Ireland's Eye

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Ireland's Eye, Co. Dublin

Shag (bg)

Fulmars on nest (bg)

Gannets at The Stacks (bg)

Great Black-backed Gull (bg)

Islands are by definition a place apart. Ireland's Eye is perhaps more so; being just 2 km from the capital, the contrast is even greater. Take the boat out there on a good dry day in early summer when the seabird colonies are crowded and you're in another world.

Straight off the boat you walk across rabbit burrows some of which are used by nesting Shelduck. Off the east side of the island there are rafts of Guillemots and Razorbills, and with luck a few Puffins. Further along, heading for the high ground, are cliffs teeming with the nests of auks, Kittiwakes and Fulmars. Lower down the cliff near the tide line you can look straight down on Shags on their nests. The noise is phenomenal and the smell only adds to the atmosphere!

Head up the path to the high point of the island keeping an eye out for the Great Black-backed Gulls which will dive bomb any intruder near their nest. Herring Gulls also nest on the open ground here.

It is good policy to stick to the trodden paths as it is only too easy to walk on well camouflaged chicks or eggs.

Over at the Stacks, Gannets have established an expanding colony which they share with the Kittiwakes for the moment. Along the cliffs running to the south, Fulmar and Kittiwakes nest in their hundreds. There is a large Cormorant colony on the rocky outcrop known as the Thulla.

Coming back on the beach to Carrigeen Bay watch out for the nests of Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher which are little more than scrapes in the gravel above the tideline. Look out in the channel between the island and Howth where Black Guillemots are common. There are two buildings on the island, a Martello tower from c1800 and the ruined church said to date from the 6th century. There is no fresh water on the island, so whatever you do, don't miss the boat!

Razorbill '08(bg) Guillemots '08(bg)

Gannets '08(bg) Oystercatcher '08(bg)

Click for large 85KB image

The following is taken from an RSPB website and refers to the South Stack seabird colony near Holyhead, Wales, but all the habits referred to apply to the birds on Ireland's Eye. http://www.rspb.org.uk/

THE SEABIRD YEAR

The auks (Guillemots, Razorbills & Puffins) have a very short breeding season - generally from late April to mid-August, although birds can visit breeding colonies for short periods any time from January. By August, most of the breeding birds will be back out at sea.

May
At South Stack, the first eggs are usually laid in the first week of May. The cliff ledges will be full of birds from now on with many a conflict as the birds seek to maintain their tiny personal spaces.
June
Chicks start to hatch from the beginning of June. The adults brood them closely to start with, so the chicks are hard to see. As the chicks grow, they become slightly easier to see -they look like miniature, fluffey versions of the adults. This is the busiest time of year at the colony. The adults need to bring in a constant supply of fish to feed the young.
July
By the middle of the month, some of the chicks will be almost two-thirds adult size - and almost ready to leave the cliffs. When they do, they won't return until the following year.
August
The numbers of seabirds on the cliffs drops off sharply now as chicks are called down to the sea by their parents. The chicks may have to jump as much as 150 metres to reach the safety of the sea. Most of them do this on still, dark nights, away from prying eyes of predators.
Once the chicks have reached the sea, the whole family will paddle out to sea. Many head from South Stack to the good feeding grounds in the west of the Irish Sea. During this time the adults will undergo their annual feather moult. For up to three weeks, they will be flightless as their new feathers grow.
August-December
The auks disperse through the Irish Sea. Some guillemots get as far south as the Bay of Biscay.
December-April
A general return to waters nearer breeding sites takes place. Sometimes whole colonies appear back on the breeding cliffs during calm periods for a day or two at a time from January onwards.

Some grabs from RTE ONE's Nationwide programme 07.07.2008 with Oscar Merne & Mark Doyle

Getting there... Howth is served by the DART (Ph 01-8366222) and bus service (01-8734222) #31 & #31B from Lower Abbey Street.

Ireland's Eye is 2km from Howth Harbour and boats leave regularly from the East pier during the summer, phone to check times in low season. Landings can only be effected in calm weather.
Contact Mark Doyle at 086-8459154 email: booking[AT]islandferries[DOT]net
website: http://www.Islandferries.net/

South Dublin Branch BirdWatch Ireland