Knock Lake, north Co. Dublin

South Dublin branch trip to Knock Lake - 10th October 2004

Knock Lake is well known to Dublin Bird-racers trying to nail a last species or two, a Whooper or a Yellowhammer, in early January every year. The Branch trip in early October was a lot more leisurely.

Approaching the lake, from the lane off the Balbriggan road, there were Stonechat along the ditches and Bullfinch calling.

The highlight wasn't a bird but an Otter that performed relentlessly across the lake from us, surfacing repeatedly, sometimes to chew on the tail end of a fish.

Around the shoreline we had Waterhen, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mallard and a pair of Redshank. Lapwing flew overhead. Water Rail, which are plentiful but secretive, were heard but none seen.

On the lower pond south of the hide, Coot were plentiful and a Snipe stood impassively in the reed edges for the 'scopes. The hide, a tribute to the Fingal Branch, was open and many saw a Buzzard fly low into the trees north of the lake.

As the NPWS (Duchas) says "This lake, although artificial in origin, is of importance for botanical and zoological interests. Similar such water bodies are scarce in Co Dublin." - Knock Lake is a hidden gem.

A List of the Birds of Knock Lake.
Tony Kavanagh, July 2002, IBN-L.

Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Heron.
Mute Swan ,Whooper Swan, Bewick's Swan, White-fronted Goose ,Greylag Goose, Pink-footed Goose.
Shelduck, Ruddy Duck, Ring-necked Duck, Goldeneye, Mallard, Scaup, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Shoveler, Garganey, Gadwall, Long-tailed Duck, Teal, Goosander.
Cormorant, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Woodpidgeon.
Jack Snipe, Snipe, Grey Phalarope, Golden Plover, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, Water Rail, Coot, Moorhen, Kingfisher.
Montagu's Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Merlin, Hobby, Peregrine, Osprey, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Barn Owl, Short Eared Owl, Long Eared Owl.
Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Brambling, Chaffinch, Bull Finch, Green Finch,Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Siskin, Redpoll, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Dunnock, Wren.
Cuckoo, Swift, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow.
Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat, Blackbird, Fieldfare, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Robin, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Tree Sparrow.
Raven, Hooded Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Magpie, Starling.
Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pheasant.
Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich Tern.

Getting there ...

Not readily accessible by public transport. Knock Lake is approximately 5Km south of Balbriggan.
Mainline/suburban rail (01-8366222) from Connolly Station to Balbriggan.
Dublin Bus (01-8734222) #33A from Swords to Balbriggan.