January 24, 2012

On the shore of Clahane



A few Purple sandpipers gather on the incoming tide. Pied wagtails pick of flys around a rotting Dolphin

January 21, 2012

Redpoll



All redpolls are northern breeding woodland species, associated with birch trees. They are small birds, brown or grey-brown above and with a red forehead patch. The adult male's breast is washed in red, but in females and young birds the buff breast and white belly are streaked with brown. The bill is small and yellow.

January 15, 2012

Spot the difference

Iceland gull on the left, Kumliens gull on the right... spot the differences..Kumliens gull a touch larger with pinker plumage.Bill a bit bulkier with dark blotch on the tip. Icelands bill tends to blend in from dark tip..(i believe this is correct)

January 14, 2012

3 top Gulls of Nimmos pier

Long distance travelers
These gulls have come to Ireland with the NW gales that have blown across the North Atlantic. Iceland Gull, Kumliens Iceland Gull and Ring billed Gull all hold up to the storms past.
 Nimmos pier offers food and shelter for opportunistic gulls.

Kumliens Gull
Iceland Gull
Ring billed Gull

Grey Heron


A patient Grey Heron perched on a rock at Nimmo pier,Galway..approachable city bird

January 12, 2012

Eider on the Flaggyshore



A juvenile Eider chills in the low tide shallows of Flaggyshore, the Martello tower and the hills of the burren produce a nice backdrop. A nice afternoon birding a part of Galway bay,

January 8, 2012

Face to face with an Otter





This Otter came up to me on the shoreline of lough Inchiquin while i was watching it hunting Eels." Stay still", im having lunch with an Otter..Fantastic

January 6, 2012

Dungarvan Bay

Spoonbill
Chough
Brent geese
Black Redstart
Some good birding is to be had around 4 km-wide Dungarvan Bay, with Spoonbill ,Little Egret at the rivermouths,and thousands of Brent geese on the grass pastures,Choughs and Black redstart patrol the hightide shorelline.Its a busy day

January 5, 2012

Bluethroat -Clonea strand


The plump wintering Bluethroat  is still hopping around the shoreline near Clonea strand,Waterford enjoying being photod by every twitcher thats come to see it, Is this bird becoming a star?








January 3, 2012

Tundra Bean Goose


A Tundra Bean Goose and 3 Pink footed geese munching grass in the fields near Sandfield marsh, Liscannor,
The first Tundra Bean Goose in Clare in 100years.