Harper’s Island Wetlands
Harpers Island, Co. Cork
Harper’s Island Wetlands is a small (30 ha), low-lying island in the Glounthaune Estuary/Slatty Water complex in the northern section of Cork Harbour. It’s described as a “truly hidden gem” on the outskirts of Cork city, with brackish grasslands developing into successional saltmarsh, influenced by the surrounding tidal estuary through an old sluice point.
Why visit
Harper’s Island is described as an extremely important safe feeding and roosting refuge for many species of wintering waterbirds. Nearly half of the Cork Harbour Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit population roosts here on spring high tides, with peak counts exceeding 2,000 birds (stated as over 4% of the global population). The wider Glounthaune Estuary/Slatty Water complex is stated to support national-importance populations of:
- Common Shelduck
- Eurasian Teal
- Little Grebe
- European Golden Plover
- Dunlin
- Common Redshank
- Common Greenshank
Harper’s Island is stated to support significant components of these populations.
Trail & facilities
- One entrance
- Two bird hides
- 2 km nature trail (circular)
- Wide path; easy route; access on foot
- Birdwatching hide/platform: yes
- A telescope can be useful
- Free parking (limited spaces) at the entrance
- Free public access during opening hours
Getting there
Main entrance: on the L3004 near Johnstown Close, Glounthaune, County Cork.
By train: stated as 10 minutes from Cork City by train, then about an 8-minute walk from Glounthaune Railway Station.
By bus: Bus Éireann services 240, 241, 260, 260 stop outside Glounthaune Railway Station.
By car: just off the N25
– From Cork City: exit Junction 2 (Little Island), drive east on the L3004 for ~2.5 km; entrance on the right
– From Midleton side: exit Junction 3 (Tullagreen), drive west on the L3004 for ~2.6 km; entrance on the left
Habitat & conditions
Habitats: Wetland, mud flats, grassland, sea
Conditions: wet, open landscape, high water possible
Good birding season: all year round
Best time to visit: spring migration, autumn migration
