First Wheatear of the year

Out at my usual patch today and my first Wheatear of the year at Mutton Island Causeway. Spring has arrived, but you would not think it with that Baltic wind. Good fresh healthy weather. Iceland gull was still at Nimmo's although on the otherside roosting on the rocks at low tide near Long Walk.
All shots taken with Swarovski ATX 95mm+TLS-APO+Lumix GH2

Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
Clochrán

Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides
Faoileán Íoslannach

Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
Riabhóg Chladaigh

Rock Pipit
Anthus petrosus
Riabhóg Chladaigh

Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus
Droimneach beag

Woodpigeon
Columba palumbus
Colm coille

First Iceland Gull for this winter season

At this time of year I would almost be bored looking at Iceland Gulls at Nimmo's Pier. This is the first one I have seen this winter. The previous white winger I had was a Glaucous Gull in November 2012. I had to look twice at this lone 1st winter as it looked very Glaucous like. Wonder why so few white wing gulls turning up at Nimmo's?

Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides
Faoileán Íoslannach

Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides
Faoileán Íoslannach

Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides
Faoileán Íoslannach

Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides
Faoileán Íoslannach

ATX 95mm

All shots taken with Swarovski ATX 95mm+TLS-APO+Lumix GH2

Black-headed Gull White darvic ring  JOY8. I assume this is from a ringing scheme in Norway. I have sent details but no reply yet. Taken 3rd March at Waterside, Galway.

Dark eyed Herring Gull at Waterside — at Waterside Galway

Dark eyed Herring Gull at Waterside — at Waterside Galway

Dark eyed Herring Gull at Waterside — at Waterside Galway

Greenfinch
Carduelis chloris
Glasán darach

Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri
Geabhróg Forster

Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri
Geabhróg Forster

Wigeon
Anas penelope
Rualacha

Ring-billed Gull (1)
Larus delawarensis
Faoileán bandghobach

Ring-billed Gull (2)
Larus delawarensis
Faoileán bandghobach

Ring-billed Gull (2)
Larus delawarensis
Faoileán bandghobach

Redwing
Turdus iliacus
Deargán sneachta

Santa came;-))

Finally upgraded the scope, I have been contemplating this for the past two years. The trusty Nikon 82mm will be gathering dust for the foreseeable future. Now I have the all new Swarovski ATX 85mm should be the 95mm but Conns Cameras in Dublin just sold the last 95mm. So they gave me their demo 85mm hope to get the 95 in a couple of weeks. Also got the TLS-APO camera lens which with a T2 Micro 4/3 Camera Adapter ring fits on the Lumix GH2. Went for a test run on New Years Day and got probable the best shot I have every got of the Foster's Tern. The image through the scope is so bright and crisp it made taking a photo a little easier. I have not used a scope with a zoom eyepiece before and this new feature for me has the wow factor. Just love the whole setup.

Forster's Tern
Sterna forsteri
Geabhróg Forster

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