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Rare Bufflehead recorded on Lough Léin
A rare Bufflehead duck was confirmed on Lough Léin in Killarney National Park on Wednesday afternoon.
The bird was spotted by Dr Tomas C. Kelly, retired lecturer with University College Cork, who recorded the sighting while visiting the area.
Padruig O’Sullivan, Conservation Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said the species is extremely rare in Western Europe.
He explained that Buffleheads breed in Canada and Alaska and normally winter in North America.
The small diving duck has only been recorded in Ireland twice before: in Macroom, Co. Cork in 1988 and in Co. Clare in 2007.
It is known for its constant diving behaviour and nests in tree cavities, similar to Goldeneyes.
Photo by Valerie O’Sullivan


