Late staying Willow Warbler

At Kilbaha today there were five Pomarine Skuas chasing Kittiwakes and other gulls around the harbour and bay. One adult Sabine’s Gull was seen far out in the Bay feeding with a flock of approximately 300 Kittiwakes.  One juvenile Arctic Tern also came into the harbour.   One late staying Willow Warbler was in the New Zealand sea flax around the harbor,  along with one Chiffchaff, one Siskin, a Sparrowhawk, one Peregrine, six Snipe and four Ravens. A flock of 70 Lapwing were in adjacent fields next to Ross Bay.

John N Murphy, Jeff Copner & Howard Williams.

 Willow Warbler © John N Murphy

Pomarine Skua chasing Kittiwake in Kilbaha Bay © John N Murphy

More October Seawatching

At the Bridges of Ross today between 08.30 to 15.30, there were 45 Pomarine Skuas, two Arctic Skuas, one Great Skua, 61 Grey Phalaropes, eight Sooty Shearwaters, seven Manx Shearwaters, four Storm Petrels, ten plus Arctic Terns, one Puffin, four Red-throated Divers and two Great Northern Divers.

Paul Troake & Geoff Pearson.

The Twisted Rocks at the Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Merlin on the headland

At Loop Head today 16th October 2011, there was one immature Merlin at the Lighthouse, one Chiffchaff was in the Gardens at Kilbaha, two Pomarine Skuas and 3 Barnalce Geese were in Kilbaha bay along with ten Arctic Terns.

Dave McNamara

Immature Merlin at Loop Head © John N Murphy

Not much happening

At Loop Head today there was one Snow Bunting at Kilbaha, four Wheatears on the headland, 26 Snipe, one Peregrine, two Sparrowhawks, two Ketrels, ten Chough, two Chiffchaffs and one Willow Warbler.

There were also five Red Admirals.


John N Murphy

Peregrine at the Fodry © John N Murphy

Corvids Build Up

At Loop Head today there were three Pomarine Skuas (one off the head & two in the Kilbaha Bay).  There were also two Lapland Buntings, one Snow Bunting, one male Blackcap, two Wheatears, 22 Skylarks, 200 Meadow Pipits, 40 Rock Doves, 30 Chough, 34 Golden Plovers, one Red-throated Diver and a mixed flock of 300 corvids mainly Rooks and Jackdaws flying around the lighthouse.

John N Murphy & Floss Gibson.

Seabirds still migrating

Second-summer Pomarine Skua passing Fodry Point © John N Murphy

At Loop Head today 11th October 2011, there was one Snow Bunting at the Fodry, a flock of 400 Gannets were feeding off the tip of Loop Head Lighthouse, 27 Snipe and 34 Golden Plovers were in open ground around the lighthouse along with 12 Chough.  One Wheatear was in the harbour with another at fields near the Bridges of Ross along with 46 Golden Plover. Seven Swallows were in Kilbaha. One Whimbrel was at Horse Island.

A one hour seawatch (10.30-11.30) off Fodry Point there were seven Pomarine Skuas, seven Arctic Skuas, one Leach’s Petrel which was taken by a Peregrine out to sea, one Red-throated Diver and four Great Northern Divers.

A one hour seawatch this evening (17.00-18.00) off the Bridges of Ross produced three Long-tailed Skuas (two adults and one 2nd-cal bird), 15 Arctic Skuas, 11 Pomarine Skuas, seven Bonxies, five Leaches Petrels, one Storm Petrel, three Sooty Shearwaters, six Manx Shearwaters, two Great Northern Divers and one Red-throated Diver.
Mammals & Insects

Irish Hare near the tip of Loop Head © John N Murphy

There were hundreds of Drinker Moth caterpillars throughout the headland, 26 Irish Hares, two Speckled Wood Butterflies, one Peacock Butterfly and one Grey Seal was off Fodry Point.

John N Murphy.

More Seabirds

There are still some seabirds lingering off the Bridges.  Today a half hour seawatch off the Bridges of Ross produced two Pomarine Skuas, three Bonxies, five Sooty Shearwaters and ten Manx Shearwaters.

One Snow Bunting was in Kilbaha.

Dave McNamara

Snow Bunting © John N Murphy