roe estuary

From a distance the mud flats of the Roe Estuary exposed at low tide appear dull and lifeless - but underneath they hide a secret. Concealed by the mud are vast numbers of small seashore animals such as lug worms, shrimps, rag worms and periwinkles. There are also large beds of mussels and extensive areas covered in a plant known as eel-grass. All these are the food sources that act as a magnet for many of the thousands of migrating waders, ducks, swans and geese that stop over in the Foyle each winter. Inside the railway bridge is an area of salt marsh vegetation - a habitat not common locally. Here you can watch the lapwing's aerobatic display in early summer, or hear the plaintive cry of the curlew on a misty autumn morning. If you're lucky you might catch a glimpse of an otter hunting crabs in the shallow pools. Access is not restricted but the reserve is grazed by sheep in summer and in winter provides a high water roost for waders and wildfowl. Visitors are therefore asked not to bring dogs on site.