Least Sandpiper

The Least Sandpiper is a small North American vagrant wader that occasionally get blown across the Atlantic in late Autumn and end up in Ireland and Britain.  This bird at Black Rock precedes an earlier bird found in September at nearby Carrahane Strand. It is possibly the same individual.  The bird yesterday was fairly jumpy and would not allow you get too close for a photo.  As you can see from the shots it was a fairly dull day and we were happy just to have seen the bird.

Lobster

While observing waders on the beach yesterday at Black Rock in Kerry, I noticed what looked like little plastic bubbles or balls about 1 inch long, washed up on the sand.  As I carefully opened one, I discovered a small wiggling translucent Lobster inside.  These egg sacks of the Lobster must have been dislodged from seaweed or kelp and strewn up on the beach after recent storms. I am amazed that the gulls did not cop onto them and wolf down the lot.  In the first photo you can see the baby lobster is still inside his protective cocoon.

Little Egret

This Little Egret was feeding along the shore at Black Rock in Kerry yesterday.  Its bright yellow legs reminded me of how similar they are to Snowy Egret from the US and I keep wondering how long will it be before we see our first Snowy Egret arrive in Ireland.

Bar-tailed Godwit

On Black Rock strand there were small flocks of Bar-tailed Godwits actively feeding and preening throughout the day.

Great Northern Diver

I went off to Black Rock in Kerry yesterday Saturday10th December to try and see the Least Sandpiper that was present for the past few weeks.  While there we got great views of the Least Sandpiper and lots of other birds including this Great Northern Diver who has damaged or grazed under his chin.  You can see the bloody scare clearly in the first image.

Whimbrel

I was working in Kerry on Thursday 16th and not too far from Black Rock Strand where a Semi-palmated Sandpiper had been seen last week end and on into early this week.  So I decided to head over to see if I could tick the Semi-P for my year list but unfortunately the time was well up on the beach and there were few waders about.  This Whimbrel was a late stayer on approach field to the beach at Black Rock.  He looked a little be worn and tatty and there was some growth or damage on the left side of his body.