Achill has a wide variety of wildlife both on and off the island. Most are easy to see, for others it is much more difficult, but what a pleasure to get to see some elusive species!
The easiest to observe are the different species of birds. There are about 40 species on the island year-round, such as the , Goldfinches, Kinglets, , Kestrels or Peregrine Falcons. Summer visitors will also be able to observe Warblers, Gannets,Choughs or Cuckoos to name but a few. In winter you will find Redwings, Waxwing, Whooper swan, Golden Plovers and Reed Harriers.
There are also more common species such as the Common shelduck,Plover, Rock Pigeon, Lark, Swallow, Meadow pipit, the Grey Wagtail, Swallow, Hedge Sparrrow, Blackbird, Thrush, and Ravens.
However it's not all about the birds, being an Island we obviously get a lot of sea life around our shores. This can range from Wild Sea Otters, Grey Seals, Dolphins, Whales and of course The Basking Shark.
Basking Sharks were once a very familiar sight to coastal communities along the western seaboard but following many years of being targeted by fishing communities, their numbers were decimated. Although the meat was used for food or fertiliser, it was the shark’s liver that was the valuable prize. A Basking Shark's liver may weigh up to one-third of the weight of the animal and is rich in an oil called squalene. This oil was used for dressing wounds, preserving wood and most commonly for lighting. One of the best documented Basking Shark fisheries in the world was on Achill Island. Between 1950 and 1964, 9000 sharks were killed with a record 1,808 killed in 1952 alone. From 1955 the catch declined and the fishery closed in 1975 after 12,342 sharks had been killed. The collapse of this fishery suggested the local stock had been over-fished. While we are seeing an increase in Basking Shark numbers in recent years, they are still considered to be endangered in the North East Atlantic. They are not protected in Irish Waters.
