Irish bird sites K. Preston his list of 51 Irish ornithological sites is intended to give an indication of Tthe types of habitat and species encountered at areas chosen for their variety and geographical distribution; it is not an attempt to catalogue the localities most important for conservation considerations. Consequently, the selection has been arbitrary and a number of important sites have been omitted, so that a representative cross-section of Irish habitats—with a few exceptions, all readily accessible to the visiting ornithologist—can be included. It must be emphasised that certain features for which Ireland is ornitho- logically important cannot be readily assigned to definite sites, and other phenomena, such as the large-scale seabird passages for which Cape Clear Island has become famous, can be observed at a large number of sites. The vast hordes of Golden Plovers and Lapwings wintering in Ireland form, to a large degree, a mobile population moving from place to place; similarly, the huge flocks of thrushes and finches moving into the country ahead of hard weather in Europe cannot be associated with specific areas. A perusal of the following list displays a heavy bias towards areas definable as wetlands. This arises from the country's international importance as a wintering ground and passage halt for large numbers of waders and wildfowl, the subject of a separate paper in this issue (pages 72-80). Also featuring prominently in the listing are seabird sites, which, in view of their international importance, are also described in more detail separately (see pages 80-85). While it will be obvious that the following localities have much to offer the birdwatcher visiting Ireland in spring, autumn or winter, those coming in summer who are unattracted to seabird colonies may consider their interests neglected by the selection offered. The variety of species breeding in the country is substantially lower than in Britain and many as familiar there as woodpeckers, certain warblers, and some tits are very scarce or absent from Ireland as breeders and in many cases unrecorded or noted as vagrants at best. On the other hand, a few northern species, such as Red-throated Diver, Common Scoter and Red-necked Phalarope reach the southern limit of their breeding range here. While limited in variety, the country, particularly the western region, has something special to offer in 62 [Brit. Birds 73: 62-71, February 1980] Irish bird sites 63 good stocks of Corncrakes, Black Guillemots, Rock Doves and Choughs. Some visitors may find interest in the distinctive Irish subspecies of certain species. For those seeking further data on the localities, the most important sources of additional information are given in the following list. Few county avifaunas have been published, but those available (Hutchinson 1975, Merne 1974, Stapleton 1975, Whilde 1977) give a varying degree of atten­ tion to localities within their area. In addition, Sharrock (1976) mapped the breeding distribution of all nesting species, Hutchinson (1979) treated all Fig. 1. Locations of 51 sites listed on pages 64-71 64 Irish bird sites wetland areas of any importance and Cramp et al. (1974) gave an account of the seabird populations. Finally, Some Irish Bird Haunts (1975), a booklet issued by the Forest and Wildlife Service, Dublin, lists 106 localities with brief details. 1 Copeland Islands, Down Group of three low islands, totalling 108 ha, at entrance to Belfast Lough. Bird observatory on Lighthouse Island, established 1959. McKee (1976). Observatory work mainly concerned with ringing. Small colony of Manx Shearwaters; gull and tern colonies; breeding Eiders. Day trips from Bangor and Donaghadee. 2 Strangford Lough, Down Almost land-locked inlet of sea, 25 km in length, with numerous islands and extensive areas of mudflats. About seven refuges and sanctuaries within area. Wildfowl and waders, particularly in autumn, with Brent Geese (up to 10,000) and Wigeons (20,000); wintering Whooper Swans (600) and Knots (30,000), Breeding gulls and terns. Best areas in northern section from Newtownards south to Ardmillan on A22 and to Greyabbey on A20. 3 Carlingford Lough, Down/Louth Fjord-type lough running southeast of Newry, with areas of mudflats in narrow channel to latter and around Greencastie at mouth. Wintering grebes, wildfowl and waders, particularly Scaups and Long-tailed Ducks. Roads run along shoreline on either side of lough. 4 Dundalk Bay, Louth Broad, shallow bay, about 20 km wide, with very extensive areas of exposed sand and mud at low tide. Main high tide roosts at South Marsh and Lurgan Green. Part sanctuary. Wintering and passage waders, notably Oystercatchers (10,000, with up to 20,000 in autumn) and Bar-tailed Godwits (7,000); few wildfowl. Access via by-roads offTl south of Dundalk. 5 Rogerstown Estuary, Dublin Broad, muddy estuary, 3 km long, with areas of sattmarsh and sand spit at mouth; divided by railway causeway. Sanctuary. Hutchinson (1975), Rochlbrd (1975). Wintering wildfowl and waders, particularly Brent Geese and Wigeons; passage waders. Lambay Island, 5 km off mouth, is principal east-coast auk and Cormorant colony; also holds wintering Barnacle and Greylag Geese. Access by by-roads offTl 5 km north of Swords; Lambay Island privately owned (see also page 81). 6 North Bull, Dublin Low island of saltmarsh and sand-dunes with probably highest concentration of wildfowl and waders of any Irish wetland. Large resident population, but also acts as high-tide roost for much of Dublin Bay. Sanctuary. Best-documented wetland in Ireland. Jeffrey (1977), Kennedy (1953). Very large number and variety of wintering wildfowl and waders, notably Brent Geese, Pintails, Knots, Bar-tailed Godwits and Grey Plovers; Avocets winter regularly; passage waders. Connected to Dublin-Howth coast road by causeway. 7 Wicklow Mountains, Wicklow (plate 10) Largest area of continuous high ground in Ireland, containing areas of open moorland, conifer forest and native oakwood. Several lakes, including artificial reservoir at Poulaphouca. Noonan(1975). Typical upland species include Ring Ouzel, Red Grouse and Hen Harrier; wooded glens hold most of country's few breeding Wood Warblers and, occasionally, Redstarts. Wintering Greylag Geese near power station at Poulaphouca. Numerous access roads and tracks. Irish bird sites 65 10. Glenmalure, VVicklow Mountains, Co. Wicklow, 1967 (DavidScott) 8 Wexford Harbour and Slobs, Wexford Broad, sandy estuary of River Slaney, protected from sea by long sand spit terminating at Rosslare Point. Situated behind sea-walls on either side ofharbour are North and South Slobs, totalling about 2,000 ha of farmed land reclaimed in 19th century. Area as a whole contains very diverse habitats, including unstable sandy islands. Part of North Slob is a refuge, with warden and facilities for visitors. Merne (1974). Very large number and variety of wintering wildfowl and waders includes Greenland White-fronted Geese (5,200), Pintails (900), Bewick's Swans (700) and Black-tailed Godwits (1,200); passage waders include up to 100 Spotted Redshanks; breeding gulls and terns in harbour. North Slob Refuge and information centre signposted from Wexford on L29. 9 Lady's Island Lake, Wexford Shallow lagoon, separated from sea by shingle bank, with low island 1 km long connected to land by causeway. Merne (1974). Wintering ducks and swans; good variety of passage waders in autumn; breeding gulls and terns on shingle bank. Access south ofTagoat off T8. 10 Tacumshin Lake, Wexford (plate 11) Tidal lagoon behind shingle bank and dunes with variable extent of saltmarsh and mudflats depending on state of flooding; reedbeds at White Hole. Western end most productive. Merne (1974). Wintering wildfowl include Brent Geese and Scaups; waders in autumn; large Herring Gull breeding colony. White Hole attracts Bewick's Swans and Ruffs. Access via by-roads south of Tomhaggard off L29. 11 Saltee Islands, Wexford Two uninhabited islands of 86 and 40 ha off Kilmore Quay. Only large seabird colony in southeastern Ireland. Site of former bird observatory (1950-63). Sanctuary. Perry & Warburton (1977), Roche & Merne (1977), Ruttledge (1963). See also page 81. Breeding seabirds, especially Gannets, Cormorants, Shags, Kittiwakes and auks. Noted for large spring and autumn passage movements and vagrants. Access by boat from Kilmore Quay. 66 Irish bird sites 11. Aerial view ofTacumshin Lake, Co. Wexford, April 1973 (OscarJ. Merne) 12 Hook Head,Wexford Long, exposed promontory, with low rocky cliffs and lighthouse. Merne (1974). Best sea-watching point on southeast coast and most easterly regular breeding haunt of Choughs on south coast. Outstanding mainland point for migrants and vagrants. Road from Fethard to tip of head. 13 Tramore Bay, Waterford Large area of saltmarsh and mudflats behind sand dunes holding highest concentration of wildfowl in Waterford. Wintering wildfowl, particularly Brent Geese; notable for spring passage of Grey Plovers. Access by various roads from Tramore. 14 Coolfin Marshes, Waterford Callows and marshes beside River Suir near Portlaw. Sanctuary. About 200 Greylag Geese winter; also ducks and swans. Beside L26 at junction for Portlaw. 15 Dungarvan Bay, Waterford Broad, circular bay, bisected by sand spit inside which are areas of saltmarsh and mudflats and outside extensive sandflats with Zostera beds. Waders include godwits, Grey Plovers, Oystercatchers and Knots; most westerly Brent Goose haunt on south coast. Various roads from Dungarvan give access to shore. 16 Ballymacoda, Cork Estuary of Womanagh River, with saltmarsh and mudflats, surrounded by marshy fields; separated from Pilmore Strand by sand spit. Smiddy (1977). Large concentration of wildfowl and waders for size, including Golden Plovers (up to 13,000), Lapwings (8,000) and Black-tailed Godwits. Various by-roads give access to shore. Irish bird sites 67 17 Lismore Callows, Waterford Callows beside River Blackwater. Number of birds dependent on state of flooding, with few present when dry. Good numbers of Wigeons and Black-tailed Godwits; smaller numbers of swans and ducks.