Ross Castle, near Killarney, on the eastern shore of Lough Leane, has had a bumper winter. A fourth Ring-necked Duck was found there today - in total, three males and a female - all four at one point seen together today out on the main lake (though often very distant). In addition, a Siberian Chiffchaff is still present, along with perhaps double figures of Chiffchaff, since before Christmas. A Continental Cormorant was also seen recently, though it has been particularly elusive and also often frustratingly distant and, to cap it all, a second year Ring-billed Gull has put in occasional appearances in the small gull flock which loiters by the Castle itself. Not a bad haul for an inland site anywhere in Ireland.
Second winter Ring-billed Gull, Ross Castle, 2nd January 2015 (Dave McAdams).
Siberian Chiffchaff, Ross Castle, 2nd January 2015 (Davey Farrar).
