Ivory Gull, 167 years waiting

Juvenile Ivory Gull, Cromane, 31st January 2014 (David O'Connor). 

Juvenile Ivory Gull, Cromane, 31st January 2014 (Davey Farrar).

Ivory Gull, Cromane

Juvenile Ivory Gull, 30th January 2014 (Seamus Enright)

The 19th Irish record, and only the second record for Kerry after two were seen together at Blennerville 1847, one of which was shot. This record comes shortly after a long-staying individual at Tacumshin Lake in Wexford this January (though this bird is clearly a different individual, compare them with eg, these photos HERE).

Kumlien's Gulls, 10 and 11

The tenth and eleventh Kumlien's Gulls for Kerry this year.

First-winter Kumlien's Gull, Black Rock, 30th January 2014 (David O'Connor).

First-winter Kumlien's Gull, Rossbeigh, 30th January 2014 (Kerry Birding).

Wetlands Talk, Thursday 6th, TBWC

Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre (D.McCormick).

David McCormick, Ecologist, is giving a talk in the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, Tralee next Thursday evening, 6th February 2014. The theme is 'Wetlands and Agriculture' and is part of a series of talks for World Wetlands Day. All are welcome. Entry is free.

Kumlien's no. 9, and 'Viking' Gull

Adult Kumlien's Gull, just south of the Cashen Estuary, 27th January 2014 (D. Farrar).

The ninth in Kerry so far this year.

First-year 'Viking Gull, a Herring x Glaucous Gull hybrid, just south of the Cashen Estuary, 27th January 2014 (D. Farrar).

The phrase 'butt-ugly' springs to mind.

Iceland Gulls

 First-winter Iceland Gull, 14th January 2014, TBWC.

First-wnter Iceland Gull, 21st January 2014, Reenard.

Ring-billed Gulls, Tralee

Adult Ring-billed Gull, Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, 24th January 2014 (Ed Carty).

Second winter Ring-billed Gull, Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, 24th January 2014 (Ed Carty).

The Reenard Kumlien's

First-winter Kumlien's Gull, Reenard, 21st January 2014 (Kerry Birding).

Yet another, the seventh for Kerry this January.

 First-winter Kumlien's Gull and second winter presumed Iceland Gull, Reenard, 21st January 2014 (Kerry Birding).

The Iceland-type gull on the right shows a distinct grey-brown wash to the shafts of the primaries, but is overall much paler and less well marked on the wing coverts and tail than most, if not all, second year Kumlien's-types. Another view of it is shown below.

Boar Fish draws the crowd

Yesterday at Dingle, two large trawlers were transferring many tons of this small pink fish into waiting trucks. It is a Boar Fish, and was to be used to produce fish meal for salmon farms. While offloading is a much more 'sterile' operation these days, there were still a few spillages on the pier and a large gathering of gulls kept a keen eye out for an easy opportunity for lunch. Four Glaucous Gulls and two Kumlien's Gulls were in the multitudes, one of the Kumlien's (below) was a new bird to the area and, with the other new bird from Reenard three days ago, brings the Kerry total for January to eight.

One individual of the many tons of Boar Fish being offloaded at Dingle Harbour (Michael O'Clery).

A first-winter Glaucous Gull weighs in for a share of the spoils, Dingle Harbour, 22nd January 2014 (Michael O'Clery).

Standing waist deep in Boar Fish, many gulls, like the Glaucous Gull above, squabbled with and tried to rob the fish from their neighbours, rather than picking one from the pile.

First-winter Kumlien's Gull, Dingle Harbour, 22nd January 2014 (Michael O'Clery).

Carrahane today

Finally, some birds that AREN'T Kumlien's Gulls... 

(though another was found today. Just warning you is all).

Adult Yellow-legged Gull, Carrahane, 22nd January 2014 (David O'Connor).

Snow Goose, Carrahane, 22nd January 2014 (David O'Connor).