I am stretching out my arms and embracing that Leaving Cert weather on my skin. How're we all keeping cool? Couple ice cubes in the glass of water, t-shirts and shorts, fans on full blast? This month's bird is partial to hanging around the seaside in summer, and they look it, too, with that little… Continue reading Gannet – Divers of the Wine-Dark Sea
For any of my fellow green thumbs out there, how are we finding the return to the garden? I feel so much better while I'm pottering about, and of course the flowers help lift my spirits. Almost feels like I've been transported to a new place. Unfortunately there is still the rain to contend with.… Continue reading Sedge Warbler – Dreamworks’ Over The Sedge
This has been one of the rainiest starts to the year in a long time. A dry morning has you thinking you're safe but come lunch time, that fine misty spray will start tumbling in the breeze — if you're lucky. If you're not, the torrential downpour will last for twenty minutes, tops, before dissipating;… Continue reading Shoveler – Sporting the Tricolour for Paddy’s Day
Can you feel that chill in the air? The hazy season of magic is almost upon us; the veils between worlds are beginning to thin. All manner of spirits are drifting onto on our plane, and today we're going to be talking about one who takes the form of a bird. Shy and elusive, they… Continue reading Jay – The Spirit of the Forest
Happy Tuesday; happy July; happy birthday to me! My birthday wish this year was to write about a bird I really like for my birth month's bird blog — which meant hoofing it to get pictures of them in time for the big day. Though their shape is iconic, they are nimble fiends that never… Continue reading Long-Tailed Tit – The Flying Teaspoon
We interrupt your regularly scheduled Bird Blog to bring you an important news bulletin. Summer is quite an exciting time for birding because we get so many colourful characters flying in from oversees; many of them expected and some of them not. The bird we'll be talking about today is an example of the latter,… Continue reading Red-Footed Falcon – A Surprise Vagrant!
Lá Bealtaine shona daoibh; Happy Beltane! The hazy sun and dried grass have me itching for a cold drink, sunglasses, and some tunes. What a time to be welcoming the summer solstice. Traditionally this holiday has ties to the robin, but in light of an ghrian ag scoilteadh na gcloch, we've decided to talk about… Continue reading Stonechat – Between a Rock and a Prickly Place
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
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