Bird Watching

Autumn Birdwatching Weekend
Inishbofin

 

October 6th-10th

 

With Anthony McGeehan

 

This October the Dolphin Hotel is hosting a special five-day birdwatching tour of Inishbofin which, weather permitting, will also include a trip to the neighbouring island of Inishshark. 

 

Day-long tuition will be provided in the company of Anthony McGeehan.  Each evening a bird-themed talk will address the identification of the day's birds and those that are anticipated during autumn. 

 

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 on migration while the adjoining island of Inishshark plays host to Barnacle geese that 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: € 449 per person, includes bird watching course plus 4 B&B, 4 dinners, 5 lunches.

 

Provisional Itinerary

 

• Arrive Wed on 11.30 am ferry from Cleggan. Course starts after lunch at the Dolphin Hotel.
• Daily walks exploring different parts of the island, with the expert guidance of Anthony McGeehan.
• Optional boat trip to Inishark to see Barnacle Geese and Grey seals
• Lunch and dinner included every day
• Evening talks and slideshows
• All rooms en-suite.
• Single rooms available.

 

Course finishes at lunchtime Sunday. Afternoon free to relax before departure on 4pm ferry.

Suitable for all levels of experience; beginners welcome. Bring binoculars, walking shoes and waterproof gear.

 

 

 

 
 

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

 

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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