Murlough Nature Reserve
Facts and practical information
Murlough Nature Reserve lies on the coast of County Down in Northern Ireland, situated close to Newcastle. It has views of Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the Mourne Mountains and Dundrum Bay. Its 6,000-year-old sand dune system has been managed by the National Trust since 1967, when it became Ireland's first nature reserve. Grid ref: J414351. ()
Northern Ireland
Best Ways to Experience the Park
Wildlife
AnimalsSee what popular animal species you can meet in this location.
Meadow pipit
The meadow pipit is a delightful small bird native to various regions across the Palearctic. These birds breed from Greenland to Russia and as far south as France and Romania. True to their migratory nature, meadow pipits travel to southern Europe, North Africa,...
Birds
Common linnet
The common linnet is a small songbird from the finch family with a particular preference for hemp and flax seeds, the latter of which are used to produce linen. Initially classified by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 as Acanthis cannabina, it was later reclassified to the genus...
Birds
Harbor seal
Harbor seals, also known as common seals, are a species of true seals that flourish along the temperate and Arctic coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. These seals are commonly found in the coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as the...
Mammals
Grey seal
The grey seal, also known as the Atlantic seal or horsehead seal, is a captivating marine mammal inhabiting both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. Belonging to the genus *Halichoerus* and the family *Phocidae*, they are divided into two primary subspecies:...
Mammals
Common reed bunting
The common reed bunting is a small, enchanting bird that belongs to the bunting family, Emberizidae. These birds are widely distributed across Europe and the Palearctic region. While some populations remain in milder areas year-round, others are migratory.
Birds
Northern Ireland