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Wednesday 18 November 2015

Storm-blown birds

Winds of over 100km per hour were recorded on the Kerry coast yesterday, and many birds have been blown onto our shores, some of which were making their way back out to sea today. 6 Bonxies were seen heading west off Rough Point this morning, while a Leach's Petrel, 3 Pomarine Skuas and 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew west past Brandon Point.

First-winter Glaucous Gull, near Sandy Bay, 18th November 2015 (M.O'Clery).

First-winter Glaucous Gull, near Sandy Bay, 18th November 2015 (M.O'Clery).

First-winter Iceland Gull, Blennerville, 18th November 2015 (D.Farrar).

First-winter Iceland Gull, Blennerville, 18th November 2015 (D.Farrar).

The eye position on this bird is unusual, set high and towards the rear, more like a Glaucous Gull. Might there be a hybrid element to this bird?

Pomarine Skua, off Scraggane, 18th November 2015 (M.O'Clery).