24 hours in Cork, Ireland and a bit of birding

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When: September 2023 Weather: Hot 17-25C

Leica Q3. Nikon P900

We landed in Dublin and had a lovely lunch at Healy’s gastropub next to the airport…actually the Guinness was rather better than the food….then set off on our 3 hour drive to Cork for our meeting the next day. Never having been to Southern Ireland before, the greenery and rolling fields were a sight for sore eyes. Many familiar names rolled by…..Waterford(of crystal fame), Kilkeny(of beer fame) and of course Limerick…

There was a man from Singapore

Who landed on the Emerald shore

He’d heard about the Murphy’s and Beamish

But found he liked the Guinness

A whole lot more!

Walking to the town centre along the River Lee which runs through it, Cork is a pretty town with lots of pubs….

early evening along the river Lee in charming Cork
The water is clean enough that an otter was happy enough getting his fish dinner
the city took on a different feel as the sun set

Walking back to our Hotel River Lee, we found Dwyer’s…a typical Irish pub where a duo were playing some traditional Irish folk songs..very pleasant indeed….especially when washed down with some Beamish and Murphys…still think Guinness is better though. Unfortunately, a new singer came on shortly after and started playing some modern Cold Play numbers…..Irish ditties are much more in keeping with the mood!.

At 630am the next morning, I squeezed in a short, hour long ramble from our hotel in the direction of Fitzgerald Park where I intended to bird for an hour next to the river. Unfortunately, Cork City Council sees fit to only open the park at 830am!!#$%^%&^&& …not ideal for early morning birders. If you walk on past Fitzgerald Park, you come to Ferry Walk along which there are some interesting murals….

Murals on Ferry Walk leading to the river
Arriving at the river, it was still dark but the beautifully lit Daly’s Bridge (aka Shaky Bridge) provided a great photo opportunity
Shooting from the bridge, the early dawn light over the river Lee was stunning
as the sun emerged, the first few birds were Magpies, very different from the ones in Asia
The Robin started singing with the light
Pale eyed blackbird
charming riverside houses appeared
? raptor

We then walked back along ferry walk and headed to the other end of the park, Mardyke Walk which also led to the river…

some mallards were stirring in the early morning light
A more peaceful scene is hard to imagine
Some long tailed tits were busy in the trees
common blackbird
Hooded crows along Mardyke Walk
So we headed back towards our hotel stopping off briefly at the University of Cork Alumni Bridge
Where a lovely Rock Dove posed.

Highlight of the morning was a stop at the Green Frog Cafe opposite the UCC where the Cappucino was good and the sausage roll even better.

Cork is a charming place and there is enough greenery and water to satisfy any nature lover.

Recommended.

3 thoughts on “24 hours in Cork, Ireland and a bit of birding”

  3. There is one from Singapore
    Living in Surrey
    And not been to Cork
    After reading this bloc
    Now want to visit Cork
    Thanking you kindly sir
    For tis a corker

    Reply

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