vis mig (sort of)

Pretty quiet today around Galley with just a handful of curlews and whimbrels going over, and 2 wheatears knocking about.  A redpoll over Long Strand was new for the year (92).

sedgies are in

The reeds around Kilkeran Lake were alive with sedge warblers this evening, just fresh in and new for the year (91).

iceland in April

The 2nd winter iceland gull at Red Strand was just visible from Dirk Bay this morning, a valuable addition to the patch year list (90). Otherwise, it was quiet at Galley with a few singing willow warblers, chiffchaffs and a whitethroat.

return of the dove from above

A collared dove at Shite Lane this morning was a good one for the patch year list (only my 4th at Galley), and 2 whitethroats were also new for the year (89).  Around 10 willow warblers, 2 chiffchaffs and 7 wheatears were also present.  An iceland gull was at Red Strand this morning also.

reel around the fountain

A reeling grasshopper warbler at Galley this morning was new for the patch year list, as were 5 sand martins and 2 male blackcaps (87).  Also present were c.15 willow warblers, 3 chiffchaffs and 1 whimbrel. Four bottlenose dolphins were off Long Strand early this morning, heading west.

quiet again

Two house martins at Galley this morning were new for the patch year list (84).  A willow warbler was at Shite Lane and 2 little egrets were on Kilkeran Lake.

a few more migs

At least 30 willow warblers were around Galley this morning, along with 3 chiffchaffs, 4 wheatears, 3 sandwich terns and 19 whimbrel, which were all new for the patch year list (83).  A morning seawatch off Galley produced balearic shearwater and 2 bonxies, as well as good numbers of manx shearwaters and auks.

blt

A black-throated diver on the sea off Galley Head this evening was new for the patch year list (78).  Between 15 and 20 bottlenose dolphins were seen in Dirk Bay this evening and later off Long Strand.

first swallow

A swallow over Long Strand this lunch time was new for the patch year list (77).

a mig at last!

A willow warbler in Dirk Bay this morning was my first migrant of the year at Galley, while 2 stock doves at Long Strand this afternoon were also new for the patch year list (76).  Four little egrets were at Long Strand this morning, while the adult summer laughing gull was showing well at Ballydehob.  Up to 12 bottlenose dolphins were feeding and leaping about off Long Strand this morning, giving great views.