American Wigeon

Passing though Tullaghans in County Leitrim today just south of Bundoran in Donegal, I stopped on the main road to check the flooded fields for the American Wigeon that has been present here since last Autumn. Within seconds the bird appeared within a small flock of Eurasian Wigeons as they roosted in vegetation in flooded fields along the riverside.

Drake American Wigeon in Leitrim © John N Murphy

Kumlien's in Killybegs

On my way north last week to work in Limavady I got an hour late Monday afternoon to check out the gulls in Killybegs.  Most of the fishing fleet were gone to sea and there were few gulls in the  harbour.  There were about 300 gulls in the area and with them were; two adult Kumlien's Gulls, three first-winter Iceland Gulls, one second-winter Iceland Gull, three first-winter and one second-winter Glaucous Gulls.

 Adult Kumlien's Iceland Gull © John N Murphy

 First-winter Glaucous Gull © John N Murphy

 Adult-winter Kittiwake © John N Murphy

Juvenile Great Northern Diver © John N Murphy

Winter plumage Black Guillemot at Killybegs © John N Murphy