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