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Bird Watching
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Relatively small numbers
of birds appear at all times, however the species variety is excellent
and two species appear in the area in International important numbers.
The Barnacle Geese flock, which frequents
the area, can often be found on the North shore of the Lough feeding the
fields around Malin Hall. This species has been recorded in increasing
numbers in recent years, with a winter population of approximately 560
birds. However this flock does fragment from time to time and is often
highly mobile, feeding in areas as far apart Inishtrahull and Glashedy
Islands. |
The Pale bellied Brent Goose arrives in Inishowen from west Greenland
and Eastern Canada, and Trawbreaga holds on average 350 of these birds,
this is an increase of 100% since the 1970's probably due to the fact
that Trawbreaga is a Wildfowl sanctuary and the Brent goose has been
protected since the 1960's when the species was endanger of becoming
extinct.
Trawbreaga also holds species of bird which are of National or local
importance, these species are to include, Ringed Plover, Shelduck, Teal,
Wigeon, Lapwing and Dunlin. It is also an important staging point for
wildfowl and waders that are stopping of on there migration southwards.
Other species recorded regularly here include, Greenland white fronted
goose, Pink footed goose, Greylag goose, Bewick and whooper swan Black
tailed and Bar tailed Godwits.
Other interesting or rare species to have appeared here include,
American Wigeon, Wood and Green Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Curlew
Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Stint and Avocet.
LOUGH SWILLY
This large fjord beginning at Letterkenny and ending at Fanad Head is
rich with a wide variety of habitats and bird species. Due to its size
it is often treated as a number of smaller sites, e.g. Inch Is, Blanket
Nook thus degraded the areas overall value of bird species and habitats.
The Lough itself, holds international important numbers of Whooper
Swans, White fronted geese and Brent Geese.
The mouth of the Lough around Dunree Head is also an excellent vantage
point for seabird watching, and with a Northwest wind large number of
Auks, Shearwaters and Skua can be blown onshore. During the summer
months Red throated Diver can be found feeding in the small bays that
indent into the west coast of the peninsula.
(Here we will concentrate on the two most important sites within Lough
Swilly).
INCH ISLAND and BLANKET NOOK
Situated on the Southwest corner of Inishowen lies Inch Island and
Blanket Nook. Between Inch Island and the mainland lies and area of
drained polder land which has an area of 1,200 hectares. Here Whooper
Swans are of International importance with on average 300 birds spending
the winter. However Whooper swans are highly mobile species with
individuals or flocks moving to feed or roost in the Port Lough, Blanket
Nook area or Lough Foyle so number can fluctuate greatly. The highest
number are usually in the Spring or the Autumn when the Inch Levels are
used as a staging point as the birds are heading for or returning from
there breeding grounds in Iceland and Greenland. Quail can be heard
occasionally during the summer on the Polder land.
Blanket Nook is just a little further to the Southwest and is almost
like a small Inch Lough. For many years this area suffered from the use
of shotguns but since been declared a wildfowl sanctuary both numbers
and varieties of species have increased. Large numbers of birds commute
to and from the Nook, Greylag and White fronted geese are regular, and
other species such as Shoveler, and Gadwall are frequently seen.
Other species such as Scaup, Goldeneye, Great Crested grebe, Pintail and
Red breasted Merganser are recorded in good numbers. Other rare birds
recorded here include Slavonian Grebe, Goosander, Smew, Surf Scoter and
Lesser Scaup.
LOUGH FOYLE
Situated to the East of the peninsula lies Lough Foyle. This is a vast
estuarine area and the vast areas of mud to the south hold the majority
of birds. However the Inishowen side is an important area for species
such as Teal, Knot and Brent Geese. The Lough itself has Internationally
important numbers of Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, Brent Geese Wigeon and
Bar-tailed Godwit, and upwards of 100,00 birds can be found in and
around the Lough during the winter. Up to 17,00 Wigeon can be found
here.
On the Inishowen side large number of birds can be found feeding on the
fields that are adjacent to the Lough. Here large numbers of Bar tailed
Godwit, curlew other species of wader and the different varieties of
Swan and Geese can be found. Also in the fields adjacent to the Lough
one can find large flocks of all the thrush species to include,
Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle and Song thrush.
Between Muff and Quigley's point species such as Red breasted Merganser,
Common Gulls, Great Northern Divers and Carrion Crows are regularly
recorded throughout the year.
Between Greencastle and Dunagree point is perhaps the finest bird
watching area on the west shore of Lough Foyle. During the autumn and
winter months many species can be observed flying between Magilligan
Point and the Inishowen Peninsula. Seabirds flying or migrating along
the North coast often find themselves entering Lough Foyle. Species
recorded here include Razorbill, Guillemots, Black Guillemots and
Puffins, Arctic Skua are regularly recorded here in the autumn.
The rare and exotic birds to be recorded on Lough Foyle are to include
White Stork, Greater Flamingo.
With its wide ranging habitats and the size of the peninsula alone there
is a wide variety of habitats and bird species to be discovered.
Approximately 250 species of bird can be seen on the Inishowen peninsula
throughout the year, so as one may guess I have only skimmed across,
what is a wide-ranging and very interesting pursuit. There are five
areas dealt with here yet there are over fifty locations throughout the
Inishowen peninsula that would be of interest to any birdwatcher
visiting the area. Other areas of note include, Inishtrahull, the Garvan
Isles, Culdaff estuary, Rockstown and Tullagh bay, Kinnagoe, the
Mintiaghs lakes, Slieve Snaght and Loughs Inn and Fad to name a few.
So what of the future for birds in Inishowen, well a number of species
have become extinct, these are the Corn Bunting and the Grey Partridge.
The Red Grouse, Ring Ouzel, Yellowhammer and Corncrake are much reduced.
Though species such as the Coal tit, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and Blackcap
are all increasing, Inishowen appears to be in a time of transition,
with some species disappearing and other species taking their place.
With increasing numbers of Tree pipit, Wood Warbler, Reed Warbler and
Little Egret been recorded throughout Ireland and the reintroduction of
the Golden Eagle into Glenveagh National Park it is a matter of time
before these species find a home on the Inishowen peninsula |
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