Highlights: Lesser Scaup (Nov 1999) - originally seen at Ballyshunnock Reservoir.
Access:When approaching from Waterford, turn left and down the hill at the Sweep petrol station,
about 10 km out on the main Waterford-Cork road at Adamstown. At the end of the hill turn off right (instead of continuing
on for Kill and Bunmahon) and on up that hill. At the top, veer left (signposted for Knockaderry Reservoir) and continue
for 1.4 km. Go right here (signposted "Knockaderry Fishery") and down to the lake. This is the most direct route.
Alternatively, from Ballyshunnock Reservoir, turn left at Carroll’s Cross
on the main Waterford-Dungarvan road and then right a few metres further on.Continue
for exactly 3.5 km and take a sharp left at this (veer right for Kill/Ballinlough).Follow this narrow twisting road, uphill and downhill, for 4.8 km, then turn right and 1.3 km further on (overlooking
the lakes) turn left down to lake.
Further details:
Knockaderry is a natural lake, but
it has supplied water to Waterford city since 1887. There is also trout fishing (from boats) here. Access is restricted
but there is usually little need to walk around either lake as birdwatching can be done from the road (though a telescope
is useful). The reservoir is slightly more awkward to get to than Ballyshunnock, but is well worth a visit.
A similar range of waterfowl species
to Ballyshunnock is present in winter, and some species are most easily seen in the sheltered backwater at the west side of
the lake, viewable from the road.In the late 1980s, this small lake, separated
from the main lake by a roadway, became densely vegetated, particularly in summer.Whooper
Swan, Wigeon, and Teal numbers can be higher here than on the other lakes, reflecting the prolific aquatic plant growth.Diving ducks (Pochard and Tufted Duck) feed mainly on the large lake, and often a
few Goldeneye.Odd visitors have included Red-necked Grebe, Smew, Green-winged
Teal and Ruddy Duck.
Fewer wintering waders occur than
at Ballyshunnock, but there have been January records of Woodcock and Green Sandpiper, with occasional autumn records of Green
and Common Sandpipers, Ruff and Greenshank.In some years, water levels have
fallen sufficiently to expose large areas of mud by the autumn - in such conditions,Baird’s Sandpiper and two Pectoral Sandpipers were found in September 1984, and another Pectoral Sandpiper in
October 2004.
Breeding
species at Knockaderry include Little Grebe, Mute Swan and Mallard; Tufted Duck has bred in the past.Dippers and Grey Wagtails nest at the outflow stream at the north-east side of the lake and can sometimes
be seen from the roadside.In the tall conifers by the lake, Long-eared Owls
have bred.Good numbers of warblers also breed, and Chiffchaffs occasionally
overwinter.A Firecrest apparently over-wintered from at least December to March
of 1980/81.
