Short birdwatching visit · Northern Ireland Environment Agency; managed by Marble Arch Caves
Killykeeghan National Nature Reserve
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- Spring; May bird-song context from the operator
- Headline birds
- Grasshopper Warbler · Skylark · Whitethroat
- Parking
- Free reserve parking is signed from Marlbank Road; a two-metre height barrier restricts taller vehicles.
- Hides
- Not stated by the operator
- Step-free
- The Geopark does not describe the reserve circuit as wheelchair accessible.
Marlbank Road, near Florencecourt · BT92 1EW
Killykeeghan offers a short limestone-grassland circuit within the wider Marlbank National Nature Reserve. The council’s Marble Arch Caves team identifies Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Whitethroat as birds to listen for here during its spring dawn-chorus visit. The elusive warbler provides a focused birding reason to stop, alongside the reserve’s limestone pavement, grazed grassland and hazel scrub. Use the signed reserve loop rather than entering the surrounding fields. This is a separate visitor destination from the upland Aghatirourke guide and from Cladagh Glen, which the operator currently lists as closed.
Birds and seasons
- Grasshopper Warbler · Headline bird — Spring; May dawn-chorus visitor context Source for Grasshopper Warbler
- Skylark · Headline bird — Spring; May dawn-chorus visitor context Source for Skylark
- Whitethroat · Headline bird — Spring; May dawn-chorus visitor context Source for Whitethroat
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Paths
- The operator describes a short gravel loop with interpretation. Stay on the reserve trail.
- Toilets
- Public toilets are listed as available with the car park and interpretation centre in the current opening notice.
- Parking
- Free reserve parking is signed from Marlbank Road; a two-metre height barrier restricts taller vehicles.
- Dogs
- Operator pages differ on dogs; check current entrance signs and contact the operator before bringing a dog.
- Access notes
- The Geopark does not describe the reserve circuit as wheelchair accessible.
- Step-free access
- The Geopark does not describe the reserve circuit as wheelchair accessible.
Getting there: Follow signs for Marble Arch Caves, then continue along Marlbank Road to the signed reserve car park. The current operator notice lists daily opening from 10am to 4pm for October and November 2026; recheck before travelling.
Sources
Nearby special trips
- Oronsay · 137.9 straight-line miles
- Cemlyn Nature Reserve · 147.3 straight-line miles
- Stevenston Point · 154.7 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB Aghatirourke, 3.9 miles away in a straight line.
- Crom Estate · 17.1 miles in a straight line
- Jenkin Forest and Lakes · 23.8 miles in a straight line
- Gortin Glen Forest Park · 37.8 miles in a straight line