At the north end of the estuary, waders on the Wexford shore can be viewed, rather distantly, from Cheekpoint and the roadside immediately to the south.   Most Wigeon occur along the Wexford shore, and nowadays up to several hundred Black-tailed Godwits in winter.  Fewer birds occur on the Waterford shore here, although good views can be had of Black-tailed Godwits at Cheekpoint itself.   Good concentrations of Grey Herons can occur at Great Island generating station, immediately opposite Cheekpoint.

Better views of larger numbers of wintering birds can be had along the Waterford shoreline from Passage East south to Creadan Head.  From Passage East , the walk south along the stony shoreline is awkward, but can be interesting, with perhaps more birds about at low tide.  There is a mussel bed just off Passage East, which, when exposed, attracts many Oystercatcher, Redshank and gulls.  Large numbers of Cormorants are often present offshore, and to the north of Passage East.

Geneva Strand, further south, is probably the most important area ornithologically, as many of the wintering birds roost and feed here.  Regular species include Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Bar-tailed Godwit and Turnstone.  Geneva Strand is also an important night-roost for Common and Black-headed Gulls.  Small flocks of Brent Geese feed here, especially in late winter and spring.  In general, the best time to visit Geneva Strand is at high tide when the birds will roost close inshore or just before dusk for the gulls.  Otherwise, the birds will be widely dispersed over the extensive sandflats and rocky shore.  At any stage of the tide, however, small numbers of Red-breasted Mergansers and Great Crested Grebes can be seen offshore. 

There is a long sandy beach at Woodstown and at low tide a massive area of mudflat is exposed, used for feeding by wintering shorebirds which usually roost elsewhere.  Oystercatcher can be numerous, and there are often good numbers of Bar-tailed Godwits and smaller numbers of Sanderling and Knot present.  Good numbers of Great Crested Grebes can occur immediately offshore.  Woodstown also holds a large night-time gull roost, with up to 4000 Black-headed Gulls and 3000 Common Gulls recorded.  Species such as Mediterranean or Iceland Gull also occur on occasion.  There is a colony of nesting Sand Martins along the north end of the beach.  Further south, Woodstown Bog holds breeding Grey Herons, Water Rails and Sedge Warblers (and Reed Warbler has been heard singing ), and can be a good spot for wintering Chiffchaffs;

At Creadan (or Fornaght) Strand, Oystercatcher are again the most numerous species present on the flats exposed at low tide but small numbers of other waders, including Ringed Plover, will also be present in winter, plus often a few Brent Geese.  There is also potential for migrant waders like Little Stint or Ruff, although recent records of such species (here or at Woodstown) are few, partly reflecting poor coverage.  Fornaght Bog, inside Creadan strand between Creadan Head and Knockaveelish, can be a good site for migrant landbirds, although has suffered from drainage and is less productive than in the past. 

From Creadan Head south to Dunmore East (see separate site-account) including Ardnamult and Foilakippeen,  small numbers of seabirds nest (mainly Fulmar, Herring Gull, Kittiwake and Razorbill).  Colonies can be viewed from a distance from Dunmore East pier, or accessed on foot along the cliff-tops.  Large numbers of Cormorants also roost on the cliffs at the south side of Creadan Head.  Dunmore East provides the best views of the harbour-mouth, when looking for feeding or passage seabirds, divers or seaduck.