Bird Watching

 

Autumn Bird watching Weekend
Inishbofin
  
30th September – 2nd October 2011
  
With Anthony McGeehan
  
Inishbofin  west  of  Galway  has  established  a  pedigree  of  attracting  unusual  birds at  migration  seasons,  especially  in  October.   Birds  from  both  North  America  and Siberia  have occurred,  sometimes  simultaneously!   Offshore,  seabirds  pass migration arrive  from  Greenland,  as  well  as  many  Grey  Seals  and  their pups.   The  beaches of  Inishbofin  harbour  flocks  of  shorebirds  and  scattered  bushes  provide  oases  for migrant  warblers,  thrushes  and  other  songbirds  on  migration.   Change  occurs  daily and  chimes  with  the  weather.   Wind  as  well  as  calm  conditions  deliver  birds.   No two  Octobers  are  the  same  but  the  thrill  of  making  unexpected  discoveries  never diminishes.   Expect  plenty  of  excitement  but  be  prepared  for  daily  walks  of  several miles duration. 
 
Cost: € 269 per person, includes bird watching course plus 2 B&B, 2dinners,
1 lunch.
 

Friday

• Arrive on 11.30 am ferry from Cleggan.
• Check in to hotel
• Afternoon bird watching
• Dinner

Saturday

• Breakfast
• Whole day exploring Inishbofin , with lunch at the Dolphin Hotel
• Slideshow and talk on Inishbofin and its birds
• Dinner

Sunday

• Breakfast
• Half day exploring Inishbofin
• Ferry leaves Inishbofin at 4 pm

 

 

 

 

 
 

This is a provisional itinerary and is subject to change due to weather conditions or at the discretion of the guide.
 
 
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

 

_____________________________________________

 

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