BIRD-Watching in Ireland’s county MONAGHAN

County Monaghan, located in the northeast of Ireland and part of the border region, is a lesser-known birdwatching destination due to its inland location and lack of coastal habitats. However, its landscape of drumlins, lakes, rivers, wetlands, bogs, and scattered woodlands supports a variety of resident and migratory bird species, particularly waterfowl, waders, and woodland birds.

Lough Muckno (Castleblayney, H18 YW81)

Mute Swan, Whooper Swan: Mute Swans are resident; Whooper Swans are winter visitors, seen November–March.
Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted Duck: Common wintering ducks in open waters.
Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe: Resident, breeding on the lake, visible year-round.
Coot, Moorhen: Abundant in lake margins and reedbeds.
Kingfisher: Resident, spotted along quieter shores and feeder streams.
Grey Heron, Little Egret: Common along lake edges, with Little Egret increasing.
Snipe: Found in lakeside marshes, best in winter. Lough Muckno, one of Monaghan’s largest lakes, is a key site for waterfowl and wetland birds. The surrounding parkland in Castleblayney offers accessible trails and viewing points along the lake’s shores. Winter (November–March) is peak season for migratory waterfowl, with spring and summer good for breeding grebes and Kingfishers.

Dromore Lakes and River System (Near Cootehill)

Dipper, Grey Wagtail: Resident along fast-flowing streams like the Dromore River.
Kingfisher: Common in quieter river and lake sections.
Mute Swan, Mallard: Resident on lakes and slow-moving waters.
Little Egret: Increasingly seen along riverbanks and lakes.
Water Rail: Secretive, heard in reedbeds, occasionally seen in winter. The Dromore Lakes, a chain of small lakes connected by the Dromore River, provide excellent habitats for riverine and wetland birds. Viewing points near Cootehill, particularly along riverbanks and lake shores, are accessible via local roads. Spring and summer (March–August) are best for breeding species like Dipper, with winter good for waterfowl and egrets.

Bragan Bog and Sliabh Beagh (Near Monaghan Town)

Red Grouse: Resident in heather moorlands, though declining.
Hen Harrier: Rare, seen hunting over bogs, especially in winter.
Merlin, Kestrel: Small raptors in open bog and upland areas.
Skylark, Meadow Pipit: Common in open bogs, singing in spring/summer.
Snipe: Found in wet bog areas, best in winter. Sliabh Beagh, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), features blanket bogs and uplands ideal for moorland birds. Bragan Bog, accessible via minor roads north of Monaghan Town, offers viewing opportunities. Spring and summer (March–August) are best for breeding birds like Skylark, with winter good for raptors like Hen Harrier. Access may require sturdy boots due to wet terrain.

Emy Lough and Emyvale (Near Emyvale, A75 C970)

Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen: Resident on the lake.
Wigeon, Teal: Wintering ducks, seen November–March.
Great Crested Grebe: Resident, breeding on the lake.
Kingfisher: Occasional, along lake shores and nearby streams.
Reed Bunting: Common in reedbeds, especially in spring. Emy Lough, a smaller lake near Emyvale, supports waterfowl and wetland birds. The surrounding parkland and quiet shores offer good viewing points. Winter (November–March) is best for migratory ducks, with spring and summer good for breeding species. The area is accessible via local roads and paths.

Rossmore Forest Park (Near Monaghan Town, H18 XE63)

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: Raptors hunting in wooded and open areas.
Blackcap: Summer migrant, singing in spring. Rossmore Forest Park, with its mixed woodlands and small lakes, is Monaghan’s premier woodland birdwatching site. Trails through the park provide easy access for spotting woodpeckers and tits. Spring (March–May) is ideal for active songbirds, with winter good for raptors and resident species.

Black Island and Lough Egish (Near Carrickmacross)

Mute Swan, Mallard: Resident on Lough Egish and smaller lakes.
Pochard, Tufted Duck: Wintering ducks, seen November–March.
Coot, Moorhen: Common in lake margins and reedbeds.
Little Egret: Occasional, along lake shores.
Snipe: Found in nearby marshes, best in winter. Black Island and Lough Egish, part of Monaghan’s drumlin landscape, offer wetland habitats for waterfowl. Viewing points near Carrickmacross are accessible via local roads. Winter (November–March) is best for migratory ducks, with spring good for resident species.

Farmland and Hedgerows (e.g., Near Clones, Glaslough)

Yellowhammer, Linnet: Found in hedgerows and farmland, especially in summer.
Skylark, Meadow Pipit: Common in open fields, singing in spring/summer.
Lapwing, Golden Plover: Winter visitors, seen in wet fields.
Barn Owl: Nocturnal, occasionally spotted at dusk in rural areas. Monaghan’s rolling farmland and hedgerows, particularly around Clones and Glaslough, support farmland birds. Quiet roads and fields offer viewing opportunities. Spring and summer (March–August) are best for breeding birds like Yellowhammer, with winter good for plovers.

Rare and Notable Sightings (Various Sites)

Green-winged Teal: Rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally seen at Lough Muckno or Dromore Lakes.
Corncrake: Extremely rare, historically recorded in wet grasslands near lakes.
Marsh Harrier: Rare, occasionally spotted over wetlands like Bragan Bog.
Bittern: Rare winter visitor, recorded in Lough Muckno’s reedbeds. Monaghan’s wetlands attract rare vagrants, particularly during autumn migration (September–November). Lough Muckno and Dromore Lakes are key hotspots. Check www.irishbirding.com for recent records.

Seasonal Considerations:

Spring (March–May): Summer migrants like Blackcap arrive. Woodland birds (Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper) are active in Rossmore Forest Park.
Summer (June–August): Breeding season for resident species like Dipper, Kingfisher, and Skylark. Farmland birds like Yellowhammer are vocal around Clones.
Autumn (September–November): Peak migration for waders and rare vagrants at Lough Muckno and Dromore Lakes. Wetland sites are productive.
Winter (December–March): Best for waterfowl (Whooper Swans, Wigeon) and waders at Lough Muckno and Emy Lough. Raptors like Hen Harrier are more visible in uplands.
Conservation Context: Lough Muckno and Sliabh Beagh are part of conservation areas, with species like Curlew, Hen Harrier, and Corncrake being priorities due to declining populations. 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 recommended for lake and wetland birdwatching, especially at Lough Muckno.
Check www.irishbirding.com or BirdGuides (www.birdguides.com) (www.birdguides.com) for real-time sighting updates.
Lough Muckno and Rossmore Forest Park have good facilities, including trails and parking. Bog sites like Bragan may require local knowledge and sturdy boots.
Waterproof clothing is essential for wetland and bog areas.
BirdWatch Ireland’s Monaghan Branch is less active, but regional groups in nearby counties may offer events.
County Monaghan’s tranquil lakes, bogs, and woodlands offer a quiet birdwatching experience, ideal for observing waterfowl, waders, and woodland species. For the latest sightings or to contribute records, consult www.irishbirding.com or connect with BirdWatch Ireland.

Monaghan:

Monaghan offers a serene blend of rolling hills and cultural heritage, with the Monaghan County Museum showcasing local history through artefacts and exhibits. The scenic Rossmore Forest Park provides walking trails amidst lakes and woodlands, while Castle Leslie’s historic estate offers a glimpse into aristocratic life. Other attractions include the county’s traditional lace-making heritage and quiet countryside. Monaghan is Ireland’s sixth smallest county by size (1,291 square km) and fifth smallest by population (65,288). Population peaked at 200,442 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 45,732 in 1966. In terms of hospitality, Monaghan is Ireland’s 25th most visited tourist county with around 58,000 international visitors per year.

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