Happy April, happy Earth month! Veteran readers know that we here at the Bird Blog are all about putting the spotlight on Irish birds, who desperately need our help in combating the effects of climate change. But birds are part of a wider ecosystem, whose other members could also use some time in the public… Continue reading Tufted Duck – Show Some (Freshwater Pearl) Mussel!
Daffodils, show me your sunny crowns! That 10-day period of no sun had me brooding and contemplative, to the point where even writing felt like a colourless activity. It's also not the best weather for birdwatching, but I must say the twittering symphony of birdsong has helped me keep it together while waiting for the… Continue reading Meadow Pipit – The Changeling’s Prey
Lá Fhéile Bríde shona daoibh; Happy Imbolc! The razor sharp wind and dreary grey skies may not seem very festive, but the worse the weather is on Brigid's day, the shorter the period of time before spring is finally here (or so we hope). In honour of our principal lady saint, we'll be talking about… Continue reading Oystercatcher – Brigid’s Bird
New year, same Bird Blog! After the whirlwind of glittery lights and cinnamon-y smells that is December, it's nice to be settling into 2025 with the quiet meditative process of writing about a bird - and what a bold bird it is! We're the starting the year off right with a bird who's brash, loves… Continue reading Brent Goose – They’re Good Geese, Brent
Before we close out the year we get to enjoy (or endure, depending on your view) a month of holiday cheer, and personally I'm looking forward to seeing the decorations lighting up these dark December evenings. The bird we've picked to end the 2024 Bird Blog calendar is something of a festive fan themselves, with… Continue reading Blackbird – The Colly Caroler
O melancholy, thy name is November. Is anyone else feeling the seasonal mood drop between Halloween and Christmas? I know I am; every fibre of my being wants to hole up in a nest of blankets and sleep for 32 hours. Fortunately, I know the remedy for this feeling is getting up early to take… Continue reading Black-tailed Godwit – From Iceland to Irish Shores
The heaviness of autumn has truly draped itself upon us. At some point in the last couple of weeks the world became just a little more muffled under the constant pattering of rain. I know that soon I'll be listening to the wind keening down the chimney and breathing in the smoky haze of winter… Continue reading Rook – Resplendent Requiems
It's already over. Summer lasted thirty seconds and I didn't even get to go on a picnic? I had to pull a jacket out of the wardrobe the other day? I am craving soup? Truth be told, I like autumn. It suits my complexion, my outfits look better, and I can buy a hot chocolate… Continue reading Pigeon – From Cliffs to Cobblestones
Summer is finally in full-swing and that means folks are flocking outdoors! While you're enjoying fish and chips on the pier or a sambo in St. Stephen's Green, I'm sure you're keeping your eyes peeled for any crafty gulls trying to sidle up to you to nab a nibble. We're all well accustomed to herring… Continue reading Great Black-Backed Gull – The Maritime Marauder
Here's a fun fact for you: my birthday is in July, and for my birth month, I wanted to talk about a bird that's as iconic as I am. We're lucky to be blessed by high-flying, long-haul bird travellers from far away places, and this month's bird is no exception. But they're also a familiar… Continue reading Swallow- Summer’s Skyborne Sign
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