Visiting Ireland is always a treat, and I was fortunate to make a return trip in early November with my family. Besides enjoying the sights and history in Dublin, Galway and Belfast, I was also on the lookout for some new birds to photograph.
Despite mostly overcast skies and chilly temperatures, I did manage to find five new “lifer” birds, as well as photograph some others I had previously seen in Europe.
The new ones were Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Siskin, Long-tailed Tit, Rook and White Wagtail. Pictures of them below as well as some other familiar birds I came across.
Long-tailed Tit
Long-tailed Tit, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Long-tailed Tit, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Eurasian Oystercatcher, Galway, Ireland, November 2025.Eurasian Oystercatcher, Galway, Ireland, November 2025.
White Wagtail
White Wagtail (British Group), Galway, Ireland, November 2025.White Wagtail (British Group), Galway, Ireland, November 2025.
Rook
Rook, Galway, Dublin, November 2025.Two Rooks, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.
Eurasian Siskin
Eurasian Siskin, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Eurasian Siskin, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.
Other birds I saw
Blue Tit, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Great Tit, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Eurasian Magpie, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Eurasian Magpie on a White Rhinoceros at Dublin Zoo, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.European Robin, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Tufted Duck, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Mute Swan, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Eurasian Moorhen, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Young Black-headed Gull, Galway, Ireland, November 2025.Eurasian Jackdaw, Galway, Ireland, November 2025.Eurasian Jackdaw, Dublin, Ireland, November 2025.Female and Male Mallard Ducks, Galway, Ireland, November 2025.Great Cormorants, Galway, Ireland, November 2025.
While the Chiefs and 49ers were getting ready, I was busy photographing four species of raptors at the Wetlands: American Kestrel, Osprey, Bald Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawk.
