Natural & Wildlife Sites

Annagh Marsh Reserve

BirdWatch Ireland has a small reserve (17 acres) on the Mullet Peninsula. Annagh Marsh is a coastal site, with wet grassland, sedge-rich meadows, marsh and open water. The site is important for breeding waders (snipe, dunlin, lapwing and redshank). In the past, Annagh Marsh was the only regular Irish breeding site for the rare red-necked phalarope and the most southerly breeding site of this species in the world.

Because of the sensitive breeding bird populations, access to this reserve is by prior arrangement with Bird Watch Ireland only.

Termoncarragh Nature Reserve

Termoncarragh Nature Reserve is a coastal freshwater lake and extensive reed-bed, situated in machair grassland. It is nationally important for breeding waders and wintering waterfowl (including 70-140 Whooper Swans, 40-80 Greenland White-fronted Geese, up to 1,000 Barnacle Geese and small numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Scaup) . The Barnacle Geese commute between Termoncarragh and the Inishkea Islands in winter. Up to 1,000 Golden Plover winter here. Breeding birds include Lapwing, Snipe, Dunlin, Whinchat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting. Viewing is from surrounding roads only.

Beaches

The Mullet Peninsula and North Mayo, it’s coastline is bordered by miles of sandy beaches such as those of Portacloy, Rinroe, Doohoma, Doolough, Shraigh, Annagh, Elly and Mullaghroe, the latter two have received Blue Flag Status. The Blue Flag is an Environmental Award Given to Communities that make a special effort to keep their beaches and marinas clean and manage them with consideration for the local environment.

For the watersport enthusiast there is a choice of sheltered crystal clear waters off the eastern shore, while the more exposed western shoreline is ideally suited to wind surfing, canoeing and sailing.