Wednesday 23 April 2008

There are no woodpecker in Ireland

Sorry for the lack of posts but hope to sort that out now!! Been very busy playing hide and seek!

I was recently contacted by Robin a birder in Belfast after some good spots in Liverpool to see woodpeckers. It appears that the UK have a number of birds that just aren't found in Ireland and he sent me a list of 3 woodpeckers, nuthatch, willow tit, jay, brambling, and yellow wagtail.
Sunday 13th April I collected Robin at 9am and we headed out to Moore nature reserve. We quickly saw swallow, chiffchaff, willow warbler, but no sign of the wood bangers. We walked to the feeding station just as a willow tit was leaving but it showed in the trees for awhile. We heard great spotted in the trees and then saw one feeding on peanuts.
That was 2 new birds, how about some more. A quick look in the wood on are way back and we added lesser spotted woodpecker. If only birding was this easy. We wanted the third but green woodpecker isn't a regular anymore at Moore, so we headed back to Liverpool and the Black Woods my recommendation for great spotted woodpecker.
We arrived back in Liverpool to rain but quickly saw 4 different great spotted at the Woodview rd end of the park followed up by a pair of nuthatch and stock doves. In less than 3 hours Robin had 4 new birds and lots to brag about when he got back home.
Its great to take other birders out and show them something new.
Keep Birding
Chris

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