For many years I've shared the Ocean with the Fulmar Petrel. They can be curious toward lone Surfers , venturing close fast on the wing using the updraft across the waves or slowly approaching out of the mist tapping their feet on the water.
An early morning high tide along the cliffs at Clahane, a fine aerial display by the masters of updraft is taking place right now as other sea-going birds such as Kittiwake pass by heading to the Cliffs of Moher
5 Ring necked Ducks had been on the Kilkee reservoir for a few days and I got down after 4pm the light wasn't on my side and distant views only from the roads but still offering good scope views
3 Drakes and 2 females had joined a handful of Tufted Ducks an Teal and were great to see performing on the Pond.
The weather was well cold in a NE wind.
These tagged White tailed Eagles have been wandering around the Burren loughs all week.
Ive seen plenty of these Eagles over the years and most of the time they dont do much. but never have I seen a show as this day. Even at a distance it was quite a wonderful display in the air, on the trees and on the ground
Its so worth a stop and to walk the Seafield to Clonahinchy road and watch to see what birds are coming into feed with the Rabbits on grain around the Horse fields.
Rock Doves, Skylarks , Reed Bunting, Curlew, Chough , Redwings, Linnets , Chaffinch, House Sparrows and a highlight of 14 Tree Sparrows that were all using the fields for winter food sourse.
There have been regular sightings this winter of Marsh Harriers within County Clare and Limerick. Last winter was very simular.
Marsh Harriers have a massive area of vagrancy so its hard to say how many we have , sure they follow the water coarses with good established reedbeds and are well able to travel distance with British tagged birds showing up north of Scotland and far south as Senegal.
All I know is that its great that we have them and be able to get good observations of a wonderful Raptor that has chose to inhabit our Loughs around the Burren.
Iv been lucky enough to have seen the Forsters Tern in a few different locations along Galway bay but this was the 1st time that I found it within Kinvarra bay. This seems to be its favorite wintering grounds over the years so Im glad to have finally caught up with it here.
On the high tide the short west facing coastline at Clahane has 4 reef pieces that secure a safe place to roost during the day. Up to 400 Golden Plover can be seen here along with Greenshank, Redshank, Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Curlew, Dunlin and Brent Geese can be seen on what I call the middle roost.
As I was leaving Clahane on the road out I could see Two Seal pups probably around 6 or 7 months old were resting up quite high up on the south side reef at Clahane.
It had been a stormy week and Id say can be a tiring time for these fellas. I sat myself down on a lower level part of the reef up light for a few shots and made my way.
After a small wait, as the Teal and Wigeon moved out of the reeds and grasses for the open water the Hooded Merganzer came down from upstream were it moved in mingled for a short while before shooting off at speed down estuary.
it was time to move on for the White winged Scoter at Achill, that was a whole different story in crazy weather conditions
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On the right weather conditions during a cold winter morning, You couldnt find such a peaceful place to be.
The schrubs are busy with churping Redwings and Blackbirds , but the coastline is hidden and quiet Black throated Divers may come in close to feed with Great northern Divers, Red breasted Merganzers, Shag, distant toward and up the Rhine a female Velvet Scoter was with a small flock of Common Scoter
