Isabeline Shrike Semi Palmated Sandpiper The famous Cotter's Garden, Cape Clear Island
Birding Breaks
Short weekend type birding breaks are available based at Ravens Oak guest house, owned by myself and my wife, and adjacent to our house, near Bantry in West Cork.
Please see website - http://www.ravens-oak.com/index.html
We specialize in self catering, but for birders ( only ) staying with us we also offer the option of bed and breakfast. If birders take the bnb option they have exclusive use of the accommodation ( which sleeps 4 ) This means that the kitchen will be for their sole use at any time, likewise the 2 bathrooms and the sitting room. We have a large very pleasant garden on the side of a river and the birding here is very good.
You can also do your own thing by opting for self catering accommodation only, or you can choose a break which includes a day or days guided birding. We can take up to four guests. Please contact us for an exact quotation.
Breaks are tailor made to suit your particular interests or target species, but listed below are some examples. Please tell us of anything else which you would prefer and we will do our best to fit it in.
Please see website - http://www.ravens-oak.com/index.html
We specialize in self catering, but for birders ( only ) staying with us we also offer the option of bed and breakfast. If birders take the bnb option they have exclusive use of the accommodation ( which sleeps 4 ) This means that the kitchen will be for their sole use at any time, likewise the 2 bathrooms and the sitting room. We have a large very pleasant garden on the side of a river and the birding here is very good.
You can also do your own thing by opting for self catering accommodation only, or you can choose a break which includes a day or days guided birding. We can take up to four guests. Please contact us for an exact quotation.
Breaks are tailor made to suit your particular interests or target species, but listed below are some examples. Please tell us of anything else which you would prefer and we will do our best to fit it in.
Cruise Liners - Since the upgrade of the port facilities at Bantry, Co. Cork, large cruise ships now dock at the town. Generally passengers can come ashore at 8 am and dinner is usually served whilst in port at around 6 pm. This allows passengers to take a one day birding trip of the area surrounding Bantry Bay within a radius of about 50 miles of the town. I can meet guests as they come from the ship and return them in time for dinner. We usually return at 4.30. Ships unload at 8.00 and we can meet at 8.30
Pelagics and sea birds - The latter half of July. to the end of October is the best time but anytime out at sea meeting the birds close up in their natural surroundings is an unforgettable experience
eg .Two days birding consisting of -
Pelagic boat trips to see birds in their natural habitat off the south west coast and sea watching from one of the headlands. A trip to the Skellig Islands is also possible. The Skellig Islands can be reached from my base in Bantry so long as we start early (7.30 am ) This is a full day out and we can visit other sites during the day. Alternatively I can meet clients at any location and proceed from there.
Pelagic only trip - 1 to 11 persons. 4 hours off the extreme S.W. coast - probably the best area in Europe to see seabirds. Great day out for keen wildlife photographers.
Shorebirds on the Estuaries - All year but best from September to February inclusive
Trips to several of the estuaries spread along the south west coast which attract large numbers of shorebirds in winter. We will of course encounter other non estuarine birds.
The south west islands - May to September ( extending into October for the search for rare migrants )
Cape Clear Island, Heir Island, Whiddy Island, Long Island, Dursey Island, Sherkin Island, The Skelligs. The islands off the west coast are famous for attracting rare migrants, but are also very good birding venues in their own right during the summer months. 'Ordinary' sea and farmland birds are the targets, but in very special and pleasant surroundings.
Birds of farmland and countryside - All year
Local, and not so local, inland habitats. Off the beaten track into the ' real ' Ireland ( with some time on the coast )
Migrants
Hunting for migrants during the spring and autumn can be very productive, and we can also twitch the birds found by others. Bantry forms an ideal base for this purpose.
To make an enquiry about any of the above, or more, please email me at -
birdingireland@gmail.com
I usually meet clients at their accommodation.
I have a set daily rate for guiding, plus expenses. This is per day - not per person and includes the first 100 miles in my car. Guests at who opt to stay at Ravens Oak are charged at euro 40 per person per night all year round.
A fixed total cost is available via an email inquiry. Please give dates, number of participants and pick up point. It always helps to offer a provisional itinerary so please indicate your experience of European birding and any preference with regard to target species.
Pelagics and sea birds - The latter half of July. to the end of October is the best time but anytime out at sea meeting the birds close up in their natural surroundings is an unforgettable experience
eg .Two days birding consisting of -
Pelagic boat trips to see birds in their natural habitat off the south west coast and sea watching from one of the headlands. A trip to the Skellig Islands is also possible. The Skellig Islands can be reached from my base in Bantry so long as we start early (7.30 am ) This is a full day out and we can visit other sites during the day. Alternatively I can meet clients at any location and proceed from there.
Pelagic only trip - 1 to 11 persons. 4 hours off the extreme S.W. coast - probably the best area in Europe to see seabirds. Great day out for keen wildlife photographers.
Shorebirds on the Estuaries - All year but best from September to February inclusive
Trips to several of the estuaries spread along the south west coast which attract large numbers of shorebirds in winter. We will of course encounter other non estuarine birds.
The south west islands - May to September ( extending into October for the search for rare migrants )
Cape Clear Island, Heir Island, Whiddy Island, Long Island, Dursey Island, Sherkin Island, The Skelligs. The islands off the west coast are famous for attracting rare migrants, but are also very good birding venues in their own right during the summer months. 'Ordinary' sea and farmland birds are the targets, but in very special and pleasant surroundings.
Birds of farmland and countryside - All year
Local, and not so local, inland habitats. Off the beaten track into the ' real ' Ireland ( with some time on the coast )
Migrants
Hunting for migrants during the spring and autumn can be very productive, and we can also twitch the birds found by others. Bantry forms an ideal base for this purpose.
To make an enquiry about any of the above, or more, please email me at -
birdingireland@gmail.com
I usually meet clients at their accommodation.
I have a set daily rate for guiding, plus expenses. This is per day - not per person and includes the first 100 miles in my car. Guests at who opt to stay at Ravens Oak are charged at euro 40 per person per night all year round.
A fixed total cost is available via an email inquiry. Please give dates, number of participants and pick up point. It always helps to offer a provisional itinerary so please indicate your experience of European birding and any preference with regard to target species.