Cuskinny, Cobh, Ireland

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

 Wednesday 17 September

The overnight storm and tempest as the ship sheltered in Cork Harbour had passed to give a dry, calm day with increasing sunshine and warmth.  Now docked at the cruise port at Cobh within the harbour Jenny and I took a taxi to the nearby Cuskinny Bird Reserve and coast a couple of kilometres to the north.  Arriving at the harbour having already seen our first Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Starling as we approached the roadside car park overlooking the small bay, we soon added more of the same along with a Pied Wagtail,  Hooded Crows and, on the beach, Heron, Oystercatchers, Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls. Moving along the road towards the hill we also added the first Robin and above the trees not only a small flock of Rooks but a pair of Chough.

Curlew Numenius arquata , Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus and Hooded Crow Corvus cornix

Time to take a walk along the road adjacent road to the small lake where we could see a pair of Mute Swans with a single cygnet plus Little Grebe and a Moorhen.  Carrying on down the narrow road we recoded a number of Mallard, a pair of Teal plus a couple of Cormorant and another Moorhen before location a Little Grebe on the opposite side of the water.  Also present on the water a lone Herring Gull in addition to both Black-headed and Great Black-backed Gulls. At the far end of the lake in the entry drive to the cottage we found a Blackbird and then a Blue Tit as we made our way back to the carpark.

Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus

Whilst waiting for our return taxi a call from the nearby bridge from a local inhabitant called us over where we observed one of the resident Kingfishers catching and eating small fish plus a lot of preening.  Whilst there I the noted the small bird alight in a nearby large bramble patch and found the male Blackcap quickly followed by a pair of Stonechats. 29 species not a bad return for just over an hour's birding.

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix

Birds seen:  

Mute Swan, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Little Egret, Heron, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Kingfisher, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Blackcap, Blue Tit, Magpie, Chough, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Hooded Crow, Starling.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

Stonechat Saxicola rubicola

Little Egret Egretta garzetta

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus

Rook Corvus frugilegus

Distant Teal Anas crecca

Cuskinny Bird Reserve from coastal road

Cuskinny Bay from coastal road

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RSPB Belfast

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix

Sunday 14 September

In Belfast by 8am and a full day ashore.  However, with rain promised by noon I decided to pay a visit to RSPB Belfast situated right next to the cruise terminal.  Dull and cloudy but at least dry as I approached the reserve to discover that the site is closed at week-end but, fortunately for me, both hides were open to public access.  That said, with plastic sheeting rather than glass at the hides and especially in need of cleaning on the outer side, viewing was somewhat restricted in terms of clarity.

RSPB Belfast seen from the second hide

So, an initial stop at the closed Visitors Centre but both Great and Coal Tits long with a Robin visiting the feeders and a handful of Black-tailed Godwit seen on the lake through the window of the closed front door, I carried on towards the first hide. Approaching I recorded both Woodpigeon and Black-headed Gull and then the sight of a few Teal plus Shelduck, Shoveler and Mallard.  No less than 17 Grey Herons on the water and scores of House Martins and a handful of Barn Swallows feeding over the water and nearby reeds.

Black-headed Gulls Larus ridibundus

Moving on round the side of the reserve to the second hide recording a Wren I could more clearly see the many House Martins and Herons. In addition to the species already seen I now saw a couple of Cormorant and a single Moorhen on the far side of the water.

A few of the 17 Grey Herons Ardea cinerea on site

Time to make my way back and a revisit to the feeding station at the Visitor Centre entrance I noted at least 15 Goldfinch, many of which came to sample the food on offer. 

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

And so, forty-five minutes later I was making my way back to the ship and a stop in the vacant plot at the approach produced not only both Herring and Black-headed but also a few Lesser Black-backed Gull and a couple of Hooded Crows. Even a Pied Wagtail came to visit the site.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli

 Birds seen:

Shelduck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Cormorant, Heron, Moorhen, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Robin, Coal Tit. Great Tit, Hooded Crow, Goldfinch.

Record shot of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa seen through three separate windows!

Herons Ardea cinerea in front of the First Hide

Black-headed, Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus

RSPB Belfast from the 2nd Hide showing the ship in the neighbouring cruise port

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Tobermory, Isle of Mull

 Saturday 13 September

Tobermory on the Isle of Mull for a full day and able to get ashore via the tender by 9.15 where greeted by the local House Sparrows.  Time for a quick walk up and down Main Street before returning to the pier to take a trip round the harbour with three other guests from “Ambience.”  No sooner underway than a resting Heron and making a stop near the main waterfall we were shown the Shag’s nest with two well-grown chicks from the third brood along with a single parent.  A Hooded Crow was perched atop a bare tree in the distance and then time for a passing Herring Gull before heading out the island playing home to many immature and this year’s young.

Shag Gulosus aristotelis and chicks

Mainly Great Black-backed Gulls including a few adults along with a good number of Shag of a variety of ages.  Mixing with the gulls a few Common Gull and even a Cormorant. As we watched a couple of Curlew landed on the back of the small island.

Great black-backed Gull Larus marinus

Round into the next bay where we found a young Harbour Seal resting in typical “banana” pose and then, just a few feet away, a mother seal with her pup.  Across the small bay a dozen or so resting Harbour Seals.

Harbour Seals Phoca vitulina

As we made our way back to the pier we were able to watch a quartet of Raven above the trees on the hill in front as they displayed to each other and reaffirmed their bond.

Raven Corvus corax

A short walk eastwards took me to the two mile path through the trees, now with steady rain falling, to the lighthouse.  Upon reaching my destination a Common Gull resting on the shore below and taking a closer look at the area near the lighthouse came across a couple of Stonechat.  A fishing Cormorant was seen in the water below the close lighthouse.  With the rain now stopped, I made my way back to town and came across a couple of Robin on the way.

Common Gull Larus canus 

Still only around 1.30 so decided to take a westerly walk following the path up the hill from the Harbour House and on to the stint car park above the inland lake.  Great Tit, Goldcrest and Great Tit seen on the journey but nearing the end once more heavy rain albeit a little shelter from the trees either side of the narrow road.  Upon arriving, a solitary Hooded Crow rested atop a tree in the car park where some sort of frisby competition was under way in the rain.

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix               

Being offered a lift back to the town, even if the rain had now stopped, and saving another two mile hike, I gladly accepted and was, therefore back aboard ship much earlier than I had anticipated!

Mainly Great Black-backed Gulls Larus marinus

 Birds seen:

Shag, Cormorant, Heron, Curlew, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Robin, Stonechat, Blackbird, Great Tit, Goldcrest, Hooded Crow, Raven, House Sparrow.

Common Gull Larus canus

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix 

Harbour Seals Phoca vitulina

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Kirkwall, Orkneys

Thursday 11 September

With the full day visit to the Shetlands cancelled early yesterday morning due to the expected deteriorating weather with increasing winds, the ship managed to negotiate a half-day stop at sea off Kirkwall in the Orkneys for a tender transfer to the mainland.  Approaching the anchorage we noted both Gannet and Herring Gull in addition to the Manx Shearwater and many Fulmars on the approach.  A Cormorant flew out from the harbour and even a Razorbill noted on the sea. 

Gannet Morus bassanus (Juvenile below)

So much for the 12.30 arrival as it was almost 2.30 before the tendering commenced which meant Jenny and I were not ashore until just on 3pm with the last return tender at 6.30.  What to do?  Too late to take in anywhere distant but we did manage to secure a short taxi drive to Scapa Beach where we were told we might find some birds.  Even better when told the local bus stopped at 5pm for the return ride to the town centre so a good hour’s birding.

Eider Somateria mollissima

However, with the very strong wind coming off the sea across the fine sand it was impossible to take the cliff walk to the east so headed back towards the pier. With fine sand being blasted into our faces to take off the top layer of skin Jenny gave up and decided to take the advice of a local resident and follow the ancient pathway back into town on a journey which would probably take about fifty minutes.  Meanwhile, I carried on towards the pier thinking something might be sheltering from the wind and noting a handful of Pied Wagtails along with an Oystercatcher and a couple of Carrion Crows.

Guillemot Uria aalge

A small raft of gulls just off sore as I approached the pier so took time to use bins and camera and, at the same, time noted the very many waders sheltering amongst the wrack of seaweed on the shore below.  Scores of both Redshank and Ringed Plovers plus a handful of Turnstone.  Many of the Herring Gulls also had well-grown juveniles on the shore but one individual still needs to be identified as it looks much too large for a Herring Gull so possibly either Glaucous or Icelandic Gull. Awaiting confirmation.

Redshank Tringa totanus

Once at the pier a pair of Eider Ducks and looking towards the end under shelter of some sort of vessel a whole flock of Eiders accompanied by a number of Guillemots.  Indeed, many of the latter were close to shore giving perfect photographic opportunities. Continuing back towards the main road and taking special note of all the Ringed Plovers and Redshank I also came across a Hooded Crow.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula

Approaching the end of the seaweed a couple of Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) and then, on the first of the sand, a quartet of resting Arctic Terns.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea

Time to follow Jenny’s route and take the ancient path alongside a small stream back towards Kirkwall and ending at the local hospital alongside the main road at the large roundabout. As I turned off the country road onto the path to make my way alongside the recently harvested grass, a large number of both Carrion and Hooded Crows plus a few Woodpigeon and Pied Wagtails. In addition, a small flock of Barn Swallows also feeding and resting on the neighbouring fence wires.  All relatively quiet for the remaining walk albeit mid-way I did note a pair of Goldfinch approaching a farm track

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix

So, eventually, back at the ferry port and wait in line for the tender back to the ship.  In theory, all day Saturday on the Isle of Mull with a tender service from ship to Tobermory so, fingers crossed, decent enough weather to actually allow us off ship!

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Birds seen:

Eider, Gannet, Cormorant, Manx Shearwater, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Turnstone, Fulmar, Herring Gull, Arctic Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Barn Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Carrion Crow, Starling, Goldfinch.

Common Gull Larus canus

Guillemot Uria aalge

Herring Gull Larus argentatus (Juvenile above)

Turnstone Arenaria interpres

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