Gull-billed Tern heads west

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 28th October 2015 (David O'Connor).

Gull-billed Tern, Rough Point, 28th October 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

The long-staying Gull-billed Tern at Blennerville took a sudden venture west this afternoon. It was seen at its regular site just to the west of Blennerville Quay up to about 3:00pm this afternoon (top photo), but by 4:10pm, it was found off Rough Point, near Castlegregory, 20km to the west. Unusually high tides meant a large number of gulls were gathering at the eastern side of the Magharees peninsula, so perhaps it was this which drew the tern to feed. Will it return to Blennerville?

Gull-billed Tern, Rough Point, 28th October 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

Gull-billed Tern, Rough Point, 28th October 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

First-winter Little Gull, Blennerville, 28th October 2015 (David O'Connor).

Lesser Scaup at Lough Gill for its fifth winter

Male Lesser Scaup (right) and Tufted Duck, Lough Gill, 27th October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Male Lesser Scaup, Lough Gill, 27th October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Male Lesser Scaup (left) and Tufted Duck, Lough Gill, 27th October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

This is almost certainly the same individual which has been returning to Lough Gill each winter since it was first seen, in November 2011.

Little Gull at Blennerville

Adult Little Gull, Blennerville, 26th October 2015 (D.O'Connor).

One of two present at Blennerville.

Gull-billed Tern and Eider

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 26th October 2015 (Aidan Kelly).

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 26th October 2015 (Ed Carty).

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 26th October 2015 (Aidan Kelly).

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 26th October 2015 (Ed Carty).

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 26th October 2015 (Aidan Kelly).

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 26th October 2015 (Aidan Kelly).

Eider, Fenit, 26th October 2015 (Céit Ní Dhomhnaill).

This is almost certainly the same bird as seen at Rough Point and the Magharees, on and off, from April to June of this year (see, e.g.  this post HERE, and pics below). The orange bill prompted thoughts that it might be of the Arctic race borealis. More on this soon.

The same bird, but back in early June 2015. Eider, Rough Point, 26th October 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

And another from early June 2015. Rough Point, 26th October 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

Yellow-browed Warbler, Glanfahan

Yellow-browed Warbler, Glanfahan, 22nd October 2015.

White-rumped Sandpiper, Carrahane

White-rumped Sandpiper, Carrahane, 22nd October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

White-rumped Sandpiper, Carrahane, 22nd October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Barnacle Goose, with Brent Geese and Curlew, Carrahane, 22nd October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Probably the sickly individual that appeared at Black Rock, shown in the post below, though it seems to have made a full recovery.

Video of Glossy Ibis

A video clip of one of the two Glossy Ibises at Lough Naparka, near Castlegregory, on 21st October. You can click the 'four arrows' symbol, lower right, to see the full size version.

Glossy Ibis, Lough Naparka, 21st October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

The birds were feeding extremely rapidly, rarely pausing, and seemed to be catching small snails.

Glossy Ibis, Lough Naparka, 21st October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Glossy Ibis, Lough Naparka, 21st October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

More Gull-billed Tern pics

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 21st October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 21st October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 20th October 2015 (Ed Carty).

Found on 17th October, this bird is presumably drawn by the huge shoals of sprat and Mackerel currently feeding off Blennerville and Inner Tralee Bay. One of the largest gull flocks ever seen in Kerry have been enjoying the spoils for several days. The first record for Kerry and about the 20th for Ireland.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Black Rock

Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Black Rock, 19th October 2015 (David O'Connor).

There was a comprehensive count of Brent Geese in Tralee Bay and Castlemaine Harbour last week, by the Irish Brent Goose Research Group. They found 1932 Brent in Tralee Bay, along with single Black Brant and Dark-bellied Brent, and 857 Brent in Castlemaine Harbour, 798 of which were at Inch. 15% of birds were juveniles, and the average brood size was 2.69, so it seems they had a good breeding season this year.

(with thanks to Gerry Murphy and Jill Crosher)

Glossy Ibis influx

The sightings of Glossy Ibises in Co. Kerry started with the first at Carrahane last week, seen in flight heading inland, followed by two at Lough Naparka, near Castlegregory, a couple of days later. The two there included a ringed bird and that serial number has been submitted to Spanish ringing groups, to which this bird belongs, and they assure us of a reply with details of where the bird originated.

The two birds at Lough Naparka were joined by two more on 17th October, and the number there varied between three yesterday, and two again today (including the original ringed bird). However, the six seen at Baile an Rainaigh, near Ballyferriter, this afternoon surely shows something like an influx is under way. There has been a long-staying Glossy Ibis at Tramore, Co. Waterford since early September, and another recent singleton at Ring Marsh, Co. Wexford, on 17th October, so it makes it all the more remarkable that eleven have been recorded in Kerry in just the past few days. Perhaps the beginning of another major national influx such as happened in late 2011?

Glossy Ibis, Lough Naparka, 19th October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Ringed Glossy Ibis, Lough Naparka, 19th October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Glossy Ibis, Lough Naparka, 19th October 2015 (M.O'Clery).

Some recent goodies from south Kerry

Common Crane, Inny Estuary, 13th October 2015 (Pat McDaid).

Still present from the evening before, but seen to depart south shortly after.

Firecrest, Bolus Head, 18th October 2015 (Pat McDaid)

There was one reported this morning, but a probable second was seen briefly later in the day.

Firecrest, Bolus Head, 18th October 2015 (Pat McDaid)

Lesser Whitethroat and Chiffchaff, Bolus Head, 18th October 2015 (Pat McDaid).

At 8 days, now officially the longest staying Lesser Whitethroat in Kerry history.

Siberian Chiffchaff, Bolus Head, 17th October 2015 (Pat McDaid).

One of two present, the second and third on this headland this autumn.

Gull-billed Tern

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 17th October 2015 (Davey Farrar).

Yellow-browed Warbler, Feohanagh

Yellow-browed Warbler, Feohanagh, 17th October 2015. 

Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler, Coumeenoole, 14th October 2015.

2 Pecs now at Carrahane

Pectoral Sandpiper, Carrahane, 13th October 2015 (Fionn Moore).

Two birds are now present at this site. Although close to a hundred birds have been recorded in Kerry, the vast majority occur in September, with only a couple of records after the first week of October.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Carrahane, 13th October 2015 (Fionn Moore).

Common Crane, Inny Estuary

Adult Common Crane, Inny Estuary, 12th October 2015 (Pat McDaid).

(Click the image for a closer view)

Adult Common Crane, Inny Estuary, 12th October 2015 (Pat McDaid).

Common by name, but not by nature - only the tenth record for Kerry.

Eye candy

A couple of even better photos from a man who's enormous camera lens is the envy of every birder. Some say size isn't important. We know different.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Carrahane, 9th October 2015 (Eric Dempsey).

Siberian Chiffchaff, Bolus Head, 10th October 2015 (Eric Dempsey).

Thanks for the great talk in the TBWC last Thursday, Eric!

Lesser Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat, Bolus Head, 11th October 2015 (Pat McDaid).

Lesser Whitethroat, Bolus Head, 11th October 2015 (Pat McDaid).

This bird was found yesterday (Saturday) by K.Cronin, and was still present today. Only the 10th record for Kerry.

Black Scoter, Rossbeigh

 The first and, so far, only record of this species for Ireland was discovered last January at this site (see this post HERE), so it would be a fair assumption that this is a returning individual. Let's hope it stays the winter, as not all birders got to see this major rarity in the weeks following its initial discovery.

Black Scoter, with Common Scoter, Rossbeigh, 10th October 2015 (M. O'Clery).

Close-up of the top photo.

Black Scoter, with Common Scoter, Rossbeigh, 10th October 2015 (M. O'Clery).

Black Scoter, with Common Scoter, Rossbeigh, 10th October 2015 (M. O'Clery).

First-winter male Eider, with Common Scoter, Rossbeigh, 10th October 2015 (M. O'Clery).

There was also an immature/female Surf Scoter in the 500+ inshore scoter present, with another 300–400 scoter at extreme range, a large increase on the number of scoter generally present throughout last winter. Perhaps the mussel beds on which they feed have recovered somewhat from the devastating storms of 2012-2013.