{"id":2036156,"date":"2018-07-03T17:06:37","date_gmt":"2018-07-03T16:06:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2036156"},"modified":"2019-12-23T01:32:58","modified_gmt":"2019-12-22T12:32:58","slug":"saltee-islands-paradise-for-seabirds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/saltee-islands-paradise-for-seabirds\/","title":{"rendered":"Saltee Islands – Paradise for Seabirds"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Saltee Islands, St. George’s Channel consisting of the Great and Little Saltee, are situated approximately 5 kilometers off the coast of Kilmore Quay Co.Wexford.<\/p>\n

The larger island Great Saltee is the most famous bird sanctuary in Ireland and is very popular with both day-trippers and birdwatchers alike. These Islands are privately owned and are one of the world’s major bird sanctuaries.<\/p>\n

The Saltees are a haven for sea birds, nurturing an impressive array of birds, from Gannets and Gulls to Puffins and Manx Shearwaters. They also lie on an important migratory route and a popular stopping-off place for spring and autumn migrants.<\/p>\n

The Great Saltee also has a breeding population of Grey Seals, one of the very few in eastern Ireland. Up to 120 animals are present in autumn and up to 20 pups are produced annually.<\/p>\n

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Gannet in Flight<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of the most spectacular sights on the Great Saltee in mid-Summer are the sea birds colonies on the cliffs to the north-east of the Gannet headland. Vast numbers of Guillemots and Razorbills pack the ledges and create a frightful incessant din which only at night abates a little.<\/p>\n

The Fulmars too play their part in this splendour. Towards dusk the sight of the Puffins congregating in small groups near their nestling sites presents a marvellous sight.<\/p>\n

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I visited the Saltee Islands together with two friends, Alan Mahon and Liam Arundel, on 28th June 2018. With a cloudless sky and very little wind the conditions were perfect. The ferry departed at 09:00 am from Kilmore Quay and arrived at the larger of the two islands, Great Saltee, twenty minutes later. The return ferry at 03:00 pm, gives ample time for a tour along the cliffs to the gannet colony at the far end of the island.<\/p>\n