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County Cork is the most southerly and the largest of the modern counties of Ireland. Cork is nicknamed "The Rebel County", as a result of the support of the townsmen of Cork in 1491 for Perkin Warbeck, a pretender to the throne of England during the Wars of the Roses. In more recent times, the name has referred to the prominent role Cork played in the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) and its position as an anti-treaty stronghold during the Irish Civil War (1922-23). Attractions include the Blarney Stone and Cobh (formerly Queenstown), the port where many Irish emigrants boarded for their voyage to the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or South Africa and also the last stop of the Titanic, before departing on its doomed journey. The city of Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and largest city in the province of Munster. |
Ballycotton
Satellite ViewLying in east Cork, Ballycotton has entered into the legends of European birding. A mixture of habitat from open bay (with a lighthouse); lagoons, intertidal flats, pools, reed beds and excellent hedgerows and gardens in the town make this an ideal birding venue in spring and autumn. It is the waders that have really placed Ballycotton on the birding map. It defies logic what this small area has produced over the years. Mega birds include Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, Stilt, Least and Broad-billed Sandpipers and Greater Yellowlegs. Regular waders include Baird`s, White-rumped, Pectoral, Semi-palmated, Wood and Green Sandpipers, with Temminck`s Stints and Kentish Plover also recorded. In addition the area has even produced Stone Curlew, with Red-footed Falcon and Black Kite also seen. On the passerine front, Citrine Wagtail, Greenish Warbler and Lesser Grey Shrike are but a few of the big finds that Ballycotton has unfolded. The whole area is easy to do and the village has a fantastic atmosphere (and some great pubs and B&Bs). And if the weather is bad, and its too wet and windy for the beach, take a look off the back of the cliffs…the sea watching is also excellent with large shearwaters, skuas and Sabine Gulls seen most years.
Cape Clear Island
Satellite ViewSituated off the southwestern coast of Cork, Cape Clear Island is another of Ireland's hotspots that has acquired legendary status. Reached by a ferry crossing from Baltimore, Cape has operated a manned observatory since 1959. The current obs is situated in the north harbour where the ferry lands. Accommodation is hostel style while holiday homes and B&Bs provide an alternative. Cape's fame is for the number of rare and unusual vagrants that find their way to the island and for the massive seabird movements that occur off the tip of Blanan, Ireland's most southern point. In spring, Cape is best visited from mid-April to late May where European migrants move through the island. Regular spring vagrants include Golden Oriole and Hoopoe, while last year, the island recorded Scop's Owl, Short-toed lark and, if accepted, Ireland's first Calandra Lark. In autumn the best times for visiting begin in early August when the seabird passage begins. During this month it's not unusual to see thousands of Great, Cory's and Sooty Shearwaters, skuas, Storm Petrels with Fea's Petrel seen every year since the mid-90s. In recent years birders have found Wilson's Petrels and Black-browed Albatross. While the seabirds are a great attraction, the autumn on Cape can produce anything from anywhere.
In October 1999, birders looking at one of two Little Buntings found Ireland's first Chimney Swift. The list of goodies seen defies listing here but highlights include Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, American Redstart, Red-eyed Vireo's, Yellow-rumped and Blackpoll Warblers etc. Perhaps one of the most incredible sights was of a Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler and a Swainsons Thrush seen in the same bush at the same time. A small piece of this nature simply does not do justice to the superb birding and general great fun of the Cape Clear experience.
Mark Shorten
mshorten@indigo.ie
Books, CDs etc.
For Ireland wide information see the Fatbirder Ireland page - many topics are covered on a geographical basis so also see the United Kingdom or Europe pages...Cape Clear Bird Observatory
ObservatorySatellite View
Cape Clear Bird Observatory is famous as a centre for watching North Atlantic seabirds and a location for seeing rare passerine bird migrants in autumn. The Observatory is wardened and offers hostel type accommodation to ten visitors. It will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 1998 and a new book on the island is planned. Access is straightforward. There is a daily ferry service from Baltimore, only an hours drive from Cork Airport.
Warden: Steve King - Bird Observatory, Cape Clear, Skibbereen, Co. Cork. 00 353 2839181 stevewing@eircom.net
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2003 [August] Christopher Matthews - Clonakilty, Kinsale, and Cork
ReportAlthough I was not going primarily to Birdwatch in Ireland for a week any chance I have to explore new countries, I take what chance I can to observe the local Wildlife. I was touring as a groupie for my Fathers Ceilidh Band for the week in and around Clonakilty venturing to Cork and Kinsale later in the week. I took some time out along with my Father on our day off to see what was about on the local Estuary, cataloguing any birds we saw extra as we continued through our daily schedule...
Cork City Wildlife
BlogA humble wildlife blog, this is my attempt to share my love for amateur wildlife photography as well as my enthusiasm for all forms of wildlife in the Irish city of Cork…
Birdwatching Clonakilty
WebsiteBirdwatching around Clonakilty Bay can be very rewarding. It affords easy access and viewing all around both estuaries and lagoons. Sea watching can be done from Dunmore or the Virgin Mary`s Bank on Inchydoney Island. Don`t forget to have a look around the islands dune systems...
Galley Head Birding
WebsiteA birding BLOG from Galley in Co Cork...
Photographer - Graham Clarke
GalleryMy name is Graham Clarke and I am an Irish birder living in Cork City, Ireland. I first became interested in birds at the tender age of 8 when I found a bird book in my national school library and became hooked from that point onward...
Webcams - Karl Grabe
GalleryWebcam and still bird pictures from Cork...
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This site was last updated on Sunday, 29th January 2012.
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