Bird Watching

Inishbofin is a breeding area for many species of birds

The rarest or most threatened species breeding on the island at present are the Corncrake. The Corncrake have been nesting and breeding on Inishbofin for many years.

The island was farm machinery free up until the beginning of the eighties, which suited the nesting habits of the Corncrake. Implements used at that time would include hand driven hay machines and many farmers would have used the Scythe, which was a slow process and gave the Corncrake ample time to move into the next meadow.

Other species of bird found breeding of Inishbofin include Common Tern, Arctic Tern, Fulmers, Shags, Guillemots, Common Gulls, greater and lesser Black Backed Gulls, Manx Shearwaters, Herring Gulls and Choughs.

There are some very scenic breeding areas on the island, which can be viewed from a distance without causing distress to the breeding population.

Birdwatcher’s Paradise

Here, you’ll find an array of remarkable specie, and Inishbofin is a popular destination for birdwatchers. To keep track of recent bird sightings and exciting identifications, we encourage you to follow birdwatcher’s websites for updates. Inishbofin has also been graced with extraordinary visitors in recent years, such as the Barred Warbler, Alder Flycatcher, and Upland Sandpiper.

Bird’s of Inishbofin, Connemara – by Tim Gordon

You can buy this illustrated book on birds of Inishbofin from our Community Centre and Inishbofin Online Shop. The book includes information on bird habitats on Inishbofin, where to watch birds on the island, the island species (80 pages of them!) and ways of helping Inishbofin’s birds.