Irish ferry crossing

[Gerry Hooper]

We'll be taking a trip across to Ireland soon and staying on the east coast.
Hoping for some seabirds on the way across. What should I be looking out for? Any hints and tips gratefully accepted.

On a previous crossing at same time of year I ony managed Gannets,Manx Shearwaters and a very interesting little black and white thing that got me quite excited until I realised it was a Pied Wagtail boinging over the waves.

We're staying on the coast,anything else I should expect? Apart from plenty of this stuff B (: B (:
Cheers

[Harry Hussey]

Hi Gerry,
While the Irish Sea ferry crossing usually produces nothing better than Manxies(or a skua if lucky),bear in mind that Soft-plumaged(Rosslare-Fishguard)and frigatebird sp(not sure which ferry) have been seen in the past.
Where on the east coast will you be staying?Send me a private message and I'll give you some gen.
Harry H

[Gerry Hooper]

Home again now.
Saw A couple of Skuas on the way out,which wasn't terrific but one of them was Great.
Did see Arctic Skuas each time we went to the coast whenever the wind was doing anything but offshore.Many were distant but some were closer, chasing terns and Kittiwakes.
The hedges were full of Chiff Chaff and Goldcrests and occasional Spotted flycatchers.
Peregrine and Merlin in the mountains and a single Hen Harrier near the coast,it was a ringtail so I'll have to wait 'till winter for the real thing!
Three Great Skuas on the Ferry home and numerous pods of Dolphin.
Failed to find the rarest species in Ireland-another Birder!!
Found three people with bins,one was watching the wind turbines,one was watching boats and the other appeared to be looking for a parking space, with Leicas!!
Good Holiday,great place with lovely people.

May the roof of your house never fall in, and the people in your house never fall out.