NPWS Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

16/06/2026

The cygnets are getting to be quite big now but they're still staying close to their parents and will continue to be with them for about a year.
This nest site on the Channel is always popular with the swans although we're not sure if it's the same pair using it every year.

15/06/2026

We hope to see you down at Kilmore Quay on Sunday for the Coastal Connections Festival. At the moment the weather's looking grand so it should be a great day 😀

14/06/2026

Since being cleared of the grass clogging it, the small pond is doing great! Check out all the Greater Water Boatmen, and of course, the Smooth Newt. The newts and boatmen are thriving, and this year there are plenty of damselflies showing an interest in breeding there now that they can get at the water easier.

13/06/2026

I'm so glad to have had this Blue-tailed Damselfly's expert help with today's pond dipping.

12/06/2026

Moths may not get as much press as their flashier butterfly cousins, but they're just as vital to our environment and just as gorgeous. Just look at this lovely Buff Ermine.

If you'd like to learn more about moths, then join us outside the visitor centre on Sunday the 28th of June at 10:30AM for a moth trapping session with ranger Brian! It's a great opportunity to get an up-close look at some of our hidden nocturnal beauties.

This event is free with no need to book.

11/06/2026

Ah, the duality of pond dipping. Sometimes you get cute water bugs and baby newts, and sometimes you get huge leeches. Despite their hefty size and unsettling appearance, these freshwater leeches that today's school group fished up at the Raven are harmless. They're predators that hunt the other residents of their pond rather than latching on and sucking the blood from larger creatures, though they were quite keen to latch onto our nets and trays!

08/06/2026

✨We are planning a special clean up tomorrow to celebrate .

💪🏻Our Clean Up will incorporate a Seashore Explore safari. A wonderful opportunity to learn about the abundance of marine life on our shores.

📆June 8th

📍Meeting at The Little Beach Kilmore Quay

⏰6.30pm

🥾Waterproof footwear advised. All other equipment provided.

Wexford County Council Clean Coasts fans Wexford Naturalists' Field Club NPWS Wexford Wildfowl Reserve

05/06/2026

To save repeating ourselves about the Raven being a Nature Reserve, that doesn't allow camping, fires, dogs not on leads or people removing (or introducing) any plants, we made a big sign instead 😁
Please, please, heed the signage, respect the surroundings and enjoy nature.

04/06/2026

We're starting to see a few more dragonflies out and about, like this Four-spotted Chaser. This species has a long flight period and will be busily hunting down all the summertime bugs they can catch right up into September.

03/06/2026

We're not all fortunate enough to have hedgehogs in our garden but if you are, then help Hedgehog Conservation Ireland and Biodiversity Ireland to get a better picture of the status of hedgehogs in the country by recording sightings on the NBDC website.

The Great Big All Ireland Hedgehog Count Starts next week!!! For the week 8th to 15th June we are asking people to make an extra effort to look for hedgehogs and report your sightings at hedgehogsireland.com. So take a night time stroll in your garden or park or in the countryside and see what you can see. If you see roadkill hedgehogs, please report those too. Be careful out in the dark and Please don't disturb or pick up hedgehogs!