Reed Bunting

The Reed Bunting is a common resident species which can be found on wetlands and bogs across Ireland.  The male is a very distinctive bird with its black and white head features sitting on a portly brownish grey body.  As with most birds the female of the species is rather more dull and hence more difficult to spot.

Male Reed Bunting in a typical pose

The contrast in colours between head and body are clearly shown in this shot

You can usually count on the male to perch atop a reed or bush and sing aloud, his call an unmistakable give away to his location.  The female on the other hand tends to prefer to sit much lower down and as she is predominantly quite combined with her natural camouflage she can be extremely difficult to locate.

Typical female pose, low to the ground and well hidden

 

The shots here were all taken around the reed bed at the Bull Wall end of the North Bull Island.  There are two different males in the shots, but as you'd almost expect the female shots are of the same bird.

I've attached a link to Tom Cooneys excellent website dedicated to North Bull Island, its a great reference point for anyone thinking of paying a visit.

http://www.bullislandbirds.com/