Short-eared Owl

I was at Tacumschin in south Wexford late this afternoon and below the High Car Park this Short-eared Owl put on a great display. He was hunting in the low evening sunshine and was not one bit shy as you can see from some of the shots I obtained of this beautiful owl.

 

 Short-eared Owl at Tacumshin John N Murphy

Yellow-browed Warbler

I was in Dungarvan early this morning with my colleague Shane Cully. We managed to get into Springfield before too many walkers got out with their dogs. We caught up with the Yellow-browed Warbler that was found here a few weeks back by local birder Fran O'Connell.  The bird was hanging out with a Common Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest and spent much of his time singing and moving actively along a small stream.

Male Yellow-browed Warbler at Dungarvan John N Murphy

Glaucous Gull

This 2CY Glaucous Gull was at Quilty Beach yesterday afternoon. It seems to have some blood stains or damage done to the base of the bill. My first Glauc of this year. White-winged gulls have been very scarce in the west of Ireland so far this winter.

 

 Glaucous Gull John N Murphy

 

Black-necked Grebes

I was back in Dungarvan yesterday on a wet wand windy day. Once my work was completed, I travelled across the bay to the Gold Coast, and on to Ballynacourty Pier in search of Slavonian Grebe for my year list.  The Slav did not appear, but the two Black-necked Grebes that I saw a week ago, were still present, and came in close to the shore to take shelter from the strong south easterlies.

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Black-necked Grebes at Ballynacourty Pier John N Murphy

Spotted Sandpiper

I was in Dungarvan County Waterford today and before I left to come home to Clare, I stopped off at the Brickey River, on the main road from Dungarvan to Cork, As I pulled the car up close to the small wetland off the main road I observed this Spotted Sandpiper washing in a small creek. The bird vanished for a short while before returning to the creek and began feeding out in the open mud flats.  I believe this is the fourth county record for Waterford of this rare North American wader.

 

 

 

 Spotted Sandpiper 2CY at Dungarvan John N Murphy

Stormy Eiders

I have been working up the North west over the last few days and have come across Common Eiders at Mullaghmore in Sligo (21) and at Malin Head (12) in County Donegal. The close shots are all from Malin Head and the distant flock shots were further out to sea in Sligo.

 Eider off Malin Head John N Murphy

Eiders off Mullaghmore John N Murphy

Whinchats mid summer

I made a trip up the middle Shannon today and came across at least six Whinchats along the river.

 Whinchats males and females on Shannon River John N Murphy