Young Robin - taken 2009 in back garden - Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

WEEKLY TWEET

When was the last time you actually watched wildlife in your back garden?

Today? Last week? Can't remember? In today's modern world, we are finding it increasingly difficult to relax and take time out from work or family. This blog is to remind you all of the free entertainment that we can enjoy each and every day - WILDLIFE!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Wexford Wildfowl

Decided yesterday that it was much too sunny to sit and watch empty feeders in the garden (empty of birds not food!), so a trip to Wexford Wildfowl Reserve was called for.
Plenty of White-Fronted Geese (or Lesser White-Fronted?) were there, about a hundred or so have arrived so far with thousands more expected over the next few weeks.

I've never really been into wildfowl that much but I must admit the colourings of their feathers are beautiful (I am now a fan of Barnacle Geese).



This one wondered what feathers tasted like....


We wandered around for a few hours soaking up the autumnal sun, saw a Rook trying to be a weather vane!

Then we headed down on to the beach which is literally a carpet of Mussels - I have never seen so many! No wonder the Oyster Catchers were plentiful.


On the way back home, we called in at Blackditch and watched a Kestrel hovering over the field in front of the hide for about 10 minutes, so all in all, it was a very enjoyable day out.
Came back home to see the ever loyal Coal Tit visiting the nut feeder before dark. - judging by the amount of seed still in the feeder, it looks like he may have been the only visitor all day!

4 comments:

Warren Baker said...

your feeders sound like mine! I had to let them empty, as the sparrowhawk was getting far to good at catching the finch's. In the end nothing was coming in, except as you say - the loyal coal Tit!

Sharon said...

Glad I'm not the only one then!

ShySongbird said...

You have some lovely photos here Sharon which enlarge very well. I love the Barnacle Geese which I am not sure I have ever seen! And the Oyster Catchers are brilliant!! Like you I have never been too much into wildfowl but, for me, that seems to be changing, probably because we recently discovered Draycote which is such a great place to go for someone who lives so far from the sea! I also liked the 'Rook weather vane' :)

Sharon said...

Thanks Shysongbird! Draycote looks really peaceful & relaxing - I used to live near Rutland Water and, now I've moved away, I wish I had visited it more often.
The Rook weathervane was quite comical - he kept nudging it with his head to make it spin round & then he jumped on it!