As the title suggests it hasnt't been a bad couple of weeks. Saltees boat trip was cancelled last week due to bad weather but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Kieran Grace found a stunning male, summer plumaged, Red-breasted Flycatcher at Hook Head. There were several birders present when I arrived and none were disappointed. The bird kept its comfort distance but was quite showy.
The day didn't end there, as a call came in reporting two Cattle Egret at Tacumshin and I was very kindly given a lift to see if we could spot them. Not only did we get them but we also managed to pick up Little Gull, a (tailless!) Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Garganey, Reed Warbler and Whitethroat (all new for the year).
This week the weather was better so the Saltees were the next port of call. I had missed out on a previous trip and, blog readers will know, a lifer, in the form of a Redstart. Things weren't looking good as i 'dipped' another bird Saturday, but persistence pays off as - third time lucky - i managed to find it, if only momentarily, today. No pics but i can live with that. Most of the regular seabirds were back also, giving me Puffin new for the year as well as Manx Shearwater and Arctic Skua from the boat. Best of the rest were: several Swift moving through, a nice Spotted Flycatcher, a Gadwall (unusual for the island), Raven, Chough, Blackcap, Wheatear and plenty of Willow, Chiff and Sedge.
