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| Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) Regularly observed hovering over grassy verges or on the edges of the marsh. Kestrels are very suspicious of humans, but I got quite close to this fine male bird before he took flight! |
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| Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) The largest of all Irish breeding gulls, and a regular visiter to the Island. |
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| Curlew (Numenius arquata) Some concern has been expressed about an an apparent European decline in this species, but I have to say there does not appear to be any drop in Bull Island numbers! |
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| Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) This godwit does not breed in Ireland, but is an Island regular in winter, and can be observed in considerable numbers at times. |
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| Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) Commonly seen on the mudflats at low tide, particularly in winter. The bird in the foreground is a male in breeding colours. |
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| "Red Boats at Anchor" I think these little dinghies are used by the long established sea scout troop on the island. The Hill of Howth can be seen in the background. |
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| Not long after sunrise I came upon this herd of Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus), but I retreated swiftly when a huge bull seal started moving surprisingly quickly across the sand towards me. |
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| Merlin (Falco columbarius) A difficult bird to photograph, but I managed to get close enough to this female, to depress the shutter a couple of times before she flew away. A scarce Irish breeding species, which can occasionally be seen over the marsh at Bull Island on a bright winter's morning. |
Bull Island (or more properly North Bull Island) Nature Reserve is possibly unique in that it is the only UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve that is almost totally surrounded by capital city! The Island is about 5km in length and almost 1km across at it's widest point and can be accessed at two locations, the old wooden bridge at Clontarf to the south and the causeway almost opposite St. Anne's Park, about halfway along the shore road to the north. The Island which is made up entirely of sand dunes is fronted by Dollymount Strand and backed by a vast area of salt marsh. During the winter months the island hosts important numbers (in a world context) of brent Geese, curlew, dunlin and various other wader and duck species while rare or unusual birds turn up regularly.
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