tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18747186917168467202024-02-18T18:03:32.915-08:00Understanding and Enjoying Waterford NatureWaterford, being a maritime county, has a very wide range of habitats and a great diversity of wildlife. This blog is an attempt to help people understand and enjoy Waterford nature. To this end regular articles are published in the Dungarvan Observer and the Dungarvan Leader. It is hoped that this might become an interactive exercise, so enquiries and reports are very welcome, along with photographs and suggestions for future articles.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-25880685579347421382014-05-20T15:23:00.001-07:002014-05-20T15:23:40.116-07:00Winter Gulls and Scarce Visitors<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ENH8Jv4v99oor9-R7bZdtnQIeVe9hGZrTDyO8Br1fN9T95GT8DYcRZpVTDz0XMwA7TSqE8JJkKVOQTLPbjm0BR4ssP1nkRRQljrwJJV8kFhM8fyvtUOLx14GFzpGy7e2yx-FMOtZvGA/s1600/DPP_000116(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ENH8Jv4v99oor9-R7bZdtnQIeVe9hGZrTDyO8Br1fN9T95GT8DYcRZpVTDz0XMwA7TSqE8JJkKVOQTLPbjm0BR4ssP1nkRRQljrwJJV8kFhM8fyvtUOLx14GFzpGy7e2yx-FMOtZvGA/s1600/DPP_000116(1).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Herring Gull by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On February 4<sup>th</sup>, local birder Arlo Jacques
discovered an adult little gull at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Tramore</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Boating</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place>. This was the
eleventh different species of gull to be recorded on this small lake in 2014.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what is the status of gulls this winter in <st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place> ?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let us first deal with the most commonly found species in
winter in the county. Herring, greater black-backed, lesser black-backed,
common and black-headed are all numerous and widespread during wintertime. When
food resources, mainly fish, are readily available numbers of each species can
be very large. Greater black-backed gulls are the largest gull occurring in our
waters, followed by herring gulls and the slightly smaller lesser black-backed
gull. Common gull is smaller again and black-headed gull is the smallest of
this group. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT5SSWlU1c1c8XsHv6m5gSWmMfMjqnUSxvxM05NqKHoFkgk7NI3Gdbub876Jb68BWkqth3FCD9XKXSnUSeIyuPnaNnUfySZk65K_FHhSXKUnhm9zWmNrZE0UUMW8XZEP-pbwWQUbpBJA/s1600/Adult+winter+common+gull+by+++Bernie+Sheridan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuT5SSWlU1c1c8XsHv6m5gSWmMfMjqnUSxvxM05NqKHoFkgk7NI3Gdbub876Jb68BWkqth3FCD9XKXSnUSeIyuPnaNnUfySZk65K_FHhSXKUnhm9zWmNrZE0UUMW8XZEP-pbwWQUbpBJA/s1600/Adult+winter+common+gull+by+++Bernie+Sheridan.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Winter Common Gull by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Correctly identifying gulls can be a challenge at any time. Adult
gulls have a summer and a winter plumage, but are easily sorted. However large
gulls take up to four years to fully mature, and ageing gulls takes experience.
Herring, greater black-backed and lesser black-backed are four year gulls. This
is where matters get complex. These gulls have different plumages as juveniles,
first winters, first summers, second winters, second summers, third winters,
third summers, fourth winters, fourth summer/adults. Now combine this with
various different races of herring gull and the results can be bewildering.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULgjPxbSJKaE2kaJddYoqGrzVSkRimvYmTI-I_L_leLsQEjwY7caTgqrfYuhaJpucN67cttXbgy8Y0BuAcQ45PFTYhf7mrNuDSNZF-xTNTiL3IaOGy-E34bTyjQzfdUYV7pUTimHp6Vw/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULgjPxbSJKaE2kaJddYoqGrzVSkRimvYmTI-I_L_leLsQEjwY7caTgqrfYuhaJpucN67cttXbgy8Y0BuAcQ45PFTYhf7mrNuDSNZF-xTNTiL3IaOGy-E34bTyjQzfdUYV7pUTimHp6Vw/s1600/IMG_1728.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Great Black-Backed Gull by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Common and black-headed-gulls take a mere two years to reach
maturity. Both have distinctive plumages
as juveniles, first winters, first summers and second winters before reaching
adulthood.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI9M-r7GZ2_Q1D9p3Z1QE8gCBcPYavYnsP7oq-JJQEYd_Xjl31x9S31JHlzIRCqLD5EY5UV2ox3tV7SNUMr-UWDJJ4p_xDbS2j3XqL39mqbjOO_JulFQf3cD8QYhLzNPTxH-WMzNwdWA/s1600/IMG_3303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmI9M-r7GZ2_Q1D9p3Z1QE8gCBcPYavYnsP7oq-JJQEYd_Xjl31x9S31JHlzIRCqLD5EY5UV2ox3tV7SNUMr-UWDJJ4p_xDbS2j3XqL39mqbjOO_JulFQf3cD8QYhLzNPTxH-WMzNwdWA/s1600/IMG_3303.JPG" height="155" width="200" /></a><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Winter Black-Headed Gull by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Now that we have that lot sorted out we can attempt to find
some of the rarer species which overwinter in <st1:city w:st="on">Waterford</st1:city>. Throughout the coastal areas of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region> there
has been an unprecedented influx of ‘northern’ gulls this winter. The two
species involved are glaucous gulls and <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iceland</st1:country-region> gulls. Both are four year
gulls but are distinguished from our regular gulls by the complete lack of
black colouration on their bodies and wings. Glaucous gull is large,
approaching greater black-backed in size and noticeably bigger than herring
gull. <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iceland</st1:country-region>
is usually smaller than herring gull and looks more elongated. Both species
have been observed in <st1:city w:st="on">Waterford</st1:city> this winter at <st1:city w:st="on">Ardmore</st1:city>, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Whiting</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place>, Ferrypoint, Helvick,
Dungarvan, Tramore, Dunmore East and Cheekpoint. Again the individuals range
from first winters through to adults.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk2ij6yzFBzriu2P2Fz_nUvZawyugmC164X4E94GqEJAPfUi-XZPWpDYDEfHylJbVsURdZa1wBqM2S8UvnQdlMuPS0oCjr5C9balR6otdDAzxxtzqOz0SSo4LqfTKhKKJfUuYLAwS4Eg/s1600/lbbg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk2ij6yzFBzriu2P2Fz_nUvZawyugmC164X4E94GqEJAPfUi-XZPWpDYDEfHylJbVsURdZa1wBqM2S8UvnQdlMuPS0oCjr5C9balR6otdDAzxxtzqOz0SSo4LqfTKhKKJfUuYLAwS4Eg/s1600/lbbg.jpg" height="134" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Winter Lesser Black-Backed Gull by Fran O'Conell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Amongst the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iceland</st1:country-region>
gulls were a number of kumliens gulls, a distinct subspecies. These can be
differentiated from <st1:country-region w:st="on">Iceland</st1:country-region>
gulls by varying amounts of darker colouration on the tips of their flight
feathers. The first occurrences of kumliens gull in <st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place> were noted at Helvick Head during
January this year. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVY9Z2aA9yk8pfZrSvzFEMTjIutrhoakPTGQD3qI5hADnFgiibcwGwC8FlASCsJ4YFTbatxrgJ6yp4_SKlifNk93cDM7DyU-JcDjLj6iOhEqP0Gs9VzNi4HP1k3N8uXRAKm1Rn8pqNIyA/s1600/Adult+glaucous+gull+by+John+Power.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVY9Z2aA9yk8pfZrSvzFEMTjIutrhoakPTGQD3qI5hADnFgiibcwGwC8FlASCsJ4YFTbatxrgJ6yp4_SKlifNk93cDM7DyU-JcDjLj6iOhEqP0Gs9VzNi4HP1k3N8uXRAKm1Rn8pqNIyA/s1600/Adult+glaucous+gull+by+John+Power.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Glaucous Gull by John Power</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Mediterranean gulls were once a rare visitor to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region>. In
recent years they have become established as a breeding species in this
country. Mediterranean gulls are regularly seen at <st1:placename w:st="on">Whiting</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype>, <st1:city w:st="on">Ardmore</st1:city>,
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Dungarvan</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Harbour</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Tramore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yellow-legged gulls are very similar to herring gulls in
appearance but are now treated as a separate species. Adults are best
distinguished from the herring gull by their slightly darker backs and yellow
legs. Kinsalbeg and Dungarvan are good for this species although in very small
numbers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIqTOH22U-YYnK_5aUj4CXUKmoUDVtz2ALd22OVSFlgmPDF7Q1AEt5acxtcHAZODrbhcceH3dk5FBEnZ2Mq6LbQuC4VzbOgSZBE6WzwONgf-JX3gpELfFY9LYNeRkVkNLVkKEvVqm3cc/s1600/Adult+iceland+gull+by+John+Power.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIqTOH22U-YYnK_5aUj4CXUKmoUDVtz2ALd22OVSFlgmPDF7Q1AEt5acxtcHAZODrbhcceH3dk5FBEnZ2Mq6LbQuC4VzbOgSZBE6WzwONgf-JX3gpELfFY9LYNeRkVkNLVkKEvVqm3cc/s1600/Adult+iceland+gull+by+John+Power.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Iceland Gull by John Power</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kittiwake (named for its call) is a pelagic species rarely
coming to land other than to breed. The breeding colony at Dunmore East is
justifiably famous for its easy accessibility to human observers. In winter kittiwakes
come close inshore during winter storms. Little gulls are our smallest and
daintiest gull usually encountered in <st1:city w:st="on">Waterford</st1:city>
during or immediately after storms. Helvick Head, Ballynagaul and Tramore are notable
for this species. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaWfp25NJ0Wz311KEjUmjCFkujS00Lupkmd6OQcxVP4eFLkS5NnYupPV4PmFjyYuytPOO6s5zrF6fEY3NNrlhipIoXkwkCevxC5xcflPQO0IKqWkroF8elhdvSjtgvwUJQlXg_v4PdkI/s1600/_MG_7853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaWfp25NJ0Wz311KEjUmjCFkujS00Lupkmd6OQcxVP4eFLkS5NnYupPV4PmFjyYuytPOO6s5zrF6fEY3NNrlhipIoXkwkCevxC5xcflPQO0IKqWkroF8elhdvSjtgvwUJQlXg_v4PdkI/s1600/_MG_7853.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Winter Kumlien's Gull by Richard Zamora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ring-billed gull is a North American species which is annual
in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Ireland</st1:country-region>
albeit in small numbers. An adult ring-billed gull has turned up every winter
for a number of years at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Tramore</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Boating</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype></st1:place>.
It is often very easy to observe allowing an approach down to a couple of
meters in the car park.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSAaPo0P7dc3-x6I-kV4LqJEKoRvgPgZhqMjtH5ud0_1RGZKck2weHmLX-8faArDdy3c_EylqfRPKlQeijpZjasni1Z1S0u7D_BspLvHUOx_mZpN01y4gRJUhHU8iZ0D6Q1JKy7YC-yo/s1600/kitti+curragh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSAaPo0P7dc3-x6I-kV4LqJEKoRvgPgZhqMjtH5ud0_1RGZKck2weHmLX-8faArDdy3c_EylqfRPKlQeijpZjasni1Z1S0u7D_BspLvHUOx_mZpN01y4gRJUhHU8iZ0D6Q1JKy7YC-yo/s1600/kitti+curragh.jpg" height="200" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kittiwake by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
In addition to the above, five other species of gull, as
follows, have been recorded in <st1:city w:st="on">Waterford</st1:city>.
Caspian gull, as its name suggests, is an Eastern European/Central Asian
species. Ivory gull is an Arctic specialist usually found scavenging on dead
whales, seals and dolphins. Bonaparte’s gull is a North American species named
after the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. American herring gull is the North
American equivalent of our herring gull but now recognised as a separate
species. Sabine’s gull is an August – October passage migrant named after
Edward Sabine, a scientist aboard John Ross’s 1818 expedition to search for the
North West Passage. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xSdxiW6XVTNLoIVgJv4PPLsR5i2A1q3lDlCymmM1EzPe2U6kAvGefSQvlldVihMTuuF26sJDfs5vWjdhkAAZhM72SN4juSpplMTcD1oYRieAxH948CooNiFtVQwkFRaPXk9YFJb3m6Q/s1600/Adult+winter+ring-billed+gull+by+Bernie+Sheridan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xSdxiW6XVTNLoIVgJv4PPLsR5i2A1q3lDlCymmM1EzPe2U6kAvGefSQvlldVihMTuuF26sJDfs5vWjdhkAAZhM72SN4juSpplMTcD1oYRieAxH948CooNiFtVQwkFRaPXk9YFJb3m6Q/s1600/Adult+winter+ring-billed+gull+by+Bernie+Sheridan.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Winter Ring-billed Gull by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Interestingly two other species of gull have been named
after personalities associated with the search for the <st1:state w:st="on">North
West</st1:state> passage - Ross’s gull after the aforementioned John Ross and <st1:city w:st="on">Franklin</st1:city>’s gull after
John Franklin. To date neither of these two species has been recorded in <st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<br />
In total, excluding sub-species, 17 full species of gull
have been recorded, to date, in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">county</st1:placetype>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Waterford</st1:placename></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362699999986952.0936763 -7.6203626999999869 52.0936763 -7.6203626999999869tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-64961267568043499062014-03-13T06:28:00.000-07:002014-03-13T06:31:54.496-07:00Resolutions and Solutions<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We are now well into
the New Year but it is by no means too late for resolutions.
Waterford has an immense variety of and richness in its wildlife so
make a decision now to get out and enjoy and experience some of these
opportunities during the current calendar year.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So what can we expect?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u>Birds</u></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7YEQN2qQz8PpqXjrdi7MJBGcfrDNXw-ri1fP9SWFM32TkByW82g8XZmniIAZ-Ikd1PAaIwdACiZ_17jTG_tMVaXXk4UEzON7C14Pf8Lze3-gzzvY9cBOSRhdutu-kQ66Pow38Rpixk0/s1600/Cattle+Egret+by+Richard+Zamora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC7YEQN2qQz8PpqXjrdi7MJBGcfrDNXw-ri1fP9SWFM32TkByW82g8XZmniIAZ-Ikd1PAaIwdACiZ_17jTG_tMVaXXk4UEzON7C14Pf8Lze3-gzzvY9cBOSRhdutu-kQ66Pow38Rpixk0/s1600/Cattle+Egret+by+Richard+Zamora.jpg" height="140" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cattle Egret by Richard Zamora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Historically just over<b>
</b>300 different species of bird have been recorded in Waterford.
In the last five years the numbers of different species recorded have
been 187 (2013), 197 (2012), 203 (2011), 194 (2010) and 185 (2009).
On the 4<sup>th</sup> of January 2014, 112 different species of bird
were recorded in Waterford on that single day.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Opportunities abound to
see birdlife in the county and the following are some suggestions:</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbtchA7VZv4GM040-eSMEq6x41uFTJtbIDtSsNTPkjRv2voScLCl-vj9fbAUn6TjvSPwGjFnT8V46DYG01YAjaRlV6rI31K4TkLlfyg_-hp6TCdL0cRtCNUWHVmlHD__NBon5nHj_EOU/s1600/Spoonbill+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbtchA7VZv4GM040-eSMEq6x41uFTJtbIDtSsNTPkjRv2voScLCl-vj9fbAUn6TjvSPwGjFnT8V46DYG01YAjaRlV6rI31K4TkLlfyg_-hp6TCdL0cRtCNUWHVmlHD__NBon5nHj_EOU/s1600/Spoonbill+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="166" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoonbill by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
Dungarvan still hosts
the overwintering spoonbill. Check out Ballyneety for the
spectacular male goldeneye and accompanying dowdier females. Over the
past several weeks two cattle egrets have taken up residence in the
Bunmahon/Seafield area - southern Europe or Africa would be their
more usual winter home. The boating lake at Tramore is presently
affording close-up views of shovelor, gadwall, tufted duck and snipe
along with numerous gulls and other wildfowl. </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHrtntwjovUHCS84e5uPJ9ZTcEo_SV8KNXMFXCmxLx-fzkmt2KRaDzvMMsdGlVRzUy5LTeOPj32BgAe0daFd2jhObZ0Y3vSAipmnIvydqnOEmGBjRLVJCB-CWYkLnIiQR7Z0ZY661vRk/s1600/Ring-necked+Duck+and+Tufted+Ducks+by+Bernie+Sheridan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHrtntwjovUHCS84e5uPJ9ZTcEo_SV8KNXMFXCmxLx-fzkmt2KRaDzvMMsdGlVRzUy5LTeOPj32BgAe0daFd2jhObZ0Y3vSAipmnIvydqnOEmGBjRLVJCB-CWYkLnIiQR7Z0ZY661vRk/s1600/Ring-necked+Duck+and+Tufted+Ducks+by+Bernie+Sheridan.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-necked Duck & Tufted Ducks by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A careful search
through the gulls should yield the North American ring-billed gull
and an Artic glaucous gull. A male ring-necked duck is currently
wintering at Ballyshunnock reservoir.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvflhVJbFTFq9_i5lMUa2vC8O4AsCMKJ7DDB3Ks2I8L0cJ_lar77UN7TgNFOxdk5zk4lHy2xxOUgkLV3SjnvR_C7R3XZa0GbeZwY3rz5ViMc2mKyzbNA5rQqcVrOcMF6Be5ZW7c5Dfz54/s1600/Kingfisher+by+Richard+Zamora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvflhVJbFTFq9_i5lMUa2vC8O4AsCMKJ7DDB3Ks2I8L0cJ_lar77UN7TgNFOxdk5zk4lHy2xxOUgkLV3SjnvR_C7R3XZa0GbeZwY3rz5ViMc2mKyzbNA5rQqcVrOcMF6Be5ZW7c5Dfz54/s1600/Kingfisher+by+Richard+Zamora.jpg" height="139" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kingfisher by Richard Zamora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
A check out of the
bridges crossing the rivers at Ballyvoile, Stradbally, Bunmahon and
Annestown (among other rivers) should yield a dipper and perhaps a
colourful kingfisher.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
During spring/early
summer a visit to the foothills of the Comeraghs or The Vee should
produce a cuckoo. The distinctive call is obvious and with patience
it should be possible to observe the bird itself.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In late April whimbrel
migrate through Waterford on their way north to their breeding
grounds. In some years literally thousands of these birds linger on
the beach at Clonea as they feed up before resuming their journey
northwards.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq4JEdq5OVMiQEDXh7LE7KPi8zHXVDJNeGgDuBl6sRBGmYoCegE7hh1Fo0_aENAhAuApS7OZuAsDzhwGBOrmFoUmaJUqj8uCqJicEUQqSch_e2saKUGNqZaRrZ42EP6khq70xyUfzjrM/s1600/Whimbrel+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGq4JEdq5OVMiQEDXh7LE7KPi8zHXVDJNeGgDuBl6sRBGmYoCegE7hh1Fo0_aENAhAuApS7OZuAsDzhwGBOrmFoUmaJUqj8uCqJicEUQqSch_e2saKUGNqZaRrZ42EP6khq70xyUfzjrM/s1600/Whimbrel+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="144" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Spring also offers the
opportunity to experience the famous Dawn Chorus. At dawn numerous
different species of bird sing loudly to proclaim their territories
and re-establish contact with each other. Organised outings take
place in Waterford and although it means an extremely early start it
is well worth the effort.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLi8J6P34Zv58_DBJ2Bw5f5xCjxBg2XiimQji0Lc_MtRkgOsw0fRXgZG9JqrV3Qex55tfuWIR8budAwNqRdNlW12qhLaYqNYnXuRFQNHFHlGo5ZDN8w_LotllgZPNVtNBvoib3lXTQSk/s1600/Dipper+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLi8J6P34Zv58_DBJ2Bw5f5xCjxBg2XiimQji0Lc_MtRkgOsw0fRXgZG9JqrV3Qex55tfuWIR8budAwNqRdNlW12qhLaYqNYnXuRFQNHFHlGo5ZDN8w_LotllgZPNVtNBvoib3lXTQSk/s1600/Dipper+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="135" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dipper by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In July/August watch
from headlands such as Helvick and Brownstown during storms for
seabirds pushed close to land by strong winds. Numbers passing can be
spectacular and include shearwaters, skuas, auks, terns and other
species.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><u>Insects</u></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With the warmer weather
in spring insects make their appearance. Watch out in March and
April for the spectacular male<b> </b>orange tip butterfly. A visit
to Coumaraglinmountain in May/June should provide an opportunity to
observe the green hairstreak butterfly. Its much rarer relative the
purple hairstreak can be seen fluttering around the tops of oak trees
in August/September. Colligan and Ballyrafter are good sites for this
butterfly. The ideal habitat is the canopy of oaks overhanging
streams. A visit to Mount Congreve may be rewarded with a comma – a
recent Waterford coloniser.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The area between
Annestown and Dunhill castle is excellent for emperor dragonfly and
brown hawker in summer. Watch these large insects as they hunt and
defend territories, resembling miniature helicopters as they fly to
and fro.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCv_AbGArfQfcRDhb1ncv523bPki_2dJ550-qX8LugCFqzS6iwWpRhXslygUzS8s6N3kcn0jvDKV4SdoUbSxaAl7-neZDZbxyonLDGUa2tr9M6gSCOhg_n5hw6JH3XIIwGU7bw_IFEA8/s1600/Red+Squirrel+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCv_AbGArfQfcRDhb1ncv523bPki_2dJ550-qX8LugCFqzS6iwWpRhXslygUzS8s6N3kcn0jvDKV4SdoUbSxaAl7-neZDZbxyonLDGUa2tr9M6gSCOhg_n5hw6JH3XIIwGU7bw_IFEA8/s1600/Red+Squirrel+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><u>Mammals</u></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiMHxUKId6lScHcZRlN3U3o_8t-UICC51mpaDcRHkgQsJpU94TSVyze0NR-8xRQxu3Io0VYipsxWhpCrKzm3ezBIa72sumXwNrlCyZKxLdAQrlp5eo80RhKmLpU_v95CihO_mvHQbmVU/s1600/Fox+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiMHxUKId6lScHcZRlN3U3o_8t-UICC51mpaDcRHkgQsJpU94TSVyze0NR-8xRQxu3Io0VYipsxWhpCrKzm3ezBIa72sumXwNrlCyZKxLdAQrlp5eo80RhKmLpU_v95CihO_mvHQbmVU/s1600/Fox+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="130" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<u></u><br />
<u></u></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Everybody admires red
squirrels and they are widespread in Waterford. The Towers at Lismore
and Colligan Woods are good areas for the species. Pine martens are
rarer and much more elusive but are present in the Kilrossanty and
Portlaw areas. Watch the fields throughout the county at any time
for foxes hunting.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BLzE8F_KDkOli6rGVgTaMiVBFNicXEPZ4MRB8dj3m4M53g6ZcMgNwufTuBNzrfKt_G7pSGqe-RqtmXi-mLEBNo3lxI1C0W9BNfDsAXX6IdtyLmy6A9y8OwRTmSYVhhYbj8wgLTjNQ_w/s1600/Common+Dolphin+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BLzE8F_KDkOli6rGVgTaMiVBFNicXEPZ4MRB8dj3m4M53g6ZcMgNwufTuBNzrfKt_G7pSGqe-RqtmXi-mLEBNo3lxI1C0W9BNfDsAXX6IdtyLmy6A9y8OwRTmSYVhhYbj8wgLTjNQ_w/s1600/Common+Dolphin+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="118" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Dolphin by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bats are also
widespread in Waterford. Watch any waterways at dusk in the county
</div>
during spring/summer for the daubenton’s bat. Street lights attract
leisler’s bats at night where they can be observed feeding.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5xzxt83jyhajUvPsb9915fXXLekHdC2dqr4n1rkCwP602z3oyYzM0ehnCY0e9YHfUJsYlwcddOYvHw575vHIamsK-8AbcRnO1iqjT2uouKyEc6ItrOVschoAqpI1i8fGnNQwLEPkNoY/s1600/Minke+Whale+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5xzxt83jyhajUvPsb9915fXXLekHdC2dqr4n1rkCwP602z3oyYzM0ehnCY0e9YHfUJsYlwcddOYvHw575vHIamsK-8AbcRnO1iqjT2uouKyEc6ItrOVschoAqpI1i8fGnNQwLEPkNoY/s1600/Minke+Whale+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minke Whale by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJJeI_1uFm5Au3IN82oaTjrihRGeU99_ph5u965s6WCJDvuU3cCZht8xfaCq4TOT6zYyRePeCcPe3tqGv9ob6A_zwW3ea0dniDZzB6QWqtOeQ5vY3UQX5uMv-IMgO_OjrR-EFXmJ1bGA/s1600/Harbour+Seals+by+Bernie+Sheridan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJJeI_1uFm5Au3IN82oaTjrihRGeU99_ph5u965s6WCJDvuU3cCZht8xfaCq4TOT6zYyRePeCcPe3tqGv9ob6A_zwW3ea0dniDZzB6QWqtOeQ5vY3UQX5uMv-IMgO_OjrR-EFXmJ1bGA/s1600/Harbour+Seals+by+Bernie+Sheridan.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbour Seals by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Waterford coast is
fast gaining a reputation as one of the foremost places in Europe for
observing marine mammals. Fin whales (the second largest animal to
ever exist on the planet), minke whales, humpback whales,
bottle-nosed and risso’s dolphins are easily observable in season.
Ram Head at Ardmore, Helvick Head and Tankardstown at Bunmahon are
excellent vantage points. Dungarvan Harbour holds small numbers of
</div>
both grey and harbour/common seals.<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Check out
www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission of
records. If you have any questions or comments please email them to
japwatntr@gmail.com.</b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362699999986952.0936763 -7.6203626999999869 52.0936763 -7.6203626999999869tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-87675554693378261552014-03-13T05:51:00.002-07:002014-03-13T05:53:04.820-07:00 MUD GLORIOUS MUD AND WADERS<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJGrgaEvdGl1yLnC8JQZibmRRlAa4LcumV5vDufmZ0xwzT4jzah-TNPTeM9GuqI_AGU2idYpW9wuGy9onxlAXdhNWHO0QUdnSCc4DCxTcQVk4VUEnwKLnJhhTFwLo0BAbjwLLTh8-ekI/s1600/High+Tide+Wader+Roost+by+Richard+Zamora.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJGrgaEvdGl1yLnC8JQZibmRRlAa4LcumV5vDufmZ0xwzT4jzah-TNPTeM9GuqI_AGU2idYpW9wuGy9onxlAXdhNWHO0QUdnSCc4DCxTcQVk4VUEnwKLnJhhTFwLo0BAbjwLLTh8-ekI/s1600/High+Tide+Wader+Roost+by+Richard+Zamora.JPG" height="122" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High Tide Wader Roost by Richard Zamora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Waterford</span></st1:city></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> being a coastal county has large areas of estuarine mud. At first
glance mud may seem to be a degraded habitat devoid of all life. Happily this
is not the case. Estuarine mudflats are considered one of the richest habitats
in the world. The mixture of fresh and salt waters, with abundant nutrients and
organic materials supports an extremely abundant invertebrate resource. This
food concentration is extremely important to birdlife, particularly waders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ssIpgUqtntyl4whu1vbJInqF0iyCVQZJE9kc9NmtqFQHRHtflIPGM495qOei6hWv7Jz8g3A-IMHHfaN7cT1_iFce-mp65Ld0CCk4bjxHOHs9E3WyMYbVtEMg8DWx9ZeDydcxCT7Co-k/s1600/Lapwing+by+Colum+Flynn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ssIpgUqtntyl4whu1vbJInqF0iyCVQZJE9kc9NmtqFQHRHtflIPGM495qOei6hWv7Jz8g3A-IMHHfaN7cT1_iFce-mp65Ld0CCk4bjxHOHs9E3WyMYbVtEMg8DWx9ZeDydcxCT7Co-k/s1600/Lapwing+by+Colum+Flynn.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lapwing by Colum Flynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Waders, or shorebirds in American parlance,
generally occupy wet places where they probe for food such as molluscs, snails,
worms and other invertebrates. Waders include a large number of different
species characterised by different bill and leg lengths. This allows each
species to probe at different depths in the mud to locate prey, thus avoiding
direct competition. It also guarantees that the prey species can survive in
sufficient numbers to ensure continued existence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span lang="EN-GB">Waterford</span></st1:city></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> is of vital importance to wader survival in two respects –
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H0VFeSrY2LIKxsdCNnwsfWS4kSXBrMazHSqKPO2ZdJfafzdx8jRNSWF6vUTrJwnqs9IldDqbz3h34OXmr-3Wwy-NTUQOYvXQbSKFoOcNPvQL1Taad-0jG6Ng8vkYHFHUcxfJZA6DNR0/s1600/Long-Billed+Dowitcher+by+Liam+Cahill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H0VFeSrY2LIKxsdCNnwsfWS4kSXBrMazHSqKPO2ZdJfafzdx8jRNSWF6vUTrJwnqs9IldDqbz3h34OXmr-3Wwy-NTUQOYvXQbSKFoOcNPvQL1Taad-0jG6Ng8vkYHFHUcxfJZA6DNR0/s1600/Long-Billed+Dowitcher+by+Liam+Cahill.JPG" height="200" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long-Billed Dowitcher by Liam Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
overwintering birds, and passage migrants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Large numbers of waders choose <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place></st1:city> to overwinter.
Their feeding is dictated by the tides. Waders only stop feeding at high tide
when the mud is totally covered. Night-time is not an obstacle – they simply
continue probing for food during the hours of darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdtUSi1FpU5-rpc0kdq_Kg3HT8bYCHdFKeDljgU4Qr99svbyKpZBQlUdU1wgF-eFIY5IAIwKUkRaZi7pc3gH067WQRXxAkoy4aONbdJZXdCjIUeHzbs1nD9dVA1-fxsMEpSfR9pbFyy8/s1600/Whimbrel+and+Grey+Plover+by+Pat+Veale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdtUSi1FpU5-rpc0kdq_Kg3HT8bYCHdFKeDljgU4Qr99svbyKpZBQlUdU1wgF-eFIY5IAIwKUkRaZi7pc3gH067WQRXxAkoy4aONbdJZXdCjIUeHzbs1nD9dVA1-fxsMEpSfR9pbFyy8/s1600/Whimbrel+and+Grey+Plover+by+Pat+Veale.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel & Grey Plover by Pat Veale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Waders are long distance migrants moving in
spring to their breeding grounds in the far north from their over-wintering areas
here, in Southern Europe and <st1:place w:st="on">Africa</st1:place>. In autumn
they reverse their migration along with their progeny. These journeys are not
done in one step. The waders stop off at traditional feeding areas upon which
they have become dependent over millennia. They feed at these staging posts
before continuing with their onward migrations. Any loss or damage to these
feeding areas would be catastrophic to their wellbeing. Whimbrel, migrating to
their breeding grounds and stopping on the way to feed in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place></st1:city> in late April, is an excellent
example of passage migration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhpUlculQA_BESlhquEkJ47WSsowCKj6kaIRIwoOGpipPA-o2g3GRYuB8u3UClxjBKfw791JULSh_yALndwyxM5DjsT58suvfBRasoTGsD6kAq8EwExLfr81UP3C6gYF88FIiLAIu1YU/s1600/Dunlin+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhpUlculQA_BESlhquEkJ47WSsowCKj6kaIRIwoOGpipPA-o2g3GRYuB8u3UClxjBKfw791JULSh_yALndwyxM5DjsT58suvfBRasoTGsD6kAq8EwExLfr81UP3C6gYF88FIiLAIu1YU/s1600/Dunlin+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dunlin by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwPeisG9832c33vV4FSnkwoa27tjmUvdF93R7wYojN2mLKzaYoSl0jamhIBWhDQl4mqE8zoH5vNCmhr7NQ7NlTLKZoS8qpw9IrmYpH57Pg1_aYPq6SKNwc0FipAaldnjamnfWZaIPOwY/s1600/Black-Tailed+Godwit+by+Colum+Flynn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwPeisG9832c33vV4FSnkwoa27tjmUvdF93R7wYojN2mLKzaYoSl0jamhIBWhDQl4mqE8zoH5vNCmhr7NQ7NlTLKZoS8qpw9IrmYpH57Pg1_aYPq6SKNwc0FipAaldnjamnfWZaIPOwY/s1600/Black-Tailed+Godwit+by+Colum+Flynn.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-Tailed Godwit by Colum Flynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The following illustrates the absolute
importance of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place></st1:city>
to waders as a winter refuge in terms of numbers: Dungarvan is internationally
important for black-tailed godwit and nationally important for oystercatchers,
golden plover, grey plover, knot, dunlin, bar-tailed godwit, greenshank,
redshank and turnstone. Tramore is nationally important for golden plover, grey
plover and black-tailed godwit whilst <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Waterford</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Harbour</st1:placetype></st1:place>
holds nationally important numbers of oystercatcher and black-tailed godwit.
The Blackwater Callows are internationally important for black-tailed godwit
and nationally important for curlew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tKG5G7tDt2Ad7KR24zHUg9OWtWhv4STD2_srclMpZ_hsR1unZqOghb0zEiNeyEwT46xQwEeh5Ps5S9oHPSawCsdTI78EduYLR0RjQlB3ImqyAd0-IpLC4XCPe4BTFF78iwBxh_DB7fY/s1600/Lesser+Yellowlegs+by+Colum+Flynn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tKG5G7tDt2Ad7KR24zHUg9OWtWhv4STD2_srclMpZ_hsR1unZqOghb0zEiNeyEwT46xQwEeh5Ps5S9oHPSawCsdTI78EduYLR0RjQlB3ImqyAd0-IpLC4XCPe4BTFF78iwBxh_DB7fY/s1600/Lesser+Yellowlegs+by+Colum+Flynn.JPG" height="152" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Yellowlegs by Colum Flynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Occasionally <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Waterford</st1:city></st1:place> plays host to rare American waders
(shorebirds). At different times long billed dowitcher, American golden plover,
pectoral sandpiper, lesser yellow-legs and semi-palmated sandpiper have graced
the Cunnigar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">#</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29gJhyphenhyphenraHklwn-shOSCpYrCKGLQMeAu2X18K_ZKx3-0eEJypfq0EWanQY27HD611Vqq_MdBMRUXRnTEHjgCSGjadzrflQMWJl1VpF6bbqK96Ot7BPeKTrJU8fxEdjdO5dT4M6kY4Naxw/s1600/Sanderling+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29gJhyphenhyphenraHklwn-shOSCpYrCKGLQMeAu2X18K_ZKx3-0eEJypfq0EWanQY27HD611Vqq_MdBMRUXRnTEHjgCSGjadzrflQMWJl1VpF6bbqK96Ot7BPeKTrJU8fxEdjdO5dT4M6kY4Naxw/s1600/Sanderling+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanderling by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Viewing waders in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place></st1:city> is easy. Bar-tailed and
black-tailed godwits are readily located in large numbers on estuarine mud
virtually anywhere within the county. Turnstone get their name from their habit
of turning over stones and seaweed to locate prey. Dunlin are the ubiquitous
small wader often in large flocks. Both dunlin and turnstone are widespread
throughout <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place></st1:city>.
Watch out for the small grey </span>sanderling feeding along the tideline.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNj23_x2_BMU4SnGkVqPc-63ukf2LkvlQCMnGHBeXrTb9XezROpCFANddDDU9BvIt_mdsv_ES42uDWTAeFZjJuLe5Mfx1xUx_JW18JmRsx9V9RWGOo0J1NvA46_V5HYSaN0CjXyLmJsQ/s1600/Turnstone+by+Andrew+Malcolm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNj23_x2_BMU4SnGkVqPc-63ukf2LkvlQCMnGHBeXrTb9XezROpCFANddDDU9BvIt_mdsv_ES42uDWTAeFZjJuLe5Mfx1xUx_JW18JmRsx9V9RWGOo0J1NvA46_V5HYSaN0CjXyLmJsQ/s1600/Turnstone+by+Andrew+Malcolm.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turnstone by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5t-Cpp8iCxuvAtGSrsg_VWNVeDvXLftiAScOonzPVvtSAjPGey8usVh_EXAkeMf1M-ewKVoOrMK0HyovmaY2LCgtlSy67nbqiya9Qa7mnBSGsMtW2Knikcb_DAJ3_cbCTdStHRoMLEc/s1600/Curlew+by+Liam+Cahill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5t-Cpp8iCxuvAtGSrsg_VWNVeDvXLftiAScOonzPVvtSAjPGey8usVh_EXAkeMf1M-ewKVoOrMK0HyovmaY2LCgtlSy67nbqiya9Qa7mnBSGsMtW2Knikcb_DAJ3_cbCTdStHRoMLEc/s1600/Curlew+by+Liam+Cahill.JPG" height="175" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curlew by Liam Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sanderling
resemble toy soldiers as they advance and retreat with the breaking waves. High
tide roosts present an opportunity to view different species in close proximity
and to study the varied sizes and plumages. Look for and listen to the
widespread lapwing with its distinctive pee-wit call. The long de-curved bill
of the curlew is unmistakeable, coupled with its plaintive ‘curlew’ call. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look
among the wader flocks for the plump, stubby billed, medium sized, pale
coloured grey plover. The grey plover is easily recognised by its dark
axillaries (armpits) once in flight.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc15i3XGbHklBv7xirqEG0D908xkfnk09LJDL8q3ggs8R-cuqr5hZPtqwK8iw7QscUxMDY2xWOam8SBYomBDd5qEW0Js7Z_vhK25ZSzCv8W_g3w2E1Lc7uGH-4_5Sw30DHMEXWMJ9igmQ/s1600/Redshank+by+Andrew+Malcolm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc15i3XGbHklBv7xirqEG0D908xkfnk09LJDL8q3ggs8R-cuqr5hZPtqwK8iw7QscUxMDY2xWOam8SBYomBDd5qEW0Js7Z_vhK25ZSzCv8W_g3w2E1Lc7uGH-4_5Sw30DHMEXWMJ9igmQ/s1600/Redshank+by+Andrew+Malcolm.JPG" height="137" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redshank by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both redshank and greenshank are common throughout <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Waterford</st1:place></st1:city>
and best recognised by their respective leg colouration and easily recognisable
calls.</div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Check
out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission of
records. If you have any questions or comments please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362699999986952.0936763 -7.6203626999999869 52.0936763 -7.6203626999999869tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-83567033746574731482014-03-13T05:23:00.000-07:002014-03-13T05:23:08.571-07:00WHERE ARE ALL THE BUTTERFLIES DURING WINTER?<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszpHz2bD5KptvZFVOuf0jPni5FulBDcs-HyqYR1apgESSwBEnY0QcukzH7h_LsImEuY0Cl1fQd567dpIW-F4a3hsjOyI0YWoQTlH-NvovqRuTPkc5SHTsVkj-p8GQrIaMSBDdo8ULaiQ/s1600/Peacock+by+fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszpHz2bD5KptvZFVOuf0jPni5FulBDcs-HyqYR1apgESSwBEnY0QcukzH7h_LsImEuY0Cl1fQd567dpIW-F4a3hsjOyI0YWoQTlH-NvovqRuTPkc5SHTsVkj-p8GQrIaMSBDdo8ULaiQ/s1600/Peacock+by+fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Butterflies
cannot survive our winters as flying adults due to the cold and lack
of food. To survive the adverse winter conditions, most but not all,
species of butterfly hibernate. Thus most species of butterfly are
all around us during the colder months of autumn, winter and spring.
However, dependent on the species, they adopt a variety of different
strategies to survive until suitable conditions return.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8N3BiLk8FUyZ-SH7Wy12xo8ZsHe9_IHo7XAAK8DmsLZ_RnXCO_pZ72IIHZ1z-GCuzE3yEdeYgpjUpPAbs-GsZlZEy9LvEqlrdxPrl_x5G-UIj5-5HclIn-SmWWDJ2fOcI0uCbt4kvIE/s1600/Painted+Lady+by+Daniel+Weldon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8N3BiLk8FUyZ-SH7Wy12xo8ZsHe9_IHo7XAAK8DmsLZ_RnXCO_pZ72IIHZ1z-GCuzE3yEdeYgpjUpPAbs-GsZlZEy9LvEqlrdxPrl_x5G-UIj5-5HclIn-SmWWDJ2fOcI0uCbt4kvIE/s1600/Painted+Lady+by+Daniel+Weldon.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Lady by Daniel Wheldon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>MIGRATION</b></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Amazingly,
just like swallows and warblers, some species of butterfly migrate
south to Africa to avoid our </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1Z5RjeVrMkFkxEj2e_cAOiSFHiudgKPD3P9tfVK6RghvaMzrqBzhCKcqnnDj9ZdgHQtpcQ0Op8pYRG163_v8zTcPM_W-pi35XkHUBEHA4cGYuAY3A0-Vb1FHMMnaBBFkg-9ER-YkZhM/s1600/Small+Tortoiseshell+by+Berni+Sheridan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1Z5RjeVrMkFkxEj2e_cAOiSFHiudgKPD3P9tfVK6RghvaMzrqBzhCKcqnnDj9ZdgHQtpcQ0Op8pYRG163_v8zTcPM_W-pi35XkHUBEHA4cGYuAY3A0-Vb1FHMMnaBBFkg-9ER-YkZhM/s1600/Small+Tortoiseshell+by+Berni+Sheridan.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Tortoise Shell by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
colder months. Red admirals, painted
ladies and in some years clouded yellows migrate in summer from
Southern Europe and Africa to Ireland. It was once considered that
most, if not all, died with the onset of colder weather. However,
radar studies have now proven that these species are capable of a
reverse migration to sunnier climes in Africa. These epic journeys
involve thousands of kilometres which is truly phenomenal for such a
tiny creature. The numbers involved in these movements can run to
millions of individuals.<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZtTWtLtS1PboFk67joVoWKRj3Awktz9zNxiz_eXG_F3geeKESG7pvSTwHi9psbY9-Tgc2fV9B0u2B3EBUaCoC4SSkaDn9u2lnHIpsMPAPQhirQzrsqZWEaFVDzsgIWM_sAWNV-zsLcA/s1600/Comma+by+John+Joe+%2526+Liam+Cahill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZtTWtLtS1PboFk67joVoWKRj3Awktz9zNxiz_eXG_F3geeKESG7pvSTwHi9psbY9-Tgc2fV9B0u2B3EBUaCoC4SSkaDn9u2lnHIpsMPAPQhirQzrsqZWEaFVDzsgIWM_sAWNV-zsLcA/s1600/Comma+by+John+Joe+%2526+Liam+Cahill.jpg" height="165" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comma by John Joe & Liam Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>ADULTS</b></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A number
of species including small tortoiseshells, peacocks and commas
hibernate as adults. These species build up sufficient fat reserves
during summer/autumn to enable them to survive the long colder
months. They seek out suitable niches in trees, buildings, crevices
etc. and hibernate. Most people will be familiar with small
tortoiseshells hibernating on the walls of their homes. If you come
across a hibernating butterfly it is best to leave them well alone to
sleep.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b> CHRYALIS/PUPAE</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYOv1LZEkKvvWUL_4U4TBmpFJcvwIMAU910x6fXw9rI5ztCrApAtHDLH8WP_VVNaerV-nqUW8o0JtjZfZ9MQEi1WhHrmlbjy2FRXl3lkuq16lUhV2KHyU3z4YphTp9JTidiLur6GejpY/s1600/Wall+Brown+by+Berni+Sheridan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYOv1LZEkKvvWUL_4U4TBmpFJcvwIMAU910x6fXw9rI5ztCrApAtHDLH8WP_VVNaerV-nqUW8o0JtjZfZ9MQEi1WhHrmlbjy2FRXl3lkuq16lUhV2KHyU3z4YphTp9JTidiLur6GejpY/s1600/Wall+Brown+by+Berni+Sheridan.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wall Brown by BernieSheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This is
the stage between the caterpillar and the flying adult butterfly. The
chrysalis spends the winter at the base of plants or underground thus
avoiding the worst of the winter weather. When conditions improve in
spring/summer the chrysalis metamorphoses into the flying adult
butterfly. Large whites, small whites, orange-tips and holly blues
among others adopt this policy.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtPvT5m6BLEbqU_F4-MKxfTR7687hNc2i-W7GFnOLwvqmorOmyj8LftuA9hYCKGqyN9XrpCelSP7FUyCfYbsWaTPN8ywzfgSF_NXxUqAH8fQ_LUr-3TBgOu-9IVaPUu8KSSwXlmdDGCY/s1600/Common+Blue+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtPvT5m6BLEbqU_F4-MKxfTR7687hNc2i-W7GFnOLwvqmorOmyj8LftuA9hYCKGqyN9XrpCelSP7FUyCfYbsWaTPN8ywzfgSF_NXxUqAH8fQ_LUr-3TBgOu-9IVaPUu8KSSwXlmdDGCY/s1600/Common+Blue+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="178" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Blue by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>CATERPILLAR/LARVA</b></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Many
species spend the winter as caterpillars. The advantage of this
strategy is that, being mobile, caterpillars can hunker down in deep
cover in adverse conditions and emerge to feed at opportune times. A
caterpillar can also move to avoid flooding, predators and other
dangers. Common blues, small coppers, fritillaries, wall browns,
gatekeepers, meadow browns, small heaths and ringlets use this
strategy.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>EGGS</b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4D0i17ODXfQcw9raljoSQRUdzbkCoLXb5gXzxY1_RsdujN5XhoKEgUWqxzHKMubx0DQgzEKpTmNivig-i6O1Hz9SR1Qzd7iG1xRFJdLYsIu4Hjgh1IZ4dkKgEyeyuaRt3x4x5JiC37I/s1600/Small+Copper+by+Berni+Sheridan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4D0i17ODXfQcw9raljoSQRUdzbkCoLXb5gXzxY1_RsdujN5XhoKEgUWqxzHKMubx0DQgzEKpTmNivig-i6O1Hz9SR1Qzd7iG1xRFJdLYsIu4Hjgh1IZ4dkKgEyeyuaRt3x4x5JiC37I/s1600/Small+Copper+by+Berni+Sheridan.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Copper by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The
purple hairstreak over-winters as an egg. The eggs are laid in
July/August. The Caterpillar quickly develops within the egg,
immediately hibernates and does not hatch until the following April.
The caterpillar then feeds on the emerging buds of oak trees – its
only food source. Oak leaves contain tannins which are poisonous so
early feeding on the buds may avoid this hazard.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrrHoY8BJ7UCz7X22WQMZW5OLBzt69o6PBvFghfjnBtmjJXiJY9HUwWOnb4LtzKnO9IYjPtBDGH14f5vhiXbYAw2iU-dXXbWnkcAafbylVs8AWFpNUyc3N8AlpHbetN-0r95PQHn2Ahk/s1600/Silver-washed+Fritillary+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrrHoY8BJ7UCz7X22WQMZW5OLBzt69o6PBvFghfjnBtmjJXiJY9HUwWOnb4LtzKnO9IYjPtBDGH14f5vhiXbYAw2iU-dXXbWnkcAafbylVs8AWFpNUyc3N8AlpHbetN-0r95PQHn2Ahk/s1600/Silver-washed+Fritillary+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="181" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silver-washed Fritillary by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>THIS YEARS
BUTTERFLIES</b></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The
spring/early summer being wet and relatively cold was not conducive
to butterflies. Species such as orange-tips, green-veined whites and
green hairstreaks seemed to be flying in reduced numbers. As the
summer progressed and the weather grew warmer conditions became
optimal for adult butterflies. Large numbers of whites, red admirals,
peacocks, silver-washed fritillaries and common blues were on the
wing. Wall browns were in good numbers in suitable habitats and the
beautiful small copper very much in evidence. </div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After a number of poor
summers this augurs well for the future wellbeing of butterfly
populations.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Commas consolidated
their expansion into Waterford with multiple additional sightings in
the Mount Congreve area.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>RECENT WILDLIFE
SIGHTINGS</b></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The
spoonbill has returned to Dungarvan for yet another winter as have a
number of long-tailed ducks. A new surf scoter is presently
overwintering in Dungarvan harbour and a number of yellow-legged
gulls are on the Colligan River at Ballyneety.</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Fin and
minke whales, common dolphins and porpoises, harbour/common seals,
grey seals and otters are presently being encountered along the
Waterford coast.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Watch out for returning
thrushes such as redwing and fieldfare over the next several weeks.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Check out
www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission of
records. If you have</b></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b>Any questions or
comments please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362699999986952.0546528 -7.7010436999999872 52.1326998 -7.5396816999999867tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-33119137038771044832014-02-04T07:23:00.000-08:002014-02-04T07:23:33.720-08:00Pelagic Birding and Dolphins<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCC8GBciDV-N-O3RlHSd4eOUXxE8esgPRoSVb_pGZcw5B88YsDU0wGmfzoz8a0qxs6MhtdLT-wcKUqHbBtewILV2hh0SPxFfgx0pwnHsXvvMo_g-z3YAg4yglwpiu4EKnzkUpLlKJIppw/s1600/Gannet_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCC8GBciDV-N-O3RlHSd4eOUXxE8esgPRoSVb_pGZcw5B88YsDU0wGmfzoz8a0qxs6MhtdLT-wcKUqHbBtewILV2hh0SPxFfgx0pwnHsXvvMo_g-z3YAg4yglwpiu4EKnzkUpLlKJIppw/s1600/Gannet_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" height="200" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
On Friday the 9<sup>th</sup>
of August, 13 local birders and crew, captained by Martin Colfer,
sailed from Youghal </div>
along the Waterford coast in search of pelagic
birds and perhaps some whales and dolphins.<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Pelagic birds are birds
of the open seas, which are unlikely to be encountered on land other
than at breeding colonies.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXcRbP_K6uBX096R4NWKgc-8-pOa_fjp1SG6YfW59gfVdeJ4r6TMWklZIm_CkKii4WB2CmxBa-7Uf1IQV01fANlORyfUY0PZPcen3VSu1H0siWx8mWHXc1JXfMQ9ZHVl-wpDan_EmUtM/s1600/Black_Guillemot_by_Fran_O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXcRbP_K6uBX096R4NWKgc-8-pOa_fjp1SG6YfW59gfVdeJ4r6TMWklZIm_CkKii4WB2CmxBa-7Uf1IQV01fANlORyfUY0PZPcen3VSu1H0siWx8mWHXc1JXfMQ9ZHVl-wpDan_EmUtM/s1600/Black_Guillemot_by_Fran_O%2527Connell.JPG" height="193" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Guillemot by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Gannets were quickly
seen. These very large seabirds sustain themselves entirely by
fishing. They dive into the sea, often from a great height, in
pursuit of their prey. Once almost wiped out as a breeding species in
Ireland, they are now happily thriving.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Auks (family name
Alcids) are well represented in Irish waters by guillemots, black
guillemots, razorbills and, everybody’s favourite, puffins.
Looking comical and friendly puffins are, in reality, tough, ocean
going birds, capable of surviving the harshest conditions. Puffins,
like all auks, fish by pursuing their prey underwater, using their
wings to propel themselves forwards.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveEexNCldnxQDt0UQWfGe2U972LXtEnEyGJ3KR8SD0RWD4qPpQY6l1hwf6gxSQqmk_wfGEpEV5Q8uLbxIe-NeMRhilU81jPo-wAVQg3nySCTq-xuJueqkSlWFz7av9kzqhp-SG9tBTxM/s1600/Puffins_by_Dominic_Clancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveEexNCldnxQDt0UQWfGe2U972LXtEnEyGJ3KR8SD0RWD4qPpQY6l1hwf6gxSQqmk_wfGEpEV5Q8uLbxIe-NeMRhilU81jPo-wAVQg3nySCTq-xuJueqkSlWFz7av9kzqhp-SG9tBTxM/s1600/Puffins_by_Dominic_Clancy.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffins by Dominic Clancy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZUVXZV99Yj1KcFB0pHn3ONyxV5ikzYmVJLrW4gEzla5Uh4pAHilj3BApbbbT2TKq-1oAm8XF4x8ionSRJlfyq0-JErHKqjw6fKI-ed8qvYzn4eYHHryML5NrL1gU4R2JQj1UiSvbKU0/s1600/Storm_Petrel_by_Fran_O%2527Connel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZUVXZV99Yj1KcFB0pHn3ONyxV5ikzYmVJLrW4gEzla5Uh4pAHilj3BApbbbT2TKq-1oAm8XF4x8ionSRJlfyq0-JErHKqjw6fKI-ed8qvYzn4eYHHryML5NrL1gU4R2JQj1UiSvbKU0/s1600/Storm_Petrel_by_Fran_O%2527Connel.JPG" height="200" width="183" /></a>Storm petrels are a
tiny (sparrow-sized) totally pelagic species, which dip feed on the
ocean surface. The name petrel is thought to derive from St Peter as
their pattering on the surface of the sea is reminiscent of the
Saint’s ability to walk on water. Storm Petrels are also known as
“Mother Carey’s Chickens” after a supernatural figure
representing the sea. Petrel’s tiny seemingly fragile appearance
again belies their ability to survive at sea in the most extreme
conditions. During the trip storm petrels were very much in evidence.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqzObwZNXXvzrHPW6Q4xMfBvzzO8IvtPBQNP1Imzbm4HGYg2q68yN0Y2_opnrjPkfj2HcOoJf1JQ03mN2Z_757atyQuu9WdCEL1IbfrV5Md10jsDX_dU2PqRUF25iRLiMdU0PMJZKTMI/s1600/Manx_Shearwater_by_Pat_Veale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqzObwZNXXvzrHPW6Q4xMfBvzzO8IvtPBQNP1Imzbm4HGYg2q68yN0Y2_opnrjPkfj2HcOoJf1JQ03mN2Z_757atyQuu9WdCEL1IbfrV5Md10jsDX_dU2PqRUF25iRLiMdU0PMJZKTMI/s1600/Manx_Shearwater_by_Pat_Veale.jpg" height="138" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manx Shearwater by Pat Veale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJWJsR8X6hfxLXNmokFVsrdIJijXX7EdXEKqz8Q0J6RF3fiWvszoWaJQr4ypGOAXlVZyT_ZoH74zgb79y6LGTNbcMZobztBlKEenn6B6GxFJHPncKo-LjcDPN3hLR-w3-IDCIsL6Izfw/s1600/Sooty_Shearwater_By_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJWJsR8X6hfxLXNmokFVsrdIJijXX7EdXEKqz8Q0J6RF3fiWvszoWaJQr4ypGOAXlVZyT_ZoH74zgb79y6LGTNbcMZobztBlKEenn6B6GxFJHPncKo-LjcDPN3hLR-w3-IDCIsL6Izfw/s1600/Sooty_Shearwater_By_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" height="129" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooty Shearwater by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Shearwaters are a truly
pelagic species undertaking huge annual migrations. The name derives
from their flying method, whereby they appear to shear across the
waves. Manx shearwaters breed in Ireland and migrate to waters off
Brazil and Argentina in the winter. They were regular on the trip as
were small numbers of sooty shearwaters. “Sooties” breed on
southern ocean islands and disperse northwards along the western side
of the Atlantic Ocean, moving east into our waters in July/August
before returning south down the eastern side of the Atlantic to their
remote breeding colonies in November/December.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIbBXBuiB6_ahgcd7tD6sRbojr076EbT2J2vBr0JofHg6dWwCxCDNHEysXM2DDkavyVmOdY-KHNLpaOqib3XyAU5Uc2Ak1bHNAidvygeHQdNxgzlwgpAfOuBVDA0RN801pJNK3yjDZLs/s1600/Fulmar_By_Fran_O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIbBXBuiB6_ahgcd7tD6sRbojr076EbT2J2vBr0JofHg6dWwCxCDNHEysXM2DDkavyVmOdY-KHNLpaOqib3XyAU5Uc2Ak1bHNAidvygeHQdNxgzlwgpAfOuBVDA0RN801pJNK3yjDZLs/s1600/Fulmar_By_Fran_O%2527Connell.JPG" height="165" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fulmar by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1874718691716846720" name="_GoBack"></a>Almost
always on view during the trip was the fulmar. Fulmars look
superficially like gulls but their stiff winged flight and tube noses
are obvious differences and more reminiscent of their close relatives
albatrosses. The tube nose is an adaptation for excreting salt, which
is picked up through their prey and seawater. Now a common breeding
bird in Ireland this was not always the case. However with the
demise of the human population on St. Kilda in Scotland and the
subsequent reduction in hunting, fulmars quickly moved into all
available breeding niches in Britain and Ireland.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Also in attendance on
the pelagic trip was the kittiwake. This species is <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTSS7vMgOg_-GL5I3x_N-mTBkWlTAGXt36C5cUgrjESulio-tZaFpN87kO5f4k8OJhc-USaWa5raO_PCGkFCBVwK1XCHz4DsAW8BBhA9LFrcnUl0AatKA_4Uj06OGpJd6V3mI5jy9-C8/s1600/Kittiwake_by_Dominic_Clancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTSS7vMgOg_-GL5I3x_N-mTBkWlTAGXt36C5cUgrjESulio-tZaFpN87kO5f4k8OJhc-USaWa5raO_PCGkFCBVwK1XCHz4DsAW8BBhA9LFrcnUl0AatKA_4Uj06OGpJd6V3mI5jy9-C8/s1600/Kittiwake_by_Dominic_Clancy.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kittiwake by Dominic Clancy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
named after its
call. The kittiwake is a beautiful, dainty, small gull with jet black
wing tips as if dipped in ink. This is a truly ocean going species
which will never be encountered in dumps (as are other gulls) and
only rarely on land. Dunmore East presents a good opportunity to see
kittiwakes as they breed there on the cliffs in spring/summer.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Other species seen on
the trip included several species of large gull, terns and a small
pod of porpoises.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Martin Colfer regularly
runs bird watching and whale watching trips from Youghal and is
available on 087 265 7177.<br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy0mLTJEsmiwje8Wz1DnOrDDde9NH0Xa-FA7NvVPm1k8XudURS-BtPURNH5BgTwu_6MtvVB-3vxCt4LKXW888N9i4bIWuTPmNfcvI7dT7X9DJc8B4OsyxwvErmLlalbQgIoL7otbK7L0/s1600/Bottlenose_Dolphins_by_Bernie_Sheridan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy0mLTJEsmiwje8Wz1DnOrDDde9NH0Xa-FA7NvVPm1k8XudURS-BtPURNH5BgTwu_6MtvVB-3vxCt4LKXW888N9i4bIWuTPmNfcvI7dT7X9DJc8B4OsyxwvErmLlalbQgIoL7otbK7L0/s1600/Bottlenose_Dolphins_by_Bernie_Sheridan.JPG" height="128" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottlenose Dolpin by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dungarvan was recently
graced by a pod of bottlenose dolphins, comprising of ten to twelve
individuals. The dolphins lingered for a few days, hunting between
Ballinacourty Lighthouse and Ballyvoile. Bottlenose dolphins track
their prey by the use of echo location. These dolphins are regular in
Irish waters, with a resident population in the Shannon estuary and
the most famous of all “Fungie” in Dingle harbour. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362699999986952.0546528 -7.7010436999999872 52.1326998 -7.5396816999999867tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-19060460457286796952014-01-31T02:47:00.000-08:002014-01-31T02:47:49.465-08:00Why do birds sing?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3V4EFmM3bmGCF3Tb-JWNrYyATo2qWP75qdsdNLQITj_R3UMUekkMS2-VKpLlHd7awSXLMkOAgEMFLC03C0xr224xoB3DBSNVsCMvmv-raSQofv8LYfiDKl-9Ovmg3ESoxKCaU1NV614/s1600/Robin+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3V4EFmM3bmGCF3Tb-JWNrYyATo2qWP75qdsdNLQITj_R3UMUekkMS2-VKpLlHd7awSXLMkOAgEMFLC03C0xr224xoB3DBSNVsCMvmv-raSQofv8LYfiDKl-9Ovmg3ESoxKCaU1NV614/s1600/Robin+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="200" width="149" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robin by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
Birds sing
in order to communicate and for two main reasons -</div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to attract a mate</span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">to defend a
territory</span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">A
male bird singing in spring and early summer (and it is mostly males)
is proclaiming that he is in tip-top breeding condition and is ready
and able to mate. Females in the vicinity are attracted by the song
and can judge by it whether or not the singing male will make a
suitable mate. She can decide by the quality of his song as to
whether he is strong and healthy enough for the rigours of mating and
providing food for their offspring.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The singing male is
also defending his territory. He is, in strident terms, telling <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkkw74LsYoL-07MA8o173NDfwqOCA9Y0CyswNn2l6EYNd2iAx12Rk6FJfdnI_FFX6O2lSPaZc1CaDxqtohfuQ06dhM2OVSxuZvn5Wkv_ppcjSVN9Jh2ayR_vkNVXRwIG-SuPZzO-hHZ0/s1600/Garganey+inflight+By+Richard+Zamora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjkkw74LsYoL-07MA8o173NDfwqOCA9Y0CyswNn2l6EYNd2iAx12Rk6FJfdnI_FFX6O2lSPaZc1CaDxqtohfuQ06dhM2OVSxuZvn5Wkv_ppcjSVN9Jh2ayR_vkNVXRwIG-SuPZzO-hHZ0/s1600/Garganey+inflight+By+Richard+Zamora.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garganey by Richard Zamora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
other
males that this patch is his, as is the female, and to keep well
away. Just as the female is attracted to the male's song, other males
are repelled by it. This largely avoids unnecessary physical
confrontation between males which could lead to injury to either or
both. An injury to any wild animal greatly reduces its survival
chances. Furthermore, if a male for whatever reason, does not defend
his territory, another, probably younger male, will quickly move in
and take over.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo9IxyWg_maxEcX9Q14tgZafPdOI5xi8sWSmB9mIsueT1IBxb3abrvNFIhsiBmCfv6_PE_7FisqgXXUIKG_cIRp4adUPkhf4Dv0EWMnM-zFR9kZpCzE2UFQ00yrHkbUIcCSgutUnRLyo/s1600/Song+Thrush+By+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNo9IxyWg_maxEcX9Q14tgZafPdOI5xi8sWSmB9mIsueT1IBxb3abrvNFIhsiBmCfv6_PE_7FisqgXXUIKG_cIRp4adUPkhf4Dv0EWMnM-zFR9kZpCzE2UFQ00yrHkbUIcCSgutUnRLyo/s1600/Song+Thrush+By+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Thrush by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Perhaps
the best time to listen to birdsong is at dawn, the aptly named 'Dawn
Chorus'. Why should birds sing most actively at dawn? At dawn the air
has not warmed up so that conditions are usually fairly still and
sound carries further. The males </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">are also proclaiming that they are
still alive and active and re-asserting their claims to territory and
females after the night. It is also thought that feeding
opportunities being limited at dawn, the birds can devote their time
more readily to singing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M_T5VOu7WyZt65fTQmrT3ld8tnBO1L7ZUkDGCdZWx1vNrQBHBLI6gQZgQpb-dBcOM9VKhPaAkU3WJVQ3zHldzTE7pSNOvsraQ5SY1Y4KqHRoYH_UuwXnjB91W9vplqBQEzeAj1h2pWk/s1600/Wren+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5M_T5VOu7WyZt65fTQmrT3ld8tnBO1L7ZUkDGCdZWx1vNrQBHBLI6gQZgQpb-dBcOM9VKhPaAkU3WJVQ3zHldzTE7pSNOvsraQ5SY1Y4KqHRoYH_UuwXnjB91W9vplqBQEzeAj1h2pWk/s1600/Wren+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="145" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wren by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">By
mid-July, singing will have very much declined. Most birds will have
mated by then and competition for mates and territory will have
fallen off. By late summer many species of bird will be in active
moult and the last thing any bird will want is to attract a predator
whilst their flying ability is impaired.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZaRqkP6LmIO4Ez4Ear4d_3OIj9C8qak_8GXheRzHwH3INbepLNfg51Iig_B6xRlH7eVZ4sibOwg30UPwZqetPfvaeap21uKzF_D5ewOVNgoLBTsWRex4OJyE11r5D1QVR-WMnnNHzs4/s1600/Skylark+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZaRqkP6LmIO4Ez4Ear4d_3OIj9C8qak_8GXheRzHwH3INbepLNfg51Iig_B6xRlH7eVZ4sibOwg30UPwZqetPfvaeap21uKzF_D5ewOVNgoLBTsWRex4OJyE11r5D1QVR-WMnnNHzs4/s1600/Skylark+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="115" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skylark by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In
addition to singing, birds have a range of other vocalisations. These
are used to warn other birds of threats such as predators and other
dangers. Many species have contact calls, particularly used in
feeding and migrating flocks to keep in touch and in communicating
with fledged young. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 100%;">Most of us are familiar with the alarm call of a
blackbird when disturbed or the 'tick tick tick' warning call of a
robin.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<br />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrZBuYs9_dk-ERE-DVturuAHUTzvpTZ_pL0tDPT-tu2uEGlytcNGTuWyWl_bzFjD2ukaeO4N1XQYCq6C2ckGkKKBlg5SqFx3Lr8uQ-5K31QcO2pC5LL0f8xBe40yA2K5trZIdNFyXVXc/s1600/Reed+Warbler+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQrZBuYs9_dk-ERE-DVturuAHUTzvpTZ_pL0tDPT-tu2uEGlytcNGTuWyWl_bzFjD2ukaeO4N1XQYCq6C2ckGkKKBlg5SqFx3Lr8uQ-5K31QcO2pC5LL0f8xBe40yA2K5trZIdNFyXVXc/s1600/Reed+Warbler+by+Fran+O%2527Connell.JPG" height="200" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed Warbler by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Some
notable songsters easily heard in Waterford include the skylark with
its seemingly endless cascade of song often delivered from high up in
the sky. The song thrush is readily heard repeating each phrase of
its song over and over again. Listen out for the reed warbler singing
from deep cover in reed beds or the very loud song of a wren which
seems impossibly vocal for such a tiny bird.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Bird
song recordings are easily accessed on the internet and can be
downloaded as apps. An excellent and informative book on bird song is
'Bird Watching With Your Eyes Closed' by Simon Barnes which
introduces many familiar birdsongs of Britain and Ireland. An
accompanying podcast can be downloaded from the internet.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWc_2qIZi4-8ibTTtb1ereJNHgwiQDee1-gN9FRS_TXsKS3kGDajbCuwvq1YzvDBi1zYZ4EIWfBHvrenkJW57cxgbBWHRpZukdL3c3xiY6fdMEpdvFPGsyZybCE2p_jyNCR7UdN9_300/s1600/Yellow+Wagtail+by+Bernie+Sheridan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWc_2qIZi4-8ibTTtb1ereJNHgwiQDee1-gN9FRS_TXsKS3kGDajbCuwvq1YzvDBi1zYZ4EIWfBHvrenkJW57cxgbBWHRpZukdL3c3xiY6fdMEpdvFPGsyZybCE2p_jyNCR7UdN9_300/s1600/Yellow+Wagtail+by+Bernie+Sheridan.jpg" height="200" width="175" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Wagtail by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">RECENT
NEWS</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0.05cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The
discovery of an adult male yellow wagtail at Curragh Beach, Ardmore
was a nice find. Disappointingly the bird departed after a short
time, to the annoyance of would be observers. A pair of garganey was
seen at Ballinlough near Kill. Garganey are a small duck which
interestingly are the only duck species which migrates from the south
in Africa into Europe to breed. Hopefully this pair might
successfully raise a brood in County Waterford this year. </span>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362699999986952.0546528 -7.7010436999999872 52.1326998 -7.5396816999999867tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-64995571035935801652014-01-09T10:23:00.001-08:002014-01-09T10:23:41.522-08:00Celebrating Spring Migration in Waterford<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7TnS1y1f6nqrhr82uDEd2OHTBxRajgpTayNCi75CvIvdOQiCE_3si49-5TPH0GxENKIroCXdhL6x-NUZEennlI3z6wT9EbRvpwKIiQYTUcSSHO9Y2rGiQDE4s9lEqwAutOAptso70rY/s1600/Swallow_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7TnS1y1f6nqrhr82uDEd2OHTBxRajgpTayNCi75CvIvdOQiCE_3si49-5TPH0GxENKIroCXdhL6x-NUZEennlI3z6wT9EbRvpwKIiQYTUcSSHO9Y2rGiQDE4s9lEqwAutOAptso70rY/s1600/Swallow_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swallow by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Every spring millions upon millions of
birds migrate from Africa into Europe. They do so primarily to take advantage
of the super abundance of food and longer days available in the northern
hemisphere during spring, summer and autumn. These conditions are a
prerequisite for successful breeding. Spring migration is concentrated in April
and May and Waterford fully participates in this phenomenon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">For many, the swallow is the harbinger of
spring. Due to the recent adverse cold weather conditions swallows were slow to
arrive this year but are now here in good numbers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4cPIH9JXkgPdHNlKMGhMsrSwFFYvGXrFdMCNpKAZDnWhKQ_lyjM98UnWfhsYyxVEZKFVAJnPEYFaDqiOBYt_UVBKRwRGY7Kl8o4vgQTM-zTggIZFnWpectgQ4zpAcfzhlxrvc2Jr9ZY/s1600/Swift_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4cPIH9JXkgPdHNlKMGhMsrSwFFYvGXrFdMCNpKAZDnWhKQ_lyjM98UnWfhsYyxVEZKFVAJnPEYFaDqiOBYt_UVBKRwRGY7Kl8o4vgQTM-zTggIZFnWpectgQ4zpAcfzhlxrvc2Jr9ZY/s1600/Swift_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swift by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span><br /><span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span><br /><span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span><br /><span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Swifts are only just now appearing over our
towns and will be the earliest departing migrant being mostly gone by late
august.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZBVe-vBmtrtH9sIQ8rT_s8q6YyG3UxQh0pnMr_82MCejzTgXIgB9aJ-OocXxdjiv_SJcdZt807-BG3hc1h-eeDwezy2Qjv6XYlXrGG2UkKmVGvO6aXX4FqnrFNL_WifubiokgKdqMlU/s1600/Blackcap_by_Fran_O%2527Connell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZBVe-vBmtrtH9sIQ8rT_s8q6YyG3UxQh0pnMr_82MCejzTgXIgB9aJ-OocXxdjiv_SJcdZt807-BG3hc1h-eeDwezy2Qjv6XYlXrGG2UkKmVGvO6aXX4FqnrFNL_WifubiokgKdqMlU/s1600/Blackcap_by_Fran_O%2527Connell.jpg" height="129" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackcap by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Being insectivorous warblers are mainly
summer visitors to this country although small numbers over winter. Blackcaps
can be heard singing their rich melodic song from cover at present and with a
little patience close observation will be rewarded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2hor2HJUQWxbMsg6NZHceWAnviDemRU1kBR1VxlWkkL1JaYkTLgWakt4g3cg7NMHhg-gdOn3bqksM8tWBpABc0mNzrCrWHZxkDSAbm4GdkrLIhM31cLp3q1hiVPMN5WLMjsC33gWFfM/s1600/Little_Tern_by_Fran_O%2527Connell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2hor2HJUQWxbMsg6NZHceWAnviDemRU1kBR1VxlWkkL1JaYkTLgWakt4g3cg7NMHhg-gdOn3bqksM8tWBpABc0mNzrCrWHZxkDSAbm4GdkrLIhM31cLp3q1hiVPMN5WLMjsC33gWFfM/s1600/Little_Tern_by_Fran_O%2527Connell.jpg" height="200" style="cursor: move;" width="194" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Tern by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Terns are a pelagic seabird also known as
sea swallows for their elegant flight. Sandwich terns can now be easily
observed fishing close inshore along the Waterford coast while continually
uttering their harsh call. A little tern (a scarce</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Waterford passage migrant)
was recently briefly observed feeding along Clonea beach before heading to its
breeding grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaAkVQNNvWzbwj1eQupDnbYgDP31FaXQ2uSDXKVnuKGYSHfhY_pPepgFUffYm_WgoB7E1gvmlB0QV8K7AL17G4V9EOtlJRxcqH24WHlgR0GKMV59cmEn2aCeLILNW6AXIiP744H5dAv8/s1600/Black-Throated_Diver_by_John_N_Murphy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaAkVQNNvWzbwj1eQupDnbYgDP31FaXQ2uSDXKVnuKGYSHfhY_pPepgFUffYm_WgoB7E1gvmlB0QV8K7AL17G4V9EOtlJRxcqH24WHlgR0GKMV59cmEn2aCeLILNW6AXIiP744H5dAv8/s1600/Black-Throated_Diver_by_John_N_Murphy.jpg" height="141" width="200" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEb-Ts266K56lAv7P17M7jRLu4v5iOR1vxhKgJf7XAFXc0b8pbEP4oO7sthOPgUhwUwjCKeejnDRR-xg4HTpSTvP1ztu47NwLiXtbMEf3wDrQJ2BQUjv5O6OLPrwX9Bsd1Krn2Uhk9a8/s1600/Whimbrel_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEb-Ts266K56lAv7P17M7jRLu4v5iOR1vxhKgJf7XAFXc0b8pbEP4oO7sthOPgUhwUwjCKeejnDRR-xg4HTpSTvP1ztu47NwLiXtbMEf3wDrQJ2BQUjv5O6OLPrwX9Bsd1Krn2Uhk9a8/s1600/Whimbrel_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" height="133" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimbrel by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some migrating species use Ireland as a
staging post to feed up on their way to their breeding grounds far to the north
of us. Each spring whimbrel (somewhat resembling curlew in appearance) feed on
beaches in Waterford before continuing on to their breeding sites in Iceland.
Black throated divers do not breed in Ireland so the adult summer plumaged bird
recently observed at Helvick was most likely feeding up on passage north.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHyBpeHlGuC6rdC-B1_u5EvaAQ2_hRWpNcFB3xDUur_EnfdRondtynZxmyAY5w6cpOt5WCVQpy-3ZuhbSoSZasuRxiW0-E3E1Jh0-qKNwv3djZ-4muv9LcsaqVZDN8t9AK5uTtfzTak0/s1600/Firecrest_by_Paddy_Dwan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHyBpeHlGuC6rdC-B1_u5EvaAQ2_hRWpNcFB3xDUur_EnfdRondtynZxmyAY5w6cpOt5WCVQpy-3ZuhbSoSZasuRxiW0-E3E1Jh0-qKNwv3djZ-4muv9LcsaqVZDN8t9AK5uTtfzTak0/s1600/Firecrest_by_Paddy_Dwan.jpg" height="259" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firecrest by Paddy Dwan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Firecrests vie with the more familiar
goldcrest as the smallest bird occurring in Europe. This spring Waterford
experienced an unprecedented influx of at least three of this beautiful little
bird. Further small numbers were recorded in Wexford. Whereas these occurrences
were most likely a cold weather movement there remains the tantalising
possibility that these birds were prospecting future breeders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">With so many birds moving from Africa into
Europe there are bound to be a few overshoots. Hoopoes normally breed in
Southern Europe but every year small numbers migrate way beyond their target
area. True to form a hoopoe graced Creadan Head this spring lingering for
several days to the delight of many bird watchers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLm4WHFmnD1BOTFNCEHuWrdqGZ89B1zYV7hdUDrLjgyMssfyUp1OWxrqCa67rj-IzwsZ9pdbFB3_phUe2Ns6_IgbtWEbrAHFo2DsIG1hre_PAtUiKtMQa7yrdhUau1PVACv1SjqUYAcI/s1600/Hoopoe_by_Richard_Zamora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLm4WHFmnD1BOTFNCEHuWrdqGZ89B1zYV7hdUDrLjgyMssfyUp1OWxrqCa67rj-IzwsZ9pdbFB3_phUe2Ns6_IgbtWEbrAHFo2DsIG1hre_PAtUiKtMQa7yrdhUau1PVACv1SjqUYAcI/s1600/Hoopoe_by_Richard_Zamora.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoopoe by Richard Zamora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Watch out over the next several weeks for
cuckoos, dragonflies and butterflies such as holly blue and peacock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Check out <a href="http://www.richzamora-images.com/">www.richzamora-images.com</a> for
images of Waterford wildlife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out
www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission of records. If
you have any questions or comments, please email them to <a href="mailto:japwatntr@gmail.com">japwatntr@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362699999986952.0936763 -7.6203626999999869 52.0936763 -7.6203626999999869tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-8235134812430725402014-01-09T09:30:00.000-08:002014-01-09T09:30:07.321-08:00Some Success Stories<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Unfortunately, all too often, reports on
bird populations deal with declining numbers and even extinctions so it is very
pleasing to report on some success stories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPj39JqBhqYZjrk98pA1KWmrR6demEhYfCikdBGzlE6ILLVTOjiPjYftd1VRC5oX0WtvwjBdIjGtXZir2WYkJ5LeVlsWTyQdpLhXn22pP0xyxiBsYO9kBXDpw6_70UbLGnoklQ8iURM4/s1600/Collared_Dove_by_Fran_O'Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPj39JqBhqYZjrk98pA1KWmrR6demEhYfCikdBGzlE6ILLVTOjiPjYftd1VRC5oX0WtvwjBdIjGtXZir2WYkJ5LeVlsWTyQdpLhXn22pP0xyxiBsYO9kBXDpw6_70UbLGnoklQ8iURM4/s1600/Collared_Dove_by_Fran_O'Connell.JPG" height="283" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collared Dove by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The collared dove is a pale, buff grey,
medium sized dove with a distinctive black ‘collar’ across the neck, sides and
a long tail. The collared dove started spreading across Europe in the early 20<span style="font-size: x-small;">th </span></span><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">century reaching Great Britain in the early 1950s and Ireland by 1959 (although
anecdotal evidence suggests it may have reached Dungarvan prior to that date).
It has now spread throughout Europe and North Africa. It is well established in
North America but possibly as a result of introductions and escapees.
Interestingly, collared doves are sedentary and do not normally migrate.
Collared doves are widespread across Waterford, particularly in urban areas and
regularly come to garden feeding stations, sometimes in large numbers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJqbLdgXLTNxmSu3tm97NjAok78qwNkDSgCfFP6R1xvZrsjPSx7ElfpytidxKCLAEdA0A-_Z9JNUDh0BuuhpfNlZJtf49EBfKzAi8IjitfojwoJ7z_l78aHmDGv8dZLoaS36kC0SQGog/s1600/Reed_Warbler_by_Paul_Walsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJqbLdgXLTNxmSu3tm97NjAok78qwNkDSgCfFP6R1xvZrsjPSx7ElfpytidxKCLAEdA0A-_Z9JNUDh0BuuhpfNlZJtf49EBfKzAi8IjitfojwoJ7z_l78aHmDGv8dZLoaS36kC0SQGog/s1600/Reed_Warbler_by_Paul_Walsh.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reed Warbler by Paul Walsh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The reed warbler is a migratory bird arriving
in Ireland in early April and May and departing in September/October.
Technically an acrocephalus warbler, it is a brown un-streaked bird, which, as
its name suggests occupies reedbeds. It has a distinctive song, which is often
the best indicator of its presence in dense reed. With patience reed warblers
can be seen in reedbeds. Virtually unknown in Ireland until the 1960s, it has
undergone a remarkable expansion in this country and is now well established in
suitable habitat in Waterford. Reedbeds
along the rivers Blackwater, Suir and Bride are particularly good for
encountering reed warblers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jJ7GZkXIRS42WfohyphenhyphenjQD1YM1QOjYH3EtqYbmc_KG2sE4m18ZL0rf5x1I_AogxW42CjDbT-ysa-o4tEIdhn-GwhsV3u6ROAS5HniNP8FxGjgsQ7luha-aAGGdjIjiyYLfhjmWonfrGGQ/s1600/Little_Egret_by_Fran_O'Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jJ7GZkXIRS42WfohyphenhyphenjQD1YM1QOjYH3EtqYbmc_KG2sE4m18ZL0rf5x1I_AogxW42CjDbT-ysa-o4tEIdhn-GwhsV3u6ROAS5HniNP8FxGjgsQ7luha-aAGGdjIjiyYLfhjmWonfrGGQ/s1600/Little_Egret_by_Fran_O'Connell.JPG" height="252" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Egret by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Little egrets are an all white plumaged,
medium sized, elegant heron with a black pointed bill and black feet with
yellow toes. Almost unknown in Ireland until the late 1980s, little egrets
started occurring more regularly and became resident. Breeding was proven in
1997 for the first time in this country in Co. Waterford<b>.</b> In subsequent
years other colonies were established and little egrets have now spread to most
parts of Ireland and are common in Waterford in suitable aquatic habitats.
Numbers in excess of 50 birds can sometimes be seen at Waterford roosts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk-FDolhfTzitNz2GIoE8e8tHLcFufuV_qOTSYrjJfM8tATln2D733IuNvZIRZVCV_7uIPDQUWyCAWM2yFyJUMNJmfJ49rGE37r8aOh-HZD_u20G6fytqnUUYVqMlAZHdviEWkIo54xc/s1600/Buzzard_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk-FDolhfTzitNz2GIoE8e8tHLcFufuV_qOTSYrjJfM8tATln2D733IuNvZIRZVCV_7uIPDQUWyCAWM2yFyJUMNJmfJ49rGE37r8aOh-HZD_u20G6fytqnUUYVqMlAZHdviEWkIo54xc/s1600/Buzzard_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buzzard by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
Ireland has a paucity of birds of prey
compared to Great Britain and mainland Europe. Buzzards are one of the most
common raptors (birds of prey) in Britain and Europe but until recently were
extremely rare in Ireland. However, in recent years buzzards have begun rapidly
expanding throughout this country and now are seen in every county. Buzzards
are medium sized raptors with broad wings, which they hold in a shallow v while
soaring. Buzzards can be seen perched on posts, poles and trees and soaring in
the skies above. Buzzards are increasingly common and easily seen throughout
Waterford.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCn_sOsf8UyeVeucMbRwhvAD4NEBgrGHWwuIRbtLz6LpVebU-lILfoip7s99OZONYWoN9kWTGmN5hhY0cdayQUhzjh9OY8IFcSaHV8kbh8YSyfSyq68k0Atkqjo4719Oyki6e4t7Dm44/s1600/Caspian_Gull_By_Paul_Archer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCn_sOsf8UyeVeucMbRwhvAD4NEBgrGHWwuIRbtLz6LpVebU-lILfoip7s99OZONYWoN9kWTGmN5hhY0cdayQUhzjh9OY8IFcSaHV8kbh8YSyfSyq68k0Atkqjo4719Oyki6e4t7Dm44/s1600/Caspian_Gull_By_Paul_Archer.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caspian Gull by Paul Archer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The most exciting recent event was the
discovery of a caspian gull at Dunmore East by Waterford based birder, Paul
Archer. Caspian gulls are native to Eastern Europe and Central Asian. Along
with being extremely rare in Ireland, caspian gulls present a very difficult
identification challenge, making Paul’s achievement all the more noteworthy.
The weather at Dunmore East was extremely foul at the time and not very
conducive to bird watching. However, the gull lingered long enough for birders
from all over Ireland to get to see and admire it. For many it was a very long
awaited and appreciated addition to their Irish bird list. Along with the
caspian gull a further 11 species of gull were noted in Waterford on one day
which is very high by national norms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DuwM7hifh4YjU_GiZ3t_kAu2NbfOH1GvmGopM0yzasSvo2VwPqaeigyFOnV7TtebUP1K78TNfO4fdqDjg2QHFE3uDTORGjHL-g-NHSp2Poqt9drp19aLHqrKC7EpnnxaZar3Gljsofs/s1600/wheatear_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DuwM7hifh4YjU_GiZ3t_kAu2NbfOH1GvmGopM0yzasSvo2VwPqaeigyFOnV7TtebUP1K78TNfO4fdqDjg2QHFE3uDTORGjHL-g-NHSp2Poqt9drp19aLHqrKC7EpnnxaZar3Gljsofs/s1600/wheatear_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheater by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"> </span>An adult male ring-necked duck continues to
over winter at Knockaderry reservoir, as does a spotted redshank at Tramore
back strand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Spring migration has already begun with
several wheatears and sand martins recently sighted in Waterford. Over the next
several weeks look out for swallows, sandwich terns and perhaps an exotic
hoopoe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out
www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission of records. If
you have any questions or comments, please email them to <a href="mailto:japwatntr@gmail.com">japwatntr@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-QQGDLOzEipE%2FUs7XvgMifII%2FAAAAAAAAAN0%2FYrXpViHGYus%2Fs1600%2FCaspian_Gull_By_Paul_Archer.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCn_sOsf8UyeVeucMbRwhvAD4NEBgrGHWwuIRbtLz6LpVebU-lILfoip7s99OZONYWoN9kWTGmN5hhY0cdayQUhzjh9OY8IFcSaHV8kbh8YSyfSyq68k0Atkqjo4719Oyki6e4t7Dm44/s1600/Caspian_Gull_By_Paul_Archer.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362699999986952.0546528 -7.7010436999999872 52.1326998 -7.5396816999999867tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-56390857038321988852013-02-04T13:26:00.001-08:002013-02-04T13:26:28.912-08:00 HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqv08EM2gR4z1upYnz6cpsvhEd8kmUYJCh6c_HOxVk07sUk0PcWvkSH2d2PU1YvEVUjhbKv8no7jBEFMPxpTKBTmT664fE0Odkz74xa8sHUujkBc6wKsWnSmHmUVnnGRnfG7EsPMTD90/s1600/paul_archer_Coastal_habitat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqv08EM2gR4z1upYnz6cpsvhEd8kmUYJCh6c_HOxVk07sUk0PcWvkSH2d2PU1YvEVUjhbKv8no7jBEFMPxpTKBTmT664fE0Odkz74xa8sHUujkBc6wKsWnSmHmUVnnGRnfG7EsPMTD90/s1600/paul_archer_Coastal_habitat.jpeg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coastal Habitat by Paul Archer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Biodiversity can be defined as the variety
of life in a particular location.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Biodiversity is driven by habitats and
climate and Waterford, being a coastal county, boasts a number of diverse
habitats. Waterford also experiences four distinct seasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Being located on the sea gives Waterford a
rich marine coastal habitat. With abundant fish and mollusc populations this
environment can support a large diversity of mammals such as seals, porpoises,
dolphins and whales. Birds are also well represented with gannets, gulls,
terns, shearwaters, divers, auks, petrels and parasitic skuas. Sea cliffs too
are important breeding grounds for choughs, kittiwakes and other seabirds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobVJ49ykf7HuWig-m1kP0MZRQFA6Yb721pRJasn4z9Hvz86kucCCG9wDhpskZH3i7On5XL_MapIEfnLiwFfXy7fxPVOhyphenhyphenuEp2_hB_oFmIei4Iz978etc8J0YRYqSdq2to284KfObeug4/s1600/Richard_Zamora_Blacktail_Godwits_feeding_on_Estuarine_mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobVJ49ykf7HuWig-m1kP0MZRQFA6Yb721pRJasn4z9Hvz86kucCCG9wDhpskZH3i7On5XL_MapIEfnLiwFfXy7fxPVOhyphenhyphenuEp2_hB_oFmIei4Iz978etc8J0YRYqSdq2to284KfObeug4/s1600/Richard_Zamora_Blacktail_Godwits_feeding_on_Estuarine_mud.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Tailed Godwits Feeding on Estuarine Mud by Richard Zamora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB">Estuarine mudflats are considered one of
the richest habitats in the world. The mixture of fresh and salt waters, with
abundant nutrients and organic materials, supports an extremely abundant
invertebrate resource. This food concentration attracts huge numbers of waders
such as golden plover, knot, godwits, dunlin and duck. In Waterford, estuarine
mudflats support nationally and internationally important numbers of waders and
are an essential staging post for migrating and over-wintering birds. Important
estuarine mudflats are located at Dungarvan, Tramore and Waterford harbour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Lakes and reservoirs, although not
extensive in Waterford, do attract various ducks, swans, grebes, moorhen and
coots. In spring, summer and autumn this habitat type attracts flying insects,
which provide an important food source for swallows, martins and swifts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBLS_c70OY1ylm98Q0bgRhePf-lH4SjdtvrXsBaOWUQaDVZyTeUjycWkpUD7j94IWTlOJR5AdtYWC4-XsSAyOOaDffndmnO4X1_4AQtY-2IG6_4gl6svIOt5NznaQSWSOMFADCGZvcu8/s1600/Liam_Cahill_Riverside_Habitats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBLS_c70OY1ylm98Q0bgRhePf-lH4SjdtvrXsBaOWUQaDVZyTeUjycWkpUD7j94IWTlOJR5AdtYWC4-XsSAyOOaDffndmnO4X1_4AQtY-2IG6_4gl6svIOt5NznaQSWSOMFADCGZvcu8/s1600/Liam_Cahill_Riverside_Habitats.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riverside Habitat by Liam Cahill </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB">Rivers and streams are a lineal habitat and
support specialist birds such as dipper, kingfisher and grey wagtail. Also
found along rivers and streams are mammals such as otter, mink and the
specialist daubenton’s bat. Slower rivers, streams and pools attract
dragonflies and frogs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Marshes and bogs provide an important
habitat for amphibians and birds such as sedge warbler, reed warbler and
harriers. Good examples of marsh and bog are located outside Dungarvan, at
Dunhill, Belle Lake and Fennor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Traditional farmland is a very diverse
habitat with hedgerows, meadows and cropland. Fallow fields in winter are a
particularly important feeding ground for thrushes (fieldfare and redwing),
finches, whooper swans and waders together with their attendant predators and
barn owls. Mammals such as foxes, badgers, rabbits and hares are also well
represented. Wildflowers are a very important food source for insects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuNmSunISzT-VxXKl_XHcf3EyaOXzSDpHJMAshY-fJxGwwsEKIcVN6niNEQAl0R5PDZbdPxo3BuvZvrNqlOUwYHVZCyR1VXyNnItvEZHgGVEvrkz2Uwy1hHaE2q32W67fCKz8wO6u4AI/s1600/Bernie_Sheridan_Ring_Billed_Gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuNmSunISzT-VxXKl_XHcf3EyaOXzSDpHJMAshY-fJxGwwsEKIcVN6niNEQAl0R5PDZbdPxo3BuvZvrNqlOUwYHVZCyR1VXyNnItvEZHgGVEvrkz2Uwy1hHaE2q32W67fCKz8wO6u4AI/s1600/Bernie_Sheridan_Ring_Billed_Gull.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring Billed Gull by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB">Forests and woodlands, in particularly
deciduous, are important for songbirds, and specialist species including
crossbill, long-eared owls, nightjar and woodcock. Woodland also provides
essential cover for deer and the rare and elusive pine marten. Forest paths and
clearances are also very good for butterflies and moths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Gardens are an increasingly important
habitat for birds given the availability of food provided by householders, and
berries on various ornamental shrubs. Garden flowers are also very important to
butterflies, bees and other insects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">During spring, summer and autumn the sky
becomes an important habitat in its own right. Huge numbers of insects
including moths become available in the warmer weather providing food by day
for swallows, swifts, martins and flycatchers. By night nightjars and various
bats replace these birds. In winter this food source disappears forcing the
birds to migrate to sunnier climes and the bats to hibernate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF9VoUpaeLzR77xTmzvvV3vyQkHJT9Y1VA14330ifgTd76zwzzkdjkSrAf-WoGk6XbqMRFwkQut2uO_FX8EGpHOHeR30KN20I6iRHUnzFQiA_dOcrGEN1ppXja4BbfLE9gmUnVIuKWmY/s1600/Richard_Zamora_Waxwings_feeding_flock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF9VoUpaeLzR77xTmzvvV3vyQkHJT9Y1VA14330ifgTd76zwzzkdjkSrAf-WoGk6XbqMRFwkQut2uO_FX8EGpHOHeR30KN20I6iRHUnzFQiA_dOcrGEN1ppXja4BbfLE9gmUnVIuKWmY/s1600/Richard_Zamora_Waxwings_feeding_flock.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwings Feeding by Richard Zamora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB">December has generally seen an
unprecedented influx of waxwings into Waterford and Ireland. This invasion is a
consequence of berry failure in their normal range. Flocks of waxwing have been
encountered in Waterford City, Dungarvan, Cappoquin, Dunmore East and
elsewhere. The first winter male surf scoter, spoonbill, black-necked grebe and
long-tailed ducks remained into the New Year at Dungarvan. Countywide reports
of brambling are still occurring albeit in small numbers. A glaucous gull and
several purple sandpipers are over wintering at Dunmore East along with an
adult ring-billed gull at Tramore boating lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-mNBjv2ZKGMJ8unulDW5cRz97663O6xh38gV_HtMT-At-h4YdqVxM2EGnNd4ITD-lUZpM6_ye1c7ZiMTimtCvdDKvtA3y_FP-CWtgC3dP_-FQCS9va-wddNMAuhlaCMp0SOgi4be6TI/s1600/Dick_Coombes_Greater_Spotted_Woodpecker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-mNBjv2ZKGMJ8unulDW5cRz97663O6xh38gV_HtMT-At-h4YdqVxM2EGnNd4ITD-lUZpM6_ye1c7ZiMTimtCvdDKvtA3y_FP-CWtgC3dP_-FQCS9va-wddNMAuhlaCMp0SOgi4be6TI/s1600/Dick_Coombes_Greater_Spotted_Woodpecker.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greater Spotted Woodpecker by Dick Coombes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB">Perhaps the most exciting recent news
concerned the possibility of a great-spotted woodpecker drumming in County
Waterford. Although Wicklow is still the stronghold with well over 25 known
pairs, breeding has also been proven in Wexford, Kilkenny, Dublin and probably
Louth. A scattering of reports increasingly come in from adjacent counties
(Kildare, Monaghan, Offaly, Meath and Tipperary.) so they are definitely doing
well and gradually spreading. Hopefully this may be the first indication that
this beautiful bird is colonising County Waterford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out
www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or
comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com. To view previous articles
check out <b>www.</b><cite><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-style: normal;">understandingwaterfordnature.blogspot.com</span></b></cite><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-26120731629622689672012-12-04T08:53:00.000-08:002012-12-05T05:48:38.440-08:00Whales and Dolphins by Andrew Malcolm and John Power<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmHnE0R294nj6UwotYwcSPhzMzdI7G-SPZVTdPlLmA26SHHu_zqkqjpZAVKHbX3MkNw-zLTaJaHPqzaWFLuh7jFCCpZSdFd8MTy1hGkcEVlF730TSaU9s36FmW4oemH2tqlGDd-R8BXY/s1600/Fluking+Humpback+Whale+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmHnE0R294nj6UwotYwcSPhzMzdI7G-SPZVTdPlLmA26SHHu_zqkqjpZAVKHbX3MkNw-zLTaJaHPqzaWFLuh7jFCCpZSdFd8MTy1hGkcEVlF730TSaU9s36FmW4oemH2tqlGDd-R8BXY/s1600/Fluking+Humpback+Whale+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluking Humpback Whale by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It might well come as a surprise to many people that Ireland is one of the best places<br />
in Europe to go whale watching. Furthermore, here in county Waterford we are<br />
doubly blessed in that the second largest animal ever to have lived on the planet is<br />
regularly to be encountered not too far off our coastline. At up to 22m in length the fin<br />
whale is only surpassed in size by the blue whale, and visits our inshore waters to feed<br />
on the herring that gather here in huge shoals during the winter months. This explains<br />
the old name given to them by fishermen of ‘herring hogs’<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwxbdRKHYyFFEZS66Rhd-g2tWwc3mNFO3XePIWMYEpdDRzibCljUDqJA9AigDrDgiBTuSZ5bTNe4_nvK-t-T6r97hqzLc_3ebBNpL3mKg6aYNy3Cj9QgzIddsHGnGSF73DB0IyGUfIcA/s1600/Fin+Whale+Blow+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglwxbdRKHYyFFEZS66Rhd-g2tWwc3mNFO3XePIWMYEpdDRzibCljUDqJA9AigDrDgiBTuSZ5bTNe4_nvK-t-T6r97hqzLc_3ebBNpL3mKg6aYNy3Cj9QgzIddsHGnGSF73DB0IyGUfIcA/s1600/Fin+Whale+Blow+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fin Whale by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For several years these behemoths of the sea have been recorded from November<br />
until March feeding due south of Ram Head at Ardmore, where due to the distance<br />
offshore of up to 15km they could only be viewed with quality watching gear.<br />
However, in more recent years these animals have been spotted feeding very close<br />
inshore from Ballyvoyle Head to Dunmore East. On one occasion they came in so<br />
close to the cliffs under Tankardstown that they could be heard breathing (no need for<br />
any type of watching gear that time!) Remarkably these animals were less than 1 km<br />
offshore in water only 11m deep, so they were more or less ‘paddling’!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkFLHccVxn1e0sKZqvQsBJX3iQPIjsD_LJDaP94McR_tAho0XhMtbUsssa1rgn57oivU937t0IN5Ryt-f_wV1-FsJPOFd5miu7Ueh3jkj4SyaDLhgQl1Ew1rpWfV0pJA_x5Jc9X-yyUc/s1600/Goldfinch+Mule+Hybrid+by+Fran+O'Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkFLHccVxn1e0sKZqvQsBJX3iQPIjsD_LJDaP94McR_tAho0XhMtbUsssa1rgn57oivU937t0IN5Ryt-f_wV1-FsJPOFd5miu7Ueh3jkj4SyaDLhgQl1Ew1rpWfV0pJA_x5Jc9X-yyUc/s1600/Goldfinch+Mule+Hybrid+by+Fran+O'Connell.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinch Mule by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
How do you spot a fin whale? Well, as they are of course mammals, they have to<br />
come to the surface to breathe and when they exhale, the 6m high ‘blow’ of water<br />
vapour is quite a tell-tale indicator of its presence. Usually they have a sequence of up<br />
to 10 breaths at the surface with a gap of 10-15 seconds between them before they<br />
dive again. They can then stay underwater for anything up to 9 minutes. Sea birds will often gather around where a whale is feeding in much the same way that they will<br />
follow a trawler, picking up scraps from the whales feast, so if you see a lot of birds<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiqndTIovAU7WbdXGlDPv5Qn8FYXUpaVECZguaqhHGvE16eZmMTycY9P9K1_nh66M4vbuCHNCq2lJUgWXGCgMywtuNoSGM-5yYa7cmQ51BP1w8rFk1WdDPonfiRjyOjJAzWwqKpx3NSY/s1600/Spoonbill+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiqndTIovAU7WbdXGlDPv5Qn8FYXUpaVECZguaqhHGvE16eZmMTycY9P9K1_nh66M4vbuCHNCq2lJUgWXGCgMywtuNoSGM-5yYa7cmQ51BP1w8rFk1WdDPonfiRjyOjJAzWwqKpx3NSY/s1600/Spoonbill+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoonbill by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
in a concentrated spot then that could well be a good place to keep an eye on. These<br />
birds will often also follow the large groups of common dolphins that are also to be<br />
found at this time of year joining in the bonanza of food. These pods of dolphins can<br />
often be widely spread out and include several hundred animals.<br />
<br />
Humpback whales are increasingly being seen at this time of year off the Waterford/<br />
Wexford coast. The most charismatic of the whale species to be found off our shores,<br />
they are the only whales that will ‘fluke’, that is lift their tail out of the water when<br />
they dive. The markings under their tail is unique to each individual animal, rather<br />
like a fingerprint is to us, and is used as a cataloguing method to help identify animals<br />
that might return again to our shores or elsewhere in the North Atlantic.<br />
<br />
<br />
For more information or to report a sighting of a whale, dolphin or porpoise visit<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-k3UN-_2NuNnKF5FNLcLcnOnueSVbUcmu-ZgM-QPD2yPTpXzHIxPKJbhkeTM_oqkqBF0zFMBR9HRU-PAZ213Ux2HFyzRHPW6RwO_K18mcprsQuUc2oTzYMP4bbpNXL-vxAyaSsHbwbo/s1600/Waxwing+Male+&+Female+-+note+wax+tips+to+wings+by+Colum+Flynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-k3UN-_2NuNnKF5FNLcLcnOnueSVbUcmu-ZgM-QPD2yPTpXzHIxPKJbhkeTM_oqkqBF0zFMBR9HRU-PAZ213Ux2HFyzRHPW6RwO_K18mcprsQuUc2oTzYMP4bbpNXL-vxAyaSsHbwbo/s1600/Waxwing+Male+&+Female+-+note+wax+tips+to+wings+by+Colum+Flynn.jpg" height="200" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwing Male & Female by Colum Flynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
www.iwdg.ie<br />
<br />
If you are interested in a trip out from Dunmore East contact Martin Colfer at<br />
www.charterangling.ie<br />
<br />
<br />
LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS<br />
<br />
The regularly over-wintering spoonbill has returned to Dungarvan for a further winter<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wBaf8B9KJLBo9XEVxHvlmeMxpY6dkx_WeH4UCXgK_Z0arHkcbsHtYokqa6cN1Vd2fFGlJEPgn2Sr8GhtjyN7A27af_CcjNaImonZPTYYaSmcQEH8OWk8as40RZxdwv4RCNtjWD-xetc/s1600/Waxwing+Male+&+Female+by+Colum+Flynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wBaf8B9KJLBo9XEVxHvlmeMxpY6dkx_WeH4UCXgK_Z0arHkcbsHtYokqa6cN1Vd2fFGlJEPgn2Sr8GhtjyN7A27af_CcjNaImonZPTYYaSmcQEH8OWk8as40RZxdwv4RCNtjWD-xetc/s1600/Waxwing+Male+&+Female+by+Colum+Flynn.jpg" height="200" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwing Male & Female by Colum Flynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and can be seen from the Cunnigar or Western Bay – best looked for at high tide. Up<br />
to 15 crossbills have taken up residence on the Ballinacourty golf club most easily<br />
seen immediately behind the pier. Three female long-tailed ducks (old squaw in<br />
<br />
American parlance) are between the Lookout and the Cunnigar. A hybrid/mule finch<br />
has been showing up at various feeders in Dungarvan. A female surf scoter (north<br />
American duck) is present off the Lookout.<br />
A major influx of waxwings is taking place in both Britain and Ireland. The name<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLGpGMpwgjiegU1KJLg51paXpi8xKtawTq_A21raa_Wo97tVJcoOwNXh6b1lkk-J1_8wAhhYJHlIkLTYnVYO06hkvZ_sUVdApHkoWH039WkoC2fqrBq_gCSTR9SKS1p3QganIuXXQ1HM/s1600/Brambling+by+Mick+Cowming+(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLGpGMpwgjiegU1KJLg51paXpi8xKtawTq_A21raa_Wo97tVJcoOwNXh6b1lkk-J1_8wAhhYJHlIkLTYnVYO06hkvZ_sUVdApHkoWH039WkoC2fqrBq_gCSTR9SKS1p3QganIuXXQ1HM/s1600/Brambling+by+Mick+Cowming+(1).jpeg" height="320" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brambling by Mick Cowming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
is derived from the colouration on their feathers reminiscent of coloured wax.<br />
This feature combined with an obvious large crest on their crown makes them<br />
unmistakeable. These beautiful birds feed on berries and can be encountered almost<br />
anywhere even in small urban gardens. Another bird being seen this winter is the<br />
brambling – an irruptive finch. Please report any sightings of either species.<br />
<br />
Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission<br />
of records. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to<br />
japwatntr@gmail.com<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-32712469872018022752012-12-03T05:00:00.001-08:002012-12-03T05:00:02.309-08:00Feeding Birds In Your Garden<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwwrmVAIYBTIPJ6petcysnGNhP8AuT4Fj77OBjCMiiXEpKu_YbchPFYbvGhMknhn-HZYhZT87IkK9_RTITQtKfjm_S3CWsrqZW2BXCfzICRogPJsoZ8_ut-2WaSPsVRHHK9AdCY1Ihko/s1600/goldfinch+by+Fran+O'Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwwrmVAIYBTIPJ6petcysnGNhP8AuT4Fj77OBjCMiiXEpKu_YbchPFYbvGhMknhn-HZYhZT87IkK9_RTITQtKfjm_S3CWsrqZW2BXCfzICRogPJsoZ8_ut-2WaSPsVRHHK9AdCY1Ihko/s1600/goldfinch+by+Fran+O'Connell.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goldfinch by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">As winter draws in the days are shortening
and the weather is getting colder. This diminishes the feeding opportunities
for birds in two respects. Firstly, the amount of food available reduces as
winter progresses. Secondly, with the reduced daylight hours the actual time
available for feeding is more limited. The colder weather also uses up a bird’s
energy resources more quickly making feeding and availability of food so much
more important. Thus by providing safe regular food householders can make a
real difference to the well being of our feathered friends. Indeed, in severe
cold weather conditions feeding can make the difference between their survival
or otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">By attracting birds into our gardens it
also gives us the chance to observe them at close quarters from the comfort of
our homes. Thus the opportunity presents itself to observe various species
feeding together and to compare their various plumages. Watching their antics,
squabbles and different feeding strategies leads to endless enjoyment and even
a little serious study. The photographer should also have many good chances for
an excellent shot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJgCm6s-_6Ak6_MUpdnJxqhL6J6iii8xdaSCO_dZ_gRJCdARsW2yHN8n-F-i4KQ1wzl9TmdqpbaWKj1ZT59g6r_PMnp9lkPE-A8_pTSuIBenIynpPENC19OHZs78-6xuHZn91dSTZwEE/s1600/siskin+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJgCm6s-_6Ak6_MUpdnJxqhL6J6iii8xdaSCO_dZ_gRJCdARsW2yHN8n-F-i4KQ1wzl9TmdqpbaWKj1ZT59g6r_PMnp9lkPE-A8_pTSuIBenIynpPENC19OHZs78-6xuHZn91dSTZwEE/s1600/siskin+by+Andrew+Malcolm.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siskin by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">LIKELY SPECIES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Birdwatch Ireland has been conducting a winter
garden bird survey for a number of years. The results for the 2011 winter
(ranked as gardens most frequently visited) was as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">1 Robin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">
9 Goldfinch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">17 Pied wagtail<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">25 Long-tailed tit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">2 Blackbird<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">10
Coal tit <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">18 Wood pigeon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">26 Lesser redpoll<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">3 Blue tit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">11
House sparrow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">19 Collared dove<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">27 Bullfinch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">4 Chaffinch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">12
Greenfinch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">20 Hooded crow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">28 Sparrow hawk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">5 Great tit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">13
Dunnock<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">21 Blackcap<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">29 Fieldfare<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">6 Magpie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">14
Wren<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">22 Redwing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">30 Feral pigeon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">7 Starling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">15
Jackdaw<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">23 Mistle thrush<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">31 Goldcrest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">8 Song thrush<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">16
Rook<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">24 Siskin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">32 Brambling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.5pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 106.55pt;" valign="top" width="142">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Obviously not all of these species will
occur in every garden but the majority may do so over the course of the winter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Birdwatch Ireland conducts their survey
each winter and for those interested in participating this winter details are
on their web site as are results of previous surveys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">FOOD<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bEm0n_G4x_mBNOp4LcbLyLvfV1b4J8kVERgPzWGYTqh_Cdy6ei8zrOSB6XfZwn6ohIyO39nFWX1esn58oV_g6iqxKGbVXv85uQlHkR0oIWUZaDmjPkwwd72rQytqpKPtayJFyGNOn74/s1600/Great+Tit+on+feederby+Liam+Cahill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bEm0n_G4x_mBNOp4LcbLyLvfV1b4J8kVERgPzWGYTqh_Cdy6ei8zrOSB6XfZwn6ohIyO39nFWX1esn58oV_g6iqxKGbVXv85uQlHkR0oIWUZaDmjPkwwd72rQytqpKPtayJFyGNOn74/s1600/Great+Tit+on+feederby+Liam+Cahill.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Tit by Liam Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Birds may be fed a wide range of
foodstuffs. Among the most popular (from the birds perspective) are peanuts,
nyjer seed and sunflower seed. These are high in energy and oil and will
readily attract a variety of species including siskins, redpoll and goldfinch.
The disadvantage of these is their cost. In recent years they have increased
massively in price and consideration should be given to less costly
alternatives. These include flaked maize, flaked barley and rolled oats along
with commercially prepared wild birdseed. Fat balls are very attractive to a
variety of species along with being very nutritious. They can be purchased or prepared
at home. Apples (windfalls) are very popular with thrushes and blackbirds and
readily attract blackcaps. Raisins, cake and boiled rice are also very
acceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">In cold weather naturally occurring water
freezes. Birds still need to drink and a supply of unfrozen water may prove a
lifesaver. Remember to make fresh water available during cold spells.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrYmyw1mbiamQwCuKJyJbBKCnyRt_8gXjTLSi91DBtqZshwB2J8x73-W5p5KpnhR2oVXxvQz58LXBxSpcpGWp3PvtK646T-0VAaFXKQc1270_JiKHYBstnuKUnCyLKlMZKM4_VqzNBLg/s1600/Blackbird+by+Fran+O'Connell.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXrYmyw1mbiamQwCuKJyJbBKCnyRt_8gXjTLSi91DBtqZshwB2J8x73-W5p5KpnhR2oVXxvQz58LXBxSpcpGWp3PvtK646T-0VAaFXKQc1270_JiKHYBstnuKUnCyLKlMZKM4_VqzNBLg/s1600/Blackbird+by+Fran+O'Connell.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackbird by Fran O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">EQUIPMENT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Bird feeders are a very efficient method of
feeding smaller birds and conserving peanuts and expensive seed such as nyjer
and sunflower. Bird tables are an attractive way of presenting food and
observing the action. A note of caution – equipment needs to be regularly
cleaned and sterilised to prevent the spread of disease. Some species will not
use feeders or bird tables so it is necessary to spread some food directly on
to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The recent highlight was the discovery by Colum Flynn of a Blyth’s reed
warbler at Helvick. This is the first record for Waterford. Unfortunately the
bird proved extremely difficult to see while calling continuously from cover.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Other birds of note seen included yellow-browed warbler, osprey and
redstart while minke and fin whales, common dolphin and common (harbour) seals
were present along the coast. Thrushes, ducks, geese, swans, and divers are now
returning here for the winter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDRR2C7okAWzsziMvKnhDTqOgzoNGgTotSL4pg93Tv_rsJjl9r1F-Gasfhd3KIaEX2FwfpBtWrMInmnlcdMZFXpWy9QVUGYYlppdyE6ROBylIhgvLUOH342N4fPWzaxUMjJLMc6c6jVk/s1600/Lesser+Redpoll+on+feederby+Liam+Cahill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivDRR2C7okAWzsziMvKnhDTqOgzoNGgTotSL4pg93Tv_rsJjl9r1F-Gasfhd3KIaEX2FwfpBtWrMInmnlcdMZFXpWy9QVUGYYlppdyE6ROBylIhgvLUOH342N4fPWzaxUMjJLMc6c6jVk/s1600/Lesser+Redpoll+on+feederby+Liam+Cahill.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lesser Redpoll by Liam Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have
any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-61315027311271563332012-10-31T09:09:00.001-07:002012-10-31T09:09:40.153-07:00Not Quite Native<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBgb9Cu4URSI2r7V8G3YcnHUFdS0UL_XQbHn95Lz148hfu1LUyCtI5w2zhyphenhyphenuEbEcPo7H98kRxU2mYr7ehkw6iCZ5Y9wBoKDfnHkqJ_3S3mZjmg1f9sAK24v9mAr1FgCWoWdKbHKLI0Nc/s1600/Mute_Swan_Famly_by_Bernie_Sheridan%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBgb9Cu4URSI2r7V8G3YcnHUFdS0UL_XQbHn95Lz148hfu1LUyCtI5w2zhyphenhyphenuEbEcPo7H98kRxU2mYr7ehkw6iCZ5Y9wBoKDfnHkqJ_3S3mZjmg1f9sAK24v9mAr1FgCWoWdKbHKLI0Nc/s1600/Mute_Swan_Famly_by_Bernie_Sheridan%5B1%5D.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mute Swan Family by Bernie Sheridan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We live on an island, which for many
thousands of years was largely covered in ice. As a consequence very few, if
any, land mammals were to be found in Ireland at the end of the last Ice Age.
As the ice retreated a process of colonisation began. Some land mammals may
have colonised naturally by crossing land bridges connecting us to Britain or
even swimming here but a surprising number were certainly introduced here by
humans. Human introductions were sometimes accidental and oftentimes
deliberate. Some authorities maintain that all surviving land mammals in
Ireland are human introductions but this is open to debate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">RABBITS
AND HARES<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The ubiquitous rabbit is most certainly a human
introduction. Rabbits arrived here with the Normans in the 12<sup>th</sup>
century as a domestic food source. The wild rabbits seen here today are the
offspring of escapees. The Irish Hare has been here for a considerable period
of time and may have been a natural coloniser.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">MINK<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The mink is a carnivore originally from
North America. It was introduced into this country in the 20<sup>th</sup>
century to be commercially farmed for its fur. Many escaped from these
enterprises, and misguided and irresponsible individuals deliberately released
others. Their initial impact on local wildlife was severe but other animals
have now adapted to the mink somewhat. Mink are well established and widespread
in Co Waterford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8rfGX97xj4cakeCrK3hG1Ei2WdjdrcjyF4_UsrAs0ctrjRraqCU9WA-JogfQqteZvJxp-BYThkRJZkvOI4g5G89NErPwVzmxUu8mJzeg5H6P_LHIjdslnusc3pKhiVnV59f7FjO0QFg/s1600/Shrew_(but_which_species)_-_by_Andrew_Malcolm%255B1%255D.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8rfGX97xj4cakeCrK3hG1Ei2WdjdrcjyF4_UsrAs0ctrjRraqCU9WA-JogfQqteZvJxp-BYThkRJZkvOI4g5G89NErPwVzmxUu8mJzeg5H6P_LHIjdslnusc3pKhiVnV59f7FjO0QFg/s1600/Shrew_(but_which_species)_-_by_Andrew_Malcolm%5B1%5D.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrew by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">SHREWS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Greater white-toothed shrew is the latest
addition to Irish land mammals. It was first discovered in 2007 in regurgitated
barn owl pellets in Counties Limerick and Tipperary. It was most certainly
introduced by man probably by accident from the continent. Subsequently Andrew
Malcolm confirmed their presence in Co Waterford where they may be relatively
widespread.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">RODENTS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Although the red squirrel may have
colonised Ireland in the early postglacial period it appears to have died by
the end of the 18<sup>th</sup> century possibly as a result of hunting and
habitat loss. Red squirrels were subsequently re-introduced from England in the
19<sup>th</sup> century and became re-established in all counties. At present
it is widespread in Waterford but is now facing an imminent danger from the
grey squirrel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The grey squirrel is a North American
species. The grey squirrel was introduced from England to Co Longford in1911
and has been rapidly colonising the rest of Ireland. In very recent times it
has been observed in Co Waterford. Where red squirrels meet up with their grey
counterpart it does not auger well for the reds. Red squirrel populations
plummet and often disappear. Grey squirrels being bigger may be able to out
compete reds for resources. Greys may also carry a virus to which they are
immune but which is lethal to the red squirrel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Bank voles are a very recent addition to
Ireland arriving here in the 1960s. It was almost certainly introduced by man
perhaps by accident. It is now established in Co Waterford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaL3pHo_G2SR1FoO5UBrXFixIBcUlPyGvtdNr0s0dPffJGJVXOm-O0J-epTtxL5CtPMQf1YcTvBMfeUi22sD0vxATUo8qjNTdSt1DMWH7NVAhvbt9572TeCpXAusNHHAEm4lIzIx3KxA/s1600/Wood_Sandpiper_by_Colum_Flynn%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBaL3pHo_G2SR1FoO5UBrXFixIBcUlPyGvtdNr0s0dPffJGJVXOm-O0J-epTtxL5CtPMQf1YcTvBMfeUi22sD0vxATUo8qjNTdSt1DMWH7NVAhvbt9572TeCpXAusNHHAEm4lIzIx3KxA/s1600/Wood_Sandpiper_by_Colum_Flynn%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood Sandpiper by Colum Flynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Rats, perhaps surprisingly, are relatively
recent arrivals in Ireland and were certainly the result of human activity. The
black rat arrived here first from Asia spreading along trade routes used by
man. Although it may have arrived here as early as Roman Britain it was
certainly here by medieval times when it was associated with Black Death or
bubonic plague. The brown rat arrived here much later in the early 18<sup>th</sup>
century again from Asia. Both rats were called Francach in Irish reflecting the
belief that they originated from France. Whereas the brown rat has thrived in
Ireland the black has all but disappeared and is now probably extinct here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">DEER
AND GOATS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyNDYlDUc6c__Lq0sSveC23RfvYjBVNFOnXMSlDSiHSZIqbtUh_FQi0LXACycKPSgoI0y9E6cacLnH1pFJvOA0wKSL2z5KnwYos5U1cbXYFuiiG6ZPxztoSuau7W9E2RvVooGysm7uVY/s1600/Liam_Cahill_Fallow_Deer%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyNDYlDUc6c__Lq0sSveC23RfvYjBVNFOnXMSlDSiHSZIqbtUh_FQi0LXACycKPSgoI0y9E6cacLnH1pFJvOA0wKSL2z5KnwYos5U1cbXYFuiiG6ZPxztoSuau7W9E2RvVooGysm7uVY/s1600/Liam_Cahill_Fallow_Deer%5B1%5D.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fallow Deer by Liam Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Red Deer, or at least those occurring in Co
Kerry, were considered the quintessential native Irish species. However, recent
genetic studies suggest Neolithic Irish farmers introduced them. The Normans
introduced fallow deer, widespread in Co Waterford, in the 13<sup>th</sup>
century. Sika deer occur in Waterford and were introduced in the 19<sup>th</sup>
century to Ireland.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Wild (feral) goats in Ireland and Waterford
are descended from domesticated animals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB">RECENT
SIGHTINGS AND NEWS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eVCfv9FxylKtiibS8ykwixHD3NTMUD5Kkg2Tsbb6pKPWwfuUvRnQJoexOgr2WpVI9VHkbP7GeGCBFXjOyiZ2PMcbOUXjefdsxAk0kJgsJx6jipPD9NXhIIdptDHlZujG-oaoHt3u-1k/s1600/Osprey_by_Andrew_Malcolm%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6eVCfv9FxylKtiibS8ykwixHD3NTMUD5Kkg2Tsbb6pKPWwfuUvRnQJoexOgr2WpVI9VHkbP7GeGCBFXjOyiZ2PMcbOUXjefdsxAk0kJgsJx6jipPD9NXhIIdptDHlZujG-oaoHt3u-1k/s1600/Osprey_by_Andrew_Malcolm%5B1%5D.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osprey by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Waders have begun their return journeys
from their breeding grounds to their winter refuges. Recent sightings included
a little ringed plover (second county record) found by Michael Cowming at
Ballinclamper, Clonea and a wood sandpiper at Killongford pool discovered by
Colm Flynn, which lingered for a few days. A number of spotted redshanks and
green sandpipers were also noted on passage. Andrew Malcolm had a flyover
osprey and a minke whale at Ram Head and also upwards of 100 common dolphins at
Helvick. Arlo Jacques sighted an eagle species most likely an immature golden
eagle. Small numbers of sabine’s gull were observed passing along various
points on the coast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKcIE3c9K5DorZ6LrsAXQ3WzKUApVYmIxZmhblgVdmy59UxfoD37UkAISgUeDcy9CnQm7EHMeqlFTSkut2c20AlxDtFeKDpN_VaIynacklEFObMd_F5t52T6tI1_jgFJd5NsJxon0nHk/s1600/Spotted_Redshank_Colum_Flynn%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKcIE3c9K5DorZ6LrsAXQ3WzKUApVYmIxZmhblgVdmy59UxfoD37UkAISgUeDcy9CnQm7EHMeqlFTSkut2c20AlxDtFeKDpN_VaIynacklEFObMd_F5t52T6tI1_jgFJd5NsJxon0nHk/s1600/Spotted_Redshank_Colum_Flynn%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Redshank by Colum Flynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out
www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or
comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com. See also the accompanying
Blog at www.understandingwaterfordnature.blogspot.com<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-7DGcXxP9op4%2FUJFKBcpgJ9I%2FAAAAAAAAAFg%2FCZWqR3qjxTc%2Fs1600%2FShrew_" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8rfGX97xj4cakeCrK3hG1Ei2WdjdrcjyF4_UsrAs0ctrjRraqCU9WA-JogfQqteZvJxp-BYThkRJZkvOI4g5G89NErPwVzmxUu8mJzeg5H6P_LHIjdslnusc3pKhiVnV59f7FjO0QFg/s1600/Shrew_" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com1Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362752.0741653 -7.6598447 52.1131873 -7.5808807000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-26257847539888226322012-09-21T12:36:00.001-07:002012-09-27T09:08:03.912-07:00Getting Started<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWbMLDf6XYW27zsG7Rj8MkcaMIU544R-mVKoJnzwHFy5Vlk4CzsiLaWjcksCgut8yvHxM76G76H5Be3qBA16gflORg52FVnS_DiGohMHrKiWpmzCGXST1FcAmboyNlbf3__aOAS4mbx4/s1600/Pied_flycatcher_by_Paul_Walsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWbMLDf6XYW27zsG7Rj8MkcaMIU544R-mVKoJnzwHFy5Vlk4CzsiLaWjcksCgut8yvHxM76G76H5Be3qBA16gflORg52FVnS_DiGohMHrKiWpmzCGXST1FcAmboyNlbf3__aOAS4mbx4/s320/Pied_flycatcher_by_Paul_Walsh.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Flycatcher by Paul Walsh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the foremost attributes of nature is its effortless
accessibility. Nature is all around us and easily experienced. However the
experience and enjoyment can be simply enhanced and remember, nature is free to
all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
OPTICS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCdbTw-yHreu1vZGFH08_39E40uIP6gqFK_vnFAIM-4E3oOEb_cEvmsE654oIBVwh8ICK1hKkLVBpLb5DHBfh8rLnXsuFw63emYAcrV0vLfSqyJMITOm8Ns4tFfuR-qdqjEUMdaKkh1A/s1600/Fin_Whale_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCdbTw-yHreu1vZGFH08_39E40uIP6gqFK_vnFAIM-4E3oOEb_cEvmsE654oIBVwh8ICK1hKkLVBpLb5DHBfh8rLnXsuFw63emYAcrV0vLfSqyJMITOm8Ns4tFfuR-qdqjEUMdaKkh1A/s320/Fin_Whale_by_Andrew_Malcolm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fin Whale by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As most animals are wary and tend to keep their distance, a
pair of binoculars is almost essential in the field to fully appreciate
observations. Binoculars vary in quality, optical choice and price so some
research is essential prior to acquisition. For more distant observations, such
as whale watching or assessing distant seabirds or waders, a telescope is
essential. Again, the choice of telescopes is wide but good quality scopes,
although expensive, deliver fantastic results. Astronomical telescopes are not
usually suitable for nature watching. A note of warning, given our climate, it
is essential that all optical equipment is fully waterproof. The pros and cons
of optics can be easily researched on the Internet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtuDFmkrxSIST_PPqwLlCKP7tmkceUWYBwt4NZQoUdzYawFW07uTLVKcpgS0oeBy5Z-6K9R_yX5UXzesPqhOuGa6KR90S8vrZ7G15WQsoRJj9gmlpF_uzdu74F4Z5tKEECeWO9T2cgZk/s1600/Smooth_or_common_newt_by_Liam_Cahill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtuDFmkrxSIST_PPqwLlCKP7tmkceUWYBwt4NZQoUdzYawFW07uTLVKcpgS0oeBy5Z-6K9R_yX5UXzesPqhOuGa6KR90S8vrZ7G15WQsoRJj9gmlpF_uzdu74F4Z5tKEECeWO9T2cgZk/s320/Smooth_or_common_newt_by_Liam_Cahill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smooth or Common Newt by Liam Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
FIELD GUIDES</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the beginner, the variety of animals likely to be
encountered in the field can be bewildering so a good field guide is essential.
Field guides have improved dramatically in recent times and are a fantastic
resource to help identify various species and to understand their habitats,
ecology and distribution.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VmBZt4-QmXcoi_4zmm2yHT4uNQtfW68uwJNpIAfaCtJQKxKYqBKmcd1N9aQeJiWZWEOnNRWb01MYAlgphbGZAgZhyphenhyphenp5mj1xT2qdpFNCTKhXX3XFTRCIwszhPh-FMi7pNS-rEvXUMhws/s1600/Yellowhammer_by_Daniel_Wheldon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VmBZt4-QmXcoi_4zmm2yHT4uNQtfW68uwJNpIAfaCtJQKxKYqBKmcd1N9aQeJiWZWEOnNRWb01MYAlgphbGZAgZhyphenhyphenp5mj1xT2qdpFNCTKhXX3XFTRCIwszhPh-FMi7pNS-rEvXUMhws/s320/Yellowhammer_by_Daniel_Wheldon.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellowhammer by Daniel Weldon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recommended field guides to birds include ‘The Complete
Field Guide To Ireland’s Birds’ by Eric Dempsey and Michael O’Clery. For a more
European perspective ‘Collins Bird Guide’ by Lars Svensson, Killian Mullarney
and Dan Zetterstrom is superb. ‘Exploring Irish Mammals’ by Tom Hayden, Rory
Harrington and Billy Clarke is an excellent introduction to Ireland’s mammals.
Dealing exclusively with Ireland’s cetaceans ‘A Guide To The Identification Of
The Whales And Dolphins Of Ireland’ by Jim Wilson with Simon Berrow is
first-rate. ‘The Natural History Of Ireland’s Dragonflies’ by Brian Nelson and
Robert Thompson is essential for anybody interested in Irish dragonflies. For
those with an interest in Irish butterflies the recently published ‘Ireland’s
Butterflies A Review’ by David Nash, Trevor Boyd and Deirdre Hardiman is the
definitive publication. ‘A Guide To The Butterflies Of Ireland’ available from
The Dublin Naturalist’s Field Club, 35 Nutley Park, Dublin 4 is an excellent
field guide to Ireland’s butterflies, illustrating all regularly occurring
species.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
INTERNET</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The ultimate nature research vehicle available at present is
undoubtedly the Internet. The information therein is limitless. By merely
typing the name of a species into a search engine, instant access is available
to every known species, covering identification, vocalisations, habitats,
ecology, range and much more. Below are some websites of local and national
interest:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
www.waterfordbirds.com</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.iwdg.ie/">www.iwdg.ie</a> (Irish whale and dolphin group)</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
www.butterflyireland.com</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/">www.biodiversityireland.ie</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
www.mammals-in-ireland.ie</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beware however, the Internet can be addictive, do not become
a virtual nature observer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
APPS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For those with suitable phones, the app store is well worth
a visit. Essentially all the information available in field guides (including
vocalisations) can be downloaded onto your phone for reference and use in the
field – which beats carrying all those books around. Although relatively new,
apps look like the way forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
MISCELLANEOUS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNivSSNdiw-YzbsJmI_HfOExBe5gKuscyyU9Cy41DzTuUS0dlcco6mXh_i9B3FHoDuRkQUWYleELYJ52NsEhzRf-ojAeYMvpRTCAWeZjXoubgpoIhhr8sAa7MtvWHt_uQlXqNOCxUw0P8/s1600/beautiful_jewelwing_demoiselle_by_John_Joe_Cahill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNivSSNdiw-YzbsJmI_HfOExBe5gKuscyyU9Cy41DzTuUS0dlcco6mXh_i9B3FHoDuRkQUWYleELYJ52NsEhzRf-ojAeYMvpRTCAWeZjXoubgpoIhhr8sAa7MtvWHt_uQlXqNOCxUw0P8/s320/beautiful_jewelwing_demoiselle_by_John_Joe_Cahill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Jewelwing Demoiselle by John Joe Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Photography certainly enhances the enjoyment of nature.
However, this is a specialised interest, which we will visit at a later date.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, if possible, link up with an experienced observer
for your first few field trips. They should be of immense help to the
inexperienced person given their acquired knowledge and field craft.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A spotted sandpiper (American wader) was identified and
photographed at Ballinclamper on 05/08 by local birder Pat Veale. Sadly it
moved on the same day. Yet another American wader, a white-rumped sandpiper,
was located on the Cunnigar by visiting birder Michael O’Keeffe on 04/08 where
it lingered for a day or two. A large passage of over 200 Cory’s shearwaters
was noted at Helvick and Ram Head by several local birders on 02/08. A
leatherback turtle (a trans Atlantic vagrant) was observed swimming past
Bunmahon by Daniel Weldon on 16/08. Leatherbacks are the largest turtle on
Earth and can reach 2 metres (7 feet) in length and weigh up to 900 kilograms
(2000 lbs). </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfl7ottjRu12JCvRiMl0OKyfX35c79bV9bdh1oFytkno3PtUedxINtfaiG-JMUUl4rYmT-D_gRa1AypF2kUohGemqS5HeLDxCb8BxXeYATxPv8fXlYc04_xoUlpmCWqj9pWaQwZb5Hhk/s1600/pygmy_shrew_by_Liam_Cahill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfl7ottjRu12JCvRiMl0OKyfX35c79bV9bdh1oFytkno3PtUedxINtfaiG-JMUUl4rYmT-D_gRa1AypF2kUohGemqS5HeLDxCb8BxXeYATxPv8fXlYc04_xoUlpmCWqj9pWaQwZb5Hhk/s320/pygmy_shrew_by_Liam_Cahill.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pygmy Shrew by Liam Cahill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally, Andrew Malcolm took the attached photograph of a fin whale
off the Waterford coast. This is the same species as the unfortunate whale that
died off Baltimore Co. Cork last week. Fin whales can reach a length of 27
metres (89 feet) and a weight of 109 tons and are the second largest animal
that has ever existed exceeded only by the blue whale. Fin whales are regularly
seen off the Waterford coast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local
wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to
japwatntr@gmail.com</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362752.0741653 -7.6598447 52.1131873 -7.5808807000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-6042145911070836372012-09-03T07:35:00.000-07:002012-09-27T09:09:07.113-07:00OWLS, NIGHTJARS AND A SPLASH OF THE EXOTIC<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwwtSY0MRPWL2HVacIcEO4VvqvQ94_buCHDS3XYQoUT2T5rqnOaeBrKPo2BMUODeVEamxob310XSSi6s38U7hiF29CYZ5xuaFaFDbWeNHO3G6r3sDetkn9PaBPx7Ogx8wo14SRROTsJ8/s1600/Nightjar+Sketch+Killian+Mullarney+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwwtSY0MRPWL2HVacIcEO4VvqvQ94_buCHDS3XYQoUT2T5rqnOaeBrKPo2BMUODeVEamxob310XSSi6s38U7hiF29CYZ5xuaFaFDbWeNHO3G6r3sDetkn9PaBPx7Ogx8wo14SRROTsJ8/s320/Nightjar+Sketch+Killian+Mullarney+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch of Nightjar by Killian Mullarney</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Owls have always held a fascination for people and six species of owl have been recorded in Ireland, of which four have occurred herein Waterford.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Two species of owl are breeding and resident in Waterford –the barn owl and the long-eared owl – whilst the short-eared owl is a regular but scarce winter visitor.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The most widespread owl in the county is the Long-eared. The name (as with short-eared) is derived from the ear tufts visible on the bird while resting – the tufts are feathers covering the ears rather than the ears themselves. Long-eared owls being nocturnal and crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) are difficult to see. However if their daytime roost is discovered they often allow a close approach.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHzrP01af3yoEHX4eBHf-TSyE5U8R4bGIBlUSZ-oefh9MRc54Xt8MDBnkc4RDJt78zDnII4Xakks9JasE_k13XzXXK75g0myIZ34KBkOTvYOsZrYXenpfjVdTqpeCkRznq-VJjy_m9U0/s1600/Barn+Owl+Colm+Flynn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHzrP01af3yoEHX4eBHf-TSyE5U8R4bGIBlUSZ-oefh9MRc54Xt8MDBnkc4RDJt78zDnII4Xakks9JasE_k13XzXXK75g0myIZ34KBkOTvYOsZrYXenpfjVdTqpeCkRznq-VJjy_m9U0/s320/Barn+Owl+Colm+Flynn.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barn Owl by Colm Flynn</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Barn Owl is the ‘white’ owl familiar to everybody –particularly as it appears with the introductory theme of the ‘Late Late Show’.Barn owls are widespread but in small numbers throughout the county. They are declining over much of their previous range. Barn owls are mainly nocturnal often being glimpsed in the headlights of cars as they glide silently past.Sometimes they oblige by perching in the open. Daytime roosts and nests are usually in old abandoned buildings, outhouses and barns. The call is an eerie drawn out shriek not very bird like but easily identifiable. Their call may Bethe origin of the Banshee myth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJjEC_NGAPvaYeK5OOajjGcnjVYXqMURhMKXOsQuOaoYelYWzEMCCaXmDHne_I7UQIVsG_0wMIidYf-W9j2iiLUo9eV_tRQKat0BXNuoG2jhM4A6U3rRNre03un3yRMzmXzDuwCXeuJA/s1600/short+5a(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJjEC_NGAPvaYeK5OOajjGcnjVYXqMURhMKXOsQuOaoYelYWzEMCCaXmDHne_I7UQIVsG_0wMIidYf-W9j2iiLUo9eV_tRQKat0BXNuoG2jhM4A6U3rRNre03un3yRMzmXzDuwCXeuJA/s320/short+5a(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Short Earred Owl by Andrew Malcolm </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Short-Ear Owl is a winter visitor to Waterford and is partially diurnal, so can be seen by day as it hunts. It is most often encountered at coastal locations over rough terrain, fields and marshland.During the past winter a short-eared owl was regularly seen at Ram Head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Scops Owl is a small summer visitor to Southern Europe with just a handful of Irish records. It is strictly nocturnal, very difficult to see but detectable by its song – a constantly repeated deep whistle. A ScopsOwl was found freshly dead on Brownstown Head in April 1998, so there is a possibility of other undetected occurrences.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Snowy Owl is a large white owl most associated with the artic tundra. However it is now an almost annual visitor to Ireland’s west coast and there may be one or two resident individuals. Waterford is probably too far south of its normal range.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The Little Owl is another partly diurnal owl resident overmuch of Europe and Southern Britain, where it was introduced in the nineteenth century. It is now widespread in England and Wales so it may be a potential visitor to Waterford at some future date. There are just four records to date in Ireland, the last being in December 1981.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">The owl with the most familiar call ‘hoo hoo hoo hooooo’,well known to Hammer Horror film buffs, is the tawny owl. This species has never been officially recorded in Ireland despite being widespread throughout Britain and Europe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeIbyJh69MQkznxg0R2x8c1xDO39rkND238toab4HJy7QqL-7-Dldt653kO50eq3ocF1Eblj8jmD6wcF1L_HCK83wXqk8bgvyxqDzi7J2UhU-nIhxQC0W-1XF27GBMknyT5ouExm3rpw/s1600/Nightjar+sitting+Killian+Mullarney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpeIbyJh69MQkznxg0R2x8c1xDO39rkND238toab4HJy7QqL-7-Dldt653kO50eq3ocF1Eblj8jmD6wcF1L_HCK83wXqk8bgvyxqDzi7J2UhU-nIhxQC0W-1XF27GBMknyT5ouExm3rpw/s320/Nightjar+sitting+Killian+Mullarney.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nightjar sitting by Killian Mullarney</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">Although not an owl, the Nightjar is a bird most associated with darkness. Nightjars are both nocturnal and crepuscular when they can be seen displaying and feeding on insects such as moths. The song of the Night jar is a continuous churring reel, sustained for hours on end. The flight call is a repeated koo-ik and it also has a loud wing clap during display flights. An old name for nightjars was goatsucker. This derived from the notion that they suckled milk from goats but were likely chasing insects. Nightjars roost by day lying motionless when their intricately camouflaged plumage makes them virtually impossible to detect. Nightjars are a summer visitor to this country and in past years could be seen at Crocaun and The Vee. Sadly there have been no recent sightings in Waterford but perhaps they are being overlooked in the extensive forestry where they were last encountered.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW6TonaoT5HPkS9o0NNQfmcT4R2S5mxxdwNs-Yq3jbu_VnJwjeEmth8yRUAFmOTe48jQlX7G-LVczeZMNqDB1KMwCrCkesMCZmKo3mYREniMOruUoHV35qrX39mpez2It-lV_1uDm0yU/s1600/bee+eaterAndrew+Malcom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW6TonaoT5HPkS9o0NNQfmcT4R2S5mxxdwNs-Yq3jbu_VnJwjeEmth8yRUAFmOTe48jQlX7G-LVczeZMNqDB1KMwCrCkesMCZmKo3mYREniMOruUoHV35qrX39mpez2It-lV_1uDm0yU/s320/bee+eaterAndrew+Malcom.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bee-eater by Andrew Malcolm</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">In May 2011 Andrew Malcolm and Ann Trimble found a Bee-eater at Ardmore. This beautifully plumaged exotic bird is a summer visitor to Southern Europe and as its name suggests eats bees. Bee-eater plumage is multi-coloured with blue, yellow, white, brownish-red and green hues. It is a very rare visitor to Ireland of less than annual occurrence. Remarkably Andrew and Ann found another (or the same) bee-eater again at Ardmore in May of this year. Another recent visitor to Dungarvan was a gull-billed tern found by local birder Micheál Cowming - a first county record. Unfortunately it lingered for just a few hours before departing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGZVZcaFBlI_6z6YAQ3w2i4CaNjQBHqG9YqYbUbc7s6CghCSMYWGwirUCtYqKqBfOdaxCPxZiIPVn8jioIbIj6r08Q0uGuZqRHyoXoq5_TPWGG-ErIuO5-t8x56rVvN8hQ6IUpMvpgPQ/s1600/Rosy+Starling+Bernie+Sheridan+Una+Power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGZVZcaFBlI_6z6YAQ3w2i4CaNjQBHqG9YqYbUbc7s6CghCSMYWGwirUCtYqKqBfOdaxCPxZiIPVn8jioIbIj6r08Q0uGuZqRHyoXoq5_TPWGG-ErIuO5-t8x56rVvN8hQ6IUpMvpgPQ/s320/Rosy+Starling+Bernie+Sheridan+Una+Power.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rosy Starling by Una Power/Bernadette Sheridan</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;">On Thursday the 19th of July Ann Daines discovered a Rose-coloured Starling in her garden at Seapark, Abbeyside. This was the second county record of this beautiful pink and black bird. The normal range of this starling is eastwards of Turkey but it is now happily ensconced in Ann’s garden, feeding on fat balls.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bhJRJCWg_eLCsRQA30macoj-2tb2vCaG0A-yb2w9ezKPesZ6wUD6m9BKZh5RIinievqrpxJ5I7gwVws2VEXz30x45HIMyHa7wevT7bhNq_0mqcP0EIebNxQlYw6y-HTWFiTX49N-Ufc/s1600/Rosy+Starling+Daniel+Weldon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bhJRJCWg_eLCsRQA30macoj-2tb2vCaG0A-yb2w9ezKPesZ6wUD6m9BKZh5RIinievqrpxJ5I7gwVws2VEXz30x45HIMyHa7wevT7bhNq_0mqcP0EIebNxQlYw6y-HTWFiTX49N-Ufc/s320/Rosy+Starling+Daniel+Weldon.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rosy Starling by Daniel Weldon</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-IE">Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-31024101555138754992012-09-03T07:34:00.000-07:002012-09-27T09:09:31.529-07:00Butterflies<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59rQweT4diQZPPIt9qfKEfM16xzE9StvTGZSS5FxGwF1Z3QG3Ti-g2RtK5_wWHVs1CwynJAgDYDdNZQyqV3Y6vUcSTy7ETn8aGizYJdxSd6qg6orM6G7-wT8OQ7yEQxc4sfHWt9zCe0E/s1600/Andrew_Malcolm_green_hairstreak+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59rQweT4diQZPPIt9qfKEfM16xzE9StvTGZSS5FxGwF1Z3QG3Ti-g2RtK5_wWHVs1CwynJAgDYDdNZQyqV3Y6vUcSTy7ETn8aGizYJdxSd6qg6orM6G7-wT8OQ7yEQxc4sfHWt9zCe0E/s320/Andrew_Malcolm_green_hairstreak+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreak by Andrew Malcolm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The life of a butterfly constitutes four main phases. It
begins as an egg; the egg then develops in to larva or caterpillar. At this
stage most feeding and growth are undertaken. When fully grown the larva
becomes a chrysalis or pupa. Although the pupa appears inactive, great change
is occurring within and the metamorphosis into butterfly or imago is completed.
The adult form of the butterfly is the colourful, beautiful flying insect with
which we are most familiar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Butterflies, along with moths, are part of the order
Lepidoptera. This reflects the fact that their wings are covered in scales. A
readily distinguishing feature from moths is their clubbed antennae, which
moths don’t have. Moreover butterflies are a day flying or diurnal contrasting
with moths, which are usually, though not exclusively, nocturnal. As
butterflies are sun loving they occur in summer and autumn, and rarely in
winter!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are 33 regularly occurring species of butterfly in
Ireland and a small number of vagrants. Regularly occurring species in
Waterford amount to twenty-five, with a few unusual vagrants.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of the White and Yellows, all occur in Waterford, with the
exception of Brimstone. Clouded Yellow is a migrant occurring in large numbers
in some years and is extremely rare or absent in other years. Wood Whites, a
small delicate white, occur widely in Waterford.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Irish Browns are well represented, with the notable
exception in Waterford of the Large Heath. All of the others are present. Wall
Brown (declining in Ireland) can be seen along rocky/rough areas of the coast.
They are easily seen at Ballymacart at present. Grayling and Gatekeeper can be
seen later in the summer near Dunhill and at Ballyscanlan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnenRMwoZx5uq3Oso6at7FlU4D4eKLvJaDqlKyCL5mu3mpkWWVvHx6WDu5bQEylr-WrySpun7RNNyLIDtMlt92M7-_RzcUup3mw6qiSFA6swEAIeuKAdKWZi_uQUadNTFRMvhGM-RRvoU/s1600/John_Joe_Cahill_Marsh-Fritillary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnenRMwoZx5uq3Oso6at7FlU4D4eKLvJaDqlKyCL5mu3mpkWWVvHx6WDu5bQEylr-WrySpun7RNNyLIDtMlt92M7-_RzcUup3mw6qiSFA6swEAIeuKAdKWZi_uQUadNTFRMvhGM-RRvoU/s320/John_Joe_Cahill_Marsh-Fritillary.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh Fritillary by John Joe Cahill</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Among Irish Vanessids and Fritillaries, Pearl-bordered
Fritillary does not occur in Waterford. Red Admiral and Painted Lady are
migrants and can occur in large numbers. Comma has only recently become
established in Ireland, particularly in Wexford and now recorded in very small
numbers in Waterford City and its environs. Queen of Spain Fritillary, not
reliably recorded in Ireland since 1960, was sighted a Carrickavrantry, Co.
Waterford by Tony Byrant in October 2011. Marsh Fritillary has not been
recorded in Waterford in recent years. However, last June, a freshly dead
specimen was recovered from the grill of a car at Ballinamult, so they may
occur. As the name suggests, they are sighted exclusively on bogs/marshes and
their flight period is late May to early June. Information on any occurrences
would be greatly appreciated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2AkNLZXa9dYuTG2gXrrnZIZnu5o-mhslvxn7zPq33x9jmCnHdTi8vQ3cAOtGlmd1AyqHEba3VHEtNkvCtUCFJOSWbn6_dI7NyRZYwI97xsVPQeXOM0ehEqLtrwy3yqZxtJ1ld2XxDCs/s1600/Francis_O'Connell_Green_Hairstreak_Mating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2AkNLZXa9dYuTG2gXrrnZIZnu5o-mhslvxn7zPq33x9jmCnHdTi8vQ3cAOtGlmd1AyqHEba3VHEtNkvCtUCFJOSWbn6_dI7NyRZYwI97xsVPQeXOM0ehEqLtrwy3yqZxtJ1ld2XxDCs/s320/Francis_O'Connell_Green_Hairstreak_Mating.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Hairstreaks Mating by Francis O'Connell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of the Irish Hairstreaks, Coppers and Blues, Brown
Hairstreaks do not occur in Waterford and Small Blues very sparingly (any
records very welcome). Green Hairstreaks are presently on the wing and can be
seen at Coumaraglin in the Monavullagh Mountains and on the approaches to the
Vee. Purple Hairstreaks, an oak tree specialist, can be seen on Oaks in the
late summer. They are probably widespread in suitable habitat, which is almost
exclusively high in the canopy of Oak Trees – careful scrutiny should be
rewarded.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two Skipper species occur in Ireland. Dingy Skipper does not
occur in Waterford. Essex Skipper has recently colonised Ireland and is now
well established in Wexford, so is a potential vagrant/colonist in Waterford.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monarch, a large American vagrant, occurs in Ireland in
small numbers in autumn and has been recorded in Waterford.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A Guide to the Butterflies of Ireland, an excellent
publication, designed to aid identification in the field, is available from the
Dublin Naturalist’s Field Club, 35 Nutley Park, Donnybrook, Dublin 4. As well
as illustrating all regularly occurring butterflies in Ireland, it also gives
“Time Of Flight Charts” for each species.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check out www.butterflyireland.com for national records (and
submissions) and www.waterfordbirds.com for local occurrences. See also
www.butterflies.biodiversityireland.ie for details of the Irish Butterfly
Monitoring Scheme.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">If you have any questions or comments, please
email them to japwatntr@gmail.com</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362752.0741653 -7.6598447 52.1131873 -7.5808807000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1874718691716846720.post-17418889461575361562012-09-03T07:33:00.001-07:002012-09-27T09:09:51.215-07:00Great Move North<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">April and May
witness a mass movement of birds north into Europe and North America, and
Ireland fully participates in this natural phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This migration is largely made up of two
elements – the departure of winter visitors to more northerly climes and the
arrival of summer visitors from more southerly regions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus thrushes, such as redwing and
fieldfare, which were so common throughout the winter have now all but departed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The throngs of waders (or shorebirds in
American parlance) have now mostly left for their breeding grounds to the
north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ducks and geese will move
quickly north as daylight hours increase and breeding grounds lose their snow
and ice cover.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSpjm31HRrD3Ob7cZP09-G3UbTP0515ksUiewbIuuRWVc83QfItKhJaYn5zFKNejD8aFbuFloyKpd675xxlVP6OC_ed9Pk8e-Yd5Xo_grDCfnSB0hgekmw1-91Wem_3CDEGIKms0DzY4/s1600/Adult+Purple+Heron+Bunmahon+March+12+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSpjm31HRrD3Ob7cZP09-G3UbTP0515ksUiewbIuuRWVc83QfItKhJaYn5zFKNejD8aFbuFloyKpd675xxlVP6OC_ed9Pk8e-Yd5Xo_grDCfnSB0hgekmw1-91Wem_3CDEGIKms0DzY4/s320/Adult+Purple+Heron+Bunmahon+March+12+d.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Purple Heron by Colm Flynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">At the same time,
vast numbers of passerines (small perching birds) move into Ireland to take
advantage of longer daylight hours and hugely increased food resources in order
to hatch and rear their young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
are mainly insectivores, which feed on the swarms of flies, midges and other
insects that populate Ireland in the warmer months. Whitethroats, chiffchaffs
and blackcaps are representative of the warbler family while swallows, martins
and swifts occupy the skies. More exotic species such as the cuckoo, flycatchers
and wheatears are also seen and the rare crepuscular nightjar may be
encountered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">With the warming
seas small fish become abundant inshore and this attracts terns such as arctic
and sandwich; auks represented by guillemots, razorbills and puffins; gannets
and the small but extremely resilient storm petrel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ireland is also used as a transit point and feeding station for
birds moving further north such as whimbrel, Greenland wheatears and maybe even
an osprey or two.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Migration
northwards largely stops in late May as the migrants raise their young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From late August onwards, with the
shortening days and dwindling food supplies, the whole process reverses and our
summer visitors, augmented by their offspring, head south once more to Africa
for the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the arctic regions
become snow-bound thrushes, waders, ducks and geese move back to into Ireland
to take advantage of our mainly ice-free conditions and available food
supplies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Migration is not
confined to birds as insects and sea mammals also migrate and we will revisit
this at a later time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Over the next few
weeks look out for swallows, terns, auks and warblers as well as butterflies
such as orange tips, holly blues and green hairstreaks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">At the time of
writing a purple heron, an extremely rare visitor to Ireland, has taken up
residence at Seafield, Bunmahon. Congratulations to local birder Daniel Wheldon
on this excellent find.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-IE" style="font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;">Check out <a href="http://www.waterfordbirds.com/">www.waterfordbirds.com</a> for local
wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to
japwatntr@gmail.com</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11950680047102391463noreply@blogger.com0Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland52.0936763 -7.620362752.015574799999996 -7.7782912 52.1717778 -7.4624342000000006