BirdWatch Ireland

West Cork Branch

Protecting birds and biodiversity in West Cork

The Branch

Events

A list of our events can be found on our Facebook page, and can also be obtained by joining our mailing list. Click here to subscribe to our mailing list.

We would like to make members aware of the Cork Branch outings also, as many members are able to attend both. Their outings can be found on their website.

Except where indicated, all events are free and non-Members are very welcome.

For further information, please contact the leader of each event.

Summer and autumn 2026

Thursday 2^nd July 2026
Swift conservation & monitoring workshop - Skibbereen
7:00pm    Meet at Skibbereen Library. This is Cork County Council initiative with the Branch. Come along to learn about Swift ecology, conservation, and how to monitor your local Swift populations.
Leader:    Alan McCarthy                        Toilets: Yes        Walk: Easy

Thursday 9^th July 2026
Swift conservation & monitoring workshop - Macroom
7:00pm    Meet at Macroom Library. This is Cork County Council initiative with the Branch. Come along to learn about Swift ecology, conservation, and how to monitor your local Swift populations.
Leader:    Alan McCarthy                        Toilets: Yes        Walk: Easy

Sunday 12^th July 2026
Whiddy Island – BirdWatch Ireland Members only
11:00am    Join us for a nature walk on Whiddy Island as we explore the island’s flora and fauna. This trip is open to BirdWatch Ireland Members only. To book please email damarislysaght@gmail.com with your name & membership number. The trip will be from 11:00am to 4:15pm & involve a ferry from Bantry (€8). Bring lunch.
Leader:    Damaris Lysaght        087 054 7648            Toilets: Yes        Walk: Easy

Sunday 9^th August 2026
Timoleague Educational Garden
12:30pm    As part of the Timoleague Harvest Festival, join us at Timoleague Educational Garden from 12.30pm to 2.30pm: GPS 51.64182, -8.76494. Learn about the birds that use the local estuary on migration and during the winter, how to identify them and how to use spotting scopes and binoculars. This is a family event.
Leader:    Fiona O’Neill        086 813 0650            Toilets: No        Walk: Easy

Sunday 16^th August 2026
National Heritage Week - Family Event at Rosscarbery
11:00am    Find out more about the birds that use the estuary on migration and during the winter. Meet at the Causeway near the Celtic Ross Hotel, GPS 51.57564, -9.02925.
Leader:     Nicholas Mitchell    087 121 5256                    Toilets: Yes        Walk: Easy

Sunday 23^rd August 2026
Pelagic Boat Trip – BirdWatch Ireland Members only
10:30am    Join Paul Connaughton, one of Europe’s leading pelagic tour specialists, as we endeavour to see shearwaters, skuas and petrels. Places for this this trip are open to BirdWatch Ireland Members only; numbers are limited. The cost is €70pp. Depart from Union Hall Pier at 10:30am and return at approx. 4:00pm. Bring lunch. To book please email Nicholas Mitchell: treasurer@birdwatchirelandwestcork.ie with your name and membership number.
Leader:    Paul Connaughton    087 689 6964            Toilets: No        Walk: N/A

Sunday 20^th September 2026
Outing to Cape Clear – BirdWatch Ireland Members only
11:45am    Meet at the Cape Clear Bird Observatory (The Obs) & join us to commemorate the second anniversary of the death of Steve Wing. The outing includes a bird ringing demonstration by Bird Warden, John Horton. A ferry leaves Baltimore at 10:45 & returns at 5.00pm (€23 return). Bring suitable footwear, clothing and lunch. Any changes to sailing times will be posted on our website; check in advance.
Leader:    Jez Simms    087 689 6964        Toilets:    Yes        Walk:    Moderate/Strenuous

Sunday 11^th October 2026
Outing to Mizen Head
11:00am    Autumn migration outing to Mizen Head. Meet at 11.00am at Mizen Vision Car Park: GPS 51.45157, -9.81107. Full day outing with half day option. Bring suitable footwear, clothing and lunch.
Leader:     Jez Simms/Nicholas Mitchell    087 689 6964        Toilets:    Yes        Walk:    Easy

Sunday 22^nd November 2026
Outing to Croagh Bay
11:30am    Come along to see wintering ducks and waders. Meet at Lowertown Church (Church of the Seven Sacraments) on R592, 4kms west of Schull, for car-pooling. Half-day outing.
Leader:    Jez Simms    087 689 6964                Toilets:    No        Walk:    Easy

Sunday 6^th December
The Gearagh
10:30am    Join us as we explore the birds and unique biodiversity that characterise Macroom’s submerged glacial woodland. Bring wellies and lunch. Meet at Dromkeen Cross, South Car Park GPS 51.874433, -8.979196
Leader:    John Lynch                        Toilets:    No        Walk:    Easy