Donegal Ireland

Ulster offers a large variety of conditions for bird life. While the wooded areas arc generally small in extent, they arc numerous except in the highlands of Donegal (Bed and Breakfasts, Donegal, Ireland) and Donegal. Lakes and marshes abound, the lakes of the south and centre being generally low-lying, with beds of reeds and water-plants, while in Donegal lakes with rocky and heathery shores are very common. Lough Neagh, the largest sheet of water, is very open, while Lough Erne, next in size, is filled with islands which form ideal breeding grounds. Of the many land-locked marine inlets, Strangford Lough contains innumerable islands and reefs, tenanted in the breeding season by vast numbers of Terns, and by many shore-haunting species. Of mountain and moorland there is also abundance, especially in the north and west.

The more interesting resident birds of the woodlands, etc.,

include the Blackcap, (wide- spread) ; Garden Warbler, (Lagan valley and Lough Erne) ; Golden-crested Wren, (common) ; Tree-Creeper, (widespread) ; Siskin, (common) ; Long-eared Owl, (frequent) ; Stock-Dove, (a recent arrival in Ireland, increasing) ; Heron, (frequent) ; Crossbill, (local) : the Tree-Sparrow,

has been recently observed at Portrush and in three places in Donegal ; it is very local in Ireland. On the rivers, the Kingfisher, Alceilo ispida, is char- acteristic of the lower reaches, and the Irish form of the Dipper, Cinclns aquaticus, of the upper reaches among the hills. The Grey Wagtail, is also a familiar sight

Posted on April 15th, 2008 under Zoology. Tags: blackcap, Donegal, garden, golden warbler, golden-crested wren, siskin, stock-dove, warbler, Zoology. RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback.