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.
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.
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
"What do you want to do boy?"..."I want to see Gannets". I Cant say No to that.
A nice day had myself and my son walking the west coast.
We headed out of the of tourist season in Lahinch south to the Bridges of Ross where we were the only people here hanging out along the path over the bridge and on the extreme west reefs.
We got to see a pod of Dolphins plenty of Gannets and a few Manx Shearwater.
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I was fortunate to catch up with 6 Swifts at Leamanuh Castle.
The birds were fast around the building and very hard to photo, they all left together returned again within 15 minute intervals, Maybe all travelling to a better feeding area further afield in a summer lacking insects.
Choughs and Ravens are resident birds along the Cliffs of west Ireland, both species are well adapted to the extreme environment that is Loop Head.
A good walk will always find Choughs within the fields of Cows and on the Cliff edge, noisy unique birds that nest within the sea caves and feed in the fields above.
Ravens boss the air intimidating all birds. On this day parents were giving flying lessons to 3 juveniles and if you listen carefully they talk there way through this with `clunks, croaks and various barks
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| Chough |
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| Raven |
Early morning and a nice day had me walking Loop Head watching the Seabirds
I was the only person on the headland with the noises and smells of the Seabird colony. I found myself in a position to get some great views of Razorbills and Guillemots, a few Puffin were on the water below the headland.
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| Razorbill |
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| Guillemot |
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| Puffin |
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| Shag |
