Ogilby Island

Ogilby Island is a small rocky islet in Strangford Lough, County Down, about 2.4 kilometres from Castle Espie, in the northern part of the lough. It is tiny, covering less than an acre.

Landscape

It is one of the lough’s many small rocks and pladdies, low reefs and islets that stand among the drumlins, uncovered and covered again by the tides. The northern end of Strangford Lough is shallow, and at low tide vast mudflats stretch towards Newtownards. These mudflats are among the most important feeding grounds for wintering birds in Ireland, and the National Trust’s Mount Stewart and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre at Castle Espie both look out over this part of the lough. Its nearest neighbours include Black Island, Strangford Lough, Rabbs Rig and Rough Island, Strangford Lough.

Visiting

There is no public access to Ogilby Island, but it can be seen from the shore and from boats and kayaks on the lough. The tides run fast and the mud can be soft, so take local advice before heading out on the water, and keep clear of seals and nesting birds. You can collect Ogilby Island as a sighting in your Island Passport.

Wildlife and area

Strangford Lough is a Marine Nature Reserve and one of the richest wildlife sites in Ireland. Around this part of the lough look out for Brent Goose, Knot, Golden Plover, Redshank and Shelduck. In winter around three quarters of the world’s pale-bellied brent geese feed on the lough’s mudflats.