Rings and Terns

Sunshine never really came through today and you need the bit of sunshine to help with the exposure on the camera. Watching out for rain all the time does not help either.

Both Ring-billed Gulls were at the slipway today and the Common Terns roosting on the bouy from time to time. The Rook doing what Rooks do just hanging around.

Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
Faoileán bandghobach

Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
Faoileán bandghobach

Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
Faoileán bandghobach

Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Geabhróg

Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Geabhróg

Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Geabhróg

Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Geabhróg

Rook
Corvus frugilegus
Rúcach

Another Ring-billed Gull

At the slip away Nimmo's Pier yesterday.
Nikon 82ED 30x DS and Panasonic Lumix G1 20mm lens

Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
Faoileán bandghobach

Gull time

Seems a bit early looking for gulls but at this time of year a few Mediterranean Gulls start to visit Nimmo's Pier. Low tide is usually best on the opposite side of  Nimmo's which is know as Long Walk. 2nd summer Ring-billed Gull and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull put in an appearance.

A lot of juvenile birds around and parent birds feeding them, a good opportunity to get some good shots of parents feeding the fledged birds.

All shots digiscoped with Nikon 82ED 30x DS and Panasonic Lumix G1 20mm lens

Mediterranean Gull
(Larus melanocephalus)
Sléibhín meánmhuirí

Ring-billed Gull
(Larus delawarensis)
Faoileán bandghobach

Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo)
Geabhróg

Pied Wagtail
(Motacilla alba yarrellii)
Glasóg shráide

Pied Wagtail
(Motacilla alba yarrellii)
Glasóg shráide

Dipper, Just brilliant

Was out on business in Clifden today and on the way back stopped in Oughterard along the Owenriff river. A beautiful spot to stretch the legs. With the added bonus of seeing a Dipper.  This time the Dipper was behaving a little better for the camera compared to my other efforts.

Was out yesterday and the Corncrake was calling again so things looking very good. Farmer has committed not to cut or graze until the end of August. So here's hoping for success.

Dipper
(Cinclus cinclus)
Gabha dubh

Dipper
(Cinclus cinclus)
Gabha dubh

Dipper
(Cinclus cinclus)
Gabha dubh

Dipper
(Cinclus cinclus)
Gabha dubh

Dipper
(Cinclus cinclus)
Gabha dubh

Dipper
(Cinclus cinclus)
Gabha dubh

Dipper
(Cinclus cinclus)
Gabha dubh

Reed Bunting again

Yesterdays shots were taken with the P6000 on the scope. Todays Reed Bunting shot is taken with the Lumix G1 on the scope. Sedge Warbler taken with the DSLR.

Reed Bunting (G1)

Sedge Warbler (DSLR)

Reed Buntings every where

Beautiful sunshine today and great to get out and do a bit of digiscoping after spending the day power hosing the house. That's one dirty job, but has to be done just tomorrow and the power hose gets pack away for another while.

Reeding Buntings where busy bring food to the nest just where I parked the car so they came very close, which was great in this sunshine when digiscoping.

Meadow Pipits also very busy.

Corncrake not heard since Sunday, hopefully that  does not mean bad news.

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Reed Bunting

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Corncrake still calling

Went out to the Corncrake site on Thursday night Friday morning to hear if it was still calling. He was calling continuously which is a very strong indication of a nesting pair. Would be great to get definitive proof but I would not venture into the field in case I disturb them.

Out and about today and got a few digiscoped shots of a Kestrel and Peregrine. I use the Nikon 50x eyepiece for the first time today with the P6000 camera and got a reasonable shot of the Peregrine with this setup.

Peregrine Falcon (50x P6000)

Kestrel (P6000)

Kestrel (G1)