Resolutions and Solutions

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.

So what can we expect?

Birds

Cattle Egret by Richard Zamora

Historically just over 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^th of January 2014, 112 different species of bird were recorded in Waterford on that single day.

Opportunities abound to see birdlife in the county and the following are some suggestions:

Spoonbill by Fran O'Connell

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. 

Ring-necked Duck & Tufted Ducks by Bernie Sheridan

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.

Kingfisher by Richard Zamora

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.

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.

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.

Whimbrel by Andrew Malcolm

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.

Dipper by Fran O'Connell

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.

Insects

With the warmer weather in spring insects make their appearance. Watch out in March and April for the spectacular male 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.

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.

Mammals

Fox by Andrew Malcolm

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.

Common Dolphin by Andrew Malcolm

Bats are also widespread in Waterford. Watch any waterways at dusk in the county

during spring/summer for the daubenton’s bat. Street lights attract leisler’s bats at night where they can be observed feeding.

Minke Whale by Andrew Malcolm

Harbour Seals by Bernie Sheridan

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

both grey and harbour/common seals.

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.

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.

Pelagic Birding and Dolphins

Gannet by Andrew Malcolm

On Friday the 9^th of August, 13 local birders and crew, captained by Martin Colfer, sailed from Youghal

along the Waterford coast in search of pelagic birds and perhaps some whales and dolphins.

Pelagic birds are birds of the open seas, which are unlikely to be encountered on land other than at breeding colonies.

Black Guillemot by Fran O'Connell

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.

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.

Puffins by Dominic Clancy

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.

Manx Shearwater by Pat Veale

Sooty Shearwater by Andrew Malcolm

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.

Fulmar by Fran O'Connell

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.

Also in attendance on the pelagic trip was the kittiwake. This species is

Kittiwake by Dominic Clancy

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.

Other species seen on the trip included several species of large gull, terns and a small pod of porpoises.

Martin Colfer regularly runs bird watching and whale watching trips from Youghal and is available on 087 265 7177.

Bottlenose Dolpin by Bernie Sheridan

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.  

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