Thursday 28 November 2013

Golden Oriole and Spoonbill

Two disappointments for me (and other birders) were that we didn’t see the exotic young Spoonbill or the Golden Oriole when they arrived unexpectedly in the Province.


The Golden Oriole was spotted near Islandhill Reserve on Strangford Lough and these 2 photographs were taken by Stefan Greif.  You may remember him when in June he came to the Copeland Island with me and he allowed me to show many of his wonderful photographs on my blog.  So one again, thanks to him I can at least see the Golden Oriole.  There hasn’t been one recorded in Northern Ireland since 1957.

 
Golden Orioles have only been recorded 12 times in Northern Ireland,
mostly in the late 19th and early 20th Century.


More birders were fortunate to see the Spoonbill around the coast at Castle Espie.  However, I did tell you in a previous post, that Jimmy and I did not and then the next day it was found dead.  What I didn’t know was the probable cause of death. 

 
 
 
These 3 photographs of the Spoonbill above are by Chris Henry, the one below is by Joe Lamont and the last one is by Una McCamey  Many thanks to them.
 
 
Now it was tragic that the Spoonbill died.  Kerry Mackie, the General Manager of Castle Espie said, “We found it deceased on the mudflats.  There were fox prints leading up to the body and its head had gone.  It was very sad end to a bird that had given so many people of lot of pleasure in the 10 days that it was here.”
 

I have now arrived on the I.O.W so although I hope to post most days, I probably will not have time to comment on your blogs for the next week.

I nearly had a bit of a tradegy today myself!  Got to the airport on good time, plane was on time and had a good flight, caught the train and had a very pleasant journey into Portsmouth harbour and  sat down to wait for the ferry. Asked the man sitting next to me what time it was going and he said about 7 minutes and so I was very pleased how everything had dove tailed together. 

About 3 minutes later, I suddenly exclaimed, I had forgotten my suitcase and I torn up the ramp, onto the station, saw my train was still there and fortunately for me, I had been sitting at the very front of it, opened the doors and there was my case!  Ran down the ramp again, into my seat and everyone now knew what had happened and were very pleased to see me back with the said case although they said, "how could you leave behind such a large case"!!  Well everyone has these moments, don't they!!!

I hope you enjoyed this post although a bit sad however you may have smiled at my stupidity leaving my case on the train!!

Thank you for visiting and leaving comments on my blogs.  I appreciate every one of them.

20 comments:

  1. Golden Oriole is a bird that has eluded me so far Margaret. At least I now know what to look for in future :-)

    Glad you got your case back.

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  2. HI Keith I am just about to go out with Eillen to see what is about on the I.O.W.today. That Oriole is a female, the nale is much yellower. Thanks for comment. I'm off now.

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  3. loved those Oriole photos ... what a how-to-do re your case Margaret; you were SO lucky in the end; enjoy your holiday

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  4. sad about the little spoonbill, nature has it moments! The G O is beautiful the male must be quite outstanding if even more yellow. Done that leaving things behind, glad it ended well.

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  5. These are both fantastic bird sightings, Margaret! The Golden Oriole is beautiful. And I love the cool Spoonbill. Great post, happy birding!

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  6. I've never seen a Golden Oriole - such beautiful birds :)
    Glad you retrieved your suitcase in time. Enjoy your holiday :)

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  7. Well Margaret, I'm glad it's not just me that leaves their bag behind, it does get the old ticker working though!!
    I'm glad that you managed to retrieve it without too much hassle.

    The Oriole looks good, hopefully one day I'll get to see one!

    Shame about the Spoonbill, just nature at it's rawest, I guess?

    Have a good break on the I.O.W....[;o)

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  8. Your case story made by heart skip a beat. What a nightmare that would have been. That Golden Oriole is just stunning.

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  9. Beautiful pictures, especially the spoonbill.
    Very well photographed, Margaret.
    Greetings Irma

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  10. Thanks for posting these photos, even though they weren't yours. The golden oriole is a beauty. So glad you remembered your case before getting on the ferry...and were still able to make the connection. Have a wonderful time on I.O.W.

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  11. good save by you. :) enjoy your trip!

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  12. You remind me of myself, forgetting things. So I guess a fox got the spoonbill! I love the picture of him in flight, it is so elegant.

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  13. How lucky that your case was there. Mind focused on the trip... I would probably have done the same.

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  14. Great post and a luck to see a oriole; the story with the spoonbill is sad but that is nature.

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  15. Thank you for this great and informative post. Love your photos!

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  16. Indeed nature did its bit with the Fox and Spoonbill, always sad, but its what happens behind our backs. I know Strangford, Castle Espie area as I have family in Ballynahinch. I need to return soon.

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  17. Lovely photos and thank goodness you were able to jump off and back on with your case . . .

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  18. So sad about the spoonbill. That golden oriole is beautiful! Glad you got your case back.

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  19. Beautiful photos, Margaret!
    Greetings, RW & SK

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  20. These are the kinds of treks we don't forget....the bitter dipping that happens:) But the experiences are so much fun. Like most exotic birds found way outside their range, they unfortunately will not make it on foreign lands. Or they are unfamiliar with the predators in the area. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Chris

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