Reed Bunting

A Reed Bunting was showing off on his chirping perch on a local walk in the forestry of Ballyea

Clahane 18 \7 \18

Its been a while since I have had anytime to get out along the coast and birdwatch. So I stopped in at Clahane back a few days ago to check my local patch.
A juv Kittiwake along with a Med Gull were feeding the high tide among 200 Black headed Gull
The other side of the road Reed Buntings , Rock Pipits and Stonechats all with young kept busy,
Further up the reef on the middle roost a few Sandwich Terns one with a silver ring on right leg

Kittiwake imm

Med Gull

Reed Bunting

Stonechat

Sandwitch Tern

Tac and back

Its that time of year again that I pay my annual visit to Tacumshin lake Wexford.

5am I left Clare, arriving at Tac at 8:20

An overcast warm morning with not great light.

I was greeted by two Eygptian Geese and a Marsh Harrier on the Main Lake, a walk to the sluice where I met up with Killian (in the same spot as last year).

 2 Little Terns showed near to the beach 

Eygptian Geese

Little Tern

 With the weather looking to maybe rain, I headed back to East end.
Plenty of Reed specialists live here and im always keen to see them when I visit.  Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and &  Bearded Reedling.
The Forsters Tern showed for a brief 30 seconds over the pond

Reed Warbler

Reed Bunting

Bearded Reedling

After mid day I headed round to Lingstown and The Whitehole where the star of the show The Red footed Falcon had been seen over the past few days.
I met up with Cian & Thomas Cardiff and we caught up with the Falcon high in the sky feeding on Dragon flys.
A few Quail were calling from nearby reed beds and a Marsh Harrier past by again

Red footed Falcon

Marsh Harrier

Around 4pm I left Lady Island Lake and I was home 7;45 with a bag full of birds. Content.

Reed Bunting moult

A  feeling rather uncomfortable moulting Reed Bunting presented a nice photo opportunity at Clahane today

Reed Buntings

Reed Bunting (male)

Reed Bunting (female)

Plenty of Reed Buntings were flitting around the river entry ,feeding on the flies that have taken over Clahane shoreline.Today there were nine of Buntings to see ,mainly males

Clahane Diversity

One thing about Clahane is the diversity of wildlife available, Great northern divers in the sea, Purple Sandpipers and other waders on the reefs , Reed buntings on the shore. tomorrow maybe different, yesterday was.

A trip to Ballyallia lake

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