White Stork along the Clare Coast

 I was down a Spanish point doing a bit of Surfing, The Easterly wind had blown up and the ocean became un-surfable. 

I was making my way back to Lahinch along the coast road near Reneen  when birds in the air along the coast caught my eye and one was massive, I knew instantly it was a White Stork. It was being mobbed by Hooded Crows and Starlings as it struggled to stay overland .

I pulled the car in as I followed and got a few photos as the bird battled the wind, again we moved along a few hundred metres to the next pull in as the Stork lifted banked back over my self and over Moyhill.

An incidental sighting and a County Clare 1st record 

American Wigeon - Ballyvaughan

Finishing the year with a scramble over the Burren before work to Ballyvaughan to see the American Wigeon was found a couple of days ago.

I had a feeling that good views were available at this spot and I was granted just that

 

Shearwater morning off the Bridges of Ross

 Up early, and there seemed no wind, so I decided on going to Lahinch swimming Pool for a morning swim. As I came to the coast at Lahinch a steady west wind was blowing so I motored down the coast and was at the Bridges of Ross by 7:30am. 

You know ITS ON when see the Cory`s Shearwaters passing from the carpark......

When I got to the headland ,Brian Mac and Sean Holland were the early birds seawatching from the hollow and both were wearing big smiles due to the quality of birding that was on offer.

Over the morning over 2000 Cory`s had past by along the Manx line, which today was the Cory`s line which is close in for big Shearwaters, over a 100 Great Shearwaters were in the mix with a 20 or so Sooty Shearwaters on top of our local Manxies 

A Wilson Storm Petrel passed by at 10;30

Storm Petrels were also numerous with a count of over 50

Cory`s Shearwater

Great Shearwater

Manx

Common Terns Lough Atedaun

 A pair of Common Tern were hawking the Lily pads and resting on the lake boulders at Lough Atedaun during the afternoon

The water is low and vegetation is high. Hundreds of Mute Swan and Mallard were along the edges on the far side with Curlews and Lapwing

A female Kestrel was chaperoning a youth high above calling, as were Willow Warblers in the hedgerows

Greenland Wheatear pushing through at Clahane

 This stand out Greenland type Wheatear has been hanging around the river entry area at corner in Clahane for about a week, and will probably push through with west coast with the last of the |Waders such as Whimbrel , Dunlin and Purple Sandpipers

Red throated Diver at Liscannor harbour

 A Red throated Diver has been close to Liscannor harbour over the winter but the weather just has not been good enough to capture the bird in the camera, but today the sun has finally come out and with a high tide this bird was close to the harbour wall steps

Lahanch bay holds good wintering numbers of Red throated Divers and can be seen around the surf, generally mid bay or around the outskirts of the Common Scoter flock where they catch fish that the ducks flush as they dive and turn up the sand for Clams.

The ultimate Red Squirell

 Sometimes there can be moments when wildlife trusts in you.

Some of us travel far to experience wildlife encounters yet the best can be found close to home.

This stunning Red Squirrel was content with me sharing its woodland home not far from my home.

The woodland itself was quite open and the early morning spring  sunlight played for the camera settings.

Juvenile Crossbill

 I said Id come back later during the month to check on the Crossbills in a forest not far from home.

A good few birds were seen while calling in the air as they past to different parts of the wood.

A lone juvenile bird was just sitting high up waiting for parents to arrive , I also was waiting for this moment but it never happened. I managed a few small short videos from my scope 

Crossbills and Red Squirrells

 Up in Pine forest not far from Maurice Mills and a new place to walk the dog.

I was watching a Male Crossbill high in the tree tops when it dipped down I was trying to find the bird as I started to see Red Squirells feeding on the Pine cones, very hard to see , but once found easy to follow.

1st Winter Swell of 2024

 The 1st Swell of 2024 was around 2M 14 secs and West,A four day swell with very light offshore winds, some mornings were icy ay -2'c .

Im proud to find my injury problems behind me and an opportunity to get some consistant, surfing done locally around home.

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Yellow Wagtail at Clahane

A roll of Sea mist came in offf the ocean during the morning which may have brought this migrating Yellow Wagtail to shore. It was feeding well with 3 White Wagtails in the corner at the river entrance.Next day it was gone 

Certainly brightened up the colours of Clahane