Randoon
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| Randoon | |
|---|---|
 Randoon, Overgrown Ringfort, Ranaghan, County Westmeath in Morning Sky. |
|
| Elevation | 125m (300 ft) |
| Location | County Westmeath,  Ireland |
| Prominence | 150m |
Randoon is a middle aged Turgesius Viking fortress south west of Lough Lene. The fortress is situated upon a hill in Ranaghan dominating by its height all other ringforts in Ranaghan, while it overlooks Lough Lene, between the town of Castlepollard and Collinstown. The term locally used fort refers to any of the multitude of ringfort, many of which have been over grown by vegetation. These remain today, a historical relic from at least as early as Ireland's and Western Europes' Early Medieval Period, protected by Irish national heritage law.
[edit] Habitat
Randoon situated south west of Lough Lene and other surrounding hills of the lake support decididuous woodland which is comprised mostly of native species. Hazel,Corylus avellana, Rowan, Sorbus aucuparia, Ash Fraxinus excelsior and Sessile Oak, Quercus petraea are abundant. Exotic speciesoccuroccasionally, including Beech Fagus sylvatica.
| Wild foul | Winter 96/96 (individuals) |
|---|---|
| Little Grebe | 2007 not available i |
| Great Crested Grebe | 2007 not available i |
| Cormorant | 2007 not available i |
| Mute Swan | 2007 not available i |
| Whopper Swan | 2007 not available i |
| Greenland White-fronted goose |
2007 not available i |
| Wigeon | 2007 not available i |
| Teal | 2007 not available i |
| Mallard | 2007 not available i |
| Pintail | 2007 not availablei |
| Shoveler | 2007 not available i |
| Pochard | 2007 not available i |
| Tufted Duck | 2007 not available i |
| Goldeneye | 2007 not available i |
| Coot | 2007 not available i |
| Golden Plover | 2007 not available i |
| Lapwing | 2007 not available i |
The neighbouring Loughpark, Windtown wood are inhabited by wild pheasant and is a popular attraction for the local pheasant hunters. Remark, On occasions the Pochard population, which is one of the largest in Ireland, has exceeded the threshold for international importance. (i.e. 3500 individual foul).
The above information is obtained from the Irish Departiment of Environment, Heritage, and local Government. 13th Sept. 2007 To the west an north of the neighbouring woods are inhabited by wild pheasant and is a popular attraction for the local pheasant hunters.
