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).

Recent Sabine's Gulls, Castlegregory area

Adult Sabine's Gull, Rough Point, 8th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Adult Sabine's Gull, Rough Point, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Adult Sabine's Gull, Rough Point, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Adult Sabine's Gull, Rough Point, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, Scraggane beach, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, south of Rough Point, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, south of Rough Point, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, south of Rough Point, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Good numbers of Sabine's Gulls have been seen migrating off Kerry headlands in recent weeks, so the three on different beaches around Rough Point today were probably lingering birds from the recent large movements of birds down the West Coast.

Glossy Ibises near Tralee

Part of a recent large influx of Glossy Ibises to Ireland, with record numbers seen in Co Kerry too. Flocks of 17 at Cromane, 15 at Trabeg, and 12 near Caherciveen have been reported in recent days, as were this flock of c.30 at Cockleshell Road near Tralee yesterday.

Glossy Ibises, Cockleshell Road, Tralee, 10th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Glossy Ibises, Cockleshell Road, Tralee, 10th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Glossy Ibis, Cockleshell Road, Tralee, 10th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Glossy Ibises, Cockleshell Road, Tralee, 10th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

 

Recent Curlew Sandpipers and Ruff

 

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper (left, with Ringed Plover), Black Rock, 9th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Rough Point, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, Black Rock, 9th September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper (with Sanderling), Rough Point, 11th September 2025 (Michael O'Clery).

Ruff, Baile an Reannaigh, 2nd September 2025 (David O'Connor).

White-rumped Sandpiper at Trabeg

 

White-rumped Sandpiper, Trabeg, 3rd September 2025 (David O'Connor).

White-rumped Sandpiper, Trabeg, 3rd September 2025 (David O'Connor).

White-rumped Sandpiper, Trabeg, 3rd September 2025 (David O'Connor).

Little Stint, Curlew Sand., Ring-billed Gull

 

Adult Ring-billed Gull, Cockleshell Road, Tralee, 26th August 2025 (David O'Connor).

Juvenile Little Stint, Carrahane, 26th August 2025 (David O'Connor).

 

Juvenile Little Stint, Carrahane, 26th August 2025 (David O'Connor).

Adult Curlew Sandpiper, Black Rock, 26th August 2025 (David O'Connor).

Curlew Sandpiper at Black Rock

 

Adult Curlew Sandpiper, Black Rock, 24th July 2025 (David O'Connor).

Adult Curlew Sandpiper, Black Rock, 24th July 2025 (David O'Connor).

Adult Curlew Sandpiper, Black Rock, 24th July 2025 (David O'Connor).

Laughing Gull at Trabeg

 

First-summer Laughing Gull, Trabeg, 19th July 2025 (David O'Connor).

First-summer Laughing Gull, Trabeg, 19th July 2025 (David O'Connor).

First-summer Laughing Gull, Trabeg, 19th July 2025 (David O'Connor).

Found by visiting birder, David Douglas. The Seventh Kerry record, and about the 49th for Ireland, the last being at Bull Island, Co. Dublin, in July 2020.

Adult Ring-billed Gull, Trabeg, 19th July 2025 (David O'Connor).