World Wetlands Day today

Views of Pollardstown by Brian Byrne.

Today is World Wetlands Day, and is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Ramsar Convention on conserving and wisely using wetlands, writes Brian Byrne.

Locally, Pollardstown Fen is one of 45 Irish wetlands which are designated as Ramsar sites, named after the city in Iran where the convention was signed. Others include Tralee Bay, Lough Corrib, Clara Bog, Coole Lough and Garryland Wood.

Pollardstown is the largest remaining spring-fed fen in Ireland. Habitats include semi-natural fen, damp grassland, woodland, and open water. The fen contains a complete record of fossil animals and plants dating back to the last glaciation.

It is easily walked, and there's lots of relevant information there.

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