Pied Wheatear

I got down to Ballymacoda Beach in Cork during the middle of last week to see Irelands 4th Pied Wheatear.  I had missed the original bird found at Knockadoon in 1980 and the male bird at Loop Head in 1988 on my doorstep, and did not travel for the third bird. But this one was worth waiting for and gave excellent views for all who travelled to the Rebel county.

 

 Pied Wheatear, Cork John N Murphy

Snipe

Snipe on high tide roost in Carrigaline Town, Cork on 25th January 2017.

 Snipe © John N Murphy

Ring-billed Gull II

Yet another Ring-billed Gull in Cork. As I was passing through Carrigaline south of Cork City during the week for work, I noticed this 3CY bird sitting on a roof top with Black-headed Gulls.  I pulled the car over and got a few shots of this bird. I'm sure it has been in this locality for some time just like the bird at the Lough in Cork City the day before.

A third-winter Ring-billed Gull at Carrigaline, Cork John N Murphy

Ring-billed Gull The Lough

I was in Cork City today for meetings and managed to make it to the Lough at lunchtime for a quick scan of the gulls. There was this one 3CY Ring-billed Gull and a couple of colour ringed Black-headed Gulls. 

 

Ring-billed Gull and colour ringed Black-headed Gulls at the Lough, Cork John N Murphy

 

American Bittern

For once, I was almost in the right place at the right time.  When news broke yesterday of the American Bittern I was working in west Kerry and new I'd never make it down to Castle Freke in Cork to see this fantastic looking bird.  But knowing that I was in south west Cork today and with my work meeting ending one hour ahead of plan, and the fact that I was passing through Rosscarbery on my way home, I popped down the five minute drive off the main road to see this bird.  When I got there I was lucky enough that the sun was just shinning and the bird was showing well.  Here are a few of the 300 shots that I got.  Would like to get back over the weekend for more if the bird sticks around.

 

American Bittern, Castle Freke John N Murphy

Laughing Gull

I was down in Cork City on the 30th December and made the short trip out to Ballycotton to catch up with the Laughing Gull that has been present there for the last year.  The bird spent much of its time flying up and down the pier wall fishing out over the sea.

Laughing Gull at Ballycotton John N Murphy

Western Bonelli's Warbler

 Bonelli'sWarbler, Garinish, Cork © John N Murphy

 Chiffchaff, Garinish © John N Murphy

 A fairly wrecked looking Willow Warbler at Garinish © John N Murphy

 Goldcrest © John N Murphy

Whinchat down the Valley in Garinish © John N Murphy