Donegal Bay’s Wildlife
Donegal Bay is warmed by the Gulf Stream and its rich clear waters are abundant with wildlife.
These are just a few of the species you may be lucky enough to see, and how to identify them.
Albacore Tuna
Look out for: Really long pectoral fins, they are half the fish’s body length.
Most likely to be seen: Summer and Autumn
Atlantic Salmon
Look out for: A very small mouth. Salmon can be seen jumping in the fish farms.
Most likely to be seen: Spring and Summer
Basking Shark
Look out for: The “megamouth” as they feed on plankton.
Most likely to be seen: July to October
Black-Backed Gull
Look out for: Their size! Ireland’s biggest gulls. And of course the black back with white “mirrors” around the edges.
Most likely to be seen: All year round
Bottlenose Dolphin
Look out for: The distinctively shaped nose! And a curved dorsal fin.
Most likely to be seen: Summer months
Brent Geese
Look out for: The dark head and neck, also dark plumage.
Most likely to be seen: Winter. They come to Ireland for the warmth!
Common Seal
Look out for: Lighter fur with ring shapes.
Most likely to be seen: April to July
Cormorant
Look out for: Along neck and black plumage. Prolific divers.
Most likely to be seen: All year round
Grey Seal
Look out for: Grey seals are bigger and darker than the common seal.
Most likely to be seen: Winter months
Harbour Porpoise
Look out for: Smaller than dolphins with straight dorsal fins. (Dolphin fins are curved)
Most likely to be seen: Summer months
Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
Look out for: The mane! Compass jellyfish are often mistaken for dangerous lion’s manes.
Most likely to be seen: Summer months
Minke Whale
Look out for: Two blowholes! And a white band on the flipper.
Most likely to be seen: May to October
Razorbill
Look out for: A white belly and black coat with distinctive markings on the bill.
Most likely to be seen: Late Spring into Summer
Albacore Tuna
Look out for: Really long pectoral fins, they are half the fish’s body length.
Most likely to be seen: Summer and Autumn
Atlantic Salmon
Look out for: A very small mouth. Salmon can be seen jumping in the fish farms.
Most likely to be seen: Spring and Summer
Basking Shark
Look out for: The “megamouth” as they feed on plankton.
Most likely to be seen: July to October
Black-Backed Gull
Look out for: Their size! Ireland’s biggest gulls. And of course the black back with white “mirrors” around the edges.
Most likely to be seen: All year round
Bottlenose Dolphin
Look out for: The distinctively shaped nose! And a curved dorsal fin.
Most likely to be seen: Summer months
Brent Geese
Look out for: The dark head and neck, also dark plumage.
Most likely to be seen: Winter. They come to Ireland for the warmth!
Common Seal
Look out for: Lighter fur with ring shapes.
Most likely to be seen: April to July
Cormorant
Look out for: Along neck and black plumage. Prolific divers.
Most likely to be seen: All year round
Grey Seal
Look out for: Grey seals are bigger and darker than the common seal.
Most likely to be seen: Winter months
Harbour Porpoise
Look out for: Smaller than dolphins with straight dorsal fins. (Dolphin fins are curved)
Most likely to be seen: Summer months
Lion’s Mane Jellyfish
Look out for: The mane! Compass jellyfish are often mistaken for dangerous lion’s manes.
Most likely to be seen: Summer months
Minke Whale
Look out for: Two blowholes! And a white band on the flipper.
Most likely to be seen: May to October
Razorbill
Look out for: A white belly and black coat with distinctive markings on the bill.
Most likely to be seen: Late Spring into Summer