Least Sandpiper - Cloghaun Lough

We were heading to Cloghhaun Lough just outside Kilbaha near Loop Head in hope of seeing the Solitary Sandpiper (1st county record ) that had been found earlier on in the day , when the phone went to say that a Least Sandpiper (2nd county record)  was also present.

The smallest shorebird in the world about the size of a sparrow that should be on route towards south America.

The bird showed well in the scope with the evening light, but proved difficult to photo due to size, light, distance and smelly soft mud, 

Least Sandpiper showing size compared to a Wagtail

Least Sandpiper and Solitary Sanpiper on the mudbank , Crap photo , but the two birds together

Start the day at the Bridges

For several months Ive been unable to find the time for the outdoors.

This morning at 7;30 -12 Myself, Murf and Geoff were the only birders on the headland.

Wind WSW 20/30 mph.4m WSW wind swell. 8;30 high tide

116 Cory’s Shearwaters, six Great Shearwaters, four Sooty Shearwaters, one Long-tailed Skua, four Leach’s Petrels, 14 Storm Petrels and 64 Whimbrel. 3 Common Tern plus thousands of Manx Shearwater, Fulmars and Gannets.

Thats one way to spend the morning.

Corys Shearwater

Red Valarian , Sea Campion at Hags Head

2 hours in Tac

I was due to be in Rossalare harbour for 7pm, so I organised a few hours in Tacumshin beforhand.

I droved down from Clare to Wexord in thick rain, 2pm i drove around Lady Island lake but the rain was just to heavy for any birding.

I headed over to the east end Carpark. I watched the blue skys arrive from the sea at 4pm.

Plenty of Reed Warblers were in action near the pond. Out near the Lake a lone Dark bellied Brent Goose looked lost. A Great white Egret was fishing out in the middle of the lake.

More birds were over toward the sluice but time had ran out.

6pm i was back at the car and in Rossalare for 7

So many Cuckoos

Ive seen so many Cuckoos in last few weeks close to where I live, but still Im still struggling to get a good photo as there is always a distance between them and I.

These shots came from out of the car window , near Lickeen Lake

Tree Creeper

A pair of Tree Creepers  were busy high up under the canopy of Moanreel wood.

Always a nice bird to observe , fast, agile , and camoflaged , then spin around the trees in search of food

May Wildflowers of the Burren

The 1st round of Burren colour , Yellows ,Purples and Whites.

Cow Slip

Dog Violet

Early Purple Orchids come in a variety of tones ,purples and looks

Mullaghmore

Mountain Aven

Wood Anenome

Primrose

Grey Wagtail -Caher Valley

Beautiful day shining down on the Caher Valley .

Grey Wagtails can be seen all along this clear river passage all year round.

Back in the Willows

Willow Warblers are singing in the spring 

Ballyeighter Lough

Ballyeighter Loughs are a series of waterways that wander there way through Limestone and thick reed bog on the Burren lowlands. A very sparce, open wilderness.

Greylag Geese and Mute Swan were seen as well as local nesting birds such Common Gull,Lapwing and Moorhen

The old Post box

March Swells

Slieve Callan

On a nice morning I set off to walk up Slieve Callan , the countys 3rd highest peak.
The views from here are very special as you can see south across the Shannon estuary and down though the border of Limerick and Kerry.
I got to see a Peregrine Falcon, Hen Harrier and a few Grouse otherwise it was very quiet with just pools of frog spawn.
A nice walk up through a quiet Pine forest became difficult as I took the wrong path back down and had to just walk it out.Certainly not a place for inexperienced.