This December 30th, Mooney Goes Wild will broadcast a special programme from 09.00 to 11.00 called 'WinterWatch', as we track waders and garden birds.
Here is a live feed from Jim Wilson's garden in Cobh, Co. Cork:
Jim Wilson has provided this handy guide to the various birds you may spot over Christmas, both in your garden and beyond.
Waders
What is a wader?
The term wader is used by birdwatchers to describe closely related species which share features such as relatively long legs, long beaks and spend most of their time in wetland areas in winter. There are a few exceptions such as the Grey Phalarope, which spends the winter on the open sea! The term wader is also sometimes used to describe some members of the Heron family as they hunt for food by wading in shallow water.Waders can be described as birds that live on the edge. The edge referring to that area of ground between dry land and salt or fresh water. Most avoid swimming and so are pushed back and forth by coming and going of the tide
Where to look for waders
Waders can be found all around our coast especially on estuaries and sandy beaches but also on rocky areas. Some species such as the Oystercatcher and Black-tailed Godwit will also feed on wet and damp grassland. One of our most abundant winter visitors, the Golden Plover, rarely feed on estuaries, spending almost all their time feeding in fields. The distinctive black and white form of the Oystercatcher is a familiar sight on playing fields in winter. Waders such as Snipe prefer boggy areas and Turnstone and Purple Sandpipers like rocky shores.
Where do they come from?
To give an idea of how important Ireland is for waders the table below, click on the links below to illustrate the number of countries whose breeding waders depend on Ireland during the winter and on migration.
As well as these regular visitors there is always the chance of a rare visitor. These birds usually appear in the autumn or spring, at the height of the migration period but also turn up at any other time of the year.Most are blown off course by strong winds and come from North America and Asia. When trying to identify a wader always eliminates the common species before considering what you have seen is a rarity.
The following identification guide covers some of the waders you are likely to find on Irish wetlands, between 25-25 species visit our wetlands each winter. Also included is the Little Egret that is strictly a Heron, but is being seen more and more on estuaries with waders around the country.Note: All lengths below are from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail. The beak lengths on waders can be very long, so bear this in mind when comparing size.
Oystercatcher (Roilleach)
Length 39-44 cm
One of the easiest waders to identify. It is black and white, with pink legs and an orange beak. It can be found almost anywhere from mudflats to rocky shore and fields. Often very noisy and rarely seen alone.
Curlew (Crotach)
Length 48-57 cm
If you get a good look at its long curved beak of this bird, you will not mistake it for any other Irish wader. It has one of the longest beaks of any Irish bird. On the ground it looks all brown, but in flight there is a white triangle on the back.
Dunlin (Breacóg)
Length 17-21 cm
One of our smallest waders. Usually seen in flocks of 100 or more, and sometimes as many as 5,000 or more. Thin white stripe on the wing. Black patch on the belly in summer plumage.
Sanderling (Laidhrín geal)
Length 18 - 21 cm
A small wader, about the same size as a Dunlin. Looks very pale in winter with black legs and beak. Usually seen in small flocks on sandy beaches, running very quickly following the waves in and out while feeding. In flight the wings are dark with a long white wing stripe.
Redshank (Ladhrán trá)
Length 24-27 cm
A wader with long red/orange legs. The straight beak is also red/orange with a dark tip. Usually very noisy when taking off. In flight, you can see a broad white trailing edge to the wings, and a white triangle on the back. When alarmed it will bob its head up and down.
Turnstone (Piardálaí trá)
Length 21-24 cm
A small wader. Usually seen in small flocks. In flight, it has a complex pattern of white and dark brown above, white below, with a dark "bib". Orange legs. Can be quite tame. Usually found on rocky shores but also on seaweed on the high tide line, and on fishing piers where it feeds on fish scraps. Gets its name from its unusual feeding habit of turning over stones to look for food with its short dark wedge shaped beak. Also turns over seaweed.
Little Egret
Length 55-65 cm
In the last twenty years, this small heron has gone from a national rarity to a regular feature on many estuaries, and has bred in the last few years in increasing numbers. May only be superficially confused with a Black-headed Gull at a distance. This pure white heron also has a straight black dagger shaped beak, long black legs with bright yellow feet. Unlike its cousin, the Grey Heron, it often feeds by running after the small fish and crustaceans that it hunts in shallow water. It also shuffles its feet to disturb prey that may be hiding under seaweed or staying very still.
Greenshank (Laidhrín glas)
Length 30-34 cm
Like the Redshank it gets its name from the colour of its legs. They are dull olive green. The beak is slightly up turned and is slightly bigger than a Redshank. It is also much paler than a Redshank in winter. Unlike the redshank its wings have no white on the trailing edge. Its rump and tail form a large pale triangle visible in flight.
Snipe (Mionnán aeir)
Length 23-28 cm
A small wader with a long straight beak. Rarely seen in the open. Its clever camouflage makes it very difficult to find on the ground. Usually only seen when disturbed from wet ground or boggy areas. Flies fast in a zigzag movement when taking off and usually makes a harsh dry call. Once high up in the air it flies fast and straight.
Lapwing (Pilibín)
Length 28-31cm
One of our most numerous waders and also the one with one of the most distinctive sillhouttes. The tuft of feathers standing up at the back if its head is distinctive. Often seen in large flocks, these waders have very round black and white wings and a short beak. Large numbers come here during cold snaps on the continent when flocks of over 10,000 have been seen. It is a member of the plover family and is sometimes referred to as the Green Plover because of the green sheen on feathers of the back and wings or the Peewit, describing is squeaking call.
Black-tailed Godwit (Guilbneach earrdubh)
Length 37-42 cm
A large wader with long legs and a long straight beak. On the ground in winter they are brown above and on the breast and the belly is white. In spring, summer and autumn they become rusty red-orange below. In flight the have a broad black band on the end of a white tail and bright white stripes on the wings. Rarely seen alone, Black-tailed Godwits can be found on estuaries and in fields. Most are seen on the south and east coast. Large numbers gather in early spring in the Little Brosna Callows and the Shannon & Fergus estuary before heading for Iceland where they breed.
Bar-tailed Godwit (Guilbneach stríocearrach)
Length 33-41 cm
A large wader. In flight it looks like a small Curlew, with a white triangle on the back, a long, very slightly upturned beak and no other obvious features. Similar to the Black-tailed Godwit in size and appearance on the ground but is more streaked on the back. Unlike the Black-tailed Godwit it usually prefers sandier, open beaches.
Ringed Plover (Feadóg an Fháinne)
Length 17-19 cm
A very distinctive wader with its complete white collar, sandy brown back, black and white head pattern and orange legs. Often feeds away from the waters edge, further up the beach or mudflat. Like many plovers the Ringed Plover often uses a stop-run-peck feeding pattern. Usually nests on sand and shingle where it is difficult to locate and pretends to have a broken wing to distract you from finding the nest and then flies off when you are far enough away from the nest.
Grey Plover (Feadóg ghlas)
Length 26-29 cm
A fairly big wader with long dark legs and short thick beak. Usually seen in small groups well spread out over the mud or sand. Its large eyes help it locate its food on or just below the surface of the mud or sand. As the name suggests in winter it is a very grey wader on the ground. In flight you can see its white rump and wing stripe. Unlike any other wader it has black "arm pits". These feathers are called the axillaries and are found at the base of the underwing, seen clearly in flight. In summer, like its close relative the Golden Plover, it has a black face, breast and belly. Unlike the Grey Plover the Golden Plover is usually seen in large flocks and prefers to feed in fields.
Garden Birds
There is nothing like watching the antics of colourful garden birds from the comfort of your home on a cold dull winter's day. Not only are they a source of enjoyment for adults and children alike, you will also be helping our now common birds to survive the increasing pressures of habitat loss and periods of severe winter weather when they find it impossible to find enough food to survive.
It is very easy to get started. All you need is a windowsill, yard or garden. Whether you live in the country, in a village or town or even in the city centre, there are usually birds not far away – and they are always hungry!
Learn all about identifying your garden birds, how and what to feed them, see what they look like and lots more - Identifying, Feeding, Hints, Recourses and Gallery.
Click Here to read about the do's and don'ts of feeding birds during the summer months:
Robin
(Spidéog)(14cm)
The unmistakable Robin
Probably the most familiar and famous bird to visit your garden in winter. Very tame and rarely more than two seen together. Robins are also very territorial and aggressive towards "intruding" Robins.
Blue Tit
(Meantán Gorm)(11/12cm)
BlueTit, as colourful asany tropical bird!
A small, mainly blue and yellow bird. It has a blue cap with a white halo. Small, narrow beak. Likes peanut feeders.
Coal Tit
(Meantán Dubh)(11/12cm)
Coal Tit, note the large whitestripe on the back of the neck
Overall grey-brown above and cream colour below. It has a black cap and unlike and other garden birds it has a thick white stripe down the back of its neck. It has a small, narrow beak. Shyer than the Blue Tit. Also likes peanut feeders.
Great Tit
(Meantán Mór)(14cm)
Great Tit, note the whitecheek patches
Larger than the two species above. Black head with white cheeks. Green-brown above and yellow below with a black line down the middle (more obvious in males than in females). Relatively small, narrow beak. Also likes peanut feeders.
Long-tailed Tit
(Meantán Earrfada)(12-14cm)
Long-tailed Tit, unmistakable
If you get a good look at this little bird it is very easy to identify. As you can see from the picture its tail is as long as its body. It usually visits gardens in flocks of five or more and does not usually stay long. They make a loud short high-pitched call that they repeat frequently so you will often hear them coming before you see them. Other tits have been known to join flocks of Long-tailed Tits as they move from place to place in search of food.
Siskin
(Píobaire)(12cm)
Siskins, female on the left, maleon the right, feeding upside down
These small finches often visit gardens any time from December until March or April. They are yellow-green in colour. As you can clearly see from the picture the male (on the right) is brighter than the female on the left. They nearly always cling to the mesh feeder upside down. Their natural food is mainly the seeds of conifer cones, hence the habit of clinging upside down, to get seeds out of the cones. In years when pine cone seeds are scarce larger numbers of Siskins can be seen in gardens.
Black Cap
(Caipín Dubh)(14cm)
Blackcap, male
I have included this species because while it is not very common. I get many questions about this mystery visitor to the feeding area. This is a large warbler with a long thin beak. It is overall grey brown with a black cap (male) or brown cap (female). It is about the same size as a Robin. It will feed either on the hanging mesh feeders or from the bird table. It can be very aggressive; chasing off any other bird that comes near.
Chaffinch
(Rí Rua)(15cm)
Chaffinch
Unlike the Tits this bird had a stout conical beak, characteristic of all finches. The female is brown above with a green-yellow rump and light brown below. Both male and female have white markings on the wings and the outer tail feathers are white (best seen when flying). The male is more colourful with reds, greens, greys and browns. The head of the male in the spring becomes blue-grey with a black forehead. Prefers to feed on the ground or on a bird table but will occasionally use a mesh feeder.
Greenfinch
(Glasán Darach)(15cm)
Greenfinch
Same size as a Chaffinch. The males are overall green-yellow with bright yellow markings on the wings and the tail. Most noticeable in flight or when fighting with other birds at the feeding area. The females and young are the same shape and size but are duller and not as much yellow. Will happily feed on a mesh feeder, on the ground or on a bird table.
House Sparrow
(Gealbhán Binne)(15cm)
House Sparrow, feeding in a flock,male is centre background,females to the left and right
Like the finches House Sparrows have stout conical beaks. Sometimes referred to as LBJ's (Little Brown Job's) by Birdwatchers because of their overall appearance, lacking any really striking features. Rarely seen alone. The female is a mixture of light browns and greys the male has chestnut on the wings and head, with a grey forehead and crown, and a small black bib which extends in size as spring approaches. Usually very noisy. They nearly always feed in flocks on the ground or on a bird table but will also use the mesh feeder.
Dunnock
(Bréathair an Dreoilín)(14-15cm)
Dunnock
Another LBJ (little brown job!) and one of the shyest visitors to a feeding area. Overall brown in colour with dark streaking on the back. The face and breast is usually dark grey and the eyes are brown or red. Can look very dark at a distance. Unlike the House Sparrow its beak is thin like a Blue or Great Tit. It prefers to feed on the ground, not too far from bushes. Will feed at the bird table and usually avoids the peanut feeders.
Starling
(Druid)(21cm)
Starling means "child of the stars,"it gets its name from the manywhite spots on its breast
Black overall with pale spots, pink legs and a black beak. As spring progresses the adults lose most of their spots and the beak becomes pale yellow. Bigger than a Robin and smaller than the Blackbird, it tends to walk or run rather than hop. Its tail is also much shorter than a Blackbird's. Prefers to feed on the ground, rarely alone. Can be very noisy and mimics other birds.All images and text © Jim Wilson 2001.
Rook
(Préachán/Rúcach)(44cm)
Rook (adult), note the large palebeak and dark eye
One of the largest visitors to the feeding area. Looks all black but in the sun the plumage can have a purple-blue sheen. It's large beak is long a pointed and pale at its base on adults while young birds' beaks are all black with black feathers growing along the top of the beak. The eye is dark and where the feathers meet the legs they give an untidy "shaggy trousers" look. Usually feeds on the ground or from the bird table (if it can fit!). Will sometimes steal mesh feeders and drop them on the ground to open them to get at the peanuts inside. So if you have Rooks about be sure to secure your mesh feeders!
Magpie
(Snag Breac.)(44-48cm)
Magpie, the saying goes "one forsorrow, two for joy."
An easy bird to identify. It has a very long tail and black and white plumage. Like the Rook the plumage can have a sheen, usually green or purple-blue. Prefers to feed on the ground. Has been known to steal dog food from dog's dishes. This beautiful bird has an unjustified reputation for being a "baddy" among garden visitors.
Jackdaw
(Cag.)(33cm)
Jackdaw, note the pale eye,grey head and black cap
Neater and smaller than the Rook. It has a black cap with a silver grey head and neck. Unlike the Rook its eyes are pale. It lacks the "shaggy trousers" look of the Rook. Like the other crows it will eat anything it can reach, preferring to feed on the ground or on the bird table.
Wood Pigeon
(Colm Coille.)(40-42cm)
Wood Pigeon, note grey colourand white neck patches
A large bird. Overall mid grey in colour with a bright white collar patch either side of its neck, very short red-pink legs and white wing bars that are best seen in flight. There is a hint of pink on the side of the neck and breast and belly. In the garden it usually eats on the ground, rarely on a bird table. It is usually silent while feeding.
Collared Dove
(Fearán Baicdhubh)(31-33cm)
Collared Dove, sandy brownwith a black half neck collar
First seen in Ireland in the late 1950's it is now a familiar garden bird. Small and gentler looking than the Wood Pigeon it is pale sandy brown with a black half collar around the back of the base of the neck. It often makes a wheezing buzzing sound when landing. The tail underneath is black with a broad white band at the end, most noticeable in flight. Feeds on the ground or on a bird table, sometime alone but usually in pairs or larger groups.
Blackbird
(Lon Dubh)(24-25cm)
The male Blackbird with theorange beak
Another familiar garden bird. The male is all black with an orange beak and eye ring. The female is dark brown and has a dark beak. Female and young birds can sometimes look like very dark thrushes because the breast can look very heavily spotted like a thrush. They like to feed in open short grass areas and in leaf piles under bushes and trees. They also like berries.
Song Thrush
(Smólach)Mistle Thrush (Smólach Mór)(23/27cm)
Mistle Thrush
These are often mixed up when it comes to identification. The Mistle Thrush is bigger than the Song Thrush and rarely seen in gardens, the smaller Song Thrush is more common in gardens. The picture is of a Mistle Thrush. Note the clear spots on the breast and belly. On Song Thrushes the spots are not as clear and run into each other forming rough lines. Both usually feed in open short grass areas. As well as worms Song Thrushes will eat snails which they smash open on "favourite" stones sometimes called anvils.
Sparrowhawk
(Spioróg)(28-38cm)
Sparrowhawk
If you ever see a hawk in your garden or yard it will almost certainly be a Sparrowhawk. The Male is about the size of a Jackdaw, while the female may be nearly as big as a Rook. It has a long tail and broad, rounded wings. The eyes and long legs are usually yellow. Females and young birds are dark brown above and pale below with dark barring. The much smaller males are dark blue-grey above and pale below with orange barring.
Grey Heron
(Corr Éisc)(90-98cm)
Grey Heron
This is the tallest bird in Ireland and if you have a goldfish pond or wildlife pond in your garden you may be visited by this bird. Mainly grey and white with a long neck and legs, unmistakable. In gardens it usually eats fish and frogs.
Main Oystercatcher photo by patrickkavanagh, Great Tit photo taken by hedera.baltica
All other images and text © Jim Wilson 2001.