Near BALLYDWAN: Male WOODCHAT SHRIKE refound (4.15 pm) at same location as on Tues 20th (when found by Declan McGrath) - grid ref X389987 in hawthorn hedge of boggy field (with horse) at north side of Stradbally to Ballydwan road, immediately west of house beside road (PMW). Seen carrying a Wren on one occasion. County tick for at least 4 local birders today! Previous three county records involved birds at Brownstown Head in May 1993, Clonea in March 1990 and Westown (near Great Newtown Head) in June 1974.

Further updates 6.15 pm:

HELVICK HEAD: Several Common Terns (first of spring for Co Waterford) (MC, CF).

CLONEA STRAND: 250 Brent Geese, 5 Common Scoter (flew west), 1 Great Northern Diver, 30+ Whimbrel, 24 Sanderling, 1 Swift in off sea, 1+ White Wagtail (Micheal Cowming, Colum Flynn, PMW).

BALLYVOONEY COVE: 4 Common Sandpipers (looking like fresh arrivals), 7 Whimbrel, 1 Dunlin, 6 Turnstones & 2 Wheatears (PMW).

KILCANNON, DUNHILL: Cuckoo (first of spring for Co Waterford), Grasshopper Warbler & many Sedge Warblers (JJ Cahill, John Power, Bernie Sheridan).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 10 Whimbrel at Ballinattin, 3 Whimbrel at Clohernagh (PMW).