Groomsport to Brigg’s Rocks

Yesterday I visited Groomsport and walked towards Brigg’s Rocks. The journey was quite taxing in the stifling heat however some nice photo opportunities made it worthwhile. Plenty of Cormorants that were sat on rocks with outstretched wings allowed me to get close enough for some decent pictures. I had a similar opportunity with a shag and further along I was able to get some juvenile and parent Stonechats from a reasonable distance. There were lots of Sandwich Terns and a few Black Guillemots near the car park. Linnets were also numerous as well as Common Gulls and even Great-Black Backs. There was one Carrion Crow which is probably a hybrid Hooded Crow. There were flocks of Oystercatchers and Redshanks but they were quite jumpy and didn’t allow for any great photos. The heat haze also hindered photography but here are my best efforts.

Black Guillemot

Sandwich Tern

Common Gull

Eider

Cormorant

What you lookin’ at?

Mallard

Cormorants and Great-Black Backed Gulls

Common Seal

Juvenile Stonechat

Adult Male Stonechat

Redshank

Common Gull

Linnets

Carrion/Hooded Crow

Shag

Lively day at Billy Neill

Yesterday I went for a walk around Billy Neill Country Park. There was no sign of the dippers from last time, although it would be difficult to see them if they are there as the plants around the river bank have become very overgrown since the last visit. It was noticeable yesterday that lots of young birds had successfully fledged. I saw a number of young Chiffchaffs, Robins and I believe a couple of young Sedge Warblers. I was able to get very close to one of the Warblers which allowed for some nice photographs. In addition to this, I heard a Water Rail calling from the reed beds. I looked for it and waited patiently to see if it would make a dart into the open at any point but unfortunately it remained hidden. I then walked around the perimeter of the Country Park and heard Yellowhammers singing in one of the fields around the back, however they too remained hidden. I will attach the best photos, these are mostly of Sedge Warblers.

Sedge Warbler

Mallard

Sedge Warbler

Grey Heron and Mallards

Sedge Warbler

Mistle Thrush

Goldfinch

Unfortunate reed placement!

Sedge Warbler