A few hours on Irelands' Eye just to see what the birds are up to. I started at the Martello Tower and did a walk anticlockwise and up to the top. Backdown via the ruin and back along the beach.
Irelands Eye is just off Dublin and the Ferry is €15 return. You can get incredibly close to the seabirds. It is best to stick to the paths provided. Start birdwatching on the ferry as you land!
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| Razorbill |
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| Lucky enough to see a Puffin today. Camera on full zoom. |
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| Guillemot |
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| My personal favorite - a Bridled Guillemot. Same species as above but with glasses! |
Gannet
Guillemot
Black Guillemot
Cormorant
Shag
Shelduck
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Great Black-backed Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Herring Gull
Kittiwake
I was however not there for bird watching but to record what stage each was at in the breeding season. The majority were still on eggs but the oystercatchers were hatched but still in the nest so very young.
I was also there to read some rings. The Gulls start nesting at 4 , 5 or 6 years of age so none of our red rings are old enough to breed yet. The old Blue rings are still in evidence and a couple of surprises!
2JT is completly new to me! The code would suggest 2009 but I have never seen it before and I have never seen a report of it being seen!
Herring Gull 0EP was another I have never hear of or seen before. The code suggests 2010. It goes to show that the projects need to be over many years. Here are birds turning up for the first time after 9 and 10 years!
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