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Overview
On the shores of Lower Lough Erne this reserve consists of a narrow and irregular peninsula covered with coniferous forest.
Although this was originally a commercial forest there is much variation in age structure and the habitat is now far richer than other plantations. The shoreline is deeply indented and lowering of the water level has led to colonisation by scrub, mainly willows and Alder. In addition there are some mature deciduous trees in the forest adding to the diversity.
Also part of the reserve are twenty or so low islands nearby and several more much scattered over the northern half of the lough.
Birds
Notable Species
The varied habitats have led to a wide range of birds breeding in the area, once of major importance was Common Scoter, although numbers have declined steeply in recent decades, The globally rare Corn Crake nests or formerly nested on adjacent farmland.
Breeding ducks include Common Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck and Red-breasted Merganser. Great Crested Grebe and Little Grebe nest as well as Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black-headed Gull and Common Tern, Arctic Tern and Sandwich Tern. Many of these breed on the islands in the north of the lough and one of these, Innishmeely, has a heronry and rookery.
In the forest of the reserve Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel and Long-eared Owl breed and passerines include various warblers and Eurasian Siskin.
Winter sees the arrival of waterfowl including Whooper Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal and Common Pochard and Peregrine Falcon is often present at this time.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Peregrine Falcon, Corn Crake, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Common Wood Pigeon, Long-eared Owl, Eurasian Skylark, Redwing, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Rook, Common Starling, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Eurasian Siskin, Lesser Redpoll
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
To do
Access and Facilities
The reserve is reached from the A47 Pettigoe road, 7km east of Belleek. There is a car-park, marked footpaths to the lough shore and a hide overlooking Castle Bay. In addition the reserve has an information centre with toilets and boat-trips with the warden can be arranged. Much of the information is aimed at schoolchildren and this reserve is ideal for visits from school parties.
Enniskillen has hotel accommodation and there are several campsites in the area.
Grid Ref: NV126271
Contact Details
Tel: 02866 341456 (RSPB)
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
