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 Wilson’s Petrel. Feas Petrel is now an annual occurrence also, and together with Cory’s Shearwater, Wilson’s 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 enough for photographs.
Please make your enquiry as soon as possible as the trips need to be arranged in advance. We can go out in small numbers in a boat which will provide a flexible outing and which can include lunch on board if required. We would travel from the extreme southwest, departing from Baltimore or Crookhaven or Union Hall. Sailings would of course be subject to weather conditions, but there are good alternative land based birding and seawatching sites close at hand.
Please make contact to obtain a firm cost for a pelagic. This will depend on the time we spend at sea, and the number of birders in the party. Time spent at sea will be either four hours or eight hours.
Seawatching Breaks in West Cork – the extreme south west tip of Ireland
Pelagic Trip off the South West Coast (half day) and remainder spent general birding
One night B and B
One day guided seawatching from land day before or after the pelagic day | 
