County Antrim, offers diverse habitats for birdwatching, including coastal cliffs, wetlands, woodlands, and islands like Rathlin.
Rathlin Island (RSPB West Light Seabird Centre, Ballycastle BT54 6SB)
- Species:
- Puffin (Atlantic Puffin): Seen March to September, breeding on cliffs.
- Guillemot: Common breeding seabird, visible from the Seabird Centre.
- Kittiwake: Nests on cliffs, observed during spring/summer.
- Razorbill: Breeding colonies on cliffs, present spring/summer.
- Fulmar: Breeding seabird, common at Rathlin.
- Chough: The region’s only breeding pair resides here, rare and notable.
- Corncrake: Recently recorded, a rare species on the island.
- Gannet: Seen during ferry crossings or from cliffs.
- Great Skua: Breeding, less common but notable.
- Lesser Scaup, Ring-necked Duck: Rare sightings, especially in winter. Rathlin Island, six miles off the north coast, hosts the region’s largest seabird colony. The RSPB Seabird Centre offers views from a cliff-top platform, ideal for observing nesting seabirds. Book ferry crossings from Ballycastle in advance. The island is also good for spotting dolphins and gulls during the crossing.
Lough Neagh and Lough Beg
- Species:
- Great Crested Grebe: Observed year-round, notably with prey like gudgeon.
- Whooper Swan: Winter visitor, often in large flocks.
- Greylag Goose: Common in winter, seen in wetlands.
- Ducks (various species): Up to 20 species, including Pochard and Tufted Duck, wintering in flocks of up to 80,000 waterfowl.
- Gulls (various species): Common in winter, foraging around the lake. Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in insular Europe and the 34th largest on the continent, and adjacent Lough Beg are internationally important for wintering waterfowl. The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre on Oxford Island (County Armagh, but accessible from Antrim) offers bird hides and trails for viewing.
Belfast Lough (North Shoreline)
- Species:
- Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Roseate Tern: Tern colonies at Swan Island and Blue Circle Island, viewable from the car park near Glynn (J435987) or Ballycarry Bridge (J465645). Roseate Terns are rare, with this being a key site.
- Waders (various species): Best viewed from Ballycarry Bridge, including species like Oystercatcher and Curlew. The north shoreline of Belfast Lough, particularly around Swan Island and Blue Circle Island, is excellent for tern and wader watching. Island Magee, opposite Larne Harbour, is another spot to observe terns flying out of Larne Lough.
Fair Head
- Species:
- Kestrel: Common, seen hovering over cliffs.
- Sparrowhawk: Hunts among cliffs and fields.
- Peregrine Falcon: Breeds on cliffs, a spectacular sight.
- Chough: Rare, occasionally spotted.
- Twite: Seen in coastal areas.
- Buzzard (Breeding): Common raptor, nesting in the area.
- Raven: Frequently seen soaring over cliffs.
- Eider, Turnstone: Coastal species, especially in winter. Fair Head, known for its cliffs, is gaining popularity among birdwatchers. Four trails, including the challenging Yellow Route, offer stunning views over Murlough Bay and opportunities to spot cliff-nesting and coastal birds.
Glendun (near Cushendun to Ballycastle)
- Species:
- Wood Warbler: A rare species in Ireland,found in deciduous woodlands, particularly beech.
- Hen Harrier: Seen on the Antrim plateau, especially in open moorland. The deciduous woodland near the Cushendun-Ballycastle road is ideal for spotting Wood Warblers. The broader Glendun area, extending to the Antrim plateau, is good for raptors like Hen Harriers.
Giant’s Causeway
- Species:
- Razorbill: Nests in cliffs and rock formations.
- Other Shorebirds: Various species breed in the area’s cliffs. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers birdwatching opportunities along its cliffs, where shorebirds like Razorbills nest. The rugged coastal trails provide excellent viewing spots.
The Gobbins Walk (Causeway Coastal Route)
- Species:
- Puffin: County Antrim’s only mainland puffin colony, though sightings may be limited.
- Kittiwake, Shag, Guillemot, Razorbill: Common on coastal cliffs. This dramatic cliffside path features tunnels, bridges, and staircases, offering close views of seabird colonies. It’s a unique spot for puffins on the mainland, though only small numbers are present.
Forest Service Lands and Woodlands
- Species:
- Tits (e.g., Blue Tit, Coal Tit): Common in woodlands.
- Treecreeper: Found in oakwoods and mixed forests.
- Sparrowhawk, Buzzard: Hunt in wooded areas.
- Red Grouse: Seen in moorland areas like the Antrim plateau. Antrim’s woodlands, though limited (8% of the county is wooded, mostly non-native conifers), host resident birds. Check Forest Service lands for tits, treecreepers, and raptors. Hedgerows also support smaller birds.
Portmore Lough
- Species:
- Montagu’s Harrier: Rare, a significant sighting for twitchers. This wetland site is known for occasional rare sightings, like the Montagu’s Harrier, making it a hotspot for dedicated birdwatchers.
Additional Notes
- Seasonal Tips:
- Spring/Summer (March–September): Best for breeding seabirds like puffins, razorbills, and terns. Migratory birds like Wood Warblers and Hen Harriers are also active.
- Winter (October–March): Ideal for migratory waterfowl (e.g., Whooper Swans, Greylag Geese) at Lough Neagh and Belfast Lough. Gulls and waders are abundant.
- Autumn: Good for spotting rare vagrants and migratory waders blown across the Atlantic.
- Conservation Context: Antrim’s bird populations benefit from protected areas like RSPB reserves and National Nature Reserves. Species like Chough and Corncrake are rare, with conservation efforts ongoing. Report rare sightings to Irish Birding (www.irishbirding.com) (www.irishbirding.com) or BirdWatch Ireland.
Access and Resources:
- Use the RSPB Seabird Centre on Rathlin for guided viewing.
- Check BirdGuides (www.birdguides.com) (www.birdguides.com) for recent sightings in Antrim.
- Binoculars and waterproof gear are recommended for coastal and wetland sites.
- This list covers key species and locations, but Antrim’s diverse habitats mean other birds, including common residents like Robins, House Sparrows, and Starlings, may also be seen in gardens and parks. For real-time updates or to report sightings, consult www.irishbirding.com or local RSPB groups.
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