Birding in northern Ireland

[DDA]

I'll be going for 10 days in northern Ireland at the middle of October. My itinerary will be as follows:

Dublin - Tullamore - Clifden - (Connemara) - Ballina - Dunfanaghy - (Donegal) - Bushmills - Belfast - Dublin

Has anyone got any tip as to where I can find some good birding (and other wildlife watching) spots on the way?

[MREGAN]

If you take a trip along the north coast you can usually get some good places. Causeway coast, Carric a rede rope bridge etc.

The majesty of the Causeway Coast vies for the birdwatchers attention with fulmar, eider, turnstone, black guillemot, buzzard, raven, chough and wheatear. Offshore are the seabird colonies of Rathlin Island. In the middle is the Antrim plateau - red gousemoor, bog and forest. To the east are the mudflats of Belfast and Larne Loughs, with the Bann, Lough Beg and Lough Neagh to the south.

One must if you have time is Rathlin Island. The west side has a bird sanctury with some stunning views of birds. I dont know to much about times of the year for best viewing etc. Can just remember going as a kid and viewing the birds. Quite a sight and good viewing platform. There is a ferry leaves ballycastle daily http://www.discovernorthernireland.c...lycastle-P2057

Some useful info here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guid...hlin/index.asp

Also slieve league in Donegal has some impressive sea cliffs. Here is a photo I took from the cliffs (Sorry No Birds) http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=208712

Hope this helps enjoy your visit.