Visit to Murrisk Abbey
Sunday 29th October 2006
The weather was kind to us with only a few spots of rain on the Sunday afternoon.  We had a good turnout at the abbey, some of the visitors were new to this area and spent time enjoying identifying the birds they could see.

Although it was early in the season for all the waders to be present, we still had a good turnout with plenty of Greenshank which we compared with their cousins the Redshank, also present but in smaller numbers.   A Grey Heron kept us amused as it moved around the bay being spotted by different individuals throughout the afternoon.  Curlew were, as always, present, and showed a good comparison to the Bar Tailed Godwit feeding nearby.  Oystercatchers were easy to identify, whilst the Turnstone were well camouflaged as they fed among the kelp.

A small number of gulls were present, and we managed to get views of the Common Gull and Black Headed Gull in winter plumage.  The obligatory Cormorant passed by.

Oystercatchers - (Lorraine Shelley)
one of the easier waders to identify 

Wendy Explains How It's Done
While the Rest of us Look For Birds!
Mallard were seen feeding alongside Teal at the waters' edge, whilst Mergansers kept us guessing at they dived for food just as we got the scope on them!  A long discussion on the Mergansers took place, at one point we were convinced they were Goosanders, but was told later that this was unlikely, so had to agree they were too far out to be sure.

Other birds seen near the abbey were Hooded Crows, Pied Wagtail and a pipit sitting on a rock near the water.  After careful consideration, we decided that the leg colour deemed it to be a Meadow Pipit on a day trip out to fool us.

Towards the end of the afternoon a small group of us went in search of the Little Egret, and were delighted to get excellent views of one of the pair in the area at Annagh.  We also got good views of Greenshank, again in good numbers, Mergansers and Curlew, before we all heading in for a warm.

Next outing to view waders - 3rd December, Westport Quay (by the football pitch) from 12noon - 2pm.