SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER

On Tuesday 9th, I visited the Gann hoping to see the adult Semipalmated Sandpiper that had been in the area for the last few days. I had already went to see it on the 6th, but mist and rain made photography almost impossible. On Tuesday however, the weather was clear and sunny. the bird was still present and showed very well. At first it was roosting on the beach but as the tide dropped it became active feeding with a flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover. I managed some much better photos this time...

with a Dunlin

palmations just visible

Semipalmated Sandpipier

Tacumshin Lakes 3rd-6th August

A couple of weeks ago I spent a few days birding at Tacumshin Lakes in Co. Wexford. Overall a quite few days but its a truly magical place. The highlight of the trip were the long staying Cattle Egret, which showed well but proved very hard to photograph, I only managed a very poor record shot! other good birds included several *Roseate Terns* with lots of Common and Arctic, c5 Ruff, 2 Marsh Harriers and a smart Ringtail Hen Harrier.

Awful Cattle Egret photo

juvenile Roseate Tern

Knot

Arctic Tern

Ruff

Ringed Plover