Common Sandpiper

Each summer Broadmeadow Estuary at Swords plays host to small numbers of Common Sandpipers.  I counted up to a dozen on a recent trip, but unfortunately they remained in and around the grassy areas in the middle of the estuary making viewing with the scope the only option.

They have been known to over Winter in Ireland on occasion, however the visitors we get at Broadmeadow tend to be of the Spring and Summer variety. 

Grey Wagtail

A few days ago I was out for a non birding walk (there's no such thing I hear you say!) with my daughter, we were on an insect hunt, she had a great big list from her insect finders starter kit and she was determined to tick off as many as possible.  Our walk took us along the Broadmeadow river which dissects Ashbourne North/South before eventually finding the Irish sea at Broadmeadow Estuary in Swords about 15 kilometres away.

There's a small footbridge near the entrance to the golf club from where we were attempting to identify all sorts of creepy crawlies (her words).  I couldn't help but notice a family of Grey Wagtails, 2 adults and 4 juveniles as they moved along the river, back and forth under the bridge.  This is the go to spot in Ashbourne if it's Wagtails and Kingfishers you're after, usually if you hang around for  a short while both can be had, however the Kingfishers give far briefer views than the Wagtails as they zip low and fast up and down the river.

I was back on the bridge this morning, this time alone and with bins and camera in tow.  I hung around for about 10 minutes before moving further up river, but I shared that 10 minutes with a single juvenile Grey Wagtail, no sign of the parents or siblings.