Kerry Birding

Saturday, 16 October 2021

American Golden Plover and Surf Scoter

Juvenile Americian Golden Plover with Golden Plovers, Carrahane, 12th October 2021 (David O'Connor).

Adult male Surf Scoter, Banna Strand, 12th October 2021 (David O'Connor).

Dark-bellied Brent, Carrahane, 12th October 2021 (David O'Connor).

Friday, 1 October 2021

Quiet out west, but Red-backed Shrike still delights

A cold, blustery, showery day on the headlands out west today resulted in hardly any migrants being seen, but the beautiful male Red-backed Shrike continues to delight, despite disappearing for the morning.

Red-beacked Shrike, Bolus Head, 1st October 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Great White Egret on the Fertha estuary

Great White Egret, Fertha Estuary, Caherciveen, 30th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

Found by Hubert Servignat today, this is the 15th record for Kerry.

Wednesday, 29 September 2021

White-tailed Eagle and impressive supporting cast

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle, Fertha Estuary, Caherciveen, 29th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

A good day 'out wesht', with this juvenile White-tailed Eagle and an adult Spoonbill at the Fertha Estuary near Caherciveen, and the continuing presence of the adult male Red-backed Shrike and a Lesser Whitethroat on Bolus Head.

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle, Fertha Estuary, Caherciveen, 29th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

Red-backed Shrike, Bolus Head, 29th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

Lesser Whitethroat, Bolus Head, 29th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

Monday, 27 September 2021

Red-backed Shrike, Osprey and Pectoral Sandpiper

Red-backed Shrike, Bolus Head, 27th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

A second day in the Cill Riallaig garden for this beauty, where it spent its time consuming a large number of bees and beetles. It was even heard giving a quiet sub-song at times.

Red-backed Shrike, Bolus Head, 27th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

Osprey, Inny Estuary 27th September 2021 (David O'Connor).

Pectoral Sandpiper, Ventry, 20th September 2021 (David O'Connor).

One of two 'Pecs' seen at Ventry a week ago.

Sunday, 26 September 2021

Adult male Red-backed Shrike on Bolus Head

Adult male Red-backed Shrike, Bolus Head, 26th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

Only the second record for Co. Kerry, and the first adult. The only other record was of a juvenile in Dunquin, some twenty years ago.

Red-backed Shrike, Bolus Head, 26th September 2021 (Michael O'Clery).

Initial views were distant, but the bird allowed ever more close approach, actively hunting insects from prominent perches. It caught some bees and beetles, and also had a good go at one of the local Stonechats.