BIRD-Watching in Ireland’s county KERRY

County Kerry, located in southwest Ireland, is a renowned birdwatching destination due to its diverse habitats, including coastal cliffs, estuaries, islands, wetlands, uplands, and woodlands. With sites like the Skelligs, Dingle Peninsula, and Killarney National Park, Kerry attracts a wide range of resident, migratory, and rare bird species, making it a hotspot for seabirds, waterfowl, and upland species..

Skellig Islands (Skellig Michael and Little Skellig, off Portmagee)

Puffin (Atlantic Puffin): Large breeding colony on Skellig Michael, visible April–August.
Manx Shearwater: Thousands breed, best seen April–September, often at dusk.
Storm Petrel: Significant breeding colony, active at night, April–September.
Gannet: Little Skellig hosts one of Europe’s largest colonies (30,000+ pairs), visible year-round but peak in spring/summer.
Guillemot, Razorbill: Breeding on cliffs, common April–August.
Kittiwake: Nests on cliff faces, seen spring/summer.
Fulmar: Common, gliding along cliffs year-round. The Skellig Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Special Protection Area (SPA), are among Ireland’s most important seabird colonies. Boat trips from Portmagee or Ballinskelligs (booked in advance) offer access to Skellig Michael (weather-dependent) or views around Little Skellig. Spring and summer (April–August) are best for breeding seabirds. Seawatching from nearby St. Finan’s Bay can yield shearwaters and petrels during autumn storms.

Dingle Peninsula (e.g., Slea Head, Dunquin, Clogher Head)

Chough: Common along coastal cliffs, with red bills distinctive in small flocks.
Peregrine Falcon: Breeds on cliffs, often seen hunting seabirds.
Raven: Frequently seen soaring over coastal and inland areas.
Stonechat, Wheatear: Summer migrants in coastal scrub and grasslands.
Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel: Seen offshore during migration, especially August–September.
Gannet, Shag: Common offshore, visible from headlands. The Dingle Peninsula’s rugged coastline is ideal for seabirds and coastal species. Slea Head and Clogher Head offer dramatic cliff views for spotting Chough and Peregrines. Seawatching from Dunquin or Brandon Point is productive during autumn (August–October) for shearwaters and petrels. Spring and summer are best for breeding species.

Blasket Islands (Great Blasket and Inishvickillane, off Dunquin)

Puffin, Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel: Large breeding colonies, active April–September.
Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake: Breed on cliffs, visible spring/summer.
Chough: Common on coastal grasslands.
Arctic Skua, Great Skua: Seen offshore during migration (August–September). The Blasket Islands, an SPA, host significant seabird colonies. Boat trips from Dunquin or Dingle (seasonal, weather-dependent) provide access to Great Blasket or views around smaller islands. Spring and summer (April–August) are peak seasons for breeding seabirds, with autumn good for migratory skuas.

Killarney National Park (Killarney, V93 HY66)

White-tailed Eagle: Reintroduced, breeding in the park, seen soaring over lakes and mountains.
Great Spotted Woodpecker: Recent colonist, found in oak woodlands.
Jay, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Coal Tit: Common in mixed woodlands.
Siskin, Redpoll: Seen in coniferous areas, especially in winter.
Dipper, Grey Wagtail: Resident along fast-flowing streams like the Owengarriff River.
Buzzard, Sparrowhawk: Raptors hunting in woodlands and open areas. This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve features ancient oak woodlands, lakes, and mountains. Trails around Muckross Lake, Torc Waterfall, and Ross Castle offer excellent birdwatching. Spring (March–May) is ideal for woodland birds, with winter good for White-tailed Eagles. The park’s visitor centres provide maps and information.

Tralee Bay and Wetlands (Tralee, including Carrahane Strand and Blennerville)

Brent Goose: Large winter flocks, especially October–March.
Wigeon, Teal, Pintail: Wintering ducks on mudflats and wetlands.
Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank: Waders common in winter.
Little Egret, Grey Heron: Frequent along shores and marshes.
Short-eared Owl: Rare winter visitor, seen over marshes. Tralee Bay, an SPA and Ramsar site, is a key wintering site for waterfowl and waders. The Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre (Tralee, V92 W019) offers hides and guided tours. Carrahane Strand and Blennerville are good for mudflat species. Winter (November–March) is peak season, with high tides concentrating birds.

Ring of Kerry (e.g., Waterville, Derrynane, Valentia Island)

Chough: Common along coastal cliffs and grasslands, especially near Waterville.
Storm Petrel, Manx Shearwater: Seen offshore from Valentia Island during migration.
Gannet, Shag: Common offshore, visible from headlands like Bray Head.
Peregrine Falcon, Raven: Frequent along cliffs and uplands.
Skylark, Meadow Pipit: Abundant in coastal grasslands, singing in spring/summer. The Ring of Kerry’s coastal and upland areas offer diverse birdwatching. Bray Head on Valentia Island and Derrynane’s beaches are good for coastal species. Seawatching from headlands is productive in autumn (August–October). Spring and summer are best for breeding Chough and pipits.

Tomies Wood and Lough Leane (Killarney National Park, near Killarney)

Redstart: Rare summer visitor, occasionally in oak woodlands.
Wood Warbler: Rare, found in deciduous woods, especially in spring.
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper: Common in mature woodlands.
Mute Swan, Mallard: Resident on Lough Leane.
White-tailed Eagle: Occasionally seen over the lake. Tomies Wood, a remnant oak woodland, is excellent for woodland birds. Lough Leane’s shores attract waterfowl and eagles. Trails from the park’s visitor centres provide access. Spring (March–May) is best for woodland species, with winter good for eagles.

Inch Beach and Dingle Bay (Near Annascaul, V92 YR22)

Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover: Wintering waders on sandy shores.
Brent Goose, Wigeon: Winter visitors, seen in bay waters.
Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver: Winter seabirds, spotted offshore.
Chough: Present on nearby cliffs and grasslands. Inch Beach, a long sandy spit, is ideal for coastal waders and seabirds. Dingle Bay’s waters attract divers and ducks in winter (November–March). The beach is easily accessible, with autumn and winter best for migratory species.

Rare and Notable Sightings (Various Sites)

Corncrake: Rare summer visitor, occasionally recorded in coastal grasslands (e.g., Blaskets).
Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon: Rare transatlantic vagrants, seen at Tralee Bay.
Sabine’s Gull, Little Gull: Rare, spotted during autumn seawatching at Dingle or Valentia.
Sooty Shearwater, Great Shearwater: Migratory, seen offshore in autumn (August–September).
Leach’s Petrel: Rare, recorded during autumn storms at coastal sites. Kerry’s coastal sites attract rare vagrants, especially during autumn migration (September–November). Tralee Bay and seawatching points like Brandon Point are hotspots. Check www.irishbirding.com for recent records.

Seasonal Tips:

Spring (March–May): Summer migrants (Wheatear, Redstart) arrive. Seabirds (Puffin, Storm Petrel) breed on Skelligs and Blaskets.
Summer (June–August): Peak breeding season for seabirds and upland species. Killarney’s woodlands are active with songbirds.
Autumn (September–November): Best for seawatching (shearwaters, skuas) at Dingle and Valentia. Migratory waders and vagrants peak at Tralee Bay.
Winter (December–March): Ideal for waterfowl (Brent Geese, Whooper Swans) and waders at Tralee Bay. White-tailed Eagles are more visible in Killarney.
Conservation Context: The Skelligs, Blaskets, and Tralee Bay are SPAs, critical for seabirds and wintering waterfowl. Species like Corncrake, Chough, and White-tailed Eagle are conservation priorities. Report rare sightings to Irish Birding (www.irishbirding.com) (www.irishbirding.com) or BirdWatch Ireland to support monitoring efforts.

Access and Resources:

Binoculars and a telescope are essential for seawatching and wetland birdwatching, especially at Tralee Bay and Skelligs.
Check www.irishbirding.com or BirdGuides (www.birdguides.com) (www.birdguides.com) for real-time sighting updates.
Killarney National Park and Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre have excellent facilities, including hides and visitor centres. Skellig and Blasket trips require boat bookings.
Waterproof clothing and sturdy boots are recommended for coastal, wetland, and upland sites.
BirdWatch Ireland’s Kerry Branch offers guided walks and events, particularly at Tralee Bay.

Kerry:

Kerry is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, with the Ring of Kerry offering scenic drives past lakes and coastal cliffs. Killarney National Park features the serene Lakes of Killarney and historic Muckross House, while Dingle’s coastal trails and dolphin-watching opportunities add natural allure. Accessible by seasonal ferry, the Skellig Islands’ ancient monastic ruins make Kerry a compelling choice for outdoor adventure and history. Kerry is Ireland’s fifth largest county by size (4,701 square km) and 15th largest by population (156,458). Population peaked at 293,880 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 112,785 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Kerry is Ireland’s fourth most visited tourist county with around 877,000 international visitors per year.

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