Overview
The Wexford Slobs are situated in south-eastern Ireland within Wexford Harbour and despite much habitat loss and modification this remains one of the best wetland areas in the country.
The main habitats are mudflats and wet meadows with numerous drainage channels, ideal for geese and other waterfowl.
Birds
Notable Species
The area is most famous for Greenland White-fronted Goose with about half the global population wintering here. Also present in winter are Greylag Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Pale-bellied Brent Goose and Barnacle Goose. Snow Goose is regularly recorded and those seen here, unlike elsewhere in Europe, are likely to be genuine vagrants having accompanied migrating White-fronted Goose. Small races of Canada Goose also occur, again probable wild birds.
Other wintering species include Slavonian Grebe, Bewick's Swan, various ducks, Golden Plover and Black-tailed Godwit, and large rafts of Common Scoter occur offshore.
On passage Whimbrel, Ruff and Spotted Redshank appear in good numbers as well as many other waders, and Little Gull. In autumn transatlantic waders occur with great regularity.
Sedge Warbler breeds on the reserve and also Tree Sparrow which is scarce in Ireland.
Rarities
Recent rarities at the Wexford Slobs include American Wigeon, Ring-billed Gull and Little Egret.
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Greylag Goose, Barnacle Goose, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Common Scoter, Common Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Hen Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Common Pheasant, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, European Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Northern Lapwing, Red Knot, Sanderling, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Snipe, Eurasian Woodcock, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Little Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Stock Dove, Common Woodpigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Cuckoo, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Northern House Martin, Sand Martin, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Common Wren, Dunnock, Eurasian Robin, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Common Treecreeper, Common Jay, Common Magpie, Eurasian Jackdaw, Rook, Hooded Crow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Linnet, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting
Other Wildlife
To do
Site Information
The best time to visit is undoubtedly between October and April when the largest numbers of waterfowl are present although earlier in the autumn is better for waders and especially North American vagrants.
History and Use
To do
Areas of Interest
There are also the partly-wooded sand-dunes of the Raven and Rosslare Point to the east where Long-eared Owl and Sparrowhawk breed.
Access and Facilities
The area is easily reached by road or rail from Wexford where there are hotels and guesthouses, alternatively there are campsites closer to the reserve at Curracloe.
5km north-east from Wexford and is signposted from Castlebridge Road.
Contact Details
Tel: +353 53 23129
External Links
Content and images originally posted by Steve
