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.