SparrowHawk Kill

I picked up this Sparrowhawk as it sounded up calls from a pair of Choughs I was watching, she was landing on posts hunting birds as I followed 

A Hawk overpowering its prey is one of natures spectacles, and trying following a Hawk may end up with the possibility of seeing a Kill.

Its a crazy noisy moment as a Starling is selected . The screeches as it is caught in the Talons, the panic of other birds. the Sparrowhawk does its best to over power and pin the bird to the ground, dragging and twisting and smothering the noise with its wings , all while keeping its face away from the Starlings pointed Bill. As the Starling dies it is then taken away to a quiet area to be plucked and eaten and that when we say goodbye.

Hunting along the posts

A quiet spot to eat

AGP at the Fodry

  After battling my way through the lands of the Fodry with only a Buzzard, a flock of Chough and a Snow Bunting flit by ,I was glad to follow in the Golden Plover Flock in as they arrived on the headland calling and circling the fields. I made my way to slightly higher ground so I could get a scope on them, the  juvenile American Golden Plover was with them..

Quick birdwatch around Lahinch Bay

 A glassy sea within Lahinch bay gave an opportunity to see what was out there.

Viewing from the top car park an Eider Duck was alone , 5 Red throated Divers were also around the area with a few more out in deeper water with a juvenile Dolphin.

Across the bay the Common Scotor flock were back in their wintering area with a count of 40, small numbers of Razorbill were also scattered around the bay.

Later on in the day a Hen Harrier past by sandfield

American Mink at Clahane

 Not the sort of American animal I was looking for  at Clahane but I dont see many Mink.

 The reason I got to see this creature was because it was disturbed by a guy foraging the high tide line next to the river and the Mink took cover under a rock on the reef. I got to watch the stealth of this animal as it watched the man that was 10 ft way ( he didnt see it) even finding time to come out and sniff a washed up gum shield

one crafty animal is all I can say

Black throated Divers past the Bridges of Ross

 

A quiet feeling for birdlife around Loop head and the gardens had me at the Bridges of Ross from 11- 1pm

Its such a different ocean to watch each month with different species to observe and October lends itself to our wintering species as well as the ocean going lot.

These 2 Black throated Divers were the 1st that ive seen here past the bridges.

Generally the ocean was bare but 1 Leaches Petrel, 3 species of Diver, a couple of Grey Phalarope , 10 Arctic Tern, Peregrine Falcon and a few  Snipe and the one that got away was a nice return for 2 hours of fresh air. Welcome to winter

Eygptian Geese at Doonbeg

 These Eygptian Geese have beeen seen on a few occasions during the week around Doonbeg.

 I caught up with them early on a sunday morning tucked into the reef out of the wind along the channel as they seemed to be waking up, preening, shaking and ruffling the feathers  etc.

Great White Egret at Inchiquin

It was nice to go out in hope of 

finding a Great white Egret on the Loughs and lakes around Corofin and actually find one at the end of lough Inchiquin giving great views of it fishing near the river entry at the other side. I found the patience to attach the phone to scope to obtain some video 

Young Buzzard

   This young juvenile Buzzard has been making a living scratching around the fields of Loop Head for near 2 weeks.

 I caught it walking along a west bank checking below for anything edible to eat. I watched two Hen Harriers at different times swoop at the peaceful Buzzard as it sat on posts. Life aint easy on the headland.

Little Stint - Clahane

 A quick Sunday afternoon check at my local patch Clahane produced a Little Stint at the high tide rock pools on the southern reef which is known to draw a few peeps in the past, it associating with a few Dunlin and Sanderling.

Two Little Stint in two days.

Time for a Stint around Loop Head

 After a busy summer schedule it was good to find a morning back at Loop head for a bit of birding

I was at the lighthouse at Loop Head early, the headland was very busy in Meadow Pipits and Linnets. 2 juvenile Wheatear were on the wall.

 A Buzzard was on a post near the heather hill, 12 Golden Plover were at the Plover fields.

The gardens showed a sculky Blackcap that was harassed by 1 of 2 Chiffchaff around side of Gibsons 

A Little Stint was at Cloghaun Lough travelling with 2 Dunlin, 2 Snipe were also at the Lough