Buff B and Buzzard

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Carrahane, 23rd September 2018 (Geoff Hunt).

Buzzard, Ballyheigue, 13th September 2018 (Geoff Hunt).

Great White Egret, Blennerville. 8th Kerry record

Great White Egret (with Little Egret), Blennerville, 23rd September 2018 (David O'Connor).

This bird dropped onto the mudflats at Blennerville Windmill just before dusk this evening. The 8th record for Kerry. The 7th was at almost the same time of year, last year, at Caherfealane. See this post HERE. The autumn is finally... FINALLY... hotting up a little.

Great White Egret (with Little Egret), Blennerville, 23rd September 2018 (David O'Connor).

Great White Egret (with Little Egrets), Blennerville, 23rd September 2018 (David O'Connor).

Buff-breast still present

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Carrahane, 22nd September 2018 (Ed Carty).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Carrahane, 22nd September 2018 (Ed Carty).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Carrahane, 22nd September 2018 (Ed Carty).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Carrahane

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Carrahane, 21st September 2018 (Ian Jones).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Carrahane, 21st September 2018 (Ian Jones).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Carrahane, 21st September 2018 (Ian Jones).

Seabird migration, in an estuary

Although there were plenty of seabirds passing Brandon Pt. today, all were at the usual medium to distant range, requiring a telescope for most sightings, and well beyond useful camera range.

However, at nearby Cappagh Beach - the entrance to Cloghane Estuary - it is often possible to see skuas and other seabirds up close, particularly at high tide. Some of the birds below came to with 20 metres.

Arctic Skua, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

Arctic Skua, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

Arctic Skua, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

Bonxie, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

Bonxie, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

One of five Bonxies that ventured into the estuary. Four went most of the way in before turning and heading out at speed with the following gale. One Bonxie was seen to gain height, and was last seen heading strongly towards the Conor Pass. This has been noted before at this location - Bonxies cutting across land and over a mountain pass... See this post HERE

Bonxie, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

Three Bonxies and a Gannet, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

Gannet, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

Gannets were also coming right into the estuary, frequently diving for fish.

Gannet, Cappagh Beach, 19th September 2018 (M.O'Clery).

Great view of the exquisite spotting and patterning on a fresh juvenile Gannet.

Little Stint, Ballinskelligs

Juvenile Little Stint (with Dunlin), Ballinskelligs, 16th September 2018 (Pat McDaid).

The first and only Little Stint seen so far in Kerry this autumn.

Juvenile Little Stint, Ballinskelligs, 16th September 2018 (Pat McDaid).

Curlew Sandpiper, Ballycarbery, 16th September 2018 (Pat McDaid).

Wheatears, South Kerry, 16th September 2018 (Pat McDaid).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper at the Inny

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Inny Estuary, 8th September 2018 (Pat McDaid).

The first Nearctic wader of the autumn for Kerry.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Inny Estuary, 8th September 2018 (Pat McDaid).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Inny Estuary, 8th September 2018 (Pat McDaid).