I spent a couple of days out with a few fellow birders around Howth Head and on Bull Island recently in search of migrants which were arriving. There was quite a few Grasshopper Warblers about as well as Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers, Wheatears, Blackcaps, Stonechats, Linnets, Ripits, Wrens, Great, Blue and Coal Tits as well as the usual suspects. Sea Birds along the cliffs included Fulmar, Kittiwake, Shags and just across the bay on Irelands Eye you have Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Gulls and a few Puffins. Of course with all these birds about you know there must be predators around and sure enough there was with Hooded Crows, Raven, Pereguine, Kestrel and Buzzard all on the look out for an easy meal. A short drive away and you have Bull Island with plenty of summer plumage waders about, and at the northern point of the island there was a small gathering of Common and Sandwich Terns while a quick look out at the bay produced 12 Red-throated Divers, several Black Guillemots and a large flock of Red-breasted Mergansers. So plenty to see and nice to get out and about. Here are a few shots I got over the last few days.
Grasshopper Warbler in song
This Gropper was answering the one above.
A raven on the prowl.
Like nearly all the birds seen this Willow Warbler was in song.
Rock Pipit (Ripit)
So many wrens about I had to snap one at least.
This Linnet was sporting some nice pinks and reds.
Dunlin and Ringed Plovers on the Bull.
A small gathering of Sandwich Terns, 6 of the 11 here are sporting metal leg rings.
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