Whoopers in the Mist

 Three Whooper Swan were the only visible wildfowl on Lough Atedaun from the car park .

The mist was so thick that the lough could not be seen but the calls of Wigeon could be heard.

Whooper Swans in a frosty field

 A cold crispy morning with not a cloud in the sky and ground frost.

 I did a quick round up of wildfowl at the Corofin Loughs. A 50 strong flock of Whooper Swan were out grazing a usual field in the morning sun just off the road near Lough Cullaun.

200 Wigeon,100 Teal and 70 Black tailed Godwit was the best at Lough Atedaun. A few Goldeneye and a pair of Tufted Duc kwere on Lough Muckanagh along with a Buzzard and lots of Redwing and Fieldfares.

Sunday morning in Liscannor Bay

 Nothing like a sunday morning walk along Lahinch prom at high tide on a calm day

9 Red throated Divers were spaced out along the beach and seem to be coming in closer since the new sea wall, a few Great northern Divers and Shags about and the Common Scoter flock was far out.

A Black Redstart was  along the erosion defence wall at Liscannor harbour otherwise it was quiet.

A lone Whooper Swan was in the flooded field at Clahane

A Bird around the Corofin Loughs

I was on childminding duty, a morning with the sun out seemed like a good time for a round up of birds around the loughs of Corofin, so two small children accompanied me for the drive.

The Loughs were low in wildfowl, with small groups of Wigeon and Teal in corners of Lough Atedaun. 

Tufted Ducks, Little Grebes and 4 Gadwall were up the top of Lough Inchiquin

Lough Cullen only had a Great crested Grebe on it ,the Whoopers were in the usual field up the road.

A Hen Harrier was approaching Toulles Lough but was strictly seen off by Crows'

A lone Drake Goldeneye was the only bird on Lough Bunny.

32 Greenland white fronted Geese were in there winter field near Tubber

A weathered birdwatch through the lowlands

Pure miserable weather in the morning took us away from Drumcliffe ,where plenty of  Black tailed Godwits, Lapwing, Shoveler, Wigeon & Teal were in the flooded field...we headed for the Corofin loughs
The best of birdlife was the 120 Whooper Swans wintering in their usual  flooded fields near Lough Cullen, plenty of Fieldfare and Redwing like this area also. 16 Greylag Geese came down in the fields near Muchanagh
We also spent a short while in the horse field at Roo lough looking for the car keys 👀

 We got all the way to the Martello Tower on Auganish island North Clare, the weather cleared somewhat and a cold wind was now coming off the sea
 5 Male Long tailed Duck along with 4 Black throated Divers, 2Black Guillemots and Red breasted Merganzers were in the deep water off the causway.
A  hardy 50 strong Greenfinch flock were on the coast at the Tower.
12 Grey Plover, Oystercatchers and Dunlin were on the shores of the pool

Whooper Swans of Moanreel

A small flock of Whooper Swans that feed along the Inagh river system fields near Moanreel every winter.
After a week of rain the water is up to the road and a few Whooper Swans feeding close to the main road, so myself and the children went to see them.

spin about the top

 I started my day in Kinvarra where I got to see the Green winged Teal. I moved back to Clare and headed to Doorus Pier and Auganish isle  where on a calm day is a good place to see waterbirds such as Long tailed Duck, Red breasted Merganzers, Black Guillemots, Great northern Divers and Black throated Diver.
At Corranroo 2 Spotted Redshank were busy feeding among the Wigeon and Gulls between the high tide rocks.




5 Little Egrets were on the reef near to Newquay harbour, and the usual Greenfinch flock was along the Flaggy shore. 220 Brent Geese were in the fields below Mt Vernon and a few juvenile Whooper Swan were with 2 adults on the Burrin pond

Little Egret showing injury to the neck

A quick stop into Bell harbour for the usual Teal, Shelduck and Redshank and it was a spin over the burren to home

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

Burrin Pond near Newquay

Grey Herons

Whooper Swans

Male Shoveler

Female Shoveler

I took a midday break from the goose chase and checked the pond near Newquay, Grey Herons were courting in their nests around the ponds, Shoveler, Wigeon and Whooper Swans were being harassed by the feisty Coots that were claiming their nesting territory.