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Description
Forth Mountain is one of the best places in Wexford to observe Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Crossbill and Common Cuckoo. A walk around the area in spring can be good for drumming woodpeckers and aerial displays from Common Raven.
Summer is by far the best time to go to see the most amount of species. The pine woodlands are excellent for Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Treecreeper, Common Crossbill, Lesser Redpoll and Eurasian Siskin. The heathland and scrub holds breeding Common Cuckoo, Grasshopper Warbler, Greater Whitethroat, European Stonechat, Linnet, Reed Bunting and Meadow Pipit.
Early mornings are best for birdwatching when there are less people around. However, evening walks can be just as rewarding (see extra info).
Details
Access
There are multiple car parks on Forth Mountain. Pennylands Car Park is the best starting point, but the Newline car park and Carrigfoyle Quarry car park are also good options and you can make a circular trail from all three of these. Click on a P in the map for directions to a parking. It's also possible to take a bus (the 340 bus to Waterford) from Wexford Town to the Barntown bus stop and walk up to Forth Mountain from there. Be prepared for some extra walking if taking this option. It's also possible to cycle along the trails if you want to get around quicker.
Terrain and Habitat
Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Moors/heathland , AgricultureConditions
HillyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
NoGood birding season
Spring , Summer , WinterBest time to visit
SummerRoute
Paved road , Wide path , Narrow trailDifficulty walking trail
Average walkAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , Car , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
Evening/dusk walks in May and June can be rewarding on Forth Mountain, particularly on the road past the masts and at Pennylands. Singing Common Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler can be heard and it's very easy to see roding Eurasian Woodcock. Long-eared Owl can also sometimes be heard and seen. Forth Mountain is also one of the few places in Ireland where Eurasian Nightjar have been recorded on occasion. There is some suitable habitat south of Pennylands car park. It's worth picking a spot on a calm, warm evening at dusk and listening out for or catching a glimpse of one of Irelands rarest summer visitors.
Dusk walks can also be rewarding in winter, particularly through areas of heath, where it's possible to see flocks of Meadow Pipit and Fieldfare going to roost or Common Snipe and Jack Snipe emerging from communal diurnal roosts. Short-eared Owl has also been observed at dusk in winter.