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The kingfisher is not considered to be a songbird
because it only whistles. Kingfisher Take Me to the River The Dodder River, Dublin South Dublin’s not short on rivers and canals, all of which host their very own populations of water birds and fowl. Walk along any one of them and you are sure to see mute swan, mallard, grey heron, little egret, coot and moorhen navigating the waters or dozing on the banks while a host of other birds from tweeting sparrows to steely sparrowhawks look on from the surrounding trees with different intentions in their minds! All of our waterways are well worth a look but, for birders, the jewel in the crown is the Dodder River which plays host and home to all the city’s freshwater species (and some seabirds) but it’s real draw for birders is on account of its two main avian celebrities – the regal kingfisher and the dapper dipper – the former shooting down on the river in a blaze of shiny blue, the latter bobbing along the weir like a tightrope walker with a few on board. One minute you’re transfixed and in awe, the next you’re giggling like a toddler on a slide. And if that’s not impressive enough the Dodder is one of the very few rivers anywhere that boasts its own dedicated crew of roundthe-clock paparazzi, located usually around the Lower Dodder Road at Rathfarnham - a welcoming bunch of experts and enthusiasts who will happily show you the sights and the ropes, especially if you’re new to the game. Take the number 16 bus from O’Connell Street towards Balinteer. Get off at the Lower Dodder Park Road and walk along the river’s course. The dipper is exceptional for its ability to hunt underwater and can actually walk underneath it. Dipper Coot 18