Recently I've noticed some large birds just offshore east of Portstewart, Co Derry which I've discovered were eiders. Are they normally found on our northern shores at this time of year and is this as far south as they travel?
Bernard Brady, Coleraine, Co Derry
Eider are mostly an Arctic duck whose feathers used to be collected for eiderdowns. They are now breeding on this island in small numbers down the east coast, but mainly around the coast of Ulster. (They have bred even as far south as Kerry.) The numbers given for Ireland in the new Atlas of Breeding Birds is 1,000, but many thousands also winter here.
I was in Lettergesh, Co Galway at the end of April and I saw a loon swimming at the end of my field. I recognised the call and I could see clearly the white breast and dark long beak. Are they common around there? It is the first time I have seen one. I have often seen them in the Adirondack/USA on lakes.
Dorothy Cross
The American common loon is called the great northern diver in these islands. It is a winter visitor and most birds have departed by April. A small number remain for the summer, but there has been only one confirmed report of a pair breeding in Scotland in 1970.
Every spring I get letters asking why birds throw themselves at windows or peck at the glass. This happens because the bird thinks that his reflection in the glass is an interloper into his territory, and he is driving him off.
Edited by Michael Viney, who welcomes observations sent to him at Thallabawn, Carrowniskey PO, Westport, Co Mayo. email: viney@anu.ie Emails should include a postal address.
