Bosh Lakes and coast Stackpole Quay to Fresh East

Bosh Lake winter waterfowl numbers declining quite quickly now but 105 coot, 20 goldeneye (5 males displaying), 2 little egrets and 12 goosander are still present. Among 650-700 large gulls dropping in to the Central lake to bathe from nearby fields were some 600-650 herring gulls. If the juvs are excluded the number of adults in this flock was probably equal to the entire breeding population between Stackpole Head and Elegug Stacks. No unusual gulls were noted.

A small feeding flock of yellowhammers continue to feed near Merrion Army camp (they have been here since at least Christmas).

Spring is definitely in the air: at Lodge Park Blackcap and chiffchaff singing,
at Stackpole Quay Oystercatcher pair mating and female was making a nest scrape - in FEBRUARY! A ravens nest has its first egg (also a bit early). Many skylarks on territory - males actively displaying.

Offshore a red-throated diver (more or less in summer plumage);