Ross Castle continues a fantastic run

Ross Castle, near Killarney, on the eastern shore of Lough Leane, has had a bumper winter. A fourth Ring-necked Duck was found there today - in total, three males and a female - all four at one point seen together today out on the main lake (though often very distant). In addition, a Siberian Chiffchaff is still present, along with perhaps double figures of Chiffchaff, since before Christmas. A Continental Cormorant was also seen recently, though it has been particularly elusive and also often frustratingly distant and, to cap it all, a second year Ring-billed Gull has put in occasional appearances in the small gull flock which loiters by the Castle itself. Not a bad haul for an inland site anywhere in Ireland.

Second winter Ring-billed Gull, Ross Castle, 2nd January 2015 (Dave McAdams).

Siberian Chiffchaff, Ross Castle, 2nd January 2015 (Davey Farrar).

Genetic Gull Soup

Immature gulls are often tricky enough to identify, even if you try to ignore their occasional habit of 'playing away from home' which can result in confusing looking hybrids. So what is this particular flavour of genetic soup, seen at Portmagee yesterday? Herring Gull mixed with a strong pinch of Glaucous Gull perhaps? Any thoughts welcome...

Hybrid Gull (left), with juvenile Herring Gull Portmagee, 1st January 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Hybrid Gull, Portmagee, 1st January 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Azorean Yellow-legged Gull and Black-necked Grebe

Adult Azorean Yellow-legged Gull, Knightstown, Valentia Island, 31st December 2014 (M.O'Clery).

Black-necked Grebe, Reen Pier, Ballinskelligs Bay, 31st December 2014 (Pat McDaid).

Black-necked Grebe, Reen Pier, Ballinskelligs Bay, 1st January 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Glaucous Gull, Cromane, 31st December 2014 (M.O'Clery).

Long-tailed Ducks

Long-tailed ducks are a scarce winter visitor to a few select sites in Kerry each year. Most records are of ones and twos, but they occasionally reach double figures at a few sites, such as Rossbeigh and Ballinskelligs Bay.

Female Long-tailed Duck, Cromane, 27th December 2014 (Seamus Enright).

Female and first-winter Long-tailed Duck, Ballinskelligs Bay, 25th December 2014 (Michael O'Clery).

Glaucous and Iceland Gulls

First-winter Glaucous Gull, near Cromane, 24th December 2014 (M.O'Clery).

First-winter Glaucous Gull, near Cromane, 24th December 2014 (M.O'Clery).

Adult Iceland Gull, Reenard Pier, 24th December 204 (M.O'Clery).

Water Pipit continues to be seen at Black Rock

Water Pipit, Black Rock, 23rd December 2014 (David O'Connor).

Water Pipit, Black Rock, 23rd December 2014 (David O'Connor).

Black Brant, Sandy Bay

Adult Black Brant, Sandy Bay, Castlegregory, 21st December 2014 (Seamus Enright).

Water Pipit still at Black Rock

Water Pipit, Black Rock, 15th December 2014 (David O'Connor).

Glaucous Gulls at Reenard

2 Glaucous Gulls were at Reenard today.

First-winter Glaucous Gull, Reenard, 14th December 2014 (Michael O'Clery).

First-winter Glaucous Gull, Reenard, 14th December 2014 (Michael O'Clery).

Hybrid Glaucous Gulls X Herring Gulls make occasional appearances in Kerry most years, e.g., the one HERE, and are commonly referred to as 'Viking Gulls'. Another in Reenard today is quite coarsely marked.

First-winter Glaucous Gull X presumed Herring Gull hybrid, Reenard, 14th December 2014 (Michael O'Clery).

First-winter Glaucous Gull X presumed Herring Gull hybrid, Reenard, 14th December 2014 (Michael O'Clery).

Greylag Goose, Lough Gill

Greylag Goose, Lough Gill, 10th December 2014 (M.O'Clery).

Greylag Goose with Whooper Swan, Lough Gill, 10th December 2014 (M.O'Clery).

Although overshadowed by the two quality rarities at Lough Gill at the moment (American Coot and Lesser Scaup), this Greylag Goose at Lough Gill today, present since 6th November, is a pretty scarce bird in Kerry. Sightings of this species also have to overcome the shadow of suspicion of having escaped from wildfowl collections, or having straggled from a nearby feral population from e.g., Limerick or central Cork.

However, this individual, and most others which occur in Kerry in winter - such as the occasional small flock at the Cashen and individuals elsewhere - are often very wary and would, superficially at least, seem to be of wild stock.