County Louth Coach Outing - 10th November 2024.
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South Dublin Members, Shore Road, 10th November 2024 (picture: Des Higgins)
Dundalk Bay and the Cooley peninsula, Co. Louth, include some of the most expansive mudflats, estuaries and salt marshes in Ireland and so are prime locations for observing winter wildfowl and waders and are also renowned for inviting a variety of unusual vagrants and passage migrants.
The previous South Dublin branch outing to County Louth was in March 2019 and so a return visit was overdue. This year 17 participants rendezvoused in Dun Laoghaire for the coach departure to Dundalk at 08:00. The weather throughout the day was unseasonably mild and calm, and it only rained for short periods during the early morning.
Golden Plover and Lapwing, Lurgangreen, 10th November 2024 (picture: Robin Pollard)
After a brief stop-off at Castlebellingham for coffee, the group arrived at its first destination Lurgangreen, which is an open flat area of salt marsh and mudflats at the estuary of the River Fane. On arrival, the group was greeted by the sound of significant numbers of cackling Greylag Geese overhead but that was nothing compared to the spectacle soon after when an astonishing drama unfolded involving thousands of European Golden Plover and Northern Lapwings in huge murmurations stretching across the sky. The joyous sight rendered many present almost speechless. Sadly, these once common beautiful waders are now on the red list of the species of most conservation concern in Ireland.
The tide was low, and all the common waders present were feeding as were Light-bellied Brent and Greylag Geese, but the much scarcer Pink-footed Goose was absent, although they are known do turn up occasionally at the location.
Redshank, Lurgangreen, 10th November 2024 (picture: Robin Pollard)
The sighting of a solitary and very distant white egret caused considerable debate as to whether it was a Great White Egret or simply an atypical view of its now common relative the Little Egret. By comparison Little Egrets are smaller, have yellow feet and black bills. The mystery bird did appear to have black feet however it lacked the yellow beak of the Great White but to obfuscate matters it was mentioned that Great White Egrets can have blackish bills though usually only in the breeding season.
Although rare in Ireland these Grey Heron-sized birds have been increasingly seen in recent years to such an extent there have now been 237 records since the first in 1984. Without other nearby bird species to act as size references it was impossible to judge our bird’s height. It was also plausible that mud was masking the birds’ yellow feet so the consensus was that it was merely a Little Egret!
Wigeon, Castletown River, 10th November 2024 (picture: Robin Pollard)
A heavy shower then began and so without shelter the group reluctantly retreated to the bus to travel on to the next stop which was the Shore Road just outside Dundalk town. The Shore Road is regarded as the best east-coast location in Ireland for winter Twite as well as being dependable for Merlin, Peregrine and Hen Harrier. Certainly as we scanned across its marshy terrain, complete with wooden posts and thick hedgerows it looked ideal for all these.
Alas, despite spending about an hour in the vicinity there were no Twite sightings nor of anything more significant than Stonechats and a few Meadow Pipits, nevertheless it was a very scenic place and well worth the visit though probably more promising for Twite later in the winter. Twite is a small finch that resembles a warm bran-coloured Linnet and in Ireland mostly breeds in Mayo and Donegal and seldom move far with the Louth population being mostly winter visitors from Scotland.
Greenshank, Dundalk Docks, 10th November 2024 (picture: Robin Pollard)
Next on the itinerary was Dundalk Port where the group arrived at around midday, stopping beside the Spirit Store Pub. High tide was not due for about two hours giving ample time for closeups of ducks and waders. There were stunning views of Teal, a common enough duck, which for that reason is under appreciated despite the drake having the most dazzling brightly coloured and intricately marked plumage to rival any duck species in the world. There were dozens of feeding Redshanks scurrying on the mud, however there were no Spotted Redshanks seen amongst them which was a pity because Dundalk Bay has a reputation for frequent sightings of this rare passage migrant in wintertime.
Spotted Redshank can be surprisingly difficult to differentiate from the Common Redshank unless both species are in proximity for comparison. Spotted Redshank has a longer bill and legs, a red colored lower mandible, a white eye stripe and absence of a white upper wing bar in flight. More easily identified and just as lovely were the Greenshanks, which were present in good numbers as well as many other waders including Black-tailed Godwit. There was a wonderful view of a Golden Plover looking almost fulgent in the sunshine. It is hard to believe that this unobtrusive little bird species was responsible for creating that enormous airborne display witnessed earlier at Lurgangreen.
Linnets, Gyles Quay, 10th November 2024 (picture: Robin Pollard)
It was next decided to walk the short distance towards the Tain Bridge situated at the upper docks area along the Castletown River path adjacent to Bellew Park. It was there that the group encountered members from the Cavan branch of BirdWatch Ireland who were coincidentally visiting Dundalk the same day giving the opportunity for bird sighting information to be exchanged.
This path was not only scenic but had plentiful waders to be surveyed on the banks of the river including one of our target species for the day, namely the Ruff. Ruff can be overlooked particularly if amongst large numbers of the somewhat similar looking Redshank, however with careful attention it has standout features including superbly scalloped back markings, light orange legs, with an overall pale ochre appearance and has a slow plodding feeding behaviour and is much less active than other waders like Redshank. The Ruff is a passage migrant to Ireland and the bird observed may have arrived in from Scandinavia or even western Russia on its way to the southern Mediterranean to overwinter however it is known that a few do remain on the south coast of Ireland.
Buzzard, Carlingford, 10th November 2024 (picture: Robin Pollard)
We were spoilt for Snipe sightings on branch outings during 2024, but the views seen at the Dundalk docks trumped all others as not only were four seen together but, on this occasion, they were also out in the open rather than discretely sitting on the edge of reedbeds!
Next up we traveled on to the Cooley Peninsula and along the coast to Gyles Quay for lunch, taking the opportunity to gaze out to sea in the warm sunshine. Lamentably, there was little birdlife on the water and so attention was diverted inland to a flock of Linnets gathered on overhead cables in case there were Twite amongst them. As there were a few hours left before sunset it was thought a promising idea was to travel over to the picturesque and popular tourist destination of Carlingford town to check out marine birds on Carlingford Lough.
Great Northern Diver, Carlingford Lough, 10th November 2024 (picture: Robin Pollard)
On arrival at a very crowded Carlingford, the tide was high and not much birdlife was apparent. An optimistic scan over the water from the pier revealed only a few Great Crested Grebes but then we struck gold with the sighting of a nearby Great Northern Diver still in its resplendent summer breeding plumage and when the bird stood itself above the water to flap its wings it felt like an applause from everyone would have been fitting! The groups commotion soon brought over curious bystanders. The author spoke to a tourist from Barcelona who courageously confessed to being a birdwatcher and on seeing the handsome charismatic diver for the first time exclaimed it was one of highlights of his trip to Ireland!
The Great Northern Diver does not breed in Ireland but is a fairly common winter and occasional summer visitor along our coastline. However, it is usually only seen offshore and identifiable by its characteristic powerful build and thick dagger-like bill in silhouette. If seen at close quarters inshore in Ireland it is most likely to be in its dull cormorant-like winter plumage. Therefore, it was a treat to see the bird in all its summer glory with its jet-black head and striking garnet-red eye and the exquisitely marked black and white checkered back. The bird we observed would probably have originated from a summer breeding ground in Iceland or possibly Greenland. This diver species is also found in North America where it is famously known as Common Loon. During the breeding season the Loon makes an eery wailing call often included in horror films set in the wilderness to evoke a creepy atmosphere. If you are unfamiliar with it, do check it out and it will become a bird call you will not forget!
Some More Pictures
Birds
Some more pictures of birds seen taken on the day by Robin Pollard.
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South Dublin Members
Some more pictures of South Dublin members taken on the day by Shane Kerr.
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As sunset approached the group began the journey back to Dublin at around 16:30 but did make a brief roadside coastal stop to view some interesting gatherings of ducks and waders. The ducks were mostly Wigeon and the viewing of them was dramatically interrupted when a Buzzard appeared gliding low down over the beach to then land on distant rocks.
A total of 64 bird species were recorded on the day, details of which can be found here on eBird where branch member Simon Robinson posted details of our tally. Des Higgins led the event assisted by the author. Special thanks to branch member Robin Pollard for providing his excellent photos and to branch secretary Mary Daly for organising the outing. Finally, a shout-out to first time outing attendees Sean and Dolores Hayes, we hope you will join us again!