I recently found five Ring-necked Ducks in Klikee Reservoir. This is the largest gathering we have had of this rare North American Duck in the county. Prior to this there were claims of four at the one time in Ardclooney at the Parteen basin in the east of the county but not confirmed. There were three young birds some years back at Knockalough not far inland from this coastal pond.
Little Egrets are quickly developing their breeding plumage as the spring shoots by. This bird was taking it easy at a small pool near Cappagh Pier in Kilrush.
Little Egret in breeding plumage © John N MurphyDuring my travels throughout the country over the past week, I have noticed that there seems to be an early spring arriving with many birds well into their nesting season so early. Peregrines are sitting around old buildings awaiting to start laying eggs and getting their breeding season into full swing.
Peregrines © John N MurphyI was back during the week at Tallow Bridge in Waterford to see the long staying American Greater Yellowlegs. Fantastic bird.
These Skylarks have to be one on my most favourite passerines. When growing up they were extremely plentiful but now the Irish population has decreased by about 60％ or more due to habitat loss. It was great to come across a small flock of five birds recently feeding out in a sand dune.
Skylarks © John N MurphyDippers have almost completed the building of their nests. While in Tallowbridge Waterford yesterday morning to see the Greater Yellowlegs once more, I observed two pairs of Dippers hectically gathering nest material along the rivers banks and under the bridges.
During field survey works throughout the past week, temperatures began to rise into the early teens 13/14℃ . With these rise in temperatures many insect emerged early in the season, as I noted White-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lucorum, Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris and lots of Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria. A few of the Yellow Dung flies ended up in Spider webs like the one pictured below. This guy got a lucky escape as he fought his way out of this spiders web for over 40 minutes before escaping.
I was back doing a bit of work at Ballybunnion in Kerry today and came across a large flock of around 22 Chough feeding and sunbathing on one of the fairways on the Cashen Course. They can be so confiding and its great to just sit back and watch the interactions of the different family parties.
