Hel Hath No Birdies

I like to think of myself as on a journey. A gull journey. Many years ago, checking Youghal dump for White Wingers, I was confronted with what I now know was a first winter American Herring Gull. At the time I didn't have the confidence to call it.  Being a proponent of self found lists, I realized that my ambivalence to the large gull group (winged rats) was now preventing me from filling notable gaps in that list and set about the task of familiarising myself with them in greater detail.  With American Herring Gull it was fairly easy, the following November I found another 1st winter at Baltimore fish factory, and continued to find them over the years, in both 1st and 2nd winter plumages. With Caspian the task was more difficult. Ireland has a shortage of them. And whilst I have managed a couple of Adults there over the years, other plumages were in short supply. Moving to Finland, the chance to find Caspian Gull more regularly and in more plumages became a real possibility, and

A catch up post. We've been spending weeks living the Finnish Summer dream, which means grilled food, beer, G&TS, Sauna, Swimming, Hot Tubbing etc. The newly built deck. Hot tub, sauna and lake adjacent. A luxurious way to cool off when it's ~ 30°C. Birding has been on the sporadic side of things enjoying the last of the singing migrants before they go silent.  Icterine Warbler is among these, and it's an incredible year for them. Normally there's only one present in our neighborhood. This year there's 6 in song!  Icterine Warbler - Ickys are one of those species that, being rare back home, are a delight to have as an easy bird here.  I've also been checking in with the local Red-Necked Grebe at times. Love these stunners.  Red-Necked Grebe - look at that colour!  A brief trip to Laajalahti afforded me some close views of a pair of Great White Egret. No matter how common these become I'll always have a soft spot for them.  Great White Egret - eternally e