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.
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.
You always find the best places to visit ....and a GREAT Variety of birds!
ReplyDeleteHI 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.
ReplyDeleteThese 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!
ReplyDeleteHI 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.
DeleteSuch a fine group of photos!
ReplyDeleteHI Bl Glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for comment.
DeleteGreat image series you show. Wish you a good Tuesday :) Hanne Bente
ReplyDeleteHI Hanne Glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks for comment.
Deletethe grebes are very cute. i love the chaffinch!
ReplyDeleteHi Tex Glad you enjoyed the Grebes and Chaffinch. Thanks for comment.
DeleteBeautiful Island, with a number of birds, I love it.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob Glad you enjoyed Oxford Island. Thanks for comment.
Deletei really enjoyed seeing the coot, i have never "really" seen one before!! you have included many i have never seen!!
ReplyDeletethe swans are beautiful as is the pretty blue water they are enjoying!!
HI Debbie Glad you enjoyed the Coot and Swans. Thanks for comment.
DeleteYour 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:)
ReplyDeleteHi Chris Yes I love all the bird outings and yes they must be fun. Glad you enjoyed the Great Crested Grebes. Thanks for comment.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteHI Ginny Glad you enjoyed the reat Tit, Grebes and Cygnets. Many thanks for comments.
ReplyDeleteReally great nature shots! Love the look of the swamp.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
what a beautiful place to visit!
ReplyDeletesuch gorgeous shots! thanks for brightening my day.
big hugs~
How very beautiful. Feathered enchantment.
ReplyDeletethat 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 ...
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a wonderful place to spend a day just looking! The birds are just amazing and so colorful.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing place to go birding! And how incredible it is that that bird just sat on your friends hand!
ReplyDeleteLove the sculpture and the view down the pier. And that first chaffinch photo is stunning.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a really neat place to visit!
ReplyDeleteYou have make beautiful photos, Margaret!
ReplyDeleteGreetings, RW & SK
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.
ReplyDeleteA great series of all the birds - and the different colors and textures of the water are very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteOxford Island looks like a place I would very much enjoy visiting.
ReplyDeleteHI 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.
ReplyDeleteThat 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 .
ReplyDeleteExpectations vs Reality of studying abroad