitats can help protect us against flooding," she stated.

John Scovell, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds' Portmore Lough Reserve warden, recently told the Irish Times Lough Neagh is home to some wonderful examples of birds.