Harry Hussey
@harryhussey.bsky.social
Using this mostly for birds and other wildlife, keen birder, slight knowledge of other groups of creatures.
Lovely light yesterday at Clogheenmilcon Fen, but most of the birds I saw were against the light. This Long-tailed Tit wasn't on full view when I took the photo, but I like the colours.
November 21, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Lovely light yesterday at Clogheenmilcon Fen, but most of the birds I saw were against the light. This Long-tailed Tit wasn't on full view when I took the photo, but I like the colours.
Darvic-ringed Yellow-legged Gull on the quays in Cork city, Ireland today. Ringed as a pullus in the south of France back in 2020. I found it interesting that, despite now being in its sixth calendar year, the primary coverts still have extensive black centres. Nice white head already, though.
November 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Darvic-ringed Yellow-legged Gull on the quays in Cork city, Ireland today. Ringed as a pullus in the south of France back in 2020. I found it interesting that, despite now being in its sixth calendar year, the primary coverts still have extensive black centres. Nice white head already, though.
Had almost no late season migrants last weekend, but a flock of around 8 Chough showed well, in poor light, as they fed without much concern on a sand cliff at Garrettstown.
November 11, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Had almost no late season migrants last weekend, but a flock of around 8 Chough showed well, in poor light, as they fed without much concern on a sand cliff at Garrettstown.
Some birds from the Cork Lough yesterday.
November 2, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Some birds from the Cork Lough yesterday.
Another recent pipit photo, this time a Rock Pipit at Knockadoon Head on Wednesday 22nd.
October 26, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Another recent pipit photo, this time a Rock Pipit at Knockadoon Head on Wednesday 22nd.
Meadow Pipit at Toe Head on 13th October. Nice to even see the incredibly long hind claw of this species here.
October 18, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Meadow Pipit at Toe Head on 13th October. Nice to even see the incredibly long hind claw of this species here.
Inspired by finds elsewhere, we gave Pilmore Strand a look for passerines yesterday. Nothing of note, but it was nice to get a spread tail photo of this Rock Pipit.
October 6, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Inspired by finds elsewhere, we gave Pilmore Strand a look for passerines yesterday. Nothing of note, but it was nice to get a spread tail photo of this Rock Pipit.
'Sinensis-type' Cormorant at Tivoli, Cork city today at close range. Birds showing characters of this taxon appear to be not too infrequent these days, but it's always a pleasure to see one well.
September 28, 2025 at 10:40 PM
'Sinensis-type' Cormorant at Tivoli, Cork city today at close range. Birds showing characters of this taxon appear to be not too infrequent these days, but it's always a pleasure to see one well.
Slightly ragged Painted Lady in Cork city this morning.
September 26, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Slightly ragged Painted Lady in Cork city this morning.
Contrary to the immaculate juvenile plumage of the Little Stint, these 1CY Dunlins, also at Ballycotton yesterday, show how the species often begins its post-juvenile moult much earlier. Note the presence of plain grey second generation coverts, only 1-2 on the first bird but several on the second.
September 20, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Contrary to the immaculate juvenile plumage of the Little Stint, these 1CY Dunlins, also at Ballycotton yesterday, show how the species often begins its post-juvenile moult much earlier. Note the presence of plain grey second generation coverts, only 1-2 on the first bird but several on the second.
Also at Ballycotton yesterday was this Northern Wheatear.
September 20, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Also at Ballycotton yesterday was this Northern Wheatear.
Nice views of waders at Ballycotton today, lots of birds to look at. Nothing too unusual, about 8 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers and 3 juvenile Little Stints were the most notable. Some photos of the latter here.
September 19, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Nice views of waders at Ballycotton today, lots of birds to look at. Nothing too unusual, about 8 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers and 3 juvenile Little Stints were the most notable. Some photos of the latter here.
No birds of note at the Douglas Estuary yesterday, after the deluge, but this Otter was on show on and off for quite a while on an adjacent pool.
September 13, 2025 at 11:09 AM
No birds of note at the Douglas Estuary yesterday, after the deluge, but this Otter was on show on and off for quite a while on an adjacent pool.
A reasonably close Little Egret at Harper's Island on Wednesday.
September 5, 2025 at 5:47 PM
A reasonably close Little Egret at Harper's Island on Wednesday.
Came across a 'juvenile' Sterna tern locally on Sunday with a friend, thought it looked like an Arctic but a few features seemed odd. Went back on Monday, and got some photos. Actually a 2CY Arctic Tern, not a plumage I have much experience with. Good bird for Cork city too.
September 5, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Came across a 'juvenile' Sterna tern locally on Sunday with a friend, thought it looked like an Arctic but a few features seemed odd. Went back on Monday, and got some photos. Actually a 2CY Arctic Tern, not a plumage I have much experience with. Good bird for Cork city too.
It's only in the last week or so that I've noticed a marked increase in Small Tortoiseshells here in Cork city, Ireland. They had been almost non-existent before that. Lots of Red Admirals, of course, and a scattering of Painted Ladies.
August 25, 2025 at 10:11 AM
It's only in the last week or so that I've noticed a marked increase in Small Tortoiseshells here in Cork city, Ireland. They had been almost non-existent before that. Lots of Red Admirals, of course, and a scattering of Painted Ladies.
Unexpectedly close views of this Common Kingfisher from the main hide at @harpersisland.bsky.social this evening.
August 22, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Unexpectedly close views of this Common Kingfisher from the main hide at @harpersisland.bsky.social this evening.
2CY and 4CY Yellow-legged Gull still present this evening at Kennedy Quay in Cork city. Nice to see the progression of moult as these birds remain.
August 11, 2025 at 11:06 PM
2CY and 4CY Yellow-legged Gull still present this evening at Kennedy Quay in Cork city. Nice to see the progression of moult as these birds remain.
Some recent gull photos from Cork city.
August 2, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Some recent gull photos from Cork city.
An unringed bird also from the same day.
July 26, 2025 at 1:39 PM
An unringed bird also from the same day.
Given that large gulls now breed in Cork city, juveniles can be found around the place much earlier than before. This Lesser Black-backed Gull was still growing its primaries, leading to a potentially misleading short primary projection. Typical bird otherwise, though.
July 26, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Given that large gulls now breed in Cork city, juveniles can be found around the place much earlier than before. This Lesser Black-backed Gull was still growing its primaries, leading to a potentially misleading short primary projection. Typical bird otherwise, though.