Common Rosefinch

Common Rosefinch at Kilbaha © Richard Bonser

It is rare for Niall Keogh to leave the draw of the Bridges of Ross, but today the North-westerly winds and horrendous sea spray drove him off, for only the third time in the last month.  On his wonderings he ended up in Walshe's haggard at the top end of Kilbaha village, the last farm on the way to Loop Lighthouse. Here he found a first-winter Common Rosefinch.  This is only the fourth record for the headland and three out of the four recorded at Loop have turned up in this exact same field.  Great find Niall.

Also on the headland today were nine Buff-breasted Sandpipers and two Lapland Buntings.

John N Murphy