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Description
The easy Antrim Castle Gardens river path runs between Clotworthy House (free car park and a coffee shop) and the Gateway at Lough Neagh (also with free car park and coffee shop). You are next to the river the whole route. You will see at least a couple of Grey Heron fishing, and usually Grey Wagtail near the stone bridge at one end. I see Common Kingfisher about 50% of the time. The parts closest to Lough Neagh are overrun with Black-headed Gull.
Summer sees Sand Martin and Barn Swallow along the river and the adjacent wildflower meadow, with Common Tern along the shore. Winter time brings Great Crested Grebe into the river from Lough Neagh, plus otters if you're there early enough. Also keep an eye out for Great Cormorant, the Mute Swan nesting in the Spring, plus the usual assortment of robins, wrens, tits and thrushes. Listen out for the Common Pheasant half way along the path.
Finally, you can take a stroll in the woods around Clotworthy House and try to spot the Eurasian Treecreeper.
Details
Access
Antrim Castle Gardens River Path is very close to Antrim Town Centre, well served by buses and the train station is only a 10 minute walk away. There are free car parks either end. Press a P on the map for directions. Figure on spending a nice couple of hours along the river path and also the woods.