Travelled to The Saltee Islands on Sunday 21st.
It was my first trip to the Islands, but it won't be my last.
The Saltees are located a few miles off of Kilmore Quay, Co.Wexford.Declan Bates ferries people back and forth throughout the summer months for a fee of €25.
The islands are privatly owned by the Neale family, but they allow full access to the public.All they ask in return is that you leave the islands as you find them.More info available at http://www.salteeislands.info/
The islands are a haven for all sorts of wildlife, but is probably most famous for it's bird population.Among the the many breeds to be seen are Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills etc.There are many seals in abundance around the island as well.
The Gannet Colony (pic below)has to be seen to be believed....
Puffins seem the be one of the most photographed birds on the island. I was lucky to see plenty of them during my visit.I've heard that they can be hard to find at times.
It was my first trip to the Islands, but it won't be my last.
The Saltees are located a few miles off of Kilmore Quay, Co.Wexford.Declan Bates ferries people back and forth throughout the summer months for a fee of €25.
The islands are privatly owned by the Neale family, but they allow full access to the public.All they ask in return is that you leave the islands as you find them.More info available at http://www.salteeislands.info/
The islands are a haven for all sorts of wildlife, but is probably most famous for it's bird population.Among the the many breeds to be seen are Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills etc.There are many seals in abundance around the island as well.
The Gannet Colony (pic below)has to be seen to be believed....
Puffins seem the be one of the most photographed birds on the island. I was lucky to see plenty of them during my visit.I've heard that they can be hard to find at times.
What really struck me on my visit is ,how close people can get the birds.They don't seem to perceive us as a danger.You can easly get to within 20 feet of most of the birds.The gannet colony is the only place I saw some people getting to close to the birds.Here the birds are nesting and trying to protect their chicks.Yet some people still want to get within 2 or 3 feet.Some of the birds actually made attempts to fend off the offending people.
The Saltees are a national treasure.Well worth a visit. We should count ourselves really lucky that they are so close and open to all.If you do pay a visit, just remember the rule......Leave the Island as you find it.
More pics at www.flickr.com/carrig
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