Collared Flycatcher

I will post the rest of the photos tomorrow!

23rd May; Chris Ingram

Chris Ingram and Ralph Sheppard were on Tory for the day. 

I recieved this e mail from Chris,

"... Went to Tory again today. Couldn't find the Bluethroat, although the locals said it was there yesterday, or the Black Redstart.

Best birds were a Mealy Redpoll together with a Lesser for comparison, and a Whinchat.

Ralph Sheppard and I had 51 species on the island including a Wood Pigeon, 7 Collared Doves, 6 Corncrakes (saw 3), a Peregrine, 11 Little Terns and 2 Arctics, 2 Whimbrels, 6 Sedge Warblers, 5 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps, 6 Willows and a Chiffchaff, a Reed Bunting, 2 Pied Wagtails and 6 Tree Sparrows. On the crossing out were good numbers of Manx and 3 GN Divers. Journey back pretty uneventful. A good day!"

51 species is a good day total for Tory. My best last year was 54 species.

Mealy and Lesser Redpoll, Arctic Tern and Whinchat are all new for the year. New birds are still arriving all the time........

21st May. Thumbs up for Bluethroat.

I had planned a trip to tory on the 21st May. I was delighed to hear about the Bluethroat on the 20th as its a lifer for me! News the bird had only been seen briefly before flying away was a bit dissappointing, but the weather looked like it could still through up a few surprises

Good weather overcentral- northern Europe with cloud over the western seaboard

Light east-south east wind predicted

I got the early ferry (monday)7.45 on mondays and fridays. 8.45 tuesday to thursday.

Tory Ferry

Bunbeg Harbour

The crossing over was quiet with a couple of Great Northern Diver. 4 Swallows passed the boat flying in from the west towards Donegal.

Heavy cloud and light rain on Tory overnight

Guillemot and Razorbills

Manx Shearwater

Dunlin

There was a large flock of Dunlin in the harbour with some Turnstone and a few Redshank.

25 Little Terns at the lake

Lapwing

Snipe drumming

West end looking north

House Martin. A pair around the cliffs north of the Lighthouse

Bog road heading into West Town

Willow Warbler

 Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Willow Warblers in West town.

Rock Pipit

 I heard a couple of Corncrake calling and on investigtion the Bluethroat popped up out of the nettles

Davey Hunter with Bluethroat

Most of the shots were out of focusbut I managed two shots close up..

Bluethroat

Heading out east there were 2 Redwing at the football pitch

Chiffchaff

Lesser Whitethroat at Grace's B&B East Town

3-4 Corncrake calling at the lake

Anton Meenans land up east was quiet

Mobile Black Redstart in East Town

Black Redstart

Davey Hunter in West Town

 No sign of the Bluethroat for over two hours.

Thums up for Bluethroat

20th May...Bluethroat!

Theo Cambell, Rogar Murray, Richard Smith an Chris Ingram were on Tory on the 20th May.Some of the lucky observers  and had a fine male Red-spotted Bluethroat on the Bog Road at West Town. It showed well for just a few minutes before flying off east and could not be relocated.
Other birds of note included 3 Collared Dove, 2 Whitethroat,5 Chiffchaff, 1 Black Redstart and 3 Corncrake

Monday 4th May

I copied this post from Bird forum. Richard Smith and Gary Wilkinson were on Tory Bank holiday Monday 4th May.

"Took the early morning ferry to Tory. A breezy voyage which was enlivened by the sight of 10 Great Northern Divers together. Manx Shearwater, Fulmar, Guillemot, Razorbill, Gannets, Bonxie spotted along with reasonable numbers of gulls.

The harbour on Tory was good with Whimbrel, Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Golden Plover & Mallard. As we walked inland towards Derek Hill's hut we spotted Lapwing & Snipe together with the nesting gulls. At this stage the rain started and persisted for about three hours.

A brief look at the Western cliffs produced Puffin, Razorbill, Fulmar & Guillemot. The wind & driving rain forced us to abandon these exposed delights. Later it dried up and we were treated to spectacular views of a Corncrake appearing from the nettles.

The return boat trip was quiet but produced excellent views of Great Northern Divers.


Richard"


Great Northern Diver, Great Skua, Whimbrel, Golden Plover and Corncrake are new for the year.