Cloondroon Lake

Cloondroon Lake is highly valued for coarse fishing as it is stocked with Pike, Perch and Roach. This beautiful natural local amenity has been developed by the local community in partnership with Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Office of Public

Works, in a sensitive manner to protect the coarse fishing resource, local environment and wildlife. Eels and Freshwater Crayfish have been seen in the Illaune River running into the lake. The lake is also a popular destination for local Kayakers who teach youngsters how to get about on the water.

The very rare Marsh Fritillary Butterfly (one of the rarest in Europe!) has been recorded in wet grassland near Cloondroon. Otters and their young are spotted regularly by anglers in and around the lake.

Cloondroon Lake is also a good and easily accessible spot for birdwatching. It attracts several species of duck in winter including Teal, Wigeon and Gadwall as well as rarer local types such as Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye. Wintering Icelandic Whooper Swans, sometimes in numbers up to a 100 strong and, very rarely nowadays, Greenland White-fronted Geese, can sometimes be seen here.

The area around the lake, especially in autumn and winter, is usually good for Lapwing and Golden Plover.

A flock of about 2,000 Lapwing was once recorded at the site along with 500 Golden Plover! Common Terns have sometimes dropped in to feed in spring, and occasionally do so in summer. Water Rail, though usually difficult to see, can often be heard around the fringes of the lake and this is probably the best area to come across a wintering Hen Harrier or two.

Hen Harriers are one of our rarest birds of prey. These majestic birds of prey used to roost close to the lake in the undisturbed scrub and bog land and though much scarcer than in former times, are still to be found most winters.

One notable – albeit, brief – visitor to the lake was a White – tailed Eagle that was tracked here with the aid of a satellite tag as it roamed up and down the country in 2009.