Cape Clear Bird Observatory

On Cape Clear Island, the southernmost inhabited point of Ireland, Cape Clear Bird Observatory has been logging migrating birds every day since 1959.

About Cape Clear Bird Observatory

This is a bird observatory rather than an astronomical one - it's the only bird observatory currently operating in Ireland. It was founded on 19 August 1959 by five young English birdwatchers, four of them still secondary school pupils, with support from the British Trust for Ornithology.

History

The observatory became a permanent establishment in 1960, and by the end of 1962 it had purchased Harbour House at North Harbour on the island as its base. It has maintained a daily species log continuously since 1959, making it one of the longest-running bird migration records of its kind.

Research

The observatory's core work is bird ringing and migration monitoring, tracking which species pass through or stop on the island and in what numbers, contributing to a long-term dataset now spanning more than six decades.

Location & getting there

Cape Clear Island sits off the coast of County Cork, Ireland, and is Ireland's southernmost inhabited island, home to a population of around 147 people. The observatory is a two-minute walk from the ferry beach where boats from the mainland arrive.

Visiting Cape Clear Bird Observatory

The observatory is manned by a resident warden from March to November and offers hostel-style accommodation for visitors who want to stay and take part in the birdwatching. Check the BirdWatch Ireland website for current booking details before travelling.

See your named star from here

Cape Clear's isolation and lack of city lights that make it good for watching birds arrive also make its night sky worth a look. A star named through Star Register comes with coordinates you can find from the island or anywhere else. Name a star or browse the star catalogue.