South Dublin Branch - Outing Report

Bluethroat - Ballycotton, Cork (photo: Paul & Andrea Kelly)

West Pier, Dun Laoghaire - 12th January 2025.

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Some of the South Dublin that took part in our first outing in 2025. Picture by Gustavo Zoladz.

South Dublin Members, West Pier, Dun Laoghaire, 12th January 2025 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)

After a bitterly cold beginning to 2025 the weather quickly changed to being unseasonably mild right on cue for our first outing of the year which was to the West Pier in Dun Laoghaire that was last visited by the branch in October 2023. A group of 31 gathered in the Salthill car park at 10:00 in bright sunshine and calm conditions. The journey towards the pier began with a brief scan over Dublin Bay from the grassy slopes of the adjacent Apna Park.

The high tide meant there were few wading birds about apart from Turnstones, which were present in good numbers. This was an impressive species for the beginners present as they are easily recognisable and as one of the least shy of waders, they can be watched from only a few metres distance.

Common Scoter, although a rare breeder in the northwest, much more familiar as a winter visitor off the coast. Picture by Gustavo Zoladz.

Common Scoter, Dublin Bay, 12th January 2025. (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)

There was little to see on the water however a distant group of about six Common Scoters were located. Those seeing these little sea-ducks for the first time expressed surprise as to how anyone could readily identify them based upon their appearance as nothing more than inky black spots floating amidst the choppy waves.

Experienced birders realise there is little else they can be confused with as they are almost all-black and with patience they can be observed forward leaping before diving and will exhibit their characteristic habit of wing flapping while holding their heads down. The less common Velvet Scoter can sometimes associate with Common Scoters but although similar looking they possess distinctive white underwing patches which are most apparent when in flight. Scoters seldom come inshore during winter months and so are often overlooked and are best viewed from a boat at sea

A Herring Gull gets a bird's eye view of a Cormorant flotilla. Picture by Gustavo Zoladz.

Cormorants, Dublin Bay, 12th January 2025. (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)

There was a raft of about 70 Cormorants which landed on the water near to the pier with a few Great Crested Grebes seen nearby and within the harbour there was a close-up view of a Black Guillemot inconspicuous in its drab winter plumage.

Although it was an invigorating walk and there were many great conversations it had been a little disappointing from the birdwatching perspective. However, for the few who persevered by returning to the park there was a rewarding experience awaiting. While focusing on the area around the water treatment plant there was a sighting, albeit at considerable distance, of a solitary Black-throated Diver which had been reported in that vicinity the previous day. This bird also known as the Arctic Loon is much scarcer than the Red-throated and Great Northern Divers which are also mostly only winter visitors to Irish coasts.

A winter plumages Black Guillemot rounds a buoy in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Picture by Gustavo Zoladz.

Black Guillemot, Dun Laoghaire Harbour, 12th January 2025. (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)

Several of those who saw it including people who had been birdwatching for decades declared the sighting as a 'lifer' which is birding jargon for a bird species seen anywhere for the first time personally. In their bland winter plumage, both Black-throated and Red-throated Divers can at first glance look similar, but they do have a few distinguishing features. Firstly, the Black-throated Diver’s neck plumage is vertically divided almost equally between black and white whereas the Red-throated Divers neck which is more snake-like is mostly whitish.

The Black-throated Diver often swims with its bill pointing horizontally as opposed to the upwards tilt typical of the Red-throated Diver. The Black-throated Diver also has a distinctive white patch on its rear flank seen just above the waterline. Both these birds are of course instantly identifiable when in their superbly coloured summer breeding plumage but unfortunately that is seldom witnessed in Ireland. Some breeding populations occur in northern Scotland, but most are to be found in Scandinavia or other northern European regions.

Grey Seal, a regular sight around Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Picture by Gustavo Zoladz.

Grey Seal, Dun Laoghaire Harbour, 12th January 2025. (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)

Des Higgins led the event which concluded at about 12:00 with 24 species counted the details of which can be viewed on this eBird webpage kindly provided by branch member Simon Robinson.

Shane Kerr

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