11 o'clock rarity

I remember years ago there was a running joke about rare birds always being found on North Ron at 11 o'clock, and that when news broke, folk would put the kettle on for a nice cup of tea before heading out to see it.  It was a bit like that today (although less rare!) as I scanned the lake while waiting for the kettle to boil and my toast to pop up. There appeared to be a black-necked grebe diving in the near corner! I made the tea and toast, headed out to the office for my scope, and behold, it WAS a black-necked grebe - only my second for the patch - nice one (61). Of course, had it been a red-necked grebe (an irish tick) I'd have been straight out there, in full headless chicken mode! The 4 goldeneye were still present too.

Black-necked grebe, Kilkeran Lake - Sean Cronin  More of Sean's photo's here

that's more of it, ted

After dipping on 1st January, I finally got fulmar for the year out near the head this afternoon, plus a cracking adult winter med gull on the lake and a fly-by kestrel at Long Strand late on (60).

one more

Off patch for most of the day, but managed sparrowhawk over the lake this morning (57), and had the male pochard there late afternoon.

another day, another duck

A pair of shelduck graced the lake this morning - not quite what I had in mind following the cold snap, but they all count on the year list (56).  The 4 goldeneye and a nervous pochard were still loitering there too.

awash with wildfowl

Crazy scenes this morning on half-frozen Kilkeran Lake, with 4 pochard (my first since Jan 2006!) 4 goldeneye and 4 mute swans present (55) - typically, the pochard had departed by noon, although the ice hadn't!