sheesh, its a long time till spring

A colour ringed adult winter mediterranean gull was at Long Strand this afternoon, with a second winter bird.  Two redshanks and the long staying whimbrel were in Dirk Bay, where a female/imm blackcap was also seen.  A male merlin flew east over Long Strand late afternoon.

playing away

Great views of the white-rumped sandpiper at Ballycotton this morning, in with c.100 dunlin. It showed very well, down to 10 feet or so - nice! A seawatch off Galley this afternoon produced 2 little auks, 2 manx shearwaters and a storm petrel.

ross

The juvenile american golden plover and the lesser yellowlegs were both still at Rosscarbery today, showing well early afternoon.

fin whales from the window

Two fin whales were blowing in Rosscarbery Bay this morning, approximately 2 miles offshore from Long Strand, with a large feeding flock of gannets.  Four mediterranean gulls were on Kilkeran Lake, with 3 scaup, 3 tufted duck, 2 greenshank and a little egret also there.  A late sooty shearwater was seen off Galley this evening, with 1 puffin and 1 common scoter also seen.  The american golden plover was seen again at Rosscarbery today.

its gonna be a long winter!

The 3 scaup and 3 tufted duck remained on Kilkeran Lake today, with 2 greenshank at Long Strand.