I know I know I haven't been on in ages - but my excuse is I was supposed to put up the post but I got distracted by the baby Kestrels :)
Anywho the last Tolka Branch trip of the Season was to Howth to have a look at the Sea birds and any other that we could see whilst we where there.
It started at 9.15am when I met with Susan for a little early birding - rest of the Guys weren't meeting till 10.30am - we took a walk on top of a windy pier and we saw - Gannets, Sand martins, Gulls, Cormorants...
Sand martin having a wee preen (Photo courtesy of Brendan Sheils as I didnt bring my camera and of course had the best photo Opportunity EVER)
With the full gang assembled we took a walk down the pier again to have a look at the breeding bird colonies on Ireland's eye - over on the island there is breeding populations of Gannet, Guillemots, Gulls , Kittiwakes and Puffins and some of them you can see from the pier with a scope but apparently if you are brave enough the boat trip is worth a try!! Trying to build up me courage haha!
With the full gang assembled we took a walk down the pier again to have a look at the breeding bird colonies on Ireland's eye - over on the island there is breeding populations of Gannet, Guillemots, Gulls , Kittiwakes and Puffins and some of them you can see from the pier with a scope but apparently if you are brave enough the boat trip is worth a try!! Trying to build up me courage haha!
Black Headed Gull (Photo BS)
Basking out on the rocks were at least 7 common seals - they were enjoying the sunshine.
We got a wonderful sighting of a Razorbill when we where all standing at the lighthouse on the pier and walking back were a few Black Guillemots swimming about in the marina.
Then we headed up to Ballyscadden Carpark to go up to Howth Head - not far up Howth Head are breeding Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Guillemots - and we got a good view of some babies - all fluffy and cute!!
Further up the Head I went a different way round the cliffs then the rest of the gang and got a wonderful view of a Stonechat - whilst quite common the numbers have thought to have suffered because of the harsh winter.
The appeared a Kestrel, hovering above the cliffs - and was rewarded with a Mouse/baby Rat!
Basking out on the rocks were at least 7 common seals - they were enjoying the sunshine.
We got a wonderful sighting of a Razorbill when we where all standing at the lighthouse on the pier and walking back were a few Black Guillemots swimming about in the marina.
Then we headed up to Ballyscadden Carpark to go up to Howth Head - not far up Howth Head are breeding Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Guillemots - and we got a good view of some babies - all fluffy and cute!!
Further up the Head I went a different way round the cliffs then the rest of the gang and got a wonderful view of a Stonechat - whilst quite common the numbers have thought to have suffered because of the harsh winter.
The appeared a Kestrel, hovering above the cliffs - and was rewarded with a Mouse/baby Rat!
Kestrel Hovering as it does so well - Photo BS
It was roasting hot on the top of Howth Head but a beautiful day.
It was roasting hot on the top of Howth Head but a beautiful day.
Tolka Branch walking around Howth Head - Im the one in the Red Tshirt (5 in) Thanks Brendan :)
Well worth a walk around even if you are afraid of heights like me :)
Well worth a walk around even if you are afraid of heights like me :)
No comments:
Post a Comment