East Coast Nature Reserve

The East Coast Nature Reserve is a wildfowl reserve maintained by Birdwatch Ireland and it is located on the coast of Wicklow near Newcastle. This is one of the most popular bird watching sites in Ireland. East Coast Nature Reserve has several walking trails and bird hides. Check out the different habitats in the reserve including parkland, reed beds woodlands, and wetlands. As a result, this bird watching location is a great site in winter for ducks, geese, swans, waders and birds of prey. In Spring and Summer you will see warblers, finches, buntings, migrants and birds of prey.

Limited parking is available at the entrance to the reserve (5 or 6 cars). However, if you continue driving for 300 metres, there is parking available along the road side. Use the gate across the railway line to you onto a walking trail that runs along the beach. Turn left along the beach in Spring and early Summer, you will see a protected area of conservation for little terns. It is about a 20 minute walk and it is managed by Birdwatch Ireland.

Alternatively, turn to your right here and follow the pathway that runs south along the beach. This is a perfect location for you to scan the  wetlands of the reserve during winter months. In Spring and Summer this is a good location to see Wheatears, Linnets, Stonechats and Skylarks. Additionally, you will see Little Terns, Gulls, Gannets and Ringed Plovers in Spring and Summer. Watch out for Cormorants, Red Throated Divers and Razorbills in early Spring.

Use the following Sat-Nav co-ordinates: 53.070375, -6.042782

Bird Watching Ireland Hotspot

There are 33 different bird species in the “East Coast Nature Reserve” photo gallery. This makes it a Hotspot for bird watching in Ireland.

This reserve is only a 10 minute drive from Kilcoole which is also worth a visit.