Bird-watching in the Slieve Blooms
The Slieve Bloom Mountains Nature Reserve is home to two emblematic bird species: the hen harrier and the red grouse. Both species nest on the ground on the blanket bog and heath. The hen harrier is one of Ireland’s rarest birds of prey, while the red grouse is a secretive gamebird, and is usually only seen when flushed from undergrowth. Meadow pipits and skylarks are common in the nature reserve. Snow buntings are found on the nature reserve in winter. Other bird species found include the merlin, peregrine falcon, raven, snipe, golden plover, lapwing, curlew, wheatear and ring ouzel.
Birdwatch Ireland Site Guide
See below the Site Guide which takes us on a tour of the best birding spots in the Slieve Bloom Mountains.This lovely Site Guide is provided by Jason Monaghan of Birdwatch Ireland.