December 2008 Wexford Natural History Diary

December Barn Owl chick

Recent Bird Reports in the County. There were 5 Slavonian Grebes at Curracloe on 11th with 3 still present on 23rd. A single Slavonian Grebe was noted on the North Slob on the 23rd. There were 12 Red-throated Divers at Rosslare on 10th and 12 also noted near Tuskar Rock on 13th. The Greenland White-fronted Goose population reached just over 8100 this month - most encouraging - especially when one takes into consideration that there are less than 900 breeding pairs world-wide. At least 3 Pink-footed Geese still on the North Slob through the month and there were 5 Pink-footed Geese at Tacumshin on 24th. Our Pale-bellied Brent Geese present on the North Slob are already in excess of 3000 birds - this is a significant increase (usually 1200-1500 birds) in numbers compared to recent years. Also, particularly interesting, is the early appearance of these birds who used to arrive after the new year each winter - I gather that this population is expanding rapidly with in excess of 40,000 birds now estimated - a very good news story, considering that only a couple of years ago the total population was around 28,000.

Young Greenland White-fronted Goose

There was 1 Black Brant present on the North Slob through the month increasing to 2 on 16th. At least 1 Dark-bellied Brent was also present with the other Brent. The 2 Barnacle Geese were noted on the North Slob on a number of dates. An American/Eurasian Wigeon hybrid was shot on North Slob on 27th (this bird had been noted on North Slob Channel on 30th November Channel). A Green-winged Teal was on North Slob on 13th. There was a record of Green-winged Teal at Tacumshin Lake on 24th, 2 on 26th and a single on 27th. There were 60+ Pintail on the North Slob Channel on 1st. At least 8 Scaup were on North Slob Channel on 1st.  There were 2 Long-tailed Duck at Bannow Bay from 3rd to at least 27th. An Eider Duck was seen in Wexford Harbour on a number of dates through the month from the 1st.

Redshank

There was a female Eider Duck on North Slob on the 20th to 22nd. A Goosander was noted at Bannow Bay on 11th. A female Smew (Redhead) was at Tacumshin Lake from at least 8th to the end of the month. A Ruddy Duck was at Our Lady's Island Lake on 20th. One local Peregrine Falcon plucking post contained the remains of a Song Thrush and a Woodcock on 7th. 5 Merlin were noted on North Slob on 20th. 2 Buzzard were at Courtclough Upper on 14th and a Buzzard was seen at Ballycross, Bridgetown on 21st.A Glossy Ibis was seen at Tacumshin Lake on 26th. A Purple Sandpiper was at Rosslare harbour on 2nd. There were 3 Ruff on North Slob on 20th. 3 Black Guillemots at Rosslare Harbour on 10th. 600+ Kittiwakes near Tuskar Rock noted on 13th. 2 Mediterranean Gulls at Tacumshin Lake on 26th. A barn Owl was at Oilgate on 10th. A 5 week old Barn Owl chick was noted on North Slob on 8th. The parents were present for at least a week after this date and the chick was heard calling for food on 9th - but from then on, 'silence', which wasn't very encouraging - Barn Owls have been recorded breeding in the winter, though it is rare.... let's hope they try again in 2009.A Water Pipit was at Tacumshin Lake on 28th. Rock Pipits noted at Rosslare through the month. There were 2 Black Redstarts at Rosslare Harbour on 2nd and 1 male was still present up into the third week of the month. A Black Redstart was in Enniscorthy on 11th. Song Thrushes were noted singing from 23rd in a number of locations in the County. A Treecreeper was noted at Killinick on 17th (new record for the local area). The 'White' Magpie was present at the back of the North Slob through the month. A Waxwing was in Enniscorthy on 12th. A 2nd 'large' Starling roost was noted at Bree on 29th (the first being noted last month at Oilgate and still spectacular).

Other Wildlife News in the County: 
MAMMALS: A large Whale was seen at Baginbun Head, Hook Peninsula on 1st and two Fin Whales were seen from Hook Head on 3rd. The Badgers were 'very active' on the North Slob during the month - regular feeding forays and collection of fresh bedding material particularly noticeable on many dates through the month. Grey Squirrels were noted at Camolin on 4th and Oilgate on 31st - they seem to be pretty widespread in the County.

MOTHS: Winter Moths were particularly obvious through the month with 9 seen on 11th on North Slob, 12 in Curracloe on 23rd, 24 noted at Fardystown on 23rd, 3 on North Slob on 24th and 1 male at a window in Scarawalsh on 24th. A December Moth was noted on North Slob on 25th.

PLANTS: Three-cornered Leak in flower on North Slob through the month. A few of the Round-leaved Wintergreen plants in the Raven Nature Reserve have flowers that have not gone over - what is going on with our seasons? To add to that, the buds of some of the Elder bushes in Coolcotts have already opened into full leaf as of 29th - now that is early.

Great Black-backed Gull caught up in beer-can holder

Photograph displayed: shows a young Great Black-backed Gull with the plastic 'Four Beer Can Holder' wrapped round its bill - the bird is, sadly doomed. Such a small thing - PLEASE, PLEASE, when disposing, just cut all the loops so if this piece of waste does ever find its way into a Land-fill site, at least it will not create this sort of DANGER.  

FEEDING WILD BIRDS IN YOUR GARDEN
Remember when using peanuts not to use salted varieties and keep food containers away from cover where cats and other predators could hide.

Do not forget water
Birds need to bathe even in the coldest weather to keep their feathers in good order. A shallow dish or an inverted dustbin lid will do. Remember to break ice on those cold mornings. A night light under the container creates enough warmth to keep the ice away, but make sure the water, itself, does not get heated.

Large birds such as thrushes and even blackcaps often prefer to feed on the ground (be sure to spread the food out in the open for the birds safety from predators). An Apple pegged to the ground with a thin steak, to prevent it being moved by larger birds, can often give additional pleasure to the observer who can watch the birds for a longer period of time.

Basic Bird Pudding
Ingredients: Rough quantities - 2lbs of mixture to 1lb of melted fat.
AVOID DESICCATED COCONUT (it swells and kills) AND SALTED PEANUTS (makes the birds very thirsty)
Directions: Take seeds, peanuts, cheese, porridge oats, dry cake and scraps. Put them in a container, pour hot fat over the mixture until it is covered and leave to set. Turn out onto a table, unless you have prepared it in a tit-bell or coconut holder

Basic Bird Pudding 2
Ingredients: 3 cups of porridge oats, one cup of currants, 1 oz grated cheese, 1oz canary seed, 1/2lb fat or margarine.
Directions: Melt the fat and stir in all other ingredients. Pack into Margarine tubs or other suitable containers. Allow to set and then hang them up. (If you put a piece of string through two holes in bottom of container, it will assist the tying up of the container when the mixture has set).

Bird Cake
Ingredients: 2lbs of self raising flour, 1/2lb margarine, and a little sugar.
Directions: Mix with water and bake like a large rock bun

Do not give up
Once you start to feed birds, you must continue to do so on a regular basis. Small birds will come to rely on this source of food. In harsh weather it is hunger that kills not the cold.

Remember modern thinking on the feeding of birds in the summer has changed. Feeding scraps, nuts and seed will do no harm. Those birds that continue to take the feed will welcome the ease of obtaining additional supplies. Those species that make use of insects for feeding young or have other dietary requirements will continue to do so and will not be harmed by this additional supply of food.

Do remember some basic Hygiene Rules in that it is wise to regularly and thoroughly clean bird tables and receptacles that are used in the feeding of wild birds. Remember to also thoroughly wash ones own hands after handling wild bird food and items used in the feeding of same - it is really quite useful to have a box of disposable plastic gloves available for this very purpose.

EARTH HOUR 2009: In December World Wildlife Fund (W.W.F) launched Earth Hour 2009. They are aiming for 1 billion people to switch their lights off at 8.30pm on March 28 to show the world that it's possible to take action on climate change. They are trying to convince governments across the world to agree to a strong global deal to tackle climate change, when they meet at the UN climate summit in Copenhagen, in December 2009. So why not join them for Earth Hour 2009, turn off your lights at 8.30pm Saturday 28 March www.earthhour.org/

NEST BOXES: Do remember it is at this time of the year that it is worthwhile cleaning out any Nest Boxes, that you might have, ready for the forthcoming nesting season. If you do not have any boxes, but would like either a hole nesting bird box (for Blue, Coal or Great Tits) or an open nesting bird box (for Robin or Pied Wagtail) you can arrange with Nicky Walsh (at a very reasonable price) on mobile 087-2538577 and he will organise whatever boxes you might require.