Ireland s coastal wind farms: An ill wind for seabirds? irishtimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from irishtimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
David Mullen pays a visit to the birdwatchers paradise off Co. Wexford
Located around five kilometres off Kilmore Quay, the Saltee Islands (Little and Great Saltee) are home to an enormous colony of nesting sea birds. Gannets, puffins, shags, razorbills, guillemots, fulmars and kittiwakes all provide huge interest to naturalists, while grey seals inhabit the waters around the islands.
Such is the importance of the Saltees’ natural heritage that they form part of a Special Area of Conservation designed to protect the wildlife from unwarranted interference. In doing so, they provide an irresistible lure to birdwatchers and photographers.
Likely inhabited in Neolithic times, the name of the islands stems from the Norse words ‘saltr’ meaning salt and ‘ey’ meaning island”. An ogham stone found on the islands indicates a presence (and probably a church) there in the early-Christian period (sixth to ninth century), though, after the Normans arrived nearby, the islands later p
1. Howth Head cliff walk, Dublin
Dublin can be heaven and there are few more heavenly hikes in the city than the one around Howth Head. Easily accessible by Dart or bus services, the various signposted looped walks all go via Howth harbour, with plenty of options for eating and drinking. My favourite is the Bog of Frogs trail with the variety of woodland, heath and stunning coastal cliffs. The real highlight is the marine wildlife, best enjoyed on calm days when you re likely to see seals, the sea pig (muc mara, or harbour porpoise) and maybe even a bottle-nosed dolphin. Binoculars are recommended. There are seabirds at all times, but, in summer, the cliffs are alive with breeding colonies of kittiwakes, guillemots, herring gulls, fulmars and more.
The top 10 places to see Irish wildlife independent.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from independent.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.