Residents of Tory Island, 11 miles off the north-west coast, had an unusual visitor during the holiday, a small Yellowhammer Bunting. This rare bird was first spotted by an amateur ornithologist on the island and later confirmed by wildbird experts. The Yellowhammer has been described as an odd migrant from eastern Europe and the Balkans. Only five Yellowhammer Buntings have been previously recorded in Ireland.