DERRY City and Strabane District Council’s Sperrins and Killeter Walking Festival are offering local children an opportunity to explore and discover the nocturnal wildlife in the local countryside this weekend.
The ‘Bat and Moth Walk’ will leave Plumbridge this Saturday, September 17th , and take walkers on a 3k walk around Glenad Valley near Clougherney where the sheltered loop walk offers the perfect environment to learn about the local ecosystem.
Local forager and wildlife enthusiast Annie Mullan will be their guide for the short hike which sets off at 6pm and takes in the twilight of the evening into night on quiet minor roads suitable for families.
“It’s a lovely environment to go for a walk and a beautiful part of the countryside to explore,” said Annie.
“We start in the daylight and, if they want, the walkers can eat blackberrys and raspberrys from the bushes on their way around.
“People who live in built up areas often don’t get the chance to be out in the starlight.
“The area has very little artificial light so, on a clear night, the illumination from the moon and stars is significant and is a wonderful experience for people.
“Hopefully it will encourage young people to not only get out and discover what’s around them but also to see the health benefits of getting out for a walk.”
A contributor to the All Ireland Bat Survey, Annie has a wealth of experience in environmental education and grew up on the nearby Butterlope Farm.
“I always had an interest in wildlife and exploring the countryside,” she admitted.
“I worked with the council, the Wild Life Trust and a variety of charities in informing young people about the local landscape and wildlife and I’ve worked on the All Ireland Bat Survey.
“You can sometimes come across more than you bargained for.
“At night time there are often badgers, foxes and owls around and with the aid of bat detectors and moth traps hopefully there’ll be some wildlife for the walkers to observe.”
To learn more about the Sperrins and Killeter Walking Festival or to register for the Bat and Moth Walk atwww.sperrinskilleterwalking.com.
The cost of the walk is £5 per family, it will leave Watts Bar in Plumbridge at 6pm before finishing at the same location at 8pm where refreshments will be available.
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