Tullyratty Day

I was out with the National Trust Strangford Lough weekend volunteer group today at Tullyratty, a townland bordering the Castle Ward estate in County Down. There were seven of us. We were picking ragwort from several fields and it's gratifying to see that this weed is now well under control; indeed I think it is almost eliminated from the fields which the Trust owns. This encourages other species and wild flowers to thrive, thus encouraging more fauna - like butterflies - too.

We had our packed lunches in a lovely meadow which overlooked a pond and adjacent hills. The Trust has already marked out a new path to Tullyratty from the Estate.

Weather permitting, we hope to visit Salt Island next week.