Wildlife

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Red Squirrels at Mount Stewart

A red squirrel eats a nut at the base of a tree at Formby Point. © NTPL/Joe Cornish

Come play hide and seek with our squirrels

The red squirrel is one of our most popular and well-loved mammals and Mount Stewart is one of the best places in Northern Ireland to see them.

Mount Stewart lake

The branch of a dove tree in bloom, with the lake in the background © Marleen de Kramer

The main bird species on the Mount Stewart lake are Little grebe, Mute swan, Mallard, Tufted duck, Coot, Moorhen.

All the birds listed above are resident to Northern Ireland.

Have you seen squirrels recently on the peninsula?

Mount Stewart boasts a healthy population of red squirrels © Trevor Moffet

One of Mount Stewart's many red squirrels

© Trevor Moffet

The Ards Peninsula currently has one of the healthiest populations of endangered red squirrels in Northern Ireland. However, there are concerns about the spread of the non-native grey squirrel and the National Trust is carrying out a survey to assess the spread of the grey squirrel into the area.

If you see any please let us know.

What's in bloom in the gardens

Rhododendron magnificum

Rhododendron magnificum can be seen growing in front of the white stag at Mount Stewart, Co. Down © Ian Ferguson

Name: Rhododendron magnificum

Location: In front of the stag.

Native of: Burma - Tibet frontier

General points of interest: They were apparently planted in Mount Stewart just before WWII as a temporary measure but were never moved.

Atherosperma

Atherosperma grows in the Shamrock garden at Mount Stewart, Co. Down © Neil Porteous

Name: Atherosperma

Location: Shamrock garden

Native of: Tasmania & South Eastern Australia

General points of interest: In the wild this will reach 100 feet (130m). The plant was introduced in 1824 and again in 1929 by Harold Comber. It needs a sheltered place, but will grow in fairly moist conditions as well as dryer location.

Bird identifier

Garden Warbler © Billy Lindblom

See a bird that you didn't recognise at Mount Stewart?

Use this handy RSPB bird identifier to find out what it was in no time at all.

Plant identifier

A macro shot of some sweet pea © NTPL/Andrew Butler

There are many plants to be discovered at Mount Stewart.

Use this plant identifier when you get home to learn more about the plants you saw.