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Description
Rahasane turlough is the largest surviving turlough (an intermittent lake) in Ireland. It is an important location for migrating birds, and wintering ground for the Greater White-fronted Goose. It is one of the few known breeding grounds in Ireland of the Eurasian Wigeon. The Garganey can be seen on occasion. And it is a very good place to spot accidental visitors from America, such as American Wigeon, and from Europe, such as Black Tern.
In winter you can find Greenland Greater White-fronted Goose (nationally important numbers) and Whooper Swan are regular in small numbers. There are often large numbers of Eurasian Wigeon, whilst Mallard, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Common Pochard will also be present. There is a good chance of Northern Pintail and Gadwall, which are not easy to find in Galway. Winter waders include large numbers of European Golden Plover and Northern Lapwing , with Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin as a supporting cast. In autumn there are often rarer waders if water levels are favourable. Birds like Lesser Yellowlegs, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper, Jack Snipe and Dotterel have been seen.
Details
Access
This site is best reached from the main N18 Galway to Limerick road. At Kilcolgan (18 km, 11 m, south of Galway) turn left onto the minor road to Craughwell. After a few km the turlough will be seen to the right of the road. There are several viewpoints along the road and from lane ends leading from it. Please take care when parking.
Terrain and Habitat
Wetland , GrasslandConditions
Open landscapeCircular trail
NoIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
Winter , AutumnBest time to visit
WinterRoute
Paved roadDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
CarBirdwatching hide / platform
NoExtra info
A turlough is a karst lake, which has no surface outlet and is surrounded on all sides by rising land. At Rahasane the drainage has been modified in that since the nineteenth century the Dunkellin river has followed an artificial channel downstream of the turlough, but part of the flow continues to go underground, via a natural sink, into the underlying limestone. Rahasane consists of two basins which are connected at times of flood but separated as the waters decline. It covers 257 ha. The site comprises marshes, seasonally flooded wet meadows, with limestone outcrops and scrub at its margins. In the summer the lake empties and the basin is grazed by cattle, horses and sheep.