We're in that in-between time of the year — after Christmas, before the New Year — when time seems to slow down a little. Days are short. Nights are long. From the comfort of a warm fire indoors, the outdoors can look bleak: cold, grey, a bit soggy. And yet… you’ve got a pocket of free time, and you’re itching for fresh air.
So maybe you gather a few family members. You declare an expedition. Coats on. Hats found. Let’s go! But where? And to do what?
1. Murmuration watching
Coming together with family and friends to watch a starling murmuration is a special winter experience. A murmuration is when huge flocks of starlings gather at dusk and suddenly begin swirling and dancing in the sky, moving in soft, synchronised patterns above their roosting sites.
The best time to watch is on cold, still evenings from November through to late January, just before sunset, when the birds come together for the night.
Head to reed beds, wetlands, estuaries, or even city-edge trees, arrive about 30–45 minutes before dusk, and be patient: at first it may feel calm and uneventful — then, almost without warning, thousands of birds lift, twist and fold across the sky like smoke before settling down all at once.
Starling roost map (UK):
https://www.starlingsintheuk.co.uk/roost-map.html
Starling murmuration map (Ireland):
https://bwi.maps.arcgis.com/apps/GeoForm/viewer.html?appid=81bc5538f405405680b7045a84f4e3d5
2. Night sky gazing
We are lucky to live so close to the Mayo Dark Sky Park. After attending a few Dark Skies Festival events over the years, we’ve found ourselves — and our children — properly hooked on night-sky gazing. In the depth of winter, when the sun sets just after 4pm, it’s a particularly good time to go stargazing with children, as they don’t have to stay up long past bedtime.
It’s a lovely thing to do with friends or family: wrap up warm, bring a waterproof blanket to lie on, pour something hot into a flask, and take your time. Binoculars are great (just never point them at the Sun), and a red torch helps you see without ruining your night vision — your eyes need about 20 minutes to adjust fully to the dark.
Before you go, check the weather, cloud cover and moon phase. Wear proper winter layers — hats, gloves and sturdy shoes — lie back and look up, and don’t forget snacks.
More tips on planning your night:
https://www.mayodarkskypark.ie/discover/getting-started/
Explore light pollution levels and good viewing spots here:
https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=10.03&lat=53.9568&lon=-9.5933
3. Razor clam fishing
Razor clam fishing in the north-west of Ireland is best from late autumn through early spring, timed with a very low tide, when the clams sit closer to the surface.
Look for them on wide, sandy beaches and tidal flats — especially stretches of coastline exposed at low tide — where you’ll spot their distinctive keyhole-shaped holes in the sand. And perhaps stating the obvious, but you’ll know a spot is promising if you see lots of razor clam shells washed up along the shore. Tread softly and walk slowly so you don’t announce your presence to the clams beneath the sand (children especially love this part).
Bring warm waterproof clothing, a bucket, salt and a small hand shovel, then gently pour salt into the hole and wait as the clam rises before easing it out by hand. Go slowly, take only what you need, and always check local regulations and biotoxin warnings before you set out.
Plan your razor clam adventure:
Watch how it’s done:
https://youtu.be/xdRqGbT6jog?si=JKLlFJkaLWRNMQ_M
How to cook and eat razor clams:
https://www.seriouseats.com/razor-clam-guide
Winter birdwatching
Ireland sits right on the migratory birds’ flight path, making it especially important for wintering wetland birds that depend on bogs, lakes, rivers, marshes and estuaries. These birds come to feed, shelter and roost, drawn by Ireland’s mild, mostly ice-free winters.
Ducks, geese, swans and waders arrive in large numbers each year, their presence marked by skeins of geese overhead, the whistles of wigeon, the familiar “peewit” call of lapwing, and the bugling of whooper swans. Their numbers and movements are tracked through the Irish Wetland Bird Survey (I-WeBS), coordinated by BirdWatch Ireland with the support of hundreds of volunteers nationwide.
The best time to see wintering wetland birds is from November through February, especially on calm mornings or around high tide, when birds gather to feed and roost. Bring binoculars, warm waterproof layers, sturdy footwear and a simple field guide, and give yourself time to stand still and watch. A hot drink and a notebook never hurt either — winter birdwatching rewards patience.
Plan your birdwatching excursion :
BirdWatch Ireland nature reserves:
https://birdwatchireland.ie/our-work/nature-reserves
Film — Listers:
https://youtu.be/zl-wAqplQAo?si=DrEvQobV_-KAOFUo
Places to go and what you might see:
https://mkoireland.ie/insights/winter-birdwatching-spots/
Beginner’s guide to birdwatching:
https://www.creatingtomorrowsforests.co.uk/blog/beginners-guide-to-winter-birdwatching
Lichen hunting
Lichens are slow-growing organisms made up of a partnership between fungi and algae, living together on tree bark, rocks, stone walls and even rooftops. You’ll often spot them in places with clean, unpolluted air — especially woodlands, coastal areas, old graveyards and upland landscapes. Finding lichens, particularly a good variety of them, is a quiet sign that the environment is healthy and has been allowed to take its time.
In winter, when the leaves are off the trees, forests are brighter, making lichens and mosses much easier to spot. We like to challenge our children to see who can find the strangest or most unusual lichen or moss we’ve never noticed before — a small game that turns an ordinary walk into a proper expedition.
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Recently we shared what we’ve learned from years of walking with three small children in the wind and rain in the west of Ireland.
Tips for hiking with small children
