Glaucous Gull

This first-winter Glaucous Gull was also on the rocky shore between Cloghaun Lough and Kilbaha, Loop Head yesterday 21st January 2012.

Pomarine Skua

A misty, wet day today 8th October 2011 made searching for birds at Loop Head so difficult. While in the harbour looking out the jeep window for some bird to pop out of the bushes, this juvenile Pomarine Skua came in off the sea and landed on the beach.  It took a small rest, and then decided to fly out into the mouth of the harbour, where large gulls and Kittiwakes were sitting on the water.  This young bird has a lot to learn as he decided to take on an adult Great Black-backed Gull to try and make it regurgitate some food.  Why didn't he just pick on a smaller Kittiwake, it might have been more productive as he flew off with nothing to show for his efforts.

Mediterranean Gull

I had a fantastic days bird watching in west Clare yesterday 24th September 2011.  I first found a Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Seafield, in Quilty, before flushing a Buff-breasted Sandpiper off the beach at Quilty village.  Then I went on to Lough Donnell where there was a juvenile Black Tern.  Still trying to make it to Loop Head, I stopped at Doonbeg Lough where I found a Spotted Crake, only the third for Clare.  This delayed me for a couple of hours before news broke that a Pectoral Sandpiper was back in a flooded field near Quilty village.  I eventually got to Loop Head at 4.00pm after leaving the house that morning at 7.00am with the intension of birding for the day at Loop Head.  When I eventually got to Loop, two first-winter Mediterranean Gulls were in the harbour at Kilbaha, feeding with other gulls.  

Iceland Gull

This second year Iceland Gull was the highlight from my trip to Loop Head today.  The bird arrived into the harbour and took a rest on the rocks just south of the harbour wall before flying back inland towards Cloghaun Lough.  At this time of the year Iceland Gulls should be back in Greenland and Arctic Canada, preparing to nest.  This bird will probably be another year or two older before he or she will begin breeding.

Turtle Dove

This Turtle Dove was feeding in a small farmyard with Collared Doves last Saturday 14th May at Kilbaha, Loop Head.  Turtle Doves are nowadays a scarce Spring migrant to the west of Ireland.  This is only the second ever summer record of one at Loop Head. Millions are still shot each year over Mediterranean Islands, as they migrate back from Africa after the winter to breed in Europe.

Common Seal

In Kilbaha Harbour, on Loop Head last Saturday were two Common Seals who spent the afternoon basking on rocks in front of the Lighthouse Inn.  They often haul up on these rocks and can be very approachable for photographic opportunities.