Welcome back

Eight weeks of armchair birding and a serious case of cabin fever I went to Nimmo's and was delight to see the Forster's Tern back at its old location on Claddagh Beach. 8-9 years this bird has made its way around Ireland's shore from Wexford to Louth and Galway. Usually accompanied by 4-6 Sandwich Terns.
At the Slipway the resident Ring-billed Gull was still getting its daily supply of bread. Also a ringed Black-headed Gull 201H which is part of the ringing scheme on Lough Mask in 2009.

On Saturday a Glaucous Gull put in an appearance for the few who came along for BirdWatch Galway's 1st Saturday walk at Nimmo's.

A distant shot of the Marsh Harrier taken at Rasahane Turlough on the 2nd September.

Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri
Geabhróg Forster

Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri
Geabhróg Forster

Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis
Faoileán bandghobach

Black-headed Gull
Larus ridibundus
Sléibhín

Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus
Faoileán glas

Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus
Faoileán glas

Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus
Cromán móna