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Overview
Linked to the north-western corner of Lough Neagh by the River Bann, Lough Beg is a National Nature Reserve of great importance to wintering waterfowl. The lough itself is shallow and surrounded by wet grassland on much of the western side and reedbeds, scrub and woodland on the east.
The Ballyskullion estate to the north-west has extensive woodlands including many exotic species. In the south of the lough is an area of former sand-diggings, now a network of lagoons and islands. The water level is artificially controlled and the surrounding area is susceptible to flooding at irregular times.
The different habitats at Lough Beg host a wide range of bird species and it is ideally positioned between Lough Neagh and the sea to attract passage and wintering waterfowl and waders. Lough Beg is one of the most productive birding areas in Northern Ireland, if not the whole of Ireland.
Birds
Notable Species
Breeding birds of the lough include Great Crested Grebe, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler and Red-breasted Merganser and in the surrounding grassland Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank, Common Snipe and Eurasian Curlew nest, sometimes also Dunlin. Black-headed Gull breeds on islands in the lough. The woodlands have a typical range of species and Northern Raven has recently begun to breed in the area.
Whooper Swan occur in large numbers, Bewick's Swan in rather smaller numbers, from late autumn to early spring and Greylag Goose are usually present. Duck occur in thousands in winter and include Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler and Common Goldeneye, joined by small numbers of other species. Waders in winter include all the breeding species as well as Golden Plover.
During passage periods the diversity of species seen at Lough Beg increases with waders such as Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit in spring and a wide variety in autumn including Greenshank, Little Stint and Ruff and Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Curlew Sandpiper.
Passerines move through the area in large numbers in autumn and hirundines in particular.
Rarities
Rarer waders are frequently seen here and have included vagrants such as Greater Yellowlegs and Lesser Yellowlegs, Broad-billed Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper and Baird's Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher and Wilson's Phalarope.
Pectoral Sandpiper is recorded almost annually and the first Stilt Sandpiper for Northern Ireland was recorded here in September 2001.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Garganey, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Northern Lapwing, Red Knot, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Woodpigeon, Short-eared Owl, Common Kingfisher, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Northern House Martin, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Eurasian Blackbird, Song Thrush, Northern Raven, Reed Bunting
Other Wildlife
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Site Information
History and Use
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Areas of Interest
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Access and Facilities
Lough can be reached by road from Belfast by taking the M2 towards Toome at the north-western tip of Lough Neagh. Head west from Toome towards Castledawson and then north following signs for Bellaghy. Before reaching the village turn right and right again and continue until the lough can be approached.
Grid Reference: H 975960
Contact Details
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External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
