Purple Sandpipers -Seafield

An after storm drive along the coast at high tide took me as far as Seafield today , Plenty of Purple Sandpipers were milling through the seaweed with other small waders ,a few of the ringed birds that winter here as usual were on show,but the wind was still gale force so i didnt stick around long,just time enough to take a few pics.

Eiders and the Shore Crab

A dark cloudy morning.I took an hour at my local  harbour of Liscannor to watch the Eiders that have been here for a few weeks. The bond between these two birds is very strong and they stay close to one another , during there foraging moments they dive together and the adult female always surfaced first with intention  to attempt a pirate on the juvenile.. He was`nt going giving this crab up and the chase brought him close to the harbour wall for cover where he stripped the claws off and swallowed the lot.

 

Redshank

As usual at this time of year our shorelines host to many Redshanks ,this bird was photo`d at Liscannor Harbour wall

Eider down the harbour mouth

These two Eiders have been have been in Lahinch bay most of the week ,moving up and down the quiet shoreline of Liscannor ....just out of reach.

Today they were feeding  right in the mouth of the harbour at Liscannor at low tide.

 Mamma should be teaching son how to find molluscs in the shallows, but rotting smelly seaweed was on the menu.

1st winter Male

Female Eider

Snipe

A Snipe crossed the road in front of me near Lahinch Marsh .
It tried its best to find cover quickly and I managed a few snaps before it flew off.

First of the winter swells

The morning is crisp and cold with an easterly breeze , small but consistant swell running out of the south west enters the reefs and island of Doolin . 

The first swell of winter has an Irish pace , no crowds , a few midweek locals taking there cake! and eating it.

Ballyalla Geese

Several species of Geese gather around  the shorelines and fields  of Ballyalla lake .
A nice flock of Greylag were joined by a White fronted Goose and a  pair of Canada geese as well a few farmyard geese which seem help attract them to the shores.

Red Squirrel - Dromore Nature Reserve

Ive been coming to the wood for over a decade , mainly its a good place to take family for and outdoor walk.
You dont see much here , but over a decade Ive seen here White tailed Sea Eagle, Goosander ,Waterrail ,Ducks,warblers and Thrushes.
Today I seen a Red Squirrel , my first here in the Nature reserve and my 2nd in County Clare (1st in Attyslanny NR). He was a noisy fellow and not too taken on me being within his territory.

Loughs and Woods and lazy days

I took a lazy trip up through the Loughs and woods that cover an area between Corofin and Ennis north. I do this sort of drive regularly at this time of year but always take a new set of backroads and a different route.
I always start at Lough Atedaun though, probably becuase its your best bet on a rare bird. Next along the Lough line was a quick stop at Lough Cullen, always a peaceful lough with under rated views.

Lough Atedaun

Lough Cullen

Lough Cullen - views toward the Burren

A good count of 180 Whooper Swan were gracing the Turlough near Lough Cullen ,calling and being busy

I headed off from there and into the woods of Dromore to do a few woodland walks that I havent done and to check the lakes for ducks.
The wood was quiet, feeding on berries were Redwing and  Blackbirds and Robins being the most seen.
The joy of the wood though was my first sighting here in this wood of a Red squirrel and a large but small Beetle was found along the road

Black tailed Godwits in Airshow

Black tailed Godwits were attempting  to settle at the shorelines of Lough Atedaun , Corofin.

 Near 500 birds in unsettled flocks were giving an airshow over the lough, joined by a few Lapwing ,Redshank and Dunlin.

Brent Geese at Ballyvaughan

High tide in Ballyvaughan harbour over the years has been a great place to photo Pale-bellied Brent Geese They come in close, the sun is behind you  and with a slight elevation and small wall the geese allow you quite close.

European Goldfinches

At the start of autumn in my overgrown field  juvenile Goldfinch numbers were up to and around 50 -100 birds ,feeding on grass seed and thistles,very shy and any approach they were up and gone.

As winter nears the numbers have got less to 8 -25 birds and they are coming to the feeders regularly.

These finches would rival the most exotic for colour and beauty and  are a joy to have in your own backyard.

This is also my first post containing Goldfinch...Welcome to the blog Goldys

Red Deer

 At the base of the Torc mountains within Killarney National park, severel herds of Red Deer had come to the open grass pastures to feed and mate.The rut had come to an end and The tussle of men v boys was over . The dominant Stags were keeping the harem close waiting for the moment when the Hinds come to season.
Killarney National Park holds the only native wild Red Deer left in Ireland , with approx 700 individuals, they have no natural predators, but getting close is not easy as they have very good hearing.