Ireland – a birdwatching experience

Ireland is now recognised as one of the best birdwatching destinations in Europe and the reasons are very easy to understand. It has some of the largest breeding seabird colonies in the world, huge flocks of wintering shorebirds and wildfowl (ducks and geese), and a dramatic autumn seabird passage. In spring and autumn there is also the possibility of seeing a host of rare and unusual migrant species. The other great attraction for birdwatchers is the ease with which many birds can be seen. In summer, a stroll along Howth Head in Dublin will yield a dizzying variety of seabirds while in autumn and winter our tidal estuaries are crammed with shorebirds and ducks.

Ireland is also unique in that, by comparison to most European countries, it has been isolated as an island for approximately 8,000 years. As a result Ireland has three distinct subspecies of breeding birds, Coal Tit, Jay and Dipper. In addition, the islands of the western and northern seaboard are the last strong hold of the globally threatened Corncrake while Dublin and Wexford hold large breeding populations of the rare and exquisite Roseate Tern. Some of these birds are the 'must-see' species for any birdwatcher.

Lying on the western edge of Europe, Ireland is ideally located to attract birds. Our climate, dominated by the mild Atlantic weather systems, rarely suffers the harsh winter weather which grips our European neighbours each year. Our comparatively mild winters provide rich, soft feeding for thousands of waders, while our wet climate creates the necessary wetlands for countless wildfowl . As well as that, our relatively snow-free weather provides ideal wintering grounds for migrant thrushes and finches, while our resident species enjoy a lower winter mortality rate than those on mainland Europe.

Ireland's hedgerows are also a very unique feature of our countryside. The thousands of miles of hedgerows, which meander across the landscape, are home to resident birds like Wrens, Robins, Dunnocks and Blackbirds. In summer, these ancient land boundaries are alive with songs of visiting warblers like Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs. In more western counties, the repetitive call of the Cuckoo is the harbinger of summer while the first Swallow of the year is noted in all the national newspapers. In our woodlands the summer dawn chorus is a cacophony of sound with the musical songs of thrushes, warblers, robins and wrens. Blackcaps, a summer visitor to our shores, have become more common in recent years and their beautiful melodies add a touch of class to the symphony!

Our hedgerows and woodlands can appear very quiet in late autumn and winter but this isn't so. Mistle and Song Thrushes clear bushes and trees clean of their berries by early winter while Siskins and Blue, Great and Coal Tits feed in dizzying rotation on the treetops. In gardens, Robins, Dunnocks, Chaffinches and Blackbirds feed on open lawns. A birdtable or nutfeeders will attract an eager selection of hungry visitors like Greenfinches and Goldfinches.

Ireland holds one last superb attraction to the visiting birdwatcher - solitude. Birdwatching is still in its youth in Ireland and it’s not unusual to spend a mid-week day at one of Europe’s hotspots, in perfect weather conditions, at the right time of the year, and not meet another soul. The opportunity of finding your own birds is unique. Ireland is un-crowded and, combined with beautiful unspoilt scenery, will make for an exciting and unforgettable birdwatching experience.

To discover Ireland’s birdwatching experience for yourself, you can hire bird expert Eric Dempsey as your personal guide. Contact Eric at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it