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Almost all the world's birds come to fresh water on a regular basis. In Ireland hundreds can be observed eating, drinking and washing on river and canal banks, in reservoirs, ponds and lakes. A broad range of birds takes advantage of Ireland's climate and variety of freshwater habitats. They include the elegant great crested grebe which feeds feathers to its chicks to aid digestion, and moorhens, three of which may lay eggs in one nest and may raise two or three families in a year. Irish snipe, found on wet ground, with a population of roughly 15,000-20,000, are joined by over half a million snipe from Iceland and Europe each winter. The whooper swan, which breeds in Iceland, makes the longest non-stop migration of any swan, travelling 1,300 km between Iceland and Ireland and has been seen on one flight at 8 km above sea level. Mark Carmody spent many hours capturing the essence and beauty of Ireland's freshwater birds and their habitats. Awareness and understanding of the beauty and wonder of Ireland's freshwater birds will be enhanced by this visually stunning sequel to Shorebirds of Ireland.
Jim Wilson, writer, broadcaster, tour guide, and member of BirdWatch Ireland, co-wrote Ireland's Garden Birds (2008) and Shorebirds of Ireland (2009). He has been involved in every study of birds in Ireland for many years and has contributed to many major surveys and international projects.
Mark Carmody did postdoctoral research in genetics following a PhD and is currently a trainee Patent Attorney. Co-author of Shorebirds of Ireland, he has written for Wings, had photographs published in the renowned Birding World, and is one of the editors of the Cork Bird Report.
