Grey Phalarope at the Cashen Estuary

Grey Phalarope, Cashen Estuary, 17th November 2015 (D.Farrar).

The faint streaks along the flanks and some remaining dark-centred coverts are the most obvious indicators that this is a first-winter bird, no doubt grounded by the ferocious gales this afternoon.

Grey Phalarope, Cashen Estuary, 17th November 2015 (D.Farrar).

Free talk, Thursday 19th Nov., Curlews and Barn Owls

You are invited to a talk at the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre, Tralee, at 7.30pm on Thursday 18th November, hosted by the Irish Wildlife Trust. Everybody welcome, admission free.

Curlew at Dingle Harbour.

Curlew numbers have been declining lately, but how are they faring at breeding sites in Kerry and beyond? Michael O'Clery, took part in the national Curlew Survey this summer, covering all potential Kerry nesting sites, and tells us what he found.

Barn Owl over the Tralee Bypass

Also, Barn Owls have been in the news in Kerry, due to collisions with vehicles on the Tralee Bypass. Why is this happening, and what might be done? Michael has also been working on a year-long project to answer these questions, and his findings will be presented at the talk for the first time.

Come along, and bring a friend.

The Kerry Irish Wildlife Trust Facebook page is HERE

Killorglin leads the way on Swift nest boxes

Swifts are rapidly disappearing from towns and villages all over Kerry. The larger conurbations such as e.g.  Tralee, Killarney and Listowel still have perhaps tens of pairs, but numbers everywhere are dropping fast. Smaller towns such as Castlegregory and Caherciveen have precious few left, and at the rate of decline, might well have none in years to come.

A flock of Swifts (wikimedia.org User:Keta)

Thanks mainly to the hard work of James Daly and the Killorglin Tidy Towns, the town of Killorglin can boast 12 Swift nest boxes now in place, in theory capable of hosting up to 35 Swift nests. There are three sites around town and one outside town where the boxes have been located, each with built-in speakers to play the sounds of Swifts next spring, in order to draw in curious young Swifts to investigate and hopefully nest.

Three of the 12 Swegler Swift boxes in place in the centre of Killorglin. Ideally situated, and with room for expansion if, or hopefully when the Swifts move in. Each box can hold three nests.

There's a nice little free booklet on Swifts, available to download HERE. Well worth a read.

and a lot of good information on the national Swift Conservation Project HERE. 

A great project for Tidy Towns or interested individuals.

Tralee Barn Owl life story

Male Barn Owl, near Tralee, May 2014 (Photographed under licence from NPWS: Michael O'Clery).

The above male Barn Owl, photographed close to his nest near Tralee last spring, was recently found dead along the Tralee Bypass, one of many recent casualties along this road. But much was already known about this bird. Read his story on the Irish Raptor Blog HERE.

Gull-billed Tern still at Blennerville

The Gull-billed Tern continues its' stay at Blennerville, seen again this morning despite horrendous weather. If this blast of stormy weather doesn't persuade it to head on its way, it might well beat the record for the longest-staying Irish Gull-billed Tern. The longest stayer was one in Wexford which remained for 39 days, while the Blennerville bird as of 10th November, has stayed 24. 26th November is the date for our bird to beat...

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 8th November 2015 (Ed Carty).

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 8th November 2015 (Ed Carty).

Little Gull, Blennerville, 8th November 2015 (Ed Carty).

Little Gull, Blennerville, 8th November 2015 (Ed Carty).

Out and about

A nice selection of good birds from a day trip. Autumn might be winding down, but there is still a terrific selection of birds to be seen around Kerry. October and early November have more than made up for a quiet September. 

Glossy Ibis, Lesser Scaup, Great White Egret, Gull-billed Tern, Black and Surf Scoter, Spoonbill... These are all most likely out there, tomorrow, if you want to see them. Actually, weather forecast is a bit rubbish...

Buzzard, Carahane, 7th November 2015 (Kilian Kelly).

Up to four birds have been seen around Carrahane/Ardfert over the past year or so, with a few additional records around Tralee, Causeway and Anascaul. Otherwise, this is still a rare bird in Kerry, though surely one we should see more of in the coming years.

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 7th November 2015 (Kilian Kelly).

First-winter Little Gull, Blennerville, 7th November 2015 (Kilian Kelly).

One of two present at Blennerville, along with a recent Ring-billed Gull and Yellow-legged Gull.

Relocation, relocation, relocation

Our trio of recent major rarities have all relocated, briefly at least in the case of the Gull-billed Tern which, after venturing to the far side of Tralee Bay, is now back at Blennerville.

Gull-billed Tern - took a brief 15km trip over to Rough Point for a few hours (M.O'Clery).

Meanwhile, the two Glossy Ibis which parked themselves at Lough Naparka for nearly a week are now feeding away busily on the shore of nearby Lough Gill. Still no word back on where the ringed bird might have originated.

One of the two Glossy Ibises - now at Lough Gill (M.O'Clery).

Finally, the Great White Egret which was frequenting the pool at Baile an Reannaigh, was seen today flying over the mountain pass to Ventry, where it is now happily feeding on the fringes of the reed bed there.

Great White Egret - now at Ventry (M.O'Clery).

Great White photos

Great White Egret, Baile an Reannaigh, 6th November 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

Great White Egret, Baile an Reannaigh, 6th November 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

Great White Egret, Baile an Reannaigh, 6th November 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

Great White Egret

Great White Egret, Baile an Reannaigh, 1st November 2015 (Ed Carty).

Great White Egret, Baile an Reannaigh, 1st November 2015 (Ed Carty).

Gull-billed Tern heads west

Gull-billed Tern, Blennerville, 28th October 2015 (David O'Connor).

Gull-billed Tern, Rough Point, 28th October 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

The long-staying Gull-billed Tern at Blennerville took a sudden venture west this afternoon. It was seen at its regular site just to the west of Blennerville Quay up to about 3:00pm this afternoon (top photo), but by 4:10pm, it was found off Rough Point, near Castlegregory, 20km to the west. Unusually high tides meant a large number of gulls were gathering at the eastern side of the Magharees peninsula, so perhaps it was this which drew the tern to feed. Will it return to Blennerville?

Gull-billed Tern, Rough Point, 28th October 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

Gull-billed Tern, Rough Point, 28th October 2015 (Michael O'Clery).

First-winter Little Gull, Blennerville, 28th October 2015 (David O'Connor).