To the north of Wexford, the mouth of the River Slaney is surrounded by slobs, a type of muddy pastureland which was invaded by the sea in the 19C. Worms and insects abound here, providing food for the migratory birds which visit this nature reserve between October and April. Although only a few birds can be seen in the reserve in summer, thousands of ducks, geese and waders spend the winter here.