Westport

Westport Quay

OSI Discovery Series – Map No 31

Directions:

From Westport, head towards the Quay (on the coast road). Turn right at the Towers pub, left at the quay itself and go past the museum and soccer pitch to the car park.

Description:

Overlooking Clew Bay, this area is excellent in the winter for waders, geese, ducks and gulls. You might also spot harbour seals in the channel.

Best Time to Visit: Winter

Neighbouring Sites :

Mulranny

Louisburgh Area

Birds to look out for:

Geese – Barnacle & Light-bellied Brent Geese

Waders – Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Turnstone, Bar-tailed Godwit, Redshank

Ducks – Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard

Gulls – Common and Black-headed

Also Little Egret, Heron, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Little Grebe, Merganser, Mute Swan

Rare / Scarce / Unusual Birds:

Great White Egret – 12/12/2019 (Rosmoney)

Greater Yellowlegs – 17/11/2018 (Carrowholly)

Glossy Ibis – Dec 2013 to Jan 2014 (KIlmeena)

Spoonbill – Sept 2005 – 10 juveniles for 3 weeks, 2 ringed in Holland earlier in the year

White’s Thrush (shot near Westport 09/01/1885 – now in the National Museum, Dublin)

American Golden Plover

Squacco Heron (Westport 1912 – now in the National Museum, Dublin)