Author Archives: Tom Tarpey

A drake Garganey, a Ruff, three Gadwall, a Wigeon and about 1,000 Sand Martins accompanied by smaller numbers of Swallows and House Martins were at Coonagh this morning. The hirondines were roosting and feeding primarily in the upper lagoon.

A Buzzard was seen flying past the Coonagh Nature Reserve this afternoon. The bird was being mobbed by crows as it crossed the Shannon from the Mungret side and it disappeared from view as it moved down river. Three Swift, 70 Lapwing, three Dunlin and 30 Teal were also seen at the site.

A pair of Garganey was seen on the small middle pond at Coonagh today. The drake was in eclipse plumage. Also present were 22 Tufted Duck, 12 Mallard, four Teal, two Pochard, two Gadwall, six Redshank, two Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit, a Snipe, 12 Great-crested Grebes, 55 Little Grebes, 30 Mute Swans, 226 Coot, 34 Moorhens, a Little Egret and a Grey Heron.
A Common Sandpiper was at the Charleville Lagoons.

A family party of five Gadwall was at the Coonagh Nature Reserve this morning. Good numbers of juvenile passerines were also evident including several Sedge Warblers, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps as well as a Grasshopper Warbler, numerous Stonechats, Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits.