RSPB NI Lower Lough Erne Islands Reserve in County Fermanagh is the most westerly of all reserves in the UK. Established in 1968, it proudly stands as Northern Ireland's oldest RSPB Reserve.
Spread across 47 islands on the second-largest freshwater lake in the UK, each island supports unique wildlife and are the annual breeding grounds for nationally important numbers of curlew, redshank, and other waders.
While the team undertakes major habitat restoration work every year, they are not alone and do have little, or not so little helpers...
Meet the Coos
The Highland cow family at Lough Erne consists of 17 cows, a bull and a few young. This dynamic herd has been grazing the reserve for over 20 years, playing a crucial role in habitat management.
Why are they here, you ask? These gentle giants belong to a local farmer we've partnered with for years. Known for being docile and easy to work with, they're the perfect fit for conservation efforts on the islands.
What's their superpower? As excellent habitat managers, they munch on bramble, rush, and rank grass all year round on the Reserve, unlike continental breeds. This makes them an essential part of our team for managing grassland for breeding waders like Curlew and Lapwing, creating a thriving environment for nesting and raising chicks.
How do they help breeding waders? The herd is managed through careful consideration for stocking density during the breeding season, to reduce the risk of trampling any nests and chicks. And, while other breeds head indoors for the winter, our furry heroes continue their ‘graze’-ful mission year-round, providing uninterrupted support for the Islands’ fragile ecosystems.
Let's give them a big ‘horns up’ for their two decades of ‘moo-velous’ service.