{"id":22399,"date":"2024-02-20T17:23:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T16:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/?p=22399"},"modified":"2024-02-20T17:23:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T16:23:02","slug":"take-a-walk-on-northern-irelands-wild-side","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2024\/02\/take-a-walk-on-northern-irelands-wild-side\/","title":{"rendered":"Take a walk on Northern Ireland\u2019s wild side"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><strong><em>Tourism NI\u2019s ultimate guide to help you embrace nature this spring<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>From watching Red Kites soar over the Dromara Hills, catching trout as you look down on the Walled City to watching red squirrels leap through the trees in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland is bursting with giant experiences to spark a lifelong love for nature in both the young and young at heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright wp-image-22400\" src=\"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/2-3-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" \/>World Wildlife Day (Mar 3) is the annual celebration of wild animals and plants and the unique contribution they make to people and planet. This year\u2019s theme is Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.<\/p>\n<p>Discover Northern Ireland has compiled the following list of places and experiences perfect for connecting people and planet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Red Kites Tours NI, County Down<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Marvel at the amazing wildlife, flora and fauna in raptor heaven along South Down\u2019s countryside and coastline with <a href=\"https:\/\/discovernorthernireland.com\/things-to-do\/red-kite-tours-ni-p720641\">Red Kite Tours NI<\/a>. Led by founder Shelagh Henry from her base in Rathfriland, these unforgettable tours are perfect for experienced bird watchers and budding ornithologists alike. Spot the majestic Red Kites soaring against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, discover otters and seals along the Irish Sea\u2019s coastline and keep your eyes peeled for rare wildlife and wildflowers among the dunes and heathlands.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Creggan Country Park, County Londonderry<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enjoy a fun day out at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitderry.com\/things-to-do\/creggan-country-park-p707961\">Creggan Country Park<\/a>, a 100-acre site hosting three freshwater lakes, woodland, hedgerow and an activity centre. Just a five-minute drive from the centre of Derry~Londonderry, watch spring unfurl as you catch fish at its put and take rainbow trout fishery, explore natural habitats and get up close to wildlife at its Forest Academy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Gosford Forest Park, County Armagh <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep your eyes peeled as you trek the trails of Northern Ireland\u2019s first designated conservation forest on the outskirts of Markethill \u2014 you never know when you might encounter any of the red deer, red squirrels and other rare breeds that call it home. Admire the wide variety of conifer and broadleaf tree species in <a href=\"https:\/\/discovernorthernireland.com\/things-to-do\/gosford-forest-park-p675161\">Gosford Arboretum<\/a> and take a stroll along walkways adorned with flowering shrubs and plants. There are also a number of kids\u2019 play zones with zip-lines and ropes courses and for Game of Thrones fans, Gosford Castle is a must-visit as it was a filming location in season three.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Belfast Window on Wildlife (WOW), County Antrim<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Offering panoramic views of Belfast Lough, as well as the birds and wildlife that call this RSPB nature reserve home, <a href=\"https:\/\/discovernorthernireland.com\/things-to-do\/belfasts-window-on-wildlife-wow-p675891\">Belfast WOW<\/a> certainly lives up to its name. Situated in the heart of the bustling Belfast Harbour Estate, there are hundreds of species to be observed. You\u2019ll find Lapwings and Terns and even Konik Ponies that graze the land. Two hides, which have been specially constructed from shipping containers to blend in with the harbour\u2019s industrial landscape, offer different perspectives on the reserve which is also set to welcome the returning Sand Martins from the start of March.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Crom Estate, County Fermanagh<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An important conservation site on the shores of Upper Loch Erne, at <a href=\"https:\/\/discovernorthernireland.com\/things-to-do\/crom-estate-p675551\">Crom Estate<\/a> you can explore the 2,000-acre 19<sup>th<\/sup> century demesne and try to spot the wild deer, pine martens, red squirrels and other rare species that live there. Gaze in wonder at the almost 400-year-old yew trees near the old castle ruins, enjoy unrivalled views of Derrymacrow Lough from the bird hide and, keep your eyes peeled for Fermanagh\u2019s unique blue-eyed grass \u2013 while it\u2019s the national flower of Bermuda, it\u2019s found locally in only a few sites around Lough Erne.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, County Tyrone<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Northern Ireland\u2019s only international Dark Sky Park, <a href=\"https:\/\/discovernorthernireland.com\/things-to-do\/om-dark-sky-park-and-observatory-p742341\">OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory<\/a>, is found in Davagh Forest. Its Stars and Stones experience offers a unique glimpse at the night sky and a fascinating exploration of the seven mystical circles, 10 rows of stones and 12 cairns that make up the Beaghmore Stone Circles. Enjoy a new 3.4km \u2018Solar Walk\u2019 and gain a better understanding of the link between what can be seen in the skies and the arrangements on the ground at Beaghmore. While exploring Davagh Forest\u2019s many wonderful walks, keep your eyes peeled for the impressive Sika deer that call the forest home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Faughan Valley, County Londonderry<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Just ten minutes from Derry~Londonderry and one hour from Belfast, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitderry.com\/things-to-do\/faughan-valley-woodlands-p865421\">Faughan Valley<\/a> is home to a collection of enchanting oak trees, so rare these habitats cover less than 0.1% of Northern Ireland. The city of Derry~Londonderry\u2019s Irish name, Doire, means Oak-Grove. The Woodland Trust has bought up small clusters of native woodlands in this valley including Brackfield, Oaks, Red Brae, Burntollet and Killaloo with the aim of connecting them. New walking trails have been developed to help showcase the unique flora and fauna of this breathtaking landscape.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Murlough National Nature Reserve, County Down<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Owned by the National Trust, the 6,000 year old sand dune system that makes up <a href=\"https:\/\/discovernorthernireland.com\/things-to-do\/murlough-national-nature-reserve-p675981\">Murlough National Nature Reserve<\/a> near Newcastle is one of the most extensive examples of dune heath within Northern Ireland and is an excellent spot for birdwatching. Managed as Ireland\u2019s first nature reserve since 1967, the site is also of international importance for wintering wildfowl and waders as well as a haul-out for common and grey seals. As you walk the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitmournemountains.co.uk\/things-to-do\/dundrum-coastal-path-p698231\">Dundrum Coastal Path<\/a> see if you can spot herons, egrets and oystercatchers who enjoy the rich abundance of foodstuffs on the mudflats or even the foxes or stoats that reside on the reserve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, County Antrim<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Just six miles off the Causeway Coast lies Rathlin Island. Before arriving by ferry from Ballycastle, be on the lookout for gannets, gulls and dolphins and brace yourself for a welcome from the thousands of birds that raise their chicks and cling to the island\u2019s dramatic cliff edges. If you\u2019ve always talked about seeing the puffins, now\u2019s your chance as <a href=\"https:\/\/discovernorthernireland.com\/things-to-do\/rspb-rathlin-west-light-seabird-centre-p706921\">Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre<\/a>, which is located at Rathlin\u2019s famous \u2018upside down\u2019 lighthouse reopens on Easter Sunday (Mar 31) \u2014 just in time for the highly anticipated return of these adorable seabirds.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To find out more visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.discovernorthernireland.com\">www.discovernorthernireland.com<\/a><\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tourism NI\u2019s ultimate guide to help you embrace nature this spring From watching Red Kites soar over the Dromara Hills, catching trout as you look down on the Walled City to watching red squirrels leap through the trees in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland is bursting with giant experiences to spark a lifelong love for nature in &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/2024\/02\/take-a-walk-on-northern-irelands-wild-side\/\">Continued<\/a><!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on wp_trim_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22399"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22399"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22399\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22401,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22399\/revisions\/22401"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22399"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22399"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/whatsonni.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22399"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}