I thought that the next blog would be the 2024 wrap-up, but there has been enough activity in the last four weeks to justify a wee top up before Christmas.
WOW has been very quiet indeed with varying numbers of ducks and waders. Highlight was two of our "Class of 21" black-tailed godwits popping up again. They have been mainly seen at WOW, but have also been picked up at Kinnegar, Upper Strangford Lough, Whitehouse Lagoon and Dargan Bay. They have not been seen between March and August when presumably they are in Iceland breeding. I also got a millpond day at Kinnegar and was able to add goldeneye, common scoter and red-throated diver to the list. A red-head goosander was also cruising off Kinnegar for about a week- I finally got it on the 4th attempt in a downpour.
The last three photos are pictures from the camera screen in the centre. If there is an interesting bird on the larger island you can get the staff to focus on them, zoom in and take a phone shot.
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| Mallard & teal |
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| Wigeon pair |
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| Ringed godwit |
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| Ringed godwit |
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| Gadwall |
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| Gadwall & mallard - note the size difference. |
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| Shelduck and coot |
The North Down patch added lapwing and stonechat to the list. The Irish garden birdwatch started and is now into its fourth week. Highlights in the first week were bullfinch (1), blackcaps (3), goldcrest (1), song thrush (1) and linnets (2). Another interesting addition was a herring gull which is a regular visitor and is not fazed by someone opening the door and shouting at it. Other than that it is the usual suspects with blackbirds being the commonest species - anything up to eight depending on the time of day.
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| Blackcap (F) |
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| Blackbird |
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| Linnets & Chaffinch |
Finally a few shots from the Bolton trip in October which I forgot about, they were all taken in Richard's garden in what might best be described as challenging light conditions if you are Digi-scoping from the bedroom window. |
| Sometimes birds are "discouraged" |
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| Goldfinch |
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| Greenfinch |
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| Nuthatch |
2024180: Goosander
NDCP
61: Little egret
62: Lapwing
63: Stonechat
WOW
87: Sanderling
88: Goosander
89: Red-throated diver
90: Common scoter
