Icelandic Nature

Just back after another working week in north west Iceland, a little south of Isajfordur, where I got the chance on this trip to snap off a few shots of local and common breeding birds. It is always a delight to see birds in breeding plumage, on the breeding grounds, as compared to migrating through Ireland or stopping here for the winter.

 Harlequin Ducks or river ducks as they are known in Iceland John N Murphy

Female Teal close to her nest site

 A male Black-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage John N Murphy

 A colour ringed Oystercatcher near Arngerdareyri John N Murphy

 Glaucous Gulls at Budardalur John N Murphy

 

 Young Seal moulting John N Murphy

 Arctic Tern, one of the longest migrating species on the planet John N Murphy

 Purple Sandpiper John N Murphy

 Redshank holding territory on a post  John N Murphy

 Icelandic Redwing John N Murphy

 Adult breeding dark phased Arctic Skua John N Murphy

 Whimbrel on display mounds John N Murphy

 Ringed Plover male John N Murphy

 A male Rock Ptarmagin John N Murphy

 Golden Plover John N Murphy

 Eider Ducks John N Murphy

Where has the summer gone

I'm not quiet sure is it age or a large work load, but the summer has passed me by so fast this year.  The longest day is only a distant memory now and already young fledglings of summer breeders back from Africa are out and about and ready to make the long track south.  Here are a selection of a few shots from the summer period of these birds etc..  Roll on the sea watching season and the autumn.

 Buzzard John N Murphy

 Black Redstart at Loop Head John N Murphy

 Juvenile Sedge Warbler in spruce plantation John N Murphy

 

 Whitethroats John N Murphy

 Willow Warbler John N Murphy

 

 Spotted Flycatcher with hover Fly John N Murphy

Short-eared Owl

I was at Tacumschin in south Wexford late this afternoon and below the High Car Park this Short-eared Owl put on a great display. He was hunting in the low evening sunshine and was not one bit shy as you can see from some of the shots I obtained of this beautiful owl.

 

 Short-eared Owl at Tacumshin John N Murphy

Yellow-browed Warbler

I was in Dungarvan early this morning with my colleague Shane Cully. We managed to get into Springfield before too many walkers got out with their dogs. We caught up with the Yellow-browed Warbler that was found here a few weeks back by local birder Fran O'Connell.  The bird was hanging out with a Common Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest and spent much of his time singing and moving actively along a small stream.

Male Yellow-browed Warbler at Dungarvan John N Murphy

Glaucous Gull

This 2CY Glaucous Gull was at Quilty Beach yesterday afternoon. It seems to have some blood stains or damage done to the base of the bill. My first Glauc of this year. White-winged gulls have been very scarce in the west of Ireland so far this winter.

 

 Glaucous Gull John N Murphy

 

Black-necked Grebes

I was back in Dungarvan yesterday on a wet wand windy day. Once my work was completed, I travelled across the bay to the Gold Coast, and on to Ballynacourty Pier in search of Slavonian Grebe for my year list.  The Slav did not appear, but the two Black-necked Grebes that I saw a week ago, were still present, and came in close to the shore to take shelter from the strong south easterlies.

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Black-necked Grebes at Ballynacourty Pier John N Murphy

Spotted Sandpiper

I was in Dungarvan County Waterford today and before I left to come home to Clare, I stopped off at the Brickey River, on the main road from Dungarvan to Cork, As I pulled the car up close to the small wetland off the main road I observed this Spotted Sandpiper washing in a small creek. The bird vanished for a short while before returning to the creek and began feeding out in the open mud flats.  I believe this is the fourth county record for Waterford of this rare North American wader.

 

 

 

 Spotted Sandpiper 2CY at Dungarvan John N Murphy