Hey guys,
Im so excited!!!!
On Wednesday of this week I had the pleasure to be a witness to the ringing of 3 Kestrel chicks (by 100% trained and licenced ringers may I add).
Ringing is an important part of bird conservation as ringing allows us to study how many young birds leave the nest and survive to become adults, as well as how many adults survive the stresses of breeding, migration and severe weather.
I was only a witness because all ringers must complete training under an experienced ringer and apply for a permit. These steps are all in place to ensure that the birds experience no harm.
The birds are handled so carefully and the whole thing is done as quickly as possible so the birds do not get stressed.
You can find out more at http://www.bto.org/ringing/ringinfo/index.htm
It was amazing to be so close to those 3 juvenille birds of prey, who were about 3 weeks old - the amazing thing about them was the size of their legs and feet - they are practically fully grown and look a little out of proportion with the rest of the body. They were a mix of down and new feathers all fluffy and dusty.
Sad news is no photos but I have memories :)
Did I mention I am excited???
Friday, June 25, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Roving Records for BWI
Hey guys quick update.
Yesterday with 13 other Tolka Branch members we met with Niall Tierney from BWI to go do some Roving Reports for the Bird Atlas.
We split into groups and headed off with our 10km square maps to see what we could see - I paired up with Dermot and off we went.
It was a good days birding the time flew by very quickly and by the end we had seen/heard 35 species - and added about 10 species to the list including a few proofs of breeding - Bullfinch Fledgling, Spotted Fly catcher on nest, House Martins in nest and Reed bunting to mention a few.
If you are out an about and do see evidence of breeding in the area you are in remember to log it in to the Roving Records section of the Bird Atlas website.
http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/
Sorry there were no pictures - just wasn't that kind of day.
Yesterday with 13 other Tolka Branch members we met with Niall Tierney from BWI to go do some Roving Reports for the Bird Atlas.
We split into groups and headed off with our 10km square maps to see what we could see - I paired up with Dermot and off we went.
It was a good days birding the time flew by very quickly and by the end we had seen/heard 35 species - and added about 10 species to the list including a few proofs of breeding - Bullfinch Fledgling, Spotted Fly catcher on nest, House Martins in nest and Reed bunting to mention a few.
If you are out an about and do see evidence of breeding in the area you are in remember to log it in to the Roving Records section of the Bird Atlas website.
http://www.bto.org/birdatlas/
Sorry there were no pictures - just wasn't that kind of day.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Dodder
One of the birds that I had on my wish list this year was a Dipper - now I know what you are going to say - they are not too hard to find - yes true but it helps to leave the house!!! So when a friend in the Tolka Branch told she was doing a project on them and would I like to come out with her one day I jumped at the chance so on Monday 1st June I went off in me car to meet Susan!
The beautiful Dipper.
Susan brought me down to the Dodder to where the Dipper is nesting under the weir - which I think EVERYONE knows. We have only gotten out the car about 4mins and Susan says there's one....... I looked and looked and looked but couldn't see it for the rocks until one of the ROCKS moved and turned out to be a beautiful Dipper.
The weir where they are nesting
Grey Wag Tails - who had just been doing a bit of courting!!!
We stayed there for a while watching them going in and out the weir feeding their young and spotted a pair of Grey Wag Tails.
Grey Wag Tails - who had just been doing a bit of courting!!!Then we headed to another site to try and see some Fledglings who were still being fed by the parents. It took a while but we did manage to find one 'Baby'.
Susan at home at the Dodder.
Then we spotted this fellow waddling down the weir.
Then we spotted this fellow waddling down the weir.
Mr Mallard
Further on up the Dodder we were serenaded by the funniest sounding Song thrush - really sounded like a mobile phone - we were actually just waiting for it to break out in to the Nokia tune - see Nokia there is a money grabbing scheme for you!!!
Over head were plenty of House Martins and Sand Martins, not to mention Blackbirds, Magpies (Ever noticed how the fledglings look so scrawny and don't have a full tail???), Greenfinches (who sound as grumpy as they look) and LOTS and LOTS of Flies!
We also came across this young Chap who got spooked and headed off to refuge on top of the nearest Apartment block haha.
Juvenile Heron.
When we got back to car I realised that we had been out for nearly 2 hours.
Thank you Susan for a great bit of Urban Birding!!
Check out the Dodder if you live near as there is plenty of Biodiversity out there right under your nose!
Further on up the Dodder we were serenaded by the funniest sounding Song thrush - really sounded like a mobile phone - we were actually just waiting for it to break out in to the Nokia tune - see Nokia there is a money grabbing scheme for you!!!
Over head were plenty of House Martins and Sand Martins, not to mention Blackbirds, Magpies (Ever noticed how the fledglings look so scrawny and don't have a full tail???), Greenfinches (who sound as grumpy as they look) and LOTS and LOTS of Flies!
We also came across this young Chap who got spooked and headed off to refuge on top of the nearest Apartment block haha.
Juvenile Heron.When we got back to car I realised that we had been out for nearly 2 hours.
Thank you Susan for a great bit of Urban Birding!!
Check out the Dodder if you live near as there is plenty of Biodiversity out there right under your nose!
Carlingford - May 2010
Last weekend - May 28th - 30th was spent in Carlingford on a Louth Branch weekend trip with Eric Dempsey as our Guide.
I was sharing a house with Rosemary, Michael and Brendan as accommodation was at a premium because of the UK Bank Holiday and the Taste of Carlingford Festival.
Friday evening we met in the Four Seasons hotel and Eric talked through the birds that we could be expected to see over the weekend in the Cooley Mountains.
Saturday Morning we got up Early (5:30am) to meet at 7pm to head up at the mountains in hope of Cuckoos, White Throats etc... however it was LASHING I mean really really raining - as we crept up the mountain we were under cloud covering so after standing looking over a prime birding sight and hearing a pretty mournful sounding Willow Warbler and a fleeting glance of a very brave White Throat we headed for the coast and hopefully some shelter.
1st stop was Rocky Marshall on the Carlingford road (I think that the right name) where it was not as miserable - here we saw - White Throat, Swallows, Blackbirds, House Martins (collecting mud), Shelduck, Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Wood Pigeon and Feral Pigeon. Singing in the trees was a Chiffchaff (Eric had a good conversation with him) and the king of the birds - the Wren.
No pictures as it was still raining and I didn't want to damage the camera also I was having enough trouble with my scope and bins being out in the rain haha.
After this came a very well needed sojourn to the nearest petrol station which had a cafe (Thank you Mr Bus Driver Larry) where tea and provisions were taken.
Once provisions have been taken onboard we headed to Giles Quay to the Black Guillemots, who nest in the quay wall in pipes placed there by Breffni.
I was sharing a house with Rosemary, Michael and Brendan as accommodation was at a premium because of the UK Bank Holiday and the Taste of Carlingford Festival.
Friday evening we met in the Four Seasons hotel and Eric talked through the birds that we could be expected to see over the weekend in the Cooley Mountains.
Saturday Morning we got up Early (5:30am) to meet at 7pm to head up at the mountains in hope of Cuckoos, White Throats etc... however it was LASHING I mean really really raining - as we crept up the mountain we were under cloud covering so after standing looking over a prime birding sight and hearing a pretty mournful sounding Willow Warbler and a fleeting glance of a very brave White Throat we headed for the coast and hopefully some shelter.
1st stop was Rocky Marshall on the Carlingford road (I think that the right name) where it was not as miserable - here we saw - White Throat, Swallows, Blackbirds, House Martins (collecting mud), Shelduck, Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Wood Pigeon and Feral Pigeon. Singing in the trees was a Chiffchaff (Eric had a good conversation with him) and the king of the birds - the Wren.
No pictures as it was still raining and I didn't want to damage the camera also I was having enough trouble with my scope and bins being out in the rain haha.
After this came a very well needed sojourn to the nearest petrol station which had a cafe (Thank you Mr Bus Driver Larry) where tea and provisions were taken.
Once provisions have been taken onboard we headed to Giles Quay to the Black Guillemots, who nest in the quay wall in pipes placed there by Breffni.
A black Guillemot can you see the rain drops on his back?
Love the red mouth and check out the claws!!! Bit Goth eh?
Keeping an eye on the neighbours below
Sleeping with one eye open.
Peak a boo
We were able to get quite close up under a careful watch mind but still we were only feet away.
We were able to get quite close up under a careful watch mind but still we were only feet away.
Philip clicking some shots of the Guillemots
As you can see from the photos below we were still feeling a bit miserable as the weather was wet and wind was quite strong.
I'm not sure these photos quite show how wet and icky it really was!!!
After this we headed to Balagan Point and got beautiful views of Gannets and I spotted my 1st Manx Shearwater and Sandwich Tern. We didn't spent too long there and the time we did was spent using the bus as Shelter - even the Meadow Pipits were looking water logged and miserable.
We headed back to Carlingford to have a look at the two pairs of Fulmars who are nesting in St. Johns Castle Carlingford. This brought us up to 12.30pm and was time for a beautiful well deserved Fry (thank you Rosemary) and buckets of tea. This then lead to a well needed nap - oh this was so decadent.
Rosemary, Brendan and I enjoyed a quick birding walk around Carlingford before we met up with the rest of the Gang to head back to the Mountain for the Dusk Chorus and chance to see the Roding Woodcock. The chorus was a little thin on the ground due to the wet cold day however we were rewarded by the Woodcock and whilst we where waiting a few Stags calling each other in the trees.
We then moved to try and hear the Grasshopper Warbler - which we found and stood listening to for a while - it really does not sound like a bird - I got a fleeting glance of him in the dusk light.
This was the end of the evening and we all piled into the bus and back to Carlingford.
Tea, glass of wine then Bed.
Sunday morning we met at 10 to head back up to the spot we had baled on because of the wet - it was dry however a strong wind so we didn't stay there too long and moved up to a higher mountain point (yeah sorry didn't catch the names of the mountains opps!!!).
Where there was plenty of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks about, however VERY cold so after a look around (the scenery was fantastic) we headed back down to where a very pale Wheatear is breeding and were rewarded with great views (and SUN!!!).
We headed back to Carlingford to have a look at the two pairs of Fulmars who are nesting in St. Johns Castle Carlingford. This brought us up to 12.30pm and was time for a beautiful well deserved Fry (thank you Rosemary) and buckets of tea. This then lead to a well needed nap - oh this was so decadent.
Rosemary, Brendan and I enjoyed a quick birding walk around Carlingford before we met up with the rest of the Gang to head back to the Mountain for the Dusk Chorus and chance to see the Roding Woodcock. The chorus was a little thin on the ground due to the wet cold day however we were rewarded by the Woodcock and whilst we where waiting a few Stags calling each other in the trees.
We then moved to try and hear the Grasshopper Warbler - which we found and stood listening to for a while - it really does not sound like a bird - I got a fleeting glance of him in the dusk light.
This was the end of the evening and we all piled into the bus and back to Carlingford.
Tea, glass of wine then Bed.
Sunday morning we met at 10 to head back up to the spot we had baled on because of the wet - it was dry however a strong wind so we didn't stay there too long and moved up to a higher mountain point (yeah sorry didn't catch the names of the mountains opps!!!).
Where there was plenty of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks about, however VERY cold so after a look around (the scenery was fantastic) we headed back down to where a very pale Wheatear is breeding and were rewarded with great views (and SUN!!!).
Mr Pale Wheatear - very active - at one point being mobbed by a Meadow Pipit.(Photo BS)
With a mouthful (Photo BS)
Back to the area we had been listening to the place where the Grasshopper Warbler had been singing to try and get a view of him however we didn't but we did see a beautiful Jay flying.
This was the final bird of the weekend and home we went.
It was a great weekend and I would recommend the Carlingford area for birdwatching.
Back to the area we had been listening to the place where the Grasshopper Warbler had been singing to try and get a view of him however we didn't but we did see a beautiful Jay flying.
This was the final bird of the weekend and home we went.
It was a great weekend and I would recommend the Carlingford area for birdwatching.
Birds at home
Hey there,
Me again - this is a quick post on some of the fledgeling and visitors to our garden at the moment.
I had been moaning about having no fledgelings (Babies) in the garden for about a week and then with in two days we were inundated with them.
1st came the House Sparrows - you really cant miss them - between the fluttering wings constantly begging for food to the HUGE yellow gapes. When they 1st appeared they were a little stupid bless - sitting on the bird feeders trying to peck the seeds through the plastic. But they have learned and are now within a week happily feeding from the feeders themselves.
Me again - this is a quick post on some of the fledgeling and visitors to our garden at the moment.
I had been moaning about having no fledgelings (Babies) in the garden for about a week and then with in two days we were inundated with them.
1st came the House Sparrows - you really cant miss them - between the fluttering wings constantly begging for food to the HUGE yellow gapes. When they 1st appeared they were a little stupid bless - sitting on the bird feeders trying to peck the seeds through the plastic. But they have learned and are now within a week happily feeding from the feeders themselves.
You can just about make out the yellow gape - but aren't they all fluffy?
5 babies sunning themselves
Then came the Blue tit - so cute and fluttery - there is also a pair of adults who are starting to make me feel tired with the toing and froing and toing and froing.
Mr or Mrs Blue Tit pausing for a moment on the bird feeder.
Peak a boo
Keep an eye out in your Garden as there could be plenty happening right outside your window.
Then the lads arrived the Starlings - the young starlings lack the spots of the adults and are more brown then black and are just about as silly as the House Sparrows. Unfortunately no pics of the Starlings yet but I'm working on it.
Keep an eye out in your Garden as there could be plenty happening right outside your window.
Catch up
Hey there blog land,
Sorry Ive not been about for a while!! Im back now :)
Well lets see what have I been doing since I last chatted to ya???
Went on a nice day out to Louth back on 17th April with Rosemary and Brendan.
Beautiful views of a pair of Skylarks, White Wagtails, Kestrel, Shelduck, Brent Geese, Widgeon (only one pair) , Reed bunting, House Sparrows and Collared Doves.
Well lets see what have I been doing since I last chatted to ya???
Went on a nice day out to Louth back on 17th April with Rosemary and Brendan.
Beautiful views of a pair of Skylarks, White Wagtails, Kestrel, Shelduck, Brent Geese, Widgeon (only one pair) , Reed bunting, House Sparrows and Collared Doves.
Brendan and Rosemary looking out over the Boyne
Peak a boo Mr House Sparrow
Can you spot the Sky Lark?
Mr and Mrs Skylark - very active
'Look over there' - but at what you ask???
A flock of about 8 White Wagtails - trust me there is one in the pic!!!
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