Dotterels seen again at Reenroe

Two of four Dotterels at Reenroe, Ballinskelligs Bay, 29th April 2013 (Pat McDaid).

Arctic Skua, Fenit

Arctic Skua, Fenit, 28th April 2013 (David O'Connor).

Now present for a second day.

Ring-billed Gull & Siberian Chiffchaff

'Siberian' Chiffchaff, Ross Castle, 27th April 2013 (David O'Connor).

Adult Ring-billed Gull, Scraggane, 27th April 2013 (Seamus Enright).

Dotterel

One of the four Dotterel at Reenroe, Ballinskelligs Bay, 24th April 2013 (Seamus Enright).

The four birds at Reenore are the first spring records in Co. Kerry since the extraordinary series of sightings from Slieve Mish in 1948. A flock of 25 birds was first seen on 14th March 1948 and when observers returned on 26th March (including Frank King and Major R.F.Ruttledge), they found two flocks of 20 and 30 birds.

Since then, five of the six other records were all of single birds in autumn, the exception being two together on the summit of Brandon Mountain in October 2009.

(with thanks to Ed Carty).

Dotterels and Surf Scoter

Dotterels, Reenroe Beach, Ballinskelligs, 24th April 2013 (David O'Connor).

First-year male Surf Scoter, Rossbehy, 24th April 2013 (David O'Connor). Presumably the same bird as seen previously at Ballinskelligs throughout most of the winter.

Dotterels at Reenroe

Dotterel, Reenroe, Ballinskelligs Bay, 24th April 2013 (Pat McDaid). Two of four birds present.

Mediterranean Gull, Kilshannig

Adult Mediterranean Gull, Kilshannig, 23rd April 2013 (David O'Connor).

Iceland Gull & Intermedius Lesser Black backed Gull

 Iceland Gull, Ballyheige, 18th April 2013 (D. O'Connor).

'Intermedius' Lesser Black backed Gull, Ballyheige, 18th April 2013 (D.O'Connor). 

Red-throated Diver

Red-throated Diver, Castlegregory, 15th April 2013 (Mike Sheehy).

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting, Kerry head, 16th April 2013 (Davey Farrar).