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Northern Ireland - County Down

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.

top sites

Belfast Lough RSPB Reserve

Map Ref: J373779 Waders, wildfowl and rarities.

Castle Espie WWT, Strangford Lough

Map Ref: J492672 An introduction to the wildfowl of Strangford Lough

Copeland Bird Observatory

Map Ref: J598859 Seabirds and migrants.

Dundrum Bay and Inner Bay

Map Ref: J410360 Waders, wildfowl, divers.

Quoile Pondage NNR

Map Ref: J500480 Wildfowl and waders. Good hide and information centre nearby on main road from Downpatrick to Strangford.

St John’s Point

Map Ref: J520330 Seabirds

Strand Lough

Map Ref: J537373 Unfortunately much degraded now but still attracts rarities.

contributor

George Gordon
gordon@ballyholme2.freeserve.co.uk

useful reading

Where to Watch Birds in Ireland

by Clive Hutchinson - Paperback - 272 pages (17 March, 1997) Christopher Helm
ISBN: 0713638273
Buy this book from NHBS.com

clubs

Castle Espie Birdwatching Club

Dot Blakely, 31 Clandboye Way, Bangor, BT19 1AD 028 9145 0784

Mourne Game and Wildfowl Conservation Association

http://www.wildfowling.com/mournewa/mgwca.htm
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

observatories

Copeland Bird Observatory

http://www.cbo.org.uk/
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.

reserves

Strangford Lough Landscape & Wildlife

http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/pubs/publications/StrangfordLoughPubInfoBooklet_web.pdf
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

http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/castleespie/
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.

trip reports

Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!

places to stay

Briers Guesthouse

http://www.travel-ireland.com/tollymor/briars.htm
The Briers is an 18th century home renovated with sympathy and extended to provide all modern comforts, at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland. Set in two acres of gardens, this house is a true Jewel in the Crown of County Down. Large rooms with ensuite bath, shower; television and direct dial telephones. Secure car parking.

Edenvale House

http://www.irelandseye.com/aarticles/travel/accomodations/BandBs/edenvale.shtm
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

http://www.theoldschoolhouseinn.com/
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.

Wyllie Cottage

http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/shortbreaks/product.aspx?ProductID=6129
Wyllie Cottage is a listed building of outstanding beauty in the village of Bryansford, County Down, built in 1907. It is within walking distance of Tollymore Forest Park with panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains and the beautiful surrounding scenery.

Birdwatching in County Down

http://www.geographia.com/northern-ireland/ukibrd01.htm#Down
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.