BIRD-Watching in Ireland’s county ROSCOMMON

County Roscommon, located in Ireland’s midlands, offers a rich birdwatching experience due to its extensive lakelands, rivers, bogs, turloughs, and woodlands. As part of the Shannon River system, with sites like Lough Ree and numerous smaller lakes and wetlands, Roscommon supports a variety of resident and migratory bird species, particularly waterfowl, waders, and woodland birds.

Lough Ree (Western Roscommon, near Athlone and Lanesborough)

Whooper Swan: Winter visitor, seen in flocks on the lake, especially November–March.
Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye: Common wintering ducks in open waters.
Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe: Resident, breeding on the lake, visible year-round.
Little Egret, Grey Heron: Common along lake shores and reedbeds.
Kingfisher: Resident, spotted in quieter bays and along feeder streams.
Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew: Waders in lakeside marshes and wet grasslands, best in winter.
White-tailed Eagle: Reintroduced, occasionally seen soaring over the lake. Lough Ree, a Special Protection Area (SPA) and part of the River Shannon system, is a major site for wintering waterfowl. Viewing points near Lanesborough (e.g., Lanesborough Harbour) and around Portrunny Bay offer access to shores and wetlands. Winter (November–March) is peak season for migratory waterfowl, with spring and summer good for breeding grebes and Kingfishers. Boat trips from Lanesborough enhance sightings of eagles and waterfowl.

Lough Key Forest Park (Near Boyle, F52 PY66)

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.
Mute Swan, Mallard, Coot: Resident on Lough Key’s waters.
Kingfisher: Occasional, along lake shores and streams. Lough Key Forest Park, with its mixed woodlands and lake, is one of Roscommon’s best birdwatching sites. Trails through the park and along the lake offer excellent views of woodland and waterbirds. Spring (March–May) is ideal for active songbirds, with winter good for raptors and resident waterfowl. The park’s visitor centre provides maps and facilities.

Mote Park (Near Roscommon Town, F42 PK81)

Mute Swan, Moorhen, Coot: Resident on the park’s lakes and ponds.
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper: Found in mature parkland trees.
Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Coal Tit: Common in woodlands and gardens.
Sparrowhawk: Hunts smaller birds in wooded areas.
Blackcap: Summer migrant, singing in spring. Mote Park, a historic estate with woodlands and small lakes, offers accessible birdwatching near Roscommon Town. Trails through the park are good for woodland species, with spring (March–May) best for songbirds and year-round opportunities for residents. The park’s open areas also attract raptors.

Lough Gara (Near Boyle, bordering Sligo)

Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose: Winter visitors, seen on the lake and nearby fields.
Wigeon, Teal, Pochard: Wintering ducks, common November–March.
Great Crested Grebe: Resident, breeding on the lake.
Little Egret: Increasingly common along shores.
Snipe, Lapwing: Waders in lakeside marshes, best in winter. Lough Gara, a smaller lake near Boyle, supports waterfowl and wetland birds. Viewing points along the southern shores (Roscommon side) are accessible via local roads. Winter (November–March) is best for migratory waterfowl, with spring good for breeding species.

River Shannon and Suck (e.g., Athleague, Ballinasloe)

Dipper, Grey Wagtail: Resident along fast-flowing sections of the River Suck and Shannon tributaries.
Kingfisher: Common in quieter river stretches, especially near Athleague.
Mute Swan, Mallard: Resident along riverbanks and slow-moving waters.
Little Egret: Seen along river edges, increasing in numbers.
Common Sandpiper: Summer visitor, breeding along gravelly shores. The River Shannon and its tributary, the River Suck, run through Roscommon, offering riverine birdwatching. Viewing points near Athleague and Ballinasloe, particularly around bridges, are good for spotting Dippers and Kingfishers. Spring and summer (March–August) are best for breeding species, with winter suitable for egrets and waterfowl.

Annaghmore Lough and Turloughs (Near Strokestown)

Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal: Winter visitors, seen on turloughs and lakes.
Lapwing, Golden Plover, Curlew: Waders in wet grasslands, best in winter.
Snipe, Jack Snipe: Skulking waders in marshy areas, winter peak.
Water Rail: Secretive, heard in reedbeds, occasionally seen. Annaghmore Lough and nearby turloughs (seasonal lakes) are important for wintering waterfowl and waders. Access near Strokestown is via local roads, though turloughs may require permission for closer access. Winter (November–March) is best, as turloughs flood, attracting birds.

Cloonlarge Bog and Raised Bogs (Near Elphin)

Curlew: Breeding in wet grasslands, seen in spring/summer (declining).
Snipe: Common in boggy areas, best in winter.
Meadow Pipit, Skylark: Abundant in open bogs, singing in spring/summer.
Hen Harrier: Rare, seen hunting over bogs, especially in winter.
Kestrel: Common, hunting over open areas. Roscommon’s raised bogs, like those near Elphin, support specialist bog and grassland birds. Access is limited, but local roads and paths offer viewing opportunities. Spring (March–May) is best for breeding birds like Curlew, with winter good for waders and raptors.

Rare and Notable Sightings (Various Sites)

Green-winged Teal: Rare transatlantic vagrant, occasionally seen at Lough Ree or Annaghmore Lough.
Corncrake: Extremely rare, historically recorded in wet grasslands near Lough Ree.
Bittern: Rare winter visitor, occasionally in Lough Ree’s reedbeds.
Marsh Harrier: Rare, spotted over wetlands like Annaghmore Lough. Lough Ree and turloughs are key sites for rare vagrants, especially during autumn migration (September–November). Check www.irishbirding.com for recent records.

Seasonal Considerations:

Spring (March–May): Summer migrants like Blackcap and Common Sandpiper arrive. Woodland birds (Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper) are active in Lough Key and Mote Park.
Summer (June–August): Breeding season for resident species like Dipper, Kingfisher, and Curlew. Meadow Pipits are vocal in bogs.
Autumn (September–November): Peak migration for waders and rare vagrants at Lough Ree and Annaghmore Lough. Wetland sites are productive.
Winter (December–March): Best for waterfowl (Whooper Swans, Goldeneye) and waders at Lough Ree and turloughs. Raptors like Hen Harrier are more visible.
Conservation Context: Lough Ree and associated turloughs are part of SPAs, critical for wintering waterfowl. Species like Curlew, Corncrake, and Hen Harrier are conservation 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 Ree.
Check www.irishbirding.com or BirdGuides (www.birdguides.com) (www.birdguides.com) for real-time sighting updates.
Lough Key Forest Park and Mote Park have excellent facilities, including trails and parking. Bog and turlough sites may require local knowledge or permission.
Waterproof clothing and sturdy boots are essential for wetland and bog areas.
BirdWatch Ireland’s Roscommon Branch is less active, but regional groups in Galway or Longford may offer events.

Roscommon:

Roscommon combines historic sites with tranquil landscapes, with Roscommon Castle’s imposing ruins offering a glimpse into medieval Ireland. Lough Key Forest Park provides boating and treetop canopy walks, while the Arigna Mining Experience explores the county’s industrial past. Other attractions include the sacred site of Rathcroghan, linked to ancient mythology. Roscommon is Ireland’s 11th largest county by size (2,463 square km) and eighth smallest by population (70,259). Population peaked at 253,591 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 53,519 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Roscommon is Ireland’s 31st most visited and Ireland’s second least visited tourist county with around 25,000 international visitors per year.

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