BIRD-Watching in Ireland’s county FERMANAGH

County Fermanagh is renowned for its extensive lakelands, particularly Upper and Lower Lough Erne, as well as its woodlands, bogs, and uplands. These diverse habitats make it a significant birdwatching destination, especially for waterfowl, waders, and woodland species. Fermanagh hosts both resident and migratory birds, with key sites like Lough Erne being internationally recognized for their wintering populations.

Upper and Lower Lough Erne (Multiple sites, e.g., Castle Archdale, Devenish Island, Belleek)

Whooper Swan: Winter visitor, seen in large flocks on the loughs, especially November–March.
Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Goldeneye: Common wintering ducks in open waters.
Great Crested Grebe: Resident, breeding on the loughs, visible year-round.
Little Grebe: Common in sheltered bays and reedbeds.
Mute Swan, Greylag Goose: Winter visitors, seen on water and surrounding fields.
Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew: Waders in lakeside marshes and wet grasslands, best in winter.
Kingfisher: Resident, spotted along quieter shores and channels.
Little Egret: Increasingly common along lake edges.
White-tailed Eagle: Reintroduced, rare but occasionally sighted around Lough Erne. Lough Erne, a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site, is a major wetland system attracting thousands of wintering waterfowl. Castle Archdale Country Park (BT94 1PP) offers hides and boat trips for viewing, while Devenish Island and Belleek provide shoreline access. Winter (November–March) is peak season, with boat tours enhancing sightings of divers and eagles.

Cuilcagh Mountain and Marlbank (Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark, near Marble Arch Caves)

Red Grouse: Resident in upland heather moorlands.
Hen Harrier: Rare, seen hunting over bogs and uplands, especially in winter.
Merlin, Peregrine Falcon: Raptors in mountainous areas, breeding on cliffs.
Raven: Common, soaring over Cuilcagh’s peaks.
Skylark, Meadow Pipit: Abundant in open uplands, singing in spring/summer.
Golden Plover: Winter visitor, seen in upland fields. Cuilcagh Mountain, part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, features blanket bogs and uplands ideal for moorland birds. The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (near Marble Arch Caves, BT92 1EW) provides access to these habitats. Spring and summer (March–August) are best for breeding species, while winter offers sightings of raptors and Golden Plovers.

Crom Estate (Upper Lough Erne, near Newtownbutler, BT92 8AP)

Great Spotted Woodpecker: Recent colonist, seen in mature woodlands.
Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Goldcrest: Common in mixed forests.
Jay, Chaffinch, Siskin: Resident woodland birds, active year-round.
Sparrowhawk, Buzzard: Hunt in wooded areas and open parkland.
Water Rail: Secretive, heard in lakeside reedbeds.
Kingfisher: Seen along the estate’s waterways. Managed by the National Trust, Crom Estate features ancient woodlands, wetlands, and lake shores along Upper Lough Erne. Trails and hides offer excellent views of woodland and waterbirds. Spring (March–May) is ideal for woodland species, while winter attracts waterfowl to the lake.

Lough Melvin (Near Garrison, border with Leitrim)

Common Sandpiper: Summer visitor, breeding along rocky shores.
Dipper, Grey Wagtail: Found along fast-flowing streams feeding into the lough.
Goosander: Winter visitor, seen on open waters.
Mallard, Teal: Common ducks, especially in winter.
Great Northern Diver: Rare winter visitor, occasionally spotted. Lough Melvin, a less-visited lake, supports a mix of waterfowl and riverine birds. Access points near Garrison offer views of the shoreline and surrounding streams. Summer is best for breeding species like Common Sandpiper, while winter attracts divers and ducks.

Florence Court Forest Park (Near Enniskillen, BT92 1DB)

Great Spotted Woodpecker: Present in mature woodlands.
Nuthatch: Rare, recently recorded and a significant sighting for Ireland.
Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit: Common in mixed forests.
Sparrowhawk, Buzzard: Hunt in wooded and open areas.
Redstart: Rare summer visitor, occasionally seen in woodlands. This National Trust property features extensive woodlands and parkland, ideal for woodland birds. Trails through the forest are productive in spring (March–May) when birds are vocal. The recent presence of Nuthatch is a notable draw for birdwatchers.

Castle Coole (Near Enniskillen, BT74 6JY)

Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen: Resident on the estate’s lake.
Treecreeper, Goldcrest: Common in parkland trees.
Jay, Chaffinch: Woodland and garden birds, seen year-round.
Barn Owl: Nocturnal, occasionally spotted at dusk in parkland. Castle Coole’s parkland and lake, managed by the National Trust, attract waterfowl and woodland birds. The estate’s quiet trails are good for casual birdwatching, with spring and summer best for resident species and autumn for passage migrants.

Big Dog Forest and Lough Navar Forest (Near Derrygonnelly)

Crossbill, Siskin: Found in coniferous forests, especially in winter.
Buzzard, Sparrowhawk: Common raptors in forested areas.
Coal Tit, Goldcrest: Abundant in conifer plantations.
Red Grouse: Present in adjacent upland areas. These Forest Service woodlands offer habitats for coniferous forest specialists. Lough Navar’s viewpoint provides scenic vistas and opportunities to spot raptors and upland birds. Spring and winter are productive for different species groups.

Rare and Notable Sightings (Various Sites)

Green-winged Teal: Rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally seen at Lough Erne.
Spotted Crake: Rare, recorded in Lough Erne’s reedbeds.
Corncrake: Extremely rare, historically noted in wet grasslands.
Bittern: Rare, occasional winter visitor to Lough Erne’s reedbeds. Fermanagh’s wetlands attract rare vagrants, particularly during autumn migration (September–November). Lough Erne is the primary hotspot for these sightings. Check www.irishbirding.com for recent records.
Additional Notes
Seasonal Tips:
Spring (March–May): Summer migrants like Common Sandpiper and Redstart arrive. Woodland birds (Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest) are active and vocal.
Summer (June–August): Breeding season for resident species like Kingfishers and Dippers. Upland birds like Red Grouse are visible on Cuilcagh.
Autumn (September–November): Peak migration for waders and rare vagrants at Lough Erne. Wetland sites are busy with passage birds.
Winter (December–March): Best for waterfowl (Whooper Swans, Goldeneye) and waders at Lough Erne. Raptors like Hen Harrier are more visible in uplands.
Conservation Context: Lough Erne is an SPA and Ramsar site, critical for wintering waterfowl. Species like Whooper Swan and Hen Harrier are conservation priorities. The reintroduction of White-tailed Eagles is a notable effort. Report rare sightings to Irish Birding (www.irishbirding.com) (www.irishbirding.com) or the NI Birdwatchers’ Association.

Access and Resources:

Binoculars and a telescope are essential for lake and wetland birdwatching, especially at Lough Erne.
Check www.irishbirding.com or BirdGuides (www.birdguides.com) (www.birdguides.com) for real-time sighting updates.
Castle Archdale and Crom Estate have excellent facilities, including hides and parking. Boat trips on Lough Erne enhance viewing opportunities.
Waterproof clothing and sturdy boots are recommended for wetland and upland sites.
RSPB NI and local groups offer guided walks and events.

Fermanagh:

Fermanagh is a county of lakes and historic charm, with Lough Erne’s waterways offering boating and fishing amidst serene islands. Enniskillen Castle and its museums explore local history, while the Marble Arch Caves, part of a UNESCO Geopark, showcase stunning underground caverns. Other attractions include the historic Florence Court estate and its gardens. Fermanagh is Ireland’s 20th largest county by size (1,876 square km) and fourth smallest by population (63,585). Population peaked at 156,481 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 49,886 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Fermanagh is Ireland’s 28th most visited tourist county with around 43,000 international visitors per year.

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