Pelagics
Travelling out into deep water to observe seabirds in their natural habitat is gaining in popularity with birders and quite rightly so. Seeing them in their natural environment from a boat in deep water is arguably the best way to come to terms with them and also take the best photographs.
We are able to travel off the South West coast of Ireland and contact sea birds in big numbers. Shearwaters passing at a rate of thousands of birds per hour are common in the autumn, and to be in the path of such an occurrence is a joy to remember. We usually use ‘chum’ on the surface as an attractant and we only need to go a few miles off shore to connect with the birds. Storm Petrels often come close and offer good photographic opportunities, and we would be looking amongst them to see if we can find a Wilsons Petrel. Feas Petrel is now an annual occurrence and together with Cory’s Shearwater, Wilsons Petrel, Great Shearwater and Balearic Shearwater provide the main target species for enthusiasts.
Sometimes trips around the many islands are also productive where we come into close contact with Black Guillemot, Razorbill and Puffin which together with Gannett, Fulmar and gulls all come close for photographs.
Please make your enquiry as soon as possible as the boats need to be ordered in advance. We can go out in small numbers (6 to12) in a boat which will provide a flexible outing which can include lunch onboard if required. We would travel from the extreme southwest, departing from Baltimore or Crookhaven. Sailings would of course be subject to weather conditions, but there are good alternative land based birding and seawatching sites close at hand.
Please contact to obtain a booking and firm cost for 2008. This will depend on the time we spend at sea, but more than anything on the number of birders in the party.
Examples
- Two people on a three hour trip would cost Eur 135pp
- Six people on a four hour trip would cost Eur 65pp (can include a stop on Cape Clear Island)
Birding and Pelagic Break In West Cork - 2 days (min four persons)
- Pelagic leaving at 10am and returning at 4.30pm with one and a half hours on Cape Clear Island
- One night B and B (sharing)
- One day guided birding (or seawatching from land) in West Cork
- Total cost Euro 150 pp.
- This would be reduced by Euro 65pp if sea conditions prevented a sailing, but replaced by an extra day guided birding.
The Skelligs
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