Curlew Sandpiper at Lough Donnell

I ventured up to Lough Donnell late yesterday evening 26th August 2016,  in search of a few waders.  The water levels had dropped and I was excited to see a small flock of 70 Dunlin in the mud at the south west corner when I arrived. My excited soon waned after 20 minutes as the only other interesting waders with the Dunlin were two Knot and this Curlew Sandpiper.  Today a Semipalmated Sandpiper was reported at the site by visiting Finish birders. What a P off but fair play to the Fins.

 

Curlew Sandpiper at Lough Donnell John N Murphy

Curlew Sandpiper and Dunlin John N Murphy

Dunlin at Lough Donnell John N Murphy

Dunlin and Knot at Lough Donnell John N Murphy

 Knot at Lough Donnell John N Murphy

Curlew Sandpiper

I have a well worn path to Wexford lately due to all the good birds that have turned up in Tacumschin. Back there again yesterday Saturday 31st August to see the Semi-palmated Sandpipers, Baird's and Curlew Sandpipers. Missed the American Golden Plover but will hopefully catch up with another later in the season.  Attached are a few shots of Curlew Sands in what was terrible light for photography most of the day.  The evening did improve slightly but at that stage I was on the road home with 3 hours driving into the sun.

Curlew Sandpipers © John N Murphy

Curlew Sandpiper

After a day of trekking around Loop Head today I ended up at Doonbeg, searching for Waders on the high tide.  There was a large flock of Sanderlings with smaller numbers of Ringed Plover and Dunlin interspersed within the flock feeding on the high tide sandy beach at Doughmore.  There was also a large flock of Turnstones feeding along the rocky shore with three Curlew Sandpipers feeding amongst them.