BIRD-Watching in Ireland’s county SLIGO

County Sligo, located on Ireland’s northwest coast along the Wild Atlantic Way, offers diverse birdwatching opportunities with its rugged coastline, estuaries, lakes, bogs, woodlands, and mountains. Its position on the Atlantic flyway makes it a hotspot for seabirds, waterfowl, waders, and migratory species, including rare vagrants.

Sligo Bay and Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Including Sligo Town and Rosses Point)

Sligo Bay, encompassing Cummeen Strand and Drumcliff Bay, is a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a critical site for wintering waterfowl and waders, with mudflats, saltmarshes, and coastal grasslands. It’s easily accessible from Sligo Town and Rosses Point.
Brent Goose: Large winter flocks feed on eelgrass or in fields at Cummeen Strand, visible from November to March.
Wigeon, Teal, Pintail: Common winter waterfowl, seen on mudflats or wetlands near Drumcliff Bay.
Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Redshank: Winter waders, abundant on mudflats at low tide, especially at Cummeen Strand.
Knot, Dunlin, Sanderling: Common waders on sandy shores, visible at Rosses Point or Coney Island.
Golden Plover, Lapwing: Winter flocks in fields or wetlands near Drumcliff Bay.
Little Egret: Common year-round, seen in saltmarshes or along the shore at Sligo Town.
Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver: Winter visitors offshore, viewable from Rosses Point with binoculars.
Mediterranean Gull: Occasional winter visitor, mixed with Black-headed Gull or Herring Gull at Sligo Harbour.
Rare Vagrants: Species like American Wigeon, Green-winged Teal, or Little Stint have been recorded during migration seasons.
Viewing Tips: Access via coastal paths at Cummeen Strand or Rosses Point. Low tide is best for waders; winter maximizes waterfowl diversity. Park at Sligo Town or Rosses Point for easy access. A telescope is useful for offshore birds. Check IrishBirding.com for recent sightings.

Lough Gill (Near Sligo Town)

Lough Gill, a large freshwater lake partly in Sligo and Leitrim, is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) with surrounding woodlands and reedbeds, ideal for waterfowl and woodland birds.
Great Crested Grebe: Breeds in summer, seen year-round on the lake from lakeside paths.
Tufted Duck, Goldeneye: Winter waterfowl, visible in open water from November to March.
Little Grebe: Resident in reedbeds or quieter waters, seen throughout the year.
Grey Heron, Little Egret: Common along lake edges, particularly in winter.
Kingfisher: Occasionally spotted along the lake’s quieter shores or feeder streams.
Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker: Common in woodlands like Hazelwood, with woodpeckers drumming in spring.
Goldcrest, Treecreeper: Resident in coniferous woods, visible year-round.
Blackcap, Chiffchaff: Summer breeding warblers, singing from April to August in woodlands.
Viewing Tips: Access via Hazelwood Demesne or public paths near Lough Gill. Winter is best for waterfowl, spring for woodland birds. Binoculars are recommended for lake views.

Inishmurray Island

A remote, uninhabited island 7 km off Streedagh Point, Inishmurray is a Special Protection Area (SPA) known for its seabird colonies and migratory species, accessible by boat from Mullaghmore or Grange (weather permitting).
Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot: Breeding colonies on cliffs from April to August, best seen from boat trips.
Kittiwake, Fulmar: Common breeding seabirds, visible on cliffs in summer.
Storm Petrel, Manx Shearwater: Summer seabirds, seen during seawatching or at dusk.
Chough: Resident, feeding in grassy areas with their red beaks, visible year-round.
Migrant Passerines: Wheatear, Whinchat, and Sedge Warbler pass through in spring and autumn.
Rare Vagrants: Yellow Warbler or Red-eyed Vireo have been recorded during autumn migration.
Viewing Tips: Book boat trips in advance; check with local operators in Mullaghmore. Summer is best for seabirds, autumn for vagrants. Bring a spotting scope and respect the island’s protected status.

Lissadell and Ballygilgan Strand

Lissadell, near Drumcliff, includes coastal habitats, woodlands, and wetlands, while Ballygilgan Strand is a key site for wintering geese and waders.
Barnacle Goose: Internationally important winter flocks (up to 2,000) at Lissadell and Ballygilgan, visible from November to March.
Brent Goose: Winter flocks on coastal fields or mudflats near Lissadell.
Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover: Year-round residents on sandy or rocky shores at Ballygilgan.
Dunlin, Sanderling: Winter waders, feeding along the strand at low tide.
Little Egret: Common in wetlands or along the shore, particularly in winter.
Peregrine Falcon: Hunts waders or geese, often seen in autumn or winter.
Woodland Birds: Lissadell’s woods host Jay, Goldcrest, and Long-tailed Tit.
Viewing Tips: View geese from public paths at Lissadell or scan Ballygilgan Strand at low tide. Winter is best for geese and waders. Respect private land at Lissadell House.

Ox Mountains (Including Coolaney and Ladies Brae)

The Ox Mountains offer blanket bogs, heaths, and woodlands, supporting upland and bogland birds, accessible via trails like the Sligo Way.
Hen Harrier: Winter visitor, seen hunting over bogs near Ladies Brae.
Merlin: Rare winter visitor, hunting over open areas.
Red Grouse: Resident in boglands, more visible during spring territorial displays.
Meadow Pipit, Skylark: Common in open areas, singing in spring and summer from trails.
Cuckoo: Spring visitor, heard calling in bogs or woodlands from April to June.
Raven: Resident, soaring over hills or heard calling.
Kestrel: Hovers over bogs, hunting for small prey, visible year-round.
Viewing Tips: Access via the Sligo Way or trails near Coolaney. Spring is best for breeding birds, winter for raptors. No facilities in remote areas, so bring supplies. A telescope is useful for upland species.

Easkey and Aughris Head

Easkey’s rocky coastline and Aughris Head are excellent for seabirds and coastal species, particularly during migration or after storms.
Cormorant, Shag: Common year-round, drying wings on rocks at Easkey or Aughris Head.
Turnstone, Purple Sandpiper: Winter waders on rocky shores, visible at Easkey.
Great Northern Diver: Winter visitor, seen offshore from Aughris Head.
Kittiwake, Herring Gull: Common gulls, roosting on cliffs or piers, especially in winter.
Peregrine Falcon: Hunts along the coast, particularly in autumn.
Rock Pipit: Resident on rocky shores, visible year-round.
Rare Vagrants: Sooty Shearwater or Sabine’s Gull may appear during autumn seawatching.
Viewing Tips: Walk coastal paths at Easkey or Aughris Head. Autumn and winter are best for seabirds, especially after storms. Binoculars or a telescope are recommended.

Carrowmore Lake and Surrounding Wetlands

A small lake near Ballinafad with surrounding wetlands, supporting waterfowl and waders.
Mallard, Teal, Wigeon: Wintering ducks in the lake or wetlands, visible from November to March.
Little Grebe: Resident in the lake, seen year-round.
Moorhen, Coot: Common in reedbeds, visible throughout the year.
Snipe: Winter visitor in wetlands, best seen at dawn or dusk.
Lapwing: Winter flocks in nearby fields, visible from November to March.
Reed Bunting: Common in reedbeds, more active in summer.
Viewing Tips: Access via public roads near Carrowmore Lake. Winter is best for waterfowl, spring for breeding residents. Binoculars are essential.

Seasonal Considerations:

Spring (March–May): Breeding warblers (e.g., Blackcap, Chiffchaff) and residents like Great Crested Grebe are active in woodlands and wetlands.
Summer (June–August): Seabirds (e.g., Puffin, Kittiwake) breed on Inishmurray, and summer migrants like Cuckoo and Swallow are prominent.
Autumn (September–November): Migratory waders (e.g., Dunlin, Knot) and rare vagrants arrive at Sligo Bay and Inishmurray.
Winter (November–March): Waterfowl (e.g., Brent Goose, Barnacle Goose) and waders (e.g., Black-tailed Godwit) dominate coastal sites, with raptors in uplands.

Access and Facilities:

Sligo Bay: Coastal paths at Cummeen Strand and Rosses Point have parking; facilities in Sligo Town.
Lough Gill: Public paths at Hazelwood Demesne; parking available, limited facilities.
Inishmurray Island: Boat access only; no facilities, so bring supplies.
Lissadell: Public paths with parking; limited facilities, respect private land.
Ox Mountains: Trails like the Sligo Way have parking at trailheads; no facilities in remote areas.
Easkey/Aughris Head: Free coastal access; parking available, limited facilities.
Conservation: Sligo Bay, Inishmurray, and Lough Gill are SPAs or SACs, emphasizing their ecological importance. Avoid disturbing nesting birds, especially on Inishmurray. Report rare sightings to BirdWatch Ireland or the Irish Rare Birds Committee via BirdGuides.
Rare Sightings: Sligo’s coastal sites, particularly Inishmurray and Sligo Bay, are known for vagrants like American Golden Plover, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, or Wilson’s Phalarope. Inland sites are less watched, offering potential for new records.
Common Garden Birds: Across Sligo’s towns (e.g., Sligo Town, Enniscrone) and rural areas, expect Robin, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Wren, Dunnock, and Magpie, especially in gardens and hedgerows.

Recommendations for Birdwatchers

Start at Sligo Bay: Essential for wintering waterfowl and waders, with easy access at Cummeen Strand or Rosses Point.
Explore Inishmurray Island: A must for seabirds and vagrants, but plan boat trips carefully for summer or autumn visits.
Visit Lough Gill: Ideal for waterfowl and woodland birds, with scenic paths at Hazelwood.
Check Lissadell: Great for Barnacle Goose and coastal species, with winter being optimal.
Join BirdWatch Ireland: The Sligo Branch organizes outings to Sligo Bay and other sites. Check birdwatchireland.ie or contact local branches for events.
Use Resources: “Finding Birds in Ireland” by Eric Dempsey and Michael O’Clery provides site-specific advice. BirdGuides.com and IrishBirding.com offer real-time sighting updates.

County Sligo:

Sligo is renowned for its poetic heritage and coastal scenery, with the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery offering one of Europe’s oldest prehistoric sites. The Benbulben mountain provides striking hiking trails, while Strandhill’s beaches are ideal for surfing. Other attractions include the historic Lissadell House and its gardens. Sligo is Ireland’s 22nd largest county by size (1,796 square km) and seventh smallest by population (70,198). Population peaked at 180,886 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 50,275 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Sligo is Ireland’s 17th most visited tourist county with around 133,000 international visitors per year.

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