After a very late start the predator proof fence is now up and running on Inishee Island.
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| Some of this years volunteers. Fearon, Andrew, Colin, Ray and Paul
© A. Power
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I’d like to say a BIG thank you to this year’s volunteers who worked extra hard to ensure we got on and off the island in record time, allowing the birds to settle down to breeding undisturbed. Also, a big thank you to the Heritage Council for funding this year’s work.
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© A. Power
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© A. Power
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Numbers are up again this year and despite the cold weather, breeding is going well. In all there are at least 13 pairs of Lapwing, seven of which have already hatched chicks; 41 pairs of Redshank, 14 with chicks; at least one, and possibly two pairs of Curlew and numerous pairs of Snipe.
Numbers are so high this year that it is unlikely that we will be able to obtain completely accurate counts, even with three people surveying! When the fence was erected in 2009, there were only nine pairs of waders on the site. It’s truly amazing that in such a short space of time densities are already too high to accurately count.
One to watch this week is the first in a two part wildlife documentary “The Secret Life of the Shannon” on Sunday at 6.30pm on RTE 1. The second part will feature fabulous footage of breeding Lapwing and Redshank from Inishee Island. Definitely not to be missed.
