The Bog Meadows is an area of now mainly of reclaimed land drained by the Blackstaff River. It is an area of grassland and woodland managed by the Ulster Wildlife Trust (permission has been obtained from them).
This Nature Reserve is an urban oasis composed of a mosaic of reed beds, meadows, ponds, woodland, streams and hedgerows. There are over 3km of ‘access for all’ paths.
During the summer months, look out for African visitors of the feathered variety, including sedge, willow and grasshopper-warblers, sand martins and swallows. During the autumn, a variety of waders are attracted to the ponds when water levels are low. Winter is the best time to see the variety of ducks, geese and swans that overwinter here. Look out for, the reed bunting, frogs, snipe, rabbits, mallards, pipits and cinnabar moths as well as common spotted orchids and bulrush.
Animals and plants love the Bog Meadows because of its many habitats including swamps and marshes, grasslands and meadows, open water, shrubs and trees. The site's 50 acres (20 hectares) is already so packed with wildfowl that there are active territorial disputes over nesting grounds.
This unique site has ensured its recognition by UNESCO which has awarded the reserve a Man and the Biosphere Urban Wildlife Award for Excellence.
The cache is a bison tube.