Portmore Lough

This walk visits RSPB Portmore Lough in County Antrim.
On the western side of the circular lake you'll find the parking area at the reserve. Here you can pick up the trails taking you through the reserve's varying habitats towards the bird hide. The reserve is a significant sanctuary for birdlife throughout the year, with common terns, skylarks, and lapwings breeding there in the spring and summer.... During the winter months, the lough becomes a vital overwintering ground for thousands of wildfowl, including whooper swans and greylag geese from Iceland, as well as significant populations of pochard and tufted duck. To maintain the ideal grazing conditions for these birds, the RSPB utilises a resident herd of konik ponies.
You can continue your walking at Oxford Island at nearby Lough Neagh.

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Nearby Routes

Oxford Island Lough Neagh Peatlands Park Brantry Lough Coalisland Canal Ballysaggart Lough Dungannon Walk Lough Beg

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Spanning approximately 710 acres, the site is managed by the RSPB and is recognized as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and a Ramsar site due to its diverse wetland habitats, including reedbeds, fens, and lowland wet grasslands. 

Historically, the area is associated with the former Portmore Castle, built in 1664, and the "Portmore Ornament Tree," whose destruction in a 1760 storm inspired the traditional folk song Bonny Portmore. Visitors to the Portmore Lough Nature Reserve today can explore the site via an all-weather boardwalk that leads to a birdwatching hide, a viewing platform with panoramic views, and a wildlife garden designed for children.

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