Don't Mow Let It Grow

This exciting project is led by Causeway Coast to focus on the conservation of semi-natural grassland over the next three years.

Verges & Grasslands

Rasharkin Cemetery

This grassland is to the rear of the cemetery and with some good meadow management this could be transformed into a tradition hay meadow, with red clover, buttercups, fine grasses and sedges. 2017 Update: The large field at the back of the cemetery has responded really well to last years late cut and bale. We only found a single common spotted orchid last year but now there are two large patches of flowering spikes. It just shows what one years positive management can achieve. … [Read more...] about Rasharkin Cemetery

Magilligan Point

This playing field has been intensively cut from many years so we are hoping that some of the meadow flowers are still in the seedback and will return to this grassland. Flowers such as red clover and buttercups along with fine grasses and sedges. … [Read more...] about Magilligan Point

Somerset Riverside Park

This is a lovely gentle walk along the River Bann with open areas and wet woodland. It has many common wildflowers such as buttercup, cow parsley and herb robert but it boasts broad-leaved helleborine orchid and green figwort. 2017 Update: There always have to be compromises and to keep the path open for walkers and cyclists butterbur has been sprayed where it was encroaching on the path. The good news is that the rare green figwort is still present in at least 5 locations and in the wooded stretches many spikes of broad-leaved helleborine are close to flowering. The biggest surprise … [Read more...] about Somerset Riverside Park

Whitepark Road from Fullerton Arms Ballintoy

B15 Whitepark Road from Fullerton Arms Ballintoy to Kinbane Castle car park, Whitepark Road. These verges are often botanically rich with an increasing maritime influence towards the coast. The adjacent car parks also have a wide variety of species. At the appropriate season look for early purple orchids, lady's mantle, lady's bedstraw, Devil’s bit scabious, angelica, wild thyme and kidney vetch. … [Read more...] about Whitepark Road from Fullerton Arms Ballintoy

Causeway Road, Whitepark Road Junction

B146 Causeway Road from junction with A2 Whitepark Road (at Craig) to junction of minor road leading to harbour and all of this road to harbour. Very variable and distinctly maritime closer to the coast; Early purple orchids (Spring), sea campion, vetches, lady's bedstraw, clovers and scurvy grass all occur here. Away from the coast the verges can be improved through conservation management. … [Read more...] about Causeway Road, Whitepark Road Junction

Whitepark Road

A2 Whitepark Road from Bushmills to B146 Causeway Road junction Some of the wider verges have large stands of red campion (notably in the wooded areas), vetches, dandelions, cow parsley and lesser celandine … [Read more...] about Whitepark Road