Galley Head Birding

moving on

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ducks are us

Kilkeran Lake was sporting a female scaup this morning, which was nice.

glauc

A 1st w mediterranean gull and a 1st w glaucous gull were at Long Strand this morning. The latter was new for the patch year list (132).

its gonna be a long winter...

4 little egrets and 2 greenshank were at Long Strand this morning, and a 1st w mediterranean gull was at Rosscarbery.

med again

A 2nd w mediterranean gull was at Long Strand this morning.

3 more chimney swifts!

1 chiffchaff and 1 swallow at Galley were the only migrants to be seen this morning. However the 3 chimney swifts at Courtmacsherry were ace!

more yanks

The merlin was seen at Galley again today, and a glaucous gull was at Red Strand. Despite this excitement, I cracked and twitched Cape for the yellow-rumped warbler there.

Yellow-rumped warbler, Cape Clear | photos: c cronin

Sadly it had disappeared by this afternoon but we did manage great views of the grey-cheeked thrush and a grey phalarope.

Grey-cheeked thrush, Cape Clear | photos: c cronin

2 chimney swifts!

Female merlin and a chiffchaff was the best at Galley today. However a chimney swift in Baltimore and a second in Clonakilty brightened things up considerably.

windy but

A black redstart was at the lighthouse today, with a chiffchaff in Dirk Bay and another at Strawtown.

quiet enough

Much quieter this morning with only a chiffchaff or 2 remaining around shite lane, 3 yellowhammers over marsh lane and two 2nd w & one 1st w mediterranean gulls at Long Strand. The ring ouzel was at Strawtown again today.

more of de same

Five chiffchaffs, 2 goldcrests and a black redstart were between shite lane crossroads and long strand this morning, with 3 bullfinches and a few chiffchaffs & goldcrests in Dirk Bay. A yellow-browed warbler was at Strawtown.

rb fly

Plenty of crests, blackcaps and chiffchaffs down Dirk Bay today. A red-breasted flycatcher was showing well at Strawtown, along with a few chiffchaffs and goldcrests.

long tails

Strong westerlies this morning so wasn't inspired to do more than a quick check round the lashers & down 'marsh lane' this morning. Had c.8 chiffchaffs, a couple of goldcrests, and 10 siskins. 4 long-tailed tits in the garden later were a nice surprise (131).

Two mediterranean gulls (1st w & 2nd w) were at Long Strand this morning.

rain stopped play

Heavy rain all day today limited birding activity. A quick check round the lashers & down 'marsh lane' this evening produced c.8 chiffchaffs, 4 goldcrests, 1 blackcap and the icterine warbler, which was showing well - its been here a week now!

gank goodies

After all the rain yesterday there didn't seem to be a whole lot new in at Galley today. Still c.20 chiffchaffs and robins, c.10 siskins, c.6 blackcaps and 2 black redstarts knocking about. Lapwing and brent goose were both worthy additions to the patch year list (130).