The Slieve Blooms Mountains Nature Reserve is home to two emblematic bird species; the hen harrier and the red grouse. Both species nest on the ground on the blanket bog and heath. The hen harrier is one of Ireland’s rarest birds of prey, while the red grouse is a secretive gamebird, and is usually only seen when flushed from undergrowth. Meadow pipits and skylarks are common in the nature reserve whilst Snow buntings are found on the reserve in winter.
Other bird species found include the merlin, peregrine falcon, raven, snipe, golden plover, lapwing, curlew, wheatear and ring ouzel.
Mammals such as fallow deer, feral goats, stoats, pine martens, badgers, Irish hare, otters and red squirrels also occur. Common frog, smooth newt and common lizard can also be found.
Insect species include moths such as the fox moth and the emperor moth. The caterpillars of both moths feed on heather. Butterflies such as the green hairstreak and the marsh fritillary have also been recorded on the site. The common hawker, a large dragonfly species breeds in the bog pools.
Fallow deer, feral goats, stoats, pine marten, badger, hare, otter and red squirrels.
