My first Wheatear of the year, taken today near Youghal. Best shots I ever got of a Spring Male. Love the shrike-like black mask. Thanks, Gemma.

Holly Blue on holly. Well, fancy that. 😉. Plus male and female, separate and together. First ones I’ve seen this year.

“Queen tribute band” (groan) outside my kitchen window. Not happy with manager- he got the sac. (double groan). 😉

A nice selection of wild pansies on dunes at Curracloe on Tuesday. Still looking to find some sand pansies, though.

Common Storks-bill and orchids at Curracloe beach. Hopeless at identifying orchids. (First is pyrimidal, yes?) Any suggestions, anyone?

Couldn’t get access to Cahore Marsh. (Me and bulls just don’t get on). Had to settle for some Small Blues, varieties of Common Milkwort and a few not so rare birds, skylarks, ravens, swifts etc along the dunes. But the weather was good. I enjoyed my “sand”wiches on the dunes.

My best shots of the Cobh cathedral Peregrines, adult and fledgling, taken today in poor lighting conditions.

Go n-éirí leat, a Mhicheál ar slí na fírinne. Is cailliúint ollmhór dúinn é. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís. Chreid sé go cinnte an cor cainte seo.

A very cross looking Little Ringed Plover in bad light at Harpers Island a few days ago.

Juvenile Little Ringed Plover at Harper’s Island today.

Med Gulls are certainly much more attractive than their so called Black headed Gull relations. Harper’s Island, yesterday. Dorothy Heaphy

Sandwich Terns at Ballynamona recently. No luck reading the ring unfortunately. Surprised to see so many Wheatears on the strand. Have they given up on the Irish Summer too and are heading south early? 😉

Quiet afternoon at Baile na Móna. (Tide fully out). A few wheatears and White Wagtails kept me company. That’s good enough for me.

My first pelagic trip ever yesterday. The light was awful for photos especially, but an enjoyable day out. (From Union Hall, W.Cork, on the Holly Joe). My first real sightings of Sabine’s Gull, Bonxie or Storm Petrels.

Haven’t posted for many months. Never visited Harty’s Quay area in Cork City before. Was rewarded with good views of five Goosander (4 shown) and a moulting male RED-breasted Merganser. Happy out.

A quite confiding Snipe near Blackrock Castle today.

I suspect more than one Siberian Chiffchaff returns to same spot on Tramore river, Cork City every year. (By Harvey Norman) Find them there so often.

Nothing unusual but very pretty. Grey Wagtail (female) on Tramore river, Cork City, yesterday.

Fairly recent shots from Knockadoon Head, Co. Cork. Bog Pimpernel, (new find for me), and two (different?) Marsh (?) Orchids. Would someone please, please identify them for me?

Recently spotted in Cork City. A new moth for me. ( then again, I only recognise the very common ones). Elder Pearl/Anania coronata, I think. I presume it’s not new to you Martine? Martine🦋Brennan🍄