A Bird Walk in the Wicklow Mountains National Park

Bird Walk Map

Courtesy of the NPWS

1. Willow Warbler

Photo: John Carey

3. Redwing

Photo: Shay Connolly

3. Dipper

Photo: Shay Connolly

4. Grey Wagtail

Photo: Michael Finn

5. Grey Heron

Photo: John Carey

6. Treecreeper

Photo: John Fox

7. Goldcrest

Photo: Michael Finn

8. Coal Tit

Photo: Gerry Cassidy

9. Goosander

Photo: Killian Mullarney)

10. Peregrine Falcon

Photo: John Griffin

11. Raven

Photo: John Carey

12. Rook

Photo: Ronnie Martin

13. Chaffinch

Photo: Clive Timmons

14. Jackdaw

Photo: Michael Finn

15. Magpie

Photo: Clive Timmons

Long-tailed Tit

Photo: Clive Timmons

Wood Pigeon

Photo: Birdwatch Ireland

Jay

Photo: Terry Flanagan

Robin

Photo: Clive Timmons

Blackbird

Photo: Jerry Cassidy

This 5km walk starts & finishes at the Information Office and follows the Miners’ Road Walk. This route is waymarked with purple arrows, is graded ‘easy’ and takes a minimum of 1 hour to complete.

At least 100 different species of bird live within Wicklow Mountains National Park. This guide highlights some of the resident and migratory birds that you might encounter on this waymarked walk.

As you walk across the upper lake area look out for Willow Warblers (1) in the summer  (a migrant from tropical west Africa), or look out for Redwing (2) (a winter migrant from Scandinavia).

Stop on the bridge and look out for Dippers (3). These extraordinary birds swim underwater hunting for insects on the riverbed. Grey Wagtails (4) and Grey Herons (5) are often seen hunting for insects and fish respectively along the river bank.

After crossing the bridge look out for Treecreepers (6) hunting for insects as they creep up tree trunks. Try to spot Ireland’s smallest bird, the Goldcrest (7) which is often seen feeding in branches high above the path.  Coal Tits (8) are also plentiful in the Scots pine trees.

As you walk along the path, look across the Lake. You may be lucky enough to see Goosander (9), a shy and scarce fish eating duck.

Continue on to the Miners’ Village. Look up at the cliffs for signs of Peregrine Falcon (10). When pursuing smaller birds, they can reach speeds of up to 300 km per hour. Ireland’s largest crow, the Raven (11), also nests in these cliffs.

Return along the way you came. The picnic area often has Rooks (12), Chaffinches (13), Jackdaws (14) and Magpies (15).

Part of the Purple Walking Trail – Please refer to The Walking Trails of Glendalough leaflet for a full trail description.

Wicklow Mountains National Park is managed by the National Parks & Wildlife Service. 

Want to discover more about birds? Please see Birds of the Wicklow Mountains National Park leaflet available at the Education Centre, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Wicklow Mountains National Park, Kilafin, Laragh, Co. Wicklow, A98K286, Tel: 0404-45656           Email: wickloweducationcentre@environ.ie                                                                                               Visit: www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie & www.npws.ie

All photographs (except No. 10) provided by Birdwatch Ireland                                                  Visit: www.birdwatchireland.ie