EAST CORK ECO TRAIL
 
GARDENS  ^^back to top
 
1. Lakemount
 
2. Beechwood
 
3. Bible Garden, Cobh
 
4. Fota Arboretum & Gardens
 
5. Barryscourt Medieval Garden
 
6. Cedar Lodge
 
7. Midleton Garden Centre
 
8. Ballymaloe Gardens
 
9. The College Gardens
 
10. Millennium Park Garden
 

LAKES   ^^back to top

 

1. Lough Aderra

 
2. Ballyhonnock
 
WOODS & WALKS   ^^back to top
 

1. Currabinny Wood

 
2. Marlogue Wood
 
3. Fota Arboretum
 
4. Curragh Wood
 
5. Ballyannon wood
 
6. Rostellan Wood
 
7. Ballycotton Cliff Walk
 
8. Castlemartyr Wood
 
9. Glenbower Wood
 
10. Ballyknock Forest
 
East Cork BIRD TRAIL  ^^back to top
Whether you are a beginner or an expert, a visit to East Cork at any time of the year will always be enjoyable and rewarding. The East Cork Bird Trail will guide you through what is undoubtedly one of the finest areas in Ireland for birdwatching.
 

1. Cobh - Kennedy Pier
Best known for its gulls in winter but worth a visit at any time.

 
2. Cuskinny
A private nature reserve managed by Birdwatch Ireland, a brackish lagoon to the east of Cobh. Check for birds and listen for Water Rail at dusk and scan the bay for divers and waterfowl.
 
3. Rossleague
To the north of Cobh. Offers good views of large numbers of waders and waterfowl especially Shelduck and Pintail. Quietest during the summer months.
 
4. Belvelly
Best viewed from under the castle. Close views of diving ducks and Little Egrets. Best watched at low tide.
 
5. Slatty’s Bridge
Good for ducks and waders in winter. Check the adjoining fields for Black-tailed Godwits. In summer, a good place to see Sand Martins from nearby Colonies.
 
6. Ballintubbrid
Best in the winter with good views of waterfowl and waders.
 
7. Midleton Estuary
Good for waders and as a hightide roost for gulls.
8. Saleen Creek
If travelling by car, this is a good site for getting close views of a large variety of waterfowl and waders. A good area for Little Egrets, Kingfishers and scarcer waders, especially during the autumn and spring.
 
9. Rostellan Lake
Good for waterfowl particularly in winter and spring. Best viewed from the western end or from the hide. The woodland is also worth a visit.
 
10. Aghada Pier
Best place in Cork Harbour for observing divers, diving ducks and grebes. Also worth checking for gulls and waders.
 
11. Whitegate
Large numbers of grebes in the bay in winter, also good numbers of duck.
 
12. Ballycotton – Cliff Walk
Sign-posted from the village. Watch out for Choughs and cliff nesting House Martins. Good for seabirds all year round, especially with onshore (southerly) winds in August and September. Stop at the harbour and check for seabirds on the bay and passing the Islands. The garden habitat around the town is also worth checking from the road for migrant passerines.
 
13. Ballycotton Strand – [Ballynamona]
Internationally famous for its rare migrants, especially waders in autumn and winter. A large variety of birds in a relatively small area.
 
14. Garryvoe Strand
Ideal for a family outing with a playground and picnic areas. Good for shore and seabirds. Watch out for skuas in late summer and autumn.
 
15. Ballymacoda – Ring Strand
Good for a general variety of shore and coastal birds. Watch for rarities on land and on the beach, especially during spring, autumn and winter.
 
16. Ballymacoda – Pilmore Strand
In the winter, the best place to see Brent Geese in East Cork. Also good for waders including Knot, a generally scarce wader in East Cork.
17. Ballyvergan Reedbeds
Good for warblers during spring, summer and autumn. Listen for Water Rails and watch for birds of prey hunting over the reedbed.
 
18. Fox Hole
Good high tide wader roost. Best viewed in the afternoon or evening. Often excellent views of Little Egrets and Black-tailed Godwits.
 
19. Lough Aderra
Ideal for a family outing with picnic areas and uninterrupted views of the lake. Ducks in particular are worth a second look.