Knockataggart 6.40am

It's been an incredible day and I was up at sparrowfart- 5.15am to be precise for yes, it is the annual bird count in my patch beyond Skibbereen. Ginny joined me and we set off to do our square (about 4km) around 6.40. It was perishing - 6c -but gorgeous.  A quiet start and then it all kicked off - willow warblers, chiffchaffs, dunnocks, wrens, mistle thrush, a song thrush and lots of other warbly mayhem.  I think we must have seen over 30 different species, linnets being another treat. The highlight was four choughs chattering and wheeling overhead - I've never seen them in this patch before. They are such handsome birds, glossy black with red bills and legs, very sociable. They were endangered not so long ago but seem to be thriving and have even been spotted back in England where they had disappeared inspite of being the emblem for Cornwall. 
Seán Ronayne has the demeanour of an angel living amongst us and had has taken it upon himself to record the song of all native Irish birds (around 200 species)  and this is what he has to say about choughs He has become an unexpected celebrity in a good way and is currently touring spreading the word or cheeps. I hope to see him when he come to Bantry Literary Festival in the summer,