Spring, winter and autumn all rolled into one! Birding in Co. Wexford this Spring

On the 18th of April I decided to spend the day birding at Tacumshin lake, Wexford. A fantastic place to spend your time, and you just never know what you will come across! After crossing the lake I began to scan the small flocks of birds gathering to feed at the east end of the lake. As I walked along the east end I flushed two golden plover, out of the corner of my eye I could see the birds, one appeared very grey and darker lacking as much golden tones and black as the other bird. As the birds flew they called, one sounding like a classic European Golden plover and the other sounding to my ear like that of an American golden! I got the birds in my binoculars and watched them land quite close again, to my great excitement one was indeed an American golden plover!! The other was a European golden. The AGP was a plain and quite bland looking individual leading me to think that it was a first-year (2nd calendar year) plumaged bird. A fantastic start to my days birding at the Mecca that is Tacumshin! I watched the bird for quite a while, obtaining some phonescoped images and footage before they both flew off to the South east end of the lake, the American was calling as it went.

First-summer (2nd calendar year) American golden plover... I then slowly walked towards the sluice area of the lake, and then crossing to the patches. Lots of birds on the patches including a flock of little egret feeding along the reed and grass fringes. One of which feeding among the egrets was the long staying first-year (2nd calendar year) Spoonbill which gave me the opportunity of some excellent views throughout the day. The bird showed quite a grey base to the bill, a good amount of retained immature feathering on the outer wing which was leading me to think that the bird was a first-year rather than a second-year. I also did some research on ageing of spoonbill to be sure I had the ageing correct. I never tire of seeing these magnificent birds as they feed by sweeping their bill from side to side through the water.

First-year (2nd calendar year) Spoonbill... As I walked a little further down towards the forgotten corner I decided to scan through main lake for the diving duck flock. Almost immediately I noticed a smallish diving duck with quite a peaked head, it could be could it! And after around 3 plus hours I nailed the bird in flight, it was in fact a female Lesser scaup!! This was the first record for Tacumshin, amazingly a species that had not been found here before! The bird kept close company with the tufted duck and didn’t interact much with the greater scaup present. A female long-tailed duck also among the mixed flock. Thankfully the lesser scaup hung around for a few days allowing many to connect with the bird. I saw the bird again on the 20th of April.

Two back of the camera images of the female Lesser Scaup in flight. Showing the key feature wing pattern of white across the secondaries with a sharp, transition to grey across the primaries.

Some more images of the female Lesser scaup. These images show the general shape of the bird, including the head and body size and shape among the tufted and greater scaup flock. A bird that I am glad I spent so much time on trying to make sure of its identification! The second lesser scaup I have now found in Co. Wexford after a first-winter male in October 2023, at Cahore marsh!!! Only 3 (possibly 2) county records of this species to date. While watching the lesser scaup I picked up a summer plumaged Long-billed dowitcher flying high overhead with black-tailed godiwt and redshank! Long-billed dowitcher 6th bird in from the left (snipe like shape)...

On the 20th I also connected with the purple heron at Tacumshin, oh and 3 short-eared owl and a stunning breeding plumaged male ruff! A magical few days of birding!!

Patch birding madness, Cahore marsh, October 2023.

October can be a good month for patch birding given autumn migration is in full swing. Though this year I didn’t expect my patch to go on such a good run! On my first visit for some time I picked up a glossy ibis flying in the distance before two more flew close by, leading me to think it was likely that three birds had been present. After a while I saw the three together. I then scanned picking up one then two juvenile curlew sandpipers, a rare bird for the patch and only my second and third ever! Followed by scanning to see a first-winter grey phalarope swimming and picking at the water’s surface at the south end of the now flooded marsh! A patch tick ✔️

Glossy ibis Cahore marsh, Ruff also with the 3 ibis in flight... Another visit a few days later and I had added cattle egret, three greater scaup (another patch tick ✔️) both Cetti’s warbler sang for a few hours also that day. And I then went on to scan a large mixed flock of black-tailed godwit, European golden plover and Eurasian teal to discover a long-billed dowitcher feeding among the mixed flock! Yet another patch tick ✔️ and one of my most desired!! Rev dowitcher proved to be very elusive and not showy when seen over the several days. Often just seen and heard while in flight around various areas of the marsh. And not to forgot the beaded reedlings that are regularly flitting among the reedbeds around the marsh, often catching glimpses or snatches of their characteristic ‘ping ping’ calls.

First-winter Grey phalarope and Juvenile Dunlin and 2 Curew sandpipers... A visit the next day was in order to see what could be found and what may still be present still on site. I scanned the tufted duck flock that has been present recently to find the three greater scaup still present along with a very intriguing individual. Not a greater scaup or tufted it seemed. The head shape had immediately struck me, the peak to the back of the head compared to the rounded head of the greater scaup especially really stud out! I couldn’t be looking at a lesser scaup on my north Wexford patch could I? After a few hours of distant views and phonescoped images I rang my father to let him know what I suspected I had found and then my good friend Brian Mccloskey for his views on my poor record images and for his knowledge on lesser scaup/diving duck identification. After eventually getting good views and better images I sent them onto Killian Mullarney whom was speedy to respond with exactly what I wanted to hear, he suggested that my bird looked good for a first-winter male lesser scaup but it would be good to see the bill pattern better as it appeared to show quick a lot of black away from the nib. I managed to capture some poor flight images of the bird in question and this nailed a perfect wing pattern of pale inner wing bar and greyish outer wing bar! I could also see the grey on the upperparts, mantle beginning to come through and white beginning to emerge along the brownish flanks. The bird often appeared slightly smaller and slighter than the tufted ducks it was present alongside and far smaller and slender than the three accompanying greater scaup.

First-winter male lesser scaup,with tufted duck, a first for Cahore and second for Co, Wexford...Also a female type Greater Scaup in flght image 1... I saw the bird again a couple of days later in fantastic morning light while guiding and could see the bill pattern (black restricted or mostly restricted to the nail, can be more valuable in first-years I believe) was just about spot on for a pure lesser scaup, good flight views also again and I don’t think there can be much doubt about this one! A mega for Co, Wexford and my patch! A selfinds tick ✔️ also to just add to the excitement!! While on this day’s guiding event I picked up a juvenile Goosander flying over the sand dunes and around the marsh, my fifth patch tick ✔️ in the month of October after a spell without any over the summer months (Which is usually to be expected when things can be very quiet on the patch).

Cattle egret and Greater scaup... With thanks to everyone whom gave me feedback on the lesser scaup.

Autumn birding 2023: Inishmore Island, Galway

Storms on the horizon and the chance of American birds hitting Irelands coastline gave myself and Joe Proudfoot an easy decision to make, with Hugh Delaney also heading out onto the island with us. We had to head west, this would give us the best opportunity of connecting with some of these American birds that had been migrating from north to South America and ended up blown across the Atlantic to Ireland. This sounded like a foolproof plan at the time, and in fairness it would make sense to base yourself on an island in the Atlantic after a storm has hit in autumn! Some fantastic birds had shown up before we left and even when we arrived on the island elsewhere in Ireland and the UK, giving us even more hope!

Inishmore... The weather conditions were never exactly easy to look for passerines in. Wind or rain was a feature of most of the 6 days on the island that we spent. Our original plan was 4 night but that soon changed when another storm left us with no option but to stay on the island an extra night. Arriving on Thursday last and leaving just yesterday (Tuesday). This was my first time on the Aran islands, and Inishmore to be exact. A lovely island, but for me a little too big and full of cover for searching for vagrant passerines. A pretty slow start for the most part, though Hugh did pull out a red-eyed vireo on the 21st which happened to be my 25th birthday! And I saw the bird on the 22nd which was a lifer for me, and giving me my 296th bird species that I have seen in Ireland to date! Which isn’t bad going for somewhere that isn’t a big twitcher. Joe stated that he picked up an interesting wigeon on the lake and for me to get on it with my scope. I did just that and after a while and some discussion we found eclipse male American wigeon to be the correct fit! The bird was among Eurasian wigeon which gave a nice comparison and contrast between the two species. Over the next few days we had very little of note seeing the American wigeon a few more times and very little else! An educational bird to pick up and spend some time watching!

A series of images of the eclipse male American wigeon. The grey head with contrasting dark eye mask, bright grey-blue bill, rufous flanks with clean white belly, clean white rather than grey-white (shown on Eurasian) axillaries on the underwing. striking bird even when seen at distance with binoculars. A brighter bird than Eurasian birds present. Always an enjoyable plumage to see in this species! Most likey to be the bird that spent the winter here for the past few years, but is not often found or looked for while in this eclipse plumage.

Red-eyed vireo... A difficult island to work and a bit of a slog at times, though we did book into a B&B that was around a forty to fifty minute walk from the west end of the island the the village! Which made things a little more difficult, the bikes did help but not always easy to cycle around all day! You win some and you lose some! Autumn isn’t over yet!

Leaving the island after 6 days! Pomarine and Arctic skua along with some European strom petrel seen from the ferry also.

Autumn birding, Wexford 2023.

Joe and myself on Tacumshin lake... Each autumn I plan on spending around a week around south Wexford birding. A nice break from the busy work schedule, though I often lead a few tours on the weekends while I’m down showing my clients what Wexford has to offer during the autumn migration. And these tours rarely disappoint! If you are interested in coming along just get in touch with me and I will organise an itinerary for some great birding!

Me seawatching at Carnesore point... This year was no different in terms of my plan of action, I stayed very close to Tacumshin lake being able to see parts of the main lake from the house I had rented out for the few days. Some months ago I was asked if I would be available and interested in doing some Co-leading of birding tours with Oriole birding whom had a birding group over from the UK. This was a great opportunity for me to begin to branch out my guiding business and work with a fantastic company that have been in the business for many years!

Young Whinchat at Tacumshin... After arriving back from Inishbofin on the 6th of September after a successful few days of leading tours on the island. I then made my way to Wexford on the morning of the 7th to Co-lead the Wensum valley birdwatching society from Norfolk while they arrived over for a four day birding trip with Ashley (Oriole birding). The first day got off to a nice start meeting the group and seeing what Tacumshin had to offer. We began our days birding at the forgotten corner, scanning the lake and surrounding areas. Ashley picked up a beautiful juvenile whinchat which is always a great sight in Ireland, and especially when this bird is likely to have arrived while on its migration south to Africa! The temperatures began to rise as the day progressed and birding was difficult, but we continued on and walked onto the lake from the high car park/east end. While on the lake we saw at least five juvenile little stint which showed well at times along with a handful of juvenile curlew sandpipers and not to forget a lovely dainty juvenile wood sandpiper also. A juv hen harrier showed nicely at times while it quartered the lakes edges and grasslands.

The gang watching the juvenile kentish plover at sunset on Tacumshin lake... After leaving the group after a days birding and a quick rest up. I then headed for stoney point at Tacumshin which gives a fantastic viewpoint over the lake and surrounding areas. As the light began to fade I noticed three glossy ibis had arrived in and had begun to preen on the lakes edge. Presumably the birds that have been around for some time now! I also had very distant views of a marsh harrier as it looked for its last potential meal of the day flying with the sunset in the background. A distant skua species over the beach had my interest for a few minutes as it harassed terns offshore, the bird appeared to be a pomarine on the general body structure, but unfortunately was too distant to be sure of its identification!

Juvenile little stint among dunlin Tacumshin... Day two of the tour and we headed out to Carnsore point in search of any migrants that may have arrived in the fog that night or early morning. Lots of activity with at least 10 blackcap feasting on berries, several common chiffchaff, a handful of common whitethroat, 2-3 spotted flycatcher and a sedge warbler present along the well vegetated lane to the point. The group walked the point with myself and Ashley and we had a nice flyby Merlin, and couple of white wagtails and some whimbrel around the main point area. But no rares that we had hoped for!

Spotted flycatcher Carnsore point... Churchtown was next on our agenda. 2 pied flycatcher had been here for a few days and we managed some very poor and brief views of both as they flicked from tree to tree. Always a nice bird to get during your tours and in general a good bird to see in Ireland! A few blackcap and common chiffchaff best of the rest in the area. A quick coffee pits top was needed at Carne, a scan around the area revealed some Mediterranean gulls flying around though little else of note. Rosslare back strand was quiet as the tide was still rather high, though a juvenile peregrine falcon gave a nice view for the group! A look around stoney point and the forgotten corner and we added marsh harrier to the trip list for all of the group, a common enough bird for the group back home but always a nice scarcity over here! It was then time to say our goodbyes to the gang. A nice two day Co-guiding to say the least!

Juvenile Kentish plover Tacumshin... A good friend of mine, Joe Proudfoot said he would join me in Wexford for a few days and we could bird around the area. And here’s what we say over the few days. We had brief views of a single pied and spotted flycatcher at churchtown, while an arctic skua was flying around offshore here also. We picked up a juvenile spotted redshank was a very welcome find at Lady’s island for myself and Joe, this is now a very scarce bird in Ireland and a difficult bird to see and find away from returning wintering individuals. A short-eared owl was a big surprise as it appeared from the thick fog at ring marsh on the evening of the 8th. While three glossy ibis flew out from the marsh also. Juvenile little stint, curlew sandpipers and one wood sandpiper had continued at Tacumshin. We did manage to track down the juvenile pectoral sandpiper also and that bird gave some nice though distant views while among the dunlin flocks. A little ringed plover have a high pitched call overhead on the lake on the 9th. The juvenile hen harrier was kicking about while we wandered the lakes shores also.

Short-eared owl Ring marsh...

Glossy ibis Ring marsh... On the evening of the 9th after some much needed resting. Myself and Joe headed out across the lake at Tacumshin in the hopes that something new may have dropped in! And our hopes soon became a reality when Joe said can I look at a bird in your scope. I said of course, Joe then asked me to look in and give my opinion on what this bird was. A plover species clearly when I looked in, and to my amaze this bird was a juvenile Kentish plover! A very rare bird for Ireland with around 20 Irish records to date!! Joe had just gone and picked up this magnificent bird which had really blown this trip out of the water! And for me it is always brilliant to be involved with finding something so rare! Killian Mullarney and Aidan Kelly had been standing with us chatting away as we scanned the flocks so they had been on hand to lend their expertise for this bird’s identification also. The bird flew off with some common ringed plover as it called and disappeared behind the Sandy dunes heading for the beach. We arrived the next morning to try and relocate the bird with no luck. After a few hours I received a phone call from Kieran Grace to say he had just found a juvenile buff-breasted sandpiper among the beach! Myself and Joe left the patches and slogger through the sand to get eyes on this magnificent wader species. The bird showed well for a short period before flying away down the beach out of sight. A good flock of white wagtails feeding along the seaweed gave some nice views there also. As did an arctic skua harassing gulls and seabirds just offshore. Hard to beat Tacumshin during migration!

Juvenile buff-breasted sandpiper on the beach, Tacumshin... A fantastic trip spent with great people and seeing great birds. Until the next one! Which will be leading tours in October of Inishbofin island, Galway in search of rare vagrants! Fingers crossed 🤞 Cian (The life of an Irish birder)