9th April 2012
Godwits Prepare for Northward Journey.
Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits everywhere are preparing for their journey north to Iceland for the breeding season with many now in their magnificant rusty breeding plumage. A couple of trips to Harper's Island here in Cork Harbour in the last few days has been amazing as always at this time of year. There is a high tide roosting flock of at least 2,200 godwits, confirming Harper's Island as one of the most important places for them in western Europe at this time of year. Six colour ringed birds were seen in the flock including birds ringed in Iceland, England, France and here in Cork. Last year was one of the worst for breeding Black-tailed Godwits in Iceland so lets hope they have better luck this year. We will keep an eye on the birds over the next few weeks before they depart and will hopefully see some new birds.
Part of the large flock of
Black-tailed Godwits at Harper's Island , Cork Harbour, Ireland.
(photo © Jim Wilson)
Green White Lime Orange at
Harper's Island , Cork Harbour, Ireland.
(photo © Jim Wilson)
Green White Lime Orange was ringed as an adult on the
13th July 2011 at Austurey, Árnessýsla, in the south of
Iceland. It was seen again on the mudflats at nearby Glounthaune on
the 8th and 9th of October 2011 before being spotted at Harper's Island
on the 3rd April 2012.
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