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2007 Highlights



Common Sandpiper
Image  ©  Declan Skehan 2009
July 2009:

Juvenile Dipper on the Garravogue River in the heart of Sligo Town

Sligo Bird Images - July 2009
Crossbill
Crossbill
Crossbill
Images  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
29th July 2009:

Three of the 12 Common Crossbills present at this site today.  The lower image shows a female bird, while the upper photos are of males.
Shelducklings Shelduck
Shelduck Family

Images  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
29th July 2009:

A family of Shelduck at Deepwater Quay
Rock Pipit Rock Pipit
Images  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
29th July 2009:

Exceptionally dark juvenile Rock Pipit at Deepwater Quay - stained or melanistic?.
Common Sandpiper Wheatear
Images  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
29th July 2009:

Common Sandpiper (left) and juvenile Wheatear (right) at Deepwater Quay in Sligo Harbour.
Crossbill
Albino Blackbird
Albino Blackbird
Images  ©  Peter Casey 2009
28th July 2009:

Albino Blackbird pictured at Leekfield, Skreen, Co. Sligo.

Albinism (the complete absence of pigment from feathers and skin) is uncommon in wild birds, presumably because such distinctive birds are very vulnerable to predation.  Blackbirds have quite a high rate of albinism.

Crossbill CrossbillCrossbill
Images  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
28th July 2009:

Crossbills feeding on the cones of European Silver Fir at the Forest Walk, Coolaney.  

2009 is proving to be one of those years when large numbers of Crossbills migrate to Ireland and Britain from Scandinavia.  The species was already doing well in Ireland with increasing numbers of sightings during the breeding season, presmably as a result of the great increase in the acreage and maturity of conifer forestry.  It will be interesting to see if the new arrivals stay and breed.
Swallow
Grey Wagtail
Images  ©  Declan Skehan 2009
28th July 2009:

Adult Swallow (top) and newly fledged juvenile Grey Wagtail (bottom) at Quay St Car Park, Sligo town.
Kittiwakes
Mute Family
Images  ©  Marius Breen 2009
26th July 2009:

Mute Swans practice synchronised swimming at Bunduff (lower image) and breeding Kittiwakes on the cliffs at Mullaghmore (top).

Buzzard Buzzard
Buzzard
Buzzard Buzzard
Buzzard
Image  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
23rd July 2009:

JCommon Buzzards seen near Coolaney.  At least two juveniles and an adult were seen..
Jay
Image  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
23rd July 2009:

Jay seen on the Forest Walk, Coolaney
Jay
Jay
Image  ©  Gerard Scott 2009
23rd July 2009:

Jay seen on the Forest Walk, Coolaney
Spotted Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
Spotted Flycatcher
Image  ©  Declan Skehan 2009
19th July 2009:

Juvenile Spotted Flycatchers photographed today in the grounds of Markree Castle, Collooney (with an adult bird on the left of the lower image).  Although the species appears to be in a steady decline in this area, this has been a reliable breeding site for the past three years.
Swift Pulli
Image  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
19th July 2009:

These two Swift nestlings were ringed in an old farm building near Tubbercurry and will soon fledge.  Once they leave the nest they may not alight until they breed in two years time, feeding and sleeping in flight in the meantime.
Common Tern chasing Greenshank
Greenshank Greenshank
Images  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
16th June 2009:

A Greenshank on Cormorant Rocks in the middle of Lough Gil was persistently harried and chased by a juvenile Common Tern till it left the area
Juvenile Common Tern Adult Common Tern
Pearl Rocks Tern Colony
Image  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
16th July 2009:

Adult (top right) and juvenile (top left) Common Terns on Lough Gill, with (bottom) a view of the Pearl Rocks Tern colony.
Adult Common Gull
Image  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009
16th July 2009:

Adult Common Gull on Lough Gill.
Juvenile Dipper
Image  ©  Declan Skehan 2009
July 2009:

Juvenile Dipper on the Garravogue River proves successful breeding in the middle of Sligo Town.