`A life at the shoreline`

Re-united at Seafield

2012-02-14T17:00:00.001Z

Caught up with a few Purple sandpipers and Sanderling that i photo`d back in November at Seafield.
The joys of ringed birds

Red-throated Diver in the shallows

2012-02-12T10:39:00.000Z

On calm winter mornings Red-throated Divers come very close to the shore at Lahinch beach, moving up and down the beach in search of fish

Goldcrest

2012-02-06T23:41:00.000Z

Now this is a species i have had difficulty photographing, being the smallest bird ,always moving and generally above you making subject backlit..one day luck will be with me.

Frogs galore

2012-02-06T23:28:00.000Z

Common frogs are occupying their breeding pools, this small pond near Ennis was jammers with 1000nds of them.Also with a full moon tonight they where vocal at the pond next to home.

Lahinch peaceful evening

2012-02-02T19:14:00.000Z

A few Brent geese gather to roost on the reefs while a small number of surfers enjoy an evening of offshore winds and nice swell

On the shore of Clahane

2012-01-24T20:33:00.001Z

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

Redpoll

2012-01-21T15:57:00.000Z

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.

Spot the difference

2012-01-15T20:19:00.001Z

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)

3 top Gulls of Nimmos pier

2012-01-14T19:17:00.000Z

Kumliens Gull

Iceland Gull

Ring billed Gull

Long distance travellers,these gulls have come to Ireland with the NW gales that have blown across the North Atlantic. Kumliens gulls are believed to be hybrid gulls between Iceland and Thayers Gulls from Canadian regions. Nimmos pier offers food and shelter for opportunistic gulls.

Grey Heron

2012-01-14T19:01:00.000Z

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

Eider on the Flaggyshore

2012-01-12T19:09:00.000Z

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,

Face to face with an Otter

2012-01-08T13:39:00.000Z

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

Dungarvan Bay

2012-01-06T23:36:00.000Z

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

Bluethroat -Luscinia svecica

2012-01-05T20:24:00.002Z

The plump wintering Bluethroat is still hopping around the shoreline near Clonea strand,Waterford enjoying being photod`, Is this bird becoming a star?

Pink-footed Geese

2012-01-03T18:12:00.001Z

3 Pink-footed Geese were with the Bean goose, Geese are wary creatures and getting close enough to photo them is a kraft in itself.

Tundra Bean Goose

2012-01-03T11:57:00.003Z

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

Westfield marsh

2011-12-27T18:48:00.000Z

While visting Limerick, my daughter and I walked along Westfield ponds late in the day,a Coot followed us along and the Mute swans wanted feeding. Tufted duck and Pochard were centering the pond

Crossbills return

2011-12-23T20:07:00.000Z

12 Crossbills were again in the Pines, next to my home and all day could be viewed from the kitchen. Special birds to see so local.

Pristine Choughs

2011-12-19T21:03:00.001Z

A small family of very healthy Choughs in pristine condition

Crossbills visit Moanreel

2011-12-17T14:39:00.000Z

A flock of Crossbills came to visit the Pines next to our home today while i was washing the car, a Sparrowhawk came though and with alarm calls to each other, all flew high in the air together.
I counted 14

Bluethroat

2011-12-16T21:09:00.002Z

This Bluethroat has been hanging out at Clonea strand for nearly a month and should be around North Africa for winter...worth the drive to Waterford though

Black Redstarts at Clonea strand

2011-12-16T20:58:00.000Z

5 Black Redstarts were hanging along the shoreline of Clonea strand, Waterford, flitting between the hightide line and the gardens

The Great northern Diver

2011-12-07T18:14:00.000Z

Off Liscannor pier a lonely Loon drifts bye on the incoming tide to look for crabs and other crustaceans

Panic Stoat

2011-11-25T14:04:00.000Z

A stoats flee`s a pack of Gulls among the rocks at Clahane, even taking the plunge to escape.

On the headlands in Cork

2011-11-22T01:16:00.000Z

My only Pallid harrier shot

Siberian Chiffchaff

Hen harrier

With so many birds to try and find and see during the day -
To watch a Pallid & Albino glide along the valley at dusk is a moment i will never forget.
Its time for home

Saleen Creek

2011-11-22T00:54:00.000Z

Saleen creek was interesting even in heavy rain,Med & Black headed gulls,Godwits,Little Egrets, etc, a Canada goose became interested in the crisps i was trying bait the gulls closer to the car with, anyhow didnt stay long

Cranes in the rain

2011-11-21T21:20:00.001Z

7:30am 19 Common Crane grace the stubble fields outside Midleton, A wet morning with no light makes any photography very difficult,
Never the less its nice to have seen these birds and what a start to the day.

Seal up river

2011-11-16T16:27:00.002Z

Came across this young Common seal up river above Lahinch bridge, while wondering around the marsh, hope it makes it`s way back to sea

Aileens

2011-11-10T23:25:00.000Z

The swell was nice out of the SW.
Under cover of The cliffs of Moher a few chargers take on some big waves

The Super sandbank

2011-11-08T22:18:00.000Z

With over a week of fine swell and now a 10/10 sandbank has given local surfers a rare delight

Purple Sandpipers arrival

2011-11-04T22:40:00.000Z

Purple Sandpipers have been arriving on our coast this week , joining juvenile Turnstones on the safety of the reefs at hightide Seafield

The SW swell

2011-11-03T15:04:00.001Z

A week long swell out of the Southwest has produced plenty of waves, sore arms and fitness values

Long tailed tit

2011-10-29T21:44:00.000+01:00

To listen to the whistles of the approaching Long tailed tits always makes me stop and watch them pass by.

Pectoral sandpiper pair

2011-10-20T15:06:00.005+01:00

These Pectoral sandpipers were feeding around the moss

on the rock boulders on the Lough Atedaun shoreline.

Nice to see a pair.

Had to get wet again for the shots.cold water

Whooper swan , Sign of winter

2011-10-20T14:34:00.001+01:00

The sight of Whooper swans arriving at Lough Atedaun . sign of winter, cold, bbbrrrrr!

Shades of Wheater

2011-10-19T23:24:00.000+01:00

A few colourful Wheater are feeding between the rocks and fields at Clahane

Watching Gadwall

2011-10-19T12:57:00.001+01:00

12 Gadwall were in the pond at Morris mills.
The Gadwall were being watched by a Fox aswell as myself

Snow buntings on the headland

2011-10-07T21:03:00.000+01:00

A few Snow buntings on the headland,always pleasure to see.

Pomarine skua day

2011-10-07T20:39:00.002+01:00

Pomarine skua

Pomarine skua [juv]

Over 30 Pom skua ,10 Arctic skua, 10 Great skua passed us by between the bridges of ross and the Fodry headland
West coast birding, Ireland style

loop head to kilcredaun

2011-10-01T18:20:00.002+01:00

a family drive around loop head and 5 ruff at kilcredaun

Quiet quality waves

2011-09-29T14:50:00.002+01:00

There is a certain feeling about paddling out alone on a west Ireland reef on a new southwest swell , after a while I was joined by Pa Regan and 2 other lads and we all agreed " It was bigger than it looked."

Med Gull flight in Lahinch

2011-09-27T21:48:00.002+01:00

The Mediterranean Gull is a small gull which has undergone a dramatic range expansion in recent decades.It has colonised Britain, mainly in southern and eastern England
In winter, this bird migrates to Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.
Will it colonise Ireland?
It has.

Grey Phalarope in the Harbour

2011-09-26T14:03:00.003+01:00

A Grey Phalarope probes the shallow water within Liscannor harbour , By keeping low and still the bird approached within 6 feet of me.
When feeding, a Grey Phalarope will often swim in a small, rapid circle, forming a small whirlpool. This behaviour is thought to aid feeding by raising food from the bottom of shallow water, plucking small insects or crustaceans caught up therein. They sometimes fly up to catch insects in flight. On the open ocean, they are found in areas where converging ocean currents produce upwellings and are often found near groups of whales

Curlew Sandpipers

2011-09-26T13:44:00.000+01:00

A pair of Curlew Sandpipers were feeding with a small flock of Dunlin in Liscannor Harbour

Crossbills in the high forest

2011-09-24T10:57:00.000+01:00

Common Crossbills chirp and call in the early morning up in the Pine forests near Dysert , not an every day bird to see. The peace of the forest allows you to listen and follow the calls to find them.

Pectoral sandpiper at Kilmurry

2011-09-22T13:39:00.000+01:00

A Pectoral Sandpiper a very long-distance migrant breeding in the boggy tundra of northeast Asia and North America, exploits a muddy wet field, for worms and a puddle bath at Kilmurry , Quilty.
The bird shared the field with 150 Meadow Pipits , 7 Wheater , bags of Pied wagtails,
Just what were the other 3 small waders that flushed????

An evening at Liscannor

2011-09-20T21:49:00.001+01:00

A peaceful evening on the Liscannor coast , Some Terns feed off the harbour wall. A winter plumaged Kittiwake rest on the reef below close to the water with Oystercatchers and Terns.
At Clahane Curlew Sandpipers are joining small flocks of Turnstone and Dunlin to feed. Curlews rest on the shelter of the reef.

Buff breasted Sandpipers on Loop Head

2011-09-15T16:35:00.004+01:00

A flock of 15 Buff breasted Sandpiper at Loop Head.
this total equals the previous record set for the largest flock seen in Europe, that of 15 seen on Scilly in 1974

The Fodry Loop Head

2011-09-15T16:28:00.001+01:00

Walk through the grass fields of the Fodry, its barren and damp and open to the elements of the Atlantic ocean. 15 Buff breasted sandpiper search for insects in the fields with other waders, Wheaters on passage, and a few small flocks of local Chough that inhabit these clifftops,we also had a flock of 12 Lapland bunting and two Peregrines were calling.

Dunlin

2011-09-14T14:43:00.000+01:00

After the storm passing ,shorebirds begin feeding.
These Dunlin at Liscannor were busy and not bothered with my presence on the lowtide sand

SurfBirds at the Harbour

2011-09-13T01:03:00.001+01:00

Manx Shearwater

Arctic Tern

Storm Petrel


Arctic skua (juv)

The Storm winds blow.
Other Open Ocean Birds where also present off Liscannor today ,Storm Petrel , Plenty of Arctic Terns ,and a juvenile Arctic Skua
And a Manx Shearwater was released after being blown inland to Crusheen.

Sabines Gulls in the harbour

2011-09-13T00:09:00.002+01:00

The storm has blown seabirds everywhere. 3 Sabines Gulls came to feed and shelter around the Harbour at Liscannor .We had good views of these Gulls of the Open Ocean as they make their way to southern waters.
Its nice when your local area can produce wildlife suprises like this!

Weather Chart for the next 12 hours

2011-09-11T14:14:00.005+01:00

Front up. This 959`low pressure is about to pass over us at 100mph....
watch this space [ ~.~ ]

Fulmar Petrel

2011-09-10T14:55:00.001+01:00

Came across this Fulmar on the reef , thought id check it out to see that it was not caught up in fishing line.Anyhow i think the bird was exhausted and placed it in shelter on the reef.
Thats the last time ill ever handle a Fulmar because now i have a smell on my hands that is so potent.
Is this why they are called Petrels? because i stink of a mixture of petrol and sardines.

More Whimbrels

2011-09-09T15:16:00.001+01:00

Whimbrel after Whimbrel, our western shorelines and near fields all have numbers of these birds within and around.
This Whimbrel was resting on the high tideline at Clahane

Traveling Terns

2011-09-09T14:58:00.001+01:00

Small flocks of mixed Terns are making their way across coastal waters, Juveniles gathering with Adults abord a journey.
These Arctic Terns and Sandwitch Terns were making their way across Kilbaha bay to the mouth of the shannon.

September storm

2011-09-06T19:18:00.000+01:00

The storms bring waves.

Knot today

2011-09-04T13:52:00.000+01:00

Waders continue to pass through Clahane, Today an adult Knot shares the reef with Turnstones , Oystercatchers, Curlew and Dunlin

Bullfinch (juv)

2011-09-03T23:28:00.001+01:00

While out walking up the Pine Forest i came across this Juvenile Bullfinch, not a finch i was looking for, yet i had never seen a juv Bullfinch. Cool.

Wheater day

2011-09-03T23:22:00.001+01:00

Lots of Wheater were passing down the coast of Clare today, i counted 25 around the Quilty area to Seafield.
a report of 150+ seen at Loop Head

Sanderling

2011-09-02T10:08:00.001+01:00

A small flock of Sanderling on the shores of Seafield.....

Clahane shorebirds

2011-09-02T10:05:00.001+01:00

Shorebirds are arriving in numbers to our shores now and into september.

Clahane at low tide was showing many juvenile Ringed Plovers which are all over every reefs on the west coast, Knot and Dunlin are on a feeding mission while the tide is out. Many Turnstones are hidden among the seaweed.

Peregrine school

2011-08-26T00:01:00.004+01:00

On the look out for tired Waders and young Starlings a young Peregrine Falcon was taking time to form his hunt strategy, using a set back perch above a small cliff ledge and a good viewing point of Clahane shoreline the bird was patient allowing me time to climb across a few ledges and sniper up a wet field to get a few shots

Clahane Autumn cometh

2011-08-25T23:43:00.002+01:00

Whimbrel

Rock Pipit

Wheater

Nice to see a few arrivals to the shores of Clahane, Whimbrel are stopping to feed up on journey along with Wheater ,Pied Wagtail and Common sandpiper. Rock pipits numbers seem to be increasing and im pretty certain more birds will pass through here over the coming months.

Whimbrel shore song

2011-08-15T01:05:00.002+01:00


Whimbrel

Greenshank

Nice to here the call of the Whimbrel on our shoreline. Wader numbers are just rising into Autumn. Greenshank and Redshank are becoming more regular on the mudflats. Large numbers of Ringed plover hide between stones on the shore. The AGP was still at Doonbeg

AGP & GP juv

2011-08-08T13:38:00.001+01:00

AGP

Traveling back from the bridges of ross i stopped at Doonbeg to see what was around. I spotted an Otter in the seaweed so i made my way across the reef, i lost the Otter but the AGP was still present and was joined by a juvenile Golden Plover

American Golden Plover

2011-08-07T14:06:00.000+01:00

I was in hope of finding this American Golden Plover ,which was found a few days earlier around Doonbeg. The bird showed well for me .Not like the one i tried to photo last year,this bird was approachable to a certain distance, if you kept low on the stones!

Liscannor Harbour

2011-08-05T11:30:00.002+01:00

A couple Kittiwakes circle around Liscannor Harbour looking for scraps.
A summer plumage Turnstone rock hopping the otherside of the harbour gave a nice photo op.

A weekend with Birdwatch Ireland at The Cliffs of Moher

2011-07-30T16:33:00.003+01:00

Jeff and JD


Tourist viewing the Puffins

Volunteered for a Bank Holiday weekend at the Cliffs of Moher for Birdwatch Ireland. Spent some time showing people the Puffins that were sitting on the open sea a few 100 metres below. The weather was ok with calm seas , we brought sightings of the Puffins , Fulmar and Peregrine Falcons to the general public.
It does bring a wonder to people eyes when you show them a Peregrine `.
The Puffins had left by the Monday afternoon.

Common Tern photo time

2011-07-24T21:15:00.001+01:00

Common Terns. A joy to photograph in flight .

Pectoral sandpiper...Lady Island Lake

2011-07-23T00:41:00.004+01:00

Pick of the bunch today! This Adult Pectoral Sandpiper 17:30 showed well for me at our Lady island Lake ...Thought it was a female Ruff at first.This was on my 3rd visit here today, just shows Keep looking!

Buzzard or Marsh Harrier or both.???

2011-07-23T00:32:00.004+01:00

Bit of a suprise round the corner while driving round Tacumshin, a Buzzard sitting on a Post over looking fields. TIDY!, Flew off. went round another corner and a bird flys over a hedgerow. is it a Marsh Harrier or the Buzzard i just seen??????
Turns out its a Buzzard...Molting

Roseate Terns

2011-07-23T00:23:00.002+01:00

My first Roseate Terns. Lady Island Lake, south end off the shingle beach toward the sea. Hard to find among the large numbers of other Terns

Hurry on Sundown

2011-07-13T11:36:00.001+01:00

Sunset. View of Aran Islands overlooking Doonagore

A Lough in Tipp

2011-07-13T00:25:00.001+01:00


Black necked Grebe

Common Sandpiper

Great crested Grebe carrying chicks

Today i went somewhere new, to a small Lough in Tipparary to try and find a Black necked Grebe,

A host of birds were here, Grebes,Ducks,Gulls,Sandpipers,Lapwing,Coots, Moorhens and all were with young ,making it a very busy pond, Wild Mint grows all over giving off sent in the heat of the day,Dragonflys and Damselflys haunt the reeds, and a Buzzard and a Jay where at the Fairy fort......

The Linnet and the Sand martin

2011-07-09T23:14:00.000+01:00

With mid-summer upon us and very little movement with birds a couple of more common birds are busy around Lough Donnell

Our Ladys Island lake

2011-07-07T16:49:00.001+01:00

With the rain teaming down and poor light , i was determined not to go home early so i searched for a place to birdwatch from the car . Our Ladys Island lake was just the spot. Several Black tailed Godwit allowed me to watch a while with nesting Terns everywhere. nice place!

Reed Warblers

2011-07-07T16:37:00.000+01:00

After getting back from the Saltees, i headed up the road 5 miles to a place off Tacumshin where i saw 4 Hen Harriers in the morning .Hopefull of a few birds, I spent an hour with Killian Mullarney and Nigel Marvin watching a family of Reed Warblers.

Thanks lads it was nice to meet you both

The Gannets of the Saltees

2011-07-07T16:15:00.001+01:00

Impressive ! is a Gannetry. Graceful Seabirds but MY do they smell.

How to catch a Gannet

2011-07-07T16:03:00.000+01:00

Three students from some University were also on the Saltees tagging adult Gannets for research. I watched for a small bit, because it allowed me to get a bit closer to the birds than i normally would have.
Sort of interesting, but i prefer to let them be....after all they are busy feeding young.

The Saltee Islands

2011-07-07T11:59:00.002+01:00

B4 the rain

Fulmar

Razorbill

Gannet

Guillemot

Six hours on an Island, Four hours spent in driving rain and wind with no shelter....no-one said the sun shines every day!, sometimes this is the nature of what i enjoy.
Still the first hour or so i managed to get a few photos of the Seabirds.

Black-tailed Godwit Flyover

2011-07-04T21:37:00.000+01:00

With the reeds encroaching over Shannon airport Lagoon ,birds are never really close enough to photo so you take what you can get. Still a nice quiet place to scope 400+ Black-tailed Godwit and a handful of Little Egret

Hooded Crow

2011-06-30T22:38:00.001+01:00

In the British Isles, the Hooded Crow breeds regularly in Scotland, the Isle of Man, and in the Scottish Islands. It also breeds widely in Ireland.
This species is seen regularly killed by farmers and on grouse estates. In County Cork,Ireland the county's gun clubs shot 23,000 Hooded Crows in two years in the early 1980s

Whooper Swan ? its summer

2011-06-28T21:15:00.001+01:00

A lone Whooper Swan was in a field alongside the Clooneen river near Kilfenora. The strange thing being that its a winter visitor and we are at the end of June. Maybe the bird has a injury and is using this habitat which seems well to stay alive....check out the Brown cap (summer colours).

Spotted Flycatchers at Home

2011-06-27T13:45:00.008+01:00

A pair of Spotted Flycatchers flit back and for their favoured perches picking insects in the small wood next to my home. Nice garden tick, and i think they are nesting nearby...why?...because they are holding insects in the bill..

The Essential Contentment of Futile Wanderings

2011-06-27T00:17:00.002+01:00

Paul Griffin

A fantastic sunset falls behind a layer of cloud , an evening spent within the ocean brings contemptment to the end of surfers day.
Lahinch sunset

Ringed Plovers success

2011-06-27T00:06:00.005+01:00

A pair of Ringed Plovers that nested less that 1/2 metre of the side of the road successfully hatching 3 chicks, 2 days later the birds have made it across the road, but now with only 2 chicks..... 2 out of 3 aint bad.

Wheaters galore

2011-06-21T22:37:00.003+01:00

I have`nt seen many Wheaters this spring , so i went for a walk where in the past ive always seen them.

Doolin to the Cliffs of moher, where i saw 6 adults and 9 young , the females seemed to be doing the feeding , while the males kept watch at a distance

Ringed Plover Cliffsite

2011-06-21T22:27:00.004+01:00

Ringed Plover

A pair of Ringed Plovers have a raised few chicks on a rough stoney plateau on the edge of the Cliffs of Moher. I hope the young ones stay clear of the Herring gulls that glide along the cliffs edges.

Re-singing Grasshopper warbler

2011-06-19T21:35:00.003+01:00

	- Grasshopper Warbler Song.mp3

A few male Grasshopper warblers were singing in the late evening around Lickeen lake. One bird was in the exact perch on which i photographed one a two months ago to the day, its a good chance of it being the same bird.
Chased every female that showed.

Tree Sparrows in the wall

2011-06-15T17:00:00.006+01:00

A pair of Tree sparrows are nesting in the walls of an old graveyard near the coast.
This is now a rare bird in many areas and looks set to become even rarer.
The lack of insects for the nestlings in the modern agricultural landscape is a likely cause.

Bird busy Willowbrook

2011-06-14T19:06:00.001+01:00

Blackcap (juv)

Sedge Warbler

Blue tit (juv)

Bullfinch (fem)

Bullfinch (male)

Willowbrook bog busy with with Warblers, tits,buntings & finches feeding their young among willows,scrub, open forest,streams, long grass and copse, a rich quiet area rarely observed

Secret Waterfall

2011-06-10T13:40:00.001+01:00

A simple walk down a local river near to home reveals a secret waterfall, what a gem of a place.

Sand Martin perching

2011-06-09T15:45:00.000+01:00

Sand Martins resting and preening on barbed wire during a fly hunt on Seafield beach , these birds are doing well here with plenty of feed available.

White-winged Black Tern

2011-06-05T21:54:00.004+01:00

Another classic find from Dave Macnamara...a White-winged Black Tern
This rare vagrant spent the day on the wing feeding close to reeds and lillys of Lough Atedaun , with a bit of swamp wading to a good viewing area of the reed beds the bird allowed us a good show of what marsh terns do.... "my god is it 8 oclock, ive been here near 4 hours"

Common Terns in the sun

2011-06-02T20:14:00.004+01:00

A few Common Terns nest around the edge of the colony , being smaller than the Black headed gulls and Sandwitch terns , its probably a safety stragety to stay away from larger beaks

Sandwitch Terns in the sun

2011-06-02T20:05:00.004+01:00

The first sunny day in weeks , i drove up to a Tern colony in North Clare to see what was happening. Black headed Gulls have chicks and the Sandwitch and Common Terns a sitting, partners deliver food to the sitting birds with a exiting call. The colony is busy warding of large gulls that are waiting for opporunity.

Arctic Skua x Four

2011-05-27T13:36:00.001+01:00

After watching the Skua`s in action yesterday and gaining a little knowledge of their hunting stadgety, with patience i fancied my chances at better photo`s..If they were they were there?
Four Arctic Skua`s were buzzzing the bay chasing Sandwitch and Arctic Terns for 3 hours.
Also an Otter and Common Seal were a good sight and i managed a few photo`s of the pale phase Arctic Skua.

Arctic Skua chase

2011-05-26T19:37:00.000+01:00

Two Artic Skua were stalking Sandwitch terns around Lahinch bay.The birds sat out in the bay approached low toward the Terns that were fishing shallower water the returned to sit in the bay, again and again they used this tactic.
Both Dark and Light phases were present but i only got to photo the dark phase

Summer Dunlin

2011-05-26T19:28:00.000+01:00

A single summer plumage Dunlin was with a small flock of Ringed Plover among stones on the north side of Lahinch , this Dunlin appears to be of the Schinzii variation, hense the dull red brown back and non pure black belly.