Dromore woods NP

I had a few hours to myself after the early school drop off on an amazing clear blue sky morning. at 8am a White tailed Eagle was reported at Ruan, so it was an easy decision to where I was going.
9;10 and I was at Dromore NP.The water levels were high and into the woods making viewing spots to the lake unpassable.
A Treecreeper showed well for me as did a Goldcrest, but the morning was made when a pair of Buzzards produced a courtship display over walk bridge spoilt by the usual Crow which disturbed a Kestrel pair that were also courting at the lake.

Later on to find out that the Eagle was a fly over report,,but the morning was not lost.

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

The Eagle has landed

My first White tailed Eagle, This bird known as STAR has been hanging around some local loughs, made my day to see it, this bird was born in Norway and is equiped with GPS.
Ive seen large Eagles throughout Australia , Sri Lanka & north Africa but nothing compares to this!

A cold morning? Ducks

On an unfrozen part of the river Fergus, a pool of ducks and swans mill about , a Fox hopes on maybe a duck for lunch.
Goldeneye share the pools with Tufted duck, Mallard,Goosander & Whooper swans....its -10 below