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Sketrick Castle (ruin)

0 ha

WildlifeBirdsFungi

Dogs welcome0 ha

Getting here

54.48819, -5.64809

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Parking

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew +53 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew +53 more · last seen 2025

Free

Mushroom foraging

Strong match

Fungi — Common Puffball, Oak Mildew, Oakbug Milkcap +12 more · last seen 2023; Fungi — Common Puffball, Oak Mildew, Oakbug Milkcap +12 more · last seen 2023

Varies

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Navelwort, Rubus ulmifolius, Wood-sorrel +15 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Navelwort, Rubus ulmifolius, Wood-sorrel +15 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Good match

Insects — Eriothrix rufomaculata, Hayhurstia atriplicis, 22-spot Ladybird +16 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Eriothrix rufomaculata, Hayhurstia atriplicis, 22-spot Ladybird +16 more · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Island Reagh, Strangford LoughWalking route500 m

Named routeLength 500 mDuration 00:30Round tripLocal walking route

🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Strangford Lough Cycle TrailCycling route

Former portions of Walk Wheel Cycle Trust's National Cycle Network route 99 & Regional Route 20, de-designated by them in 2020 because they're on-road. Some signage may still remain.

Named routeRound tripLocal cycle route

Wildlife to spot

11,412 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

11,412 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds58 species

winter

2025

Redshank · Oystercatcher · Curlew · Teal · Shelduck +53

RedshankTringa totanus
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
CurlewNumenius arquata
TealAnas crecca
ShelduckTadorna tadorna2024
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Light-bellied Brent GooseBranta bernicla hrota
Little EgretEgretta garzetta
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Herring GullLarus argentatus
DunlinCalidris alpina
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
Common GullLarus canus
ShagGulosus aristotelis2024
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis2024
EiderSomateria mollissima
Black GuillemotCepphus grylle2024
SnipeGallinago gallinago2024
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2024
TurnstoneArenaria interpres2024
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus2024
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2023
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2023
BlackbirdTurdus merula
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
RobinErithacus rubecula
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix
Mute SwanCygnus olor2024
RookCorvus frugilegus
MagpiePica pica
JackdawColoeus monedula
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
BuzzardButeo buteo2024
KnotCalidris canutus2024
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponica2024
House SparrowPasser domesticus2024
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2022
Great TitParus major
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
GreenfinchChloris chloris
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
RedwingTurdus iliacus
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria2023
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula2023
Black SwanCygnus atratus2022

🦌

Mammals2 species

summerwinter

2025

Otter · Hedgehog

OtterLutra lutra
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2024

🐟

Fish2 species

springsummer

2025

Butterfish · Shanny

ButterfishPholis gunnellus
ShannyLipophrys pholis2024

🐝

Insects19 species

summer

2025

Eriothrix rufomaculata · Hayhurstia atriplicis · 22-spot Ladybird · Cinnabar · Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi +14

Eriothrix rufomaculataEriothrix rufomaculata2023
Hayhurstia atriplicisHayhurstia atriplicis
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata
CinnabarTyria jacobaeae2023
Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysiGrypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi2023
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2023
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2023
Tipula scriptaTipula scripta2023
Nettle-TapAnthophila fabriciana2023
Parsnip MothDepressaria radiella2023
Iridescent CenturionSargus iridatus2023
Common MarbleCelypha lacunana2023
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina jurtina2023
Lagria hirtaLagria hirta2023
Phytomyza heracleanaPhytomyza heracleana2023
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2023
Saltern Rush Case-bearerColeophora adjunctella2022
Gorse ShieldbugPiezodorus lituratus2022
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2022

🍄

Fungi15 species

summer

2023

Common Puffball · Oak Mildew · Sulphur Tuft · Oakbug Milkcap · Marchog Sebonllyd +10

Common PuffballLycoperdon perlatum
Oak MildewErysiphe alphitoides
Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare
Oakbug MilkcapLactarius quietus
Marchog SebonllydTricholoma saponaceum
Sulphur KnightTricholoma sulphureum var. sulphureum
Ochre BrittlegillRussula ochroleuca
DeceiverLaccaria laccata
Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina
Blackening BrittlegillRussula nigricans
Fiery MilkcapLactarius pyrogalus
Hare's EarOtidea onotica
Common Orange LichenXanthoria parietina2022
Crab's Eye LichenOchrolechia parella2022
Sea IvoryRamalina siliquosa2022

🌿

Plants18 species

winterspring

2025

Navelwort · Rubus ulmifolius · Wood-sorrel · Sanicle · Shining Crane's-bill +13

NavelwortUmbilicus rupestris2024
Rubus ulmifoliusRubus ulmifolius
Wood-sorrelOxalis acetosella
SanicleSanicula europaea
Shining Crane's-billGeranium lucidum2022
Brazilian Giant-rhubarbGunnera manicata
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis
Three-cornered GarlicAllium triquetrum
Common VetchVicia sativa
Lords-and-LadiesArum maculatum
Thyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifolia
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna
PineappleweedMatricaria discoidea2023
Red ValerianCentranthus ruber2023
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica2022
Crescent-cup LiverwortLunularia cruciata2022
PolypodyPolypodium vulgare2022
Juniper HaircapPolytrichum juniperinum2022

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

11,412 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds58 species

winter

2025

Redshank · Oystercatcher · Curlew · Teal · Shelduck +53

RedshankTringa totanus
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
CurlewNumenius arquata
TealAnas crecca
ShelduckTadorna tadorna2024
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Light-bellied Brent GooseBranta bernicla hrota
Little EgretEgretta garzetta
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Herring GullLarus argentatus
DunlinCalidris alpina
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
Common GullLarus canus
ShagGulosus aristotelis2024
Barnacle GooseBranta leucopsis2024
EiderSomateria mollissima
Black GuillemotCepphus grylle2024
SnipeGallinago gallinago2024
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
KingfisherAlcedo atthis2024
TurnstoneArenaria interpres2024
Great Crested GrebePodiceps cristatus2024
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2023
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2023
BlackbirdTurdus merula
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
RobinErithacus rubecula
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix
Mute SwanCygnus olor2024
RookCorvus frugilegus
MagpiePica pica
JackdawColoeus monedula
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
BuzzardButeo buteo2024
KnotCalidris canutus2024
Bar-tailed GodwitLimosa lapponica2024
House SparrowPasser domesticus2024
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2022
Great TitParus major
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
GreenfinchChloris chloris
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus
RedwingTurdus iliacus
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
House MartinDelichon urbicum2024
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2024
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria2023
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula2023
Black SwanCygnus atratus2022

🦌

Mammals2 species

summerwinter

2025

Otter · Hedgehog

OtterLutra lutra
HedgehogErinaceus europaeus2024

🐟

Fish2 species

springsummer

2025

Butterfish · Shanny

ButterfishPholis gunnellus
ShannyLipophrys pholis2024

🐝

Insects19 species

summer

2025

Eriothrix rufomaculata · Hayhurstia atriplicis · 22-spot Ladybird · Cinnabar · Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi +14

Eriothrix rufomaculataEriothrix rufomaculata2023
Hayhurstia atriplicisHayhurstia atriplicis
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata
CinnabarTyria jacobaeae2023
Grypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysiGrypocoris (Lophyromiris) stysi2023
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus2023
Common Red Soldier BeetleRhagonycha fulva2023
Tipula scriptaTipula scripta2023
Nettle-TapAnthophila fabriciana2023
Parsnip MothDepressaria radiella2023
Iridescent CenturionSargus iridatus2023
Common MarbleCelypha lacunana2023
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina jurtina2023
Lagria hirtaLagria hirta2023
Phytomyza heracleanaPhytomyza heracleana2023
Common EarwigForficula auricularia/dentata agg.2023
Saltern Rush Case-bearerColeophora adjunctella2022
Gorse ShieldbugPiezodorus lituratus2022
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata2022

🍄

Fungi15 species

summer

2023

Common Puffball · Oak Mildew · Sulphur Tuft · Oakbug Milkcap · Marchog Sebonllyd +10

Common PuffballLycoperdon perlatum
Oak MildewErysiphe alphitoides
Sulphur TuftHypholoma fasciculare var. fasciculare
Oakbug MilkcapLactarius quietus
Marchog SebonllydTricholoma saponaceum
Sulphur KnightTricholoma sulphureum var. sulphureum
Ochre BrittlegillRussula ochroleuca
DeceiverLaccaria laccata
Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina
Blackening BrittlegillRussula nigricans
Fiery MilkcapLactarius pyrogalus
Hare's EarOtidea onotica
Common Orange LichenXanthoria parietina2022
Crab's Eye LichenOchrolechia parella2022
Sea IvoryRamalina siliquosa2022

🌿

Plants18 species

winterspring

2025

Navelwort · Rubus ulmifolius · Wood-sorrel · Sanicle · Shining Crane's-bill +13

NavelwortUmbilicus rupestris2024
Rubus ulmifoliusRubus ulmifolius
Wood-sorrelOxalis acetosella
SanicleSanicula europaea
Shining Crane's-billGeranium lucidum2022
Brazilian Giant-rhubarbGunnera manicata
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis
Three-cornered GarlicAllium triquetrum
Common VetchVicia sativa
Lords-and-LadiesArum maculatum
Thyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifolia
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna
PineappleweedMatricaria discoidea2023
Red ValerianCentranthus ruber2023
Japanese KnotweedReynoutria japonica2022
Crescent-cup LiverwortLunularia cruciata2022
PolypodyPolypodium vulgare2022
Juniper HaircapPolytrichum juniperinum2022

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 N Chadwick · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

J5262 : Sketrick Castle

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🐄Finlay's PlaceVisitor farm3.1 km→✦Mahee CastleHistoric site1.4 km→✦Tide MillHistoric site1.2 km→⛳Mahee Island Golf CourseGolf course1.3 km→✦Ringhaddy CastleHistoric site3.9 km→

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