Rock Pipit pale bird

This pale, moulting almost partially leucistic Rock Pipit was at the small rocky beach as you approach the pier at Dun Laoghaire this afternoon.  I think the heavy wing and lower body moult makes the bird appear very washed out looking.

Pale Rock Pipit at Dun Laoghaire © John N Murphy

Rock Pipit

I visit a lovely little National School at Furglans near Ennistymon today and afterwards skipped down to nearby Clahane to look for an early Wheatear.  While at Clahane I managed to locate the Water Pipit, and at least 70 Rock Pipits were still feeding along the shore.

Rock Pipit

While searching for the Water Pipit on the small rocky beach south of Seafield, there were lots of Rock Pipits eating through the hoards of recently hatch flies and hoppers. There was a good selection of adults and many of last years juveniles were still obvious and good practice to get the eye in for a Water or Buff-bellied Pipit.