Reed Warblers

As a trainee ringer, I spent summers catching Sedge Warblers at the Shannon Airport Lagoon under the supervision of my trainer Philip Brennan.  Occasionally Phil would catch the odd Reed Warbler and we would get to see it in the hand.  This was my first introduction to this species.  These birds were first caught and ringed at the Lagoon on 29th July 1979, when one juvenile was ringed with an adult the following day on 30th. These were the first North Munster records.  Juveniles were subsequently caught and ringed on the following dates: one on 8th October 1983. One on 26th September, with another on 14th October 1985. At this time it was thought that birds could possibly have been breeding in the Lagoon, but with no solid evidence.  Over the last week it has come to light that birds are breeding at the Shannon Airport Lagoon.  There have been up to five singing males and birds were observed carrying food for young.  Two nest sites locations have been confirmed with the possibility of more.  These are the first confirmed breeding records for Clare (per JNM)  Here are a few shots of birds from the lagoon.

 

 Reed Warblers at the Shannon Airport Lagoon with one bird carrying food for young John N Murphy

 An adult Sedge Warbler at the lagoon carrying food for young John N Murphy

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

I visited the Shannon Airport Lagoon during the week and came across small numbers of Tortoiseshell Butterflies Aglais urticae and little clusters of newly hatched caterpillars on nettle plants.

Ginger-tailed Carder Bee

This queen Ginger-tailed or Common Carder Bee Bombus pascourum was feeding on nectar of Red Clover this afternoon at the Shannon Airport Lagoon.  These are a fairly common bumblebee and they will be out and about until late October or sometimes early November of every year.

Whimbrel

Whimbrel numbers are building at the present. Everyday more and more of these small waders are sifting through the country, as they make their way from South Africa to breeding grounds in Iceland and the high Arctic.  This evening there were 50 at the Shannon Airport Lagoon, and from here on in this bird (better known as the May bird), will build up in numbers and large flocks will be seen and heard flying over the county on a daily basis, as they fly in a North-west direction for Iceland.  Listen out for their seven note whistle.

The Lackey Moth Caterpillars

I went to the Shannon Airport Lagoon this evening in search of rare birds but to no avail.  On the track near the embankment I came across these Lackey Moth Malacosoma neustria caterpillars on a small sallow living as they do in a large community until they pupate and change to adult moths.  The site of these clustered together always fascinate me no matter how many times you come across them.

Willow Warbler

I went birding at the Shannon Airport Lagoon early this morning in search of Garganey or some rare vagrant but to no avail. At the Lagoon (SAL) there was one Peregrine Falcon mobbing a large flock of over 3,000 Black-tailed Godwits.  With the godwits on the mudflats, were a flock of over 1,000 Golden Plover, five Little Egrets were in the lagoon itself, along with five Water Rails and a half dozen Willow Warblers singing from the willows.

Sunset

There was a fantastic sunset this evening over the Shannon Airport Lagoon with the sun going down over the west Limerick Hills.