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Not only is Northern Ireland a fantastic place to take a break, but as the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Springwatch team have been discovering, it's also packed with wonderful wildlife that you can enjoy without spending a fortune.

If you're planning a seaside break, heading for the hills, woodlands and rivers, or simply putting your feet up at home - it's possible to have an encounter with Mother Nature that won't hurt your pockets.

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Going camping.

Campsites are a real wildlife hotspot. There are more than 3000 camping and caravan sites across the UK and many of them are in our most beautiful countryside.

It doesn't cost the earth and it's a great adventure for the whole family.

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Camping is a great way to enjoy wildlife.

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"When you go camping you're only the thickness of your tent away from the natural world," said Springwatch presenter Martin Hughes-Games.

"Always make sure to take some binoculars – but you don't need to spend a fortune on a pair – and take a field guide if you're going exploring for the first time.

"Make it a basic one as some of the bird guides can be too complicated. To let you into a little secret – the one I always take is Bill Oddies," he added.

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To find that perfect place to pitch your tent, or park your caravan, visit:

or the

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Some of the camping and caravanning locations you can enjoy in Northern Ireland include: Tollymore Forest Park, Carnfunnock Country Park, Gortin Glen Forest Park.

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Along the coast.

The Northern Ireland coastline is breathtaking and offers a diverse range of habitats.

On a seaside break, the first instinct might be to flock to the beaches or, like moths to a flame, to the bright lights of the arcades - but by exploring a little further along the coast you can uncover a world of wildlife in the cliffs, tide pools and sea.

"There are spectacular wildlife hotspots all round our coast and it's not just birds – you can see seals, dolphins, even whales if you're lucky," said Martin.

Rock pools, or tide pools as they are sometimes known, are home to a wealth of sea life and provides a unique opportunity to study it at close quarters.

"I hadn't been rock pooling for years and I'd completely forgotten how much there is to see. It's fabulous, it's free and it's fun for all the family," said Martin.

Wildlife adventure awaits on the North coast.

"You'll see crabs, starfish, limpets, killer dog-whelks and if you catch a really low tide you might see British cowries or pipe fish – but don't forget to think safety first and keep an eye on the tide, it can come in far faster than you think."

Remember, the best sort of rock pooling means leaving no trace of your visit. Always return creatures back to the sea and leave the wonders of the rock pool for all to enjoy.

Northern Ireland has a beautiful coastline with stunning natural features like the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Giants Causeway. The North Antrim coast is a place you’ll never tire of visiting, from Cushendall to Castlerock.

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Our Inland Loughs offer a wealth of marine wildlife. Strangford Lough has over 2000 marine animals and plant species to be found. For more information visit:

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Lough Neagh, right at the heart of mid Ulster, is famous for marine and wetland wildlife so visit for a ring side seat.

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If you like getting close to our feathered friends, then pay a visit to Rathlin Island, home to Northern Ireland's large seabird colony of guillemots, kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars and puffins. If you really like your birds then the best and most extensive example of dune heath within Ireland is found at Murlough National Nature Reserve.

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So to plan a great family day out at the seaside visit: for more ideas.

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The views from The Mournes and Sperrin Mountains are spectacular. Walking tours and other activities can be found at

or

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In the woods.
The woods in Northern Ireland are our equivalent of the rainforests; they are the most diverse habitat that we have and there's always something new going on, whatever the season.

Wherever you live you're never far away from a woodland adventure.
"The woods are home to some of our most spectacular wildlife and big animals like deer, wild boar, foxes and badgers," said Martin.

"Surprisingly, it's often a wood that has lots of visitors that is a better place to see wildlife as they get used to people.

"You should also go very early in the morning, and I mean really early - like first light, as this is when the animals are at their busiest.

"Getting up that early is a real adventure and just think how delicious your breakfast will taste when you get home," he added.

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Woodland visits get you closer to nature.

In Northern Ireland there are lots of woodland habitats to get up close and personal with nature. For a list of great forest parks visit

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Woodlands like Portglenone and Glenariff Glen in County Antrim offer an enchantment and magic while woods like Ness and Learmount in County Londonderry allow an escape to a world of waterfalls, bluebell walks and tranquility. Wildlife organisations like the and run activity days and volunteering programmes if you would like to get your hands dirty and do one thing where you live.

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Holidaying at home.

If you're deciding to holiday at home this year, one of the most exciting wildlife habitats can be found in your own garden or from a visit to the local park.

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For ideas of places to visit look at or the