Buff-bellied Pipit once again

Buff-bellied Pipit, Baile an Reannaigh, Smerwick Harbour, 5th October 2012 (D. Farrar).

The bird has now been present for a week, and has been frequenting the same stretch of beach during its stay.

Exceptional migration of Coal Tits

Coal Tit, Dingle Peninsula, 5th October 2012 (D.Farrar).

There was a record number of Coal Tits on the move on the Dingle Peninsula today, 5th October. In the early morning, flocks of 40+ and 10+ were seen near Slea Head, and at Dunquin, close to 200 birds were present. Birds were present in virtually all wooded gardens with small flocks moving freely from tree to tree, but with a tendency for birds to move on quickly, generally in a westerly direction. A single flock of some 200 birds arrived high over the sycamores near Kruger's, looking like they might join another 80 or so already in the trees, but the flock continued on west. By late afternoon the movement had largely subsided, but it was reckoned that at least 500 Coal Tits were involved, possibly a good deal more – by far the most ever recorded in Co. Kerry.

There have been reports of unusual numbers seen elsewhere in Ireland over the past few days with, eg, nearly 60 on Cape Clear in Co. Cork. The origin of the birds is unknown, though all seen well at Dunquin were of the Irish race Periparus ater hibernicus, though intriguingly, 3-4 birds at Glanfahan in mid-morning showed characteristics of the continental race, Periparus ater ater.

Buff-bellied Pipit still present

Buff-bellied Pipit, Baile an Reannaigh, Smerwick Harbour, 1st October (Ed Carty).

Spoonbill, Blennerville

Adult Spoonbill, Blennerville, 29th September 2012 (Ed Carty).

American Buff-bellied Pipit

Buff-bellied Pipit, Baile an Reannaigh, 28th September 2012 (Kerry Birding).

Buff-bellied Pipit & Glaucous Gull

 Buff-bellied Pipit, Baile an Reannaigh, 28th September 2012 (Davey Farrar).

Glaucous Gull,Black Rock, 28th September 2012 (Davey Farrar).

Buff-bellied Pipit, Baile an Reannaigh

Buff-bellied Pipit, Baile an Reannaigh, Smerwick Harbour, Co. Kerry, 28th September 2012 (M.O'Clery).

This bird, found by Davey Farrar this morning, is the first for Co. Kerry. It is frequenting a large pile of seaweed above the tideline at Baile an Reannaigh, in the company of Rock and Meadow Pipits.

Grey Phalarope, Carrahane

Click on the photo for a closer view)

Juvenile Grey Phalarope, Carrahane, 20th September 2012 (Ed Carty).

The injury to the neck, probably caused by a raptor, is the most likely reason for the extended stay of this bird, present at Carrahane since 13th September.

Yellow-legged Gull, possibly of Azorean race

Adult Yellow-legged Gull, showing characteristics of the Azorean race Atlantis, Black Rock, 19th September 2012 (David O'Connor).

Lapland Bunting, Carrahane

Lapland Bunting, Carrahane, 17th September 2012 (Ed Carty).

One of two present, along with 3 Buff-breasted Sandpipers and a Grey Phalarope.