Biodiversity Northern Ireland

Paddle success for Lough Beg World Wetlands Celebration!February 2012

Ruth Wilson, Biodiversity Officer with Antrim Borough Council said, ‘The morning mist lingered over Lough Beg, Mute Swans and groups of Teal, Pochard and Tufted Duck were just visible through the mist. The noisy call of the Coot was heard from the Reed beds and several squawking Herons flew overhead.’

Ruth continued, ‘The paddlers were further rewarded with views of over 250 Whooper Swans grazing on the west shoreline of Lough Beg and a flock of over 500 bouncy aerobatic Lapwing circling in the sky.’

Pól Mac Cana, a Whooper Swan paddle participant said, ‘It was a great sojourn into what felt like a very mystical landscape!  Brilliant!’

Ruth continued, ‘Wetland tourism has benefits both locally and nationally for people and wildlife – benefits such as stronger economies, sustainable livelihoods, healthy people and thriving ecosystems. Tourism is only one of the services that wetlands deliver for us. Ensuring well-managed tourism practices in and around wetlands and educating tourists on the value of wetlands contributes to the health of the world's wetlands and the long-term benefits that wetlands provide to people, wildlife, economics, and biodiversity.’

Antrim Borough Council and Magherafelt District Council joined together for this unique opportunity to explore the beautiful Lough Beg wetlands by open canoe. Internationally important Ramsar sites such as Lough Neagh and Lough Beg have much to offer the adventurous tourist. The event gave participants a unique opportunity to experience Lough Beg from a Lough prospective.