Stonechat

I was out in west Mayo a couple of weeks ago and was amazed to see so many small passerines like Stonechats, Meadow Pipits Skylark and so many more.

 A young Stonechat on Gorse © John N Murphy

 Male Stonechat on Red Rattle © John N Murphy

 Female & male Stonechats on wire fence © John N Murphy

 Meadow Pipit feeding in weeds © John N Murphy

Skylark on fence post © John N Murphy

Second Broods

I noticed over the last few weeks that many of our birds with second broods like the adult Stonechats below, are struggling in the wet conditions to feed their young, due to the driving the tropical monsoon conditions that we now regard as summer.  But it always amazes me to see how determined they are to succeed with a second family.  I only hope that the chicks survive when they do manage to leave the nest.

Male & female Stonechats watch over their nest and young © John N Murphy