Birding with
Ireland's Top Birders

When: Anytime

Length: one to several days

Number of guests: 1 to several

Fee: If its one to one, then I charge US$175 per day plus petrol/expenses. It then decreases according to the size and where people want to go. To be honest its easier for me to agree prices when I know exactly what people need to see. For that reason I don't show prices on the site. It could be that someone wants to see just one very hard species to find and it may require a lot of work in advance, so its difficult to price these things. As I always say, people are not paying for a just a days birding with me, they are paying for 25 years of experience from someone who knows where to find the birds!

BIRDING IN IRELAND:

Ireland is undoubtedly one of the most exciting birding destinations in Europe. Although it possesses fewer breeding species than neighbouring countries, it has relatively healthy populations of some that are in serious decline elsewhere in Europe, such as Roseate Tern and Corncrake. It also has some of the largest breeding seabird colonies in the world, huge flocks of wintering waders and wildfowl, dramatic seabird passage and a host of rare and unusual migrants.

While Ireland`s western geographical location is not ideal for many European migrants, it is perfect for the occurrence of many North American species swept across the Atlantic on their long migration from Northeast Canada. Every year, waders, gulls and passerines are found in the southern and south-western counties. In autumn in County Wexford it is not unusual to encounter five species of Nearctic wader in one day. In the autumn of 1999, up to nine Buff-breasted Sandpipers were seen together in Wexford. In the same autumn, at least five Chimney Swifts, a Common Nighthawk and a Swainson`s Thrush were recorded in Ireland.

Ireland's westerly location in Europe has also made it one of the best seawatching spots in Europe. Sites like Cape Clear Island in Cork records large movements of common seabirds like Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Fulmar and Kittiwake, while scarcer species such as Skuas (Jaegers), Cory`s, Sooty and Great Shearwaters are regularly encountered. In recent times Soft-plumaged (Fea`s) Petrels has become annual. Other hotspots for seawatching, including the Bridges-of-Ross and Kilcummin Head, have become Mecca`s for sea watchers.

Dominated by the warm Gulf Stream, Ireland enjoys relatively mild and wet winters, making it ideal as a wintering ground for wildfowl and waders. The Wexford Wildfowl Reserve holds over half the world`s population of Greenland White-fronted Geese, while Brent, Greylag and, on the west coast, Barnacle Geese are a common sight. Huge flocks of ducks and waders are to be seen in and around the loughs and estuaries of Ireland, with sites such as Lough Neagh in the North, and the Shannon Estuary holding tens of thousands of Lapwing, Knot, Golden Plover and a host of others.

Each winter large numbers of northern gulls arrive in northern and western counties. Perhaps Killybegs in Donegal is the most famous, with Iceland and Glaucous Gulls occurring in double figures every winter. In recent years `smithsonianus` Herring Gulls have been found, while Killybegs also played host to a superb adult Thayer`s Gull, which attracted a very appreciative audience during its three-week stay.

Ireland holds one last superb attraction to the visiting birder - solitude. Ireland is uncrowded,and combined with beautiful unspoilt scenery, will make for an exciting and unforgettable birdwatching experience. Birding is still in its youth in Ireland and its not unusual to spend a midweek day at one of Europe`s hotspots in perfect weather conditions, at the right time of the year, and not meet another birder.

Though we are completely open to customizing birding tours around your special interests and needs, even having some winter trips we'd like to take you on, here are four suggested itineraries just to give you an idea of what is possible here:

The Corncrake, once a common summer visitor, is now a globally endangered species, with an increasingly fragmented population. Its rasping 'Crek-Crek ' call, once a familiar sound of the Irish countryside is now little more than a memory in many of its former breeding areas. While parts of eastern Europe contain small breeding populations, the Shannon Callows in Ireland represents one of the species' last strongholds in western Europe.

We shall be visiting this 'Corncrake oasis' early in the morning and listen to these rare and elusive birds calling from the dense hay meadows, its favoured habitat. If we're lucky we may even glimpse one moving through the grass, or calling, head above the cover looking for trespassing males. It is important that no disturbance is caused to these birds so patience is a virtue! Many previous trips have resulted in seeing the males do their distinctive flight displays, the bright ornage wings and dangling legs being so obvious.

While Corncrakes represent the main purpose of our visit, the Shannon Callows also afford an excellent opportunity to see some of our breeding wader species. Redshanks commonly display over their nesting areas while the distinctive drumming display flight of the Snipe is a familiar sight and sound. A variety of warblers are also to be found along the Callows and we should encounter the beautiful Whinchat.

From here, we can travel up into the Slieve Blooms, the scenic mountain range of Tipperary, home to Hen Harriers and Red Grouse, with woodland birds and Dippers on the rivers. This midlands trip is designed specifically to see these target species, but the variety of habitat we will be birding in will produce many more.

THE SEABIRD TRIP
In summer, Ireland plays host to huge numbers of seabirds, and we can travel to a variety of some of the best areas. Witnessing the activity at a Gannet colony, or watching the comings and goings of thousands of Puffins, Razorbills and other seabirds will prove a memorable experience. Ireland's westerly location in Europe has made it one of the best seawatching spots in Europe. In some years huge numbers of Great Shearwaters can be seen off the Irish coast, usually in August and September.

Sites like Cape Clear Island in Cork record large movements of common seabirds like Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Fulmar and Kittiwake, while scarcer species such as Skuas (Jaegers), Cory`s, Sooty and Great Shearwaters are regularly encountered. In recent times Soft-plumaged (Fea`s) Petrels has become annual. Other hot spots for sea watching including the Bridges-of-Ross, Co. Clare, and Kilcummin Head, Mayo, have become Mecca`s for sea watchers.

Depending on suitable weather conditions we will make our way to the beautiful and remote headlands which will offer one of the most exciting birdwatching spectacles.

THE WEXFORD TRIP
Lying in the sunny south-east, Wexford is home to a wealth of breeding birds including the superb tern colonies of Lady's Island Lake. Here we shall stroll around the island and watch the busy activities of Sandwich, Arctic and Common Terns. Lady's Island is also home to the rare and exquisite Roseate Tern. We should also encounter Great Crested and Little Grebes, resplendent in their summer plumage.

Wexford is also the home of warblers, ducks and rails which can be found in the extensive reed-beds of Tacumshin Lake. Our leaders will also be watching for Cuckoos and the rare Marsh Harrier which often frequents these areas in early summer.

The seabird colonies off the Wexford coast are also renowned, and we shall be spending time watching the passing Razorbills, Guillemots, Gannets, and hopefully, Puffins and Manx Shearwaters as they commute to and from the Saltee Islands. Our vantage point lies in the south-west area of Lady's Island with the Saltee Islands just offshore.

THE WICKLOW TRIP
The remote vales of Glendalough and Glenmalure, set high in the Wicklow Mountains, provide an ideal setting for this informal birding experience. The mature deciduous woodlands of Glendalough are our first stop. The highly vocal warblers like Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler singing high in the dense canopy, will probably be the first group we shall encounter. Higher up in the valley, we shall listen for the quiet notes of the shy Blackcap. While helping to identify these species by song, Eric will endeavour to ensure that everyone obtains good views of all the warblers.

We may also see the elusive Irish race of Jay, while Spotted Flycatchers, Treecreepers and Long-tailed Tits also breed in these bird-rich woodlands. It is always possible that we may encounter the distant songs of the rare Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher or Redstart which occasionally occur in these valleys. Their rich songs may add an unexpected bonus to our day.

On the lakes, Goosanders can often be found. After our sojourn in the beautiful woods of Glendalough, we shall continue into the Glenmalure Valley where we hope to hear, and with luck, see the shy and secretive Ring Ouzel which inhabits the scree slopes above the Barrovore Ford. Wheatears, Meadow Pipits and Grey Wagtails are also found in this valley while overhead the spectacular flights of Peregrine Falcons are frequently seen.

Ravens nest high on the cliffs above while in the coniferous forests we may encounter the small, colourful Siskin or even a small flock of Crossbills flying over. The elusive Dipper, a white water river specialist may also be encountered.