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, they take 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 1,300km between Iceland and Ireland and has been seen on one flight at 8km 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.