Lough Foyle

The vast, open estuary views create a spectacular landscape at Lough Foyle. This is the second largest area of intertidal habitat in Northern Ireland and the stretching mudflats, salt marsh and sandflats provide a brilliant backdrop for birdwatching. These habitats welcome vast numbers of wintering and passage wildfowl and waders throughout the year.

In spring, displaying Lapwings perform acrobatics over the fields as Otters fish in the larger drains. Come autumn, Whooper Swans call to each other as they fly in to roost, and Peregrines send huge flocks of waders wheeling.

The open water of the Lough hosts a great array of ducks, including Pintails, Wigeons and Teals. We sometimes spot Common Scoters and Long-tailed Ducks too. The large, open fields behind the sea wall attract feeding and roosting flocks of over 500 Whooper Swans, along with groups of Golden Plovers, Lapwings and a mix of other waders through the autumn into the spring. Over spring and summer, be sure to look out for breeding Lapwings, lolloping Irish Hares and if you're really lucky a secretive Otter slinking around.