Wexford
Direct Organiser(s) / Sponsor(s):
Raven Nature Reserve
Bird List:
- Fulmar
- Red-throated Diver
- Cormorant
- Grey Heron
- Mallard
- Pheasant
- Great Black-backed Gull
- Herring Gull
- Sandwich Tern
- Woodcock
- Whimbrel
- Wood Pigeon
- Stock Dove
- Collard Dove
- Swift
- Wren
- Song Thrush
- Blackbird
- Robin
- Stonechat
- Wheatear
- Swallow
- Great Tit
- Coal Tit
- Greenfinch
- Chaffinch
- Goldfinch
- Blackcap
- Whitethroat
- Chiffchaff
- Goldcrest
- Starling
- Willow Warbler
- Goldcrest
- Treecreeper
- Starling
- Rook
- Jackdaw
- Magpie
- House Sparrow
Event Information
| Date | 4-May-2008 |
|---|---|
| Start Time | 0430 |
| Location | Raven Barrier Curracloe Wexford |
| Admission | NIL |
| Breakfast | Hotel Curracloe |
| Suitable for children | Yes |
| Contact | Christopher J Wilson |
| cjwilson@eircom.net | |
| Telephone | NIL |
| Additional Information | Hotel Curracloe |
| Stories | |
| All set for the early morning start - event published in local papers, anounced at the Naturalist Field Club Event, advertised on a number of Web Sites - ah-ha, we had not really expected the torrential rain at 3.45am - Well this is Ireland and when it rains it just gets softer. And did it get softer!! Don Conroy (RTE celeb) was going to be there - we could not risk him turning up to an empty forest - so away we went. It poured - and all 16 of us, the smallest crowd we had had in 14 years of the event taking place - had a ball (normally get around 100 to 150 turning up - but then pouring rain, wind.... does subdue those who were on the 'tear' the night before). Well when you are wet what can you do? Yes, just enjoy. It certainly supressed the start of the chorus - a Woodcock started things going as it completed its roding path - then the chorus came and we were certainly treated to a real Spring Dawn Chorus. When the sounds reduced we had a walk through the forest up into the dunes and looked out over the sea to watch the sun come up - it did peep out and we were treated to Sandwich Terns fishing along the tide line, a Red-throated Diver fly past and an unusual Fulmar passing. Great to see the first Swifts of the year, listen to at least 3 singing Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps and a Whitethroat chortling. The early start allowed views of a late Pipistrell Bat hunting and to end the walking part we headed over to one of the dune slacks where early sprouting Adder's Toung plants were already in view. All then headed for Hotel Curracloe where we enjoyed an Xcelent fully cooked Breakfast and steaming hot mugs of Tea - fantastic group, and some great Irish craik...... | |
