Inishbofin Corncrake Festival

Corncrake Birdwatching Break aims to allow visitors to hear and see this iconic bird, while raising awareness of the plight of this endangered species.

The call of the corncrake was once a familiar sound in rural Ireland. Intensification of farming practices such as early mowing for silage have pushed these birds out to more remote unspoilt areas of Donegal, Mayo, Connemara and offshore islands.
In 2018 Birdwatch Ireland estimated only 151 breeding pairs remained in Ireland.

On Inishbofin in Co. Galway, numbers have steadily increased, with 18 calling males reported in recent years. So this tiny island is now home to over 10% of the country’s breeding population. This elusive bird has become synonymous with Inishbofin.

The weekend at the Dolphin Hotel will include early morning and afternoon walks to corncrake habitats. There will be after dinner talks and midnight walks to hear the nostalgic crex crex call.

As well as corncrakes, the beautiful island of Inishbofin attracts breeding birds such as wheatear, skylark, chough, lapwing and ringed plover.

Beginner birdwatchers welcome.