Corkagh Park
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The Old House at Corkagh
Corkagh House in the early 20th century (courtesy SDCC) All about the old house at Corkagh
The House Sparrow These sociable birds can be found in Corkagh and all the gardens around. They are related to finches as can be seen by their thicker beak. The males and females are quite different, the male has chocolate brown wings, a grey crown and a black bib while the female has lighter brown wings buff coloured breast and white strip over her eyes. Sparrows roost together and also build their nests next to one another. They rarely move far from their territory. The dominant males will have a larger black bib however during the breeding season it is the females who rule the roost, chasing off males from their nesting sites and feeding tables. Male on left with two females Sparrows feed mainly on nuts and seeds but are opportunistic and will also take insects. They will gather at water to bathe and if no water is available they will take a dust bath in loose or sandy gravel. Nesting boxes and cavities in roofs are often used as nestin...
The Dunnock.. The Dunnock, also known as the Hedge Sparrow, is a common little bird who often escapes notice. It could easily be mistaken for a Sparrow, but unlike the Sparrow it has a lovely song that can rival the Robin or the Wren. In fact it used to be known as 'the Irish Nightingale'. Also, unlike the Sparrow, it has a thin pointed beak best suited for catching insects. Unlike Sparrows too, the Dunnock is a solitary bird holding its own territory. Dunnocks, both female and male, are not monogamous and often mate with more than one other bird. Where territories overlap they may even cooperate in feeding the young of neighbouring dunnocks. The Dunnock builds its nest from April onward low in dense hedgerows of briars and Ivy. They forage for insects close to the ground and can sometimes be seen feeding on seeds that have dropped for bird tables. Everyone knows that the Cuckoo lays its eggs in others nests and the Dunnock nest is a favourite. ...
The Robin The best known and best loved of all our native birds the Robin can be heard singing across Corkagh and Clondalkin from early spring. The Robin is by nature a solitary bird and unwilling to share its territory except in the breeding season when he will allow a female to join him. They are much fiercer than we give them credit for and a male will fight to the death to protect his plot. Robins feed on worms, insects and will also take sunflowers seeds and fat mixtures from garden feeders. I have also seen Robins chase butterflies in flight for a quick snack. Around late January a female will join him. At first they pay little attention to one another but once courtship begins you will hear her crying like a nestling to demand her partner brings her food. Male feeding female The female builds the nest herself, usually in Ivy or any other hedgerow. Eggs are laid as early as April and its about four weeks till the young leave the nest...
The Blackbird The Blackbird is one of our most common birds and its lovely song can be heard throughout the year. Blackbirds are members of the Thrush family. The male is black with a yellow beak however the female is brown and her beak more orange. They feed on Ivy berries and other fruits in winter and during the breeding season they feed their young on worms. In winter Irish Blackbirds are joined by birds from Scandinavia. Blackbirds begin their breeding season in April and the female builds the nest in Ivy, Briars or trees. The pair can have 2 broods if the weather is good and food is plentiful. The hatchlings are fed on worms or caterpillars and fledge after about 2 weeks. They continue to be fed by their parents for another 3 weeks after which time they will fly off to find their own territory. In Celtic folklore the Blackbird was known as one of the three oldest animals in the world along with the Trout and the Stag. A legend has it that St Kevin o...
