CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT (MC, CF, DW), 5 Black Redstarts (James Hayes per irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN BAY:  SPOONBILL in western bay, 2 Long-tailed Ducks & female Pintail off pitch & putt ("), adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (MC sr), Slavonian Grebe at Ballynacourty (MC, CF).

ARDMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull in bay, ringtail Hen Harrier (MC, CF, DW).

RAM HEAD:  2 Tree Sparrows & 5-10 Yellowhammers (").

LISMORE TO CAPPOQUIN:  Grey Squirrel with 4 Red Squirrels (AM).

TANKARDSTOWN:  Porpoise (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Slavonian Grebe off Ballynacourty pier (MC, CF), also Common Seal there (DS), 2 Common Scoter off Ballynagaul, 7+ Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower (CF).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT showing well up to 4 pm (back in corner south of carpark where originally found), 3 Black Redstarts & Purple Sandpiper (MC, Stephen Lawlor, Rick Mundy, DS et al).

TRAMORE:  Black Redstart at west end of beach (DS).

WATERFORD CITY:  2 male Blackcaps in garden every day (").

DUNGARVAN: BLACK BRANT at the pitch & putt club. (MC)

DUNGARVAN:  Merlin at Ballynagaul (JAP, BS).

Nr Ballyduff: Green Sandpiper @ Ballynerroon. (MC)

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT at Clonea Strand, 09:30 (Mark Stewart & Shane Farrell per irishbirding.com).

BUNMAHON:  3 Little Grebes on River Mahon (EB).

DUNMORE EAST: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull & Iceland Gull (DW, MC, CF, JAP, BS); Black Redstart at Councillor's Strand (JB).

TRAMORE:  32 Gadwall & m + f Shoveler at boating lake, male Pintail at Lisselan (DW, MC, CF), Black Redstart at west end of beach (BH).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & Black Redstart at Ballinclamper (Seamus Enright & Geoff Hunt per irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN:  Velvet Scoter at Ballynacourty (Michael Nolan per irishbirding.com), 4 female Goldeneye at Quann's (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper at Killongford, 3 Chiffchaffs at Poulapucha, Ring (JAP, BS); SPOONBILL & Merlin (chasing Dunlin) at Youghal road (AM).

BALLYMACART:  Male Hen Harrier hunting, also a seal pup on beach (JAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT (MC, CF, PK, AK), adult Yellow-legged Gull & 1st-winter Iceland Gull (PK, AK) at Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Slavonian Grebe off Ballynacourty pier, 2 Velvet Scoter in bay, adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (MC, CF).

ARDMORE: 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls (").

WHITING BAY:  Adult & 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull (").

DUNGARVAN: Male Brambling, Abbeyside (MC sr); 2 Velvet Scoters (MC sr) & 2 Long-tailed Ducks (SH) off Ballynacourty pier.

SEAFIELD:  Green Sandpiper (DW).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present (Jack Burtchaell), Black Redstart at Ballinclamper  @ 16:00 (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  2 Long-tailed Duck flew into Quanns @12:30, dark-bellied Brent Goose at pitch & putt course (EB), 4 Common Scoter at Ballynagaul (JAP), 5 Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower, Ring (MC).

HELVICK HEAD:  'BLUE' FULMAR west @ 15:20 (MC).

ABBEYSIDE: Male Blackcap at Crúachán Estate. MC

WATERFORD CITY:  Male Blackcap in garden at Collins Avenue (TO'C).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present on Christmas Day! (MC)

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Slavonian Grebe & 2 Velvet Scoter off the Gold Coast, 2 Long-tailed Duck off Abbeyside, BLACK BRANT at Quann's (CF); SPOONBILL at Quann's / Cunnigar (CF, AM); adult dark-bellied Brent (bernicla) & probable dark- x pale-bellied hybrid (bernicla x hrota) on pitch & putt course, 5-6 Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower, Ring (MC).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & 2 Black Redstarts at Ballinclamper (M. Carmody per irishbirding.com).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  Flock of Crossbills in garden (AM).

DUNGARVAN:  Adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at pitch & putt course (DC).

ARDMORE:  >50 Snipe at the Curragh (AM).

DUNMORE EAST:  Iceland Gull, 1st-winter Glaucous Gull & 3 Purple Sandpipers  (DC).

SEAFIELD:  Chiffchaff & 5 Siskins (DW).

DUNGARVAN (I-WeBS count): 1500+ Brent Geese, 4 Great Northern Divers, 43 Great Crested Grebes, SPOONBILL near Cunnigar tip, 3 Common Scoter (flew E) off Ballynagaul pier, Long-tailed Duck inside Cunnigar, Slavonian Grebe & 2 Velvet Scoters off Ballynacourty pier, Merlin at Youghal road, 20+ Siskins & 20+ Lesser Redpolls behind Nissan garrage on Youghal road (MC sr, BD, Damaris Lysaght, Megan Morris, PS, PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT just north of Ballinclamper car-park (Jim Bowman, Sean Cronin, DL, MM, PMW), BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT on seaweed at south end of beach (JB per irishbirding.com).



Monday, December 19, 2011

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT (Sharon Hogan per irishbirding.com).

HELVICK HEAD:  2 Black Redstarts, 3 Great Northern Divers & a Fin Whale (2 km offshore) (DC).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT, Black Redstart & Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper (MC, SB, TN, MO'S).

DUNGARVAN:  2 Velvet Scoters off Ballynacourty pier, BLACK BRANT & 2 adult dark-bellied Brent at Christian Brothers school grounds ("); Kingfisher & Common Seal at Barnawee (EB).

RAM HEAD:  Short-eared Owl hunting, 7 Red-throated Divers & 3 Fin Whales (AM).

DUNGARVAN:  2 female-type Velvet Scoters, BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier (DW, MC), 3 Pochard (2 males & a female) off Gold Coast (Tom McCabe), SPOONBILL in western bay (John Murphy).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present (MC, DW, JNM, FM'CG), also BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT showed briefly, Merlin, 3 Purple Sandpipers & 3 Black Redstarts (MC, DW).

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT & 5 Black Redstarts again present (Jeff Copner & Paul Copner per irishbirding.com).

TRAMORE TOWN:  Blackcap in garden (TB).

CLONEA STRAND: 1st-winter male BLUETHROAT still present, also 5 Black Redstarts (AM).

Nr BALLYLANEEN:  Barn Owl (per DW).

BUNMAHON:  3 Fin Whales including one only 1.5 km offshore (DC).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Black Redstart on beach midway between lighthouse & Gold Coast (MC sr).

DUNGARVAN:  Female Blackcap & Goldcrest in garden at Southways, Abbeyside (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Long-tailed Duck & Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier, Blackcap at Ballynacourty (DW), BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course & 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee (MC), 2 Otters at Quann's/Sports Centre (EB).

CLONEA STRAND:  BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present (Derek Charles per irishbirding.com), 4 Black Redstarts at Ballinclamper (MC).

TRAMORE:  Black Redstart at west end of beach (DS), 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull & 27 Gadwall at boating lake, male Long-tailed Duck, 1020 Brent Geese & 645 Black-tailed Godwits at backstrand (PMW) - all the godwits & 1005 Brent at Lisselan racecourse.

WATERFORD CITY:  Male Blackcap in garden today & yesterday (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, 2 Long-tailed Ducks & Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier/golf course (MC, JAP, BS, Brian Porter, Dick Coombes).

RAM HEAD: 21 Common Scoter past, 8 Fin Whales & 60 Common Dolphins (AM).

ARDMORE: Female Common Scoter at Curragh beach (").

CLONEA STRAND:  6 Black Redstarts (incl 3 1st-winter males) between Ballinard & east end corner of Clonea beach, 5 Purple Sandpipers at Ballinclamper, but no sign of Bluethroat or Buff-bellied Pipit (MC); 2 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper, Great Northern Diver at Ballyvoyle (PV).

Nr CLASHMORE:  Black Redstart at Ballyheeny, c5 km inland (JAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present @ 12:50, also 3 Black Redstarts (Steve Millar per irishbirding.com).

TRAMORE:  2 Snow Buntings bathing in pools at the car-park before the sandhills; female/imm Merlin, 4 Snipe & a Grey Seal later at the embankments in Backstrand, 75 Shelduck at Pickardstown & 24 Gadwall at the boating lake (DS).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Black Redstart on beach midway between lighthouse and Gold Coast (MC sr).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present this pm, also 3 Black Redstarts (SH).

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present (Dick Coombes per irishbirding.com).

Nr BUNMAHON:  Barn Owl @ 18:40 (DW).

WATERFORD CITY:  Kingfisher on St John's River at Bolton Street car-park (Aidan Hegarty).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  7 Whooper Swans (JF).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present, also Black Redstart , Purple Sandpipers (AM) & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT (Mike Sheehy & Eamonn O'Donnell per irishbirding.com).

TRAMORE:  Merlin on cliff at west side of beach (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty Pier (MC, MC sr, NK, NTK, SK), 2 Long-tailed Ducks (female & 1st-winter male) off pitch & putt (NK, NTK, SK).

TRAMORE:  3 1st-w/f Black Redstarts western corner of beach, Merlin & 26 Gadwall at boating lake,
& adult Ring-billed Gull roosting at Lisselan (then flew towards Tramore town, later seen at boating lake) (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT, BUFF- BELLIED PIPIT & 2 Black Redstarts again present, also Great Northern Diver & (Ballinclamper) 25 Choughs &  Purple Sandpipers (MC, Niall Keogh et al).

CLONEA STRAND: Male BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present along edge - Bluethroat just left (north) of Ballinclamper carpark @ 15:10, pipit just right (south) of Clonea Strand Hotel c16:00; also 2 Black Redstarts near pipit, 5 Great Northern Divers & a Common Seal off beach (MC, CF, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: BLACK BRANT behind pitch & putt, Ruff with Lapwing at Ballyneety (MC, CF), 3 Great Northern Divers, 12 Great crested Grebes & 2 Common Seals off Gold Coast (PMW).

BOATSTRAND:  Great Skua (DC).

DUNGARVAN: Female/imm Long-tailed Duck inside Cunnigar tip @ 13:00, also 38 Red-breasted Mergansers & 8 Great Crested Grebes inside Cunnigar, 2 Great Northern Divers outside (PMW).

Nr CLASHMORE:  5 Yellowhammers at Ballycurrane North (MC, CF).

Nr BALLYDUFF: 3 Green Sandpipers but no sign of Spotted Sandpiper on Blackwater at Ballynerroon, water level very high (MC, CF).

SEAFIELD: Male Blackcap in garden (DW).

RAM HEAD:  5+ Fin Whales & 50 Common Dolphins (AM).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  2 Black Redstart on beach just west of lighthouse (MC sr).

BUNMAHON:  Kingfisher & Fin Whale (DC).

ANNESTOWN:  2 Kingfishers (").

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  60 Whooper Swans, 250 Wigeon, 50 Teal, 500 Black-tailed Godwits & 100 Curlew between Lismore & Ballyduff (DC).

HACKETSTOWN (nr Portlaw): Merlin (GW).

Nr BALLYDUFF: SPOTTED SANDPIPER again on Blacklwater at shingle spit about mile upstream of Blackwater bridge, c12:00, also 3 Green Sandpipers & 2 Otters (CF, PA, MC sr).

DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper, 2 Kingfishers, 2 Chiffchaffs & 8 Long-tailed Tits at brickey canal; leucistic Hooded Crow & a Common Seal at Barnawee bridge (DC).
BUNMAHON:  3 Fin Whales (").

Nr BALLYDUFF: SPOTTED SANDPIPER (3rd county record), 2 Green Sandpipers & a Kingfisher on River Blackwater at Ballynerroon, 2.5 km west of Ballyduff (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT in front of Clonea Strand Hotel , also a Black Redstart (Fergal O'Cuinneagain per www.irishbirding.com), 6 Great Northern Divers & 2 Common Seals off beach (PMW).

DRUM HILLS: 11 Crossbills between North Toor and Ballynaparka, just W of Barranastook  cX161911 (n 52.07248 w 7.76528) (JAP).

FERRYPOINT: Whimbrel. (MC)

ARDMORE: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ Curragh Beach. (")

CLONEA: 5 Purple Sandpipers @ Ballinclamper .(")

Nr LISMORE:   First Fieldfares Carrignagour this autumn (AM).

BOATSTRAND:  very late Swallow (DW).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull & 155 Lesser Black-backed Gulls off Saleen (PMW).

DUNGARVAN:  Adult BLACK BRANT again at pitch & putt course (FO'C).

CLONEA STRAND:  No sign of Bluethroat or Buff-bellied Pipit at Ballincamper (HH, BL).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: No sign of Desert Wheatear in original location (PA, PMW) or along other cliffs, up to 15:00; 2 Fin Whales offshore 12:30-12:45, Red-throated Diver on sea (PMW).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course (FO'C).

CLONEA STRAND:  BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present this morning but no sign of Bluethroat (per www.birdguides.com)

CLONEA STRAND:  BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT & BLUETHROAT showing well at Ballinclamper (MC sr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Late news of a female DESERT WHEATEAR (1st county record) photographed today (22/11)- see photographs on Ireland's Wildlife Facebook page & here (Maurice Flynn, photo-id by Niall Keogh).

CLONEA STRAND: Curlew Sandpiper & 2 Purple Sandpipers at Ballinclamper, 12:00-13:00 & 15:45-16:30 (CF).

CLONEA STRAND:  BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT (3rd county record) on Ballinclamper beach with BLUETHROAT (PA, JN Murphy, SN) - pipit is 200th species recorded in Co Waterford this year (previous record 194 in 2010). Also a Purple Sandpiper (MC sr).

RAM HEAD:  Short-eared Owl, Merlin & Black Redstart (AM).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present 09:25 (DW, Chris ten Bohmer).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present c08:40 (Philip Clancy), and showing well c14:10 (FO'C); flock of 35+ Choughs at 08:15 (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  Great Northern Diver heard calling off Ballynacourty pier at 10:00 (EB, MC snr).

Nr CLASHMORE:  Second-hand report of CRANES feeding in maize fields, probably today (per DC).

ARDMORE:  Tree Sparrow, Black Redstart & female Brambling, Ram Head; 27 Tree Sparrows, Goat Island (MC).

WHITING BAY:  4 Tree Sparrows, Ballysallagh ("), 2 Merlins (DC).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT at Ballinclamper c11:00 (MC) - 3rd county record.  Photos & video

DUNGARVAN:  Black Redstart at Ballynacourty pier (MC).

ARDMORE:  3 CRANES flew east over bay c11:00 (first confirmed county record post-1800), also a Lesser Whitethroat on cul-de-sac lane above Cliff House Hotel, Brambling, Hen Harrier & several Chiffchaffs including a pale bird (MO'K).

ANNESTOWN:  Fin Whale (DC).

Nr ANNESTOWN: Merlin (").

SEAFIELD:  Chiffchaff & 2 Green Sandpipers (DW).

DUNMORE EAST:  3 Purple Sandpipers (").

DUNGARVAN: Black-necked Grebe & 1 Grey Phalarope @ Ballinacourty. (MC, MC Sr.).

KILMACLEAGUE: 2 Yellowhammers. (MC)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: male Blackcap & 1 Stock Dove. (")

SALEEN: Male Blackcap. (")

BALLYDOWANE: Black Redstart. (")

EAST WATERFORD: 2 Buzzards. (")

Nr KILMEADEN:  4 Woodcock & a Jack Snipe (Bob Barrett per www.waterfordwildlife.com)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: PALLAS'S WARBLER in main willow garden (PA) - 3rd county record. Photos.

MUGGORT'S BAY: 2 Fin Whales & 3 Common Dolphins c1 km offshorer, 15:30-16:30 (JJC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Male Black Redstart (Conor Foley).

SEAFIELD:  Woodcock (DW).

HELVICK HEAD: 9+ Great Skuas, a Manx Shearwater & a Red-throated Diver W (seawatch 15:00-16:30), also a Black Redstart at cove (CF, PMW).

CALISO BAY:  5 Common Scoter E (PMW).

TRAMORE:  4 Gadwall at boating lake (JmP).

CLONEA: 7 Common Scoter flew west @ Ballinard. (MC)

ARDMORE: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ Whiting Bay. Another adult Mediterranean Gull @ Curragh Beach. (")

MINE HEAD:  4 Fin Whales including 3 <1 km offshore (AM).

CLONEA STRAND:  Fin Whale, 4 Great Skuas, 5 Great Northern Divers, 4 Red-throated Divers, adult Mediterranean Gull & 28 Common Scoters (3 N/E plus flock of 25 females/immatures N & onto sea) off Ballinclamper (MC snr, MAD, PMW).

Nr ANNESTOWN:  2 Tree Sparrows at Woodstown (DW).

WATERFORD COUNTY: Buzzard (MC, CF)

CHEEKPOINT: Otter (")

DUNMORE EAST: 5 Purple Sandpipers (")

LISSELAN: 10 Gadwall & 1 Pochard (")

ANNESTOWN: Kingfisher (")

TRAMORE: RED-NECKED GREBE at Lisselan (MC, CF).

Nr CHEEKPOINT: CATTLE EGRET viewable on opposite side of river from Cheekpoint - bird is actually in Co. Kilkenny. Townland is Drumdowney Upper. MC, CF

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Short-eared Owl on Pickardstown side of dump, behind caravan park c 15:30 (Joe Farrell).

DUNGARVAN:  Merlin onshore at pitch & putt club (JAP).

Nr TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Long-eared Owl found dead on road at Lisselan at 06:30 this morning - length 31 cm, wingspan 87 cm, weight 240 g (Jim O'Meara per Paddy Dwan).

DUNGARVAN:  HOBBY at Cunnigar, near the sandhill (FO'C).

HELVICK HEAD:  A late Spotted Flycatcher in the pines (DMcG).

CLONEA STRAND: 5-6 Killer Whales (apparently including small calf) off Ballinclamper c16:55-17:20, also 6+ Bottlenose Dolphins, 11 Great Northern Divers, 4 Red-throated Divers, a Sandwich Tern & a Purple Sandpiper (CF, PMW).

DUNGARVAN:  2 1st-winter Spotted Redshanks at Killongford (MC).

COOLFIN/DERRIGAL:  13 Greylag Geese & 5 Whooper Swans east of Derrigal Cross Roads (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 08:10-10:10 (PMW)
Weather: wind 1 NE, vis excellent, 0/8, sunny.
Red-throated Diver: 2 E, 5 W
Great Northern Diver: 1 on sea
Arctic Skua: 1 juv E
Brent Goose: 7 W
Wigeon: 5 E, 3 W
Gannet: 1 E, 1 W
Kittiwake: 206 E, 171 W
Large auks: 52 E, 5 W
Lesser Redpoll: 15+ W along cliffs
Porpoise: 2
Also an adult male Black Redstart (on houses at top of boreen) & a Wheatear (JmP, PMW).

CLONEA STRAND:  Short-eared Owl at Ballinclamper, 17 Great Northern Divers, a Red-throated Diver and a diver species (probably Black-throated Diver) off Ballinclamper (MC, PMW).

ARDMORE: Sandwich Tern feeding off beach, 360 Kittiwakes in outer bay (PMW).

WHITING BAY:  Whimbrel (MC).

DUNGARVAN: Snow Bunting at the Cunnigar, Curlew Sandpiper at Ballyneety, juvenile Common Tern off pitch & putt (MC, CF).

CLONEA STRAND: 3 Swallows at Ballinclamper (").

HELVICK HEAD: 5 Blackcaps (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Quiet - 2 Tree Sparrows, a Chiffchaff & a Red Admiral (AA).

WATERFORD CITY:  8 Redwing near the Whitfield Clinic (DS).

HELVICK HEAD:  Merlin (MC).

ARDMORE:  Ring Ouzel still at St Declan's well, very approachable (MC).

ARDMORE: 19+ Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh beach (mostly adults & 1st-winters, 1 2nd-winter) - a  record count for Co Waterford (MC).

BALLYDWAN:  Merlin (DS).

BUNMAHON:  Kingfisher along River Mahon behind beach, 9 Swallows flying south (").

DUNGARVAN: 1st winter Mediterranean Gull & 2 Curlew Sandpipers @ Ballyneety. (MC)

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 09:10-11:00 & 12:20-13:05 (CF)
'Blue' Fulmar: 3
Manx Shearwater: 4
Storm Petrel: 1
petrel species: 1 'large'
Red-throated Diver: 5
LONG-TAILED SKUA: 1 juv
Pomarine Skua: 14
Arctic Skua: 27
Great Skua: 30
Little Gull: 4 1st-winter
Sandwich Tern: 2
Fulmar, Gannet, Kittiwake, large auks: strong passage W up to c10:30 (when rain started & wind dropped)
Skua counts underestimates (many distant birds not assigned to species).
On land, 5 Chiffchaffs with good numbers of Blackbirds & Song Thrushes.

DUNGARVAN: 1 adult & 1 1st winter Mediterranean Gull @ the Barnawee. (MC)

CLONEA: Purple Sandpiper @ Ballinard. (")

WATERFORD HARBOUR:  Short-eared Owl at saltmarsh near Cheekpoint (Andrew Harrington).

TRAMORE: Great Skua over Backstrand, 2 1st-winter Mediterranean Gulls at boating lake (DS).

BALLYVOYLE: Merlin & Black Redstart (JAP).

DUNGARVAN; Great Northern Diver off Ballynagaul (PMW).

DUNMORE EAST: Purple Sandpiper outside seawall (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 08:00-10:00 (PMW)
Weather: wind 4 SW, vis moderate to good, dry
Great Northern Diver: 2 W
Red-throated Diver: 1 W
Brent Goose: 34 W (9, 6, 9, 10)
Pomarine Skua: 1 imm W
Arctic Skua: 1 ad pale E
Fulmar: 2 E, 10 W
Gannet: 10 E, 73 W
Kittiwake: 152 E, 355 W
Sandwich Tern: 1 W
Common/Arctic Tern: 1 W
Large auk sp: 286 E, 169 W
Porpoise: 1
Grey Seal: 1
Also a Tree Sparrow, Wheatear & a further 9 Brent NW over the head towards Tramore backstrand.

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 16:40-17:40 (MAD, PMW)
Weather: wind 4-5 SW, vis moderate
Balearic Shearwater: 1 W (medium-pale bird)
Great Skua: 12 (8 W, 4 off-passage)
Arctic Skua: 2 (adult pale W, juv off-passage)
Pomarine Skua: 3 adult or subadult pale W
Little Gull: 1 juvenile W
Fulmar: 1 W
Gannet, Kittiwake, large auks: not counted

CLONEA STRAND: 8+ Bonxies, 4+ Arctic Skuas, 2 Pomarine Skuas & juvenile Little Gull off Ballinclamper (MC).

BUNMAHON: Bonxie & Merlin earlier (").

ARDMORE HEAD: Ring Ouzel still present @ 15:00, also 3 Blackcaps (male & 2 female) & 3 Chiffchaffs; 200 Kittiwakes in Ardmore Bay & a Great Northern Diver circling high (MAD, PMW).

ARDMORE: 1st-winter Ring Ouzel at St Declan's Well, Snow Bunting & 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh beach (CF, DW).

HELVICK HEAD: 3 male Blackcaps & 4+ Tree Sparrows (").

BLACKWATER VALLEY:  16 Whooper Swans at Camphire (MF).

ARDMORE:  Snow Bunting at still at Curragh beach but very wary & flighty, seems to prefer end near big house; also 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls there (CF).

WHITING BAY:  1 adult Mediterranean Gull (").

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): 10+ Crossbills & large flock of Siskins in garden (AM).

SEAFIELD:  Redwings flying overhead tonight (DW).

TRAMORE: 1 Snow Bunting on track down to sandhills, just after the small sand-dune, also a Wheatear, 4 Swallows at backstrand, and 3 White-fronted Geese flew overhead from Saleen direction towards Lisselan (DS).

ARDMORE: Another Snow Bunting here, at Curragh beach, also 3 Mediterranean Gulls, a Wheatear & a partially leucistic Hooded Crow (AM).

RAM HEAD:
Seawatch 11:05-13:05 (AM)
Arctic Skua: 3 attacking Kittiwakes
Pomarine Skua: 1 also picking on a Kittiwake!
Great Northern Diver: 1 E
Arctic/Common Tern: 1
Fin Whale: 1
Risso's Dolphin: 3
Common Dolphin: 100+
Also Merlin & Clouded Yellow.

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): Crossbills still visiting garden (").

TRAMORE:  2 Snow Buntings, at end of main walking track just before the sandhills @ 14:25, also a female Merlin later at the embankments (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  Dark-bellied Brent Goose with 500+ pale-bellied Brent (CF) & 5+ Wheatears (AM) at the Cunnigar.

HELVICK HEAD: Garden Warbler, 2 late Willow Warblers, 5+ Chiffchaffs, 4+ Tree Sparrows & 20+ Bullfinches with many other finches & sparrows (CF).

WATERFORD CITY:  Wheatear on rooftops at WIT (DMcG).

DUNGARVAN:  Snow Bunting at the Cunnigar, maybe 3/4 way down; also 2 a Short-eared Owl mobbed by Hoodies & flew towards Helvick, & 2 Whooper Swans in off sea (DS, Arlo Jacques); Green Sandpiper, 2 Kingfishers, Treecreeper, 20 Long-tailed Tits & 9 Goldcrests at Brickey canal (DC).

TRAMORE:  Mediterranean Gull at boating lake (DS).

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 15:10-16:10 (PMW)
Weather: wind 6-7 SE, vis poor, drizzle/rain.
Fulmar: 195 W
Great Crested Grebe: 1 on sea
Great Skua: 1 W
Arctic Skua: 2 W
Arctic Tern: 1 W
Gannet, Kittiwake, large auks: not counted

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Tree Sparrow & 6 Long-tailed Tits (PMW).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull, 4 Snipe & 60 Mallard (").

HELVICK HEAD:
Black Redstart along road to high car-park (JAP, BS). 
Seawatch 08:30-11:30 (CF, JAP, BS):
Manx Shearwater: 3
Red-throated Diver: 1
Great Crested Grebe: 2
Common Scoter: 1 male W
Great Skua: 5
Pomarine Skua: 3 (1 adult & 2 1st-winters)
Arctic Skua: 10 (5 adults, 1 2nd-cal & 4 1st-winters)
Little Gull: 4 1st-winters
Common Tern: 2 adults
Gannet, Kittiwake, auks: large passage W

DUNGARVAN: party of 6 Great Northern Divers at Ballynagaul (JAP, BS).

Friday, October 21, 2011

BALLINARD:
Seawatch 16:15-17:00 (CF):
Great Skua: 4
Pomarine Skua: 5  
Arctic Skua: 6  
Little Gull:  2 1st-winters
Sandwich Tern: 3
Great Northern Diver: 1 on sea
Red-throated Diver: 2 on sea
Kittiwake: very large passage
Gannet: good numbers

HELVICK HEAD: Quiet - 1 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warblers & 4 Chiffchaffs; also good numbers of Goldfinch, Redpoll, Chaffinch and Siskin (")

ARDMORE:  3 Mediterranean Gulls, Sandwich Tern, Wheatear, = lots of Swallows and Sand Martins at the Curragh (AM).

RAM HEAD:  Whooper Swan flew past, 7+ Fin Whales, 100+ Common Dolphins, Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral & 3 Peacock butterflies (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Female Merlin, 6 Swallows & a Common Tern (DS).

CLONEA STRAND: 2 Black Redstarts, 4 Sandwich Terns & 3 Commic Terns at Ballinclamper (DC).

CAPPOQUIN: 12 Swallows at Cappoquin on Blackwater (").

CLONEA STRAND:  2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (PMW).

Nr BUNMAHON:  Black Redstart, Whinchat & wheatear at small cove west of Bunmahon (DW).

BUNMAHON:  2 Green Sandpipers, Kingfisher & a Clouded Yellow (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  50+ Skylarks flew SW, male Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaffs, 4 Tree Sparrows, 3 Lesser Redpolls (2 ringed), a Siskin, 2 Migrant Hawkers, 17 Red Admirals & a Clouded Yellow (MAD, PMW).


CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  Redwings today - later than usual for here (AM).

TRAMORE: Adult Mediterranean Gull at boating lake, 2400 Golden Plover at Pickardstown (MAD, PMW).

RATHMOYLAN COVE: Black Redstart, Wheatear & 7+ Rock Pipits on beach (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 08:55-12:00 (JB, PMW)
Weather: 5-6 SW, vis moderate, some drizzle.
Great Skua: 2 E
Arctic Skua: 1 E,  1 W
Fulmar: 2 W
Gannet: 20 E, 29 W
Red-throated Diver: 1 W (& on sea)
Diver species: 1 W
Wigeon: 13 W
Shelduck: 3 W
Kittiwake: 17 E, 159 W
Sandwich Tern: 1 W
Large auk species: 27 E, 34 W

CLONEA STRAND: Great Northern Diver, 3 juvenile Little Gulls, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls, 20 Sandwich, 2 Arctic, 2 Common Terns & a stint species (PA).

BALLYMACART LOWER:  Black Redstart (RAW).

WATERFORD BY-PASS:  Good total of 6 Kestrels between Kilmeaden and the toll-booth, also a Ferret (escaped or feral?) road-kill at the old Kilmeaden roundabout (DC).

RAM HEAD:
Seawatch 15:15-16:55 (AM)
Arctic Skua: 2 W
Great Skua: 1 E
Sandwich Tern: 11
Arctic Tern: 9
shearwaters: 200+ W (probably mostly Manx)
House Martin: 65+ S

WHITING BAY:  Juvenile Long-tailed Duck this pm (SH).

BUNMAHON:  Green Sandpiper & Blackcap (DW).

SEAFIELD:  Ringtail Hen Harrier (per DW).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  5 Crossbills in garden @ 12:05 (AM)

CLONEA STRAND:  Black-throated Diver & Arctic Skua (JAP).

DUNGARVAN:  Clouded Yellow (JAP).

HELVICK HEAD:  Another Clouded Yellow (").

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Ringtail Hen Harrier (MC snr).

CLONEA STRAND: Juvenile Little Gull & subadult light-phase Arctic Skua off Ballinclamper (MAD, PMW).

HELVICK: Flyover Great Northern Diver, Merlin and 20+ Redpoll. (MC, CF, FO'C, DW)

ARDMORE: Juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER & 60+ Siskins @ Whiting Bay. 7 Mediterranean Gulls (5 adults, 1 1st Winter & 1 2nd Winter) @ Curragh Beach. 20+ Tree Sparrows & 1 Willow Warbler @ Goat Island. (")

CLONEA: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ Ballinclamper. (")

TRAMORE: 370 Brent Geese off north saltmarsh, 2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull off Saleen, 3 Med Gulls (1st-winter & 2 adults) & 2 Sandwich Terns at boating lake (PMW).

WHITING BAY: Juvenile AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER behind farm NE of east carpark (MC, CF, FO'C, DW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 'GREENLAND/ ICELAND' REDPOLL (rostrata/islandica) mistnetted & ringed this morning along with 38 Lesser Redpolls (MAD, PMW); wing 78 mm compared with 66-75 mm for 317 Lesser Redpolls here Sep-Oct 2006-2011. Also 2+ Siskins overhead.

CLONEA STRAND: WRYNECK at Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN: 60+ Brent Geese at the Cunnigar (FO'C).

BUNMAHON: Clouded Yellow (JAP).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 162 Brent Geese off north saltmarsh at high tide, visible from Saleen (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Black Redstart around buildings at top of main lane, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear, 4 female Blackcaps, 8 Chiffchaffs, 15+ Lesser Redpolls, 50+ Siskins (flew W), 70+ Goldfinches, 2 Tree Sparrows, 35+ Swallows, 3 Red Admirals & a Migrant Hawker dragonfly (MAD, PMW).

CLONEA: Pomarine Skua @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Whinchat, Spotted Flycatcher, Wheatear & Chiffchaff (MAD, PMW).

SEAFIELD: QUAIL in late afternoon (DW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 09:40-11:40 (MAD, PMW)
Weather: wind 5-6 SW-W, vis moderate
Sooty Shearwater: 1 W
Manx Shearwater: 36 W
Fulmar: 3 W
Gannet: 7 E, 158 W
Common Scoter: 2 E
Red-throated Diver: 1 on sea
Great Skua: 8 W
Arctic Skua: 2 W
Kittiwake: 3 E, 3 W
Sandwich Tern: 2 W
Razorbill: 3 W
Guillemot: 3 W
Large auk sp: 7 E, 18 E
Golden Plover: 3 W
Porpoise: 1
On land: Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatears, 1 Chiffchaff.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  3 Red Grouse (AM).

DUNGARVAN:  6 Curlew Sandpipers & 2 Ruff at Ballyneety (FO'C).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Whinchat, 3 Blackcaps (male & 2 female), 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Tree Sparrows, 2+ Siskins, 29 Lesser Redpolls (ringed) & 50+ Meadow Pipits (MAD, PMW).  Migrant moths trapped last night included Antigastra catalaunalis, 4 Vestal, a Convolvulus Hawk-moth & a Scarce Bordered Straw.

RATHMOYLAN COVE:  8+ White Wagtails & male Blackcap (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: BARRED WARBLER still present along lower part of main lane (PA), also 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Willow Warbler, small nos of Chiffchaffs, female Blackcap, 5 Wheatears & 2 Tree Sparrows (PA, MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: BARRED WARBLER seen up to c15:00 at end of main lane (gap on left just before wall/ruin); also a Whinchat, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 6 Blackcaps (5 female & 1 male), Whitethroat, Wheatear, Willow Warbler, 5+ Chiffchaffs & 2 Tree Sparrows (PA, MC, MAD, CF, FO'C, DO'S, JAP, BS, DW).
Seawatch 08:30-11:30 (JB, PMW)
Weather: wind 1-2 S, bid moderate to poor, some drizzle.
Red-throated Diver: 1 W (ad summer)
Great Skua: 2 W
Pomarine Skua: 1 imm W
Arctic Skua: 6 W (also chasing terns)
Gannet: 29 E, 104 W
Kittiwake: 19 E, 115 W
Sandwich Tern: 2 E, 23 W
Arctic Tern: 3 W
Common/Arctic Tern: 2 W
Razorbill: 1 E, 11 W
Guillemot: 10 W
Large auk sp: 47 E

HELVICK HEAD: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER @ 09:55 (MC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: juv BARRED WARBLER along lower half of main lane @ 08:15; migrant moths trapped last night included 7+ Vestal, 1 Palpita vitrealis & Convolvulus Hawk-moth (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Whinchat (end of stream), 2 Wheatears, 4 Blackcaps (2 male & 2 female), 13 Chiffchaffs & a Spotted Flycatcher, also 2 Vestal moths seen by day (MAD, PMW).

ARDMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull in bay, female Blackcap & Chiffchaff beyond Cliff House Hotel (PMW).

HELVICK HEAD: MARSH HARRIER in fields overlooking Helvick this morning, also an Arctic Skua in close to the rocks (SN).

CLONEA STRAND:  Balearic Shearwater & juvenile SABINE'S GULL (MC), 3 Roseate Terns (adult & 2 juvs) & 3 Arctic Skuas (adult & 2 juvs) (CF) off Ballinclamper, also 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adults & a 2nd-winter) there (MC).

ARDMORE:  4 1st-winter Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh beach (CF).

WHITING BAY:  Adult Mediterranean Gull & 10+ White Wagtails (").

DUNGARVAN:  2 juvenile Ruffs & 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers at Ballyneety (").

CLONEA: 1st Winter Mediterranean Gull @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Arctic Skua & 12 Wheatears (Tom Moore per www.irishbirding.com)

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Corncrake calling at Lisselan this afternoon (Paddy Dwan) - one apparently seen at same place a few weeks ago.

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 12:00-17:00 (CF, MC, PMW)
Weather: wind 4-5 SW, vis moderate to good
Balearic Shearwater: 5 W incl very pale bird @ 13:15
Sooty Shearwater: 5 W
Great Shearwater: 1
Manx Shearwater: <30
'Blue' Fulmar: 1
Storm Petrel: 4 W
Common Scoter: 1 male W
Grey Phalarope: 2 W
Arctic Skua: 10 (5+ W)
Great Skua: 20 (9+ W)
SABINE'S GULL: 1 juv W @ 16:42
Roseate Tern: 20+
Little Tern: 1
Arctic, Common, Sandwich Terns: large nos
Black Tern: 5 juvs (2 into Dungarvan Bay, 3 W singly)
Puffin: 3
Porpoise: 1-2
Also a Merlin (CF).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Kingfisher at Pickardstown (GP).

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, juvenile Ruff, adult Mediterranean Gull & Green Sandpiper @ Ballyneety. (MC, CF, MC Sr.)

CLONEA: White Wagtail, 5 Roseate Terns, Arctic Skua and summer plumage Great Northern Diver. (")

HELVICK: Up to 10 Blackcaps. (MC, CF)

CLONEA STRAND:  off Ballinclamper tonight - 6 Arctic Skuas, 2 Storm Petrels, 2 Grey Phalaropes & 2 Roseate Terns (ad & juv), also lots of terns + auks (MC).

RAM HEAD:

Seawatch 08:30-10:10 (AM)

Balearic Shearwater: 1

Manx Shearwater: 20-30

Storm Petrel: 1 E

Common Scoter: 7 E

Great Skua: 1 W

Fin Whale: 1

Common Dolphin: 100

Also 13+ Wheatears, lots of Meadow Pipits, Swallows & House Martins.

DUNGARVAN:  First Redwing of the autumn at the Pike (FO'C).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Juv Little Stint, 20 Sanderling, 380 Dunlin & 65 Ringed Plover off Lisselan seawall, 3 White Wagtails along seawall, male Pochard & juv Ruff on racecourse lake (PMW).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Spotted Redshank & 11 Greenshank in channel at west side of spits @ 16:40, low tide; 18 Brent Geese east of spits (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 07:55-09:55, 10:00-11:00 (JB, PMW)
Weather: wind 4-5 NW, vis excellent to moderate, occasional drizzle
Balearic Shearwater: 3 W (08:26, 08:29, 10:33 - last 2 very pale below)
Manx Shearwater: 1 E, 2 W
Gannet: 220 E, 405 W
Common Scoter: 4 E, 8 W
Wigeon: 6 W
Dunlin: 27 E
Great Skua: 1 W
Arctic Skua: 2 W
Kittiwake: 5 E, 85 W
Sandwich Tern: 38 E, 183 W
Arctic Tern: 3 W
Common/Arctic Tern: 2 E, 22 W
Razorbill: 14 W
Guillemot: 4 W
Large auk sp: 2 E, 98 W

SEAFIELD: flyover Yellow Wagtail, seemed to land in fields behind Bunmahon village (DW).

CLONEA STRAND: Arctic Skua W, 10+ Arctic Terns (PMW).

BALLYQUIN (nr Ardmore): 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull on beach @ 16:30 (").

WATERFORD CITY: 2 Swifts flying W with Swallows & House Martins (large nos of both moving W all day) (FO'C).

ARDMORE: 160 Sandwich Terns in bay & on beach (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: 1 PECTORAL SANDPIPER, sub-adult SPOONBILL & 1 Curlew Sandpiper at the Cunnigar (CF).

WHITING BAY: 15 Tree Sparrows at Ballysallagh, 3 White Wagtails, 170 Ringed Plover & 45 Sanderling on beach (PMW).

HELVICK: Seawatch 13:15-17:30pm .2 juvenile Sabine's Gulls, 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 10+ Arctic Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Grey Phalarope, 4 Petrels sp. (Probable Storm Petrels, too distant to id conclusively) and 4 Porpoise. (MC, CF)

HELVICK HEAD:

Seawatch 09:00-12:30 (CF)

Balearic Shearwater: 3 W

Sooty Shearwater: 6 W
Storm Petrel: 2 W

LONG-TAILED SKUA: 2 W (adult & juvenile)

Pomarine Skua: 2 W

Arctic Skua: 20 W

Great Skua: 5 W
Black Tern: 3 juveniles W
Manx Shearwater, Sterna terns: lots

 

DUNGARVAN: 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS, 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 1 sub-adult SPOONBILL & a Grasshopper Warbler @ the Cunnigar. 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers & an adult Mediterranean Gull @ Ballyneety. (MC, CF)

HELVICK: Male and female Common Scoter at the mouth of the bay, Painted Lady and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. Also, small numbers of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps & Whitethroats. (")

CLONEA: Juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 1-2 small Skua sp. offshore. (")

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Adult Spotted Redshank at Pickardstown; Spotted Flycatchers & a Small Copper at Saleen (DW, JAP)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  7 Tree Sparrows, a Spotted Flycatcher & a Painted Lady (").

DUNGARVAN: Kingfisher @ the Barnawee and 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult 3H97 & 1 juvenile) @ Ballyneety. (MC)

ANNESTOWN: Kingfisher. (")

CLOGHERNAGH: Kingfisher. (MC, DW)

PICKARDSTOWN: Spotted Redshank & 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. (")

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Mediterranean Gull & 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers. (MC)

ARDMORE: Adult Mediterranean Gull on the Ardmore beach & juvenile Mediterranean Gull @ Whiting Bay. (")

Also, White Wagtails evident @ Ballinclamper, Ballyquin, Ardmore & Whiting Bay. (")

DUNGARVAN; 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS & a PECTORAL SANDPIPER at the Cunnigar (MC snr).

BALLYSHUNNOCK: Hybrid Whooper X Mute Swan & hybrid Swan Goose. (MC)

CLONEA: 4 White Wagtails @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 2 Common Sandpipers & White Wagtail (MC).

KILMEADEN POOLS: No sign of any waders, just a GBB Gull (").

WHITING BAY: 2 White Wagtails (PMW).

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 09:55-11:55 (PA, MC, MC snr, PMW)
Weather: wind 7-8 SW to W, vis moderate, sunny.
Storm Petrel: 5 (4+ W)
Great Skua: 2 W
Arctic Skua: 4 (2 E, 2 W)
Little Tern: 1 W
Arctic Tern: 25+ W or feeding
Manx Shearwater: very few - 1 E, 4 w
Porpoise: 1

DUNGARVAN: 2 BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPERS at the Cunnigar now (16:50), including the bird resent since 4th Sept, also 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, SPOONBILL, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, juvenile Mediterranean Gull & a Spotted Flycatcher there (").

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 13:48-14:48 (MC):
SABINE'S GULL: 3 adults
Balearic Shearwater: 1
Sooty Shearwater: 1
Storm Petrel: 1
Grey Phalarope: 1
Arctic Tern: slow but steady passage
Porpoise: 2

HELVICK HEAD: Adult SABINE'S GULL flew in towards harbour, 14:00 (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: 4 Roseate Terns (3 ad, 1 juv), 2 Arctic Terns & 4 White Wagtails at Ballinclamper (MC).

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 12:00-18:00 (CF, FO'C, DW, JAP, BS)
Final totals:
CORY'S SHEARWATER: 1
Great Shearwater: 1
Sooty Shearwater: 30+
Balearic Shearwater: 3
Manx Shearwater: 1000+/hour
Storm Petrel: 6+
Grey Phalarope: 25+
Pomarine Skua: 1
Arctic Skua: 20+
Great Skua: 12
SABINE'S GULL: 6 (3 ad, 3 juv)
Little Gull: 1 juv
Little Tern: 2
Leatherback Turtle: 1

DUNGARVAN: BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER, 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (2 on the patches, 1 in off sea) & a Curlew Sandpiper all at the Cunnigar (CF).

WHITING BAY: 3 Great Skuas offshore (CF).

ARDMORE: Adult & 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull, Arctic Tern, Common Tern & Common Sandpiper at Curragh beach (").

KILMEADEN POOLS: 2 juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPERS still present, also 3 White Wagtails (PV).

DUNGARVAN: 60+ Sandwich Terns at Cunnigar carpark (").

CLONEA STRAND: 12 Arctic Terns (8 ads & 4 juvs) at Ballanclamper @ 18:50 (MC).

RAM HEAD:
Seawatch 17:10-18:40 (PMW)
Weather: wind 4-5 SW, vis moderate to poor, drizzle
Balearic Shearwater: 1 W
Sooty Shearwater: 1 W
Great Skua: 1 W
Manx Shearwater: 75 W
Fulmar: 3 E, 24 W
Gannet: 1 E, 17 W
Kittiwake: 4 W
Sandwich Tern: 4 W
Guillemot: 3 W
Large auk sp: 74 W
Puffin: 1 W

CLONEA: 4 Arctic Terns (2 adults & 2 juveniles) @ Ballinclamper. (MC, MC Sr. & CF)

CLONEA STRAND: Adult Roseate Tern at Ballinclamper @ 18:50, 2 Sooty Shearwaters off Ballinard later (CF).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Now 2 juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPERS @ 18:05 (MC).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Juvenile PECTORAL SANDPIPER @ 12:00, also a Chough (PA).

DUNGARVAN: 2nd-summer Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: Juv Ruff, juv Mediterranean Gull, 2 ad & 2 juv Arctic Terns at Ballinclamper (").

DUNGARVAN: 3 Curlew Sandpipers & an adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballyneety (MC snr).

DUNGARVAN: 3 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, juv Little Stint & a Pomarine Skua at the Cunnigar (FO'C).

SEAFIELD: 3 White Wagtails (DW).

WHITING BAY: 4 Little Stints, later 6+, also a Merlin (DC).

WHITING BAY: 3 Little Stints, ad & juv Mediterranean Gull & 7+ White Wagtails, high tide (CF).

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER also present again on the Cunnigar, plus the 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS (CF).

DUNGARVAN: 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS again on the Cunnigar (Sean Cronin).

WHITING BAY: 2 juv Little Stints, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls & 2 White Wagtails (MC, FO'C).

SEAFIELD: Lesser Whitethroat briefly again @ 19:25 (DW).

WHITING BAY: Little Stint (DC)

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 17:20-18:20 (MC, MAD, FO'C, PMW)
Wind 6 SW, vis moderate
Sooty Shearwater: 1W
Manx Shearwater: 32 E, 305 W
Fulmar: 1E, 16 W
Arctic Tern: 2 W (juv & ad)
Puffin: 1 W
Whimbrel: 1 W

SEAFIELD: Lesser Whitethroat (DW).

DUNGARVAN: BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER on the Cunnigar (MC).

DUNGARVAN: Little Tern at Ballynacourty at 10:00 (FO'C).

Off BALLYVOYLE (from boat): Pomarine Skua, 5 Sooty Shearwaters, few hundred Manx Shearwaters, lots of Fulmars, Gannets & auks (").

DUNGARVAN: 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS still present on the Cunnigar, at pools beyond sand dune @ 11:05 (MC).

DUNGARVAN; Near-adult Yellow-legged Gull at Ballyneety @ 19:10 (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: 10 White Wagtails & 89 Ringed Plover at Ballinclamper (MC, MC snr, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Subadult SPOONBILL, 12 juv Curlew Sandpipers & juv Little Stint at the Cunnigar (new bird near tip) (MC, CF, DW); now 2 PECTORAL SANDPIPERS at Cunnigar, also juv Little Gull & 2+ White Wagtails (RMcL, c1530); 3 Green Sandpipers at Ballyneety (MC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: PECTORAL SANDPIPER at Cunnigar, inside sand-dune @ 10:35 (MC, CF, DW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 07:40-10:40 (JB, PMW)
Weather: 4-5 SW later 2-3 W, vis moderate to good, occasional drizzle
Balearic Shearwater: 1 W @ 08:47
Arctic Skua: 2 E @ 08:33 & 09:52
Great Skua: 1 W @ 10:39
Manx Shearwater: 60 E, 384W, 1 on sea
Fulmar: 7 E, 39 W
Gannet: 143 E, 94 W
Bar-tailed Godwit: 2 W
Kittiwake: 7 E
Sandwich Tern: 101 E, 37 W
Razorbill: 3 E, 28 W
Large auk sp: 4 E, 39 W

DUNGARVAN: 8 White Wagtails & a juv Curlew Sandpiper at the Cunnigar @ 19:25 (MC).

HELVICK HEAD: 3 male Blackcaps (").

BALLYMACARBRY: Kingfisher (").

DUNGARVAN: 10 Curlew Sandpipers at the Cunnigar (FO'C).

WATERFORD CITY: Spotted Flycatcher near the Whitfield Clinic (DS).

DUNGARVAN: Whinchat, 3 Curlew Sandpipers & adult Arctic Tern at the Cunnigar this evening (MC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Little Stint at the Cunnigar (FO'C) - photos.

BRICKEY RIVER: Kingfisher at Two Mile Bridge (MC snr).

CLONEA STRAND: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (").

WHITING BAY: 15 White Wagtails & 5 Wheatears this morning (SH).

DUNGARVAN: Adult & juvenile White Wagtails, juvenile Mediterranean Gull (White Darvic Ring) & 2 juvenile Arctic Terns @ the Cunnigar. (MC, CF)

BALLYVOONEY: 25+ Common Scoter flew W this evening (DW).

DUNGARVAN: 6 Curlew Sandpipers on the Cunnigar (FO'C).

Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (AM).

RAM HEAD: Dark-phase Arctic Skua (being chased by Sandwich Terns), 2 Great Skuas & 6 Common Dolphins; very few Manx Shearwates, few flying auks (").

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Ruff at Ballyneety, 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee (CF, FO'C, DW.)

CLONEA STRAND: Adult & 2 juvenile Roseate Terns at Ballinclamper (").

Nr WHITING BAY: 8 Tree Sparrows at Springhill Lower (DW, CF).

KNOCKADERRY: Common Sandpiper & Tufted Duck. (MC)

DUNGARVAN: 4 Tufted Ducks in the bay. (")

DUNGARVAN: 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers at Ballyneety (MC).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper (DW).

BALLYSHUNNOCK: Hybrid Whooper X Mute Swan & Hybrid Swan Goose. (MC, CF, DW)

CLONEA: Adult Common Tern & 3 juvenile ArcticTerns @ Ballinclamper. (MC, CF)

DUNGARVAN: Common Sandpiper @ Ballyneety. (")

Nr CARROLL'S CROSS: Wing-tagged RED KITE heading east over N25 (MC, CF, DW).

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE: 3 Crossbills (").

BUNMAHON: Arctic Tern feeding (DW).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Sightings of a Red Grouse and what sounds from the description like the albino Hen Harrier seen earlier in the summer (Brian Simpson).

PORTLAW: Kingfisher & Common Sandpiper (DC).

DUNGARVAN: 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Green Sandpipers & 1 juvenile Mediterranean Gull (White darvic ring E336) @ Ballyneety. (MC)

Nr CALISO BAY: Another Cuckoo! (AM)

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Cuckoo near the Vee (AM).



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Nr BALLYLANEEN: Long-eared Owl (DW).

BUNMAHON: Kingfisher (JH) - video.

SEAFIELD: Reed Warbler (DW).

BALLINARD: Juvenile Mediterranean Gull, juvenile Little Tern & adult Common tern (MC, DC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: 4 Mediterranean Gulls (juv, 2nd-summer & 2 adults) at Barnawee, 2 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety (MC, DW), Swift over Abbeyside (PMW).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Common Sandpiper (MC).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Hen Harrier (PC).

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER still present on the Cunnigar @ 12:20, just beyond sanddune, on shoreline on inside (MC, CF, DW) - video (MC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Quiet seawatch - 200 Manx Shearwaters W (115 E), 22 Fulmars W (13 E),  290 Gannets E (250 W), 21 Kittiwakes W (4 E), 205 Sandwich Terns W (14 E), 2 Commic Terns W, 1 Razorbills W & 1 large auk W (07:00-10:00, wind 2-3 SW, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Great Skua @ The Cunnigar. (MC, CF)

HELVICK HEAD: Storm Petrel, 2 juv Puffins & 45 Manx Shearwaters W (seawatch 17:15-17:45, PMW), also 2 Whimbrel on rocks.

RAM HEAD: Sooty Shearwater & 350 Manx Shearwaters W (6 E, 3 on sea) (seawatch 14:50-15:50, wind 2-3 SW- W, MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile stint species near Cunnigar tip (FO'C), now confirmed as Semipalmated Sandpiper - video (DW).

ARDMORE: Juvenile Mediterranean Gull (MC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ The Barnawee and Green Sandpiper @ Ballyneety (").

RAM HEAD: OSPREY (Mark Ryan per www.irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN: Adult SPERM WHALE live-stranded on sandbanks at the Cunnigar; also 3 Pomarine Skuas on sandbanks there (FO'C) & a Yellow-legged Gull (DW) & female/imm Shoveler (CF) at Killongford.

HELVICK HEAD: Sub-adult Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, 2 Puffins & small numbers of Manx Shearwaters (seawatch 19:45-20:15, CF).

RAM HEAD: Great Shearwater (on water then flew into feeding Manxie flock), 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Great Skua & 1000+ Manx Shearwaters (AM).

BALLYNACOURTY LIGHTHOUSE: A Jay this morning (MC snr).

WEST WATERFORD PELAGIC: Boat-trip from Youghal to c5 miles off Ram Head (9-5) produced 2+ Balearic Shearwaters, 4+ Sooty Shearwaters, 4+ Bonxies, 8+ Stormies, a juvenile Puffin, 500+ feeding Manxies & 4+ Common Dolphins - subject to any later corrections (hard to exclude duplication for some species), also an ad or subadult Mediterranean Gull closer inshore (Paul Archer, Mark Carmody, Declan Clarke, Mark Foley, Owen Foley, Andrew Kelly, Andrew Malcolm, Ronan McLoughlin, Gerry Power, John Power, Ann Trimble, Paul Walsh, Daniel Weldon & boatman Martin Colfer www.charterangling.ie, wind 2-3 E to NE).

BUNMAHON: Hummingbird Hawk-moth (DW) & 3 Kingfishers (James Hearne)


Monday, August 15 2011

DUNGARVAN: Merlin at the Cunnigar, 2 Mediterranean Gulls at the Park Hotel (DC).

SEAFIELD: 2 flyover Green Sandpipers (DW).

Nr BUNMAHON: Barn Owl @ 9:35 pm (DW).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: 2 coveys of Red Grouse (PC).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Green Sandpiper & Common Sandpiper at Clohernagh (DS).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Common Sandpiper (").

DUNGARVAN: 2 juv Reed Warblers in tiny reedbed in dump complex at Ballyneety, Water Rail calling here also; Green Sandpiper & 2 Common Sandpipers, Ballyneety; Common Sandpiper at Killongford (MC, CF).

BUNMAHON: Green Sandpiper and 2 Kingfishers (").

RAM HEAD: Sooty Shearwater and Puffin west (").

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Ruff at the Cunnigar (MC).

SEAFIELD: 2 Green Sandpipers (DW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Arctic Skuas (Michael Nolan per www.irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN: At the Cunnigar, large numbers of Ringed Plover (including some flightless young), smaller numbers of Sanderling & Dunlin (ads & juvs & Turnstone, 4 Grey Plover (3 ad-summer & 1 juv), 14 Whimbrel, 2 Golden Plover & 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit (JAP).

DUNGARVAN: 3 Mediterranean Gulls (adult '3H97' & 2 juveniles) & a Common Sandpiper at Ballyneety (MC).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ Barnawee. (MC)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 4 Sooty Shearwaters, Great Skua & Arctic Skua (Michael Nolan per irishbirding.com)

HELVICK HEAD: 3 Storm Petrels, an Arctic Tern & just 16 Manx Shearwaters (seawatch 19:10-20:25, CF).

RAM HEAD: Large shearwater (Cory's/Great) hanging around same patch of water where seen recently, also a skua species W, immature Great Northern Diver on sea, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins & 2 Porpoises (AM).

DUNGARVAN: 7 Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee (2nd-summer & 6 adults including '3H97') (MC).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Ringed Plover (DW).

SEAFIELD: Grasshopper Warbler (DW).

DUNGARVAN: Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers & juvenile Merlin at Ballyneety (DC); SPOONBILL at Killingford @ 17:45, 34 Great Crested Grebes in Dungarvan Bay (PMW).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Puffins W & very few Manx Shearwaters (3 E, 1 W) in half-hour seawatch (16:30-17:00, wind 1-2 W or NW, PMW).

BUNMAHON: OSPREY circling for 5 minutes over sea, then flew east c18:35 (DW); later seen circling off Annestown/Kilfarrasy at 18:55 (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL & juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Killongford (MC, CF).

LISMORE: Barnacle Goose (presumed escaped or feral) on canal (").

WEST WATERFORD: Buzzard (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 4 Common Scoter E, 2 Black Guillemots E (ad + juv separately), 3 Whimbrel W, 134 Manx Shearwaters E (54 W), 20 Fulmars W (6 E), 300 Gannets E (177 W), 37 Kittiwakes W (28 E), 28 Sandwich Terns W (26 E), 2 Razorbills E, 2 large auks W & a Porpoise (seawatch 06:50-09:50, wind 1 W); on land, a Tree Sparrow (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: 3rd-cal-yr Yellow-legged Gull again at Killongford (PMW); juv Mediterranean Gull at Ballyneety, 2nd-summer Med Gull at Barnawee, 3 Common Sandpipers off pitch & putt (MC); 5 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety (DC).

CLODIAGH RIVER: Kingfisher (DC).

RAM HEAD: 3 large shearwaters & an immature Great Northern Diver (AM).

DUNGARVAN: 3rd-winter (3rd-calendar-year) Yellow-legged Gull at Killongford this evening (CF).

HELVICK: Puffin flew west. (MC)

BALLYRAFTER (Lismore): Flock of 70+ Siskins (AM).

Off MINE HEAD: Over 250 Manx Shearwaters, an immature Puffin & 2 Black Guillemots from boat (DC).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Wood Sandpiper still present, also an Emperor dragonfly (PA).

DUNGARVAN: 2 Common Sandpipers at Killongford bridge & 1 at the Cunnigar (PV).

CLONEA STRAND: 3 adult & 2 juvenile Sandwich Terns, 1 of juvs with yellow ring including "ECL" on right leg ("), & adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (MC snr).

COLLIGAN WOOD: Dipper & a brood of fledged Spotted Flycatchers (DMcG).




Sunday, July 31, 2011

Nr AGLISH: Barn Owl at 22:20 (MF).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Wood Sandpiper still present (DS, PV).

DUNGARVAN: 3 Common Sandpipers on Brickey at Killongford Bridge (AA).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Great Skua. (MC, CF)

CLOGHERNAGH: 4 Common Sandpipers. (MC, CF)

PICKARDSTOWN: 7 Common Sandpipers. (")

KNOCKADERRY LAKE: Common Sandpiper. (")

BALLYSHUNNOCK LAKE: Hybrid Mute X Whooper Swan & Swan Goose hybrid. (")

DUNGARVAN: Adult & 1st summer Mediterranean Gull @ Barnawee Bridge. (")

KILMEADEN POOLS: Wood Sandpiper & Green Sandpiper @ 08:30 (MC, CF) - see video of Wood Sandpiper on youtube.



Friday, July 29, 2011

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (PD).

RAM HEAD: 2 large shearwaters (probably Cory's) E up to 10:25, also 200+ Manx Shearwaters & 3 Porpoises (AM).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Garden Warbler eating plums in main willow-garden (PA).

BUNMAHON: Kingfisher (James Hearne).

Nr KILMEADEN: Adult Long-eared Owl found dead (road casualty) on N25 - see photos (PA).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper (DW).

RAM HEAD: Complete breeding failure at the Kittiwake colony here - no chicks in nests (first would normally be fledging about now), still 65-70 occupied but empty nests or ledges & 100+ adults this evening, of the 108 occupied nests counted at visible study plots in June (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Common Sandpiper @ Ballyneety. (MC)

CROHAUN: 3 Long-eared Owls, 3 Kestrels & 3 Ravens (DC).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Puffins W (seawatch 17:35-18:35, MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Storm Petrel & Porpoise W, flock of 18 Common Scoter
E, immature Great Northern Diver on sea close inshore, 140+ Manx Shearwaters feeding (seawatch 09:25-10:55, wind 1-2 W-SW, MAD, PMW); Tree Sparrow & 6+ Willow Warblers on land.

HELVICK HEAD: 4 Common Scoter W @ 10:20 (MC).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2nd-summer Pomarine Skua W, 3 diver species, 3 Common Scoter, Great Skua, Arctic Skua & 2 adult Roseate Terns E, 720 Manx Shearwaters E (60 W, 60+ feeding/rafting) (seawatch 06:45-10:45, wind 1-2 NW-W, PMW). On land, 2 Tree Sparrows, 6+ Willow Warblers, a Common Lizard & a Hummingbird Hawk-moth (MAD, PMW).

Nr VILLIERSTOWN: Barn Owl heard at 11:30 pm (MC snr).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper again (DW).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper (DW).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): Long-eared Owl chick calling @ 22:55 (AM).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper (DW).

LISMORE: Crossbills in woods behind Ballyrafter (AM).

DROMANA: Crossbills here also (").

DUNGARVAN: Adult & 1st summer Mediterranean Gull at The Barnawee. (MC)

DUNGARVAN: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (including 3H97) and a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull @ The Barnawee. 6 Common Sandpipers @ Ballyneety and 3 Common Sandpipers @ Killongford. (MC)

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: c140 Sandwich Terns roosting at Ballinattin (JmP).

HELVICK HEAD: 1 Storm Petrel (MC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: 9 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety & 1 at Killongford (").

CLONEA STRAND: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (").

BALLINLOUGH: Water Rail calling (").

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Water Rail calling (").

ARDMORE: Adult Mediterranean Gull at harbour this morning (SH).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford (CF), 8 Common Sandpipers & a Treecreeper, Barnawee area (MC snr).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 CORY'S SHEARWATERS late today (MC snr).

DUNGARVAN: 16 Common Sandpipers @ Ballyneety. (MC)

MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: Snipe drumming at Ballintlea (tetrads S20Q & S20V) tonight (MC).

RAM HEAD: 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 300 Manxies, 1 Black Guillemot, 7 Porpoises & a Bank Vole this p.m. (AM).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (mobbed by 2 Mistle Thrushes) & Grasshopper Warblers (AM).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford (MC).

HELVICK HEAD: Sooty Shearwater on sea with 100+ Manx Shearwaters, also a Puffin west, & one of the regular Black Guillemots carrying food (seawatch 16:40-17:15, MAD, PMW).

Nr CAPPOQUIN: 4 Yellowhammers (3 singing males) at Springfield (").

DUNGARVAN: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls @ The Barnawee. (MC)

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Grasshopper Warbler heard nr Bael Loch, Crossbills in wood behind Ballysaggart, & a male Hen Harrier (having a fight with 2 Pheasants!) elsewhere (AM).

Nr NEW ROSS (Co Wexford): Greater White-toothed Shrew found dead at Ballagh, Adamstown (AT) - probably another new county for the species.

DUNGARVAN: 6 Common Sandpipers @ Killongford. (MC)