Skylarkin’ in Wicklow

Not sure what this area is called but it takes you up onto the Wicklow Way.

After I lost the Tolka Branch, I drove around to a spot I’d walked before in February. The difference in the colours, vegetation, life around the place was amazing.

I was sorry I had left the telescope in the car because there was this little fella (and I know it was a fella cos only male songbirds sing) singing away in the tree and I couldn’t quite make out its details with my binoculars. I thought it looked very like a Chiffchaff but it certainly didn’t sound like one. It was really loud and there were a few of them in the trees. It did also seem a bit yellower on its throat but I wasn’t really able to see excat details. I played the birdsong of the Willow Warbler on my app and it matched exactly.

Looked like a Chiffchaff, sang like a Willow Warbler = Willow Warbler.

Willow Warblers everywhere here.

Here's hoping.

No its not a Peregrine - there were about 6 Swallows darting around.

There were also so many Skylarks, walking the grounds, sitting on Gorse bushes, not so many flight displays - probably all the impressing has already been done.

This was the hottest day of the year and that shade behind the rock was the only shade around for miles. I took advantage for about 20 mins.

Skylark enjoying the sun.

Little Skylark with Wicklow mountains in the background

I bet Skylark heaven is covered in Gorse bushes.

You can just see the inscet in the Skylark's mouth.

I had run out of water (not clever) so I made my way back down to the main road.

I drove around a while until I found a spot where about 2 years ago I saw a Peregrine hunt and catch a Skylark. I waited for a while but didn’t see anything this time. I was kind of glad because after my time with the Skylarks at the top of the mountain I didn’t want to see any of their Skylarkin come to an end.

Not a dog walker in sight. Beautiful Wicklow.

Lovely afternoon in the Wicklow mountains.