Rogerstown Estuary facts for kids

Rogerstown Estuary (Irish: Inbhear Bhaile Roiséir) is a very important estuary in Ireland. It's located on Ireland's east coast, about 25 kilometers (15 miles) north of Dublin. You can find it just north of the Donabate-Portrane area and south of Rush.

An estuary is a special place where a river meets the sea. This means the water is a mix of fresh and salty. Rogerstown Estuary is made up of different watery areas. These include saltwater marshes, wet meadows, and small river channels. It covers a large area of about 3.63 square kilometers (897 acres). A railway line, built in the 1840s, crosses the estuary on a causeway and bridge. This line connects Dublin to Belfast.

Rogerstown Estuary: A Home for Nature

Rogerstown Estuary is known around the world as a vital spot for wildlife. It's especially important for birds. Many birds come here during the winter or while they are traveling. Some even fly all the way from the Arctic to spend the colder months here!

A Haven for Birds

This estuary is a fantastic place for birds to rest and find food. It's home to a very important group of Brent Geese. These geese travel long distances to reach the estuary. Besides the geese, 14 other types of birds also gather here in large numbers. Because it's so important for wildlife, Rogerstown Estuary is a protected area. It's a special Nature Reserve. It's also a candidate Special Area of Conservation under a European Union rule called the E.U. Habitats Directive. This means it's recognized as a place that needs to be kept safe for its unique habitats and species.

The Estuary's Mouth and a Local Legend

The opening of the estuary separates two beaches: Portrane beach and Rush beach. This opening is quite narrow. People say that if there were no water, you could walk across from Rush to Portrane in less than a minute!

There's also a local legend about the estuary. People say that a long time ago, there was a bridge built across this narrow opening. However, this bridge was later taken down. Even today, some people believe they can see a small piece of this old bridge. It's said to be on the Portrane beach side of the estuary.