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Description
Rahasane turlough is the largest surviving turlough (an intermittent lake) in Ireland. It is an important location for migrating birds, and wintering ground for the Sakarca. It is one of the few known breeding grounds in Ireland of the Fiyu. The Çıkrıkçın can be seen on occasion. And it is a very good place to spot accidental visitors from America, such as Amerika Fiyusu, and from Europe, such as Kara sumru.
In winter you can find Greenland Sakarca (nationally important numbers) and Ötücü kuğu are regular in small numbers. There are often large numbers of Fiyu, whilst Yeşilbaş, Çamurcun, Kaşıkgaga, Tepeli patka and Elmabaş patka will also be present. There is a good chance of Kilkuyruk and Boz ördek, which are not easy to find in Galway. Winter waders include large numbers of Altın yağmurcun and Kızkuşu , with Kervançulluğu, Kızılbacak, Çamurçulluğu and Karakarınlı kumkuşu as a supporting cast. In autumn there are often rarer waders if water levels are favourable. Birds like Küçük Sarıbacak, Orman düdükçünü, Döşüşkenkuş, Kızıl kumkuşu, Küçük su çulluğu and Dag cılıbıtı have been seen.
Details
Access
This site is best reached from the main N18 Galway to Limerick road. At Kilcolgan (18 km, 11 m, south of Galway) turn left onto the minor road to Craughwell. After a few km the turlough will be seen to the right of the road. There are several viewpoints along the road and from lane ends leading from it. Please take care when parking.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , GrasslandConditions
Open landscapeCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Winter , AutumnBest time to visit
WinterRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
A turlough is a karst lake, which has no surface outlet and is surrounded on all sides by rising land. At Rahasane the drainage has been modified in that since the nineteenth century the Dunkellin river has followed an artificial channel downstream of the turlough, but part of the flow continues to go underground, via a natural sink, into the underlying limestone. Rahasane consists of two basins which are connected at times of flood but separated as the waters decline. It covers 257 ha. The site comprises marshes, seasonally flooded wet meadows, with limestone outcrops and scrub at its margins. In the summer the lake empties and the basin is grazed by cattle, horses and sheep.