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Description
Portmore Lough is a lowland, wet-grassland reserve. The range of wetland habitats provide a home for a wide variety of wildlife. In spring, Bíbic can be seen displaying over the wet grassland, whilst Mezei pacsirta sing from high overhead. Butterflies and dragonflies dart along the path to the hide. The Küszvágó csér colony can be heard from the lough, as the terns busy themselves raising their young on the nesting rafts. Autumn brings lots of wildfowl, Szárcsa, Barátréce and Kontyos réce ducks gather in large rafts on the lough. Raptors, including Barna rétihéja and Kékes rétihéja can often be seen hunting over the reedbed at this time of year. Énekes hattyú and Nyári lúd arrive from Iceland in October to overwinter at the reserve until April. In late winter, huge swirling flocks of Bíbic and Aranylile fly over the flooded meadows.
Details
Access
From the M1 motorway come off at Junction 9, Moira roundabout, and head up the A26 towards the International Airport and Antrim. Go under the railway bridge and pass the Glenavy Road Service Station on the right. Take the second road on the left. It is signposted to the village of Aghalee. This is the Soldierstown Road. Stay on this road to the village of Aghalee. The reserve is signposted from Aghalee. Follow the road until a T-junction at Gawley’s Gate pub, turn right onto Derryola Bridge Road and drive for 1 mile. The reserve is signposted off the George’s Island Road. Car park open 9am – 5pm. When the car park gates are closed, you can park outside the gates.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , Lake , GrasslandConditions
Open landscapeCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
WinterRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
FootBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
158 hectares of open water meets 34 hectares of reedbed and 15 hectares of fen before flooding out onto 73 hectares of wet grassland. This mosaic of wetland habitats provides perfect opportunities for the survival of breeding Bíbic, Sárszalonka and Piroslábú cankó.