Nature spot · County Wexford

The Wexford Slobs and Wildfowl Reserve

Park
The Wexford Slobs and Wildfowl Reserve
Photo: Fáilte Ireland

The Wexford Slobs and Wildfowl Reserve in Castlebridge, County Wexford are a natural haven for birds. Home to large flocks of geese, ducks and wading birds during the winter, with as many as 8,000 Greenland White-Fronted Geese going there.

Situated on the south eastern end of the Slaney region in Castlebridge, County Wexford, lies the Wexford Slobs and Wildfowl Reserve, an internationally renowned wildbird sanctuary. As much as 35% of the world population of Greenland White-fronted Geese winter here each year, along with other species such as Snow, Bean and Brent geese.

Other visitors include the migrating Whooper Swan from Iceland and Bewicks Swan from Siberia. Whatever the time of year, the shrill or plaintive call of innumerable birds can be heard here, and sometimes a glimpse of a visiting Goshawk or Gyrfalcon can be seen.

There are hides and other facilities for bird watching as well as guided tours, on request.

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, which is part of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Wexford Wildfowl Reserve is a designated Ramsar Site, part of a Special Protection Area (SPA), a proposed National Heritage Area (pNHA), and a National Nature Reserve.

The Reserve is owned in partnership with BirdWatch Ireland, a national voluntary organisation. BirdWatch Ireland is Ireland's largest conservation.

Outdoors in County Wexford this week

Best day outdoors: Sat, 10 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C

  1. Fri, 9 Oct15° / 9°DrizzleGood day outdoors
  2. Sat, 10 Oct13° / 7°Sun with light cloudGreat day outdoors
  3. Sun, 11 Oct14° / 14°DrizzleGood day outdoors

Make a day of it

The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.