birdsgalway: September 2011

Thursday, 29 September 2011

White rump does make a White Rumped Sandpiper

Tim Griffin had a White Rumped Sandpiper and two Curlew Sandpipers at Barna Pier yesterday. Went there this evening around 6 perfect light as I was driving out then the clouds move in, in more ways then one. Arrived just as the sun slip in behind the clouds and seen two white rumps in flight, this was looking good for a new tick and my first White Rumped Sandpiper. Poor photos taken and it look ok but I was unsure TG had a look it seemed good for the WRS. On closer inspection with the help of Aonghus O'Donaill he confirmed it was a Curlew Sandpiper. Still on that learning curve and no tick today.

Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
Gobadán crotaigh

Dunlin
Calidris alpina
Breacóg

Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
Gobadán crotaigh

Tuesday, 13 September 2011

Close encounter with a Gannet

Went looking for more Sabine's this evening with no luck. But had a close encounter with a juvenile Gannet at Salthill.

Gannet
Morus bassana
Gainead

Sabine's Gull at Gratten Beach

Adult Sabine's Gull at Gratten Beach this morning. It always kept its distance so not great shots. 4 Storm Petrels at distance also.

Sabine's Gull
Xema sabini
Sléibhín Sabine

Storm Petrel
Hydrobates pelagicus
Guairdeall

Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea
Geabhróg artach

Monday, 12 September 2011

A few shots from the weekend before Katia

Wind howling outside due to Ex hurricane Katia. So a few shots from yesterday and last week. Usual excuse about quality due to wind and very poor light. Spent a few hours on Saturday where I heard the Corncrake. The land owner was cutting the vegetation. I say vegetation because there was such a mix of stuff growing I doubt it has any value or worth to cattle. How the tractor did didn't go up to its axles is a wonder as the ground was so wet and soft. No sign of the Crakes. Hopefully next year the Corncrake will returns.

Corncrake country

Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus
Droimneach beag

P6000

Mediterranean Gull
Larus melanocephalus
Sléibhín meánmhuirí

P6000

Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Faoileán bandghobach

Herons and Egrets

Goldfinch (25)
Carduelis carduelis
Lasair choille

Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
Clochrán

Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Laidhrín glas

P6000

Greenshank
Tringa nebularia
Laidhrín glas

Silver Strand

Saturday, 3 September 2011

Other Winged Things

Out at Anglingham today and very few birds about, this usual means my attention gets drawn toward our other winged friends. Although it is getting late in the year for this activity, there was a surprising amount about. Was surprised to see a Brown Hairstreak at Anglingham and this is only the second time for me to see this species in Galway. The other location was in Rusheen Bay along the path to BirdWatch Galways hide. Very obliging Treecreeper and Goldcrest at Menlo Cemetery.

Brown Hairstreak
Thecla betulae
Stiallach Donn

Meadow brown
Maniola jurtina
Donnóg Fhéir

Brown Hawker
Aeshna grandis
Seabhcaí Ómrach

Ruddy Darter
Sympetrum sanguineum
Sciobaire Cosdubh

Small Tortoiseshell
Aglais urticae
Rruán Beag

Treecreeper
Certhia familiaris
Snag

Goldcrest
Regulus regulus
Cíorbhuí

Thursday, 1 September 2011

First Day of Autumn

A little chill in the air today signaling the the first day of autumn and winter just around the corner. The usual fare at Nimmo's Pier, with a Tufted Duck associating with Mallard. This I assume is the same duck which was hanging around Nimmo's this time last year. Two almost resident Ring-billed Gulls at the slipway. I had a two Bar-tailed Godwits fighting in the view finder and the camera would not fire, miss a fantastic shot.

P6000