Dawn Magic at Bannow Beach: Sea Swim #98 and Unexpected Bird Encounters

Another glorious sunrise welcomed me this chilly April morning at Bannow Beach. The sea, a brisk 10°C, beckoned as the day’s first light painted the horizon in gentle hues of gold and pink.

This marked my 98th dip in this journey of cold water swimming—each one unique, each one a small adventure in itself. Today’s swim would prove to be particularly special, though not for reasons I could have anticipated.

Morning Conditions: A Test of Resolve 🌡️

The weather app on my phone displayed the sobering statistics:

• Water temperature: 10°C
• Air temperature: 5°C (feeling more like 2°C with wind chill)
• Wind: 9 mph from the northwest, gusting to 14 mph
• Humidity: A damp 87%

Most people would consider these conditions reason enough to remain tucked under warm duvets, but for those of us who’ve discovered the transformative power of cold water immersion, these numbers represent an invitation rather than a deterrent.

The Morning Swim 🌊

Experience the full magic of Sea Swim #98: from the icy 10°C waters to the incredible bird encounters at dawn. Watch as a curious Pied Wagtail approaches the camera, followed by seven other bird species at Bannow Beach. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more sea swimming adventures and nature encounters. Turning on notifications ensures you’ll never miss a new upload!

I arrived at the beach just before dawn, walking across the cold pebble strewn sand as the first rays of sunlight began to peek over the horizon. The sea stretched before me, remarkably calm despite the wind—a silver mirror reflecting the morning sky.

At precisely 6:37 am, I entered the water. That first shock of cold never becomes easier, but your relationship with it changes. What once was dreaded becomes a familiar sensation, almost a friend that awakens every cell in your body.

Six minutes and fourteen seconds—that’s how long I stayed in the embrace of the Irish Sea. Not a marathon by any stretch, but in 10°C water, it’s long enough to experience the full spectrum of what cold water immersion offers: the initial shock, the burning sensation on skin, the gradual adaptation, and finally, that incredible rush of endorphins that makes it all worthwhile.

I emerged at 6:43 am, tingling with that unique combination of numbness and heightened sensitivity that cold water swimmers know so well.

A Symphony of Feathers and Waves

The star of my morning show – this curious Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) was the first to approach at 7:24 am, just after my cold water dip.
These distinctive black and white birds are known for their characteristic tail-bobbing behavior as they forage.
This little visitor seemed completely unfazed by my presence, coming within mere meters of where I sat quietly on the beach. It was as if it was inviting the other birds to join the gathering.

One of my special encounters after swim #98 – a Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) foraging among the seaweed at Bannow Beach.
These remarkable birds get their name from their habit of flipping over stones and debris to find food hidden underneath.
This little visitor was part of the extraordinary avian gathering that rewarded my patience after my morning dip. Nature’s gifts often come to those who wait.

A Western Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) joined the morning assembly at 7:23 am, adding its intelligent presence to the beach gathering.
These clever corvids are known for their problem-solving abilities and striking pale eyes that contrast with their dark plumage.
I rarely see them venture so close at Bannow Beach, making this sighting a special addition to my post-swim wildlife encounter. It’s amazing what you witness when you simply sit still and become part of the landscape.

A striking Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) joined the beach gathering at 7:23 am, its vibrant orange bill and piercing red eye unmistakable against the morning light.
These charismatic waders are masters at extracting shellfish with their specialised bills—a skill that earned them their name.
As I watched from my post-swim spot, this one was methodically probing the seaweed mounds, adding its distinctive ‘kleep-kleep’ call to the dawn soundtrack. A perfect example of nature’s specialists at work!

Perhaps the most surprising visitor of the morning—a tiny Eurasian Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) perched momentarily in the coastal vegetation at 7:23 am. Despite being one of Europe’s smallest birds, its loud, complex song can be heard from remarkable distances.
Though wrens typically prefer more sheltered habitats, this adventurous little soul had ventured to the shoreline, perhaps drawn by the insects among the seaweed.
Its upturned tail and rounded body created a delightful silhouette against the sunrise—a magical addition to my post-swim bird encounter.

After changing into dry clothes and performing the familiar dance of removing sand from my swim booties, I settled on the beach to simply be present with the morning.

This post-swim moment has become as essential to my routine as the immersion itself—a time to experience the cascade of sensations as my body reheats and my mind absorbs the profound silence of early morning.

Little did I know that nature had prepared a special show for this particular morning.

At around 37 minutes into my beach time, a Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii) approached with surprising boldness. These distinctive black and white birds are common in Ireland, but rarely do they venture so close to humans. This one, however, seemed utterly unfazed by my presence, darting about just meters from where I sat.

The Wagtail’s appearance seemed to signal something to the other beach residents. Over the next twenty minutes, I was treated to a remarkable parade of birdlife:

• Oystercatchers with their distinctive orange-red bills
• A small group of Sanderlings running back and forth with the waves
• Herring Gulls soaring overhead
• A solitary Curlew probing the wet sand with its long, curved bill
• Several Turnstones living up to their name among the shoreline pebbles
• A pair of Ringed Plovers
• The distinctive silhouette of a Cormorant flying low over the water

I sat motionless, hardly daring to breathe, as this avian community went about their morning routines. There’s something profoundly moving about being accepted, however temporarily, into the natural world’s dawn chorus.

The Gift of Presence

What struck me most about this morning was how the simple act of being still—truly still—after my swim opened the door to this unexpected encounter. Had I packed up and left immediately after changing, as I sometimes do, I would have missed this entire experience.

Cold water swimming has taught me many lessons, but perhaps the most valuable is learning to be present. The cold demands your complete attention; it doesn’t allow your mind to wander to yesterday’s problems or tomorrow’s to-do list. You are there, fully, in that moment.

I took this lesson onto the shore today, and nature rewarded that presence with a display I couldn’t have planned or predicted.

As the sun climbed higher and the beach began to welcome its next cold water swimmer for the day, the spell was gently broken. The birds dispersed, returning to their usual cautious distance from human activity. But for those magical moments between swim and departure, I had been granted a window into their world.

Reflections on the Journey

As I reach toward the milestone of 100 sea dips, I’m increasingly aware that this journey has never really been about the number. Each immersion is its own complete experience, valuable not for how it advances a count but for what it offers in itself.

Today offered cold water therapy for the body, yes—but also a masterclass in patience, stillness, and the rewards that come from simply being present in a natural space long enough for it to forget you’re there.

I’m so fortunate to have Bannow Beach on my doorstep here in Wexford—this stretch of Irish coastline that continues to surprise me with new gifts, even after nearly a hundred visits.

Do you have a special place in nature that consistently rewards your presence? Or perhaps you’ve had your own unexpected wildlife encounters? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

Until the next dip—swim 99 awaits!