Click on area in map or select from the list below.
Location: 7 km west of Belmullet in north-west Mayo. Grid Ref: F 66 35 Type:
BWI Owned
Size: 24.3 ha (60 acres)
Description: A coastal freshwater lake and extensive reedbed, situated in
machair grassland.
Birds: It is nationally important for breeding waders and wintering waterfowl
(including 70-140 Whooper Swans, 40-80 Greenland White-fronted Geese, up to
1,000 Barnacle Geese and small numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck,
Pochard and Scaup) . The Barnacle Geese commute between Termoncarragh and the
Inishkea Islands in winter. Up to 1,000 Golden Plover winter. Breeding birds
include Lapwing, Snipe, Dunlin, Whinchat, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting.
Viewing: View from surrounding roads only.
Annagh Marsh
Location: West of Belmullet, and south of Termoncarragh Lake, on the Mullet
peninsula. Grid Ref: F 658 340 Type: BWI Owned
Size: 7 ha (17 acres)
Description: Coastal machair with waterlogged, brackish marsh and grassland.
Grazing by cattle is regulated for the benefit of breeding birds.
Birds: It is renowned for its breeding waders (Snipe, Dunlin, Lapwing, Curlew).
Red-necked Phalaropes bred in the past. Dabbling ducks and Whooper Swans occur
in winter, commuting from Termoncarragh Lake.
Viewing: No access, but good viewing from adjoining road.
More information of BWI conservation project at Termoncarragh/Annagh marsh
Location: Killala bay & Moy estuary - OSI discovery series 24
The bay and estuary are always good birding sites but particularly September – November and again March –May when passage migrants swell the resident bird populations.
The area was home to the prominent ornithologist Robert Warren in the late 19 century. Many of the specimens in the national museum are as a result of his observations and unfortunately good shooting.
Ballina (inner estuary, tides run up to the ridge pool)
Good viewing from the town bridges, the weir, Belleek, Tom Ruane park on the Sligo road, Crockets town and Rathmoy
Birds: Dippers, grey heron, mute swan, Mergansers, wagtails, teal, gulls, kingfishers, godwits, curlew, oystercatchers, cormorants.
Otters and seals
Moy estuary
Access to the shoreline is very good on the western shore but poor on the eastern side. By following the western way north from Ballina good views can be got from Rosserk friary, Ballysakeery, Bullock park, Moyne abbey, Kilroe bridge & Killala pier.
Vast areas of mud and sand are exposed at low tide but people should not be tempted to walk to any of the islands as tides run fast and can encircle the unwary and the mud and sand may not be as stable as it appears.
Birds: Grebes, divers, cormorant, heron, mute & whooper swans, Brent goose, Shelduck, wigeon, teal, mallard, mergansers, oystercatchers, ringed, grey&golden plovers, lapwing, knot, dunlin, sanderling, snipe, godwits, curlew, whimbrel, common sandpiper, redshank, greenshank, oystercatcher, turnstone, peregrine, kestrels, gulls & terns
Seals are seen daily, otters are less numerous.
Killala Bay
Good viewing from both sides of the bay, Ross and Kilcummin on the western shore, Inishcrone, Lackan, Carranduff & Rathlee head on the Sligo side.
Birds: Grebes, divers, cormorant, shag, heron, brent, wigeon, merganser, scoter, oystercatcher, ringed, grey, golden plovers lapwing, dunlin, sanderling, turnstone, purple sand piper, terns, gulls, fulmar, razorbill, guillemots, shearwaters, gannets, wagtails & pipits
Seals, dolphins, porpoises & whales
Pictures of views from some of the aforementioned locations
Sand dunes & other habitats
The bay and estuary are separated by an extensive sand dune system stretching from Ross in the west, bartragh island is almost entirely sand and across the channel to Inishcrone. These areas offer good habitat for a wide variety of birds and flora.
Local farmland and the areas of salt marshes, lagoons and ponds around the area are used by huge numbers of birds
Clew bay
Location: Miles of coastline, much accessible from public roads. Access from
Mulranny, through to Newport bay, to Westport bay, and beaches along southern
coastline to Louisburg.
Description: Beaches and rocky shoreline, many bays/tidal inlets landward of
clew bays' many islands.
Birds: Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Ringed
plover, Dunlin,Godwits, Little grebe, Merganser, Northern diver, Shelduck,
Turnstone, Sanderling. In Summer, Terns, Gannets
Viewing: From public roads, shorelines.
The point, Westport
Location: From Westport, heads towards the Quays, passing the entrance to
Westport House on the right. Turn right at The Towers, and left at the
intersection.
Description: Large tidal flats, rocky shoreline, channel into Westport house
demesne.
Birds: Dunlin, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Shelduck, Heron, Wigeon, Teal,
Merganser, Cormorants, Turnstone, Common and BH gulls, Godwits, and Kingfishers.
Viewing: From public roads and parking area at end of Island.
More information on "Roman Island"
Clare Island
Location: At the entrance to Clew bay.
Access by boat from Roonagh Quay near Louisburg
Description: Island with steep cliffs for nesting seabirds.
Birds:
choughs, and large seabird colonies, especially fulmars
Viewing: accessible by boat from Roonagh
Achill Island
Location: West from Newport, via Mulranney.
Description: Coastal lakes, Mountains, beaches and sea cliffs.
Birds: Choughs, Razorbills, Guillemots, Peregrines, Fulmar,
Viewing: Easy access at Minaunn cliffs from adjoining beach. Lots to
explore for the willing hill-walker.
Louisburgh area
Location:
Description:
Birds:
Viewing:
Illaunmaistir
Location: 19 km west of Ballycastle on the north coast of Mayo. Grid Ref: F 933
435 Type: BWI Owned
Size: 4.6 ha (11 acres)
Description: A small steep-sided island rising to about 100m (330 feet).
Birds: It is of national importance as a summer haven for Puffins, Storm Petrels
and other seabirds. A small flock of Barnacle Geese visits in winter.
Viewing: The reserve is inaccessible but can be viewed from the mainland.
Downpatrick head
Location: North from Ballycastle - well
signposted.
Description: Steep cliffs and sea stack (Dun Briste)
Birds:
fulmars, guillemots & kittiwakes nesting on sheer cliffs. Also Peregrine,
Raven and Chough. Good look-out for
autumn seabird migration and whale-watching.
Viewing: Easy - but please be careful - dangerous cliffs and blow-holes.
Some pictures overlooking Dun Briste and nearby cliffs
Kilcummin Head
Location: North-west from Ballina, via Killala and Lackan
Description: Excellent vantage point for sea-watching for passage migrants
Waterways: The Moy, Loughs Conn and Cullin, Lough Carra & Mask, Carrowmore lake, Castlebar lakes, Balla Turloughs
Uplands: Ox mountains, Nephin, Nephin Beg range, Mweelrea / Killary, Party mountains
Forests: Cong/Ashford woods, Old Head, Tourmakeady, Blackloon/Drummin, Moore Hall, Letterkeen, Beleek.
and in addition Ballycroy national park