Page 19 - Out Birding August 2022

DorothyÕs Irish Diary
The month of May got off to a good start with a single Greater Sand Plover being spotted in Tramore Co. Waterford. Certainly a bird that stood out in the crowd among the Ringed Plovers (though the Ringed Plovers were not too impressed with the new visitor) . It stayed for about 4 days before moving on.
Anyone who follows the round-up in Bird-guides may be familiar with a location in Ireland that gets a frequent mention, Whites Marsh, near Clonakilty in County Cork. It’s a marsh area at one side and the sea across the road. It is one of those spots where absolutely everything and anything pops up there. The last week of May was no ex- ception and loud calls went out that a Squacco Heron was present as well as a Purple Heron.
A few days went by before I was free to make the couple of hours journey to Whites Marsh on the 31st May, I was afraid it might have disappeared before I got there. Thankfully I was not disappointed. Whilst I did not get to see the Purple Heron I took my place in the line to view the absolutely beautiful Squacco Heron. A much smaller bird than I expected and, when in close proximity to our native Grey Heron, the size difference was comparable to that of the Little Egret and Large Egret. Just a total of six previous County records for a Squacco Heron dating from the mid 1800’s to 2014...so indeed a rare sight and a rare treat.
Going back to January/ February we were treated to a single Yellow Browed Warbler in nearby Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. This bird stayed around for about three weeks or so and gave ample opportunities for viewing as it settled into one small area near a stream. A lively little bird, I caught up with it three or four times and, at the risk of stating the obvious, there was no mistaking it with its ‘Yellow Brow’.
Dorothy
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