Tuesday 18 October 2011

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

Saturday 1 October 2011

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