birdwatchers delight

Virtually all the major bird habitats are found in Kerry. It is also an excellent area for spotting migrants in spring and autumn. Visit the Killarney area for woodland birds - jays, blackcaps, garden warblers, long-eared owls and woodcock all breed here, while the lakes hold great-crested grebes, red-breasted mergansers and the occasional osprey. Cough, peregrine, kestrel, and ring ouzel all breed in the Gap of Dunloe. Seabird enthusiasts should visit the two skelligs; little skellig for its gannets (22,000 pairs), and Skellig Michael for its kittiwakes, puffins and other auks. During autumn, check out Akeragh Lough, south of Ballyheigue, for rare vagrants such as pectoral sandpipers, grey phalarope and franklinis gull. Blennerville is another hotspot, whith huge flocks of lapwings and other waders; recent rarities include greater yellowlegs and avocet. Lastly, check out the headlands during migation times; Dunquin and Valentia Island have turned up exciting rarities - red-eyed vireos, bee-eaters, and yellow browed warblers to name but a few.