BIRD-Watching in Ireland’s county WICKLOW

County Wicklow, known as the “Garden of Ireland,” is located in the east of Ireland and offers exceptional birdwatching opportunities due to its diverse habitats, including coastal cliffs, estuaries, mountains, woodlands, bogs, and wetlands. With sites like the Wicklow Mountains National Park, Bray Head, and East Coast Nature Reserve, Wicklow attracts a variety of resident, migratory, and rare bird species, including seabirds, upland birds, and waterfowl. Below is a list of bird species commonly observed in Wicklow, along with key birdwatching locations where they can be sighted, based on available information about the county’s avian diversity.

Wicklow Mountains National Park (Glendalough, Glenmalure, Luggala, R756 X4Y8)

Red Grouse: Resident in heather moorlands, though declining.
Hen Harrier: Rare, seen hunting over bogs and uplands, especially in winter.
Merlin, Kestrel: Small raptors in open upland areas.
Skylark, Meadow Pipit: Common in open hills, singing in spring/summer.
Raven: Frequently seen soaring over peaks and valleys.
Wheatear: Summer migrant, found in rocky areas.
Ring Ouzel: Rare summer visitor, occasionally seen in upland valleys like Glendalough. The Wicklow Mountains, a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), offer vast upland habitats. Trails around Glendalough, Glenmalure, and the Sally Gap provide access to moorlands and bogs. Spring and summer (March–August) are best for breeding birds like Skylark, with winter good for raptors like Hen Harrier. Sturdy boots are recommended for rugged terrain.

Bray Head and Greystones Coast (Bray, A98 K7V2)

Chough: Rare but present along coastal cliffs, year-round.
Peregrine Falcon: Breeds on cliffs, often seen hunting seabirds.
Fulmar: Resident, gliding along cliffs.
Kittiwake: Breeding colonies on cliff faces, visible April–August.
Guillemot, Razorbill: Seen offshore or on cliffs, spring/summer.
Stonechat, Wheatear: Summer migrants in coastal scrub.
Gannet: Common offshore, especially during autumn migration. Bray Head’s coastal cliffs and paths offer excellent views of seabirds and coastal species. The cliff walk from Bray to Greystones is ideal for spotting Chough and Peregrines. Seawatching from Bray Head is productive during autumn storms (August–October). Spring and summer (April–August) are best for breeding seabirds.

East Coast Nature Reserve (Blackditch Wood, near Newcastle, A63 TF38)

Water Rail: Secretive, heard in reedbeds, occasionally seen in winter.
Snipe, Jack Snipe: Skulking waders in marshy areas, best in winter.
Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler: Summer migrants in reedbeds, singing in spring.
Grasshopper Warbler: Rare summer visitor, heard in scrubby wetlands.
Little Egret, Grey Heron: Common in marshy areas.
Buzzard, Sparrowhawk: Raptors hunting over wetlands and woods. Managed by BirdWatch Ireland, this reserve features wetlands, reedbeds, and woodlands. Hides and boardwalks near Newcastle provide excellent access. Winter (November–March) is best for waders like Snipe, with spring (March–May) ideal for breeding warblers. The reserve is well-signposted with visitor facilities.

Avoca River and Vale of Avoca (Near Avoca and Arklow)

Dipper, Grey Wagtail: Resident along fast-flowing river sections.
Kingfisher: Common in quieter stretches, especially near Avoca.
Mute Swan, Mallard: Resident along riverbanks.
Little Egret: Increasingly common along the river.
Common Sandpiper: Summer visitor, breeding along gravelly shores. The Avoca River supports riverine birds, with viewing points near Avoca village and Arklow offering good access. Spring and summer (March–August) are best for breeding species like Dipper, with winter good for egrets and waterfowl.

Vartry Reservoir and Roundwood Lakes (Near Roundwood, A98 X5W7)

Whooper Swan: Winter visitor, seen on lakes, November–March.
Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye: Wintering ducks in open waters.
Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe: Resident, breeding on lakes.
Coot, Moorhen: Common in lake margins and reedbeds.
Kingfisher: Resident, spotted along lake shores and streams. The Vartry Reservoir and nearby lakes around Roundwood support waterfowl and wetland birds. Viewing points along the reservoir’s edges are accessible via local roads. Winter (November–March) is best for migratory waterfowl, with spring and summer good for breeding grebes.

Powerscourt Estate and Waterfall (Near Enniskerry, A98 W0D0)

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.
Dipper: Found along the Dargle River near the waterfall. Powerscourt Estate’s woodlands and the nearby waterfall provide excellent habitats for woodland and riverine birds. Trails through the estate and along the river are accessible. Spring (March–May) is best for active songbirds, with winter good for raptors and residents.

Arklow Bay and Brittas Bay (Near Arklow, Y14 XE86)

Brent Goose, Wigeon: Winter visitors, seen on estuarine waters.
Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover: Wintering waders on sandy beaches.
Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver: Winter seabirds, spotted offshore.
Mediterranean Gull: Rare, occasionally among gull flocks.
Little Egret: Common along estuarine shores. Arklow Bay and Brittas Bay offer coastal habitats for waders and seabirds. Viewing points along Brittas Bay’s beaches and Arklow’s estuary are accessible. Winter (November–March) is best for migratory species, with autumn good for seawatching during storms.

Rare and Notable Sightings (Various Sites)

Green-winged Teal, American Wigeon: Rare transatlantic vagrants, seen at East Coast Nature Reserve or Arklow Bay.
Ring-billed Gull, Little Gull: Rare, recorded at Arklow Bay.
Corncrake: Extremely rare, historically noted in coastal grasslands.
Bittern: Rare winter visitor, occasionally in East Coast Nature Reserve’s reedbeds. Wicklow’s wetlands and coastal sites, particularly East Coast Nature Reserve, are hotspots for rare vagrants during autumn migration (September–November). Check www.irishbirding.com for recent records.

Seasonal Tips:

Spring (March–May): Summer migrants (Wheatear, Sedge Warbler) arrive. Woodland birds (Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap) are active in Powerscourt.
Summer (June–August): Breeding season for upland birds (Skylark, Ring Ouzel) in Wicklow Mountains and seabirds at Bray Head.
Autumn (September–November): Peak migration for waders and rare vagrants at East Coast Nature Reserve and Arklow Bay. Seawatching at Bray Head is productive during storms.
Winter (December–March): Best for waterfowl (Whooper Swans, Wigeon) at Vartry Reservoir and waders at Brittas Bay. Raptors like Hen Harrier are more visible in uplands.
Conservation Context: The Wicklow Mountains, East Coast Nature Reserve, and coastal sites are part of SPAs and SACs, critical for upland birds and wintering waterfowl. Species like Hen Harrier, Red Grouse, and Corncrake are conservation priorities.

Wicklow:

Wicklow is known as the Garden of Ireland for its lush landscapes, with Glendalough’s monastic ruins and round tower set amidst serene lakes and valleys. The Wicklow Mountains National Park offers hiking trails with stunning views, while Powerscourt Estate’s manicured gardens and waterfall add natural elegance. Other attractions include the coastal paths of Bray. Wicklow is Ireland’s 17th largest county by size (,025 sq km) and 16th largest by population (155,851). Population peaked at 126,143 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 57,591 in 1926. In terms of hospitality, Wicklow is Ireland’s twelfth most visited tourist county with around 204,000 international visitors per year.

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