Dundrum Bay & Mourne Mountains

This was Eileen's last day of full birding and she wanted to see the Mountains of Mourne sweeping down to the sea at Newcastle, County Down.  We headed down in that direction and one great birding site just before you reach there is Dundrum Bay, both inner and outer channels.  I am included quite a number of scenic shots so that you see what the area looks like.

 

 

As we passed a small stream there was a Little Egret.  I am featuring this bird on my 'Saturday ' post tomorrow so tune in and read about this beautiful bird.

 

 

This is a Grey Heron being mobbed by Crows but I did get it on video so you can see it better at the end of this post.

 

 

This is a shot to the left of this channel and there is a wonderful path that lends along it in both direction although we didn't have the time to do that.  As we stopped at a little bridge for our coffee we were entertained by small birds flying and singing to us.

 

 

This is the view to the left of this path and for Eileen, this was her first views of the Mountains of Mournes sweeping down to the sea.

 

 

This was the outer Dundrum Bay and closer views of the Mournes.

 

 

As you can see the tide was out so there were quite a number of waders such as Oycetercatcher, Lapwing. Godwit, Redshank, Greenshank, at least 6 more Little Egrets, several Heron, Wigeon and Mallard ducks.

 

 

 

 

Little Egret

 

 

Of course there were the usual Gulls and I have deliberately  put this shot in so that you can see how good a site it is for birding and although there are birds in it they are hard to find.

 

 

Redshank, Greenshank and Mallard

 

 

 

 

 Grey Heron

 

 

 

 

 At last, we arrive in Newcastle and there is a magnificent Hotel there called Slieve Donard (that is called after the highest peak in the Mourne Mountains.)  The Swimming pool look onto the sea here.  The song (I know some of your know it) is written by Irish born Percy French and tells the story of him going to London for the first time and writing about it to Mary, his beloved wife back home in Ireland.

 

 

 

 

 This panorama shot is Eileen's.

 

 

Time was running out however we made our way to Castlewellan (about 2 miles from Newcastle) to see if we could see the Red Kites.  They had released quite a number about 3-4 years ago at this place however we didn't see any but just breathed in the beauty and peacefulness of this area.

 

 

 

 

 You can access the video at

http://youtu.be/DFYbQk5tX48

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

 

 

I hope you enjoyed not only the birds seen but also our beautiful scenry around that part of the world.  Sorry I zoomed the video too quickly in parts.

 

Many thanks for visiting and thanks for all your comments.

 

Tomorrow for my 'Saturday's Post, I will be featuring a

"Little Egret".