Bird Race Highlights.
It was really more of a bird stroll than a race
Not exactly a dawn start by myself and John Carey. More like 9-30 before we got going. The total isn't to hand at the moment.
Dangan
Linnet in Laurel Park was a very good start and the first bird of the day.
Willow Warbler singing everywhere in Dangan this morning. Good numbers of the common passerines in the trees here. Kestrel over by Menlo Castle too.
Nimmos/Mutton Island
Highlights were the American Herring Gull, 2 Surf Scoters, a Guillemot and 3 Great Northern Diver. Thanks to Tom Cuffe for pointing out the American Herring Gull perched high up on a roof over by the docks. That's almost your pet bird now Tom. About 5 Iceland Gulls were at Nimmos and toward Mutton Island. Disappointingly no Ring-billed Gulls were seen. A Birdforum tick in the form of Brendan Power for me too. Nice meeting you. That might have to go on the day list.
Also Gannets and Manx Shearwaters were present out in the bay towards Black Head.
Rahasane
Some fine Black-tailed Godwits in summer plumage, 5 White-fronts and 3 Little Egrets complete with head plumes were the best. Also a few Whooper Swans still there. Large numbers of Sand Martins were hawking above the flood which has receded greatly. Duck numbers now very low there.
Also had a quick look over Lough Rea and a drive through the Slieve Aughties but nothing of note at either place. It did add Stonechat to the list though. Amazingly we hadn't seen one before this. We also had to wait until Loughrea too before adding House Sparrow. A couple of bankers like Grey Wagtail and Dipper let us down here too.
Some glaring omissions on the list too but an enjoyable day out nonetheless despite the at times awful weather.
Neil Sharkey will probably have a few to add to the highlights . They saw a Merlin for one. John might have more to add onto the highlights list too.
