April marks one year since the official opening of Belfast’s Window on Wildlife (WOW) – our nature reserve nestled in the bustling Harbour Estate.
This unique place was created back in the 1970s when material dredged from the Lough was pumped out to allow larger vessels to dock. The area was quickly reclaimed by nature and more than 100 species have now been recorded at the site!
We began managing the nature reserve, which is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), in 1998.
It took a lot of planning and hard work but on 13 April 2015 we were delighted to welcome RSPB President Miranda Krestovnikoff to cut the ribbon at Belfast WOW after a major refurbishment programme costing almost half a million pounds.
Funding was provided by the European Regional Development Fund administered by Tourism NI, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and the Alpha Programme administered by Groundwork NI.
The existing visitor centre was extended to give even better views of the wildlife on the reserve and the refurbishment also included a new community room and two new hides, constructed from shipping containers to tie in with their surroundings.
At this time of year this little oasis of calm in the heart of the city is full of wonderful wildlife, from black-tailed godwits to common terns and konik ponies, which act as ‘living lawnmowers’ and create ideal conditions for ground-nesting birds like lapwings.
If you haven’t paid a visit to Belfast WOW yet, what are you waiting for?!
Belfast WOW is open to the public from 10am to 5pm every day (except Tuesday) and entry is free for RSPB members.
For more information visit the RSPB NI website, call 028 90461458 or email belfast.lough@rspb.org.uk.