Black Rock double

White-rumped Sandpipers, Black rock, 25th October 2017 (D. Farrar).

A good day out at Carrahane

Juvenile American Golden Plover, Carrahane, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

White-rumped Sandpiper with Dunlin, Carrahane, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

White-rumped Sandpiper with Dunlin, Carrahane, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

Little Stint with Dunlin, Carrahane, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

Pectoral Sandpiper Sandpiper, Carrahane, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

Pectoral Sandpiper, Carrahane, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

Ruff, Carrahane, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

White-rumped Sandpiper, Black Rock, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

White-rumped Sandpiper, Black Rock, 24th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

Great White Egret reappears

After a three week absence, presumably the same Great White Egret is back at its old haunt just upriver of the pier at Caherfealane, south of Boolteens.

Great White Egret, Maine River, 15th October 2017 (M.O'Clery).

Great White Egret, Maine River, 15th October 2017 (M.O'Clery).

Great White Egret, Maine River, 15th October 2017 (M.O'Clery).

Meanwhile, Hurrican Ophelia continues its relentless march towards Kerry. It is due to hit around midday tomorrow (Monday). Heads down, binoculars up...

Heads up - Hurricane coming this way

While I'm generally not in the business of forecasting what rare birds might turn up when (a fool's game), this is one of the more interesting weather forecasts in many, many years, one that should get birders all over the country sitting up in their chairs, taking a little intake of breath, followed by a soft whistle and a low, muttered 'Holy Shiiiiit!".

A hurricane is now forming south of the Azores, Hurricane Ophelia, but it is forecast to gather momentum and to whisk quickly north-east, fading as it does so. But as the forecast stands now, just after midnight on Thursday 12th October, it is aimed right at Ireland and is due to arrive some time on Monday. While maybe not hurricane force by the time it reaches Ireland, the winds will be VERY strong, with a lot of rain.

What birds might this bring? It'll be most interesting to see. It's mid-October, the height of the migration season, and this is a rather bizarre weather phenomena. As it approaches, it will suck in south to south-east winds off the Continent. Trust me, if this forecast holds true, this will produce some good birds.

If it doesn't, and this is very important, I'll simply delete this post in a week or so and you will all hopefully forget all about it, but if it DOES... jaysus, you'll never hear the end of it...

The forecast for the projected path of Hurricane Ophelia at midnight on Thursday/Friday, from the National Hurricane Centre, USA (link HERE). While at the moment it is almost stationary, by Saturday it is accelerating at a ferocious rate, heading for Kerry. Well, Mayo.

The forecast for probable wind speeds, at midnight on Thursday/Friday, from the National Hurricane Centre, USA (link HERE). 

I haven't seen a forecast quite like that since the internet was born.

The forecast for the timing of strong winds from Hurricane Ophelia, at midnight on Thursday/Friday, from the National Hurricane Centre, USA (link HERE).

This one is worth watching. If it does what it says on the tin, be prepared to call in sick.

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UPDATE: Ok, 'Hurricane AFailure' didn't produce ANY birds of note. No mad passerine, no exotic seabird. I won't delete this post as a lesson to myself; never, and I mean NEVER, try to predict what rare bird will turn up, and where, and when...

Yellow-browed Warbler at Coumeenoole

Coumeenoole continues something of a golden run with the addition of Yellow-browed Warbler this morning, though the bird was very elusive and was only seen, on and off, for about ten minutes. 

Yellow-browed Warbler, Coumeenoole, 10th October 2017 (Michael O'Clery).

Coumeenoole is Sylvia Central

Three species of Sylvia Warbler in one tiny west coast gully - Barred Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat and Blackcap. Not bad.

First-winter Barred Warbler, Coumeenoole, 9th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

Lesser Whitethroat, Coumeenoole, 9th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

No, NOT a Blackcap, NOT at Coumeenoole, but it WAS on 9th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

The sharp-eyed among you will have noticed that this is not the third of the trio of Sylvia Warblers at Coumeenoole today. Rather, it is a juvenile Little Stint at nearby Ventry today. There was NO Little Stint at Coumeenoole, Little Stint is NOT a Sylvia warbler and there was NO photo from today of a Blackcap at Coumeenoole so, hey, we improvised. Deal with it.

Lesser Whitethroat, Coumeenoole

Lesser Whitethroat, Coumeenoole, 8th October 2017 (David O'Connor).

Although the Barred Warbler was present again at Coumeenoole in the morning it wasn't seen later in the day, though this Lesser Whitethroat provided a little consolation. This is the 13th record for Kerry. They were mega rare in the nineties and the noughties but are now being found more regularly.

A Sylvia warbler walks into a bar...

A big grey Sylvia warbler walks into a bar.

Barman says, "Get out. You're Barred!"

First-winter Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria, Coumeenoole, 7th October 2017 (All photos, M.O'Clery).

The fifth record for Kerry, found by Davey Farrar this afternoon.

First-winter Barred Warbler, Coumeenoole, 7th October 2017.

First-winter Barred Warbler, Coumeenoole, 7th October 2017.

First-winter Barred Warbler, Coumeenoole, 7th October 2017.

Surely the best photo of a bird's arse in years.

First-winter Barred Warbler, Coumeenoole, 7th October 2017.

First-winter Barred Warbler, Coumeenoole, 7th October 2017.

First-winter Barred Warbler, Coumeenoole, 7th October 2017.

AgP, Always get Photo!! its real stuff then.

American golden Plover, the Cashen esturary 6th October 2017.(D.Farrar).

Red-eyed Vireo, Glanfahan

Red-eyed Vireo, Glanfahan, near Slea Head, 4th October 2017 (Eric Dempsey).

The fifth record for Kerry, found this afternoon by Seamus Enright. It was often elusive, disappearing into cover for extended periods.

Red-eyed Vireo, Glanfahan, near Slea Head, 4th October 2017 (Michael O'Clery).

Juv. American Golden Plover, Carrahane

Juvenile American Golden Plover, Carrahane, 3rd October 2017 (M. O"Clery).

Juvenile American Golden Plover, Carrahane, 3rd October 2017 (M. O"Clery).

Juvenile American Golden Plover, Carrahane, 3rd October 2017 (M. O"Clery).

Eddie the Eagle in Brandon Bay

'Eddie' the White-tailed Eagle, Brandon Bay, 3rd October 2017 (Mike McLaughlinn).

White-tailed Eagle, Brandon Bay, 3rd October 2017 (Mike McLaughlinn).

White-tailed Eagle, Brandon Bay, 3rd October 2017 (Mike McLaughlinn).

Curlew Sandpiper, Black Rock, 30th September 2017 (Geoff Hunt).