From the garden and Claddagh Beach

Four juvenile Goldfinch visiting the garden for the past two days and finally got out to take a few shots. Male and Female Redpoll also visiting but could not get any photos today. 7 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover on Claddagh Beach. Meadow Pipit was nesting near the beach, just wonder how the Pipits manage with all the disturbance and nuisance dog owners.

Goldfinch (J)

House Sparrow

Goldfinch (J)

Goldfinch (J)



House Sparrow



House Martin

Meadow Pipit



Lesser Black-backed Gull




Dunlin



Dunlin

Sandwich Tern

Before the rain

Quick walk out to Nimmo's Pier this evening before the rain closed in and a north wind that would go through you. Sandwich Tern roosting and preening on the rocks along the pier. I think this is the first time I have seen them on rocks so close, they normal roost further out but fish along the pier. Flock of 68 Whimbrel flying over also.

Sandwich Tern (P6000)

Sandwich Tern (P6000)

Sandwich Tern (G1)

Whimbrel

Saturday 7 May 2011

Bird watch Galways Saturday outing to Nimmo's Pier yielded the usual suspect and a poor turn out. Gull numbers now and over the winter are so low its hard to believe. 90% of the city's sewage is now diverted to the sewage works which must be a good thing.

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Great Northern Diver

Turnstone (G1)

Blackbird

Dunnock

Robin

Wren

First Spotted Flycatcher of the year

First Spotted Flycatcher of the year down at Menlo today and a very obliging Bullfinch in fading light.
Strange looking eye on the Herring Gull at Nimmo's during the week. Digiscope shot of the Willow Warbler with my new 20mm lens on the Lumnix G1

Spotted Flycatcher

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Bullfinch

Herring Gull

Willow Warbler (G1)

Willow Warbler (G1)

Galway County Council Heritage Award for 2010

I was nominated for a Galway County Council Heritage Award for 2010. Got second place in the Oranmore Electoral Area and a nice bit of Clarenbridge crystal. I was totally gob-smack, thanked a few people and should have said more when receiving the award but was lost for words. Now thinking of all the things I should have said, but also enjoying the moment. The award was for my DVDs, photograph’s and web site documenting Galway avian fauna and providing this resource to schools and Bird Watch Galway.

New nest cam just been installed by Máirtín Breathnach and the parents at Camus National School. Empty at the moment but it is a wait and see game now to see if any of our feather friends set up home.
Link is on the right side panel.