Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow

Kilcoole BirdWatch Ireland Reserve

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.

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.

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 26^th 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.

In autumn Ruff and Curlew Sandpiper are regulars on migration. The area has seen many rarities of late including Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Squocco Heron, Glossy Ibis, Little Ringed Plover, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper and most recently Gyr Falcon.

Getting there ...
Kilcoole is ~30km from the city center on the N11/M11. Turn left in the Glen of the Downs for Delgany/Kilcoole. Turn left in Kilcoole village and continue for 1.5km to the station. The reserve and wetlands are immediately south ot the station.

Kilcoole Station now has several commuter trains (01-8366222) to and from the city allowing a few hours to explore. Greystones nearer the city, but a good walk, has a DART (01-8366222) service.
Kilcoole Village is served by Dublin Bus (01-8734222) #84 from Eden Quay.