Days Out NI
Nature & wildlife Derrygonnelly

Ross Lough Nature Reserve

A free, wild little wetland for budding birdwatchers in west Fermanagh.

3 photos
OpenOpen all year, but best in dry weather fr…
FreeNo ticket needed
DerrygonnellyNature & wildlife
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60 minutesHow long
FreeEntry
Older children…Best for
Keep dogs und…Dogs
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Ross Lough Nature Reserve — A free, wild little wetland for budding birdwatchers in west Fermanagh.

  • What you'll see: Reedbed birds such as sedge warblers, kingfishers along the river, dragonflies and damselflies, yellow flag iris, purple loosestrife and rare mudwort (June to October).
  • Season: Open all year, but best in dry weather from late spring to early autumn; the reserve floods in winter.
  • Dogs: Keep dogs under close control on a wildlife reserve; check before you go.
  • Parking: No dedicated car park; DAERA notes there are no visitor facilities here.
  • Food: None on site; bring your own, with options in Derrygonnelly.
  • Toilets: None on site.
Plan your visit

Reeds, river and a flash of kingfisher

The draw here is wetland wildlife in a small, manageable space. Sedge warblers chatter from the tall reeds and bulrushes, and kingfishers nest along the riverbanks, so a patient child with binoculars has a real chance of a sighting. Summer brings damselflies and dragonflies over the open water and a fringe of yellow flag iris and purple loosestrife in flower. It's a gentle introduction to reading a habitat: open water, swamp, fen and wet meadow all in one place.

Free Open all year Reedbed birds Riverside walk Quiet and wild Best for keen wildlife kids
Good to know before you go:

As a small wild reserve, Ross Lough doesn't run organised events, but Fermanagh and the wider Lough Erne area host seasonal nature walks, wildlife days and family outdoor activities through the year. Check what's on locally before you travel.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🔭BinocularsHalf the fun is spotting the birds, seals or deer before they spot you.
  • 👟Walking shoes or welliesPaths can be soft, grassy or muddy after rain — comfy waterproof feet win.
  • 🧥A coatOut in the open the weather changes fast; dress for it and enjoy the fresh air.
  • 💧Water and a snackReserves are quiet places — few have a café, so pack a little something.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Opening / season
Open all year, but best in dry weather from late spring to early autumn; the reserve floods in winter
Best for ages
Older children and teens keen on wildlife and walking; not set up for toddlers
What you'll see
Reedbed birds such as sedge warblers, kingfishers along the river, dragonflies and damselflies, yellow flag iris, purple loosestrife and rare mudwort (June to October)
Food
None on site; bring your own, with options in Derrygonnelly
Toilets
None on site
Parking
No dedicated car park; DAERA notes there are no visitor facilities here
Dogs
Keep dogs under close control on a wildlife reserve; check before you go
Accessibility
Wet, uneven ground that floods in winter; not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs
How long to allow
30 to 60 minutes as a nature stop, best combined with other Lough Erne spots
Address
Ross Lough Nature Reserve, near Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh (east of Lough Erne on the Sillees River). Site manager: 028 6634 4803
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
What will we see?
Reedbed birds such as sedge warblers, kingfishers along the river, dragonflies and damselflies, yellow flag iris, purple loosestrife and rare mudwort (June to October)
When is the best time to go?
Open all year, but best in dry weather from late spring to early autumn; the reserve floods in winter
Can I bring the dog?
Keep dogs under close control on a wildlife reserve; check before you go
Where do I park?
No dedicated car park; DAERA notes there are no visitor facilities here
Getting there

Ross Lough Nature Reserve is at Ross Lough Nature Reserve, near Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh (east of Lough Erne on the Sillees River). Site manager: 028 6634 4803. No dedicated car park; DAERA notes there are no visitor facilities here. Tap below for directions.

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Nearby

Make more of the day

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The story

About the place

Ross Lough is a designated nature reserve managed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). It sits in a hollow among drumlins where the Sillees River makes its way towards Lower Lough Erne, and that setting creates an unusually rich mix of habitats: open water, swamp, fen and wet meadow.

Each winter the reserve floods, and only flood-tolerant trees like alder and willow survive in the standing water. Limited grazing has let reeds, sedges and bulrushes grow tall, mingling with wetland plants such as yellow flag iris and purple loosestrife.

The reserve is also home to mudwort, a plant rare in Ireland, which flowers between June and October. Its designation is the Government's public recognition of how important this little wetland is for nature.