I got home from work today to find that Penny was off on a girls night out and the boys were either going to a party or the cinema. So I had been left to fend for myself so I opted for a walk out at Killard Nature Reserve with the dog and then I decided to visit the Quoile Pondage before heading home. Thank goodness I did. I tend to go to the Quoile less at this time of the year as the scirpus and reeds are just growing madly and reducing greatly the area that one can see. I also had my telescope stolen from my car and so am unable to see very clearly the far shore. As I walked into the hide there out in front was a Spoonbill spooning away in the shallow water with its dramatic bill sweeping away through the water from left to right.
It ocasionally went out of sight before something spooked all the birds and it flew away to the Killyleagh side of the pondage along with about hundred mallard and fifty Black-tailed Godwit.
This was the third Spoonbill that I have seen at the Quoile over the last six or seven years.
I have also been enjoying Killard alot recently. For the last few evenings there has been a Bar-tailed Godwit on Ben Derg Beach which allows you to get reasonably close. As well as the Godwit there have been a number of Dunlin, Sanderling, Ringed Plover and on one occasion a juvie Golden Plover.
There has also been a vast number of juvenile birds around from Meadow pipits, Willow Warblers, Skylarks, Whitethroats, Rock Pipits a few Ringed Plover, Tree Sparrows, Goldfinches and Linnets. Here are a few shots of some of them.
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5 comments:
Terrific photos, as ever, Craig. Always a pleasure to see.
wonderful post and photos
dan
Nice shots! I particularly like those of the spoonbill.
Love your great captures!
I really love the photos you take Criag - great ones of all the birds - love the evening sun on the first Spoonbill photo and the juv whitethroat - it looks very fragile!
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