Focus on... Tacumshin

14 Sep 2015 Curlew Sandpiper by Stephen McAvoy

A great site to visit this September (and all year round) is Tacumshin Lake in southeastern Ireland. Given the right conditions, it's one of the main wader migration hotspots in the region and has hosted over 45 wader species. Searching through the flocks Dunlin at this time year will reveal Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and a good chance of Pectoral Sandpiper. Recent rarities have included Sharp-tailed and Terek Sandpipers, with Semipalmated, White-rumped and Baird’s almost annual.
 
The profusion of waders and surrounding rough grassland attracts a variety of raptors and it is well worth keeping an eye out for Merlin, harriers and Short-eared Owls. There are two small car parks – East End and the Forgotten Corner – and wellies are needed to cross two channels. There have been fewer than 4,000 records a year logged in BirdTrack, surprisingly few for such an excellent site. More information about the birds of Tacumshin, viewing areas and access can be found in Eric Dempsey's “Finding Birds in Ireland”. If you do visit, please add your sightings to BirdTrack online or via the app in the field!



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