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© BirdWatch Mayo
2010
Achill
OS Discovery Series - Map No 30
Northern Achill       Keel      Inishgallon Island    Rare Birds

Achill was once the home of the mighty Golden Eagle (Iorlar firean) which became extinct in the area in 1912. Now they can occasionally be seen flying again in Mayo.

Directions:
From either Castlebar (R311) or Westport (N59) follow the road signs to Newport. From Newport take the N59 to Mulranny and continue for one kilometre and then branch left on R319 and continue to Achill. Achill Island is connected to the mainland by a road bridge at Achill Sound. There are two loops that can be driven, one to the left just after Achill Sound, and the second to the right at Bunnacurry. The main road leads to Keem Strand.

Nearby Site:
Mulranny
View of Dún Briste from Downpatrick Head
Cliffs on Achill Island
There is a wide range of gulls, ducks and waders to be seen all around the island. There has been Corncrake reported in the past.

Best Time to Visit:   All Year
Northern Achill - Lough Nambrack, Sruhillbeg Lake, Lough Doo and Sruhill Lough (Dooinver)

Directions:
All of the lasks are accessed by continuing through Achill Sound on the R319 to Bunacurry and then heading north in the direction of Valley. The lakes are located between the valley and the coast.
Lough Nambrack
Winter : Cormorant, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Coot, Lapwing, Curlew, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.


Sruhillbeg Lake
Winter: Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Moorhen, Lapwing, Dunlin, Curlew, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.


Lough Doo
Winter: Little Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Goldeneye, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.


Sruhill Lough (Dooinver)
Winter: Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Light-bellied Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Teal, Mallard, Red-breasted Merganser, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.

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Keel- Keel Village and Keel Machair Keel Achill
Keel
Directions:
From Achill village, continue on the R319 to Keel village.

Keel Village
Winter: Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Teal, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Greenshank, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.
Keel Machair
Winter: Cormorant, Mallard, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.

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Inishgallon Island
Directions:
From Achill Sound, continue on the R319 through Keel village and take a left turn at Pollagh to Purteen Habour. The island is not easily accessible but is close enough to the mainland for scoping.
Winter: Cormorant, Barnacle Goose, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull.

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Rare / Scarce / Unusual Birds Herring Gull2
Herring Gull - one of the more frequently seen birds on Achill

10 Crossbill and 1 Greenland Redpoll (12/10/08)
Radde's Warbler (12/10/01)
Yellow-billed Cuckoo (30/09/64
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