The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve (also known as “The Bird Sanctuary”) is a National Nature Reserve and designated Ramsar Site located in the North Slob area of Ardcavan, approximately 6.5 kilometres from Wexford Town.
The reserve is open to the public year-round with free admission.
The North Slob was created through land reclamation in the mid-1800s. Before the project, the area consisted of several islands. The most notable was Begerin Island, where Saint Ibar founded one of Ireland’s earliest Christian settlements.
A plan for reclaiming the land at the north and south of Wexford Harbour was formulated in 1840, and construction began in 1847 with the building of a sea wall. Once the wall was complete, pumps, drains, and canals drained the surrounding land, and workers prepared it for cultivation. Today, a ring of water called the Slob Channel surrounds the North Slob area.
The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve was established on the reclaimed land. Its visitor centre is open daily from 9am to 5pm, except on Christmas Day. It provides information about the wildlife that inhabits the area and features models of various bird species. The grounds and the Robert Jobson hide are also wheelchair accessible.
Although visitors were previously able to feed the ducks in the pond, the centre discontinued the practice in 2015 after the food began attracting unwanted pests. Visitors should not feed the ducks bread, as it can cause health issues.
The reserve features a watch tower that offers views of the North Slob, Wexford Harbour, and Raven Wood in Curracloe. This is a popular spot for photographers and birdwatchers.
The reserve hosts a variety of bird species throughout the year. Winter visitors include Greenland White-fronted Geese and Whooper Swans. Other species at the reserve include Mute Swans, Mallard Ducks, Lapwings, Little Egrets, and Cuckoos, which arrive in summer. Mammals such as the Irish Hare, Badgers, Irish Stoats, and Otters also inhabit the area.
Map
To reach the centre, take the turn-off on the road between Castlebridge and Wexford Town, marked by a sign that says “Wexford Wildfowl Reserve.” The road passes through the Ardcavan area, past the entrance to Ardcavan Beach. The road is narrow and drivers should drive slowly.