Migrant birds give climate change clues

ON mornings after the storms, when the sun is bright and warm and the tide is far out, the floor of the bay stretches away in miles of mud and sand, dissected by narrow channels reflecting the blue of the sky.

Out on the flats, birds in their thousands forage. In the channels, widgeon, teal and mallard cruise sedately, shelduck and black and white Brent geese bustle in busy coveys along the edges.

This year has seen visits to Courtmacsherry Bay of species that are rarely seen here. Whether their presence augers a new climate regime, or that this is simply an exceptional year, is hard to say.