Graham Prole

Swan man. Loves Dublin, the history and culture which makes it unique. CR Birder and Ringer. (Everything my own opinion).

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Herbert Park pair have finally hatched 3 cygnets. Female (YN[CFKD]) is very young, hatched 2023. Hopefully they will do well. 🤞
#DublinSwans #Cygnets 🇮🇪

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

@IrishRail What is most frustrating is the continual wrong information. At 9am, no point in going for the Cork bus as train leaving at 9.30.
9.35. No point in going for the bus as train leaving 9.50. 10.15 announcement. Train to train transfer taking place. Not leaving anytime soon.

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

@IrishRail Thank you. Waiting for the 9am Heuston Cork train to depart.

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Monster swan!
In 2019 I ringed a large cygnet. 10.5kg and wing cord 616mm.
It lost its coloured ring in 2022 so re-trapped and then 13kg / 646mm. A chip was noticed on the Darvic last week so re-trapped. Now its 13.36kg / 656mm. We had to measure it twice!

[Tolka Branch Birdwatch Ireland @dublinbirding]

TOLKA BRANCH Birdwatch Ireland Monthly Talk on Wed. 15th Oct. 2025 at 7:45PM in the Botanic Gardens Auditorium in Glasnevin, Dublin is "The Mute Swan in Dublin" by Graham Prole. The car park opens at 7:30PM and is free. @BirdWatchIE @MidlandsRinging @GrahamProle @BirdwatchDublin

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

#SandwichTern appeared today in Dun Laoghaire, Dublin. 🇮🇪 This one is from Northern Ireland, now heading south, probably down the African coast.

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Tonight I recorded #HerringGull L60:D on a roof in Tallaght 🇮🇪. Not new to 2025 stats, as I recorded it on Lambay 30km away in June! #TeamGull

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

In Dublin 🇮🇪 the Common & Arctic Terns have fledged. The Juveniles sit on the rocks waiting for parents to feed. An opportunity for some ring reading.

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

All change in the Gull world. Dublin 🇮🇪. Large gull chicks mainly all fledged, starting to disperse and the number of small gulls increasing like these #MediterraneanGull from France 🇫🇷 and the Netherlands 🇳🇱. Here for Winter!

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Found a post breeding roost in Tallaght last night 🇮🇪. 😀 100's of adult #LesserBlackBackedGull & 4 with our colour rings. They'll migrate soon, so fantastic to get the sightings. #TeamGull

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Mopping up! The end of nesting season gives adults time to rest on the lampposts of Tallaght, Dublin. 🇮🇪. This #LesserBlackBackedGull was ringed as a nesting adult in 2023. Haven't found its nest site since but record it last year, same lamppost. #TeamGull #ColourRinging

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Also at Seapoint, Dublin 🇮🇪 yesterday, Fledged Juvenile Terns being fed by parents. There are both Common & Arctic Terns in the flocks. (I'm sure there are probably Roseate Terns, but I didn't spot any). #TeamGull

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Seabird watching - big changes. Gulls & Terns now leaving and arriving in Dublin. 🇮🇪. Selection of #MediterraneanGull from Seapoint yesterday. Already back in Ireland after nesting on the continent. #TeamGull

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Up and down the Liffey Dublin. 🇮🇪. Looking for birds with #ColourRinging . Two #HerringGull missing since 2019 showed up and an angry Swan. #TeamGull #DublinSwans

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Having issues getting an ID on this Fungus seen last weekend. Dublin 🇮🇪. Any experts that could give me a positive ID. 225mm tall (9"), Tennis ball size. Can't find a match in my book of common species.🤞

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

@Au_Erithacus ❤️ (I had a great weekend as well) As a ringer you'll understand the photo!

[Newbridge Tidy Towns Association #DroicheadNua @TTNewbridge]

Spotted Mute Swans CDIS & CFKN with their 8 surviving cygnets at #LHDParklands #Lakeside in #Newbridge yesterday.

Cygnets much bigger & hopefully thriving on the lake.

@GrahamProle
@IMRingingGroup

Mute Swan
Cygnus olor
Eala bhalbh

#NoBreadPlease

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Received the history on this bird today. Ringed as a re-hab chick in 2014 in Cardiff 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿. Only 2nd sighting in 11 years! #GowerRingingGroup

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Out looking for our project #LesserBlackBackedGull. Eventually I did find a #ColourRinged one, but not #Dublin 🇮🇪 from #Swansea 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿. Ring in terrible condition so hoping it's really old with lots of history. #TeamGull

[Graham Prole @GrahamProle]

Out looking for our project #LesserBlackBackedGull. Eventually I did find a #ColourRinged one, but not #Dublin 🇮🇪 from #Swansea 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿. Ring in terrible condition so hoping it's really old with lots of history. #TeamGull