Howth Head

Seasonal Interest:
Spring: Passerine migrants including occasional Ring Ouzel. A Grasshopper Warbler was on Howth Head 22.04.2004.

Summer: Breeding Fulmar, Kittiwake, Guillemot, Black Guillemot and Razorbill. There are Shelduck (breeding?) in the Doldrum Bay area. Gannet from the colony on Ireland's Eye are plentiful offshore. Two Carrion Crow were on the Head 01.05.2004. Skylark and Stonechat are plentiful in the rough ground above the cliffs. The scrub above Balscadden Bay was reliable for Whitethroat in 2004.

Autumn: Sea passage of shearwaters, petrels, skuas. Passerine migrants including occasional Redstart, Whinchat, Blackcap. A Pallas's Warbler was found at Balscadden on 17.10.2003.

Winter: Occasional Snow Buntings on the harbour piers. Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe and Great Northern Diver in the bay off the south coast.
mainly from: Special Protection Areas for Birds in Ireland, Dúchas 2002.

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Getting there ...

The DART (01-8366222) serves Howth village, via Sutton.
By Dublin Bus (01-8734222) #31/31A to Howth village from Lr. Abbey Street. Also #31B from Lr. Abbey Street to Howth stn. via the summit, all via Sutton X.

Access: Public cliff walk from Balscadden Bay, east of Howth Harbour, to the Bailey Lighthouse and onward to Sutton along the south side of the head.