Swallows, Treecreepers and Willow Warblers

I went back to try to get some photos of the Swallows. I only saw one of them today, however I was very lucky to see a pair of Treecreepers flying in front of me. I have only seen this little birds twice before in this location. The previous times there was also two of them, so they might well be a breeding pair.

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) serching for insects

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix) singing on a perch

There was also a good few Willow Warblers. This summer visitors have been around for the last month. Despite their characteristic song making their presence conspicuous, it is not always easy to spot them, much less photograph them.

First Swallows

Just saw the first Swallows of the year. There was six of them flying around at the Old Mill walkway.

Butterflies

After an absence of two weeks, due to bad weather, butterflies started to appear again. First an Orange-tip in Tullyskeherney 10/4, followed by a Peacock, a Small Tortoiseshell, an Orange-tip, a Speckled Wood and a Green-veined White at the Old Mill 12/4 and then a Small Tortoiseshell at the Star fort 13/4.  

Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines)

Green-veined white (Pieris napi)

Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria)

Some spring flowers

Some of the plants that have been flowering in the last few weeks. The date the photos were taken, and when I first saw the plant inf lower, is given below each photo.
All the photos are taken in or around Manorhamilton.

Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa); 22/3/12

Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa); 23/3/12, in flower a week previous

Common dog violet (Viola riviniana); 27/3/12

Early purple orchid (Orchis mascula); 11/4/12, first Orchid I've seen this year

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum); 11/4/12, in flower a week earlier

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale); 27/3/12, in flower a week previous

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara); 5/3/12, in flower 10 days previous