Northern Wheatear

This really warm looking Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe was at Seafield Beach, Quilty this evening.  When taking these shots I noticed what appeared to be tar stuck to lower belly feathers on the birds right side.  There are still small numbers of Wheatear lingering all along the Irish west coast. There were no real numbers of waders at Seafield but plenty of gulls feeding the high tide shoreline.

 Northern Wheatear at Seafield Beach © John N Murphy

American Pipit

This Buff-bellied Pipit (American Pipit), was found on the Aran islands by Dermot Breen early last week.  I was lucky enough to catch up with it during my 4 day visit to the island in search of rare migrants.  During our visit there were 4 - 5 Yellow-browed Warblers, two Turtle Doves, one Garden Warbler, one Black Redstart, one Reed Warbler and a selection of other common migrant passerines.

 Buff-bellied Pipit at Aran Islands © John N Murphy

Turtle Dove

I spent 4 days out on Inishmore the Aran Islands last week with a few friends.  I came upon one Turtle Dove in Kilmurvey Wood and this elusive bird in a beautiful little house and garden just outside Kilronan. The bird eventually gave long enough views to snap off the following series of shots.

 Turtle Dove on the Aran Islands, County Galway © John N Murphy

Loop Head Outing

There was a public outing to Loop Head last weekend. A small turn out enjoyed views of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Reed Buntings, Wheatears, one Turtle Dove in Kilbaha and a SnowBunting on the headland with a flock of 100 Golden Plovers and 30 Chough.

 Snow Bunting on Loop Head © John N Murphy

 Turtle Dove resting in trees at Kilbaha © John N Murphy

Male Wheatear near the Lighthouse © John N Murphy

Western Bonelli's Warbler

 Bonelli'sWarbler, Garinish, Cork © John N Murphy

 Chiffchaff, Garinish © John N Murphy

 A fairly wrecked looking Willow Warbler at Garinish © John N Murphy

 Goldcrest © John N Murphy

Whinchat down the Valley in Garinish © John N Murphy