Kerry Birding

Saturday, 9 November 2024

Great White Egret at Blennerville

Great White Egret, Blennerville, 8th November 2024 (David O'Connor).

Friday, 1 November 2024

White-winged Scoter and 8 Surf Scoter at Inch

An adult male White-winged Scoter was at Inch on Wednesday, 30th October. There have been massive Common Scoter flocks offshore there since mid-July, with some 3000+ birds present, but they were almost always several kilometres out into the bay, well beyond identification distance.

However, in recent days, the flocks have generally been moving closer inshore, and with calm conditions and little swell on Wednesday, they were (mostly) within telescope range.

A male White-winged Scoter was present, but also, 8 Surf Scoters, with groups of 5 (3 males, 2 females), 2 (adult males), and a single female/juvenile in among the 1200 or so scoter close inshore.

Male White-winged Scoter (left bird), Inch, 30th October 2024 (Michael O'Clery).

It's reasonable to assume that this adult male White-winged Scoter is a returning male from the three which were present at this site last winter, at the time, an adult and two first-winters.

The count of eight Surf Scoter at Inch is a record count for Kerry, and possibly Ireland. Have to check that one.

The intriguing part is that at least another 2000 scoter were still waaaay out in the bay. What else might be out there?

The following day, there was also an adult male Surf Scoter at Gowlane, Brandon Bay.

Adult male Surf Scoter, Gowlane, Brandon Bay, 30th October 2024 (Michael O'Clery).

Two male Eiders were also out in Brandon Bay.

Adult male Eider, Gowlane, Brandon Bay, 30th October 2024 (Michael O'Clery).

Tuesday, 29 October 2024

Surf Scoter pair at Inch

Male and female Surf Scoter, Inch, 27th October 2024 (Michael O'Clery).

Yellow-browed Warbler, near Tralee

One of two Yellow-browed Warblers in a private garden this weekend, just west of Tralee.

Yellow-browed Warbler, The Kerries, Tralee, Co. Kerry 27th October 2024 (David O'Connor).

Thursday, 17 October 2024

Continental Cormorant and Pinkfeet

Continental Cormorant (left), Blennerville, 13th October 2024 (David O'Connor).

Continental Cormorant (right), Blennerville, 13th October 2024 (David O'Connor).

Continental Cormorant (left), Blennerville, 13th October 2024 (David O'Connor).

Pink-footed Geese, Blennerville, 13th October 2024 (David O'Connor).

Wednesday, 9 October 2024

American Golden Plover at Carrahane

Juvenile American Golden Plover, Carrahane, 8th October 2024 (David O'Connor).

Saturday, 5 October 2024

Some autumn 'scarcities'

White Wagtail, Valentia Island, 27th September 2024 (Michael O'Clery).

'Greenland' Wheatear, Blennerville, 29th September 2024 (David O'Connor).

Eiders, Rough Point, 30th September 2024 (Michael O'Clery).

Tuesday, 17 September 2024

Black Stork at Lough Gill - 1st Kerry record

David was sitting in the car park at Lough Gill, getting ready to have a look over the lake, when this juvenile Black Stork appeared, Circling overhead, it rose higher, still circling, and eventually drifted off out of sight, high to the NW.

The first record for Kerry.

Another (or the same) Black Stork was reported flying north from Dursey Island, Co. Cork, on the afternoon of Sunday 15th September.