Overview
Valentia’s stunning wildlife in the air, land and sea is a major draw for visitors and locals.
Seabird populations in summer are huge and many people have their first glimpse of puffins. The world record for a tourist repeating the words “Oh Look – Puffin Darling!” was set here when a visitor said it every time she saw one of up to ten thousand of them from the boat while visiting Nearby Puffin Island (Oileán na gCánóg). She was turned into a herring gull, but that’s a long story.
You will see Gannets, Herons, Swallows, Manx Shearwaters and Storm Petrels. There are also Razorbills, Guillemots and Kittiwakes. Dolphins are a common sight and some people think the seals you can spot in the harbour are here on Porpoise. You can Limpet your way along the shore at low tide you can see and barnacles clinging to the rocks, you can Sea Anemone close up and have no fear, Mussels that make periwinkle with all its talk but enough of this bladderwrack!
Get out there and see what you can find!
