Welcome to the Waterford Birds blog, supplementing the Recent reports page of the main Waterford Birds website www.waterfordbirds.com. If it's not there yet it may be here (real-time postings when possible), along with extra details. Please post any updates, new reports or corrections by texting 0861701599 (alternatively - but this may delay dissemination of news - click Comments). The main website will be updated (including photos) at next opportunity.



Monday, December 31, 2012

WATERFORD CITY:  c250 Pied Wagtails roosting in trees opposite the Tower Hotel at 17:30 (DMcG).
Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Female Hen Harrier (ADM).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER off Lookout, Jack Snipe flushed above Ballyneety bridge (JAP, BS); 9 Great Northern Divers & 20 Great Crested Grebes off Ballynacourty pier, another 6 GNDs, 9 GCGs, 44 Red-breasted Mergansers & 2+ Goldeneye off Lookout (PMW).

TRAMORE; 31 Gadwall (including pair mating) at boating lake, 3 Shoveler (male & 2 females) at Lisselan (DS).

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard (").
DUNGARVAN: Spoonbill & Black-necked Grebe @ Western Bay. Adult Black Brant & 2 Long-tailed Ducks by the pitch & putt club. (MC, CF)


DUNMORE EAST: 2nd-winter Glaucous Gull (RZ).
TRAMORE TOWN:  15 Waxwings still present at Seafield estate (RZ).

Sunday, December 30, 2012

TRAMORE:  Black Redstart at west end of beach (MC, DW).

DUNGARVAN:  Adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at Duckspool (MC).
DUNMORE EAST: 2nd-winter Glaucous Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull and 9 Purple Sandpipers at pier (MC, DW).
DUNGARVAN: BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course, 1st-winter male SURF SCOTER, Long-tailed Duck, SPOONBILL & Otter off Lookout / p&p, BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty pier (JAP, KG, JFD, JAP, AW).
TRAMORE TOWN: 15 Waxwings at Seafield (opposite the entrance to Newtown Hill estate, near the roundabout to take the coast road west) (DS).

Nr KNOCKANORE: early (late) Frogspawn (ADM).

Saturday, December 29, 2012

KEEREEN (nr Aglish): 12 Whooper Swans (JAP, BS).

ARDMORE:  3 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-winter, 2nd-winter & adult) (CF).

HELVICK HEAD:  Great Skua, 12 Red-throated Divers & Merlin (").

DUNGARVAN:  Brambling at Strandside, adult BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course (DC), SURF SCOTER & 3 Long-tailed Ducks off lookout, SPOONBILL in western bay, BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty pier (CF).

KILLOWEN ORCHARD (nr Portlaw): c12 Waxwings (DC).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR:  Kingfisher (PV).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: 23 Whooper Swans & 14 Tufted Duck (CF).

TRAMORE:  Ring-billed Gull & 17 Gadwall at boating lake (AJ, RZ), Spotted Redshank at Backstrand (JF).
Nr WATERFORD CITY: 5 Waxwings at IDA park, Cork Road (DS).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER still off lookout (JAP, BS).

Friday, December 28, 2012

TRAMORE:  Black Redstart & Chiffchaff at town end of beach (BH).

DUNGARVAN: Long-tailed Duck off the Lookout. (MC)
DUNGARVAN:  SURF SCOTER still present @ 09:25 (CF).

HELVICK HEAD:  Updated totals (seawatch 09:45-11:45):  2 adult Pomarine Skuas, 1 Manx Shearwater, 8 Red-throated Divers, c2000 Fulmars, c500 Gannets, c250 Kittiwakes & c1000 large auks (95% Guillemots) (").
HELVICK HEAD: 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Red-throated Divers, c1000 Fulmar, many Gannets and auk passage just starting to become significant (seawatch 09:45-10:30, CF).

Thursday, December 27, 2012

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  Total 218 Whooper Swans - 142 between Lismore and Ballyduff, 762est of Ballyduff (TM).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK BRANT on pitch & putt course, 3 Long-tailed Ducks in inner harbour & 2 Shoveler (m&f) in western bay (CF).

LISMORE CANAL:  Kingfisher, also a (feral?) Barnacle Goose with farm geese (PV).

CLONEA STRAND:  3 Otters 100 m out to sea, 5 Great Northern Divers & 2 Whimbrel (").

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (JAP, BS).
BALLINACOURTY: Black-necked Grebe. (MC)

TRAMORE: Black Redstart, 3 Chiffchaffs & 12 Gadwall. (")

TIBBERAGHNY (Co. Kilkenny): Approximately 360 Greylag geese. (")

MOUNTBOLTON: Jay. (")

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Drake Shoveler. (")
TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: Ring-billed Gull (DW).

Nr ARDMORE: Kestrel feeding on dead Fox (roadkill?) (ADM).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER still off lookout (JAP, DC).

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

TRAMORE: 16 Waxwings again at Ard na Groi estate, 14:15 (MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at Duckspool, Long-tailed Duck off Quann's (MC).
DUNGARVAN: Adult Yellow legged Gull at Ballyneety, then flew out towards harbour (MC); SURF SCOTER still off lookout (MC, JAP, BS).

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

TRAMORE: Waxwings still present at Ard na Groi estate (MD).


DUNGARVAN: 2 Great Northern Divers at Davitt's Quay (E&EB).

Monday, December 24, 2012

TRAMORE: 14 Waxwings still present Ard na Groi estate (JF).
DUNGARVAN: BLACK-NECKED GREBE from Ballinacourty towards land end (JAP, PV).
DUNGARVAN: 3 Pintail (female & 2 males) beyond pitch & putt club (PV).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER showing extremely well off lookout. also 3 Long-tailed Ducks (JAP).

Sunday, December 23, 2012

CLONEA STRAND:  2 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper, Great Northern Divers at Ballinclamper & Ballyvoyle (PV).

DUNGARVAN:  Great Northern Diver at Gold Coast ("), 12 Great Northern Divers, 3 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Goldeneye & 51 Shelduck in harbour (DC).

DUNGARVAN: BLACK-NECKED GREBE & male Long-tailed Duck off Ballynacourty. 2 Tufted Ducks off pitch and putt (MC).

HELVICK: Black Guillemot (").
TRAMORE: 16 Waxwings at Ard na Groi estate, near racecourse; 15 Gadwall & 300 Black-tailed Godwits at boating lake (JDP, JF).

Saturday, December 22, 2012

BALLYVOONEY COVE:  Female-type Common Scoter (DW).

Friday, December 21, 2012

BALLYMACMAGUE SOUTH:  Merlin (JJC).

SEAFIELD:  Green Sandpiper (DW).
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty pier (MC, MC snr).

TRAMORE:  Female-type Black Redstart opposite O'Shea's Hotel, drake Shoveler & 8 Gadwall on boating lake (MC).

Thursday, December 20, 2012

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (JJC).

TRAMORE:  Waxwing in back garden at Pickardstown (NMcC).

DUNGARVAN:  Brambling & 6 Siskins at Strandside (DC).

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

CLONEA STRAND:  Black Redstart under Clonea hotel (MC snr).

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  Total 183 Whooper Swans & 13 Mute Swans between Lismore and just west of Ballyduff (Tom Murphy).

Nr DUNGARVAN:  Barn Owl at 11 pm (DC).

DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER still between pitch & putt course & the Cunnigar (JAP).

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (MC).

Monday, December 17, 2012

TRAMORE TOWN:  Male Blackcap (TB).

DUNGARVAN:  African-type Chaffinch at Strandside (DC) - see photographs of same bird taken 5 Dec.
Nr WATERFORD CITY:  40+ Fieldfares at Williamstown sports complex this morning (BB).

Sunday, December 16, 2012

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  2 Long-tailed Ducks (AJ).
DUNGARVAN: 2 Long-tailed Ducks, SURF SCOTER & 5 Goldeneye off lookout (JAP, PV).

Saturday, December 15, 2012

FIDDOWN/TIBBERAGHNY: 315 Greylag Geese & 56 Whooper Swans in fields at Tibberaghny (Co Kilkenny side), 375 Teal along River Suir (PMW).

COOLFIN / DERRIGAL: 61 Greylag Geese (40 at Coolfin, 21 at Derrigal) & 15 Whooper Swans (at Portnascully, Co Kilkenny) (").
DUNGARVAN:  SURF SCOTER & Long-tailed Duck off lookout, another Long-tailed Duck off Ballynacourty pier, & 8+ Crossbills in golf-course behind Ballynacourty pier (JAP, BS, RAW).

Friday, December 14, 2012

DUNGARVAN:  2 Bramblings in garden at Shandon (BS, JAP, MS).

Nr WATERFORD CITY:  50+ Fieldfares at Williamstown sports complex (Bob Barrett).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER still present between lookout and Cunnigar (JAP). 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

TRAMORE:  Flock of Waxwings at Crobally Upper (Dee Weekes), male Blackcap Tramore town (TB).
WATERFORD CITY:  Female Blackcap in garden on Francis Street, first there this winter (DS).
DUNGARVAN:  Brambling in garden at Abbeyside (JH).

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

DUNGARVAN:  2 Waxwings in town (junction of Wolfe Tone Road & Mitchell Street) (JAP), SURF SCOTER inside Cunnigar tip, 3 Crossbills in pines at pitch & putt club, 2 Great Northern Divers off Ballynacourty pier & a Chiffchaff at Knockanpower Lower, Ring (PMW).

CLONEA STRAND:  Barnacle Goose with Brent (near Ballyvoyle, later at Ballinclamper) & Great Northern Diver at Ballinclamper (PMW).

Monday, December 10, 2012

DUNGARVAN: 7 Crossbills on large sycamore (the drinking tree)  just up behind Gold Coast. (MC snr).

Sunday, December 09, 2012

TRAMORE TOWN:  3 Waxwings (TB).

DUNGARVAN: BLACK BRANT at Quann's, SURF SCOTER and 2 Long-tailed Ducks off lookout, 3 Shoveler off pitch & putt point, SPOONBILL roosting on the Cunnigar, Merlin Abbeyside. 9 Barnacle Geese at Ballyneety (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: Adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at Ballinclamper (").
DUNGARAVAN: 3 Waxwings, Cruachan estate, Abbeyside (MC).

Saturday, December 08, 2012

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  5 Fin  Whales (PK).

DUNGARVAN:  9 Barnacle Geese (FO'C).
Nr BALLYLANEEN:  Jack Snipe & Chiffchaff (DW),

BUNMAHON:  Green Sandpiper (").
DUNGARVAN:  Great Northern Diver & 11 Red-breasted Mergansers off the lookout, Black Redstart opposite pitch & putt course (JF).
DUNGARVAN: Female Eider at Ballynagaul (JAP, BS), 7 Crossbills behind Gold Coast (MC snr).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER & 3 Long-tailed Ducks off lookout (JAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND: Juvenile Eider at Ballinclamper (").

Friday, December 07, 2012

TALLOW to LISMORE: Barn Owl tonight (ADM).

DUNABRATTIN HEAD: 4 Fin Whales 5km south east off head (PK).

DUNGARVAN:  Brambling (DC).

CAPPOQUIN:  3 Otters on River Blackwater (").

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  22 Ravens along Vee road (").

WEST WATERFROD:  Buzzard (").

DUNGARVAN:  SURF SCOTER still at lookout, towards Cunnigar (JAP).

CAPPOQUIN:  3 Otters (DC).

Thursday, December 06, 2012

TRAMORE TOWN:  Waxwing (TB).

DUNGARVAN:  Brambling at Strandside, Abbeyside (DC).

Nr DUNGARVAN:  Long-eared Owl this morning (MC).

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

TOORANEENA: Waxwing today (R. Flynn).

BALLYVOYLE:  Adult male Eider still present, also 2 Dippers (RZ).
RAM HEAD:  3 Fin Whales & 200+ Common Dolphins (ADM).

Nr GOAT ISLAND:  Merlin & 200+ Skylarks (").
DUNGARVAN:  SURF SCOTER still present (PA).

South if WATERFORD CITY:  Ringtail Hen Harrier this morning (").
KILBARRY BOG:  12 Siskin & 5 Redpolls (including a pale bird) at Tramore Road river walkway near Superquinn (AJ).

DUNGARVAN:  Chiffchaff, male Blackcap & 20 Siskins at Springmount (DC).

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

WATERFORD CITY:  3 Waxwings (Mat Shanahan per irishbirding.com).
TRAMORE ROAD:  Freshly dead Stoat near Halfway House (AJ).

Monday, December 03, 2012

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (DC).

DERRIGAL/COOLFIN:  c2010 Greylag Geese & 10 Whooper Swans nr Derrigal cross-roads (PA).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER at the lookout, 9 Barnacle Geese & 3 Long-tailed Ducks (FO'C).
HELVICK HEAD: Fin Whale, 80 Common Dolphins & 3 Great Skuas (ADM).

DUNGARVAN:  21 Waxwing near Campus garage (").

DUNGARVAN:  30+ Waxwings on cherry trees 100 m south of Campus garage, N25 (EB).
DUNGARVAN: Waxwing flock still on bypass near Campus garage (JAP).

Sunday, December 02, 2012

BUNMAHON:  Short-eared Owl & Merlin (DW).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE:  13 Gadwall & adult summer-plumage Mediterranean Gull (AJ).
CLONEA STRAND:  Whimbrel & flyover Crossbill at Ballinclamper earlier today (MC).
DUNGARVAN:  Brambling briefly at Strandside (DC).
DUNGARVAN:  Now 35 Waxwing next to Campus garage, N25, near bypass roundabout (MC), also 2 Waxwing at Ardscoil na nDeise today (RZ).
DUNGARVAN:  28-29 Waxwings at bypass, SPOONBILL, 2 Long-tailed Ducks & 9 Barnacle Geese off pitch & putt course, Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal (JAP, BS, DO'S).

BALLYVOYLE:  Male Eider & 2 Dippers (").
DUNGARVAN: 17  Waxwing at bypass, SURF SCOTER at lookout (JAP, DO'S, BS).

Saturday, December 01, 2012

DUNABRATTIN HEAD:  4 Fin Whales (PK).

RAM HEAD:  2 Great Skuas, 1 small skua sp., 50+ Common Scoter past & c30 Common Dolphins (ADM).
DUNGARVAN:  25+ Waxwings just west of John Foley's garage, Kilrush (JAP, BS); 9 Barnacle geese at Ballyneety & 2 Long-tailed Ducks off lookout (JAP, BS, RAW).

NW WATERFORD:  Buzzard (MC, MC snr, CF, DW).
BALLYVOYLE: Adult male Eider (JAP, BS, RAW).

BUNMAHON: Green Sandpiper (").

ANNESTOWN:  Kingfisher and Water Rail (seen) (")
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 450+ Gannets offshore, mainly sitting on sea, 14:30 (PMW).


DUNGARVAN TOWN:  1 Waxwing this morning (FO'C).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER still off lookout
(JAP, RAW, BS).

BALLYNACOURTY: 2 Waxwings & a female Blackcap at thatched house (").