
Bird Watching
Bird watching on Inishbofin May 28th to 30th 2010
Inishbofin is the most westerly inhabited land in Connaught and appears like a series of low hills perched on the horizon. Inishbofin's habitats are gentle on the eye, tucked away and sheltered from the prevailing wind. There are strands, dune grassland, reed-beds and marshes, as well as lakes locked in rocky wilderness. Birds are drawn to breed in such tranquil places. Late spring is a busy time for nature. Lapwings, Ringed Plovers, Oystercatchers and the not-so-common Common Sandpiper all breed, as do terns and small numbers of Corncrakes and Choughs. Skylark song reverberates everywhere and, like Inishbofin itself, is not to be missed.
The leader for the weekend will be Anthony McGeehan who has become a regular visitor and huge fan of the birds of Inishbofin over recent years. Anthony has previously spent time bird watching on most of Ireland's islands but rates Inishbofin as tops. "Breeding Corncrakes, Lapwings, Choughs, Skylarks and terns - what more do you need?" The weekend will be spent trying to see and hear the full range of breeding birds on Inishbofin and - weather permitting - Inishark. The emphasis will be on leisurely looks and learning to recognise the birds properly by sight and song. Most birds are easy to see and not shy and the surroundings are very beautiful.
Suitable for all levels of ability. Bring binoculars, walking shoes and waterproof gear. Also sun screen - May can be surprisingly hot on Inishbofin!
The course runs from Friday lunchtime until Sunday evening.
Provisional Itinerary (weather permitting)
Friday
· Arrive on 11.30 am ferry from Cleggan.
· Check in to hotel
· Afternoon bird watching focusing on corncrakes
· Dinner
· Corncrake walk

Saturday
· Breakfast
· Whole day exploring Inishbofin and its breeding birds, with lunch at the Dolphin Hotel
· Slideshow and talk on Inishbofin and its birds
· Dinner
Sunday
· Breakfast
· Whole day exploring Inishbofin and its breeding birds.
· Ferry leaves Inishbofin 5 pm

This is a provisional itinerary and is subject to change due to weather conditions or at the discretion of the guide.
Cost of weekend: € 269 per person sharing. This includes 2 nights B&B plus dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings, lunch on one day plus bird watching course.
For buses from Galway to the Cleggan ferry contact Citylink on 1890 28 08 08 or www.citylink.ie
Contact us: info@dolphinhotel.ie phone the Dolphin Hotel on 095 45991
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INISHBOFIN BIRD LIST FOR 22, 23 and 24 MAY 2009
Where bold is used, the species was not seen (or heard) by all members of the group.
GREAT NORTHERN DIVER One off Duach Beach; one off East End Bay
FULMAR Several over Westquarter cliffs
MANX SHEARWATER In sound between Inishbofin and Cleggan on 24 May
SHAG Common
CORMORANT One on Lough Bofin
GANNET Several
MALLARD Several
SHELDUCK Pair in flight at Duach Beach
WHOOPER SWAN One at Granny’s Lake
MUTE SWAN Five cygnets, Granny’s Lake; two nests, Lough Bofin
PEREGRINE One adult female, over Doonmore Hotel
CORNCRAKE One at George Lacey’s field, Westquarter
MOORHEN Pair, Granny’s Lake
LAPWING Several pairs with young, Middlequarter
OYSTERCATCHER Common, one nest at Cromwell’s Fort
RINGED PLOVER Several, including one nest at Westquarter
COMMON SNIPE Drumming over Westquarter
WHIMBREL One flying and calling over Doonmore Hotel
COMMON SANDPIPER Pair at Middlequarter
DUNLIN Four at Duach Beach
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Common
LESSER BLACK_BACKED GULL Common
HERRING GULL Common
COMMON GULL Common!
KITTIWAKE Seen off harbour mouth from ferry
ARCTIC TERN Seen at long range over colony on Inishscinimore
SANDWICH TERN Two at East Bay
GUILLEMOT One flying between Inishbofin and Inishshark
BLACK GUILLEMOT Pair in Inishbofin Harbour
ROCK DOVE At least 15 seen
COLLARED DOVE One at East End – a fairly rare bird on Inishbofin
TURTLE DOVE One near end of The Clossy, Middlequarter. Very rare!
SAND MARTIN At least ten
HOUSE MARTIN One seen
SWALLOW Common
SKYLARK Common
HOODED CROW Common
RAVEN Three large flying juveniles on north coast of Inishbofin
CHOUGH One pair seen, others heard
MAGPIE Common
WREN Common
SONG THRUSH Heard singing in three areas
BLACKBIRD Common
DUNNOCK Two seen, others heard
STONECHAT Common
WHEATEAR Common (several ‘Greenland’ Wheatears seen on migration)
ROBIN Common
SEDGE WARBLER Common
GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Pair at The Clossy
MEADOW PIPIT Common
ROCK PIPIT Common on coast
PIED WAGTAIL At least four pairs
GREY WAGTAIL One near Granny’s Lake – an uncommon bird on Inishbofin
STARLING Common
LINNET Several
REED BUNTING At least eight seen
HOUSE SPARROW Possibly just five pairs
Bird Watching
The Island is a breeding ground for many species of birds read more>
Activities
There are many activities which can be enjoyed on the Island read more>
Music
Inishbofin has a long history of traditional Irish Music read more>
