June 4th

Another ferry fiasco this morning with the ferry staying on tory over night....

So making the most of a bad lot I birded Bunbeg then on to Bloody Foreland and then Magharoarty for the 11.30 ferry to tory.

Good numbers of birds at Bunbeg with 3 Great Northern Diver 1 Red throated Diver and a winter plumaged Black throated Diver all together in the bay. Still plenty of Sanderling and Dunlin moving north. At Bloody foreland the best was a calling cuckoo, there were no migrants in the gardens.

No sign of the Kumliens Gull at Magharoary.

The ferry left on time and I met Liz Mc Kenna who was going over for the day and Marc McLoughlin from Dublin who is staying over for a few days.

The ferry over was quiet as was to be expected on a light easterly. The best was  3 Great Northern Diver, 5 Storm Petrel and about 65 Manx Shearwater feeding between the islands. Despite searching there was no sigh of any Red- necked Phalarope.

Great Northern Diver

Storm Petrel

Plenty of calling Corncrake behind the houses in west town and a few migrants making the most of the settled weather. 5 Chiffchaff in various places.

Chiffchaff

A Spotted Flycatcher in East Town and a Robin and Blackcap in Antons east end patch. The Peregrine is still present around the cliffs and a Buzzard was noted by Marc. Liz had 400 plus Puffin loafing off the east end cliffs.

Spotted Flycatcher

Other migrants included 2 Collared Dove and 2 Wood Pigeon.

Collared Dove

Marc had great views of the Corncrake and might get lucky as the settled weatheris set to continue. He promised to keep me updated on whats around. He also had a Great Skua and 8-10 Choughs around the cliffs.

Chough

Recently fledged Rock Pipit

Whooper Swan at East End.

Anton reported a Redpoll still hanging around the garden.

I only had time to cover the east end so did not get to check out the west end and breeding seabirds...

Also a Basking Shark from the ferry on the way home and a Golden Eagle from the Errigal car park looking towards the Poisoned Glen. High and distant above the ridge line...