October 31, 2024

Marsh Harrier upsetting Godwits at Atedaun

"The Marsh Harrier is about" , ya say to yourself as the Black-tailed Godwits go up.

With the Art of surprise gone, the Godwits are safe in the air and the Marsh Harrier wanders off  to look elsewhere

Photography is what it is at Lough Atedaun car park, your generally down light and distant from the action, but Lough Atedaun isnt a lake to be overlooked., far over a White tailed Eagle perches in a tall tree.








October 27, 2024

Kestrel facing the weather at Clahane

 A Kestrel was facing off into the weather conditions in the corner at Clahane .

Very determined, he had something pinned down, the weather was against him

Again a swoop, a dive as I tried watching through a rain dashed car window.

After a bit he swept along the cliff and under THE overhang.








October 20, 2024

Sundown on Lahinch Reefs

 

The swell increased during the day from the turn of the tide.
By evening double overhead sets were consistant along Lahinch reefs







October 14, 2024

Warbling Kilbaha

 With not many birds throughout the headland and the gardens in Kilbaha not showing much over the past week it takes patience to find results. (Welcome to the Loop).

I met  Mark Gibson who visits every year for a week of migration and we managed to find 2 maybe 3 Yellow browed warblers, a  sculky Blackcap and an elusive Chiffchaff in Tevlins garden Kilbaha.







Merlins Wall

 I pulled up in the Loop Head lighthouse carpark early. Always I check the walls 1st.

Merlin was on the wall watching! and Pied Wagtails and a Mipit  scared to go to air were approaching me for cover... ppff that wouldnt bother a Merlin, im just an obsticle . You dont get a chance to re focus as Merlin just glides past fast.

This has happened many times over the years and you just dont see many passerines when Merlin are hunting.






October 3, 2024

Red throated Divers-Lahinch bay

 A calm morning with a light offshore wind.

Pop up the scope in a quiet top carpark and view the bay

Over 20 Red throated Divers have made it to Lahinch bay. Adult birds work hard to keep the rafts of juveniles together.

As the day moves in, they drift out to deeper water to avaid the humans that surf and swim in the waves.






October 2, 2024

All happening at Lough Atedaun

 The water table is low at Lough Atedaun.

Ive made a few visits this week in a variety of weather conditions because the birding has been good.

White tailed Eagles , Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Harrier on the aerial prowl.

 Black tailed Godwits and  Lapwings are in good numbers joined by Redshank, Ruff, Snipe and Little Egrets and a good number of ducks such as juvenile Pintails, Eclipse Shovalars, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and plenty of Mallard.

 A Common Sandpiper hopped along the slipway. A Kingfisher past in a flash into the reeds .#