"In natural science the principles of truth ought to be confirmed by observations." (Linnaeus). "Though, preferably backed up by a series of high quality digital photos and video." (KerryBirding).
Glaucous Gull, Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, 27th May 2018 (Ed Carty).
May records, and even June records, are not that unusual for this 'wintering' species, especially of younger birds loitering with intent.
Glaucous Gull, Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, 27th May 2018 (Ed Carty).
Littoralis or Scandinavian Rock Pipit, Rough Point, 30th April 2018 (Michael O'Clery).
A bird seen almost a month ago.
Following the Kerry Birding Referendum (see HERE) on so-called 'Scandinavian Rock Pipits', it has taken this long to be arsed to download the pics of this bird off the camera, upload them to the laptop, and finally place them here, for the world to see. I'm sure the world is grateful.
To see the results of the Littoralis Referendum go to this post HERE) and on the voting section, click on 'View Result'.
Crossbills, near Cools, Ballinskelligs, 19th May 2018 (Pat McDaid).
At least 10 birds were present, perhaps many more. One, pictured below, has faint pale wing bars, a feature which is apparent on a small percentage of Common Crossbills.
Crossbills, near Cools, Ballinskelligs, 19th May 2018 (Pat McDaid).
Crossbills, near Cools, Ballinskelligs, 19th May 2018 (Pat McDaid).
Crossbills, near Cools, Ballinskelligs, 19th May 2018 (Pat McDaid).
Yellow Wagtail, near Glen Pier, 12th May 2018 (Pat McDaid).
This beautiful bird was found in a muddy bit of field which had been trampled by cattle. This is the race flavissima which breeds commonly in Britain and is the 27th record for Kerry.
The Yellow Wagtail was found on the muddy bits, just left of centre. Finian's Bay and Bolus Head are in the background, 12th May 2018 (Pat McDaid).
Yellow Wagtail, near Glen Pier, 12th May 2018 (Pat McDaid).
Yellow Wagtail, near Glen Pier, 12th May 2018 (Pat McDaid).
There were two Glaucous Gulls at Cloghane Estuary yesterday, but one of those should be seen as a valuable life-lesson to all the kids and aspiring young birders out there.
Glaucous Gull, Cloghane Estuary, 20th April 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Because this is what happens when you repeatedly stick your head into the stomach cavity of the rotting corpse of a dead seal pup to gorge yourself on putrid flesh.
So, don't do it, kids.
Just STOP.
NOW.
Glaucous Gull, Cloghane Estuary, 20th April 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Rock Pipit with kinda 'Littoralis' credentials, Rough Point, 17th April 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Here, a pinkish Rock Pipit at Rough Point today (one of three, or perhaps four in the area) or, depending on the angle of light, the quality of your camera or your ability to manipulate saturation levels in PhotoShop, a buffish Rock Pipit. In any case, a bird that would mostly fit into the category of a 'Littoralis' or 'Scandinavian' Rock Pipit. Worthy of publication in the Irish Rare Bird Report for 2018 in the official end-of-year rarity list in Irish Birds. But is it really one? Or really, what is a 'Scandinavian Rock Pipit' after all? The difference in DNA between them and our own 'ordinary' Rock Pipits are minimal. So small you could fit a sliver of Holy Communion between the two.
I'm beginning to think they are a made-up sub-species, invented by Russian hackers, the doctored photos disseminated on social media to susceptible or suggestible birders all over the internet. Cambridge Analytica have been posting Facebook ads promoting Littoralis as a full species so, if you have any sense, you should be very alarmed.
Maybe it's time to lay to rest the myth of Littoralis once and for all.
Sorta, kinda pinky-ish Rock Pipit at Rough Point today, perhaps a Littoralis Rock Pipit, or maybe an evil construct of the hacker-manipulated social media onslaught on the truth, Rough Point, 17th April 2018 (M.O'Clery).
Are you a believer?
Let's have a vote.
Please note: Unlike other polls, you can refresh the page, and vote again. If you feel strongly about this issue, keep on voting as often as you wish. Have a vote, and then you get to see how everyone else has voted.
Author Padraic Fogarty is giving two talks on his terrific new book, Whittled Away - Ireland's vanishing wildlife. The Tralee Talk is at the Tralee Bay Wetland Centre on Friday 13th April at 7.30pm, the Killarney talk is in the public library, Killarney, on Saturday 14th April at 2pm. All are welcome and the events are free.
