Marsh Warbler on Skellig - First for Kerry

 Brian Power was on Skellig Michael on 27th August, when he experienced a 'fall' of migrants. During the day in which he found and photographed Kerry's first Ortolan Bunting (see the post below), he managed to also photograph what he thought at the time was a Reed Warbler (still a good bird in Kerry). A sharp-eyed Chris Batty later pointed out however that the photos published online seemed a better fit for Marsh Warbler. Photos were hastily re-examined, heads were scratched, and sure enough, the longer wings and wing structure proved it to be of Kerry's first Marsh Warbler!

Kerry's first Marsh Warbler, Skellig Michael, 27th August 2026 (Brian Power)

Marsh Warbler, Skellig Michael, 27th August 2026 (Brian Power)

Pied Flycatcher, Skellig Michael, 27th August 2026. One of 3-4 present (Brian Power)

Whinchat, Skellig Michael, 27th August 2026 (Brian Power)

Ortolan Bunting on Skellig - First for Kerry

Skellig Michael, Kerry, showing the south side, with the old and 'new' lighthouses (Michael O'Clery).

 Brian Power is conducting work on seabirds on Skellig Island again this summer and autumn, and has been doing so for six years nor, and has certainly been showing the full potential of this isolated island off the SW coast to produce quality vagrant birds. The likes of Blackburnian Warbler (also a county first, Blyth's Reed Warbler, and, most recently, Serin (another county first) have been seen, along with a strong supporting cast of other migrant passerines. 

 

Ortolan Bunting, Skellig Michael, 27th August 2026. A second bird, seen only briefly, may also have been an Ortolan Bunting (Brian Power).

This Ortolan Bunring was found by Brian on 27th August, amid a 'fall' of other Kerry scarcities, such as Pied Flycatcher and Whinchat.