Dermot Breen's Blog

Saturday, 12 November 2016

Siberian Chiffchaffs, Ballyconneely area, Nov 16.

A couple of shots of two different Siberian Chiffchaffs from the Slyne Head/Ballconneely area recently. Thankfully both birds were heard calling especially the bird near Ballyconneely village.
Both matched this bird recorded calling in Russia perfectly. http://www.xeno-canto.org/339799. Most of the previous birds out here seemed very reluctant to call confirming the identification. I have a recording of the village bird but couldn't upload it onto to Xeno Canto as it in WAV format.
The bird near the village on the 7th November was mainly in Willows that still largely have their foliage. It kept company with a typically calling Common Chiffchaff and also another Common Chiffchaff giving the "sweo" call http://www.xeno-canto.org/342033. I revisited the area again today and there were two Siberian Chiffchaffs with possibly four Common Chiffchaffs in the exact same spot, I wonder if they are going to overwinter. This is adjacent to Murlach and immediately East of Murlach Mooring holiday homes.
There were at least 32 Siberian Chiffchaffs recorded in Ireland during October. They were probably more numerous than scarce warblers such as Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Wood Warbler, etc.
The Red-breasted Flycatcher was again present in the Trident Garden also.

Siberian Chiffchaff, Conneely's Garden, 1st November 2016.

Siberian Chiffchaff, Ballyconneely village, 7th November 2016.

Monday, 7 November 2016

Trident Red-breasted Flycatcher

I found this first calendar Red-breasted Flycatcher down at Slyne Head today in the garden next to the Trident Holiday Homes. It showed reasonably well for a RBF who can be right little skulkers at times. While this is the latest Galway record there are a few November records from around Ireland previously with one reported in early December back in 2003 (not sure if this was ever accepted?). The bird appeared to have a small tick just in front of the right eye. This very same garden held a RBF back on 4th October 2009 found by Alex Lees and James Gilroy. Today's bird will be the tenth county record. The first was picked up dead under Slyne Head Lighthouse in late October 1951. Inishmore has now recorded an impressive six of the ten records (including one this October). Inishbofin has had only one record so far.

Monday, 31 October 2016

Inishmore last week

A selection of shots taken over the three days that I spent out on Inishmore recently. Plenty of Yellow-browed Warbler shots, can't get enough to them, they really are little gems.

Yellow-browed Warbler

Garden Warbler

Blackcap

Stonechat

Greenfinch, very rare on the island, first one I've seen out there anyway.

Hooded Crow

Song Thrush

Rather friendly Robin.

Birds on the mind.

Western Bonelli's Warbler garden.

No escaping the US election, not even on an offshore island off the west of Ireland.

Port Chorrúch, this seaweed strewn cobble beach has had two Baird's and one White-rumped Sandpiper to date.

Friday, 28 October 2016

Inishmore Lesser-throats

While out on Inishmore last week I had three different Lesser Whitethroats on the 20th October. Bird 2 and especially Bird 3 look like possibly being Siberian Lesser Whitethroats. However without getting the open tail pattern, wing formula along with the fact that none were hear to give the rattle call of blythi, for now they'll have to go down as simply Lesser Whitethroats.

Bird 1

Bird 1 with Yellow-browed Warbler.

Bird 1 with Dunnocks and Goldfinches.

Bird 1

Bird 2

Bird 3