Terry Flanagan from the Mooney RTE radio show was in Baltray the other day which coincided with Eric O'Neill taking photos for the Drogheda Leader newspaper. 

As we had a nest hatching and 1 chick had hatched the previous day, Terry and Eric looked on as we checked the nest.   The second egg had not yet hatched and as the nest was just a short way out, we snatched some photos of the chick and egg.  Terry spent a couple of hours with us and was very interested in the project.  He  then recorded an interview with Sandra which will be broadcast on the Mooney show in a few weeks time (date to be confirmed).

When the photo was blown up on the computer screen, imagine our surprise and delight to see that the egg was clearly hatching.

We now have 24 chicks and 9 eggs.  The new chicks are at the northern end of the nesting enclosure towards the sea so we are concentrating on that area as it is closest to the Termonfeckin side where people with dogs enter and leave the beach.  These chicks are so small that they could not evade a dog if it ran up on the outside of the enclosure. 

On Friday morning a peregrine falcon flew out over the nesting enclosure just where the new chicks are.  Luckily I was close to that area and ran out shouting and generally making a racket.  The bird then continued out to the water edge and made numerous attempts to grab its breakfast.  It had no success and continued on towards Mornington.

Have to run, Eamonn's waiting for me to take over in Baltray, might put on a few more photos later if I get a chance.