Seabirds and Waterfowl

The coast of Northern Ireland sustains important breeding populations of seabirds and waterfowl. During winter months, Northern Ireland assumes an even greater importance for the many duck, geese, swan and wader species which migrate here from Canada, Iceland, Scandinavia and Russia to feed on our coastal mudflats.

Substantial proportions of the world population of certain bird species visit our shores. For example, virtually all of the East Canadian High Artic population of the pale-bellied brent goose which winter in Europe are to be found in Northern Ireland from autumn to spring.

Raptors like the peregrine falcon and significant numbers of auks and terns also inhabit the coast in addition to wintering populations of a variety of divers and grebes. jncc seabirds