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Tolka Branch Trip
Report
Kilcoole,
County Wicklow - 18th February 2012
by Philip Clancy
Sea watching at Kilcoole (Photo by
Phillip Clancy)
Despite the forecast for rain, over 20
Tolka Members met at Kilcoole car park this morning. After
getting out of the cars we were straight away greeted by a
beautiful Peregrine Falcon doing laps of the car park high
above our heads.
Other Raptors on the day included 2 Kestrels,
Merlin and a ringtail Hen Harrier. Two Stonechat
were nice to see at the start of the walk and almost straight away
we were greeted by the sound of Skylarks - a wonderful
spring sound.
Other birds seen included Teal, Shoveler,
Wigeon, Mallard, Shelduck, Grey Heron,
Little Egret, 5 Red-throated Divers, Little Grebe,
Dunlin, Ringed Plover, and Golden Plover
which also put on a beautiful display for us in the strong winter
sun. The wind as well as the Geese and Swans being
so far away lead to distant views on the day and so it was
virtually impossible to pick out a Bewick Swan or a Bean Goose. We
did however count about 80 Whooper Swans, lots of Greylag
& Brent Geese.
Highlights of the day were a Glossy
Ibis which was picked up flying towards us. It then went right
over our heads and on towards Newcastle.
The other highlight was
10 Snow Bunting at Greystones. A great day was had by all.
Snow Buntings at Greystones (Photo by
Phillip Clancy)
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