Kerry’s shoreline and landscape offer top spots for birdwatchers

KERRY’S eclectic and natural landscape make it a prime location for birdwatching enthusiasts. Whether it’s along the shoreline, or within one of the many parks and woodlands dotted throughout the county, there’s plenty of native and visitor species to keep you busy. The Gannet is the largest seabird and its worth picking a location in south and west Kerry to catch a glimpse of this guy plunging into the water as they hunt for fish. The Little Skellig Island is home to Ireland’s second largest gannetry in Ireland. Other seabirds of note are the Puffin and the Cormorant - the latter is easy to spot as it perches itself on a rock with its outstretched wings as though it were drying itself. It’s a great sight to see. A little more inland along the Stacks Mountain there’s a chance of seeing the rare Hen Harrier which is a protected species. Mountain forestry and upland heath areas are also a great place to see ravens and kestrels, the latter’s hunting technique is great to watch as it hovers over ditches and drains waiting to catch a glimpse of rodents down below. Skylarks have also become scarce in recent years, but some of Kerry’s countryside and sand dunes are home to what is a charming species with a beautiful song. A birdwatching trip to Kerry is a fantastic way of seeing all the county in its glory and there’s some great accommodation to be had close to key vantage points. The Kerry Birdwatching Branch also organise regular fieldtrips and if you are considering a trip to the Kingdom, then contact Birdwatch Ireland for more information on what to see and where to see it.