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Rogerstown Estuary, 08/10/2000We couldn't have asked for a better morning weather wise than Sunday, the 8th, for the South Dublin trip to Rogerstown estuary and hide. Probably for the last time, some people met up at what was the Harp Bar in Swords. The times they are a changin' when pubs are been replaced by apartment blocks. In fact, it is probably the beginning of the end! Out at Rogerstown, we were just out of the cars at the allotments when a Buzzard being hassled by a rook was seen to the north. Higher up and much further away, what looked like another one was getting the same treatment. Both spiraled away high to the north to avoid their tormentors. At the hide, which is in immaculate condition, the tide was well on its way out; not the best of times. There were plenty of Teal, Widgeon & Mallard and Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank & Oystercatcher on the mudflats. A solitary Greenshank was seen on and off. Down near the viaduct there was a single immature Shelduckwhich optimists had as a Goosander for a little while. Back from the hide, a pair of Kestrel were getting Buzzard type treatment from the crows. We went to Donabate and down Beaverstown Road to the outer estuary to look for a Crane which had been around a few days previously. When there was no sign of it, we knew immediately that it had been tipped off that Paul Jago was out looking for it that day and that it had decamped immediately for southern latitudes! And you thought the birdline was good? We did have a lovely view of a Peregrine circling low overhead to make up for it. The outer estuary was full of birds on the low tide, with Shelduck in big numbers. There were still plenty of Swallow about and in the lane down to the water a large, autumnal flock of Goldfinch.
Kilcoole Trip, 10th September 2000After the spring trip to Kilcoole which had a Little Ringed Plover, expectations were high for Kilcoole to deliver again in the Autumn. I'd hoped to see the Pectoral Sandpiper which had been there for several days previously, but it was not to be. Kilcoole however did not let us down! In the BWI reserve a half dozen or so Ruff gave good close views. Snipe seemed more plentiful than usual for the time, once one picked out the dark plumage and sometimes the white striped back in the vegetation. A solitary Curlew Sandpiper stood inactive and not very impressive out on the western edge, while small numbers of Lapwing flew in and out. Many people got good views of Dunlin, one of the many little brown jobs of the wader family, which are always difficult for beginners. Overhead, several Whimbrel flew past with their distinctive 'ti ti ti ti ti' call. Interest in the reserve evaporated once a birder coming back to the station told us of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper just north of the Breaches. We looked in vain down in the area where the lagoon meets a dyke. A pair of Little Stint close in and a Wheatear out in the fields were the best we could manage. Small groups of Sandwich Tern flew south offshore.
The Breaches at near high tide had Ringed Plover and not much else, so it was back to the alleged Sandpiper haunt. Fairly soon, an unusual wader was seen up along the lagoon and then it obliged by flying down to the water's edge in front
Ireland's Eye, 1st July 2000The joint boat trip with the Dublin North-East Branch to Ireland's Eye set out in heavy drizzle from Howth pier. Conditions were at least calm and a landing was effected with no casualties.
On the high ground across the island Great Black-backed and Herring Gull circled their unfledged chicks. Black-backs are BIG when close up, and not at all approachable. The "chicks" look like they would have been quite at home in the Jurassic era.
Ireland's eye ? ... maybe, but Dublin might as well be a million miles away. If you go out there, watch your footsteps and avoid collateral damage. B.G. from FlightLines, the monthly newsletter of the South Dublin Branch (September 2000)
Shannon Callows Trip,11th June 2000The grey sky and blustery wind didn't bode well as the coach headed out of Dublin. The breakfast stop at the cross roads of Ireland was enlivened by the "discovery" of An Granuaile coffee shop and restaurant on the main street opposite Harry's. As the monoculture of the eastern fields gave way to the meadows of Offally, the sky brightened and spirits rose. At Shannon Harbour a Spotted Flycatcher was allowing excellent views as it fed its young on the overgrown side of a canal building. Sedge Warbler were in "song" along the towpath and a family of Goldcrest scattered through the hedges. The cold wind kept down the birds on the callows to the south, with only the call of Curlew and the flight of the occasional Heron and Snipe giving any clue to the wealth of life out there. At Banagher we went with Corncrake Project warden Alex Copland to the callows immediately north of the Martello Tower. Here on his midnight counts he'd located nine calling males. While he explained the precarious lifestyle of the Corncrake and the intricacies of the farm subsidy program aimed at their survival, we listened in vain for a call. This year has been difficult with wet, cold and windy weather and numbers to date are down on last year at all Corncrake haunts. Once more the rasp of Sedge Warbler stole the scene with Meadow Pipits offering some diversion.
On to the last stop at Clonmacnoise and a quick sprint down to the Whinchat habitat north of the cemetery. However, on this occasion one obliged close by in the cemetery, with several Goldfinch in attendance. On the riverside the Whinchat were there in the scrub in their usual numbers. Some Lapwing flew far out over on the west bank and Blackheaded Gulls and a lone Lesser Black Back followed the river. Redshank, normally so conspicuous in their breeding habitat, were absent or at least keeping a very low profile in the wind. All in all a good day and I think everyone enjoyed it even if we didn't hear that elusive call. There are just no guarantees in this business. B.G. from FlightLines, the monthly newsletter of the South Dublin Branch (June 2000) Dawn Chorus at Cabinteely Park14th May 2000 Our Dawn Chorus morning began before 4.00am as the cars began to line up outside Dunne's Stores Cornelscourt. We drove in convoy up to the park where 80 people moved through the lightening darkness. Despite the forecast of rain we had a splendid bright sunrise and a wonderful medley of songs from Blackbirds, Song and Mistle Thrushes, Blackcaps, Robins, Wrens, Chaffinches, with a wonderful backdrop of Rooks and Jackdaws and the elusive fainter calls of Treecreepers and Goldcrests. Most of the attendence stayed till 7.30 and the eagerly awaited breakfast for which many thanks to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council providing our dawn chorus attendance with a free breakfast in the splendid Cabinteely House. Particular thanks to Michael Church and Jimmy O'Sullivan of Cabinteely House and the catering team who came in at 6am to prepare a cooked breakfast for us. Michael Ryan from FlightLines, the monthly newsletter of the South Dublin Branch (May 2000) Kilcoole outing, 9th April 2000Branch Outing makes contact with rare migrant (even rarer then last months)- and a reptile. If you know Luke Brady, long time South Dublin Branch supporter, experienced mountaineer and very hardy outdoors man you'll know he is usually dressed in shirt and light windcheater no matter what the weather. So if I tell you Luke went back to get his jacket from the car it should give some idea how cold it was on Sunday 9th April. Though bright and sunny there was a wickedly cold easterly wind blowing that would cut through all but the heaviest garments and Kilcoole is a very exposed spot open to winds from all directions at the best of times and this was not the best of times, wind wise. Swallows had already been seen from the car park and many more were to be seen during the morning. A Red Throated Diver was seen flying north over the sea and later two Sandwich Terns were weaving above the waves. A small group of Brent Geese arrived from Dublin Bay though the numbers were small and many may have already headed north to their breeding grounds. A rare treat was had when someone found a lizard by the railway track and held in the palm of his hand this little, rarely seen, creature provided us with great close up views before being placed safely out of harm. Inland on the reserve we saw Teal, Moorhen, Lapwing, Mute Swan, Ringed Plover and a few less obvious Snipe. Skylarks poured forth their song from way on high.
The BirdWatch Ireland reserve at Kilcoole and its environs are proving a great attraction for many uncommon birds. This week had male Marsh and Montagues Harriers passing over during the hot spell, weather ideal for raptors who rise and soar on the warm air. After the Squacco Heron last year and many more rarities Kilcoole is definetly the place to go. And of course just down the path you can visit the Little Tern breeding ground. Michael Ryan from FlightLines, the monthly newsletter of the South Dublin Branch (May 2000) March Outing - Carlingford Coach TripExciting end of the pier show! Our coach trip to Carlingford was another big success with lots of good birds including one very uncommon one and two species of newly arrived migrants. The day began at our first pick up point in Dun Laoghaire where a small flock of Brent geese flew past into a golden dawn heading south to Kilcoole for the dayıs feeding.
Warmed and refreshed we drove onwards to Dundalk port. The tide was well out and after scanning the gulls and waders an excited cry of "Ruff!" went up. This golden plumaged wader is usually only seen in passage and few of us had ever seen as many together, seventeen in all. We got good close up views of Teal and Lapwing and the Black headed, Herring, Common, Greater and Lesser Black backed gulls while Mute swans drifted elegantly in the channels. A Sparrowhawk flew past closely pursued by a "mob" of birds. Back on the coach and off to Giles Quay where we lunched amidst the continual distraction of wonderful numbers of Divers, Scoter, Mergansers and Cormorants. You could barely put a sandwich to your mouth before someone would shout "Black throated Diver" and you'd be spluttering breadcrumbs over your 'scope trying to pick it up on the vast expanse of sea. Groups of a dozen and more Divers drifted across the glittering sea. Then word came back from the little harbour where Maureen Peelo had spotted a Red necked Grebe a very uncommon bird for Irish waters. The end of the pier was getting dangerously crowded with people clamouring for a first ever glance of this bird in its breeding plumage. We were possibly saved a drowning or two by the bird moving north which forced us to move back to the road where everybody who wanted got a good look at it. Our next destination was Carlingford. Mist hung over the Mourne mountains, there was barely a ripple on the lough but unfortunately there was barely any birds there either. A Civil Defence exercise was winding up on the shore and if it had involved fast boats on the lough they may have scared the birds away. Weıd been told the Fulmars were back on the castle in the town but there wasn't one to be seen when we were there. We were getting back on the bus when we eventually saw fly into a tree one of the towns specialities, a Carrion Crow. These are the British race of our Hooded Crow and have a glossy pitch black plumage. Back on the coach and on to Omeath which weıd been told was the best place to see Scaup from but again the vast spread of water was lacking in ducks. Our final stop was just before Greenore where male Goldeneye stood out brilliantly against the dark water and mixed groups of waders fed and roosted on the rocks and shore. We got the benefit of the last decent bit of light on this wonderful landscape with the darkening mountains mirrored on the lough before we boarded the bus and headed for home. Seventy six birds seen and heard and a great mixture of birds chosen as people's "bird of the day" from Linnet, Goldfinch and Carrion Crow to Ruff and of course Red necked Grebe. Thanks to Brian Gormley for organisation and thanks to all the birds who made for a great day's 'birding'. M Ryan from FlightLines, the monthly newsletter of the South Dublin Branch
February Outing - Bull Island6th FebruaryIt wasn't looking promising. The forecasters said the winds would be changing direction, moving up to blow cold winds from the West at up to 80mph! Not good. The tide wasn't looking too favourable either with a high Spring tide due at 12.30. But we had a wonderful turn-out with our regulars joined by supporters of the North East branch. There must have been 60 or 70 people attending at itıs peak. The tide was racing in bringing in dozens of Redshanks which all bunched together on the fast disappearing mud. Pairs of Teal swam along the channels between them. Our smallest duck but a very neat handsome bird particularly the males iridescent green head flash. A smaller wader moved among the Redshank. Grey, quite plump with a short dark bill and as we looked more Knot, for thatıs what they were appeared from behind the Redshank and roosted together on a spit of mud. Behind them a flock of Black tailed Godwits stood ankle deep, then knee deep, thigh deep, finally flank deep before they lifted their long legs out of the water and took off showing the distinctive broad white band across their wings as they flew over the water. We moved up the path to where dozens of Gulls, mostly Black headed and Common swam among dozens of Shelduck. A pair of Pintailed Duck swam near the bank surely one of our most handsome ducks with their long elegant necks and the maleıs beautiful colourings. On the farther bank a large flock of Curlew settled down to roost. We crossed the road and looked north where among the vegetation hundreds of roosting waders bade their time preening and sleeping. Teal, Wigeon and Shoveller duck swam among them and little groups of Brent geese moved through the little streams. A very sharp eyed observer spotted a Green winged Teal among a group of common teal but they all flew off before many more got to see them. A little tuft of grass on the water held a Snipe, its long bill sharply silhouetted by the low light. At this stage the biting winds had thinned our ranks dramatically which was a pity because a male Kestrel entered stage left and perched on a dead tree giving great views for a few precious minutes.
Michael Ryan
January Outing - Knocksink Wood, Enniskerry16th JanuaryThe access road to the Knocksink Wood was closed so the first few arrivals parked outside and the rest had to leg it up from the churchyard. Redirecting traffic meant we didn't get off to our usual prompt start but our wait was rewarded by a flock of Long tailed Tits moving through the trees and as we began to move up the road a Red Squirrel was seen in a roadside Horse Chestnut. The approach was very quiet, the grey day seeming to cast a cloak of silence over the birds but a nest box on a nearby tree attracted attention. Open fronted like a robin nest box, but much bigger, I wondered at first could it be for an owl. Paul Jago who used work at the centre in Knocksink provided the answer. It was a Sparrowhawk nest box and yes, it had been occupied in the past. We walked on past a solitary Robin sat on a branch but even he wasn't singing. We reached the interpretive centre a very unimposing structure whose design blends the building very subtly into the hill side. The tree tops were providing perches for what on closer examination turned out to be a group of very lethargic wood pigeons. With one eye on the river, a usually reliable spot for Dipper and Grey Wagtail we were joined by Billy, the centre manager who gave us a brief talk on the wood's status as a nature reserve and kindly asked us back for tea and cofee. We resumed scanning the trees where Chaffinchs had joined the pigeons. Then somebody said "Is that a deer?" Sure enough half way up the hillside a Sika deer* was staring at us beneath noble antlers. He stayed there motionless giving us great opportunities to get 'scopes trained on him and he seemed as fascinated with us as we were with him. A movement in the undergrowth revealed two more deer merging almost imperceptibly into the hillside. Our stag got tired of watching us and disappeared into the shadows and we moved on. Sounds of busy Blue Tits and the faint "sowing machine" call of Goldcrests could be heard but proved very elusive to see. We stopped beside a steep bank where many Beech trees stood jauntily their roots running like veins down the surface of the bare slope. Two nest boxes were placed on either side of one of the beeches in what would seem to be direct contradiction of the rules for bird boxes which says they should be placed far enough apart to prevent territorial disputes between residents. But these weren't bird boxes, they were bat boxes. Bats being communal nesters and roosters the boxes have bottom entrances and plenty of room for the tiny creatures to set up colonies. We moved on to where the river veered north and here we met another flock of Long tailed tits moving through the trees. Always on the move these delightful little creatures show very little fear of humans (as you'll know if they come to your nut feeders) and we got some good close up views. We made our way back to the centre for tea, coffee and biscuits. In the clearing we got good views of Great Tit. A Kestrel soared above the trees and then at last John Peart's watchful eye on the river paid off and the call of "Dipper!" went up. It was perched on a rock and gave good views for a few minutes before darting upstream. A Wren moved along the bank feeding among the tree roots. We went into the center where we enjoyed the kindly provided tea, coffee and biscuits among the fascinating natural history displays which included tree cones and stuffed female Kestrel. Not a great birding day but wonderful deer sightings and for many an introduction to Knocksink, a charming woodland on our doorstep. Michael Ryan
*The deer at Knocksink are hybrid Red/Sika deer. The Sika
were introduced by one of the Lords Powerscourt, I think in the 18th
century, and escaped from the Deerpark (the 3rd demesne, where the
waterfall is) or else an amorous Red deer got in.
December Outing - South Wall, Dublin Port.Note: the South Wall is now open to the public again after maintenance work over the summer. I must confess that although it is very rewarding and satisfying to show birds to people on our branch outings there has been a few occasions going to branch outings that the weather has been so bad I'd be half hoping nobody would turn up and I could go home again. These times have nearly always been in December and often on outings down the West Pier in Dun Laoghaire which have frequently been an endurance test in bitter cold and sometimes torrential rain (my field guide is still warped from one outing years ago). Any way you may have guessed at this stage I'm leading up to say the weather was bad. It was bitterly cold with a cutting northwesterly wind in our faces. We were all well dressed for the cold having had a few weeks of unusually cold harsh weather. The tide was still way out and as we walked down the road our first birds were a group of waders and gulls feeding at the waters edge. Often we only see waders in a distant mass at the tides edge or backlit by the low winter sun but here we were in the happy position of being simultaneously close and also above the waders who seemed to take no notice of passers by on the road above them. I had earlier that morning been listening to The Living World on BBC radio 4 which had the presenter spending an evening with ringers in Cardiff Bay who had put up mist nets to catch and ring waders. The nets had captured some Redshank which the presenter, like most of us, had never seen close up. He was very taken with the sheer beauty of the birds features and mentioned its dark eyes and the light ring surrounding them. Now a few hours later I was getting splendid views through the scope of the very features described. The little group of Redshank were joined by a small flock of Sanderling which flew in and busily set about racing around on the tides edge. Often described very aptly as being like clockwork toys Sanderlings are always seen feeding on the receding tide as small creatures become exposed in the sand. The bird most often confused with it is the Dunlin but sanderlings have a much cleaner distinctly whiter appearance than the dunlin. Birds kept moving into view from the rocks as if entering the stage from the wings. Next to appear was a Bar-tailed Godwit demonstrating the deep probing ability of his bill as he searched the sand for food. Two Common Gulls stood slightly separate from the more plentiful Black headed Gulls whose proximity was ideal for comparing the two birds. Altogether plumper looking with a bigger bill and no black on their head their more rounded head also gives them a gentler appearance. We made our way down to the base of the South Wall into the full force of the icy wind. Those with 'scopes scanned the channel and soon picked up on distant Grebes and Mergansers. All the birds seemed to be close to the distant bank sheltering as much as possible from the cold. A couple of Goldeneye were seen near the beginning of the causeway on Bull Island nearly a mile away. Apart from an obligingly close Guillemot the birds were all very far away and as often as not hidden below choppy waves, We decided the views didn't justify the suffering and retreated back, stopping for another view of the waders before getting into our cars and driving down to the Irishtown Wildlife Reserve. This little area of tree and bush covered banks and slopes surrounded by open waste land can normally be great for many passerines and attracts feeding flocks of tits and finches in autumn and winter but the day's biting wind seemed to keeping everything low. We looked down on the sewage treatment plant (the things we do for fun) where dozens of Black headed gulls were joined by Oystercatchers in a favourite roosting spot. A Grey Wagtail was glimpsed hopping along the path and then a Kestrel hovered over the plant , probably a great place for rodents
Michael Ryan |
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of us. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper gave good views before moving into the field behind. It foraged in typical fashion across the field, in and out of a Friesian dairy herd and could have been lost were it not for the numbers tattooed on the cows. The call "its at the rear end of 551!" or some such number was often heard! Looking like a small Ruff, the eye was dark and very prominent on a plain "face". The head was "squarish", the breast a light uniform buff and the legs yellow.
This Arctic breeder and winterer on the Argentinean pampas looked quite at home among the cattle at Kilcoole. A very distinctive and impressive bird!
Once ashore, we headed for the cliffs SE of the Martello Tower. Here Razorbill and Guillemot were nesting in good numbers on the ledges. Despite the sinking of the tanker 
Along the SW shore line which leads to the beach we came upon several Oystercatcher nests. You need to be sharp to avoid damage to the camouflaged eggs, set back well above the tide line. Shelduck swam offshore. To the south of the island, there was a pair of Dunlin in summer plumage - well below their breeding range or else very early returnees. Ringed Plover are plentiful in this area.
On the Stacks, masses of Gannet occupied most of the available space with some Guillemots forced out to the precarious edges. Several Black Guillemot nested on the small island pinnacle; they are numerous in the waters around the island and over to Howth.
Up at Shannowbridge, and down the lane behind the Garda station, the callows near the powerstation failed to yield a Corncrake. Here one night, Alex had been near deafened by the echo of one calling close to the massive stone wall at the back of the barracks. At least we knew there was one or more out there. On the Shannon it was good to see a Common Sandpiper back in residence and House Martin are doing well judging by the nests slapped under the gutters in the main street.
We were moving south when
suddenly a birder rushed down and almost breathlessly told Declan he'd
been watching a Little Ringed Plover, a very rare bird for Ireland. Declan
said "You're joking?" to which he replied "I never f....ing joke about
birds!"
Mobile phones were dialling and bleeping within seconds and the vanguard of
our group were hurriedly recalled. Thankfully the bird was still in place
and everybody got good looks at it. Slightly smaller then the Ringed Plover
with conspicious yellow eye ring and a dark bill though what had alerted the
person who recognised it was the lack of a white wing bar when seen in
flight. Sketch books appeared and soon more birders arrived, one even
clutching a young baby - Saturday morning babysitting being no excuse for
not seeing a very accesible rarity.
Our first stop
was Lurgan Green just past Castlebellingham. As usual it produced
some good species including our first migrant, a Sand Martin
flying over heading north as we disembarked. Goldfinches and
Linnets flew on to the rough ground in front of us to feed on
the Thistles and other weeds. At the end of the day some of the
group picked these as their "bird of the day" and
indeed both of these are handsome little birds you'd never tire
of looking at. We crossed the road some of the group seeing a
Grey Wagtail on the river's edge then we walked down the path to
where a vast expanse of mud, sand and birds lay before us. Greylag
geese fed on the rough grass to our right while ahead of us Redshank,
Greenshank, Oystercatchers, Curlew, some Knot and Dunlin fed
busily in the mud and while Brent geese, Shelduck, Goldeneye
and Teal drifted along the channel. Near the tide's edge vast
flocks of Golden Plover weaved through the air like smoke
or swarm of bees while some less active individuals roosting in
the foreground provided us with good views. We walked down nearer
the channel and got better views of the Black tailed Godwit who
striding around, some in their recently gained breeding plumage
looking magnificent in their gold and russet plumage. Meadow
Pipits rose up from the grass and drifted down in characteristic
parachute flight as they piped out their song. We drifted back to
the coach and didnıt have far to travel to our first comfort
stop the Fairways Hotel. 
