Meanwhile over in east Cork

Welcome to Knockadoon Campsite!

  
Dull and dreary today but still worth a look somewhere. Knockadoon seemed quiet all over apart from 2-3 Chiffers, several Goldcrests and a Wheatear along the Holy Ground lane (never seen one there before). However the Firecrest was still present although elusive in the Hume's Garden.
Over at Pilmore there were good numbers of waders generally, still plenty of variety in Grey Plover, Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, Knot, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Whimbrel, Turnstone, Redshank and Greenshank. I scanned through a massive flock of Golden Plover (I estimated 1000-2000 birds) and found a single American Golden Plover. It stood out like a sore thumb even amongst such a large flock and in very dull light. I presume it's the same bird as a few weeks ago.
I was the only person on Pilmore strand, the beach is reasonably well kept and not blighted by loose dogs, walkers and kite-surfers like Ballynamona, the huge Goldie flock was never disturbed once during the 30 minutes I scanned it. Good for the birds and maybe the reason for good numbers at Pilmore and lower numbers at Ballynamona. Speaking of Ballynamona Strand that place is in tatters, rubbish all over the place (including discarded bags in the shabby looking and very potholed car park), constant disturbance from loose dogs, walkers, kite-surfers and recently I believe quad-bikes.......Cork County Council should be ashamed of themselves. Last week I was in Sligo and visited the pristine Dunmoran Strand near Templeboy / Skreen. The beach is immaculate, the carpark clean and well maintained and at the end of the beach near where the birds congregate (at the outflow) there is this sign.

Dunmoran Strand, Co. Sligo

Well done Sligo County Council.........you clearly value your beach and should be justly proud of it!