About time I filled you all in on last weeks weekend trip to Wicklow :)
Saturday was the Tolka Branch of Birdwatch Ireland March trip to Kilcoole Co Wicklow. The weather was not forecast to be so good so off I went in my car with a change of clothes and two jackets.
Arrived in Kilcoole quicker then I thought and caught up with all the other Tolka members.
We started out with a quick gander down past the reed beds down a little country lane past a little prefab house with Turkeys and chickens.
Our first glimpse of bird life as a Blackbird in the lane - further on down was a lovely sighting of a Goldcrest (which I didnt see).
The highlight was a Chiffchaff (Tick)- which nearly gave me the head staggers and caused quite a discussion to whether it was a Chiffchaff or a Willow warbler (both practically identical apart from the legs and a tail pumping). But seeing as the blooming thing would not sit still long enough to see if it was pumping its tail. The picture below was kindly taken by fellow Birder Brendan (havent found my Sherpa yet so carrying the camera, pod, scope and bins is proving difficult).
Chiffchaff (BS)
We then walked down the railways track along the march land on the right and the sea on the left. Where we had lovely displays from some Skylarks (Tick), lots of Brent Geese were feeding on the fields on the right hand side, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Mallards, Teal, Shelduck (defending territory so funny running at each other with their heads down), Lapwings, Mute Swans, Redshanks, Black Tailed Godwits, Golden Plover (both flying and practically completely camouflaged in the grass - looked like golden piles of mud till one stood up) and a lovely group of Linnets beside the Railway bridge. There were also two Stock Doves(Tick) spotted on the fields to the right - could easily mistake for Wood pigeons as they have the same colouring.
On the Sea side we had a lovely view of Red Throated Diver (Tick) very close in so it was great to be able to get a good look, then shortly followed by an Adult Razorbill in Summer plumage. Also spotted flying over the sea was a flock of Gannets - which even though quite a distance out still looked HUGE.
We then headed back to the cars some 2hours later (and can I just warn you if you planning on going to Killcoole for a little bit of birding there are NO facilites at all I had a painful car journey back up to the local pub and I will say No more).
After lunch was taken we headed up to Newcastle to the Nature reserve and had a lovely sighting of a Willow Warbler (Tick). Up in the hide we saw a Lapwing also defending his territory so had a good look at his wings (which I still feel are WAY too big for the size of the body), Mallards puttering around, Shelduck and a little Egret.
Unfortunately I dont have so many photos for that day as I knew my neck and back would not like me the next day - so if anyone would like to volunteer to be my Sherpa all offers will be considered haha.
Rosemary, Brendan and I then headed to Wicklow town where we would be laying our heads for the night and there ended the 1st day of the Birding Blitz in Wicklow.
Sunday morning after our lovely full Irish Brekie we headed up to the Beehive Pub to meet up with Eric and the High Babies (we were crashing their class outing).
There was an air of anticipation as the gang assembled and after a quick carshare decision we set of on our adventure.
The 1st place that Eric had planned for us turned out to be a dud as a barrier was down but do not fear this didn't put us off and off we all piled in the cars again to Avoca (remember Ballykissangel???) across the river and to the Grave yard.
Eric said it was a game of wait but within about 5mins there was a sighting of 2 Buzzards anticipation was rising as we were waiting to get a glimpse of the Beautiful Red Kites that were released 3 years ago and wow were we blessed.
On the Sea side we had a lovely view of Red Throated Diver (Tick) very close in so it was great to be able to get a good look, then shortly followed by an Adult Razorbill in Summer plumage. Also spotted flying over the sea was a flock of Gannets - which even though quite a distance out still looked HUGE.
We then headed back to the cars some 2hours later (and can I just warn you if you planning on going to Killcoole for a little bit of birding there are NO facilites at all I had a painful car journey back up to the local pub and I will say No more).
After lunch was taken we headed up to Newcastle to the Nature reserve and had a lovely sighting of a Willow Warbler (Tick). Up in the hide we saw a Lapwing also defending his territory so had a good look at his wings (which I still feel are WAY too big for the size of the body), Mallards puttering around, Shelduck and a little Egret.
Unfortunately I dont have so many photos for that day as I knew my neck and back would not like me the next day - so if anyone would like to volunteer to be my Sherpa all offers will be considered haha.
Rosemary, Brendan and I then headed to Wicklow town where we would be laying our heads for the night and there ended the 1st day of the Birding Blitz in Wicklow.
Sunday morning after our lovely full Irish Brekie we headed up to the Beehive Pub to meet up with Eric and the High Babies (we were crashing their class outing).
There was an air of anticipation as the gang assembled and after a quick carshare decision we set of on our adventure.
The 1st place that Eric had planned for us turned out to be a dud as a barrier was down but do not fear this didn't put us off and off we all piled in the cars again to Avoca (remember Ballykissangel???) across the river and to the Grave yard.
Eric said it was a game of wait but within about 5mins there was a sighting of 2 Buzzards anticipation was rising as we were waiting to get a glimpse of the Beautiful Red Kites that were released 3 years ago and wow were we blessed.
Buzzard 1 (BS)
Buzzard 2 (BS)
Then the beautiful Red Kites (Tick) came in to view to our right then they soared effortlessly above us. When the Sun hit them they hit the colour was so vivid. Again I have to thank Brendan - my shots (which I will add) are all blurry so I am using his :) We think we saw at least 6 but its so hard to know when they disappear behind the trees.
Blurry Red Kite 1 (Mine)
Blurry Red Kite 2 (Mine)
Red Kite 3 (BS)
Red Kite 4 (BS) The blue you can see on the wing are the tags that are put on the birds when they were released.
If you have not seen Red Kites go down to Wicklow -Avoca or Redcross area where you have a vantage point over the valley and wait you will be rewarded.
We had some lunch as the time had flown. But still we were left waiting for some more sightings.
We had some lunch as the time had flown. But still we were left waiting for some more sightings.
Brendan waiting patiently with his camera for that one brilliant shot
They are here somewhere – come out come out....
Oh whats that.... nope its a Mistle Thrush - Hello birdie
Eric protecting Big Momma from the Soup!!!
Eric protecting Big Momma from the Soup!!!The Kites were not the only birds that were spotted - Siskins, Great Tits, Mistle Thrush, Blue Tits, Magpies, Rooks and Male Pheasant.
Then eventually after an eyeful of the Kites we rounded up the troops and headed for the next exciting chapter.
We drove back to The Beehive but turned left before the pub and up towards the top of what we learned were called the Black Hills to a small coniferous plantation to hunt for a don don donnnnn....... Crossbills.
As we were walking up Eric warned us that the Crossbills were notoriously hard to spot but we were rewarded with the most splendedly poised on the top of a pine tree with blue (yes Blue sky) behind it.
Then eventually after an eyeful of the Kites we rounded up the troops and headed for the next exciting chapter.
We drove back to The Beehive but turned left before the pub and up towards the top of what we learned were called the Black Hills to a small coniferous plantation to hunt for a don don donnnnn....... Crossbills.
As we were walking up Eric warned us that the Crossbills were notoriously hard to spot but we were rewarded with the most splendedly poised on the top of a pine tree with blue (yes Blue sky) behind it.
Male Crossbill – perched magnificently (BS)
Male Crossbill – Think this might be my better side (BS)
And after such splendid long views Eric called it a day as he could not top this - however we looked up and we had a Peregrine Falcon fly over in his honour :)
We then headed back to the cars with the calls of Buzzards.
It was a fabby weekend thank you to all who made it a wonderful birding weekend.
We then headed back to the cars with the calls of Buzzards.
It was a fabby weekend thank you to all who made it a wonderful birding weekend.
