Strangford Lough

What is so special about Strangford Lough?

The geology and landforms of the Lough create a remarkable range of shore and seabed conditions in a relatively small area.
It is the UK's largest sea inlet with over 120 islands or drumlins dotted throughout it's area. If you happen to be of a more romantic persuasion, legend says that there are 365 islands, one for each day of the year.

Strangford Lough boasts:

An exceptional variety of marine habitats including most of those described for the Irish Sea, resulting from the wide range of current speeds, levels of exposure and shore/seabed types to be found in the area.
Over 2000 marine species including some typical of the Arctic, others of southern distribution and a few first described from the Lough itself

Unusually fine examples of some marine communities, particularly those associated with tidal streams and those found in undisturbed muddy areas where horse mussels provide a hard surface for the growth of a hundred or more other species
There is an abundance of feeding for internationally important populations of wintering waterfowl, wading birds and breeding seabirds. Possibly the largest breeding populations of common seals in Ireland. Cloghy Rocks National Nature Reserve Cloghy Nature Reserve is one of the best viewpoints from which to observe seals hauled out on the pladdies (exposed underwater drumlins).

Other important features include;

A largely undisturbed seabed, contrasting with conditions in much of the Irish Sea where the bed has been grossly modified by fishing and generally good water quality. Glaciated landforms modified by the sea including some features unique in Ireland and a considerable body of knowledge on the natural history of the area. Strangford Lough Information Network.