An Iceland Gull for May at Clahane

The shores along Lahinch bay and Clahane still had good numbers of Gulls over the last few days. 

A lot of  Herring Gulls, Black headed Gulls, Common Gulls and Kittiwake and Whimbrel were picked flies from the seaweed and I was surprised to find an Iceland Gull in the month of May among them. 

Iceland Gull

Black headed Gull

Herring Gull

Iceland Gull with Herring Gulls

Kittiwake

Local Beach Birds

 A short walk with the kids at Lahinch beach during a brisk morning will always find few local birds in there habitats , Wagtails ,Stonechats and Rock Pipits on the Rocks, the Black headed Gulls in their regular spot on the reef and Cormorants and Red throated Divers chase fish in the shallows and were giving a winter feel to the beach.

Pied Wagtail

Red throated Diver

Black headed Gull

Cormorant

Rock Pipit

A change on the coast at Clahane

A day or so ago Clahane was quite of birdlife apart from the usuals.
An overnight storm with heavy rain wind and lightning passed from the Atlantic over the country.
I like to visit Clahane and Liscannor for birds after these storms.
The high tide encloses the kelp flies high on the shoreline , Gulls feed in the sea wash and seaweed while numbers of Swallows and House Martins hawk along the road and high tide mark.
Wagtails both Pied and Grey have their young here to feed. Juvenile Wheatears and Linnets are now being seen here ,as so was a Common Sandpiper.

Ennis Riverside

Plenty of birds on show along the banks of the River Fergus in Ennis town ,The 5 Canada Geese have made it home ,a Kingfisher was around the larger Willows and trees, Feral Pidgeons courting,loads of hungry Black-headed Gulls,a Song Thrush was on the path with a Little Grebe close to the Post Office and much more to see.
Now back to the shopping I came to do.

Black headed gulls

 Black headed gulls enjoying fine weather on the  riverside of Limerick city.... Well fed these birds with people of the city regularly bringing Gull sized snacks.

A trip to Ballyallia lake

An afternoon trip to Ballyallia lake , sports a few Mallard , lots of black headedgull and a tame Reed warbler

Black headed Gull at Ballyvaughan