The first meeting of the new season of Bellaghy Historical Society was addressed by Mr Steven Foster from the Lough Neagh Nature Reserve.
He spoke on the Flora and Fauna and Birds of Lough Beg, Illustrating his talk with colourful slides. He also explained how the Ice Age produced these low lying wet basins in Ireland, and how the basins had given rise to the presence of diatomite along the River Bann.
Members then heard that there is a wonderful natural habitat for many species of ducks, geese and swans in the lands adjoining Church Island. And it was pointed out that some of the swans come from as far away as Russia to the milder climate here, while wetland plants abound in the area including the very rare orchid, “My Ladys Tresses”.
The next meeting of the Society on the 12th November will be addressed by Mr Roddy Hegarty from the Federation of Ulster Local Studies. His talk will be on the subject Driving Through Time – retracing the old coach route from Derry to Belfast.