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Beschrijving
The Kilcoole Reserve is an area of wet grassland behind a shingle beach. A number of streams flow in to the marsh forming channels before converging and cutting through the shingle bank and entering the Irish Sea at The Breaches (See the star on the map). This cut in the bank also permits the tide to enter the marsh. The area is a wonderful mix of coastal salt marsh, tidal channels, reed beds, farmland, low sand hills and beach bordered by a narrow dune strip and shingle ridge, which carries the main Dublin to Wexford rail line. The entire stretch of coast and marsh-land is ideal for birding at any time of the year. Viewing the birds is usually straightforward and very often at close range, with few obstructions in the way.
As you walk along the beach, stay close to the railway line. From here, you will see a series of pools and marshlands that flood during winter (which is the best time to visit). In winter, it holds large numbers of geese, swans, waders and wildfowl. Divers can often be seen off the coast. The marshy pools are attractive to Wintertaling, whilst deep in the marshy vegetation Waterral hides, Rietgors perch out on the taller stems and Roodborsttapuit are ever present along the fence line. To the south of the reserve Light-bellied Rotgans feed on the short grasslands during the winter months, whilst during the summer months the largest Dwergstern colony in the country gathers to breed on the shingle beach. Kilcoole Reserve is also very good for observing Bontbekplevier.
Details
Toegang
The Kilcoole Reserve is located 30 km south of Dublin, immediately east of the village of Kilcoole. The reserve is open all year-round although to reduce disturbance to the wildlife please only view from the adjoining sea bank. Parking is available at the coastal car park at Kilcoole Railway Station. Click on the P in the map for directions. The reserve is easy to reach from Dublin by train, as the Kilcoole train station is located right next to the nature reserve, although the number of trains stopping there is limited to a handful each day. Two Dublin Bus routes serve Kilcoole, the 84 from Blackrock DART Station to Newcastle stops in the village and the 84x provides an infrequent service to Kilcoole village from the city centre, with some going on to Newcastle.
At the train station you can cross the railway lines by foot. Once across you should notice a grassy track heading south, along which excellent views over the marsh and out to sea can be had. The track is flat, easy to walk and runs all the way to the East Coast Nature Reserve at Newcastle which is about 5 km away (10 km round trip).