Take a walk on Northern Ireland’s wild side this spring

Tourism NI’s ultimate guide to enjoying nature this spring.

Northern Ireland is truly the ultimate haven for nature lovers, with a landscape teeming with world-class gardens, ancient woodland, wildlife reserves and habitats, all worth exploring this spring. Probably.

A new season has arrived and it’s the perfect time for sightseeing. Winter turns into a time of regeneration, plants begin to bud, and coastlines and countryside are teeming with new life and a mix of wild birds that have migrated to escape the harsher climate.

Stephen Harrod Buhner, an American author, philosopher, and herbalist, believes that the only thing we must do to save the planet is to ensure that we cultivate and encourage biophilia (love for all living things). I had a theory that it was the right thing to do.

March 3 is World Wildlife Day, an annual celebration of wild animals and plants and the unique contributions they make to people and the planet. This year’s theme is “Connecting People and the Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.”

Discover Northern Ireland has compiled a list of the following places and experiences. Many are less than two hours from Dublin, perfect for connecting people and the planet.

Belfast Window on Wildlife (WOW), County Antrim

• With panoramic views of Belfast Lakes and the birds and wildlife that call this RSPB nature reserve home, Belfast WOW truly lives up to its name. His Belfast Harbor estate, just 15 minutes from the city centre, is home to hundreds of species. Spot lapwings, terns and even grazing conic ponies. Two specially constructed hides from shipping containers equipped with binoculars and telescopes will provide different perspectives of the reserve, which is scheduled to welcome returning sand martins from early March.

Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary, County Down

• See marine life from a diver’s perspective at Northern Ireland’s only aquarium, Exploris. The exciting new ‘Under the Sea’ experience lets you get up close and personal with life at the depths of the ocean through an underwater glass tunnel. The colorful coral reef is home to more than 100 species and the center is home to crocodiles, otters, penguins and Hector the capybara, as well as a dedicated seal sanctuary. Don’t forget to explore the outdoor area and children’s playroom. Those visiting on Saturday night will enjoy a fully guided tour, followed by a three-course meal at his on-site licensed Kraken restaurant.

Castle Spey Wetland Centre, County Down

• Strangford Lake is home to up to 95% of the world’s brent geese, which migrate from Canada’s Arctic highlands between September and April. A magical combination of tidal flats, eelgrass mats, woodland walks, salt marshes and reedbeds, WWT Castle Espi offers a world of wetland wildlife waiting to be discovered. Add to that the stimulating sensory gardens, Graffin Gallery, woodlands and coastal scenic walks with morning birdwatching and you’ll have an unforgettable day. Oh, and the on-site Kingfisher Cafe is a home-cooked sanctuary.

Rathlin West Light Seabird Center, County Antrim

• Just six miles off the Causeway coast lies Rathlin Island, one of Northern Ireland’s best kept secrets. Before arriving by ferry from Ballycastle, keep an eye out for gannets, gulls and dolphins, and prepare to be welcomed by thousands of birds clinging to the island’s dramatic cliff edges to raise their young. Rathlin West Light Seabird Center, located in Rathlin’s famous ‘upside down’ lighthouse, will reopen on Easter Sunday (31 March), just in time for the long-awaited return of the island’s puffins. While in Rathlin, take a short walk to Mill Bay and see if you can spot some seals playing along the shore. Alternatively, for a unique perspective, join one of Kintra Tours’ regular boat tours.

Mount Stewart, County Down

• Voted one of the world’s top 10 gardens, Mount Stewart owes its artistry and inspired plantings to Lady Londonderry, whose passion for bold planning and climate fosters rare and tender plants. is. Visitors can enjoy casual, beautifully landscaped gardens surrounding a picturesque lake boardwalk with over 10 miles of trails. Overlooking magnificent Strangford Lough, highlights include themed areas such as the Shamrock Garden and the Sink Garden, complete with sculptures and stunning flowers.

Murlock National Nature Reserve, County Down

• The 6,000-year-old dune system that makes up the National Trust-owned Marlow National Nature Reserve is one of the most extensive examples of dune heath in Ireland and a perfect spot for birdwatching. This site is of international importance not only as a wintering ground for wild birds and sandpipers, but also as a trapping ground for seals and gray seals. As you walk along the Dundrum Coastal Path, see if you can spot herons, egrets and oystercatchers who enjoy the abundant food on the tidal flats, as well as the reserve’s resident foxes and stoats.

Press release from Discover Northern Ireland