Inishowen Wildlife Club

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Sat.2nd. Jan. 2010. A disappointing start to the New Year with no outing today, again due to another severe weather warning with black ice forecast for the main roads and byroads in most cases impassible, but hope springs eternal, perhaps winter will loosen its stranglehold before next weekend.
 
Sunday. 3rd. Jan. 2010. Martin Moloney and a friend of ours from Galway braved the terrible conditions to have a look at what might be seen at Inch Lake. Mark Herrick has been out with us over the Christmas period for a few years. The following is Martins report............We went to the viewing platform, then to the upper hide. From there, in the field near the farm buildings we recorded approximately 400 Greylag Geese, and about 200 Whooper Swans. on the Lake there were large numbers of Tufted, Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, and a number of Goldeneye Duck. Further out were large rafts of Coot,and on the far side Canada, and Greylag Geese grazed contently........ From the viewing platform the field where a peregrine was recorded last Saturday week, today contained almost 300 Golden Plover, also present were good numbers of Fieldfare, and Redwing, at one point we recorded six members of the Thrush family, also noted here were two Buzzards on E.S.B. poles, one of these birds was being mobbed by a Hooded Crow. Near the Pump House twenty plus Skylarks were noted. .............. With the light starting to fade we set off for Muff to see if there was any evidence at the reed beds of Hen Harrier using them as a roost, but it proved negative, but we witnessed a great spectacle of thousands............Yes thousands of Rooks heading towards Kilderry Woods to roost for the night. Also seen in the area were Teal, Mallard, Wigeon, Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Lesser Redpool, Wood Pigeon, and last but not least a beautiful Grey Wagtail.
 
Sat. 9th. Jan. 2010. Again this week it was decided in the interest of members safety, to call off today's outing due to the worsening weather conditions that we had hoped would have gone by now. Perhaps things will have improved by next weekend.
 

Sat. 16th. Jan. 2010. The shackles of the last few snowbound and frost encrusted weeks were cast aside today, as we embraced a more normal temperature, with the sun shining through a thin layer of cloud to cast it's translucent and welcoming rays on our visit to the Malin area. Our first call was to the Trawbreaga Bay at Glasha, where among all the usual Geese, Duck, Waders, Dunlin, Ring Plover etc, was a flock of approximately Twelve Hundred Barnacle Geese, and on the other side of the Bay a separate and smaller flock was recorded. While enjoying our well earned repast at the Meeting House at Lagg, on the water we recorded Mallard, Widgen, Godwit, Red-brested Merganser, and a Great Northern Diver. Over the land were Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Oystercatcher, Gull, and Chough. Then it was on to Malin Head. where thousands of Redwing, Fieldfare, and lesser numbers of Mistle thrush, and of course that great vocalist the Song Thrush were recorded. Conspicuous by their great numbers were the stunning Lapwing, which suggested that some of them had come here to avoid the very Arctic conditions in eastern Europe. Near Ardmalin a very large flock of Linnet, intermingled with Chaffinch was noted. On the shoreline at White Strand Bay, Redshank, Greenshank, and Turnstone were added to our list. With fading light, and loitering with intent on the northern horizon was a large bank of dark cloud so we decided to call a halt to what was a most enjoyable day.

Thursday 21st. Jan. 2010. A Golden Eagle was seen flying low near Rushfield, Buncrana, by Daniel Moloney at 12.30. pm.
Sat. 23rd. Jan. 2010. Our clubs involvement in the I-WeBS count of lough Swilly had to be called off due to the heavy blanket of fog that obliterated the Lough in its entirety, and made participation in the activity impossible. With counters from many parts of the Peninsula and further afield, it eventually became obvious that the conditions were not going to improve, and after waiting until the afternoon we called a halt to the proceedings..................... I have been informed by Martin Moloney, who together with Jim Toland, Brian and Dillon Hegarty, remained in the area of the Inch Lake after other members had gone, were later contacted by Boyd Bryce to say that the fog was dissipating on the Swilly. So the count was preceeded with, and resulted in delivering a very high number of species. There must be a moral to be found in this little postscript.
 
Sat. 30th. Jan.2010. In the crispness of the last Saturday of January, a month with its many days of intense cold and snow that perhaps may be replaced by a milder introduction to Spring, that was indicated by the bright rays of sunshine that welcomed the good turnout of birders that congregated at the Inch Lake car park, and from the adjacent viewing platform in perfect viewing conditions flocks of Golden Plover, Lapwing, Mallard, Teal, Tufted, Goldeneye and Wigeon Duck were noted, while Whooper Swans, and Greylag Geese arrived and departed from the Lake as if it was some great air terminal. At the Farland Bank, where more Goldeneye and large numbers of Shelduck were also recorded. But the tick of the day was the perfect view that was had of that rare winter visitor, the Male Smew, in his stunning plumage, as he moved gracefully over the silken surface of the Lake. On our way to our next stop, that was Blanket Nook, we had a perfect close up view in a roadside field of a Kestrel that may just have finished its lunch, and was in no haste to fly off. At our destination, a Buzzard was observed warming its self in the midday Sun as it perched on the branch of a tree accompanied by two interfering Magpies. From the fields at the southern end of the Nook large flocks of Greylag Geese were seen taking to the sky to fly in a northerly direction. On the water were yet more Goldeneye, Tufted, and good numbers of Mallard and Teal in their iridescent loveliness. Then from the direction that the Geese had gone a short time earlier heavy snow showers threatened, so it was decided that a very enjoyable days birding could now end.
 

Sat. 6th. Feb. 2010. Our forces were mustered at the Square in Clonmany, and in ever improving light and calm conditions we made our way to reconnoitre the wildlife at Binnion, where, apart from the fact that there were many walkers along the river and on the front shore, we still managed to record a Small flock of Brent Geese where the river empties into the Bay. Further up the river a few Curlew, and a lone Grey Heron were noted . Out on the Bay, Great Northern Divers were evident, together with a few Shag, and Cormorant. At the other end of the Beach a sizable flock of Sanderling were observed scurrying to and fro to the rhythm of the incoming wavelets, like a game played by children who did not want to get their feet wet. Also present in the area were large numbers of Oystercatchers, waiting patiently on rocky outcrops for the tide to recede, that would allow them to forage on the shells and sand worms that would be exposed. On a tranquil Ocean surface, more Great Northern Divers were noticed, and further out again a raft of Eider Duck were just visible. The next stop was at Rockstown Harbour, where a small number of Red-breasted Mergansers were recorded, as were the beautiful Black Guillemot in it's winter plumage. Our day concluded at Leenan Pier in the late afternoon, with little or no activity to report here, perhaps due to the rather high tide, so we decided to cease operations and return to base.

 
Sat. 13th. Feb. 2010. The enchanted woodland known as Lisnagrath, where Red Squirrels scratched diligently through the rich red carpet of beech leaves in an effort to locate some of the nuts hidden there last Autumn, while others scamper up the majestic Scotch firs and giant Beech Trees, to the comfort of their drays from where they observed the activities of the human intruders that are invading their peaceful domain. As we made our entrance to this special place, suspended from the lower branches of a small tree were many containers of varying sizes and designs, put there by some benevolent group, the contents of these handouts contained mainly peanuts in different quantities, some filled to the top, while others were almost empty, and some without their lids which allowed the many Blue Tits, Great Tits, and Coal Tits, to climb with great skill and speed to the nuts below and make an equally quick exit. The less adventurous Chaffinches, and Robins, remained on the ground to pick up the crumbs from the rich man's table. A very pleasant meander was enjoyed through most of the forest where the warm sunshine managed to penetrate to the carpeted woodland floor due to the absence of the delicate spring foliage waiting it's birth in the weeks to come. As we departed Lisnagrath we recorded three Buzzards a number that was added to later in the afternoon. Our next stop was on the shore of Lough Foyle, where in the warmth of the afternoon Sun we recorded numbers of Redshank, Godwit, Greenshank, Oystercatchers, Curlew, Lapwing, Grey Heron, Mallard, and Great Crested Grebe. So with evening fast approaching, a peaceful days birdwatching ended in a countryside pervaded by a sense of Spring.
 
Sat. 20th. Feb. 2010. Our Club completed the section allocated to us for the February I-WeBS count of Lough Swilly. Starting at the pier, Buncrana in bright, but extremely cold conditions, with the wind coming from a south easterly directions. From this point to the Marina at Fahan Creek, there was a lot of disturbance on the beach due to the large number of people walking, some with dogs, and some without, and also a small number of people running. As we moved on to the elevated site overlooking the Causeway Road to Inch, a heavy bank of cloud seemed to be seeping it's way in our direction. After a much needed cup of hot tea, we felt sufficiently fortified to face the Inch Island side of the Lough which was by now under the cold influence of the fog, but it eventually eased a little which allowed us to complete our task to a satisfactory level with a high count of birds, and species which left us feeling that it was a job well done. Involved in the count today were Dermot and Danny Mc Laughlin, Peter White, Brian Hegarty, and Paddy Mc Crossan. Martin Moloney was otherwise engaged by representing the club at the Irish Raptor Study Group meeting in Dublin.
 
Sat. 27th. Feb. 2010. Winter has still got a tenacious grip on the last day's of this month, as was experienced this morning as we made our way to that place of refuge, namely the Inch Lake Wildlife Reserve. Apart from the regular members we were pleased to have in our company a frequent visitor from Galway, in the person of Mark Herrick, and from County Tyrone, Brian Hegarty and his young son Dillon. Brian and Dillon are regular birders with us since Christmas. .... In defiance of the piercing Arctic wind bearing down on us from an easterly direction, we enjoyed the spectacle of the thousands of birds that were to be seen on the lake and in the shelter provided by the little islets with their coats of dead grasses and rushes, that cover a considerable area on the northern end of the Lake. Birds of prey were in evidence, with Buzzard, and Sparrow hawk patrolling the area to the disruption of the many birds that included very large numbers of Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted, and some Goldeneye. Also present in large numbers were Golden Plover, Lapwing, Coot, and Redshank, and the expected smaller numbers of Greenshank and Red-breasted Merganser. A few Barnacle Geese were something of a surprise, as they are not usually seen in this habitat, but not so the Greylag and Canada Geese, seen feeding contently on the Inch side of the Lake. Our day concluded much later at Blanket Nook, where three Buzzards were recorded, also added to our list was another flock of Golden Plover, and a flock of Lapwing. Again here on the water were the ubiquitous Wigeon, Mallard, Teal, and Tufted Duck. The sighting of that special and scarce little bird the Yellowhammer added to the pleasure of our day's birding. With the chill intensifying it was decided that we should seek the warmth of our firesides with the bonus of watching the Rugby encounter between Ireland and England, which in retrospect was a good idea.
 
Sat, 6th. Mar. 2010. In the beautiful stillness of the morning, and the comforting embrace of a warm sun that encompassed the Peninsula as seen from our meeting point at the Isle of Doagh Road, and from there we moved to the Trawbreaga Bay area where we encountered a large flight of Barnacle, estimated at twelve hundred plus, they settled in a couple of fields not far removed from our position where they soon started grazing. Close to the shore with a receding tide large numbers of Brent Geese were enjoying checking what was to be found in the newly exposed mud. Also out on this table of plenty were long lines of Godwit, some feeding while others seemed to be sleeping off the effects of their socializing earlier in the morning. Further out again a Common Seal was seen basking in the pleasantness of the hour. Then in a field further along the shore a fine specimen of a Fox appeared to be in a bit of a quandary as to how it was going to spend it's day. After our midday repast at Mc Sheffrey's Bridge, our next stop was the Meeting House at Lagg, where we recorded fourteen Red-breasted Merganser having a torrid time, diving in the fast flowing current to catch fish, only to have their catch hijacked by gulls waiting in ambush. On the northern shore of the Bay from our vantage point many Godwit, Wigeon, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Redshank, and a few Greenshank were noted. Further on a Buzzard was recorded, and then from the most strikingly beautiful observation point on Knockamany, a flock of Chough floated by uttering their very distinctive call. At the White Strand Bay, Malin Head, we had a close up view of more Brent Geese, Oystercatcher, Mallard, Red-breasted Merganser, Redshank, Greenshank, Great Black-backed and Herring Gull. At this stage our days birding was coming to a close. Finally we were glad to welcome new member Rose Mc Daid who enjoyed her first experience of Bird Watching in glorious conditions of today.
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