Salt Island is accessible to the general public by boat and bothy style accommodation is available to rent. For further details and to book the bothy, please contact Mount Stewart reception on (028) 4278 8387. Salt Island is part of the Strangford Lough Canoe Trail and the nearest access points are at Killyleagh and Delamont Country Park. Look out for • Otters • Yellow flag iris beds. McCutcheon’s Field, on the eastern outskirts of Groomsport, was saved from development following a campaign by the local community and was subsequently purchased by the National Trust in 2000. It is accessible by following the North Down Coastal Path out of Groomsport. There are a range of shops, public toilets and places for refreshments in Groomsport. Look out for • Linnets breeding in the gorse scrub. Welcome Strangford Lough is the largest sea lough in the British Isles covering an area of 150 square kilometres and is one of only three marine nature reserves in the whole of the UK. Over 2,000 species of marine wildlife are found in or around the Lough, of which 28 are not recorded anywhere else in Northern Ireland. Its name is derived from Norse meaning ‘strong ord’, referring to the dramatic currents in the Narrows which are some of the fastest in the world. A staering 350 million cubic metres of water enters the Lough through the Narrows and leaves again with each passing tide. The National Trust manages over 4,000 hectares of coast and countryside in and around Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula. The Trust also cares for Mount Stewart and Castle Ward, key visitor attractions in the area. The Lough contains at least 100 islands, although legend has it that there is one for each day of the year. It is the most protected nature conservation site in Northern Ireland. The Lough itself is designated as a Special Area for Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive, a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive, an Area of Special Scientific Interest, a Marine Nature Reserve, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and an internationally important wetland site protected under the Ramsar convention. Over a quarter of the entire protected area of Strangford Lough is managed by the National Trust. The Trust also manages a number of sites along the Outer Ards and North Down coastline. The Outer Ards coastline is designated as a Special Protected Area and an Area of Special Scientific Interest. 2. North Down Coast Ballymacormick Point, designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest, it is located between Ballyholme Bay and Groomsport. Follow the 1.5 mile (2 km) walk (one way) along the North Down Coastal Path. This path is uneven in places and can be very muddy at times. Park at Ballyholme Bay or Groomsport. Look out for • Birds such as shelduck and oystercatcher. Orlock Point, is 1.3 miles (2 km) east of Groomsport. The National Trust owns about 1 mile (1.5 km) of the coastline and the adjoining farmland. Some of the farmland to the north of the A2 has recently been planted with native trees by the local community and there is a short circular walk. Parking is along a lay-by just off the main A2 Donaghadee Road, near to the entrance of Portavo Reservoir. There are a couple of steep sections with steps and the path can be muddy in places. Look out for • World War II lookout and a tunnel, which forms part of a 19th-century coach road, which is reputed to have been used by smulers • Eider ducks and stonechat along the coast. Lighthouse Island, one of the Copeland Islands, is 2 miles (3 km) off Donaghadee. This 17 hectare island was acquired by the National Trust in 1967 and is managed by Copeland Bird Observatory. The Copeland Islands are designated as a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive. To arrange a visit to Lighthouse Island, please contact Copeland Bird Observatory www.copelandbirdobservatory.org.uk. The bird observatory has accommodation for up to 23 overnight visitors. Look out for • A breeding colony of almost 3,000 pairs of Manx shearwater. These small albatross-like birds feed during the day at sea and only return to their burrows at night to avoid predators. They winter in the southern Atlantic off South America and are remarkably long-lived birds, with one ringed bird known to be at least 55 years old. At the time, this was the oldest known wild bird on the planet. It would have covered over 1,000,000km on migration during its life. • The project to re-establish Artic tern and puffin as breeding species. Driving route Car: Refer to map (2) Bus: There are good public transport links to Bangor and ongoing bus routes to Groomsport, Orlock and Donaghadee (Ulsterbus 3). 1. West shore of Strangford Lough Killynether Wood, near Newtownards - owned by National Trust and managed by Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The Trust manages a small area of hazel woodland by coppicing the trees, a traditional countryside skill which is rapidly disappearing. There is a car park and network of paths, muddy in places and some steep sections. Look out for • Breathtaking views of Strangford Lough • A wonderful array of woodland flowers in the spring. The vast majority of the foreshore from Reagh Island to Gibb’s Island is managed by the Trust under lease from the Crown Estate. There are good access points at Whiterock and Killyleagh. The latter has a good array of local shops, places for refreshments, public toilets and accommodation. Look out for • Birds such as grey heron, redshank, and curlew. You may even spot a little egret, a recent colonist which appears to be benefiting from milder winters. Driving tours There are a number of recommended driving tours: 1 West shore of Strangford Lough: Killynether Wood (managed by NIEA), Reagh Island and Gibb’s Island. Total distance: 25 miles (39 km) one way 2 North Down Coast: Ballymacormick Point, Cockle Island Seabird Centre, McCutcheon’s Field and Orlock Point. Total distance: 4 miles (6 km) one way 3 Ards Peninsula South: Kearney village and coastal path, Knockinelder, Ballyquintin/Bar Hall, Nugent’s Wood and Ballyhenry Island. Total distance: 12 miles (18 km) one way 4 Ards Peninsula North: Ballyreagh car park, Mount Stewart including lookout and red squirrel walk, Greyabbey car park, Glastry Clay Pits and Horse Island. Total distance: 18 miles (28 km) one way Contact details • Strangford Lough and Ards Peninsula: (028) 4278 7769 or e-mail: [email protected] • For Strangford Lough events information and bookings, contact Mount Stewart reception on: (028) 4278 8387 • National Trust - Castle Ward: (028) 4488 1204 • National Trust - Mount Stewart: (028) 4278 8387 • National Trust - Rowallane Garden: (028) 9751 0131 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/strangford-lough The National Trust is an independent registered charity number 205846 Other useful numbers • Emergency Services: 999 • Bangor Coastguard: (028) 9146 3933 • Maritime and Coastguard Agency: 0870 600 6505 • PSNI (Non-Emergency): 0845 600 8000 • Strangford Ferry: (028) 4488 1637 • DoE Strangford Lough Ranger 078902 08302 • Water Pollution Hotline: 0800 807060 • Dead seals (NIEA Quoile Countryside Centre): (028) 4461 5520 • Injured/abandoned seals (Exploris): (028) 4272 8062 • Cetacean and turtle strandings (UK Cetacean Strandings Investigative Programme): 0800 652 033 • Strangford Lough and Lecale Partnership: (028) 4272 8886 • Ards Tourist Information Centre: (028) 9182 6846 • Portaferry Tourist Information Centre: (028) 4272 9882 • Downpatrick Tourist Information Centre: (028) 4461 2233 • North Down Tourist Information Centre: (028) 9127 0069 • Translink: (028) 9066 6630 Photo credits National Trust Images: John Millar National Trust: Bernie Brown, Craig McCoy,Trevor Moffett, Hugh Thurgate, Andrew Upton, Richard Corvus, Craig Nash, North East Wildlife Front cover / Bernie Brown Our work is supported by Northern Ireland Environment Agency 3. Ards Peninsula South Kearney village and coastal path, on the Outer Ards, is located 3 miles (5 km) east of Portaferry. The village and coastal path has been in National Trust care since 1965 and was the Trust’s first purchase in Northern Ireland through the Enterprise Neptune scheme. The first recorded dwellings at Kearney date back to the 18th century. At one time, 30 fishing vessels operated out of Kearney and nearby Tara. Following acquisition, the Trust completely reconstructed the village based on the 1834 Ordnance Survey and all the houses are now occupied. There is a car park, public toilets and small interpretative centre at Kearney village. Visitors are welcome to walk around the village, but please respect the privacy of residents. You are welcome to walk along the coast in either direction. The Trust maintains about 2 miles (3 km) of paths along the coast, which are mostly mown grass, but can be rockier and uneven towards Knockinelder. Look out for • The Silurian rocks along the shore at Kearney dating back to 400-430 million years ago when they would have been at the bottom of a deep sea • Rare plants growing on shingle banks along the shore, including oyster plant, sea kale and yellow-horned poppy. This is the most northerly site in Ireland for the yellow-horned poppy • Common blue butterflies during the summer. Bar Hall/ Ballyquintin Farm, about 3 miles (5 km) to the south-east of Portaferry. This 47 hectare farm at the southern tip of the Ards Peninsula is managed using traditional mixed farming methods and was purchased by the Trust in 2000. The property is signed from Portaferry and there is a small car park, together with a 3 mile (5 km) trail. The trails follow rough tracks and country lanes. Please be careful of vehicles and as there is stock on site at times, please avoid taking dogs into parts of the site where cattle are grazing. The environmentally-friendly farming methods adopted by the Trust provides valuable habitats to a range of increasingly rare farmland wildlife. Look out for • On a clear day, fabulous views of the Isle of Man and Mourne Mountains from the World War II lookout post and Bar Hall hill • The Irish hare, which is endemic to the island of Ireland • The yellowhammer whose stronghold in Northern Ireland is now restricted to East Down and other bird species such as lapwing and tree sparrow • Shoreline birds, including large numbers of whimbrel stopping off to feed on migration from their wintering grounds in West Africa to their breeding haunts in northern Scotland and Iceland • Offshore, large numbers of feeding seabirds can often be seen, the most noticeable are plunging gannets • You may spot the elusive otter - keep a look out for their tell-tale spraints (otter droppings). Nugent’s Wood, along the shore of Strangford Lough immediately to the north of Portaferry. There is a 0.65 mile (1 km) linear walk through the wood along mown grassy paths. There is a loop at the end, which involves a steep section and the path can be muddy in places. You can park in Portaferry itself. Portaferry has a good range of shops, public toilets, information centre, places for refreshments, and visitor attractions such as the Exploris Aquarium. Portaferry is also a popular destination for boat trips on Strangford Lough. The National Trust runs a number of ‘Seals and Seabirds’ trips during the summer for visitors. To book, please contact: (028) 4278 8387. A car ferry operates between Portaferry and Strangford. Contact (028) 4488 1637 for timetable and charges. Look out for • Carpets of bluebells in spring • Occasional sightings of the red squirrel • Harbour porpoises in the Narrows. Ballyhenry Island, 1.3miles (2 km) north of Portaferry. There is space for parking a couple of cars. The island can be reached on foot at low tide, although there are no formal paths. Much of the foreshore between Ballyquintin Point and Ballyhenry Island is owned by the National Trust. Look out for • The wreck of the cargo liner Empire Tana, which was used in the World War II Normandy landings, sticking out of the water to the south of the island • Rare seaweed called free-floating knotted wrack in the intertidal area at Ballyhenry. In Northern Ireland, it is only found in Strangford Lough • Cormorants drying their wings after feeding. The aptly named Bird Island off Kircubbin has the largest colony of cormorants in Northern Ireland. Driving route Car: Refer to map (3) Bus: There is a bus service from Newtownards to Portaferry (Ulsterbus 9 & 10), but all the other National Trust locations are poorly served by public transport. Cycle: Many of these National Trust sites are located along Route 99 of the National Cycle Network. Gibb’s Island, 2 miles (3 km) south of Killyleagh. The island is covered with species rich grassland and grazed with traditional cattle such as the Galloway in late summer and autumn, and occasionally in the spring. These cattle are relatively docile, but please keep dogs under control, especially when cows have young calves. The island is linked to the mainland by a causeway. There is car parking at the end of Island Road and a 0.3 (0.5km) circular trail which can be wet and muddy at times. Look out for • Wildflower meadows in the summer, which include common spotted orchid • The woodland has a large rookery and a magical sight is the large flocks of crows coming into roost during the winter. Driving route Car: Refer to map (1) Bus: There is a bus service between Newtownards and Comber (Ulsterbus 5A), Comber and Killyleagh (Ulsterbus 511), and Killyleagh and Downpatrick (Ulsterbus 14). However, there is still a good walk to get to the majority of National Trust sites from these bus routes. Cycle: Route 20 of the Regional Cycle Network follows the west side of Strangford Lough. View of Strangford Lough Scrabo Tower sunset from Portaferry Road Ballymacormick Point Orlock World War II lookout McCutcheon’s Field Common tern Sandwich tern Puffin Common blue butterfly Manx shearwater Kearney coast Irish hare Yellowhammer Cockle Island off Groomsport contains a large seabird colony. There is a camera on the island which beams live pictures into the Cockle Island Seabird Centre during the breeding season. The Seabird Centre is located in Cockle Row Cottages in Groomsport and is a joint project between National Trust, British Trust for Ornitholo, and North Down Borough Council. The Seabird Centre is open between 11am - 5pm at weekends during April and May, and daily during June and July. Look out for • Sandwich, Arctic and common tern, plus black-headed and common gulls. Arctic terns have the longest migration route of any bird species on the planet, with birds that breed here, wintering as far south as Australia and Antarctica. Reagh Island, 4 miles (6 km) east of Lisbane - small car park and 0.3 miles (0.5 km) trail through woodland along the shores of Strangford Lough, which can be muddy at times. Look out for • The colourful jay and the majestic crack willow. The Trust owns a number of islands off the west shore of the Lough including; Innisharoan and Darragh Island off Whiterock; Island Taart to the north of Killyleagh; and Green Island, Salt Island, and Launches Long and Little to the south of Killyleagh. Most of these islands are grazed by cattle and sheep and the Trust has its own barge for transporting stock to and from the islands. In order to protect sensitive habitats for wildlife, visiting is restricted. Look out for • Birds such as shag and turnstone in winter, and breeding black guillemots. Knockinelder, immediately to the west of Kearney Point. The Trust manages a couple of car parks which provide access to the lovely sandy beach. Much of the landscape around Knockinelder and Kearney is protected by a National Trust Deed of Covenant, which preserves its traditional character. Look out for • Pale-bellied brent geese and sandwich tern along the coast. Salt Island Bothy Irish moiled cows National Trust Jay Bluebells Mount Stewart Discover A unique and wonderful place for wildlife and people Strangford Lough and the Ards Peninsula