Page 18 - Out Birding Feb 2025

Summer Birding in Ireland
It may not have been the best of summers weather wise here on the Irish South Coast but it was a good summer for me with many ‘’firsts’’ . Here in Ireland as I have probably men􏰀oned previously, we are not as well off for species as the UK and if we do get rare migrants, they are o􏰁en in single numbers and not mul􏰀ples.
I will list some of ‘’my firsts’’ before I come to the most recent one which was indeed a rare treat. Between May and August, I was privileged to see a Northern Harrier, Marsh Harrier and Montagu’s Harrier, Long-billed Dowitcher, Savi’s Warbler, Black Tern, Li􏰂le Gull, Li􏰂le Tern, Spoonbill, Lesser Scaup, Bearded Reedling and in early August within a half hour of home, a Red-necked S􏰀nt. There had been, I think, only 5 previous Irish records of this bird, I am not sure about the UK. It was found near Ballyco􏰂on, on the south coast and a well-known bird hotspot. The two finders are very experienced birders and soon a􏰁er spo􏰃ng it on August 1st excitement mounted and engines roared to get to the spot as the 􏰀de was just right.
The Red-necked S􏰀nt moved in the company of Sanderling and Ringed Plover. The beach is a popular spot for dog walkers. Unfortunately, this caused constant disturbance to the birds. Each 􏰀me the group of li􏰂le waders were disturbed, the s􏰀nt had to be re-found and there were some days it wasn’t seen. I was certainly delighted to see it on day one and it is a bird I never thought I would be able to add to my Irish list. It was one of our few very hot days and a bit of heat haze didn’t help the quality of the photograph but a decent record shot of a super bird to add to one’s list.
Dorothy
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