Anthony O'Connor and John O'Donoghue, with the Least Bittern, Farranfore, 8th October 2019 (A.O'Connor and J.O'Donoghue).
An already extraordinary week for rare North American birds in Ireland and Europe just got even more extraordinary with the discovery of a Least Bittern, found in an exhausted state in a back garden near Farranfore.
As one of the finders describes, "...when found on the back lawn he was very weak and couldn't fly, John caught him and brought him inside and within a few short minutes he passed away."
They reported the finding to BirdWatch Ireland and Brian Burke and Niall Keogh were able to identify the bird from this excellent series of photos shown here, taken by Anthony and John.
Least Bittern, Farranfore, 8th October 2019 (A.O'Connor and J.O'Donoghue).
This is the first Irish record, and the 10th for the Western Palearctic.
Least Bittern, Farranfore, 8th October 2019 (A.O'Connor and J.O'Donoghue).
Least Bittern, Farranfore, 8th October 2019 (A.O'Connor and J.O'Donoghue).
Least Bittern, Farranfore, 8th October 2019 (A.O'Connor and J.O'Donoghue).
Least Bittern, Farranfore, 8th October 2019 (A.O'Connor and J.O'Donoghue).
Least Bittern, Farranfore, 8th October 2019 (A.O'Connor and J.O'Donoghue).
With thanks to the finders, Anthony O'Connor and John O'Donoghue for alerting BirdWatch Ireland and being so forthcoming with photos and information, and also to Brian Burke and Niall Keogh at BirdWatch Ireland for spreading the word so quickly.
