Description
East Coast Nature Reserve forms part of the extensive Murrough Wetlands, an important coastal wetland complex which is designated as a Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation. The reserve offers a variety of habitats, from rare fen to wet grasslands to birch woodland, which can all be explored on foot through marked walking trails and observation hides. Tall reeds and sedges abound and the pig-like squealing of the Mokož can be heard.
mala bela caplja can often be seen fishing in the drainage ditches. Other birds you can see are vodomec, repnik, zelenec, bičja trstnica and trstni strnad. Arriving in October and staying until March are labod pevec. In the winter, ducks (žvižgavka, žličarica, kreheljc) and wading birds (veliki škurh, črnorepi kljunač) gather on the reserve. Also močvirska uharica, pepelasti lunj and sokol selec. These birds of prey are more likely to be seen in the winter, when they move to the coast in search of food.
Details
Access
Limited parking is available at the main entrance to the reserve along Sea Road (turn left after the Castle Inn, Newcastle) or the coastal car parks at either Six-mile or Five-mile Point. Click on a P in the map for directions to one of the car parks. There are marked walking trails between each entrance that offer good views over the whole area. Keep to these trails to avoid disturbance to the wildlife. Grazing animals are present throughout the summer months.