Hi all
I've been over in the Callows this week looking for waders. Still plenty of flooding after recent rain.
Highlights were...on Wednesday, a male ruff (alas not in breeding plumage) and at least 3 sand martins to the north of Shannonbridge. Also a female merlin was perched in a willow all the while I was there. These were probably all on the Roscommon side of the border, though worth a mention I think.
Yesterday, an oystercatcher was feeding at the edge of the flood NNE of Inchinalee Island (NE of Clonmacnoise), Co. Offaly. I'm told these are very scarce visitors to the callows.
I returned to the hide at Ashton's Callow last Friday. At least 3000 black-tailed godwits were still present, with some feeding not far away to the left of the hide, though difficult to get a look at their legs for rings. Still good numbers of duck, but nothing of note.
Thank for the report Paul.
I was at Ashton's on Friday too but in the evening. I must have just missed you. As you say nothing startling there. No raptors unusually but see below. The Redshank were very noisy, seems like they are just waiting for the floods to recede before getting on with things.
Good to hear the Ruff are back too. They are regular at Ashton's in autumn and spring too. The maximum number I saw together there this autumn was 8 although flocks of up to 41 (Bridge Callow, Banagher, March '99) have been recorded. Males in partial and full summer plumage show up occasionally.
Nice record of Oystercatcher, have never seen one in the area myself but there is some suspicion they may be breeding on the Shannon.
Your experience with the Godwits being distant mirrors mine. They've only come close enough to the hide to see their legs on one occasion this year while I've been there. The callows represent the biggest gap in ring resightings in the whole of their European wintering range although a member of the Operation Godwit team read rings this year on the Little Brosna. Good to hear you visited the area again.
Firville Lake, Borrisokane was quiet this Friday too with some Shoveler, Teal, Wigeon, Tufties, Mallard and Whoopers present. A Blue-winged Teal showed up here last year so it's always worth a scan.
Reddan's Lough, Borrisokane quiet on Friday too, a few Common Gull and 12 Gadwall were about the best. Good site for wintering Gadwall.
On Saturday morning (yesterday) I saw a male and female Hen Harrier hunting within 50m of each other at a breeding site in the Silvermines Mts, Tipperary. I didn't see display there yet but it's surely only a matter of time. The male came heart stoppingly close on Saturday. Full adult with clean grey wings. I was actually packing up the scope when he appeared first. Isn't it always the way! Don't think I've ever set up my scope so quickly before. The female was mobbed by Hoodies and left the area very quickly. Last spring I saw a male, female and a juvenile bird within minutes of each other at the same site. Their presence here today explains why they weren't at Ashton's on Friday I suppose.
After that I visited Lough Eorna near Nenagh. The best there was a couple of Common Gulls and a female Ruddy Duck. One of the lucky few who have escaped the cull by dint of living over here. It's a regular site for Ruddy Duck but I haven't had many sightings there this winter. They can be elusive there though in the reedy areas
Today I saw a pair of Yellowhammer at a regular site near Ballinderry village North Tipp. Spring seems to be finally kicking in.