Inch Island Wildfowl Reserve

Inch Island Wildfowl Reserve

Inch Island Wildlife Reserve

Inch is home to a freshwater man-made lake. It was formed when dykes and embankments were made in order to drain the flat marshland between Inch Island and Bridgend.

Blanket Nook is another area of freshwater formed much in the same way as Inch Lake. It lays to the Southwest of Inch near to the quaint village of Newtoncunningham. In tandem these two lakes and there surrounding land host a large collection of water birds year round.

The lagoon, marsh and wetlands all provide a perfect spot for a variety of geese, swans, gulls, ducks and other water wading birds that choose Inch as their habitat. It is the permanent home of the Mute swan and also hosts the Whopper and Bewick swans.

The Mute swan is commonly found in city parks throughout Europe and Asia whilst the Whooper visits from Iceland in the winter. The Bewick travels from Siberia and they are known to stay right through the summer.

It’s the most important wetland in the North West and comes complete with an international ecological status. It has an otherworldly feel to it and you are acutely aware that you are experiencing an area of great ecological significance.

There are several types of wild geese to be found here in winter. The White Front, Greylag, Barnacle, Brent, Pink Footed and Canada Geese can all be found here in the depths of winter.

Other notable birds to be found here through the year include Great Crested Grebes, Tufted Duck and Coot. You will also see the likes of Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit and Redshank wading on the mudflats in a low tide.

Herons are known to nest in groups amongst the trees here. There is a small islet on Inch Lake where a colony of Common Tern, Arctic Tern and Sandwich Tern can be found nesting before they depart for the sunnier climate of Africa in autumn.

Sedge Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Reed bunting and the Kingfisher are just some of the smaller birds known to have visited the lake with the latter usually found at the lock gates of Blanket Nook.

Although primarily a resting place for fowl life you can find them sharing their surroundings with other animals with the most notable being the otter which are prevalent in the area.

Castle View Cottage Inch Island

Castle View Cottage Inch Island – 3 bedroom holiday home located near the southern shores of Inch Island on Lough Swilly, Co Donegal. The holiday home takes its name from the nearby ruins of an old O’ Doherty clan castle.

Monreagh Heritage Centre

The Monreagh Heritage Centre is housed in a former Presbyterian manse and is located in the heart of the Laggan, a district in the east of County Donegal that has been shaped by waves of migration, most significantly by Scottish settlers in the 17th century.

The Crana River and Fullerton Reservoir

The Crana River and Fullerton reservoir is controlled by the Buncrana Angling Association . The fishery is managed from a purpose built angling centre where permits, licences and fishing tackle can be purchased and where boats and rods can be hired. Visiting anglers...

North West Golf Club at Lisfannon

North West Golf Club at Lisfannon Donegal – Lying between beautiful Lough Swilly and Mouldy Mountain on the Inishowen Peninsula

Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival

  Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival - Derry is gearing itself up for a Hallowe’en Hooley as never before seen in the city, with the launch of its biggest ever festival programme featuring some terror-ific catwalk capers, mythical mayhem and a whole host of...

The Crana River and Fullerton Reservoir

The Crana River and Fullerton reservoir is controlled by the Buncrana Angling Association . The fishery is managed from a purpose built angling centre where permits, licences and fishing tackle can...

Inch Island Self Catering

Inch Island Self Catering - Inch Island is connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway and is largely fertile on it's eastern side while its western side has steep mountain sides and a a...

SeaFest Lough Swilly

Celebrating our Coastal Environment Although only established in 2011, Seafest Lough Swilly has already made a name for itself among Ireland’s maritime festivals. It is truly a festival for...

Burt Donegal

Burt is located a few miles west of the historic Walled City of Derry and features an ancient ring fort. View holiday homes in the area at Inch Island and Fahan

The Coffee Cup Inishowen

Situated 1 min walk from Buncrana’s Main Street, The Coffee Cup serves fresh sandwiches,chopped salads and fine coffee in a relaxed setting. Now, also based at Dunree Fort.

Oscars Restaurant Buncrana

Oscars Restaurant Buncrana is located on Buncrana’s Main Street and features a stylish art deco interior. Through its large curved street-facing windows you can watch local activity while enjoying a coffee with friends.

Lough Swilly Lifeboat Buncrana

Lough Swilly Lifeboat Buncrana Station operates two lifeboats – one inshore lifeboat and another all-weather Shannon Class lifeboat

Fort Dunree Military Museum

Fort Dunree Military Museum - Perched on a headland overlooking Lough Swilly, Fort Dunree is a military museum that incorporates a Napoleonic Martello  tower into more recent World War I defences....

Castle View Cottage Inch Island

Castle View Cottage Inch Island – 3 bedroom holiday home located near the southern shores of Inch Island on Lough Swilly, Co Donegal. The holiday home takes its name from the nearby ruins of an old O’ Doherty clan castle.

Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival

  Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival - Derry is gearing itself up for a Hallowe’en Hooley as never before seen in the city, with the launch of its biggest ever festival programme featuring...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This