Arranmore; 4th October

A change in the wind to westerly had me change mind mid week. I decided take a chance on Arranmore instead of Tory. With a few yanks arriving and the chance of some eastern birds being blown back onto the west coas,t I thought it worth a look.

Late thursday evening word came through that Rob Vaughan was on Arranmore for a couple of weeks. He had found a  Common Rosefinch, Wryneck, Yellow browed Warbler, Snow Bunting and a Pied Flycatcher in the north east corner during the day.

Gerard Murray and I picked up Chris Ingram on route and we got the 8.30am boat from Burtonport. Rob met us at the ferry and we were birding by 9am. We went looking for yesterday's birds but could not find any of them. We all split up and spent a very plesent day birding the island. I could not find a thing with my best birds, a single swallow, 10 Chiffchaff (mostly calling)and 5 Long-tailed Tits. Gerard did a bit better with a Spotted Flycatcher in the harbour and a Snow Bunting at the lakes.

Snow Bunting (Gerard Murray)

Spotted Flycatcher (Gerard Murray)

Chris had the Spot Fly and a single Yellow browed Warbler. Rob did best with a Snow Bunting in the north east,  Yellow-browed Warbler in the harbour and a 'tecking' "low down" Phylloscopus warbler near the Glen Hotel. Despite Rob getting some brief views and hearing the bird well, the bird would not "give itself up".

15 minutes befor the ferry was due to depart we got a call from Rob. He had refound yesterday's Wryneck in its original location. It showed very well on the ground beside the car, and on a bramble for the few minutes we had left.

Total for the day; c.15 Chiffchaff, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Snow Bunting,1 Wryneck, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Kestrel, and 1 Sparrowhawk.

The best of luck to Rob and Shane Farrell, who will be joining Rob for the next week or so.

(I will add a few of Gerard's shots, when he sends them to me ).

Wryneck

Wryneck(Gerard Murray)

Wryneck (Gerard Murray)