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The shingle bank known as The Murrough stretches from Greystones south to Wicklow town. Inland of it, floodwaters are trapped in low lying marsh, channels and saltmarsh. It is best accessed from either the level crossing at Kilcoole or Newcastle, where parking is available. The 15 acre field immediately south of Kilcoole station is a BirdWatch Ireland reserve. The best views are obtained from the path along by the railway line: watch out for the occassional train! The whole area holds a good selection of wintering waterfowl - Brent, Greylag Geese, Whooper Swan, Shelduck, Widgeon, Teal, Lapwing, Snipe, Curlew, Redshank and Little Egret. Offshore look for Grebes and Divers. In spring and summer the marshes host nesting Redshank, Lapwing and Shelduck. The Sedge Warbler can be heard in the reed beds. Look for early arriving Swallow, Sand Martins and House Martins hawking over the reserve and the reed beds, early Sandwitch Tern over the beach and for Wheatear close to the railway line. Good views can sometimes be had of elusive Water Rail. Little Tern nest on the shingle beach north of the Breeches and are protected by an annual BWI wardening scheme. Kestrel and Sparrow Hawk are resident and Buzzard are occasional visitors.
In autumn Ruff and Curlew Sandpiper are regulars on migration. The area has seen many
rarities of late including Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Squocco Heron, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis,
Little Ringed Plover, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper
and Gyr Falcon.
Little Tern are our rarest breeding seabird with only 170 pairs on the island. Their choise
of nesting site on open shingle beaches leaves them very exposed to human disturbance, tidal
variation and predation by fox.
Since the introduction of the protection scheme in 1985 the colony in Kilcoole has grown to become the most important
breeding colony of Little Tern in Ireland.
2010 : 120 adult birds present, most North of the Breaches. 55 nests with 147 eggs; the first chicks are expected c. 8th June. 2006 : 98 pairs are nesting at Kilcoole this year - they are being wardened by BirdWatch Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Walk to the Breaches and they are easily viewed from the path along the beach. - Dick Coombes
2005 was an excellent year at Kilcoole. As of June 26th 100 pairs had nested and 95 young birds
had hatched from a total of 212 eggs. The colony is probably nearing its limit and birds have begun to spread southward
to beaches in Co. Wexford. By August 2005 A total of 130 nests were found, but unfortunately 50 of these were
either predated before hatching or were deserted. At last reports, 172 chicks have hatched and 159 of them have been ringed.
In 2004 there were 86 breeding pairs at Kilcoole. Since chicks can return to breed the third year after they
hatch, the outlook for the colony is bright.
2003 turned out to be a record year and a vindication of all the hard work put in by the
wardens. The maximun count was 234 adult birds present on
June 17th, including 77 pairs. 163 chicks were hatched.
2002 was not so successful: despite round the clock wardening, the colony was decimated by
a fox which got through the electric fence. 19 nests with 26 chicks were destroyed.
In June 2001 there were approx. 31 breeding pairs of Little Tern at Kilcoole.
Approximately 80 chicks were raised at
Kilcoole that year, making it the best year on record since the BirdWatch Ireland/Duchas
protection scheme started over 15 years ago.
Kilcoole Station now has several commuter trains (01-8366222) to and from the
city allowing a few hours to explore (weekdays & Sat only). Greystones nearer the city, but a good walk, has a DART (01-8366222) service.
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