Herring Gulls

Another possible American Herring Gull Laurus argentatus  smithsonianus at the pier this week, but it appears confirming AHG for 3rd and 4th winter birds is almost imposssible. But this bird looks good to me for smithsonianus as it reminds me of the return adult bird which appears at Nimmo's for the pass few years. So will just have to ignore these birds from now on. I did manage to see a sub-species of the Herring Gull in the form of an Laurus argentatus argentatus.

Herring Gull
Larus argentatus argenteus
Faoileán scadán

Herring Gull
Larus argentatus argentatus
Faoileán scadán

Chillin Time

On Christmas Holidays from today, time to start chillin. I have only been out birding a few times since September, now hoping to make up for it over the break. Back to work on the 16th January. A few shots from the past two outings, from November and last Saturday.

DSLR

Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Faoileán bandghobach

 G1

Knot
Calidris canutus
Cnota

 G1

European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Seaga

 G1

Robin
Erithacus rubecula
Spideog

 G1

Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus
Roilleach

 DSLR

Light-bellied Brent Goose
Branta bernicla hrota
Cadhan

 DSLR

Light-bellied Brent Goose
Branta bernicla hrota
Cadhan

 DSLR

Great Northern Diver
Gavia immer
Lóma mór

Early Sunday Morning Walk

Early Sunday Morning Walk along the pier and out to Mutton Island Causeway had the usual suspect on show. With a Little Egret becoming a regular also. Two Ring-billed Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull. No white wingers yet. All shots digiscoped with Lumix G1 20mm lens

Redshank
Tringa totanus
Cosdeargán

Redshank
Tringa totanus
Cosdeargán

Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Éigrit bheag

Little Egret
Egretta garzetta
Éigrit bheag

Guillemot
Uria aalge
Foracha

Guillemot
Uria aalge
Foracha

Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
Riabhóg Chladaigh

Another nearly bird

Always on the look out for strange gulls down at the docks and Nimmo's. Though I might have had an American Herring Gull last weekend. It was only a probable, so sent it to a few local experts and got a detail reply from Mike Davis. Who put me right on why it was just a regular Herring Gull 'argenteus'. So until next time here's hoping for some strange stuff to come my way.

Herring Gull
Larus argenteus
Faoileán scadán

Herring Gull
Larus argenteus
Faoileán scadán

Herring Gull
Larus argenteus
Faoileán scadán

Herring Gull
Larus argenteus
Faoileán scadán

Herring Gull
Larus argenteus
Faoileán scadán

Long-tailed Tits putting on a show

Long-tailed Tits putting on a show and other bits from the week-end. Little and large of the Cormorant world just for size comparisons. The regular Adult Ring-billed Gull was present at Nimmo's as usual, there where two 1st winter RBG the week before and no sign this week-end.

DSLR

Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalus caudatus
Meantán earrfhada

DSLR

Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalus caudatus
Meantán earrfhada

DSLR

Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalus caudatus
Meantán earrfhada

DSLR

Long-tailed Tit
Aegithalus caudatus
Meantán earrfhada

G1

Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Corr réisc

G1

Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus
Pilibín

G1

Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Faoileán bandghobach

G1

European Shag                                          Cormorant
Phalacrocorax aristotelis                          Phalacrocorax carbo
Seaga                                                       Broigheall

To Caspian or not to Caspian

Reports of a Caspian Gull at Nimmos Pier a few weeks ago got me checking the Gull Bible for the salient features to be on the lookout for. Well a gull turned up on at the pier on the bank holiday which had a few of the features. I text a few of the locals and rattle of a few shots. Unfortunately no prize in the form a Caspian Gull this time just an unsual Herring Gull.

Other Gulls of note were two 1st winter and one 2nd winter Ring-billed Gulls and an adult Mediterranean Gull at Claddagh Beach.

Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
Faoileán scadán

Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
Faoileán scadán

Herring Gull
Larus argentatus
Faoileán scadán

Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Foitheach mór

Great Crested Grebe
Podiceps cristatus
Foitheach mór

Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula
Lacha bhadánach

Strange beast in the sky

Finally got out to do a bit of birding this weekend, after the wash out that was last weekend. Forecast was not great but that strange beast in the sky which we had not seen for a few weeks shone brightly. Went to Nimmo’s looking for a Caspian Gull which was reported during the week. Only five gulls at the slipway which normal would have 3 or 4 hundred. The reason they were not at Nimmo’s was a feeding frenzy out near Renmore barracks. They were probably feeding on a shoal of sprat. Took my usual walk out to Mutton Island Causeway, with the usual suspects on show. Rock Pipit started to bathe and digiscoped it with the G1. Two Wheatear were also at the Causeway.

Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
Riabhóg Chladaigh

Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
Riabhóg Chladaigh

Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
Riabhóg Chladaigh

Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
Clochrán

Wags, Chats and Pipits

Nice to get a tick on the first of the month. Namely a Blue-headed Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail, which is an extinct breeding species in Ireland and many moons ago was a breeding species along the shores of Lough Corrib. Very similar bird to the Grey Wagtail. Good to see the Stonechat at Barna Pier also, hope it won't be to hard a winter on these beautiful birds.

Blue-headed Wagtail
Motacilla flava flava
Glasóg Bhuí

Blue-headed Wagtail
Motacilla flava flava
Glasóg Bhuí

Blue-headed Wagtail
Motacilla flava flava
Glasóg Bhuí

Blue-headed Wagtail
Motacilla flava flava
Glasóg Bhuí

Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava flavissima.
Glasóg Bhuí

Pied Wagtail
Motacilla alba yarrellii
Glasóg shráide

Pied Wagtail
Motacilla alba yarrellii
Glasóg shráide

Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
Riabhóg Chladaigh

Stonechat
Saxicola torquata
Caislín cloch

Stonechat
Saxicola torquata
Caislín cloch