May 23, 2004
A branch too far.
Led a Tolka branch trip to the wicklow woodlands in search of rare breeding species such as wood warbler and redstart.
Glendalough produced a singing male Redstart, however this individual was very elusive, giving only blip views flying from tree to tree.
No woodwarblers were seen here or at nearby derrybawn or lough dan although blackcap was prolific in these areas.
A pair of peregrines gave good views at lough dan and cuckoo sang constantly here.
Coronation plantation produced 3 pairs of whinchat, crossbill and merlin.
My website- http://www.redbrick.dcu.ie/~pariah
May 09, 2004
A Marsh lesson to learn.
Spent sunday morning birding around dublin.
Howth head produced little save for numerous whitethroats.
Swords was at high tide but rogerstown produced a singing Grasshopper warbler.
We decided to check knock lake for perhaps a passing Osprey or Marsh Harrier.
"What are the chances of that?we never see anything good at knock lake!" - conor- My idiot brother.
As we pulled in a female type marsh harrier took to hunting over the reeds and the lake shore.
"............Ok well i suppose we should have checked here after all......" Conor- realsising he IS an idiot.
We watched the harrier for 2 hours before heading home
-Pariah
May 04, 2004
Flying sheet of ashy coloured paper
Sunday- 02/05/2004
Once again visited wexford in search of spring migrants.
Obtained excellent views of a male Montagu's harrier which had been present the previous day.This bird was so slight and slim that it looked like a sheet of paper with wings.
No sign of the female montagu's or the 3 marsh harriers that had been reported here.
5 garganey including 2 drakes and 3 females were present on the east end pond.
A yellow wagtail and a jack snipe were present on the reed flat behind the pond as well as a summer ruff(black plumage).
Little stint at the forgotten corner.
Reed warblers viewing well at tomhaggard end of tacumshin.
ladys island had a first year little gull.
Carnsore had 2 spotted flycatchers and 2 grasshopper warblers and a common whitethroat.
That is all.
-Pariah
My website is HERE