Andrew Malcolm

Spotted sandpiper still lingering at Helvick Head on Tuesday @watbirds

Was very surprised to find that a woodpecker had made 1.5 holes in the dead alder tree in the garden over the last couple of days. I didn't know that they did this at this time of year. Winter roosting? @BirdWatchIE

Ceptember motherload

Finally got to photograph one of the visiting woodpeckers in the sun and not through a window! Juvenile beginning to get its adult feathers

Still trying to figure out why they're called 'woodpeckers'

When you almost literally 'drop off'

Its nice when your visitors feel relaxed enough to fall asleep in your garden. This fella dozed here for at least 45min in yesterdays early morning sun

The juvenile seems particularly relaxed...an interesting feeding technique of trapping the peanut to the post with its chest

I daresay at some stage the novelty of having woodpeckers in the garden will wear off-but not just yet

I drilled some holes and put peanuts into the post where I have some feeders hanging in the garden...the holes are slightly larger now!

Amazed to find a pair of lesser scaup on the Blackwater yesterday @watbirds

I'd set the trail cam up in the garden to try and get a shot of the visiting sparrowhawk🙄

Set up the trailcam on the feeders yesterday hoping to record a woodpecker (which I haven't seen for a few weeks). Instead all I did was to capture a couple of fly-bys by the sparrowhawk. The replays are slowed down to 10% normal speed

There's always one clown!

Garden jay ready for its closeup

Through only one clean(ish) pane of glass instead of 2 grubby windows, the woodpecker stood out a bit clearer this morning

Female woodpecker at the feeders this evening. Very flighty but hopefully she'll gain in confidence!

@amsterdammed Also if you go into any pub in the republic and want crisps the protocol is 'A package of Taytos, please'...this doesn't mean you're necessarily going to get Taytos btw, it can be any brand

One of the joys of travelling for work is the chance to experience delicious foods that you can’t get back home. I’ve just spent my entire dinner allowance on Tayto crisps. Winner

@amsterdammed I moved from Norn Iron to Waterford with my parents in 1984-the disappointment when I sampled my first republican packet of cheese and onion Tayto has left a scar that will never fully heal.