Hi all,
This evening I went to Ballycotton to look for my first Wheatears of the year.Having seen at least 2(male and female),I looked down at the beach to check if the male that I had seen at first was a different bird.Imagine my surprise to stumble across only my second ever Little Ringed Plover(and first ever spring bird anywhere)!Got great views with the Ringed Plovers for comparison.It stayed for about half an hour before flying off high to the east,calling persistently.
Also,earlier there were 9 Black Redstarts and 3 Chiffchaffs at nearby Knockadoon Head(former is usually scarce in Ireland in spring,but 12 reported at the Old Head of Kinsale and 5 at Robert's Cove today)
Harry
Hi Harry,
sounds like you had a very rewarding time over there. Your eyes must have popped out of your head when you saw the Little Ringed Plover. Cheers.
Hi Steve,
They didn't quite pop out of my head,as I was actually talking about the weather/time of year etc being perfect for a Little Ringed Plover!Was still surprised to actually find one,and with so little effort as well:just happened to be the first wader that we saw on the beach!
Harry