Ireland - October - Galway then Drumcree

[ktjensen]

Hello,

My wife and I will be making a trip to Ireland in end of October. We will visit ancient history sites in Galway area (first and second day from Shannon airport) with ferry ride to Inismor; and for day trips from Drumcree area (out for day trips over several days).

Since we are visiting only once every few years we did not want to buy a guide that we would just use for a week. We did buy a BIRDS OF EUROPE guide by Mullarney, etc. (is it any good?).

Can someone recommend good inland birding areas around Drumcree?

Also what birds could we expect to keep a look out for in Galway? Rare gulls maybe?

Kevin & Sally

[Brosnabirder]

Hello Kevin and Sally,
The Mullarney et al guide is presumably the Collins guide. If so its very good indeed although many species covered are of course not found in Ireland.
It is always worth looking out for unusual gulls in Galway. Nimmos Pier is both the best and most easily accessible place to do so. I live there during the week.
The local branch of Birdwatch Ireland has a website with a sightings section. www.birdwatchgalway.org Also the Local Patch thread for Galway on Birdforum is proving popular and a good source of info. It would be worth keeping an eye on both of these in the run up to your visit. The Aran Islands have some potential for passage migrants in the right conditions. I however am very far from being a local expert and others will be able to answer your query much more thoroughly.
I know you are not too interested in buying a where to watch guide but a new one by Dempsey and O'Clery "Finding Birds in Ireland" is very good indeed, attractively laid out and pinpoints what the vistor might expect and where.
Do you mean Drumcree in Northern Ireland?
Hope this helps but as I said there are others with a far more in depth knowledge of Galway birding than I.

[ktjensen]

Hello Kevin and Sally,
The Mullarney et al guide is presumably the Collins guide. If so its very good indeed although many species covered are of course not found in Ireland.
It is always worth looking out for unusual gulls in Galway. Nimmos Pier is both the best and most easily accessible place to do so. I live there during the week.

Do you mean Drumcree in Northern Ireland?
Hope this helps but as I said there are others with a far more in depth knowledge of Galway birding than I.


the guide i have is the PRINCETON GUIDE for BIRDS OF EUROPE.

Drumcree in c. MEATH so I guess that is a small town.

[Brosnabirder]

The Princeton guide appears to be the same book that we Europeans calll the Collins Guide. Apparently there has been some confusion about titles. See www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=105750
On Co.Meath the County Louth thread on Birdforum may be of some help to you. Co.Louth [as you're probably aware] is only a short trip from any point in Co. Meath.
Also look at Birdwatch Ireland's website. www.birdwatchireland.ie The links page will give you a list of the websites of all local branches of Birdwatch Ireland. Some of the neighbouring counties may include occcasional sightings from Meath.
Also may i suggest posing your question on both the local patch threads for Galway and Louth on Birdforum. Very friendly bunch on both threads who no doubt will have lots of suggestions for you.
By the way I was not aware there was a Drumcree in Co. Meath at all.
Drumcree to most Irish people means an area in Northern Ireland synomynous with sectarian tension. Thankfully however those days are fading from memory.
Have a good holiday.

[ktjensen]

Also may i suggest posing your question on both the local patch threads for Galway and Louth on Birdforum.

Thank you so much for the advice and guidance. I will check out the other discussion threads and see what kind of responses I get.

It is good to know that my wife and I did get a great bird guide (Princeton - aka Collins). I was reading it last night and noticed lots of great reference notes, though the location maps are very small. Guess I am spoiled with my new edition NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC guide for the states.

P.S. if anyone needs advice on where, when, and what to bird in Connecticut (my home state); or in coastal Massechusetts, just ask. I have a few guides and I have been to a few places.

[Brosnabirder]

No problem. Far more knowledgable people than I will be able to help more. You'll find distribution maps on the Birdwatch Ireland website although this is a work in progress so not all species are covered. In Europe at least Collins also comes in a large format but its really more of a home reference than a field guide.

[Sancho]

Hi Ktjensen, I hope you have a great trip. I've never heard of any Drumcree in Co. Meath, but on poring over the maps I've found a tiny village near Dunshaughlin called "Drumree". Is this your destination? I'd strongly recommend the Dempsey/O'Clery book that Brosnabirder recommended, I know it's only for a week but it'll pinpoint locations for you so you'll save time, it's got great maps and is fully cross-referenced as regards species, etc. Co. Meath is beautiful, the Boyne Valley is a treat for archaeological sites and scenery. A colleague of mine lives in Co. Meath, I'll ask him next week about birding sites at the time of your visit. Best Wishes!

[birdsgalway]

There is a Village in County Westmeath named Drumcree
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drumcree,_County_Westmeath

[Sancho]

Good Spot, Tom! Indeed there is, and not too far from Loughs Derravaragh/Ennell/Owel!:t: