Cork: A great spot for birds

A wonder of the natural world is currently taking place.

Given Ireland’s location in the North Atlantic, it is an important winter location for migratory birds, some of which travel huge distances and face daunting challenges as they fly from their breeding areas to wintering grounds here.

By now, summer visitors like swallows and the few remaining corncrakes have probably left for Africa and warmer climes, while geese, swans and wading birds are moving in their hundreds of thousands from colder Arctic regions in advance of winter.