In summer , head for the offshore islands. Kerry is the world headquarters for breeding storm petrels and has big colonies of gannets, shearwaters, puffins, and most other species of seabird. Visitors to the Great Skellig island pass by the Little Skellig, which in summer is home to 46,000 gannets. The mountains are also worth visiting at this time of year. Keep your eyes peeled for ring ouzels, choughs, ravens, peregrines, and rock doves, particularly around the Gap of Dunloe.
Autumn is the time for the estuaries and headlands.
Castlemaine Harbour, Tralee Bay, and the Shannon Estuary all have large numbers of ducks, geese, and waders. Light-bellied brent geese and wigeon are common around Castlemaine Harbour and Tralee Bay. Of the three estuaries, Tralee is probably best for a mix of species. To the north lies Akeragh Lough, famous as a beacon for American migrants, particularly waders. In winter , check out the large scoter flocks off Rossbeigh Strand and in Ballinskelligs Bay.