New Barn Owl takes over

There has been an interesting footnote to the story of the veteran male Barn Owl, found dead on the Tralee Bypass last November (you can read the story in this post HERE). A visit to the nest site near Tralee today found a new male Barn Owl has taken over the reins at this traditional nest site, perched on the same beam outside the nest box, in an old stone barn.

Male Barn Owl, near Tralee, 5th May 2016 (M.O'Clery)

You can read more on the Irish Raptor Blog HERE.

Compelling case for Kerry Ivory Gulls

How many Ivory Gulls have been seen in Kerry?

If you go by the 'official' record, there are only two Kerry records of three birds, including this one (below) at Cromane for a few days in January 2014. The first Kerry record concerns two birds seen at Blennerville in February 1847, one of which was shot and which constituted the first Irish record.

Immature Ivory Gull, Cromane, 31st January 2014 (M.O'Clery).

However, irked by the unceremonious deletion of a 1931 record of Ivory Gull in Bangor by the Northern Ireland Birdwatchers association Rarities Committee, Anthony McGeehen set about finding out what he could about that and other Irish records of this ultra-rare Arctic Gull. The results are surprising, and will have a significant bearing on the number of potential Kerry records.

Well worth a read! You can see the article on this page... HERE

Anthony's always entertaining and erudite Facebook articles are HERE

Glossy Ibis & Scandinavian Rock Pipit

 Glossy Ibis, Baile an Raeannaigh, 26th April 2016 (D.Farrar).

Littoralis Rock Pipit, Feohanagh, 26th April 2016 (D.Farrar).

Hoopoe, near Ventry

Hoopoe, near Ventry, 25th April 2016 (Stephanie Holstead, with thanks to Jill Crosher).

Mallorca birding trip

Mallorca is a fantastic birding destination and, just a two and a half hour flight from Dublin, you can immerse yourself in a wide range of Mediterranean birds and some specialised hard-to-find species.

Balearic Warbler, Mallorca, April 2016 (All photos: Michael O'Clery).

High on every birder's wish list is the endemic Balearic Warbler, resident in the scrub covered mountainous area and relatively easy to find in the right habitat. The higher mountains also have Black and Griffon Vultures and a range of other raptors.

Balearic Warbler habitat, Mallorca, April 2016.

The above photos shows just were we saw Balearic Warbler and also in this scrub and woodland area were the Mallorcan race of Crossbill, Wryneck, Marsh Harrier, and Alpine, Pallid and Common Swifts. Scopoli's Shearwaters were in rafts on the water of the bay below.

Mallorca also has fantastic wetland habitat and many species of waterfowl, herons, egrets and waders. Beautiful birds, such as Avocet and Black-winged Stilt are common and there is a network of hides and footpaths in one of the best such wetlands, Parc Natural de s'Albufuera which makes birding a real pleasure. Moustached Warbler is also found in the reed beds here, a much sought after species for the European birder.

Avocet, Mallorca, April 2016.

Marbled Teal, Mallorca, April 2016.

Another rare and localised species is Marbled Teal (above) and these are relatively easily seen at Albufuera in small ponds, as well as Purple Gallinule and Red-crested Pochard in good numbers.

Purple Gallinule, Mallorca, April 2016.

Red-crested Pochard, Mallorca, April 2016.

The beautiful Iberian race of Yellow Wagtail, Mallorca , April 2017.

A fantastic trip, and highly recommended for ease of access, fantastic climate , food and people and, above all of course, terrific birding.

Much of the information needed for a birding trip to the island can be found HERE. Base yourself in or around Alcudia in the north-east of the island for easy access to the main birding sites.

With thanks to Alessia Comis at Pidelaluna and Pollença Town Council.

Glaucous Gull & White Wagtail, Black Rock

 First summer Glaucous Gull, Black Rock, 22nd April 2016 (D.Farrar).

White Wagtail, Black Rock, 22nd April 2016 (D.Farrar).

Short-eared Owl & RIng-necked Ducks

Short-eared Owl, Sandy Lane, near Ardfert, 11th April 2016 (Kilian Kelly).

Short-eared Owl, Sandy Lane, near Ardfert, 11th April 2016 (Kilian Kelly).

Short-eared Owl, Sandy Lane, near Ardfert, 11th April 2016 (Kilian Kelly).

Male and female Ring-necked Duck, Lough Namona, 9th April 2016 (Pat McDaid).

Male and female Ring-necked Duck, Lough Namona, 9th April 2016 (Pat McDaid).

3 Ring-necked Ducks at Lough Namona

Male and female Ring-necked Duck, Lough Namona, 3rd April 2016 (Pat McDaid).

Two male Ring-necked Duck, Lough Namona, 3rd April 2016 (Pat McDaid).

Two male and a female Ring-necked Duck, Lough Namona, 3rd April 2016 (Pat McDaid).

An unusual site for this trio, on this deep, oligotrophic (acidic) lake near Waterville, which rarely holds duck of any species. Perhaps these are birds on the move, just making a temporary stopover?

Dark, Arctic-type, Ringed Plover (left), Black Rock, 31st March 2016 (David O'Connor).

Surf Scoter & Velvet Scoter, Gowlane

 First-winter male Surf Scoter, Gowlane, 18th March 2016 (P.Archer).

 First-winter male Surf Scoter, Gowlane, 18th March 2016 (P.Archer).

Two first-winter male Velvet Scoter, Gowlane, 18th March 2016 (P.Archer).

Two first-winter male Velvet Scoter, Gowlane, 18th March 2016 (P.Archer).

Iceland Gull, Kilmore

Iceland Gull, Kilmore Strand, 15th March 2016 (Geoff Hunt).