Puffins in Ireland's eye?

gzoladz

Do they occur there? I am aware there are more reliable spots around the country (Saltees, Skellig, Clare, Donegal and Rathlin) but I may not be able to make it to those locations.

I also know it is still too early, planning to go in June/July.

Half-cocked

I saw 1 Puffin once on Irelands Eye! It was sitting outside a burrow though, so possibly nesting. Only problem with Puffins is that they are best seen late evening after they've finished fishing for the day, they sit around outside their nest burrows. And the last boat back to the mainland has long gone by then.

Capercaillie

Rats on Irelands eye. Very few puffins nest as a result.
On Saltee Islands during the summer they are a lot more common and easy to see.

Del.Monte

Capercaillie wrote: »

Rats on Irelands eye. Very few puffins nest as a result.
On Saltee Islands during the summer they are a lot more common and easy to see.

Why has the rat population not been eradicated? Is Ireland's Eye too close to the mainland that rats can swim out there? Is there any kind of wardening out there - I think I know the answer to that.

I held a Puffin during a ringing expedition on the Great Saltee back in the 1970s - still have the claw marks.

OpenYourEyes

They do nest on Ireland's Eye, but in small numbers.

Saltee is definitely a more reliable site to see them, but they're not doing well there in recent years compared to the comprehensive surveys done around the year 2000.

gzoladz

Thanks all... Ok I will have to study the logistics a bit longer.

I suppose Saltees from Dublin can be done in one day, leaving early (2 hours drive to Kylmore Quay) and back the same evening/night.

Half-cocked

gzoladz wrote: »

Thanks all... Ok I will have to study the logistics a bit longer.

I suppose Saltees from Dublin can be done in one day, leaving early (2 hours drive to Kylmore Quay) and back the same evening/night.

Easily done in a day. Allow 2.5 hours just in case of traffic delays. Unfortunately day trips are restricted to between 12 noon and 4pm while the owners are in residence, which is nearly all Summer long these days. But you should still see a few Puffins, June is the best month. The little bay at 52.116672, -6.611563 is a good spot for them.

Capercaillie

OpenYourEyes wrote: »

They do nest on Ireland's Eye, but in small numbers.

Saltee is definitely a more reliable site to see them, but they're not doing well there in recent years compared to the comprehensive surveys done around the year 2000.

Rats on Saltees (I believe)and also signs of mink.

OpenYourEyes

Capercaillie wrote: »

Rats on Saltees (I believe)and also signs of mink.

Yeah there are definitely rats on Saltee alright. Could also be problems with food supply etc possibly. Not that there is any tangible evidence of an impact but I would question whether there is a disturbance issue too.

tricky D

There was a small colony at least up until 2 years ago. They could still be there; will ask around later. However there was a slow fire on the island 21 months ago which lasted well over a week and that could have done some damage. While the puffin areas weren't directly affected, doubt it helped.

As for rats on the island yep, there's loads of them. They have little problem swimming out. Back in the 70s when there was a big intense fire and tens of thousands of them fled to between Sutton Golf Club and the harbour. At times you couldn't walk for stepping on them. That's only a bit of an exaggeration they really were everywhere.

gzoladz

I think I will try to go to both as I have never been to either. Actually I don't think I have ever been to any of the islands (other than Bull and Achill) despite having visited all the counties.

For Saltees, the boat leaves at 11 so leaving Dublin at 700/730, stopping for breakfast half way, should do. I think the boat comes back at 5pm so should be back home at 8ish.

Looking forward to it now, need to pick the date and confirm with a few friends.

Half-cocked

gzoladz wrote: »

Looking forward to it now, need to pick the date and confirm with a few friends.

Go in June to see the largest numbers of nesting seabirds. Most of them depart quite suddenly in July when the young fledge, although you can see Gannets right through into October.