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

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.

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!

Testosterone city!!

Last one for this evening and then we are all caught up again..

As I said earlier I've been a bit under the weather but last night I got an urge to go feed the Swans in Swords at Broad Meadows, the Swords Estuary. I know I'm not 4 but I LOVE going out to the Swans. Funny thing is my Mam has been bringing me there for Years and all I've ever seen is Swans there until last year my 1st outing with Tolka Branch where we saw lots of other species so now it is definitely one of my favourite places to visit.


I knew that this time of Year the Swans could be a bit tetchy but wow we did not expect for the Testosterone to be SO palpable. When we arrived (I dragged my Mam out) the 1st thing we noticed was the lack of female Swans (Pen's) and we could see a few nesting Swans. I fed them the 1st pan (dont judge me).
I also attracted a few Jackdaws - who I feel are the sleeker suave members of the Crow family. And of course how could I forget the Black Headed Gulls - wow the noise when you throw some bread out is great.
There were a few Mallards present as well however usually there are larger numbers but it is breeding season so....
I then took a wee look through my bins and in a few minutes the Males started to Display to each other and head butting - its actually very funny (when you are far enough away that they can't head butt you).

The estuary was filled with Godwits - both Bar Tailed and Black Tailed - and embarrassingly enough last night was the 1st time I saw them in full Summer Plumage and the light last night really brought out the pure rufous colour.

Then I spotted the Heron who really sticks out like a Sore Thumb with all the smaller birds. He was paddling whilst some of the other birds were up to their oxters.


Then the screeching started - two of the Black Tailed Godwits seemed to be a bit close to each other and started to Fight. It was quite amusing as the SIZE of the estuary but NO the two pumped up eejits wanted the same 2inch bit of water to forage in!!! Check out the photos (but sadly it doesn't do it justice) - I missed them fighting in the air but they were on and off fighting for at least 20minutes.

The calm before the storm.....

Mine mine mine......

The onlookers are shocked by the violence..

'You looking at me punk?','This patch ain't big enough for the both of us'

Then I heard this really low rumbling quack and looked out to see two Shelducks heads down swimming at full speed towards two other then out of nowhere another two joined in. It is the 1st time I have ever seen their beaks looking quite so red - does anyone know if they get more colourful when they are in season? The fight went on for a good 20minutes as well.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water....

In between the fighting I had a quick look at the trees and shrubbery behind me to try and get a glimpse of the Tree Sparrows but nope not to be. Then a little Blue Tit appeared with what looked like sheep's wool (photo didn't come out so well but you can JUST make it out).

If you look carefully you can just make out the white material in his/her mouth. Looks like a lovely lining for a nest.

This is where the Blue Tit went in.

I kept an eye on it and was happy to see it go into a little hole in the mud wall. The photo of it coming out is WAY Blurry but I had to put it in to show where the nest was.

That blue blur in the middle of the hole is the exiting Blue Tit - man they are FAST.

I kept an eye out but it didn't come back or I was looking at the head butting and posturing as seen in this photo of a young bachelor Cob sizing up to a what looked like a Juvenile who really didn't care if yer man's knob was bigger than his (now now I mean on their beaks).

'My Knobs bigger then yours' 'Aye whatever mate'

Then the 2nd(and last) pan was dispatched to the birdies (I really really like feeding the Swans and ducks ok? and Tesco value bread is on 75c a pan). But you will be glad to know that I was kind and shared some of the bread with a father who had arrived with his young toddler.

The light was starting to get bad so we decided to head home a good hour and a half from when we arrived.

This Godwit is not a member of the Ministry of Silly walks he is having a scratch.

I would recommend Swords Estuary for a visit even if it is just to laugh at the silly males at the moment.