Habitats and Species
The Mournes have been home to species such as ravens, red grouse, sky lark, meadow pipit and peregrine falcons, as well as the Irish hare and on a winter's day you may be lucky enough to spot a beautiful snow bunting. Spring sees the arrival of wheatear and in particular two more scarce species, the ring ouzel, which is a very rare breading summer visitor to Northern Ireland and the red grouse, which had been recorded on Millstone Mountain in some years, though there is no proof of breeding. Wet springs and flushes are home to some unusual invertebrates, including the keeled skimmer, a nationally rare dragonfly. Eagle Rock is said to be the last known breeding site in Northern Ireland for white-tailed sea eagle in 1917 with both sea and golden eagles still common place in the Mournes until the mid-nineteenth century.
Wet springs and flushes are home to some unusual invertebrates, including the keeled skimmer, a nationally rare dragonfly.
On a sunny day the common lizard is often found basking in the sun or darting amongst the rocks and vegetation, this is the only native reptile found in Ireland.