Many thanks to our photo contributors - Eugene Archer, Colin Bradshaw, Shay Connolly, Eric Dempsey, Mary Duggan, Seamus Enwright, Don Hodgers, Paul Kelly, Killian Mullarney, Tony Murray, Michael O'Clery, Michael O'Keeffe & Paul Walsh.

(Above) Yellow-legged Gull, Brandon, Co.Kerry, 30th October 2003 (Photo: Michael O'Clery).

(Above) Yellow-legged Gull, Brandon, Co.Kerry, 30th October 2003 (Photo: Michael O'Clery).

(Above) Common Cranes, North Slobs, Co.Wexford, 28th October 2003 (Photo: Tom Shevlin).

(Above) Pink-footed Goose, Rogerstown, Co.Dublin, 27th October 2003 (Photo: Shay Connolly).

(Above) Pink-footed Goose, Rogerstown, Co.Dublin, 25th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) Firecrest, Ballagan Point, Co.Louth, 19th & 20th October 2003 (Photo: Don Hodgers).

(Above) Firecrest, Ballagan Point, Co.Louth, 19th & 20th October 2003 (Photo: Don Hodgers).

(Above) Red-backed Shrike, Knockadoon Head, Co.Cork, October 2003 (Photo: Michael O'Keeffe).

(Above) Red-backed Shrike, Knockadoon Head, Co.Cork, October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) Little Bunting, Dursey Sound, Co.Cork, 17th October 2003 (Photo: Michael O'Keeffe).

(Above) Bobolink, Cape Clear, Co.Cork, 10th October 2003 (Photo: Killian Mullarney).

(Above) Bobolink, Cape Clear, Co.Cork, 10th October 2003 (Photo: Killian Mullarney).

(Above) Semipalmated Plover, Arranmore Island, Co.Donegal, 11th October 2003 (Photo: Eugene Archer. More photos on Eugene's website here).

(Above) Pallas's Warbler, Cape Clear, Co.Cork, 12th October 2003 (Photo: Killian Mullarney).

(Above) Pallas's Warbler, Cape Clear, Co.Cork, 12th October 2003 (Photo: Michael O'Keeffe - More photos on Michael's website here).

(Above) Pallas's Warbler, Cape Clear, Co.Cork, 12th October 2003 (Photo: Killian Mullarney).

(Above) Yellow-browed Warbler, Cape Clear, Co.Cork,12th October 2003 (Photo: Michael O'Keeffe).

(Above) Turtle Dove, Cape Clear, Co.Cork, 12th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) American Wigeon, Rogerstown, 12th October 2003 (Photo: Shay Connolly).

(Above) American Black Tern, Smerwick Harbour, 14th September 2003 (Photo: Colin Bradshaw).

After developing photos, Colin Bradshaw realised the Black Tern at Smerwick Harbour had actually been an American Black Tern. This bird was seen the same day as the discovery of Wilson's Phalarope, Stilt Sandpiper, 4 Pectoral Sandpipers and a possible Semipalmated Plover in the area. The bird was not seen subsequently.

(Above) American Black Tern, Smerwick Harbour, 14th September 2003 (Photo: Colin Bradshaw).

(Above) Long-billed Dowicher, Swords, Co.Dublin, 6th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) Long-billed Dowicher, Swords, Co.Dublin, 6th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) Parula Warbler, Brownstown Head, Co.Waterford, 5th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Walsh/Mary Duggan).

(Above) Common Yellowthroat, Loop Head, Co.Clare, 4th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) Common Yellowthroat, Loop Head, Co.Clare, 4th October 2003 (Photo: Michael O'Keeffe).

(Above) Common Yellowthroat, Loop Head, Co.Clare, 4th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) Common Yellowthroat, Loop Head, Co.Clare, 4th October 2003 (Photo: Seamus Enwright).

(Above) Common Yellowthroat, Loop Head, Co.Clare, 4th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Moore).

(Above) Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Loop Head, Co.Clare, 4th October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

POPUP Click here for a larger image...
(Above) Wilson's Phalarope, Kilcoole, Co.Wicklow, 3rd October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) Wilson's Phalarope, Kilcoole, Co.Wicklow, 3rd October 2003 (Photo: Eric Dempsey).

(Above) Wilson's Phalarope, Kilcoole, Co.Wicklow, 3rd October 2003 (Photo: Paul Kelly).

(Above) Turtle Dove, Sandymount, Co.Dublin, 3rd October 2003 (Photo: Eric Dempsey).

(Above) Black-headed or Red-headed Bunting, Tory Island, Co.Donegal,1st October 2003 (Photo: Eric Dempsey).

(Above) Black-headed or Red-headed Bunting, Tory Island, Co.Donegal,1st October 2003 (Photo: Eric Dempsey).

(Above) Turtle Dove, Ballycroy, Erris, Co.Mayo,1st October 2003 (Photo: Tony Murray).

Photo features:

January 2004

December 2003
November 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003

Note: A new feature article by Anthony McGeehan, 'Pelagic magic', gives a full account of the Burtonport pelagic in August 2003. Click here

Ireland's leading supplier of Zeiss, Swarovski, Opticron and Leica binoculars and telescopes

Photo features:

January 2004

December 2003
November 2003
September 2003
August 2003
July 2003
June 2003
May 2003
April 2003
March 2003
February 2003

Compiled by the Birds of Ireland News Service,
46 Claremont Court,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 11,
Ireland.

Telephone:
Republic of Ireland
Hotline 1550 111 700
Summary 1550 111 701
To Report News
(01) 830 7364
Northern Ireland
Hotline 0901 063 0600
To Report News
(+353 1)/ 01 - 830 7364

For any further information contact birdsireland@eircom.net