Birdwatching around The Beara Peninsula.
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This is what they have to say about Dursey Island and Garnish on The Wild Atlantic Way, Beara Peninsula, West Cork.
Wings Winter edition 2009
Target Species: Black Redstart, Lesser Whitethroat, Yellow-browed Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Firecrest, Chough.
Access: From Castletown Berehaven, travel westwards in the direction of Allihies, keeping to the southern side of the peninsula until one reaches Barnes Gap. Here, take the left-hand turn, signposted for Dursey Island. This brings you to the Dursey cable-car, which services the island. It also passes the turn -off for Garnish Pier, approximately 2km before the cable-car.
Habitats: Rocky headlands, cliffs, small gardens and hedgerows.
Birds: Dursey Island is approximately 7km long and interesting birds can turn up anywhere. There are a few private gardens but the habitat is primarily grass fields and low hedgerows. Viewing is mostly possible from the paths. The cliffs at the western end are spectacular, as are the views. The grass sward at the tip is very attractive to Choughs, flocks of which can sometimes exceed 50 birds. Land migrants can be found anywhere on the island. Regular autumn passage migrants include Black Redstart, Yellow-browed Warbler and Firecrest, while some of the rarer species seen there have included Ovenbird, Northern Parula, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler and Arctic Redpoll.
Dunboy Cottage, Fuhir, Castletownbere, Beara Peninsula, West Cork, Ireland P75AC89
Tel: +353 27 71717 • Email: bellatrixireland@gmail.com