Tuesday 27th January 2026 – Talk at the Ellison Hotel, Castlebar
“ Halting and reversing the decline of Ireland’s natural heritage” – a talk by Micheál Ó Briain
The Mayo branch of BirdWatch Ireland is delighted to host this talk by Micheál Ó Briain. Micheál is well known to many of you and regularly posts photos of rare birds on his beloved Achill where he has retired following his life’s work in nature and nature conservation internationally. A copy of his prestigious bio is attached.
Please arrive early. Attendees can avail of the free parking in the Ellison. To do so, you need to inform reception of your vehicle registration number. Everyone is welcome. Tea, coffee and any other refreshments may be purchased from the bar. There is no charge but donations to the Mayo branch will be gratefully received.
Saturday 24th January 2026 – South Mayo Turloughs
Mick Oates will lead us around a few of South Mayo turloughs on Saturday 24th January. Meet at Forde’s Pub (the Country Club), F12 HN88 at 10:30am. Recently there have been many ducks, little grebes, coots, moorhens and egrets and we may see some geese or whooper swans. We will have our telescopes available to ensure a good view.
Depending on numbers it may be necessary to car share as the lanes are narrow with limited parking. Non-members of BirdWatch Ireland are welcome as are children who must be accompanied. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the conditions. Bring your own refreshments. There will be little walking, mainly viewing from the roadside. The event will be cancelled if there is a Met Eirean weather warning for the area. Notification will be posted on WhatsApp “BWM Info” and by email and our media platforms if possible. Donations to the Mayo branch of BirdWatch Ireland which help fund our branch activities are gratefully received.
Calendar of Outings for 2026
If you would like to be included on our email list and WhatsApp groups please email your mobile phone number to birdwatchmayo@gmail.com
Email is our main contact method with our members. Our WhatsApp groups are an additional benefit for our registered contacts.
If you have any ideas for outings or events, or would be willing to arrange one, please let us know, by emailing birdwatchmayo@gmail.com.
Please note:
- All events are open to the general public (unless stated).
- Events are free of charge (unless stated), although we appreciate a donation towards the costs involved. This is optional but non BirdWatch Ireland (BWI) members are benefiting from the insurance cover provided by BWI.
- All outdoor events are subject to weather and local circumstances. However, it will automatically be cancelled if there is a MetEirean storm warning in place. Notice will be posted on our WhatsApp group “BWMayo Info” and on as many other social media platforms as feasible.
- Ensure you wear suitable clothing and footwear for outdoor events.
- We encourage children to our events (unless stated). However, they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Calendar of Outings for 2025
| Date | Venue | Hope to see? | Guide / Leader |
| Sun 19/01/2025 | Belmullet | Geese esp. barnacle, ducks, gulls and waders | Graham Cawdell |
| Sat 15/02/2025 | S. Mayo turloughs | Wintering waterbirds | Mick Oates |
| Sun 16/03/2025 | Louisburgh Sea Loughs and Shore | Wintering water and sea birds | Darren Ellis |
| Sat 12/04/2025 | Tourmakeady woods & waterfall | Dipper, woodland birds and early spring migrants | Colin Guilfoyle |
| Sun 04/0520/25 | Clonbur Woods | Dawn Chorus | Graham Cawdell |
| Sun 25/05/2025 | Foxford | Sand martins, spotted flycatcher | Pádraig Keogh |
| Sat 14/06/2025 | South Iniskea Island (AM & PM ferries) | Island nesting birds | AM – TBC PM – TBC |
| Sun 13/07/2025 | Downpatrick Head | Cliff nesting seabirds with their young | Graham Cawdell |
| Late Aug /Sept | Seawatch from Kilcummin, Erris or Anagh Head. Date and site dependent on the wind and weather. | Darren Ellis | |
| Sat 18/10/2025 | Mulranny | Brent geese, waders, egrets etc | Colin Guilfoyle |
| 22-3/11/2025 | AWAY DAY Out of Mayo | To be decided | TBC |
| Sun 14/12/2025 | Killala & Ross Strand | Wintering Waterbirds | TBC |
| Winter | Murmuration – site and time dependent on their roost, weather, accessibility etc.. Last minute notification | Kieran Flynn or Nathy Gilligan | |
Calendar of Outings for 2024
| Date | Venue | Hope to find? | Guide / Leader |
| SAT 10/02/24 | Carrowkeel and other turloughs | Wintering waterbirds | Mick Oates |
| SUN 3/03//24 | Louisburgh Sea Loughs | Wintering water and sea birds | Darren Ellis & Hannah Keogh |
| SUN 24/03/24 | Newport | Colony nesting birds – heron and rooks, woodland and river | Sharon McGovern |
| SAT 21/04/24 | Foxford | Arrival of sand martins and other hirundae | Pádraig Kehoe |
| SAT 4/05/24 | Enniscoe (NMHC) | Dawn Chorus | Graham & ? |
| SUN 26/05/24 | South Inishkea Island | Island nesting birds | Jon Freestone & Nuala O’Malley |
| SAT 15/06/24 | Ballina – Belleek Woods & Brusna River | ? Dipper, woodland and estuarine birds | TBA |
| SUN 14/07/24 | Downpatrick Head | Cliff nesting seabirds | TBA |
| Late Aug /Sept | Seawatch from Kilcummin or Erris Head. Date depending on wind and weather. Announce about 2-3 days beforehand. | TBA | |
| SAT 26/10/24 | Achill Island – Valley area | Choughs, ducks and divers | TBA |
| SUN 17/11/24 | East Clew Bay | Wintering waders, ducks, divers and gulls | TBA |
| SAT 7/12/24 | Killala and Ross Strand | As above | TBA |
2022 & 2023 Schedule of Events
| Date | Venue | Hope to Spot |
| Sun 9 Oct 2022 | Sea-level loughs beyond Louisburgh | Gulls, over-wintering waterbirds, seals |
| Sat 12 Nov 2022 | Glenamaddy Turlough, Co. Galway | Over-wintering waterbirds |
| December 2022 | No event | |
| Sun 22 Jan 2023 | Turloughs of South Mayo, near Ballinrobe | Over-wintering waterbirds |
| Sat 11 Feb 2023 | Killala Bay, Ross Beach and Palmerstown River Estuary | Over-wintering seabirds, waders, otters |
| Sun 12 Mar 2023 | Mullet Peninsula | Over-wintering geese & waders, lapwings |
| Sat 15 Apr 2023 | Lough O’Flynn, near Ballyhaunis | Waterbirds and early summer migrants |
| Sun 7 May 2023 | Dawn Chorus at Enniscoe House | Garden and woodland birds |
| Sat 27 May 2023 | River Moy at Foxford | Nesting sand martins |
| Sun 18 Jun 2023 | Mullet Peninsula | Corncrake |
| Sat 15 Jul 2023 | Cong & Clonbur Woods | Woodland birds and red squirrels |
| August 2023 | Heritage Week event tbc | TBC |
| Sun 17 Sep 2023 | Downpatrick Head & Céide Fields Viewing Platform | Migrating seabirds |
| Sat 14 Oct 2023 | Trawmore Bay & Claggan Island | Over-wintering divers, waders, gulls |
| Sun 12 Nov 2023 | Rahasane Turlough, Co. Galway | Over-wintering geese, ducks, swans |
| Dec 2023 | No event |
Birdwatch Mayo 