Many of Ireland’s mammals are secretive but it is amazing what you can see given a bit of knowledge of where to look, though an element of luck is required as well. Otters are frequent along the many lake shores, rivers and also along the coast. In coastal areas, look in places where fresh water is also available. Another very elusive, but beautiful mammal, is the pine marten. They occur all over the county but are more likely to be seen in some of the conifer plantations and woodlands in peatland areas (e.g. Brackloon wood). Badgers are common in farmland areas. Lesser horseshoe bats are rare in Ireland and are found only in western counties including Mayo. They roosts mainly in roofs of old houses or in outhouses and stables.
Irish hares, a unique Irish subspecies of the mountain hare, is also widespread but are more commonly seen in upland areas and also in areas of the coast with dunes. Red squirrels have been re-introduced in Belleek woods, in Ballina, but again are hard to spot.
The coast has much to offer the nature enthusiast. If you are interested in seeing marine mammals then good headlands for watching from are Downpatrick head, Kilcummin and off Achill Island. Seals can also be seen. Mayo’s off-shore islands are particularly important for this marine mammal.
Turnstones, oystercatchers, terns and ringed plover can all be seen along the rocky shores of the west and north coast. Choughs can be found along the cliff tops of North Mayo, along with nesting seabirds such as fulmar, kittiwake, puffin, razorbill and guillemots. Estuaries and bays such as the Moy estuary and Killala Bay support breeding, wintering and migrating waders and wildfowl such as golden plover, bar-tailed godwit, lapwing, curlew and pale-bellied brent geese. Off-shore islands are important for nesting seabirds such as storm petrels, Leach’s petrel, puffins and tern species and over-wintering barnacle geese. Corncrakes, a rare and threatened species, can still be heard in areas such as the Mullet peninsula and some of the islands.
Cliff tops are also potential sites for spotting peregrine falcons. Kestrels and sparrowhawks are common through the countryside. Buzzards and Golden eagles can be seen very occasionally. Remote areas of the north coast are also important for Twite, a small member of the finch family. This bird has undergone dramatic declines throughout Europe. Today Mayo, supports about half of the Irish population.
The Mullet peninsula also boast a number of rare Irish invertebrate species. These include a number of moth species (Coastal dart, Portland moth and the Belted beauty) and also the Great Yellow Bumblebee. This bumblebee is on the verge of extinction in Ireland (and declining throughout central Europe). Heath bumblebees can be seen in upland heath areas. It needs flower rich meadows to thrive. Dragonflies are common along the shores of lakes including Lough Carra and Lough Conn.
Mayo’s many fresh-water lakes and rivers support some important fresh water species including the Atlantic salmon, lamprey, and the white-clawed crayfish.
Author & Photography
By Karina Dingerkus