Grouse in Dublin?

qwert2

Today I noticed what I thought was a grouse lurking along the perimeter of the grounds of roadstone in Dublin 22. Although located off the busy N7, the surrounding area of roadstone is never used by humans due to the nature of the industry. It would be the perfect location for a wild animal to inhabit. Can anyone shed any light on this? The bird was quite large, was wandering on the ground, had a bright red marking on it's head.

cameramonkey

I have seen grouse in the hills in South Dublin, they can be hard to see but when they are looking for a mate you can get very close to them. In the next few months they will be easy to see and hear. I haven't see them near where you are saying but I have seen them within 5 or 10K of there.

cuddlycavies

There's a good few around Kippure. But they're not a big bird and you rarely see them until they rise

V_Moth

Could it have been a Pheasant? Red Grouse tend to stick to areas with extensive heather, but its possible someone may have released some for hunting.

Desmo

V_Moth wrote: »

Could it have been a Pheasant? Red Grouse tend to stick to areas with extensive heather, but its possible someone may have released some for hunting.

I just spent 3 hours on Sun morning looking for Grouse near the Sally Gap. I could not hear or see anything. Any idea where is an easy spot to find them?

Des

Alun

I do a lot of hillwalking up there and will probably will usually see one per walk, often more. They're not that plentiful though, and keep themselves to themselves hiding amongst the heather unless they're disturbed. I've never seen one just standing there, the first thing I usually notice is a sequence of calls followed by the beating of wings as they 'escape'.

Desmo

Alun wrote: »

I do a lot of hillwalking up there and will probably will usually see one per walk, often more. They're not that plentiful though, and keep themselves to themselves hiding amongst the heather unless they're disturbed. I've never seen one just standing there, the first thing I usually notice is a sequence of calls followed by the beating of wings as they 'escape'.

Cheers Alun; do you walk across the heather or stick to paths? Any particular place?

Des

cuddlycavies

Anywhere on the road up to Kippure summit. Usually see them. Or on the moor heading to Lugala

Alun

Desmo wrote: »

Cheers Alun; do you walk across the heather or stick to paths? Any particular place?

Des

Both, but usually disturb them when just walking across the open heather. Like cuddlycavies said, anywhere on Kippure, or else take a walk up Luggala and wander through the open heather up there.

Desmo

Thanks guys!

Des