Direction Ireland

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

Southeast Ireland | County Wexford

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is located just outside Wexford town, off the road R741 leading to Castlebridge (approx. 2 km before Castlebridge, there is road sign showing the direction). The reserve is situated on the mud flats of the estuary of the River Slaney and is also called the North Slob. Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is managed by BirdWatch Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and is part of the Wexford Harbour Special Protection Area. It is one of Ireland's finest bird sites and is an internationally important. The one third of the world population of Greenland White-fronted Geese occur here in winter time (around 7000). On the wet grassland and reedbeds of the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve also occur geese species such as Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Barnacle Geese, Pink-footed Geese, Snow Geese, Lesser White-fronted Geese, Red-breasted Geese and Greylag Geese. Ducks species such as Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck and Pochard, Shelduck, Golden eye, Red-breasted Merganser, Shoveler, Gadwall, Scaup and Pintail. Waders species such as Lapwing, Golden Plover, Curlew, and Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Ruff, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Spotted Redshank and Greenshank. Swans such as Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Bewick’s Swan. Birds of prey such as Kestrels, Sparrow hawks and Peregrine Falcons. You can also find Slavonian Grebes, Great-crested Grebes, Little Grebes, Short-eared and Long-eared Owls, Cuckoo, Ravens, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warblers, Moorhens, Coots, Grey Herons and Little Egrets, Cuckoo and Tree Sparrows. The North Slob is also home for Irish Hares, Foxes, Badgers, Rabbits, Irish Stoats, Brown Rats, Shrews, Otters, Red Squirrels and five bat species. There is a visitor centre with bird watching tower (there are few more observation towers around) and exhibition showing evolution of birds and other interesting facts about their lives.

• OPENING HOURS :
  • Daily: 9am - 5pm
  • Closed on Christmas Day
• ADMISSION FEES:
  • Free
• TELEPHONE :
  • +353 76 100 2660
• CAR PARK :
  • Yes