Med. Gull, Black Rock

Adult Mediterranean Gull, Black Rock, 31st March 2014 (David O'Connor).

Ring-billed Gulls, TBWC

Adult Ring-billed Gulls, Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, 29th March 2014 (Ed Carty).

More AHG photos

Second winter American Herring Gull, Portmagee, 25th March 2014 (Davey Farrar).

Is this a Thayer's Gull?

With all the Kumlien's Gulls in Kerry of late, and birders paying even more attention than usual to gulls in general, it is perhaps not surprising that other rare gulls of note have been picked out from the crowd. An American Herring Gull was seen at Portmagee in recent days (see post below) but this bird, seen at Reenard by Pat McDaid stands out from the more 'typical' Kumlien's Gulls which have featured in so many other recent posts (just scan the posts below to see). This is a darker version of Kumlien's, with darker primaries, tail band and secondary bar, prompting thoughts that it might be an even rarer Thayer's Gull. The jury is out so far, and final identification will probably need good photos of the bird in flight, which so far haven't been possible. Let's hope it hangs around for even better photos, and who knows, we might have a new 'first for Kerry'.

Dark Kumlien's or pale Thayer's Gull? Portmagee, 26th March 2014 (Pat McDaid).

Dark Kumlien's or pale Thayer's Gull? Portmagee, 26th March 2014 (Pat McDaid).

American Herring Gull

Second winter American Herring Gull, Portmagee, 25th March 2014 (D.Farrar).

Wildlife Photography - A Rough Guide

A talk by Mark Carmody, hosted by the Irish Wildlife Trust, will be held at the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre

Thursday 27th March 2014, at 7:30pm

Everybody welcome!

Mark Carmody will show his photography work and share his experiences and insights gained while working as a wildlife photographer both in Ireland and around the world. For details on Mark see his website, www.markcarmodyphotography.com.

Littoralis Rock Pipits, Black Rock

Two Littoralis Rock Pipits, still at Black Rock, 21st March 2014 (David O'Connor).

More littoralis Rock Pipits

 Littoralis Rock Pipit, Carrig Island, 18th March 2014 (Kerry Birding).

Littoralis Rock Pipit, Cashen, 21st March 2014 (Kerry Birding).

Kumlien's Gull, DIngle

First-winter Kumlien's Gull, Dingle Marina, 17th March 2014 (Kilian Kelly). The long-staying individual at Dingle Harbour, with a long-staying second winter Glaucous Gull also nearby.

Tree Sparrow, Cashen

Tree Sparrow, Cashen, 16th March 2014 (Mike Sheehy).