2010 News

New Butterflies and Damselflies

07/08/2010
Bar-tailed Godwit, Wexford
Summer Wexford Trip - Part 2
After the success of the Essex Skippers it was off for a quick tour of a couple of sites I know - Our Lady's Island and Tacumshin lakes. Wind surfing and other holiday makers ruled out the southern end of the former site for terns though a few, including young birds were present at on the islands on the north of the lake. Also present were at least 10 Little Egrets.

At Tacumshin I had a quick look at the dragonflies and waders, then a search for a Glossy Ibis that has been present for a while. While photographing Common Darters I noticed a harrier on the far side of the lake. With only binoculars I seen enough to be 99% sure it was a sub adult Montagu's Harrier. Sadly I didn't see it again, nor did I see the Ibis. Though a Marsh Harrier before leaving was a nice addition (On return home a 2nd summer female Montagus Harrier was reported at the Tacumshin - the birder on the other side of the lake must have seen it too!)

Next on the site list was Eden Vale near Castlebridge, close to where I was staying. This river site has recent records of Beautiful Damoiselle damselfly and Comma butterfly. I seen the former, a first for me, though not well enough to photograph. A Holly Blue butterfly was also seen. This site is worth a walk for the waterfalls.

I then booked into my B&B and after a quick visit to the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve - a couple of Green Sandpipers present, it was off to Raven for the evening. In sun and warmth several Autumn Hawkers and Amber-winded Hawkers were hunting. Gatekeepers and hundreds of Common Blue butterflies feed on whatever flowers they could find. Smaller numbers of Small Copper and a few Small Heath were also present.

On the beach Sandwich and Little Terns, including young birds, were feeding just offshore. A couple of Grey Seals patrolled the seas just off the beach.

Despite the sun going down I wasn't finished yet! A few evening shots of Bar-tailed Godwits and Herons in the sunset in Wexford Harbour as the sun dropped was the perfect end to the day.

Red Kite in Autumn

Capturing the Beauty of Nature
Capturing the Beauty of Nature