Kathy45

04/18/01 4:28 PM

Bird Watching

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three adult sisters and one lonely husband will be traveling in Ireland from July 16th to August 1st. We have the following Itinerary:
2 nights Cashel, 4 nights Killarney, 2 nights Galway, 2 nights Omagh. 1 night Ballycastle, 3 nights Skerrie, and 2 nights Limerick. Driving from one place to the next will of course include sightseeing. The websites, guidebooks, and individual recomendations have been very helpful. One thing I have not see is the best places for bird watching at this time of year. If anyone had traveled in July and has tips it would be greatly appreciated. My husband would love to see the Corncrake. What would be the best place to go to increase the chances.


IrelandExpert
(Community Owner)
04/19/01 2:53 AM

RE: Bird Watching

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Kathy,

The corncrake is a very shy bird and the population is dwindling in Ireland. It's rare for even the natives to see the bird--mostly they just hear it. The Skellig Islands off the coast of the Ring of Kerry are havens for birds and most of the coastline of Ireland is good for viewing seabirds. At the Cliffs of Moher nesting seabirds can be seen in the spring but in July their number will have lessened. The Saltee Islands are a short boat ride off the coast of Co. Wexford at Kilmore Quay and are considered an excellent place for bird watching, as are the Slobs near Wexford Town.

Try the following links for more info on birdwatching:

www.birdwatchireland.ie/
www.interknowledge.com/no...ibrd01.htm
www.irishbirding.com/

Happy travels,

Michele


Kathy45

04/19/01 1:42 PM

RE: Bird Watching

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the info...The avid bird watcher is well acquainted with trying to spot the shy ones. Hearing it would still be worthwhile.


IrelandExpert
(Community Owner)
04/19/01 6:42 PM

RE: Bird Watching

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kathy,

I hope your husband gets to see and hear the corncrake. Maybe he should take a small tape recorder. I always do.

Happy bird watching,

Michele


DarrenA

04/20/01 5:36 AM

RE: Bird Watching

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You could also take the ferry across from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island (about 30 minutes I think) to birdwatch at the West Lighthouse (it was pretty spectacular last time I was there).


Kathy45

04/20/01 1:55 PM

RE: Bird Watching

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks Darren. I like the idea of going to Rathlin Island. I will look for more information about that possibility. Kathy


IrelandExpert
(Community Owner)
04/20/01 5:54 PM

RE: Bird Watching

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excellent idea Darren! Here are some sites about Rathlin Island (the first has ferry and birdwatching info):

www.antrim.net/rathlin/
www.ballylesson.co.uk/
www.ballycastle.free-onli...athlin.htm

Michele


Kathy45

04/20/01 9:11 PM

RE: Bird Watching

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you Michelle. I checked out the web sites and my husband was very excited to see the long list of birds that are regularyly seen on Rathlin. It was also nice that there were other interesting things to see on the Island. Kathy