American Golden Plover at Carrahane

Adult American Golden Plover, Carrahane, 1st October 2025 (David O'Connor).

Adult American Golden Plover, Carrahane, 1st October 2025 (David O'Connor).

Adult American Golden Plover, Carrahane, 1st October 2025 (David O'Connor).

 

White-rumped Sandpiper at Black Rock, and more

 

White-rumped Sandpiper, Black Rock, 17th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

juvenile Little Stint (left) and Curlew Sandpiper (right), Black Rock, 23rd September 2025 (David O'Connor).

juvenile Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, Black Rock, 23rd September 2025 (David O'Connor).

White Wagtail, Rough Point, 22nd September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Sabine's Gull still at Rough Point

 

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, Rough Point, 21st September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, Rough Point, 21st September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, Rough Point, 21st September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

2 Wilson's Phalaropes at Black Rock

 The two Wilson's Phalaropes were found in a small flooded, reed-fringed field about 2km inland from Ballyheigue, and shared the muddy pools with 2 Glossy Ibis, about 10 Ruff and 4 Curlew Sandpipers.

Wilson's Phalarope and Ruff, near Ballyheigue, 16th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Wilson's Phalarope and Ruff, near Ballyheigue, 16th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Sabines Gull and Little Gull at Black Rock

 

Juvenile Sabine's and first-winter Little Gull, Black Rock, 16th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, Black Rock, 16th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

First-winter Little Gull, Black Rock, 16th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

 

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, Black Rock, 16th September 2025 (Eric Dempsey).

Award-winning photo of AGP?

 This photo of an American Golden Plover at Blackrock must surely be one of the best ever taken of this species. Nice one, David! (you can click on the image for a closer look)

Adult American Golden Plover, Black Rock, 16th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

2 American Golden Plovers at Black Rock

 

Two adult American Golden Plovers, Black Rock, 16th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

14 Glossy Ibises near Dingle

Large numbers of Glossy Ibis are streaming into Ireland at the moment, and any wet field in Ireland could now potentially have a few of these exotic migrants. Drought in Spain after a bumper breeding season seems to have triggered the invasion, as the ibises seek out soft, wet ground were they can feed on worms and other insects. Makes sense that if they are looking for damp ground, wet grassy areas, and a mild climate, then Kerry (and Ireland generally) is a good choice. It's quite likely we'll be seeing these fantastic birds all the way through the coming winter.

This flock of 14 were initially seen from a fast-moving car, when I had to screech to a halt and invoke a few swerves and beeping horns from other road users, while we grabbed cameras and tumbled out of the car. Initially found on 15th September, all 14 were still present on the evening of 17th.

Four of the fourteen Glossy Ibises, 2km NNW of Dingle, 15th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Glossy Ibises, 2km NNW of Dingle, 15th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Glossy Ibis, 2km NNW of Dingle, 15th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Glossy Ibises, 2km NNW of Dingle, 15th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Glossy Ibises, 2km NNW of Dingle, 15th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

A sky full of Sabine's Gulls

 Despite a fantastic seawatch on Brandon Point on the morning and early afternoon of 15th September, numbers of Sabine's Gulls were low enough, with around 10 seen in the five and a half hours. All the more surprising then that a half hour later, at nearby Cloghane Estuary, there were at least 45 Sabine's Gulls wheeling around the inner bay in strong westerly winds. Several flocks formed, splintered and reformed, so actual numbers were hard to figure out, but flocks of 23, 19 and 32 were seen at various times. The flocks also would occasionally rise high into the air, perhaps 300m up, an unusual behavior for a seabird which is normally seen fairly low over the open sea.

High-flying flock of Sabine's Gulls, Cloghane Estuary, 15th September 2025 (Michael O'CleCloghanery).

 

Click on the image for a closer look! The sky is full of Sabine's Gulls, Cloghane Estuary, 15th September 2025 (Michael O'CleCloghanery).

Black Tern at Burnham Lagoon

 

Juvenile Black Tern, Burnham Lagoon, Dingle, 13th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Juvenile Black Tern, Burnham Lagoon, Dingle, 13th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).