Phoenix Park - 9th March 2025.
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South Dublin Members, Phoenix Park, 9th March 2025 (picture: Shane Kerr)
This month’s birdwatching adventure took us to Dublin’s Phoenix Park, which as every Dubliner knows is the largest enclosed public park of any European capital city. Its name derives from the Gaelic phrase Fionn Uisce which means 'clear water', a referral to the many ancient springs in the park but whose pronunciation has become anglicised to that of the mythological fire-bird. With its impressive range of attractions and colourful history, it is deservedly one of Irelands top tourist destinations and from the wildlife perspective it has much to offer.
In bright sunshine and on the warmest day of the year to date, 32 individuals met in the visitor’s car park near the ruins of Ashtown Castle at 10:00. From there the group walked towards the large pond located off the Ordinance Survey Road. It felt like summer but the starkness of the hundreds of leafless trees around us was a reminder it was still early spring.
Tufted Duck, Phoenix Park, 9th March 2025 (picture: Pat Twomey)
At first there seemed to be little birdlife about apart for a distant soaring Buzzard. However, on arrival at the pond which seemed like an oasis amidst the barren surroundings, significant wildlife activity became apparent. On the pond there were relaxing views of Shoveler, Tufted and Mallard ducks together with Moorhens and Coots. However, it was the spotting of a Red-eared Terrapin basking in the sunlight on a branch which caught everyone’s attention.
This freshwater turtle is endemic to the eastern United States but was imported into Europe in substantial numbers for the pet trade until it was banned in 2017 because of pet owners who were naively releasing them into the wild after they grew too large for their aquariums. The introduced terrapins have had a negative impact on their new habitats as they predate on fish and amphibians and will occupy water bird nests and often eat the eggs contained. The first record of terrapins in the wild in Ireland was in 2003 and although it is unlikely that they will breed here because it is too cold these reptiles can live to 40 years or more. They are a more serious threat to the ecology of warmer European countries where unfortunately they do breed.
Red-eared Terrapin, Phoenix Park, 9th March 2025 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
The high-pitched call of a Treecreeper was heard and a few people managed to get a lucky glimpse of it as it fluttered off. Treecreepers are cryptic mouse-like birds that usually land at the base of a tree to be then seen to scurry upwards but never downwards along the trunk while using their hooked bills to pluck out insects. Phoenix Park must be Treecreeper-heaven with the abundance of huge mature trunks containing endless nooks, crannies and bark fissures on which the tiny bird can forage, hide and even nest.
Coot, Phoenix Park, 9th March 2025 (picture: Bill Rea)
There is one avian species that has become strongly associated with Phoenix Park namely the Jay and sure enough, on our outing, a few Jays were fleetingly observed both on the ground and in the air around the general locality of the Ordinance Survey Ireland Building. This shy forest crow is colourful and exotic looking but surprisingly inconspicuous amongst greenery until it takes to flight where the flash of its white rump gives it away or when its distinctive noisy screeching calls are heard.
In recent years Jays have begun to venture into gardens looking for berries and nuts. The Jay has the most wonderful sounding Latin name Garrulus glandarius, the words of which translate respectively as 'chatty' and 'of acorns', which refer to its raucousness and the fascinating association it has with the oak tree acorns. It is worth mentioning that the Irish Jay Garrulus glandarius hibernicus is classified as a subspecies of its British and European relatives as it sports slightly darker plumage.
Shoveler, Phoenix Park, 9th March 2025 (picture: Pat Twomey)
During the autumn, a Jay will cache thousands of acorns by burying them in the ground for retrieval and consumption later in the winter. Astoundingly, these clever birds can remember the precise locations of where up to 75% of their acorns were hidden months later. Jays achieve this astounding feat, at least in part, by using the relative positions of vertical structures such as trees around them at the time of caching as memory aids. The remaining 25% of lost acorns will germinate and so go on to expand the area of oak woodland. Therefore, both Jay and oak are mutually benefited by their relationship.
Fallow Deer, Phoenix Park, 9th March 2025 (picture: Bill Rea)
Disappointingly there were no Great Spotted Woodpeckers seen or heard but this was unsurprisingly as they are wary of people and the park had become busy with noisy day trippers. There were also no Chiffchaffs or Blackcaps, which are usually the first warblers to be heard singing in spring. A few Fallow Deer were observed at a distance. Fallow Deer are not native to Ireland and most of the individuals in the park are descendants of the royal hunting stock which was introduced in the mid-17th century.
A survey conducted by BirdWatch Ireland in 2007-8 counted 72 bird species in Phoenix Park. On our short outing we ticked off about 25. Of special note to birdwatchers should be is that during the late evenings of summer Long-eared Owls can sometimes be heard calling in the park woodland where they have also been confirmed to have bred. Furthermore, several uncommon bat species have been recorded notably the Whiskered and Natterers and there are known to be several badger setts in undisclosed locations.
Mistle Thrush, Phoenix Park, 9th March 2025 (picture: Gustavo Zoladz)
There is potential for much more wildlife in Phoenix Park and perhaps in the future this might include the reintroductions of Barn Owl, Pine Marten and Red Squirrel. A century ago, Corncrakes were commonplace in the park but sadly today these are rare throughout Ireland mainly due to early mowing and mechanical hay making practices which destroy the birds’ nests. But wouldn’t it be a treasure if one day these little summer migrants from Africa could make Phoenix Park their home again? Optimistically, there are many projects underway by the National Park and Wildlife Service to increase the biodiversity and maintain the park as the 'green lung' of Dublin.
Some More Pictures
Birds
Some more pictures of birds seen taken on the day by Bill Rea.
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Phoenix Park Scenery and South Dublin Members
Some more pictures of South Dublin members taken on the day by Bill Rea and Shane Kerr.
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The event was led by Des Higgins and Gustavo Zoladz and concluded at 12:00. We were delighted to see several new friendly faces including Heather and Jack and the young lady Emma who recently Joined BirdWatch Ireland. Emma is a Zoology graduate from Galway currently working in Dublin. We hope to see you all again soon!