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| Greenland White fronted Geese (c. A Walsh) |
The end of March with an early Easter and some more time around the garden, it was really appreciated. Weather very changeable and plenty of rain and hail stones into April, though the end of March was better.
Best of the passage birds were not entirely unexpected, but most unusual for us~: A late dusk, 8.00pm, listening for Blackbirds in song is always a treat, but the sound of geese, high overhead, the lovely cascade of notes, as if saying: 'keep in touch' , that we know so well from Wexford: White-fronted Geese, a flock of about 30 birds. They were taking advantage of a light southerly to blow them north, they move ahead of some rough weather due the next day. I wonder whether they will pitch up just north of us on Vartry Reservoir, at Roundwood or continue north as far as the Donegal coast or make straight for Iceland.. nobody could really enlighten me on this! This is our second 'flyover' record in spring.
The spring migrants weighed in on time: Chiff Chaffs in song, followed by Swallow, Blackcap and Willow Warbler.. all is right with the world, though the thick carpet of hail on the newly mown lawn makes you wonder!
I believe the birds head straight for the north coast once they decide to leave. I mean, why take advantage of the weather only to move a few miles from Wexford? I'd say when they reach the Donegal coast, weather permitting, they will head straight for Iceland. Same reason as above. Use the weather window. They've been stoking up fuel for the journey for weeks, and the faster it's completed, the better in terms of energy consumption.
ReplyDeleteIt's many years since I've heard geese migrating overhead, but in the1980s I heard White-fronts passing overhead in Ranelagh a few times, and on another occasion I am sure Greylags.