Found this on facebook: Ireland Birdwatch Portmarnock

[Donna]

Close MAK and Bobbie but no

[Bobbie Ireland]

Close MAK and Bobbie but no

I won't play til someone else makes an eejit of themselves...

[Patti from Kentucky]

My own Rules for Identification: I have seen many birds in my ancient life - HOWEVER! I do not add them to any sort of real "list" til I can ID them myself. I have, for example, been "shown" a Bonelli's Eagle... looked like a flying postage stamp to me... So I have seen one... but can I ID one? Uhhhh... nope!

I am slightly more lax with my rules for listing.  My rule is that I have to have a nice satisfying look to really feel like I've "seen" the bird, can appreciate the bird.  It would be the sort of look that would allow me to identify it, if I knew more.  For example, if I'm on a birding tour and my guide points out an Elegant Trogon, a bird I'm not familiar with, and I get a nice, luxurious look at this bird which makes my eyes pop out of my head, with nice definitive identifying colors, shapes, and markings visible, I'm definitely going to list it.  Could I identify it again?  Probably, but I'm not going to wait to see the bird again to test myself before I'll list it.

But I agree with you, if I see a flying postage stamp or only get brief glimpses of an unidentifiable bird, no matter how much I'd like to add a bird to my life list, I don't.

Patti

[Donna]

Ok, here's todays: Could be an easy one, although they say it's a rare find in Ireland. Photo taken in Ballycotton, Co. Cork

Who me be?

Answer: Greater Short-toed Lark! See, you guys are close again. 

[Donna]

Today's bird:

[Bobbie Ireland]

Ok, here's todays: Could be an easy one, although they say it's a rare find in Ireland. Photo taken in Ballycotton, Co. Cork

Who me be?

The Wood Lark is what I came up with going on Bobbies'  thought.   Beeeautiful eagle!

Donna! Nearly forgot the Mystery Bird! Since you say it is rare in Ireland, I have to guess a short-toed lark... and I only say this because I know they have been recorded here - NOT because I could ID one... still fun, tho - esp after missing the Linnet!

But the poor thing - short toes! I wonder if he realises. Does this cause social difficulties? Who measured those toes?

[Bobbie Ireland]

Ok, here's todays: Could be an easy one, although they say it's a rare find in Ireland. Photo taken in Ballycotton, Co. Cork

Who me be?

Answer: Greater Short-toed Lark! See, you guys are close again. 

AH! We were posting that at the same time... but... Greater??? Is the actual bird greater? Or its poor wee toes???

Now... today's bird? Jeez, make it tough, why doncha!

Who else is gonna play today???

[Bird Crazy]

is it a Tree Pipit?

[Donna]

is it a Tree Pipit?

Oh shoot, forgot the answer. Close BC, it's a Meadow Pipit! 

[Donna]

OK, today's bird: What am I?

It's hard without seeing beak and feets. I never heard of it but....

[Donna]

Check this out!!

Golden eagle carrying off a booted eagle taken out of the air - Tarifa, Spain 2008

[Bobbie Ireland]

OK, today's bird: What am I?

It's hard without seeing beak and feets. I never heard of it but....

I know! I know! At least I think I do... (Beak and Feet could be the important words in this one, Gang! Habitat might also give a hint...)

[Bobbie Ireland]

Check this out!!

Golden eagle carrying off a booted eagle taken out of the air - Tarifa, Spain 2008

Nooooooooo!!!

[Annette]

OK, today's bird: What am I?

It's hard without seeing beak and feets. I never heard of it but....

Red-billed Chough? Or Yellow-billed Chough?

[Bobbie Ireland]

OK, today's bird: What am I?

It's hard without seeing beak and feets. I never heard of it but....

Red-billed Chough? Or Yellow-billed Chough?

I say Chough too, Annette. Red-billed, if it was photographed in an Irish setting...