Nature Trail.

Nature trail:

Loop Head & The Bridges of Ross:
The Bridges, as The Bridges of Ross are known locally. The name being out of date for
many, many, years. Cultural references persist. Who would have thought?

This is, verbatim, from Loop Head | Birdingplaces
Loop Head is bordered on one side by the River Shannon estuary and on the other by the
Atlantic Ocean. The headland is marked by a prominent lighthouse. Loop Head is a brilliant place to see seabirds all year round. In spring and summer there is a good chance of seeing special birds and large numbers. Seabirds that breed here each summer include Kittiwake, Northern Fulmar, Common Guillemot and Razorbill. Northern
Gannet feed off Loop Head.
Autumn is the best time of year to visit the headland due to the autumn passage of an
amazing array of seabirds, waders and passerines. Late July to early November are the most productive months when West and NW winds blow many passing seabirds close to shore, allowing excellent viewing.

Seabirds regularly seen here in good numbers include Manx Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, European Storm Petrel, Leach's Storm Petrel, Great Skua, Pomarine Skua and Arctic Skua. Regular passage migrants in autumn include Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat, Garden
Warbler, Blackcap, Black Redstart, Brambling, Snow Bunting and Lapland Bunting.
Rare birds that have been recorded here include Ortolan Bunting, American Golden
Plover, Long-billed Dowitcher, Eurasian Wryneck, Common Rosefinch, Red-rumped
Swallow, Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Little Bunting and Rustic Bunting.

Directions to Loop Head / The Bridges, from Loop Head E Bikes:
Loop Head Lighthouse straightforward route:
Loop Head e-Bikes to Kilbaha South, Loop Head, Co. Clare - Google Maps
Bridges of Ross; straightforward route:
Loop Head e-Bikes to R488, Rahona East, Co. Clare - Google Maps

General:
This route is the most straightforward route to Loop Head Lighthouse/The Bridges, & back to
Carrigaholt.
Cyclists cycle on the left side of the road.
Two hours cycling, but please allow for photo/coffee/eating stops.
From Carrigaholt, up the (only) incline, which leads south out of the village.

Downhill here, after 900 m, you come to a crossroads. Turn right onto the coast road.
This road brings you west, past the reed beds on your left which is a great place for birdlife.
Egrets particularly, often herons. Further along is Rhinevilla beach on your left. In July
particularly, Sandwich Terns can be seen & their distinctive cry can be heard. I do love how
they dive. I was lucky enough to hang out with arctic terns in Shetland. Love terns.
Over the bridge here and along the road you arrive at Kilbaha.
From Kilbaha, you are 5 km (20 mins)from Loop Head lighthouse.
Note: To get to The Bridges:
Go North here at the Lighthouse Inn, to watch on the northern side of the Headland. At the northern end of this road, you can head west to the Lighthouse or east along Fodra & Ross bays to The Bridges, well known for migratory species that pass.
To continue west to Loop Head:

Loop Head Lighthouse in County Clare, Ireland | Official Website
The cliffs here contain a multitude of birds, as detailed above.
Watch out, as dolphins are often spotted here, and whales and basking sharks, occasionally.
Return Journey:
Returning to Kilbaha, you retrace your cycle along the Shannon to Loop Head E bikes.