Blast From The Past - Mighty Mizen Fall - September 2010
At the beginning of September 2010, news came through that Dan Ballard had an Ortolan Bunting in Vireo Valley, Three Castles, Mizen Head. I headed down pre-dawn the following day (3rd September) and made my way straight to Three Castles. Walking down the lane towards the Bonelli's Garden, I could see and hear there were lots of birds around. Most of the hedges were flicking with Phyloscs as well as robins and thrushes. I picked up the Ortolan behind the barn fairly easily as it flicked up onto a fence, however, the bird dropped down into Vireo Valley itself and didn't pop up again in 30 mins. An Icterine Warbler and Woodchat Shrike found previously were showing however. I made my way onwards, picking out a Wryneck on fenceposts further down the valley as I made my way to the car. As access is restricted in Three Castles, I made my way straight to the Mizen road and started working there. Lots of birds were obviously active around the abandoned house garden, so I pulled in ther...
