Ducks Featured in New Stamps

11 May 2004

Designed by acclaimed artist Killian Mullarney, who also designed the attractive first day cover, the stamps show a Tufted Duck, a Red Breasted Merganser, a Gadwall and a Gargany.

Fauna and Flora stamps have been issued each year since 1978 and have proven to be the most popular stamp themes issued by An Post. The latest set of stamps has been denominated at 48c, 60c, 65c and €1.

The famous Sloblands in Wexford, Bull Island in Dublin Bay and the larger ponds in city parks such as St Stephen’s Green and other larger lakes are the natural habitat of most common duck varieties.

Lough Corrib and Lough Conn, the Shannon lakes and the Royal and Grand Canal are also common viewing places for the Tufted Duck which is migratory and also breeds here. The Gadwall is a regular visitor each September.

The Gargany has a distinctive white eye flash and is found mainly in Northern parts while the Red Breasted Merganser is relatively rare.

Products associated with the new issue include 16 stamp sheetlets, a First Day Cover and a minisheet. They may be obtained from the Philatelic Bureau at the GPO in Dublin or on line at www.irishstamps.ie