Some shots of the Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes that are currently in Ballynakill Harbour at the moment. The Black-necked Grebe was a long overdue county tick for myself. Up to ten pairs formerly bred at Levally Lough near Tuam from 1949 - 1956. Since then there have only been a handful of records. Up to 250 pairs bred at Lough Funshinagh, Co. Roscommon at one stage but these are all since long gone. I managed to get some record shots of the grebes as we were passing by them yesterday on the RHIB on the way out to Inishshark for the annual Grey Seal pup census (a little late this year). The Great northern Diver was photographed the previous day off Tully.
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| Black-necked Grebe |
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| Black-necked Grebe |
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| Black-necked Grebe |
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| Slavonian Grebes |
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| Slavonian Grebes |
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| Slavonian Grebes, adult on the left and first-winter on the right. |
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| Slavonian Grebes |
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| Great northern Diver with flatfish species. |
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| Great northern Diver with Shore Crab. |
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| Great northern Diver |
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| Great northern Diver |
Great pics of the Grebes Dermot ! Are these birds visible from shoreline ? might drop over for a look at the weekend Where's best viewing point from shore to catch a view (with scope), assuming they may still be about ! Nice shots of the GN Diver also. 2 sightings of GND's over here in the Midlands in recent days also - 2 on Lough Owel (Joe Donaldson) and 1 bird for past 3 days on Lough Gowna (Tom Murtagh) , both recorded on Irisbirding
ReplyDeletetom
Hi Tom, both of them are viewable from the shore. Black-necked is a little bit more distant. It is best viewed from the North side of the bay past Derryinver Pier out past Letterfrack. It hangs around Letter and Ardagh Rocks, grid ref L670598. The Slavs are further out in the bay but on the South side around Freaghillaun South Island viewed from Ross beach, grid ref L642604. If you come out this way it would be worth having a look at the female Lesser Scaup on Murlach beside Ballyconneely also.
DeleteMany thanks Dermot !
ReplyDelete