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. 

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

Feeding Birds In Your Garden

Goldfinch by Fran O'Connell

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.

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.

Siskin by Andrew Malcolm

LIKELY SPECIES

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:

1 Robin	9   Goldfinch	17 Pied wagtail	25 Long-tailed tit
2 Blackbird	10   Coal tit	18 Wood pigeon	26 Lesser redpoll
3 Blue tit	11   House sparrow	19 Collared dove	27 Bullfinch
4 Chaffinch	12   Greenfinch	20 Hooded crow	28 Sparrow hawk
5 Great tit	13   Dunnock	21 Blackcap	29 Fieldfare
6 Magpie	14   Wren	22 Redwing	30 Feral pigeon
7 Starling	15   Jackdaw	23 Mistle thrush	31 Goldcrest
8 Song thrush	16   Rook	24 Siskin	32 Brambling

Obviously not all of these species will occur in every garden but the majority may do so over the course of the winter.

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.

FOOD

Great Tit by Liam Cahill

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.

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.

Blackbird by Fran O'Connell

EQUIPMENT

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.

RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS

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.

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.

Lesser Redpoll by Liam Cahill

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com

Not Quite Native

Mute Swan Family by Bernie Sheridan

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.

RABBITS AND HARES

The ubiquitous rabbit is most certainly a human introduction. Rabbits arrived here with the Normans in the 12^th 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.

MINK

The mink is a carnivore originally from North America. It was introduced into this country in the 20^th 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.

Shrew by Andrew Malcolm

SHREWS

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.

RODENTS

Although the red squirrel may have colonised Ireland in the early postglacial period it appears to have died by the end of the 18^th century possibly as a result of hunting and habitat loss. Red squirrels were subsequently re-introduced from England in the 19^th 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.

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.

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.

Wood Sandpiper by Colum Flynn

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^th 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.

DEER AND GOATS

Fallow Deer by Liam Cahill

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^th century. Sika deer occur in Waterford and were introduced in the 19^th century to Ireland.

Wild (feral) goats in Ireland and Waterford are descended from domesticated animals.

RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS

Osprey by Andrew Malcolm

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.

Spotted Redshank by Colum Flynn

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