Killard point nature reserve is one of the most interesting places on this part of the County Down coast, its interest lies in the diversity of terrine which include sandy beaches separated by stretches of rugged rocky outcrops, the dunes and grassland plateau which has not been Ploughed in living memory. The land is grassed in winter by cattle, this is essential if the grass were allowed to grow to maturity it would suppress and eventually eradicate most of the wild flowers, of which there are a vast array of species, to appreciate this immense diversity you would need to space your visits a month apart in summer.

If you want to see wild orchids then June and July is the time to visit, these are not the usual orchid's seen in the florists but small spikes of flowers which range from white, mauve to deep pink.

During the summer the place is alive with nature going about its business, unhindered by mans intervention, bee's busily laying in store for the next generation. Grasshoppers are to be heard skylarks and terns to be seen, and on the glacial cliffs of Benderg bay sand martins nest.

In Benderg bay is Guns Island, This island is assured of a place in history when a French ship the Amitý (A painting of this ship by the artist Les Jones can be seen in Downpatrick Museum.) carrying arms and cannon for the1798 rebellion was wrecked just north of the island all the crew but one were lost, the sole survivor was looked after and presumably hidden from the authorities by the people of the now vanished village of Sheeplands. To this day a path along the cliffs is named 'The steersmans path' it is said that the survivor made his way each day to the site of the shipwreck gazing over the spot where his comrades had perished.