Tacumshin

Cardynal

Lads , if any of ye have the oppurtunity to visit Tacumshin in the next few weeks ye should try and get down , the place is on fire at the moment with rarites.
Last two weeks alone amongst others

Bearded Reedling
Monty's Harrier
Marsh and Hen Harriers
White-rumped Sandpipers
Bairds Sandpipers
Semipalmated Sandpipers
Wood and Green Sandpipers
Spotted Redshank
Buff-breasted Sandpipers
Hobby
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
and to top it all off this morning a juvenile Pallid Harrier.

Judgement Day

Seen one Sandpiper seen them all but a Bearded Tit - I'd nearly get myself down there.

cameramonkey

has there been any news about the bitterns that were there earlier this year? have they been seen?

Cardynal

cameramonkey wrote: »

has there been any news about the bitterns that were there earlier this year? have they been seen?

Last sightings were the 1st week in march , so i guess they did'nt hang around , mabye next year.

swifts need our help!

sounds like the place to be. I Googled it but couldnt find it. Where is it?

Mark

Cardynal

Hi Mark ,
Tacumshin is roughly mid-way between Carnsore point and Kilmore Quay in Wexford , there are a couple of access points to it but the main one to the east end is off the N25 Wexford to Rosslare road.
Take the turn-off for Killinick and follow the signs for Tacumshin.
The lake itself is quite tricky to get to as you have to follow a number of minor roads to get to it but i'm sure if you ask anyone around there they'll point you in the right direction , or if by any chance you have Eric Dempsey's book (Finding birds in Ireland) , there are excellent directions in there to all points.
Regards Tom.

swifts need our help!

Thanks Tom

cfitz

Cardynal wrote: »

Lads , if any of ye have the oppurtunity to visit Tacumshin in the next few weeks ye should try and get down , the place is on fire at the moment with rarites.
Last two weeks alone amongst others

Bearded Reedling
Monty's Harrier
Marsh and Hen Harriers
White-rumped Sandpipers
Bairds Sandpipers
Semipalmated Sandpipers
Wood and Green Sandpipers
Spotted Redshank
Buff-breasted Sandpipers
Hobby
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
and to top it all off this morning a juvenile Pallid Harrier.

What do you reckon the chances are of seeing the hobby or any of the harriers with just a few hours down there?

Cardynal

cfitz wrote: »

What do you reckon the chances are of seeing the hobby or any of the harriers with just a few hours down there?

Hobbies are a bit hit and miss , have had two birds this year , both in may.
Excellent chance of seeing female marsh and hen harriers though , lots of sightings lately.

Cardynal

Bearded Tits calling at Lingstown this morning , also Pallid Harrier resighted yesterday evening.

swifts need our help!

Just heard a friend of mine is heading down tomorrow to look for the birds

Cardynal

swifts need our help! wrote: »

Just heard a friend of mine is heading down tomorrow to look for the birds

Today
Marsh Harrier x 1
Hen Harrier x 4
Buzzard x 5
Peregrine x 2
Merlin x 1.

trebor28

Cardynal wrote: »

Today
Marsh Harrier x 1
Hen Harrier x 4
Buzzard x 5
Peregrine x 2
Merlin x 1.

how big exactly is the lake? from the sounds of it, it would seem quite large.
is it completely overgrown and wild or what kind of access would one get to it?

Cardynal

trebor28 wrote: »

how big exactly is the lake? from the sounds of it, it would seem quite large.
is it completely overgrown and wild or what kind of access would one get to it?

The Main Lake itself is quite large , more of a coastal lagoon than a lake ,it's about 3 kilometers all around.
At the moment there is very good access , you can (with wellies) walk right around it , different story in winter though when the levels can rise quite rapidly.
The habitat of Tacumshin itself consists mainly of reedbed and there are a number of different access points.
The East End Holds the main body of the lake and is quite easily accessed.
The Forgotten corner is at the opposite end of the lake.
The Lingstown end ( Large Reedbed ) can be reached from the village of Tomhaggard.
The White hole can also be reached from here.
Another area is the Patches , a flat saltmarsh area on the west side of the lake , can be reached with a long walk from the East End (excellent for Yankee waders in Sept ).
Hope this helps , regards Tom.

Cardynal

Today
Bearded tits ( 3 juveniles ) at Lingstown.
American Golden Plover.
Citrine Wagtail x 2.

swifts need our help!

Where have the bearded tits come from? Are they breeding in the south? That's one bird that would make me drive down from Antrim

Mark

1squidge

I was down there yesterday myself and got excellent views of the Pallid Harrier. It flew straight at myself and two other guys and banked away literally 10ft away. What a stunning bird.

Mark the bearded Tits/Reedlings have been there since last year although I've been down there 3 times for a view and not a peep. I missed the Citrine's yesterday so I might go down again next week for another try. Ger.

Cardynal

swifts need our help! wrote: »

Where have the bearded tits come from? Are they breeding in the south? That's one bird that would make me drive down from Antrim

Mark

Hi Mark ,
The Bearded Tits arrived in November last year and overwintered (Last sighing end of January).
Resighted this year again 1st week in July and intermittent sightings since , 2 juveniles showing well early yesterday morning , don't think their breeding here though , hopefully some day.
Regards Tom.

swifts need our help!

Thanks Tom

Cardynal

Juvenile Monty's on the scene today.

Cardynal

Female Marsh and Hen Harrier at Tac , also Juvenile Pallid still around , showing early at Lingstown this morning.

Cardynal

Flock of 20 Bearded Tits at Lingstown this morning , mostly Males and Juveniles , up to 9 Buff-Breasted Sandpipers on the scene now.
Pallid Harrier still around also.

swifts need our help!

Bearded tits must be nesting down there? Are they there every autumn?

swifts need our help!

just found this http://www.birdguides.com/iris/pictures.asp?v=1&f=313880

Cardynal

Seem to be now Mark allright , great to see , only saw them myself for the first time last November.

Cardynal

Harrier Heaven here this morning guys , Juvenile Pallid , 6 Hen and 2 Marsh all showing well at Lingstown.

java30

Im wondering, what are all those harriers down there in Tacumshin eating?

I was there once and its quite a small area really, I thought.

Cardynal

java30 wrote: »

Im wondering, what are all those harriers down there in Tacumshin eating?

I was there once and its quite a small area really, I thought.

You must have only taken in a small part of it , Tacumshin is a massive area comprising of the East end (Main lake) , Forgotton corner , Lingstown (Large Reed Bed ) , White Hole , and the Patches.
It would take 2 days to fully explore all of it.
The Harriers diet is Varied , Hens will take small birds and rodents.
And the Marsh has a wide range , including Frogs , Mammals , and a wide variety of birds , will also take eggs , nestlings and carrion.

Cardynal

The Juvenile Pallid Harrier is still giving great views most days if anyone has a chance to get down.
Regards Tom.

Traonach

I saw the Sharp-tailed sandpiper earlier in the month. A magic bird to see. I saw it on the "patches" in Tacumshin. It took me 7 hours over two visits to find the bird. It's quite similar in plumage to Dunlins, so all the Dunlins had to be checked on the site to find the bird. There were hundreds of Dunlins there so it wasn't easy. I had checked almost all the Dunlins on the "patches" when a Kestrel flew over. The Dunlins were spooked and when they finally landed they were all mixed up. It was back to square one, checking every single Dunlin again. I finally found it and got mega views. The birdwatching highlight of the year for me:).

kinderbeano

Planing my first visit to Tacumshin lake in wexford soon for a bit of birding.Iv never been though and im just wondering if anyone could give me sum advise on the best spots ie. best vantage points etc.I know how to get to Tacumshin and im shure ill find the lake ok but as for places to watch from i wouldnt know where to start
Thanks very much,
Conor.

Cardynal

Hi Conor , there is another Thread about Tacumshin with a lot of info on it already but if you need any more you can PM me.
Regards Tom.

kinderbeano

oh gr8,ill have a look.thanks tom

Birdnuts

Tacumshin is a fantastic spot and I'm looking forwards to my own outing there later this month. Its also heavily watched by twitchers pretty much every day of the week so you can often bump into people that will point you to any of the rareties that might happen to be around on a particular day:).

Mothman

Cardynal wrote: »

Hi Conor , there is another Thread about Tacumshin with a lot of info on it already but if you need any more you can PM me.
Regards Tom.

I've merged the 2 threads

oldyouth

swifts need our help! wrote: »

sounds like the place to be. I Googled it but couldnt find it. Where is it?

Mark

Google Tacumshane and you'll get more info

V Bull

+1 oldyouth..

Also try Google Maps - type in Tacumshin, Ireland and a map will pop up. You can get step by step directions from your home on Google maps website, ..:)

V_Moth

Directions to Tacumshin:

From Wexford, head towards Rosslare Harbour on the N25. As you enter Tagoat village, take the first right-hand turn (R736). Follow this road for 2Km. At the T-junction turn right and immediately left. Follow this road for another 2-2.5Kms. At the four-way junction, turn right. After 2Km, you come to another 4-way junction (main road continues left), turn right. Follow this narrow road for another 2Km (two 90 Degree bends) and you will see a castle on your left. Take a left turn, and after another sharp S-bend, take a left.

This will take you to the East End car park. Straight on will take you to the Forgotten Corner, another good vantage point. Follow both roads to the end. At the East End car park walk along the well worn trail across a stream and towards the dunes.

The Patches (best for waders) are here - just folow the southern shore of the lake and cross the mudflats.

Note: Wellies are a must, while waders would be ideal (especially later in winter). Take care not to disturb feeding waders.

whyulittle

V_Moth wrote: »

From Wexford, head towards Rosslare Harbour on the N25. As you enter Tagoat village, take the first right-hand turn (R736). Follow this road for 2Km. At the T-junction turn right and immediately left. Follow this road for another 2-2.5Kms. At the four-way junction, turn right. After 2Km, you come to another 4-way junction (main road continues left), turn right. Follow this narrow road for another 2Km (two 90 Degree bends) and you will see a castle on your left. Take a left turn, and after another sharp S-bend, take a left.

eezy peezy!

Cardynal

V_Moth wrote: »

Directions to Tacumshin:

From Wexford, head towards Rosslare Harbour on the N25. As you enter Tagoat village, take the first right-hand turn (R736). Follow this road for 2Km. At the T-junction turn right and immediately left. Follow this road for another 2-2.5Kms. At the four-way junction, turn right. After 2Km, you come to another 4-way junction (main road continues left), turn right. Follow this narrow road for another 2Km (two 90 Degree bends) and you will see a castle on your left. Take a left turn, and after another sharp S-bend, take a left.

This will take you to the East End car park. Straight on will take you to the Forgotten Corner, another good vantage point. Follow both roads to the end. At the East End car park walk along the well worn trail across a stream and towards the dunes.

The Patches (best for waders) are here - just folow the southern shore of the lake and cross the mudflats.

Note: Wellies are a must, while waders would be ideal (especially later in winter). Take care not to disturb feeding waders.

Waders are a must at the moment if you want to cross the lake , changes day to day.

kinderbeano

any spots particularly good for hen harriers?..reed bed in the evening maybe?

Birdnuts

kinderbeano wrote: »

any spots particularly good for hen harriers?..reed bed in the evening maybe?

I don't think its appropriate on a public forum giving the exact location of raptor roosts given ongoing issues with illegal persecution in this country. In any case they can be seen most days almost anywhere in the area.

Traonach

Birdnuts wrote: »

I don't think its appropriate on a public forum giving the exact location of raptor roosts given ongoing issues with illegal persecution in this country. In any case they can be seen most days almost anywhere in the area.

x2
The area is heavily hunted by shooters. Most of the shooters there seem reasonable, but all it takes is one undesirable to shoot these rare birds.

Cardynal

Northern Harrier sighted today , wonder if it's the same bird as last year.

Cardynal

Not the same bird as last year , 2nd cy male
Last years bird was a Juvenile female.