Moyasta creek - Hen Harrier

I was looking over Poulnasherry bay from Moyasta creek , not much wildfowl about, 2 Pintail were among a handful of Wigeon and Teal, 6 Little Egret were bunched up on the bank.

One Greenshank was on the mudbanks.

As I looked back to talk to my Dad a speedy Male Hen Harrier came over the bridge round the gardens over the creek and out west -- Gone!

Crappy records shots but Hey Nice bird.

8 Little Egret behind the fence. Moyasta

I pulled in at Moyasta Creek to find the bridge area completely fenced off to cars ,walkers and visitors, im disappointed as its a good birdwatching spot.

A got a good distant views of 8 Little Egrets preening on the banks of the creek from up river.

Hen Harrier - Moyasta

It was an afternoon with poor light , I was leaning on an old train looking through my scope when I picked her up a long way out over reeds making her way along the northside of Poulnasherry bay, she dropped out of sight.

A few Teal went up and a Hooded Crow gave the signal and she was making her way to the creek at Moyasta, as she lifted over the bridge Teal and Redshank went to the air as she cut back flying direct at me ..seeing me she banked and headed along the wetlands of Poulnasherry

Lesser Yellow legs

The Leser Yellowlegs is a north american species of wader and a vagrant on our shores

This bird arrived  at Moyasta creek back in november, at that time I spent quite a few days viewing the bird but was not able to get a photo.

News was out that this bird was still at the creek, so I chanced my arm in getting just these ID shots.

It still proves difficult to photo.

Moyasta Creek

The old West Clare Railway, part museum, part train yard built around the The triangular platform  of Moyasta junction

The creek joins onto Poulnasherry bay under the bridge.

 Over this week I have had a few visits to Moyasta ,mainly to get views of the Lesser Yellowlegs that was found late the weekend before.

The west clare railyway

 Quite a nice spread out wetland area  ,not the easiest of places to observe the wildfowl but views of 100s of Widgeon,Teal and Pintail are on the water, while Greenshank,Redshank,Snipes and Little Egret feed along the banks

Moyasta creek

The weather forcast of quite a stiff south winds and showers was never truer.

Over next the following days birders came and didnt see it,some said the bird was tame and approachable with some nice photos to be got.

 I so wanted a photo or two that I headed back down , the Yellowlegs was still present on the far bank , but high water and rain storms ended the day.

Poulnasherry bay

I never did get my photo

Spotted Sandpiper

The Spotted Sandpiper at Moyasta was found the same date as my last blog...for a few days i had been wondering where i was going to find time to see this bird.
So a 97 km detour on the way to work it was, with 30 mins of time to hopefully find the bird..
I came up trumps and i went to work with a clearer mind and wet feet!