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Northern Ireland Down
   
(visit this page on fatfisherman.com)
(visit this page on fatphotographer.net)

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus ©Nigel Blake http://www.nigelblake.co.uk

Much more diverse than Antrim, Down contains part of Belfast Lough, the whole of perhaps the best of all (Strangford Lough) and part of Carlingford Lough – the other side of which is in Republic of Ireland. A lot of the landscape is composed of glacially formed drumlins, compared to a basket of eggs when seen from the air. In the south the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, with an outlier in Slieve Croob to the north.

 
 

Ardglass

Satellite View
Scarce gulls

Belfast Lough RSPB Reserve

Satellite View
Waders, wildfowl and rarities...

Castle Espie WWT, Strangford Lough

Satellite View
An introduction to the wildfowl of Strangford Lough

Copeland Bird Observatory

Satellite View
9 Seabirds and migrants

Dundrum Bay and Inner Bay

Satellite View
Waders, wildfowl, divers

Kirkiston

Satellite View
Has produced Dotterel and American Golden Plover with the flocks of Golden Plover. Quail has been noted.

Portavogie

Satellite View
Noted for scarce gulls

Quoile Pondage NNR

Satellite View
Wildfowl and waders. Good hide and information centre nearby on main road from Downpatrick to Strangford

St John’s Point

Seabirds

Strand Lough

Unfortunately much degraded now but still attracts rarities

Where to Watch Birds in Ireland

by Paul Milne & Clive Hutchinson - Paperback - 336 pages (2nd Edition 2010) Christopher Helm £18.99
ISBN: 9781408105214
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Castle Espie Birdwatching Club


Dot Blakely - dotbirdblakely@gmail.com WWT Castle Espie Centre, Ballydrain Road, Comber, Co Down,

Mourne Game and Wildfowl Conservation Association

Website

Mourne Game and Wildfowl was set-up to facilitate and to enhance the area of Mill Bay, and surrounding areas which is just out side Kilkeel, Co.Down, Northern Ireland. This is where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea. The Club is affiliated to BASC [The British Association for Shooting and Conservation] and that the mandatory Duck Stamp is supported by all members. And we gladly accept the emphasis being put on habitat protection.

North Down Ringing Group


Hugh Thurgate, 24 Church Court, Clough, Downpatrick, BT30 8QX

Copeland Bird Observatory

Observatory
Welcome to the web site of the Copeland Bird Observatory. We hope you find the contents interesting and useful. We would like to attract new visitors. Whether you are a birdwatcher or bird ringer, someone with an interest in other plants or animals, a fan of islands or you'd just like to visit and see the place, we'd be delighted to welcome you to the Observatory and give you a tour of the Island...

Strangford Lough

Information
Satellite View
Strangford's rich marine life attracts a vast variety of birdlife. The area is a wetland of international importance supporting some 25,000 wildfowl and 50,000 waders. The Lough is a bird sanctuary and wildlife preserve, now designated a Marine Nature Reserve under the protection of the Department of the Environment. Thousands of Brent geese winter here and Greylag and White-fronted geese visit from the Downpatrick marshes. Oystercatchers, Curlews and other waders throng the saltmarshes...

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Reserve - Castle Espie

Website
Satellite View
Set on the banks of the stunning Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland where almost the entire population of Light-bellied Brent Geese reside during the winter months. For this reason the Castle Espie foreshore is part of the Strangford Lough Ramsar site. Throughout the year this tranquil and friendly centre is a real delight and a must for the whole family...

Kilhorne Bay Boats

Boat Trips

Kilhorne Bay Boat Charter has been launched to provide a range of family fun cruises, marine sightseeing and wildlife watching. It’s something different and is a welcome addition to the range of leisure opportunities in the Province – not just for tourists but also for local people as well...

Peninsula Charters


Gerard Young - Bird watching boat charter available strangford lough from Feb 2011 large boat local skipper, contact 07889761493 - call for enquiries or email: peninsula.charters@gmail.com

Edenvale House

Accommodation

Edenvale House Portaferry Road, Newtownards, Co. Down Approached up a long driveway, Edenvale House is a small Georgian country house located above Strangford Lough. It stands in its own grounds surrounded by fields, and is immaculately kept, both inside and out. Diane Whyte is a welcoming host, and the atmosphere is informal and relaxed...

The Old Schoolhouse Inn

Accommodation

Situated at Castle Espie, beside the beautiful scenery of Strangford Lough the Old Schoolhouse Inn is a superb place to stay, relax and enjoy your stay in Northern Ireland...

Peregrine's Bird Blog

Blog

Craig Nash's Birding BLOG from Northern Ireland...

Birdwatching in County Down

Website

List of sites: The sea loughs of County Down - Belfast, Strangford and Carlingford - are fine spots for studying water birds in winter. The rocky east Ards sea coast is good for waders. The Mourne Mountains have red grouse and there are a variety of raptors to be seen above reed-fringed lakes and over forest parks...

Photographer - Craig Nash

Gallery

Excellent bird portraits...

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