breffni said:interesting - did it mention where the snipe were supposed to be breeding? also red grouse bred in cooley in the 60s and there is a remote chance that there is still a pair up there (there was an unconfirmed sighting a few years back). also i reckon gropper has to be breeding at mulahattin and maybe elsewhere...
breffni said:I'll redo that walk along the navvy bank on sunday - though would suggest moving time to 2pm as high tide is about noon (adjusting for summertime)...weather looks great...anyway I'll show up either way.
breffni said:interesting - did it mention where the snipe were supposed to be breeding? also red grouse bred in cooley in the 60s and there is a remote chance that there is still a pair up there (there was an unconfirmed sighting a few years back). also i reckon gropper has to be breeding at mulahattin and maybe elsewhere...
Hi Davedfd said:Peter, Breffni
Interesting stuff lads, nice (if somewhat depressing) to see time-series analysis. By way of further info Reed Warbler bred in Bellurgan in 1981 and were also present in Balmer's Bog the same year. They bred in Down and Antrim same year and have bred since in both (infrequently in Down; seem to have colonised Portmore Lough though). They must be passing along Louth coast at least on way back up!!
Also Lapwing would have been categorised as probable breeders (using Atlas conventions) when I lived up that way in the mid 80s - early 90s. Pairs mobbing corvids out Carrick Road, Castle Roche & Kilkerley directions noted in some years during breeding season. I haven't been up in these areas lately but there's always the possibility.
Grey Partridge also out towards Mullyash - Lochantarbh area.The general area also seemed a likely spot for Quail in good years but I never noted them.
I'd be surprised if Grasshopper Warbler was confined to Mullaghattin and as Snipe are still breeding down Fingal way I'd expect them to be reasonably widespread in suitable habitat in Louth.
Also mountain-walking neighbour had Red Grouse in Cooleys in Feb(?) 2006; he's not an out and out birder but knows RG from Wicklow - I've no reason not to believe him. Any releases going on by gun clubs up there?
Regards,
Dave
dfd said:Peter, Breffni
Also Lapwing would have been categorised as probable breeders (using Atlas conventions) when I lived up that way in the mid 80s - early 90s. Pairs mobbing corvids out Carrick Road, Castle Roche & Kilkerley directions noted in some years during breeding season. I haven't been up in these areas lately but there's always the possibility.
Grey Partridge also out towards Mullyash - Lochantarbh area.The general area also seemed a likely spot for Quail in good years but I never noted them.
I'd be surprised if Grasshopper Warbler was confined to Mullaghattin and as Snipe are still breeding down Fingal way I'd expect them to be reasonably widespread in suitable habitat in Louth.
Also mountain-walking neighbour had Red Grouse in Cooleys in Feb(?) 2006; he's not an out and out birder but knows RG from Wicklow - I've no reason not to believe him. Any releases going on by gun clubs up there?
Regards,
Dave
gareth2005 said:I have heard reports of Reed Warbler breeding around Cortial Lake in Kilcurly a few years ago. I've seen Reed Warblers when fishing about 18 months ago on Brothers lake in Carrick( The one on the right as you enter Carrick)
gareth2005 said:Brothers Lake as its known locally also known as Lisanisk Lake as far as I know is the first lake on your left as your leaving Carrick on the Dundalk road.
http://www.fishingireland.net/fishing/pike/monaghan.htm
Cortial Loch is as far as i'm aware this one http://www.iolfree.ie/~srameen/html/Cortialintro.html
This one is interesting http://www.iolfree.ie/~srameen/html/BirdWatch.html
There was a Mr Mullen that was an avid birdwatcher that lived there these might be his sites. Note the record of as Hen Harrier there in 1999!
gareth2005 said:Cortial Loch is as far as i'm aware this one http://www.iolfree.ie/~srameen/html/Cortialintro.htmlQUOTE]
Hi Gareth,
Do you know which road from Dundalk you take for Cortial Lake and is there access/ parking?
Peter
Peter Phillips said:gareth2005 said:Cortial Loch is as far as i'm aware this one http://www.iolfree.ie/~srameen/html/Cortialintro.htmlQUOTE]
Hi Gareth,
Do you know which road from Dundalk you take for Cortial Lake and is there access/ parking?
Peter
Its hard to explain, what I call call Cortial lake is located just south of McElroys eggs yard if your familiar with them.
If you drive to Hackballscross on the Blayney road out of Dundalk and take the turn to the left for Knockbridge. Drive on this road and go through the first crossroads you will come to a fairly blind hill on a corner which has a red brick house on the right hand side with a large yard at the rear( this is McElroys ) the lake is on the right hand side after this house. There are a few trees around it and the lake is not visible from the road but the reeds are. Access is limited, there is a Deer farm on one side of it also.
I was trying to find you a map but the NASA worldwind version it was on no longer contains detailed maps of this area.
ardnasx1 said:Peter, I've scanned the os map showing Cortial lake and emailed it to you in case it helps. Haven't been there myself either but looks interesting.
Were the little egrets calling? It's a strange gurgling squawk, quite different from the heron call, and certainly not in keeping with their elegant appearance!breffni said:At Beaulieu yesterday (wt Steve and Chris, which was educational) counted 11 grey heron nests, at least two with chicks. Also at least six little egrets, several in full breeding plumage, one pair copulating. Also five or six sand martins, and later a swallow near Clogher. No sign of black guillemots at clogher but now at least 13 pairs at Giles quay. Dowitcher showing nicely yesterday - starting to come into pummer plumage...