Booted Warbler, Bolus Head, 22nd October 2018 (M.O'Clery).
The Booted Warbler was in the same spot this morning, despite apparently ideal migration conditions overnight - clear skies and a light northerly breeze. However, as soon as the sun was up, this little gem was zipping about the place.
The first Kerry record, and the seventh for Ireland.
Booted Warbler, Bolus Head, 22nd October 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Initial views this morning were largely distant. The bird is actually in this photo (above), on the wire fence just right of centre. It would disappear for long periods into the dense sedge areas in the fields, occasionally perching in the open on a fence or wire before diving back into the sedge.
Booted Warbler habitat, Bolus Head, 22nd October 2018 (M.O'Clery). No point looking for it in this photo... it's in the sedge.
The bird spent quite some time in the sedge in this field (above) before finally moving back into the fuchsia bank and allowing much better views. How many patches of this sedge and grass habitat are there on Irish headlands and islands? Quite a feckin' lot, I'll tell you. How much of it is regularly checked by birders? Very feckin' little, I'll tell you. If the bird chose to, it could be extremely elusive.
Booted Warbler, Bolus Head, 22nd October 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Booted Warbler, Bolus Head, 22nd October 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Booted Warbler, Bolus Head, 22nd October 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Booted Warbler, Bolus Head, 22nd October 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Booted Warbler, Bolus Head, 22nd October 2018 (M.O'Clery).
