Arctic Terns and Grey Phalarope Liscannor Pier

 I was on the pier at Liscannor watching the birds acrosss the bay.

I was enjoying the Arctic and Sandwich Terns that were passing by into the wind and was hoping for a Skua , instead I picked up a Grey Phalarope which was`nt easy to see down light,. it was picking away in the rip current behind the pier.

Juvenile Arctic Tern

During the week a small Tern suspected to be a Little Tern was way out in Lahinch bay feeding in the wind with Sandwich Terns, as the Terns dispersed over the week the small one was left behind and was  fishing along the Liscannor coast, it turned out to be a pocket size juvenile Arctic Tern

Five Tern Day

At the very South of Lady Island Lake, where the lake almost meets the sea, there is a cut in the dunes where some of the Terns that breed on the Lakes` Islands cross to the open sea to go foraging for fish.

The Terns approach in different ways and directions as they pass by at some speed, makes getting the flight shots a challenge.

I came here hoping to see Roseate Terns (which was successful) and managed to see all 5 of our breeding Terns at this site within the hour
Roseate Tern , Arctic Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern and Sandwich Tern

Thats a Good hour!

Roseate Tern

Arctic Tern

Common Tern

Little Tern

Sandwich Tern

Arctic Terns -Coonagh

Three juvenile Arctic Terns were showing off their fishing talents around the bottom pond at Coonagh NR Limerick.

Adult Arctic Tern -Clahane

 In the morning I dropped in at Clahane for a hours birdwatch before work.
Delighted to see a Adult Arctic Tern resting up on the reef below the steps with Black headed Gulls.
The Common Sandpiper was still present as were a few Curlew and 30+ Oystercatcher as were the growing numbers of Kelp fly eating road birds(Pied Wag, Rock&Meadow Pipits , Wheatears and Starlings)

Arctic Terns - Inis Meáin

One of my main reasons to visit Inis mann was in hope of seeing a variety of Terns, and on my wish list was Little Tern, which I did not see today.

A few pairs of Arctic Terns were courting and investigating nest sites high on the beach , giving exceptional views. 

Approx 35-40 Arctics were roosting on boulders at the eastern end of the beach with a few Sandwich Terns ,It was a hot day and small flurries of fishing trips close to shore to gather sand-eel to present for their partners in courtship seemed to be the only activity.
A adult Med Gull was also present.

SurfBirds at the Harbour

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.

Arctic rest

A juvenile Arctic Tern rests up during a long haul flight  , pretty well hidden among the high tide pebbles

Liscannor morning birdwatch

Liscannor harbour at first light on a overcast still morning , Kittiwake mix it up with the gulls , while small flocks of Greenshank shift about the rocks , Arctic terns teach the young how to feed in the bay, preparing for the journey ahead.
Ive the feeling its `Birding season`

Arctic tern roost at a Liscannor shoreline

Arctic terns ,adults and Juveniles both with ringed legs , roosting alongside sandwitch terns,common gull & black headed gull on the shoreline aroung Liscannor harbour