BIRD-Watching in Ireland’s county CLARE

County Clare, located on Ireland’s west coast, is a prime birdwatching destination due to its diverse habitats, including the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren’s limestone karst, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal areas. It hosts a mix of resident, migratory, and rare bird species, with notable sites attracting both casual and dedicated birdwatchers.

Cliffs of Moher (Liscannor, near Doolin, V95 DX24)

Puffin (Atlantic Puffin): Breeding on cliffs, best seen April–August.
Guillemot: Large breeding colonies on cliff ledges, visible spring/summer.
Razorbill: Nests on cliffs, common during breeding season.
Kittiwake: Breeding seabird, seen on cliff faces.
Fulmar: Common, gliding along cliffs year-round.
Chough: Iconic Burren species with red bills, often seen in small flocks.
Peregrine Falcon: Breeds on cliffs, hunting other birds.
Gannet: Observed offshore, especially during boat trips. The Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO Global Geopark, are one of Ireland’s top birdwatching sites, with over 30,000 breeding seabirds. The visitor centre offers viewing platforms, and the cliff-edge path provides excellent vantage points. Boat trips from Doolin enhance sightings of offshore species like Gannets. Spring and summer are best for breeding seabirds.

The Burren (Burren National Park and surrounding areas, e.g., Poulsallagh, Fanore)

Chough: Common in the Burren’s grasslands and coastal cliffs, a key species.
Wheatear: Summer migrant, seen on limestone pavements.
Skylark: Abundant in open grasslands, singing in spring/summer.
Meadow Pipit: Common in open Burren habitats.
Raven: Frequently seen soaring over limestone landscapes.
Kestrel, Merlin: Raptors hunting over open terrain.
Cuckoo: Summer visitor, heard in scrubby areas. The Burren’s unique limestone karst and coastal grasslands are ideal for species like Chough and Wheatear. Poulsallagh’s coastal cliffs and Fanore’s dunes are excellent spots. The Burren National Park, near Corofin, offers trails for observing grassland and woodland birds. Spring and summer are peak seasons for migrants.

Bridges of Ross (Kilbaha, Loop Head Peninsula)

Manx Shearwater: Seen offshore during autumn migration (August–September).
Sooty Shearwater, Great Shearwater: Migratory seabirds, best in late summer/autumn.
Storm Petrel: Observed offshore, especially during seawatching.
Pomarine Skua, Arctic Skua: Migratory, seen during autumn passage.
Sabine’s Gull: Rare, a highlight for seawatchers in autumn.
Little Auk, Great Northern Diver: Winter visitors, spotted offshore. Bridges of Ross is one of Ireland’s premier seawatching sites, especially in autumn (August–October) when strong westerly winds push seabirds close to shore. A telescope is recommended for spotting distant species. The nearby Loop Head Lighthouse is another good vantage point for seawatching.

Shannon Estuary (e.g., Poulnasherry Bay, Labasheeda)

Brent Goose: Winter migrant, seen in large flocks.
Wigeon, Teal, Pintail: Wintering ducks, abundant in estuarine mudflats.
Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank: Waders common in winter and migration seasons.
Little Egret: Increasingly common along the estuary.
Whooper Swan: Winter visitor, seen in wetlands near the estuary. The Shannon Estuary, a Special Protection Area (SPA), is a critical wintering site for waterfowl and waders. Poulnasherry Bay and Labasheeda are accessible spots for viewing flocks of migratory birds. Winter (November–March) is the best time, with high tides concentrating birds on mudflats.

Lough Derg and Lough Atedaun (East Clare, near Corofin)

Great Crested Grebe: Resident, seen on Lough Derg’s open waters.
Tufted Duck, Pochard: Wintering ducks, common on lakes.
White-tailed Eagle: Reintroduced, occasionally spotted around Lough Derg.
Goldeneye: Winter visitor, seen on open waters.
Coot, Moorhen: Common in lake margins and reeds. Lough Derg, Ireland’s third-largest lake, and smaller Lough Atedaun are excellent for waterfowl, especially in winter. Viewing points near Mountshannon (for White-tailed Eagles) and Corofin offer good access. Check for eagle sightings with local birdwatching groups.

Doonbeg and Doughmore Bay (West Clare Coast)

Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover: Coastal waders, seen year-round.
Sanderling, Dunlin: Wintering waders, common on sandy shores.
Chough: Present along coastal cliffs near Doonbeg.
Barnacle Goose: Winter visitor, occasionally seen in coastal grasslands. Doonbeg’s beaches and Doughmore Bay’s dunes are great for coastal waders and seabirds. The area’s cliffs and grasslands also support Chough. Winter and autumn are best for migratory waders, with easy access along coastal paths.

Ballyallia Lake (Near Ennis)

Whooper Swan, Mute Swan: Winter visitors, seen on the lake.
Gadwall, Shoveler: Wintering ducks, frequent in wetlands.
Snipe, Jack Snipe: Skulking waders in marshy areas, best in winter.
Water Rail: Heard in reedbeds, occasionally seen. Ballyallia Lake, a small wetland near Ennis, is a hidden gem for waterfowl and waders. The surrounding reeds and marshes attract secretive species like Water Rail. Winter is the best season, with quiet trails offering good viewing opportunities.

Aillwee Cave and Surrounding Woodlands (Burren, near Ballyvaughan)

Treecreeper, Coal Tit, Goldcrest: Common in mixed woodlands.
Sparrowhawk: Hunts in wooded areas.
Jay, Chaffinch: Resident woodland birds, active year-round. The woodlands around Aillwee Cave, in the Burren, provide habitat for woodland species. Trails near the cave offer opportunities to spot smaller birds, especially in spring when they are most vocal.

Rare and Notable Sightings (Various Sites)

Corncrake: Rare summer visitor, occasionally recorded in coastal grasslands (e.g., near Fanore).
Spotted Crake: Rare, reported at wetlands like Ballyallia Lake.
American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal: Rare transatlantic vagrants, seen at Shannon Estuary or lakes.
Ring-billed Gull: Rare, occasionally spotted at coastal sites like Lahinch. Clare is known for rare vagrants, especially during autumn migration. Check Irish Birding (www.irishbirding.com) (www.irishbirding.com) for recent sightings. Wetlands and coastal sites are hotspots for these rarities.

Seasonal Tips:

Spring (March–May): Breeding seabirds (Puffins, Guillemots) are active at the Cliffs of Moher. Summer migrants like Wheatear and Cuckoo arrive in the Burren.
Summer (June–August): Peak time for breeding seabirds and Burren species like Chough and Skylark. Coastal cliffs are busiest.
Autumn (September–November): Best for seawatching at Bridges of Ross, with shearwaters, skuas, and rare gulls. Migratory waders peak at the Shannon Estuary.
Winter (December–March): Waterfowl (Brent Geese, Whooper Swans) and waders dominate estuaries and lakes. White-tailed Eagles are more visible around Lough Derg.
Conservation Context: Clare’s bird populations are supported by protected areas like the Cliffs of Moher SPA, Shannon Estuary SPA, and Burren National Park. Species like Chough and Corncrake are conservation priorities. Report rare sightings to Irish Birding or BirdWatch Ireland to aid monitoring efforts.

Access and Resources:

Binoculars and a telescope are essential for seawatching and estuary birdwatching.
Visit www.irishbirding.com or BirdGuides (www.birdguides.com) for real-time sighting updates.
The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre and Loop Head’s coastal paths are accessible, but some sites (e.g., Poulnasherry Bay) may require local knowledge.
Waterproof clothing and sturdy boots are recommended for coastal and wetland areas.
Join guided tours (e.g., BirdWatch Ireland Clare Branch) for expert-led birdwatching.

County Clare:

Clare is renowned for its dramatic cliffs and traditional heritage, with the Cliffs of Moher offering breathtaking views over the Atlantic. The Burren’s unique limestone landscape provides hiking and rare flora, while Bunratty Castle offers medieval history with its restored interiors. Check out the traditional music scene in Doolin and the county’s coastal beaches. Clare is Ireland’s eighth largest county by size (3,188 square km) and 19th largest by population (127,938). Population peaked at 286,394 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 73,597 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Clare is Ireland’s sixth most visited tourist county with around 485,000 international visitors per year.

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