Swords Estuary (1)

"Feeding the Swans"

Mary, Evan and Riin with a few individuals from what I believe to be,

 the largest colony of mute swans in Ireland. 

"Under The Concrete"
Despite the protests, the "new" motorway flyover does not appear to have
adversly affected the wildlife on Swords Estuary.

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)
Broadmeadow River regular.

"Pony Trekking"
Morning exercise for two local horses.

Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
I think this was possibly the first little egret I ever photographed in Ireland. 

Brrrrrr!
Thin shafts of a winter's morning sun on frosty Broadmeadow River.

Redshank (Triga totanus)
Common on the estuary for much of the year,

Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopis)
A rare visitor to the estuary. This is the only one I have ever photographed there.

Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)
A newly fledged bird surveys his surroundings.

Common Pheasant (Phasiarius colchicus)
Originally an introduced species from Asia, but now widespread in Ireland.
Often seen in fields around the Estuary particularly when they are in stubble.

Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
This species, while not being as common as it's close relative the house
sparrow (Passer domesticus) is regularly found in small groups in the
hedgerows bordering the north shore of the estuary.

Whooper Swan (Cygnus cygnus)
An uncommon visitor to the Estuary from it's breeding
grounds in northern Scandinavia and Arctic Tundra.

Coal Tit (Parus ater)
This is the Irish race of the common woodland bird, and can be found for much of the year in the hedgerows and bushes around the Estuary.

Ruff (Philomachus pugnax)
Breeds in northern tundra and occasionally stops on the estuary, while on  migration in early spring and autumn. The male is on the right while the smaller female,  the reeve, is to the left.

Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus)
Breeds in Greenland and Iceland and although common in winter on the north sea coasts of the UK is uncommon in Ireland. This was the first "pink foot" I ever saw on the Estuary. 

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
Breeds on moorland and bog , mainly in northern and western counties of Ireland. Congregates in large flocks on the east coast in winter. This individual was pictured on a cold January day on the northern shore of the Estuary.

Greenshank (Tringa nebulria)
Nests in Northern Scandinavia and on Arctic tundra. Common on the estuary outside the breeding season.

Goosander (Mergus merganser)
Widespread throughout Europe but scarce in Ireland. In fact this was the first goosander I had ever seen here and although it was at a distance from the camera and well out on the Estuary. I felt it was worth recording.

Common Ink-cap (Coprinus atramentarius)
Pictured under the road bridge on the south side of the estuary. When picked fresh,  before the gills turn black, this fungi can be eaten but should never, ever be consumed with alcohol as this will lead to very painful and long lasting stomach cramps and discomfort.

Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
Breeds in North and East Europe, with many birds overwintering in Ireland.
Never abundant in large numbers , they are, however regular visitors to the Estuary.

Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus)
This is an Asian species and thought to be an escapee from a bird collection
that was once based on nearby Lambay Island off the Co. Dublin coast.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Regular visitors to the Estuary where they feed on the numerous
small fishes in the shallow water 

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)
Regularly seen on the Estuary, particularly at low tide when they feed on the exposed mud banks.
This bird is in summer plumage and is probably ready to fly off to the breeding grounds on
 marsh and bog in Northern Europe, Shetland Islands and Iceland.

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)I have observed this, most common of Irish gulls, on the Estuary in every month of the year.
They seem to hold little fear of humans and will often swoop down to take bread,
 intended for swans on the northern shore.

Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata)
Despite being Ireland's most common diver, this is the only one I have ever seen in the Estuary,
It  had spent an entire winter there and is pictured a day or two before it left in spring
probably to fly north to its breeding grounds

Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus) & Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
These two species can often be confused, but the all white flight feathers of the Mediterranean Gull differentiate it.
 It is only recently that the Med. Gull has started to turn up in the Estuary and I can only assume
 that they are spreading out from their recently established colony at Sandycove, South Dublin.

Iceland Gull (Larus glaucoides)
Breeds in Greenland and Northern Canada and is a rare winter visitor to Ireland.
This is the first one I have ever  observed on Swords Estuary, and from it's colouration
I estimate it to be a juvenile and almost certainly a 1st winter bird.