Northern Ireland · five wildlife sites

Nature reserves & wildlife sites in Londonderry

Explore these places for wildlife in Londonderry. Seasonal notes suggest when to look; sightings are not guaranteed.

01 / 05

Lough Foyle — RSPB Nature Reserve

Near Ballykelly.

Habitat: Extensive tidal mudflats, saltmarsh and wet grassland border Lough Foyle.
Wildlife to look for: Whooper swan (winter), pintail (winter), lapwing, Irish hare.

02 / 05

Near Feeny.

Habitat: Native oak and ash woodland clothes steep slopes above a rocky river gorge.
Wildlife to look for: Red squirrel, buzzard, sparrowhawk, silver-washed fritillary butterfly (July–August).

03 / 05

Near Killaloo.

Habitat: Native woodland surrounds the steep-sided Burntollet River gorge and its waterfalls.
Wildlife to look for: Red squirrel, otter (elusive), purple hairstreak butterfly (July–August; usually high in oak trees).

04 / 05

Near Myroe, near Limavady.

Habitat: Tidal mudflats, eelgrass beds and saltmarsh surround the mouth of the River Roe.
Wildlife to look for: Lapwing, curlew (especially autumn–winter), otter (elusive).

05 / 05

Near Magilligan Point (hamlet), near Bellarena.

Habitat: Coastal sand dunes, dune grassland and sandy shore occupy the entrance to Lough Foyle.
Wildlife to look for: Common blue butterfly (late spring–summer), meadow brown butterfly (summer), six-spot burnet moth (summer).