Broad Lough, Wicklow - 8th September 2024.
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South Dublin Members, Broad Lough, 8th September 2024 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
It had been almost exactly a year since the last visit made by the South Dublin branch to the Broad Lough in County Wicklow, a place of rich habitat diversity that invites a wide variety of bird species including some rarities, especially during the early autumn when bird migration is underway.
About 25 individuals, including some newcomers, assembled along the roadside at the Irish Biofuel plant at 10:00 before walking towards the lough. The weather was mild and dry with a slight haze and a fresh breeze. Along the path it was apparent that the flowering season had ended earlier than the previous year with only sporadic patches of Sea Aster, Sea Lavender and Viper’s Bugloss remaining in bloom. The summer had been generally poor for butterflies in Ireland and on the trip only the occasional Meadow Brown and Speckled Wood were observed.
Little Grebe, Broad Lough, 8th September 2024 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
The first bird to draw attention was a Raven that was being mobbed by Hooded Crows. Raven numbers and their habitat range have increased in Ireland only in recent years and so many present were unfamiliar with them and on how to distinguish them from other crows especially at a distance where their larger size may not be obvious. The easiest ways are to recognise this iconic bird are firstly to listen out for their distinctive deep harsh "cronking" call, which once heard is unforgettable and secondly to look for the silhouette of their wedge/diamond- shaped tail in flight (as opposed to the fan tail of other crows).
If observed in early spring, Ravens can be seen engaging in extraordinary playful aerial courtship displays not seen in other Corvids, which involve rapid ascending and free-fall tumbling dives and sometimes a bonded pair will even interlock their talons together while in action!
Greenshank, Broad Lough, 8th September 2024 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
Although a male and female Raven strongly bond for life their courtship behaviour continues each year perhaps helping to cement their togetherness whatever the reason it is joy to behold. Ravens are amongst the most intelligent of all birds for example they can mimic the calls of foxes (and wolves) to alert them to the presence of a carcass which the birds then leave to the animals to tear open and in reward the animals share their spoil with the Ravens. Ravens are omnivores feeding on carrion and young birds and eggs, but they live mostly on invertebrates, grains, and berries.
Arriving at the lough the tide was quite low giving an opportunity to see a variety of feeding birds and the brightness of the morning made plumage colours stand out aiding recognition. There were quite a few species to see but none in significant numbers apart from gulls, but this made it easier to pick out individuals for identification to show the novice bird watchers present.
Black-tailed Godwit, Broad Lough, 8th September 2024 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
Amongst the common waders and heron such as Black-tailed Godwits, Redshank, Little Egret and Oystercatchers there were terrific textbook views of Greenshanks. Greenshanks are slightly larger than Redshank and have a brilliant white belly and an overall pale grey appearance. Disappointingly for some Greenshank legs are not brightly coloured like the Redshank and only appear weakly green even under good light conditions. However, it was a first-time sighting of it for some on the trip.
Buzzards were soaring and Curlews heard, and many Swallows skimmed over the water catching flies on the move in preparation for their long migration to southern Africa. However, no Sandwich Terns showed up this year and there were surprisingly few songbirds around possibly due to increasing strength of the wind over the morning. A watchout was kept for otters which sometimes can appear but alas none were seen.
Snipe, Broad Lough, 8th September 2024 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
Bird of the day, and not for the first time on an outing this year, was the humble Snipe. An inconspicuous solitary one was spotted feeding at the edge of the reed bed and was observed by almost everyone. There was an obvious affection for the little wader especially for those seeing it for the first time. The Snipe took to flight and was joined by two others. A group of Snipe is known as a "Whisp".
Broad Lough is famous for guest appearances from passing Ospreys on their autumn migration to west Africa and one had been present about a week prior to our visit however, unfortunately none were evident on the morning so maybe next year!
Little Egret, Broad Lough, 8th September 2024 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
On the return walk back to the road the group took a detour across the rail track to scan across the sea and the coastal embankment to check for anything of interest especially Stonechats or Wheatears, but it was noticeably quiet. During the summer Manx Shearwaters can often watched out at sea from the same location, but they were by now well on their migration to south America to escape our winter.
A modest 26 bird species were counted in total, and the relaxing return walk in beautiful sunshine and fresh sea air (well, not so fresh when back at the Biofuel Plant!) was completed by 12:30. A few people then headed off to the reed beds at Five-Mile-Point about 5km north of Broad Lough for a chance sighting of Bearded Reedlings which had been reported there in recent days.
Meadow Pipit, Broad Lough, 8th September 2024 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
A big thank you to Des Higgins for leading the adventure. A special call out must be given to the young people who attended on the morning and hope they and others will come along on future outings. For anyone reading this report who has considered joining an event but has never done so please do not hesitate you will be made warmly welcome regardless of knowledge or not being a BirdWatch Ireland member.