b

Carrackfinn and Annagry Estuary

Donegal  >  Ireland

The Carrackfinn area consists of stunning beaches, many bays and inlets and coastal grassland. Annagry Estuary offers many opportunities for waders.

Added* by Andrew Hannaford
Most recent update 12 února 2020

Description

Starting at the car park by Donegal Airport, you walk down onto the Blue Flag beach of Ballymanus. Looking out onto the bay terej bílý, racek stříbřitý, and racek bouřní can be seen. kormorán velký and kormorán chocholatý are regularly seen fishing off-shore along with a potáplice severní), potáplice malá and potáplice lední. Small flocks of hoholka lední can be seen in autumn and winter especially after a period of strong winds. kajka mořská and morčák prostřední can also be seen.

Small groups of jespák obecný and jespák písečný feed along the water edge of the beach as do ústřičník velký and koliha velká.

Walking to the far end of the beach brings you to a series of inlets and bays. These can hold alkoun obecný, linduška skalní and a variety of Gulls. The sand banks have in the past held large numbers of břehule říční but pressure from disturbance has reduced the numbers.

Beyond the small bay with the fishing pier is an area of coastal grassland and further bays to explore. This area is covered in flowers in spring and is a good location for bekasina otavní, linduška luční and bramborníček černohlavý. kavče červenozobé can also be found.

Returning from the headland it is worth crossing over and walking down to Annargy Estuary (Braade Strand). On the way you pass a freshwater lake with potápka malá and kachna divoká present all year. The fencing around the airport runway is worth checking for (bramborníček černohlavý and linduška luční) which gather on the top of the fence.

At low tide it is safe to walk out into the estuary (Braade Strand)in order to find high numbers of kulík písečný, jespák písečnýand jespák obecný. koliha velká and ústřičník velký feed in good numbers and there is a wide range of Gulls present. rybák severní can be seen in Summer and labuť zpěvná are often present in winter.

Details

Access

Follow signs to Donegal Airport. Pass the airport and park in the small car park. Walk down onto the beach to start exploring the area. When returning off the estuary walk past the aiport. The airport has a small cafe and toilets.

Terrain and Habitat

Beach , Sea , Grassland

Conditions

Flat , Sandy , No shadow , High water possible , Rocky

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn , Winter

Best time to visit

Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration , Spring migration

Route

Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

The area can get busy during the summer months so best visited out of season.

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Give feedback
Rate this area