gareth2005
Well-known member
Great Info thanks All. Much cheaper than the shops !!
Will try and make that walk on the 3rd of September Breffni
Will try and make that walk on the 3rd of September Breffni
A few weeks ago large quantities of "mussel seed" were removed from Dunany Point on the southern side of Hermitage. I made enquiries from Dept of Marine as to the legalities of this as I know it requires a licence but haven't had a proper answer yet. The amount being removed seemed like an awful lot and I couldn't see how it wouldn't have a bad effect on the ecosystem there. I since read in the Drogheda Independent that locals had complained and that seemingly the Dept of Marine had no objection. I wonder if this was related to this oyster farm, could this have been the reason they were allowed to remove the mussel beds, if the area was going to be cleared anyway. Last week I walked around Dunany Point a couple of times and the water looked black and there was a terrible smell. It could be coincidental and just be rotting seaweed, but it could also be to do with the mass disturbance.breffni said:A licence for an oyster farm has been given for the area opposite hermitage. This involves clearing the existing biodiversity so that there is nothing to compete with the oysters, then laying immature oysters out in metal trays. Work started in the last week or so - still trying to find out the extent of this.
dont feel im qualified to be giving advice on the identification of yellow legged gulls but will try.the 3rd winter gull is mostly adult looking dull yellow legs,mantle darker then argenteus herring but not as dark as lesser black back, it is a more powerful looking gull than herring(chest stuck out) with a heavier looking head & bill which is blunter looking there is still some immature feathers on the tertials & wing coverts & on the tail.this photo is of a adult YLG at seabank today with a herring in the shot notice the difference in mantle & leg colours its quite a small bird probaly a female. hope this is of help to someone BTW the 3rd winter ylg put in appearances at both lurgangreen &seabank this morn with a fly by osprey at lurgangreenbreffni said:Thanks - pic is helpful for looking for bird again - I guess its not a herring gull because the mantle is dark? but what else to look for?
gareth2005 said:Just a quick question, Where do you all buy your garden bird food peanuts etc.
Is there anywhere locally where you can buy in bulk to cut down on cost ??
Cheers
Gareth
Every bit helps - went looking for the ylg's yesterday but no joy - there was an influx of knot though, 1200 roosting at high tide at dundalk harbour, along with a ruff. Also a few wheatears psssing through...saw a kestrel size raptor with pointy wings flying down towards lurgangreen, following the river - might have been a hobby.Enda said:dont feel im qualified to be giving advice on the identification of yellow legged gulls but will try.the 3rd winter gull is mostly adult looking dull yellow legs,mantle darker then argenteus herring but not as dark as lesser black back, it is a more powerful looking gull than herring(chest stuck out) with a heavier looking head & bill which is blunter looking there is still some immature feathers on the tertials & wing coverts & on the tail.this photo is of a adult YLG at seabank today with a herring in the shot notice the difference in mantle & leg colours its quite a small bird probaly a female. hope this is of help to someone BTW the 3rd winter ylg put in appearances at both lurgangreen &seabank this morn with a fly by osprey at lurgangreen
Minor point but if mixed seed contains sunflower seeds, finches will selectively discard everything to get at the sunflower seeds.Derek Watters said:Hi Gareth. Just a quick note relating to your query on bird food. I used to get mine in the pet store on the way into newry from dundalk (down the hill on LEFT). However recently I called into a shop called Poundstrechers in Newry and got the following - sunflower seed (£1.75 for 1kg) and (£1.85 for 1.85kg of mixed seed). This is the cheapest I have managed to get them - I don't know how this compares to other sources, but it may help you.
Derek
Derek Watters said:Hi Gareth. Just a quick note relating to your query on bird food. I used to get mine in the pet store on the way into newry from dundalk (down the hill on LEFT). However recently I called into a shop called Poundstrechers in Newry and got the following - sunflower seed (£1.75 for 1kg) and (£1.85 for 1.85kg of mixed seed). This is the cheapest I have managed to get them - I don't know how this compares to other sources, but it may help you.
Derek
yes Freddie news is certainly travelling a bit faster this year,which is good to see long may it continuefredbern said:Thanks Enda, it takes two as they say and I'm very glad you were there. A great record for the county. As you said great to see a few people there this morning, news certainly travels a bit faster this season. For what it's worth my photo of the bird is too large to upload!!