Hel Hath No Birdies

Blockers. We love those don't we? There are certain species types which remain unattainable in Ireland. For some reason, very most likely due to Ireland's population geospatial/coastal nature, things like rare thrushes, rare raptors and crossbill species just don't get found very often. The habitat for visiting crossbills is certainly there, but much of it is inland.  28th September, 2008. On the night of the 26th/27th of September myself and Robert Vaughan set off for west Cork, intent on a weekend of hunting migs on the headlands. There had been various bits around, including Melodious Warbler, Common Rosefinch etc so we were hopefull. Things started ominously though,when sometime around 3/4 in the morning a tyre completely exploded somewhere around Urlingford. Rob held the torch whilst I got the spare on, but it was one of those "emergency spares" they give with cars these days, and it meant we would have to stop somewhere and get the real tyre replaced as I w...

Summer rolled around and birds settled in to breeding mode. Our local Tawny Owls delighted us with a good sized brood of fluff balls which spent several days in and around the garden, also allowing for occasional views of the watchful adults too. Tawny Owl - Fluffy A visit to Vallisaari, a first for me, revealed spectacular habitat, with numerous Icterine Warbler in full song, a single Red-Breasted Flycatcher in song and and obliging Wryneck. Wryneck Up in Hämeenkyrö, a pair of Marsh Sandpiper were present most of the summer at one of my local patches, allowing for excellent views, along with the usual Black Grouse at this site. Marsh Sandpiper Garden ticks back home included very juicy additions like singing Nightjar and Thrush Nightingale. Thrush Nightingale  Marsh Harrier - Regular over the garden Early summer breeders gave opportunities to see and hear Marsh Warbler, Blyth's Reed Warbler, Corncrake and Common Rosefinch. Common Rosefinch  Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - in mid ...