Firstly my apologies as I have been too busy with the hostel to spend time on my blogs - but I am back at it now and happy to report the following:
Steve Wing phoned me at around 10am to spread the news that a Red Eyed Vireo had been spotted in Brid's garden, heading towards the West Bog on Cape Clear.
I told Steve that all of my birdwatchers were out already but then decided to check and found them all asleep. They blamed the early mornings (thanks to the Rugby) and a couple of late evenings - thanks to the pub!
They are all flustered and rushing about as only bleary eyed birdwatchers can.
Photo and information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-eyed_Vireo
Adults are mainly olive-green on the upperparts with white underparts; they have a red iris and a grey crown edged with black. There is a dark blackish line through the eyes and a wide white stripe just above that line. They have thick blue-grey legs and a stout bill. They are yellowish on the flanks and undertail coverts (though this is faint in some populations).
This bird, not always seen, may sing for long periods of time; it appears to be endlessly repeating the same question and answer. It holds the record for most songs given in a single day among bird species. More than 20,000 songs in one day.
The subspecies breeding in South America have a simpler song, a chestnut iris, and different remiges proportions. They are sometimes split as the Chivi Vireo, V. chivi. Some of the races concerned are V. o. chivi, V. o. vividior, and V. o. tobagoensis, the last being a relatively large subspecies endemic to Tobago. Even within the Chivi Vireo, there are distinct variations in measurements, song and ecology, but the possible taxonomic significance of this remains unclear.
Cape Clear Holiday Hostel Welcomes Bird Watchers - phone first 00 353 28 41968
http://www.capeclearhostel.com
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