This year, we are pleased to announce that BirdWatch Ireland’s Cape Clear Bird Observatory will be open from early April until the end of October, and now is the ideal time to book your accommodation at the Bird Observatory to enjoy the stunning wildlife of Cape Clear Island, off the West Cork coast. We are also holding a series of popular Wildlife Weekends on Cape Clear this summer, along with our annual Seabirds to Songbirds field courses in April and September.
John Horton, our newly appointed CCBO Warden
The upcoming Cape Clear Wildlife Weekends offer a unique opportunity to join our new Warden, John Horton, to experience life in Cape Clear Bird Observatory for a weekend. You will join John on his daily wildlife survey walks, recording birds, butterflies and all things wild on the island. Cape Clear is famous for its impressive seabird migration, and you will help complete a seawatch from one of the island’s stunning headlands, looking for Gannets, shearwaters, petrels and a host of other seabirds. As part of our survey and monitoring programme for the island, you will get to observe the practice of bird-ringing, as John catches and rings a range of bird species, including migratory species that may be passing through the island. You will also get to take part in the long-standing tradition of adding your wildlife sightings to the daily logbook.
Six weekends are being held this year, in May, June, July, August (2) and September. The price of the weekend course is €160 (meals and accommodation not included). Places are limited to seven people per weekend, so do book soon.
Dick Coombes, leader of our Seabirds to Songbirds courses
The April and September Seabirds to Songbirds courses offers an insight into the world of migration and the joys of sea watching delivered by BirdWatch Ireland’s very own Dick Coombes. During the week of indoor and field-based activities, Dick will explore the wonders of bird migration with an emphasis on seabirds, their breeding habits and the fascinating journeys they undertake.
The month of September is a stunning time on Cape with the opportunity to witness the migratory movements of seabirds such as Manx Shearwater, Storm Petrel, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Gannet and auks as they pass offshore. Less common, but regularly seen off Cape, are Sooty Shearwater, Great Skua and Arctic Skua and there is always the chance of a Pomarine Skua or Great Shearwater, if the weather is favourable. This is also a good time to see cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoise) off Cape’s headlands and with any luck, perhaps other scarce ocean creatures such as Leatherback Turtle and Sunfish may turn up. An experience not to be missed!
Aprilalso happens to be a great month for migratory land birds, such as Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and Wheatear, which stop off at Cape in autumn en route to their African wintering grounds. During walks around the island, a particular eye will be kept out for some of the other rarer migrants, such as Wryneck, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Wood Warbler and Reed Warbler – all regulars on Cape in September.
The price of the weekend course is €280 (meals and accommodation not included). Places are limited to 12 people per course, so early booking is advised.
Full course details can be found here.
To get the most of your wildlife weekend experience or Seabirds to Songbirds Course, you are encouraged to stay in our Bird Observatory, which offers self-catering accommodation with shared dorms. You can find a full list of alternative accommodation options on the island here.
To make a booking at Cape Clear Bird Observatory for accommodation or to book a place on any of our courses or wildlife weekends, call the BirdWatch Ireland office on (01) 2819 878; email info@birdwatchireland.ie or book via our website.
Testimonials
“I will never forget the experiences and the
wonderful people on the course and our five
days together, which felt like a month! Dick’s
knowledge is seemingly limitless, as is Steve’s.
I will never forget our tea on the high seas
while the Gannets soared over us.
I would recommend this course to
anybody as an adventure and a really fun
way to learn about and appreciate God’s
wonderful world. There was a great
ambience, thanks to Dick and Steve and to
the island itself.” – Ron Barrow
“It was all such a tremendous experience,
truly life-enhancing. Heartfelt gratitude once
again. Suddenly all of the brown blurs in
hedgerows I had always taken for granted
were given names and destinations and
personalities.” – Sara Baume
“Just back from Cape Clear. Wonderful five
days. As a complete novice I learned loads
and was made to feel most welcome. I now
know my shearwaters from my Gannets and
my Black-headed Gulls from my terns!
I stayed in the Observatory and it was a
great experience. A great holiday on a
beautiful island.” – Mary McKay
“I had a truly memorable week. I learned a
huge amount and it was the total absorption
in birding from morning to night that was so
very enjoyable and rewarding; I really had a
great time. Jeremiah passes on his thanks too.
Thanks again for all your patience with
our disparate group and our endless
questions! I look forward to meeting you
again at some point.”– Margaret Brennan
