MUD GLORIOUS MUD AND WADERS

High Tide Wader Roost by Richard Zamora

Waterford 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.

Lapwing by Colum Flynn

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.

Waterford is of vital importance to wader survival in two respects –

Long-Billed Dowitcher by Liam Cahill

overwintering birds, and passage migrants.

Large numbers of waders choose Waterford 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.

Whimbrel & Grey Plover by Pat Veale

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 Africa. 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 Waterford in late April, is an excellent example of passage migration.

Dunlin by Fran O'Connell

Black-Tailed Godwit by Colum Flynn

The following illustrates the absolute importance of Waterford 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 Waterford Harbour 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.

Lesser Yellowlegs by Colum Flynn

Occasionally Waterford 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.

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Sanderling by Fran O'Connell

Viewing waders in Waterford 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 Waterford. Watch out for the small grey sanderling feeding along the tideline.

Turnstone by Andrew Malcolm

Curlew by Liam Cahill

 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. 

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.

Redshank by Andrew Malcolm

 Both redshank and greenshank are common throughout Waterford and best recognised by their respective leg colouration and easily recognisable calls.

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.

WHERE ARE ALL THE BUTTERFLIES DURING WINTER?

Peacock by Fran O'Connell

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.

Painted Lady by Daniel Wheldon

MIGRATION

Amazingly, just like swallows and warblers, some species of butterfly migrate south to Africa to avoid our

Small Tortoise Shell by Bernie Sheridan

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.

Comma by John Joe & Liam Cahill

ADULTS

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.

 CHRYALIS/PUPAE

Wall Brown by BernieSheridan

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.

Common Blue by Fran O'Connell

CATERPILLAR/LARVA

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.

EGGS

Small Copper by Bernie Sheridan

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.

Silver-washed Fritillary by Fran O'Connell

THIS YEARS BUTTERFLIES

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. 

After a number of poor summers this augurs well for the future wellbeing of butterfly populations.

Commas consolidated their expansion into Waterford with multiple additional sightings in the Mount Congreve area.

RECENT WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS

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.

Fin and minke whales, common dolphins and porpoises, harbour/common seals, grey seals and otters are presently being encountered along the Waterford coast.

Watch out for returning thrushes such as redwing and fieldfare over the next several weeks.

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.

Why do birds sing?

Robin by Andrew Malcolm

Birds sing in order to communicate and for two main reasons -

• to attract a mate
• to defend a territory

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.

The singing male is also defending his territory. He is, in strident terms, telling

Garganey by Richard Zamora

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.

Song Thrush by Fran O'Connell

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 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.

Wren by Fran O'Connell

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.

Skylark by Andrew Malcolm

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. Most of us are familiar with the alarm call of a blackbird when disturbed or the 'tick tick tick' warning call of a robin.

Reed Warbler by Fran O'Connell

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.

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.

Yellow Wagtail by Bernie Sheridan

RECENT NEWS

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. 

Celebrating Spring Migration in Waterford

Swallow by Andrew Malcolm

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.

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.

Swift by Andrew Malcolm

Swifts are only just now appearing over our towns and will be the earliest departing migrant being mostly gone by late august.

Blackcap by Fran O'Connell

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.

Little Tern by Fran O'Connell

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

Waterford passage migrant) was recently briefly observed feeding along Clonea beach before heading to its breeding grounds.

Whimbrel by Andrew Malcolm

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.

Firecrest by Paddy Dwan

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.

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.

Hoopoe by Richard Zamora

Watch out over the next several weeks for cuckoos, dragonflies and butterflies such as holly blue and peacock.

Check out www.richzamora-images.com for images of Waterford wildlife.

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

Some Success Stories

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.

Collared Dove by Fran O'Connell

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 20th 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.

Reed Warbler by Paul Walsh

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.

Little Egret by Fran O'Connell

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. 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.

Buzzard by Andrew Malcolm

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.

RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS

Caspian Gull by Paul Archer

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.

Wheater by Andrew Malcolm

 An adult male ring-necked duck continues to over winter at Knockaderry reservoir, as does a spotted redshank at Tramore back strand.

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.

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

HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY

Coastal Habitat by Paul Archer

Biodiversity can be defined as the variety of life in a particular location.

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.

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.

Black Tailed  Godwits Feeding on Estuarine Mud by Richard Zamora

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.

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.

Riverside Habitat by Liam Cahill 

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.

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.

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.

Ring Billed Gull by Bernie Sheridan

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.

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.

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.

Waxwings Feeding by Richard Zamora

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.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker by Dick Coombes

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.

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 www.understandingwaterfordnature.blogspot.com

Whales and Dolphins by Andrew Malcolm and John Power

Fluking Humpback Whale by Andrew Malcolm

It might well come as a surprise to many people that Ireland is one of the best places
in Europe to go whale watching. Furthermore, here in county Waterford we are
doubly blessed in that the second largest animal ever to have lived on the planet is
regularly to be encountered not too far off our coastline. At up to 22m in length the fin
whale is only surpassed in size by the blue whale, and visits our inshore waters to feed
on the herring that gather here in huge shoals during the winter months. This explains
the old name given to them by fishermen of ‘herring hogs’

Fin Whale by Andrew Malcolm

For several years these behemoths of the sea have been recorded from November
until March feeding due south of Ram Head at Ardmore, where due to the distance
offshore of up to 15km they could only be viewed with quality watching gear.
However, in more recent years these animals have been spotted feeding very close
inshore from Ballyvoyle Head to Dunmore East. On one occasion they came in so
close to the cliffs under Tankardstown that they could be heard breathing (no need for
any type of watching gear that time!) Remarkably these animals were less than 1 km
offshore in water only 11m deep, so they were more or less ‘paddling’!

Goldfinch Mule by Fran O'Connell

How do you spot a fin whale? Well, as they are of course mammals, they have to
come to the surface to breathe and when they exhale, the 6m high ‘blow’ of water
vapour is quite a tell-tale indicator of its presence. Usually they have a sequence of up
to 10 breaths at the surface with a gap of 10-15 seconds between them before they
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
follow a trawler, picking up scraps from the whales feast, so if you see a lot of birds

Spoonbill by Andrew Malcolm

in a concentrated spot then that could well be a good place to keep an eye on. These
birds will often also follow the large groups of common dolphins that are also to be
found at this time of year joining in the bonanza of food. These pods of dolphins can
often be widely spread out and include several hundred animals.

Humpback whales are increasingly being seen at this time of year off the Waterford/
Wexford coast. The most charismatic of the whale species to be found off our shores,
they are the only whales that will ‘fluke’, that is lift their tail out of the water when
they dive. The markings under their tail is unique to each individual animal, rather
like a fingerprint is to us, and is used as a cataloguing method to help identify animals
that might return again to our shores or elsewhere in the North Atlantic.


For more information or to report a sighting of a whale, dolphin or porpoise visit

Waxwing Male & Female by Colum Flynn

www.iwdg.ie

If you are interested in a trip out from Dunmore East contact Martin Colfer at
www.charterangling.ie


LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS

The regularly over-wintering spoonbill has returned to Dungarvan for a further winter

Waxwing Male & Female by Colum Flynn

and can be seen from the Cunnigar or Western Bay – best looked for at high tide. Up
to 15 crossbills have taken up residence on the Ballinacourty golf club most easily
seen immediately behind the pier. Three female long-tailed ducks (old squaw in

American parlance) are between the Lookout and the Cunnigar. A hybrid/mule finch
has been showing up at various feeders in Dungarvan. A female surf scoter (north
American duck) is present off the Lookout.
A major influx of waxwings is taking place in both Britain and Ireland. The name

Brambling by Mick Cowming

is derived from the colouration on their feathers reminiscent of coloured wax.
This feature combined with an obvious large crest on their crown makes them
unmistakeable. These beautiful birds feed on berries and can be encountered almost
anywhere even in small urban gardens. Another bird being seen this winter is the
brambling – an irruptive finch. Please report any sightings of either species.

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