Tuesday 22 October 2013

Oxford Island Discovered

After Eileen and I left Portmore Lough, we headed for the Oxford Island Discovery Centre but before reaching there, we stopped at one of the hides where we saw a number of Great Crested Grebes in winter plumage.  Apart from a few Mute Swans, a couple of Little Grebes (see below) and Tufted ducks there was not much more on the water.  




Great Crested Grebe





Two Little Grebes


Oxford Island Discovery Centre



Starling


Wooden Sculpture near the Discovery Centre


Looking out to Lough Neagh.



We walked out on the path on the left.  
The little hut is used when the yachts are sailing.


Coot


 Would you believe it.  More Cygnets and Swans.




We walked in a marvellous area through trees where we saw nearly all the small birds including Bullfinch.  I had brought seed with me and many of them came down to take it off Eileen's hand however I really could not get decent video footage as they were so quick.


Great Tit


Blue Tit



Chaffinch



Great Tit on Eileen's hand


We ended up at a different part of  Lough Neagh where we saw numerous Cormorants resting in trees, some more Great Crested Grebes but suddenly we were aware of something flying over our heads.  The female March Harrier.  We had good views of her as she went over to the other side and annoyed all the Cormorants.  Unfortunately I could not get any better shot than the one below.


Marsh Harrier (female)


 Moorhen



Female Mallard trying to sleep but being woken up by this Moorhen.


Male Mallard


Now I have a video which I will leave you with . 
It can be access at

http://youtu.be/TNvfizPCBZY

If there is a black space below, click it and the video will appear.



I hope you enjoyed coming with us to see Oxford Island Discovery Centre.


  Tomorrow I am showing another Australia Bird, however the next day, I have a video that should make you all laugh.  It was taken at Oxford Island.  It certainly made us laugh.

32 comments:

  1. You always find the best places to visit ....and a GREAT Variety of birds!

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  2. HI Kerri we do have some lovely places in Northern Ireland that we can visit in a day. We are so fortunate with a beautiful country and plenty of water (rain!!!!) although no rain the week Eileen was here, thanks goodness, plenty since though! Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for your comments.

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  3. These are beautiful, Margaret! Oh, how I'd love to walk out to the end of that dock. I can 'almost' put myself into the picture, standing there and looking around. Beautiful!

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    1. HI CM Eileen took a photo of me on it without my knowing but it was my back in my long black coat, kneeling so not so good for the post!Glad you enjoyed the post and thanks for comment.

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  4. Such a fine group of photos!

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  5. Great image series you show. Wish you a good Tuesday :) Hanne Bente

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    1. HI Hanne Glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for comment.

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  6. the grebes are very cute. i love the chaffinch!

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    1. Hi Tex Glad you enjoyed the Grebes and Chaffinch. Thanks for comment.

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  7. Beautiful Island, with a number of birds, I love it.

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    1. Hi Bob Glad you enjoyed Oxford Island. Thanks for comment.

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  8. i really enjoyed seeing the coot, i have never "really" seen one before!! you have included many i have never seen!!

    the swans are beautiful as is the pretty blue water they are enjoying!!

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    1. HI Debbie Glad you enjoyed the Coot and Swans. Thanks for comment.

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  9. Your birding trips are so much fun. Wonderful birds and finds. Love the Great-crested Grebe!!! Looks like our Western or Clark's....well similar anyhow:)

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  10. Hi Chris Yes I love all the bird outings and yes they must be fun. Glad you enjoyed the Great Crested Grebes. Thanks for comment.

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  11. I love seeing the Great Tit. To me, it looks like a cross between a tufted titmouse and a blue jay. i also like the Grebe, and the Cygnets are really growing.

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  12. HI Ginny Glad you enjoyed the reat Tit, Grebes and Cygnets. Many thanks for comments.

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  13. Really great nature shots! Love the look of the swamp.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  14. what a beautiful place to visit!

    such gorgeous shots! thanks for brightening my day.

    big hugs~

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  15. How very beautiful. Feathered enchantment.

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  16. that looks like a really great place/setting to visit Margaret and you picked up some great photos - I love the little grebes but they dive down and pop up somewhere else when you try to photograph them often ...

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  17. That looks like a wonderful place to spend a day just looking! The birds are just amazing and so colorful.

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  18. What an amazing place to go birding! And how incredible it is that that bird just sat on your friends hand!

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  19. Love the sculpture and the view down the pier. And that first chaffinch photo is stunning.

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  20. Looks like a really neat place to visit!

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  21. You have make beautiful photos, Margaret!
    Greetings, RW & SK

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  22. The Oxford Island Discovery Centre would be a great place for a relaxing outing, quite a variety of bird life to enjoy. The Moorhen is similar to our waterhens which live near our local river.

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  23. A great series of all the birds - and the different colors and textures of the water are very beautiful.

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  24. Oxford Island looks like a place I would very much enjoy visiting.

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  25. HI Rev Thank you for visiting my blog and I am glad you enjoyed it. I noticed on your shite that there is nowhere to join adn follow you. Is that correct? Many thanks for leaving a comment here and I hope you will pop in again to my blog. By the way, your photos of autumn leaves and trees are great.

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  26. That seems as though a truly extraordinary spot/setting to visit Margaret and you got some incredible photographs - I love the little grebes however they jump down and spring up elsewhere when you attempt to photo them regularly .

    Expectations vs Reality of studying abroad

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