Some pictures I took recently

V Bull

Some Warblers from the ECNR, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow..

Blackcap..


Sedge Warbler..


Chiffchaff..


Willow Warbler..


Redpoll..not a Warbler.

stupidusername

I've been home to Tipp the last few days -
Starling parents have been feeding chicks nesting in our gutters




A pair of wood pigeons in their mating ritual


And from Tolka valley a few days ago, my first grey wagtail

whyulittle

God it was windy today!

Willow Warbler




Skylark

vandriver

A visitor to my garden in Dublin last night


Sparrowhawk by carl cotter, on Flickr

swifts need our help!

Lovely!

Mark

E39MSport

Just look at this: -



Such a beautiful thing in a pretty drab part of Manchester. I was awestruck when I saw it.

I have been noticing the almost total lack of bird song which is in total contrast to my garden.

swifts need our help!

wow thats some blue tit

imfml

A Drumcondra local on the Tolka

E39MSport

swifts need our help! wrote: »

wow thats some blue tit

He's a biggun alright

V Bull

Cuckoo at Lough Boora today....calling and showing well..

pixbyjohn

Greystones North Beach Wednesday 2nd May 2012 by pixbyjohn, on Flickr

Rainbowsend

Its a Shag John.

Mothman

Look what's just been in my garden



Not one but 2 cormorants!
I haven't noticed the white thigh patch before

V Bull

Mothman wrote: »

Not one but 2 cormorants!
I haven't noticed the white thigh patch before

Breeding plumage I think, a sign of a breeding adult..

V Bull

Down at Lough Boora again today...didn't see or hear the Cuckoo today but bumped into WUL who got some good snaps earlier at a different lacation..

Some pics from today..

Sparrowhawk..female..


Wheatear...


Willow Warbler..


Linnet..male..


Kestrel.. male..


Buzzard..


Another colourfull Kestrel (M)..

Traonach

A adult Hobby, Excellent find V Bull:)

whyulittle

V Bull wrote: »

I'm hoping it's a Hobby..advise please.

Oh yeah, you kept that one under your hat alright!

V Bull

Thanks a mill guys...a first for me...what a great day..:)

Sorry WUL, I tried whistling at you but the little guy didn't stay around for too long, I got him on the second pass as he darted bye.

I'll PM you with the location..:cool::cool:

UPDATE....just informed that it's a male Kestrel with heavy colouring.....boo hoo..

whyulittle

One of at least two Cuckoos at Boora today


Twice it was chased out of trees by, Meadow Pipits, I think


The battered Buzzard again, one of six in circling and calling - they and the Cuckoos are brilliant to listen to


Another WW I think


Wheatear - I don't know how I missed these birds last year, I only spotted my first near the end of their season here

Mothman

whyulittle wrote: »

One of at least two Cuckoos at Boora today

I wonder what species the caterpillar is

whyulittle

Mothman wrote: »

I wonder what species the caterpillar is was

It was despatched with a few good whacks!

stupidusername

A cormorant popped by the Basin today

trebor28

whyulittle wrote: »

Twice it was chased out of trees by, Meadow Pipits, I think

isnt the Meadow Pippit one of the main birds they use to "rear" their young?

and because meadow pippits are on the decline, the Cuckoos are on the decline also?

p.s.
whats in the background of the first cuckoo pic?

whyulittle

Could very well be, I thought it was one of the Warblers they use.

Just grass in the background. Same as that one blade right in front of it. :mad:

trebor28

whyulittle wrote: »

Could very well be, I thought it was one of the Warblers they use.

Just grass in the background. Same as that one blade right in front of it. :mad:

sorry meant the second photo!

Traonach

trebor28 wrote: »

isnt the Meadow Pippit one of the main birds they use to "rear" their young?

and because meadow pippits are on the decline, the Cuckoos are on the decline also?

p.s.
whats in the background of the first cuckoo pic?

In Ireland the main host for the cuckoo is the meadow pipit. The irish name for meadow pipit is Banaltra na cuaiche (the cuckoo nurse) which is a great name. In mainland europe and southern UK the reed warbler is the favoured host (I think). Since we have only a few Reed warblers, I suppose our cuckoo have to make do with Banaltra na cuaiche:)

whyulittle

The bird in the background trebor? Meadow Pipit I think.

trebor28

whyulittle wrote: »

The bird in the background trebor? Meadow Pipit I think.

oh right, d'oh!:o

mikka631

Willow Warbler at Boora Parklands, Co. Offaly

swifts need our help!

well done Mikka!