Hello,
Today was more for visiting family then birdwatching per-say, however as my Aunt lives in Gorey, Wexford I decided that I might as well bring along the equipment :)
Didn't see too much but whilst walking along their lane and the beginning of dusk I was lucky enough to hear the start of the dusk chorus and a beautiful view of a very proud singing Yellowhammer - which is a new Tick for me :) But no camera so no lovely posed and poised picture to accompany this entry, booooo.
So a good weekend all around 3new ticks :)
Hope to start a page with all the birds I've seen and will see - might take me a while.
Nite nite Im off to bed..... another birding week begins
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Trip to Bots and Geese spotting
Decided to take a wee trip to the Bots today (Botanic Gardens). Not been in years - not counting the Tolka Branch outings - and had heard that you can see Dippers, Treecreepers and Kingfishers there so woke at 8:30am this morning - which on a Sat is amazing - to find it sunny so my mind was made up.
Off I toddled to the Bots with my bins, scope and camera - which hasn't had a good use in ages and my new telescopic lens (70-300mm) (learned wot it is - much better then erhm about this big!!!) has never really had an outing since I was gifted it (thank you mammy). I think I could have done with a bodyguard when I figured out how much money it was all worth but then the joy of the birds cleared my mind.
The 1st birdies I encountered were a few of the usual suspects - Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon and Robin.
Today was a day for the Tit family with lots of showings for Blue, Great and Coal - the icing on the cake would have been the little ball of fluff of the family (Long Tailed Tit) but alas it was not to be. They are all cheeky wee things and its amazing what a pocket full of wild bird seeds will do.
Also the Squirrels - of which I think their time might be numbered as there is a cull plan in place - were soooo amusing. Between hoping on Russian visitors legs and into someones bag tray in a buggy - unfortunately I was laughing too much to get the last as the Lady had shooed it off once because it tried to get in her handbag in it 1st then proceeded when the tray was cleared to sit on the babies blanket - have to say looked quite comfy. But definitely the next time I go I'm bringing some peanuts. I know they are vermin but aww they be cute and cheeky.
I managed to spot two Treecreepers just as I was thinking about texting some of the guys to see if they knew where they usually hang out. However they be very quick at creeping so I am without pictures - I will be back a)because the birding is great and b)the coffee shop is really nice :). What can I say I like my comfort.
There were no Tufted Ducks in the lake but there were a few Mallards and MoorHens.
Anyone know why this one doesn't have the normal striking green legs? Doesn't look like the Juvenile from Collins???? HELP
Along the river was a sweet sleeping Mallard couple - check out the nictitating membrane (eyelid).
The Magpies today were in high numbers but they weren't in the posing mood only managed to get this one good shot.
Also there is one less Wood Pigeon in the Bots - check out all the downy feathers - proof of BOP activity me thinks.
Thrushes were out and about, the big Mistle Thrush giving out and the small Redwing foraging in the grass. I was lucky that one of the Mistle Thrushes was in posing mood :)
My other new species was a surprisingly noisy Siskin (hoping I've identified this right #cringe#).
Not got hang of camera to have the bird in focus yet but for a 1st run don't think I did such a bad job???
You will be glad to know that I did notice/look at some of the flora in the Gardens - mind you not too much - but here are two of my fav's.
Then on the way home took a wee detour to Kilmore/Beachlawn estate in Coolock to see if there was any Brent activity and there was :)
Hard to be sure as they kept moving but there was the best part of 200 Geese there with a few Thrushes, Magpies, Starlings and Curlews thrown in for good luck.
When I was standing there a flock came in to land so the noise was fantastic.
Unfortunately there were a bit skittish so couldn't get too close then it started to rain so didn't get a chance to read any of the rings that I could see :( but I can always do it next time.
Something spooked the Curlews and off they took with a shriek.
And with the rain getting heavier I called it a day and went home a happy birder with 180odd photos. Think I am going to have to hire someone or invent something to carry all the gear as my neck was sore with the camera and I didn't even lift the scope today! It's not easy is it?
Off I toddled to the Bots with my bins, scope and camera - which hasn't had a good use in ages and my new telescopic lens (70-300mm) (learned wot it is - much better then erhm about this big!!!) has never really had an outing since I was gifted it (thank you mammy). I think I could have done with a bodyguard when I figured out how much money it was all worth but then the joy of the birds cleared my mind.
The 1st birdies I encountered were a few of the usual suspects - Wood pigeon, Feral pigeon and Robin.
Today was a day for the Tit family with lots of showings for Blue, Great and Coal - the icing on the cake would have been the little ball of fluff of the family (Long Tailed Tit) but alas it was not to be. They are all cheeky wee things and its amazing what a pocket full of wild bird seeds will do.
Also the Squirrels - of which I think their time might be numbered as there is a cull plan in place - were soooo amusing. Between hoping on Russian visitors legs and into someones bag tray in a buggy - unfortunately I was laughing too much to get the last as the Lady had shooed it off once because it tried to get in her handbag in it 1st then proceeded when the tray was cleared to sit on the babies blanket - have to say looked quite comfy. But definitely the next time I go I'm bringing some peanuts. I know they are vermin but aww they be cute and cheeky.
I managed to spot two Treecreepers just as I was thinking about texting some of the guys to see if they knew where they usually hang out. However they be very quick at creeping so I am without pictures - I will be back a)because the birding is great and b)the coffee shop is really nice :). What can I say I like my comfort.There were no Tufted Ducks in the lake but there were a few Mallards and MoorHens.
Anyone know why this one doesn't have the normal striking green legs? Doesn't look like the Juvenile from Collins???? HELP
Along the river was a sweet sleeping Mallard couple - check out the nictitating membrane (eyelid).
The Magpies today were in high numbers but they weren't in the posing mood only managed to get this one good shot.
Also there is one less Wood Pigeon in the Bots - check out all the downy feathers - proof of BOP activity me thinks.
Thrushes were out and about, the big Mistle Thrush giving out and the small Redwing foraging in the grass. I was lucky that one of the Mistle Thrushes was in posing mood :)
My other new species was a surprisingly noisy Siskin (hoping I've identified this right #cringe#).Not got hang of camera to have the bird in focus yet but for a 1st run don't think I did such a bad job???
You will be glad to know that I did notice/look at some of the flora in the Gardens - mind you not too much - but here are two of my fav's.
Then on the way home took a wee detour to Kilmore/Beachlawn estate in Coolock to see if there was any Brent activity and there was :)
Hard to be sure as they kept moving but there was the best part of 200 Geese there with a few Thrushes, Magpies, Starlings and Curlews thrown in for good luck.
When I was standing there a flock came in to land so the noise was fantastic.
Unfortunately there were a bit skittish so couldn't get too close then it started to rain so didn't get a chance to read any of the rings that I could see :( but I can always do it next time.
Something spooked the Curlews and off they took with a shriek.
And with the rain getting heavier I called it a day and went home a happy birder with 180odd photos. Think I am going to have to hire someone or invent something to carry all the gear as my neck was sore with the camera and I didn't even lift the scope today! It's not easy is it?
'Cold Snap' Visitors
During that small cold snap over Christmas/New Year - (which by the way folks were about to go back in to!) - there were a few unusual visitors - started off with 1 Redwing
Which over a few days went to 7, 9 then up to at one point 28 - twas quite funny as the resident male Blackbird was not happy at the beginning and was fighting with them all - but then I think when the numbers went up he realised that he was fighting a loosing battle.
Then came the grumpy 'Those be my apples' Fieldfare - we had about 2 thought its so hard to know as they all do look the same :) Check out the 2nd picture with the Fieldfare - the Starling beak is practically fully open
The next 'Lovely' pic was taken by my mam - shows me in my PJs which I believe I lived in during that spell making sure the birdies had sufficient food :)
Which over a few days went to 7, 9 then up to at one point 28 - twas quite funny as the resident male Blackbird was not happy at the beginning and was fighting with them all - but then I think when the numbers went up he realised that he was fighting a loosing battle.
Then came the grumpy 'Those be my apples' Fieldfare - we had about 2 thought its so hard to know as they all do look the same :) Check out the 2nd picture with the Fieldfare - the Starling beak is practically fully open
The next 'Lovely' pic was taken by my mam - shows me in my PJs which I believe I lived in during that spell making sure the birdies had sufficient food :)
Garden visitors
Well here we go with my first proper post :)
Thought I would start with a post about some visitors I've had in my garden for the last couple of weeks. Some are common visitors but some are not so common for me.
To start with here is my main bird feeder - its in the middle of the garden and has Niger seeds (which by the way has been a WASTE of money the Goldies don't seem to be bothered), Peanuts, Fat balls (Starlings fav), Suet cake and of course water.
The first rare visitor we had was a Female Blackcap - which I spotted one morning on the suet cake before I went to work. I should add my mam commented 'Ah yeah seen that around for a while but thought it was just a washed out sparrow'. I can tell you I did not let her live this down AT ALL, as a result she has taken quite a few of the pics that I will be putting up - think she is afraid of missing something - bless.
I have to add at this point that these pics are a bit blurry as they were taken through the window. Also I was informed on Thursday that the male has show his head so fingers crossed Ill get a pic of it and post it up here.
As I said after the 'washed out sparrow' incident I've been coming home to mam brandishing a camera at me saying - 'We spotted this and think it something different' and to be very very faire it has been so far :) So thanks Mam and Dad for the eagle eyes.
So the these pics are of a Female Linnet now some of you will say 'Ah these aren't rare' and yes I agree with you, however this is the 1st time I've spotted one in my garden AND if you look really close - there is a little pink ring on her left leg. It was around for a good few days but not been seen in a while - but I do work and anything I put out gets eaten so who knows!!
The weekend I was away in Carlingford on the Louth Branch of Birdwatch Ireland, I get a phone-call telling me there was a Heron on my neighbours roof - I live in Artane about 3/4 miles from the sea and with no rivers/streams that close to the house. We think it was there trying to prey on the neighbours pond - must have fancied some Goldfish haha.
The last non usual visitor for the garden is a Male Sparrowhawk. Had just finished feeding the birds and was standing at the sink washing my hands when some movement on a neighbours gate got my attention - took me a few moments to think - was 8am in the morning. Out came the bins and then it was confirmed - Yup thats definately not a Woodpigeon haha - there was a Collared Dove who was over head on a wire that looked a little worried - Dont blame him/her at ALL.
Thought I would start with a post about some visitors I've had in my garden for the last couple of weeks. Some are common visitors but some are not so common for me.
To start with here is my main bird feeder - its in the middle of the garden and has Niger seeds (which by the way has been a WASTE of money the Goldies don't seem to be bothered), Peanuts, Fat balls (Starlings fav), Suet cake and of course water.
The first rare visitor we had was a Female Blackcap - which I spotted one morning on the suet cake before I went to work. I should add my mam commented 'Ah yeah seen that around for a while but thought it was just a washed out sparrow'. I can tell you I did not let her live this down AT ALL, as a result she has taken quite a few of the pics that I will be putting up - think she is afraid of missing something - bless.
I have to add at this point that these pics are a bit blurry as they were taken through the window. Also I was informed on Thursday that the male has show his head so fingers crossed Ill get a pic of it and post it up here.
As I said after the 'washed out sparrow' incident I've been coming home to mam brandishing a camera at me saying - 'We spotted this and think it something different' and to be very very faire it has been so far :) So thanks Mam and Dad for the eagle eyes.
So the these pics are of a Female Linnet now some of you will say 'Ah these aren't rare' and yes I agree with you, however this is the 1st time I've spotted one in my garden AND if you look really close - there is a little pink ring on her left leg. It was around for a good few days but not been seen in a while - but I do work and anything I put out gets eaten so who knows!!
The weekend I was away in Carlingford on the Louth Branch of Birdwatch Ireland, I get a phone-call telling me there was a Heron on my neighbours roof - I live in Artane about 3/4 miles from the sea and with no rivers/streams that close to the house. We think it was there trying to prey on the neighbours pond - must have fancied some Goldfish haha.
The last non usual visitor for the garden is a Male Sparrowhawk. Had just finished feeding the birds and was standing at the sink washing my hands when some movement on a neighbours gate got my attention - took me a few moments to think - was 8am in the morning. Out came the bins and then it was confirmed - Yup thats definately not a Woodpigeon haha - there was a Collared Dove who was over head on a wire that looked a little worried - Dont blame him/her at ALL.
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