SEAFIELD / BUNMAHON:  CATTLE EGRET still present (PA, DW).

DUNGARVAN:  Dark-bellied Brent Goose (PA).

DUNGARVAN: 3 Long-tailed Ducks off the pitch & putt course. (MC)

KILLONGFORD: Water Rail. (")

TRAMORE:  1st-winter Glaucous Gull at boating lake (LR, JDP).

HELVICK HEAD:  'Blue' Fulmar, Great Skua & Puffin past, also good movement of auks west (1-hr seawatch 11:00-12:00, MC).

HELVICK HEAD: LITTLE AUK flew out of Dungarvan harbour & landed near rocks at Helvick this afternon, also adult Yellow-legged Gull on sea & Bonxie there (MC).

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  43 Whooper Swans (13+ juvenile) (PV).

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (PV).

CURRAGHMORE ESTATE (PORTLAW):  Treecreeper & 2 Jays (JF, AJ).

DERRIGAL:  6 Whooper Swans (2 adult, 4 juvenile) (").

SEAFIELD / BUNMAHON:  CATTLE EGRET still present (DW).

TRAMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull at boating lake (MC).

EAST WATERFORD:  2 Buzzards roosting together (").

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL, & an Otter below Devonshire Bridge (JAP).

SEAFIELD / BUNMAHON: CATTLE EGRET still present (DW).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Black Guillemot & Otter off pitch & putt course (JAP, EMacL, BS).

CLONEA:  Purple Sandpiper (").

Nr LEMYBRIEN:  Woodcock on road (").

PORTLAW:  Jay & 2 Stock Doves at Curraghmore Estate, Green Sandpiper & 2 Stock Doves at Clodiagh River below Portlaw (").

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

SEAFIELD / BUNMAHON:  CATTLE EGRET again present (MC, CF, DW).

TRAMORE:  Adult Ring-billed Gull, 1st-winter Glaucous Gull (also on a roof at Bayview, Riverstown), 45 Gadwall, 15 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck & 3 Coot at boating lake; Greylag Goose, 2 Shoveler & 3 Gadwall at Lisselan (MC, CF, DW, JF).

CASTLETOWN FEN:  Water Rail (MC, CF, DW).

DERRIGAL:  Adult White-fronted Goose, c270 Greylag Geese & 37 Whooper Swans (").

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  38 Whooper Swans, 2 Shoveler & 2 Coot (").

DUNGARVAN:  Long-tailed Duck off Ballynacourty pier (").

EAST / MID WATERFORD:  Buzzard at two locations (").

RING: Chiffchaff & 2 Whimbrel @ Knockanpower Lower. (MC)

HELVICK:  2 Great Northern Divers (VT).

Nr WATERFORD CITY:  Otter & 50+ Cormorants at King's Channel opposite Little Island (LB).

BUNMAHON:  2 CATTLE EGRETS - 2nd bird flew into roost at 15:40 in the large pines beside the bridge, 1st bird still present at same time (DW).

TRAMORE: 2nd-winter Glaucous Gull at boating lake carpark (LR).

BUNMAHON / SEAFIELD: CATTLE EGRET still present, on the slope above the school and below the silo/hopper (JAP, PP, DW).

DUNGARVAN: Merlin at Ballyrandle (JAP, PP).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL at the Cunnigar, Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal, Black Guillemot at Ballynagaul (JAP), 2 Long-tailed Ducks inside Cunnigar tip (MC).

CLONEA:  Purple Sandpiper (JAP).

ANNESTOWN:  2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull (MC).

MID WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

BUNMAHON: CATTLE EGRET again (RZ).

BUNMAHON: CATTLE EGRET still at Bunmahon (DW).

DUNGARVAN: 4 Long-tailed Ducks & adult Mediterranean Gull '3H97' at Quann's, Water Rail at Killongford (MC).

HELVICK: Black Guillemot (").

DUNGARVAN: 4 Long-tailed Ducks & 1 adult Mediterranean Gull (White Darvic Ring 3H97) @ Quann's. (MC)

HELVICK: Black Guillemot. (")

BUNMAHON: CATTLE EGRET still present this evening (DW).

BUNMAHON:  CATTLE EGRET still present @ 12:40 (DW).

BUNMAHON / SEAFIELD:  CATTLE EGRET still present at 09:30 (RZ) up to at least 15:30 (JF, DW).

DUNGARVAN:  Swallow at Abbeyside (SO'C), 3 Long-tailed Ducks near the Cunnigar (FO'C).

BUNMAHON / SEAFIELD: 2 CATTLE EGRETS (DW, MC) - initially one halfway between Seafield and Bunmahon across the river in the field with horses and cattle, later another flew past at dusk.

DUNGARVAN: 4 Long-tailed Ducks & 1 Otter off pitch & putt course. (MC)

CLONEA:  2 Chiffchaffs at Ballinclamper (MC).

DUNGARVAN:  Otter off pitch & putt course (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 5 Gadwall & 2 Kingfishers at Lisselan (JF).

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard (").

WATERFORD CITY:  Kingfisher on St John's River beside Advance Tyres (LR).

DUNHILL:  2 Tree Sparrows (AJ).


Monday, December 16, 2014

EAST WATERFORD:  2 Buzzards (JF).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull & 620+ Lesser Black-backed Gulls off Saleen, 13:00 (PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: 11+ Great Northern Divers together off Ballinclamper (JAP, BS).

HELVICK: Black Guillemot inside harbour (").

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Adult male RING-NECKED DUCK (MC).

TRAMORE:   Ring-billed Gull, 42 Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Duck & 3 Coot at boating lake (JF, AJ); possible Scandinavian Rock Pipit along track to sandhills, young Porpoise on beach (AJ).

Nr TRAMORE:  GLOSSY IBIS over Old Tramore Road, just N/NE of the junction at Ballinattin, flying towards Tramore Backstrand, c15:45-16:00 (RZ) - likely the bird seen flying NW over Backstrand on 10 November?

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL & 2 Long-tailed Ducks (M McLoughlin).

TRAMORE:  Ring-billed Gull & Mediterranean Gull at boating lake, Barnacle Goose at Lisselan (RZ).

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL again off pitch & putt course (RZ).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Merlin at Lisselan (JF).

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard at two locations (").

DUNMORE EAST: 2nd-winter Glaucous Gull (AJ).

TRAMORE BAY: 3 Great Crested Grebes  (").

BLACKWATER VALLEY:  20 Yellowhammers at Newport East, 3 at Knockanore & 2 at Clashmore (JAP, EMcL, BS).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL, 4 Long-tailed Duck & 6 Goldeneye off pitch&putt course, Barnacle Goose at Ballyneety, 3 Red-throated Divers off Ballynagaul pier & Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Ring-billed Gull on mud between spits & old dump, Short-eared Owl at Lisselan (AJ).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: 10 Tufted Ducks, Kingfisher & 52 Whooper Swans. (MC, CF)

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 2 Shoveler, 3 Coot & 2 Tufted Ducks. (")

DUNMORE EAST: 5 Purple Sandpipers. (")

LISSELAN: Gadwall, 4 Pintail & a Tufted Duck. (")

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: Adult Ring-billed Gull, 3 adult Mediterranean gulls, 6 Coot, Tufted Duck, 50 Gadwall & 13 Shoveler.

DUNGARVAN: Black Guillemot @ Ballinacourty Pier. (")

DUNHILL:  2 Tree Sparrows (AJ).

TRAMORE:  Adult Ring-billed Gull still present (RZ).

DUNMORE EAST:  9 Purple Sandpipers (").

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  42 Whooper Swans (").

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL, 4 Long-tailed Duck & Barnacle Goose off pitch & putt course (FO'C).

DUNMORE EAST: Glaucous Gull (RZ).

TRAMORE: Adult Ring-billed Gull at boating lake (JAP).

DUNGARVAN: 4 Long-tailed Duck off pitch & putt course (SMH)

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL & Otter off pitch & putt course (JF).

BALLINACOURTY: Otter, Whimbrel, 2 Black Guillemots, Minke Whale and 1 Porpoise from the lighthouse. (MC)

DUNGARVAN: Spoonbill, 4 Long-tailed Ducks, 1 Barnacle Goose & 7 Goldeneye from the pitch & putt course (MC, JAP, BS, EB); Green Sandpiper at Brickey river (JAP, BS)

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 4 Pintail (female & 3 male) & Chiffchaff at Lisselan (JAP BS).

CROHAUN: Woodcock (").

DUNGARVAN: Barnacle Goose (AA).

GARRANBAUN: Merlin. (MC, CF)

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: 37 Whooper Swans & 15 Tufted ducks. (")

DERRIGAL: 24 Whooper Swans, ~273 Greylag Geese & 1 adult White-fronted Goose. (")

LISSELAN: 1 Gadwall. (")

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: 15 Shoveler, 49 Gadwall, 5 Coot & 2 Tufted Ducks. (")

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 2 Shoveler, 2 Tufted Ducks & 4 Coot. (")

DUNGARVAN: Barnacle Goose @ Ballyneety. 2 Shoveler & 4 Long-tailed Ducks off the pitch & putt course. (")

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard. (")

BUNMAHON: Kingfisher; also 2 Fin Whales & a possible Humpback offshore (DC).

ANNESTOWN: Kingfisher (").

MID WATERFORD: Buzzard(").

BALLYSCANLAN: 3 Crossbills (DS).

TRAMORE. 37 Gadwall, 5 Shovelers and 6 Coot at Tramore boating lake (").

NEWTOWN CROSS (E of Kilmacthomas): Woodcock (MC).

HELVICK HEAD: Merlin & Minke Whale (ADM).

DUNHILL: Tree Sparrow in large flock of Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Linnets & Reed Buntings (AJ).


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2013

DUNMORE EAST to MINE HEAD:  6 Great Skuas, 3 Common Scoter (off Helvick Head), 4 Fin Whales (including 'Scar' last recorded off West Cork 11/11/2007), 5 Minke Whales & 30-40 Common Dolphins (ADM).

BALLYDWAN:  Adult Iceland Gull (DC).

DUNGARVAN:  Kingfisher at Ballyneety (").

BUNMAHON:  Kingfisher (").

ANNESTOWN:  Kingfishwer (").

MID WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

DUNMORE EAST: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull; also 30+ Common Dolphins between pier and Hook Head (DS).

TRAMORE: 4 Shoveler (SMH, MC snr).

BALLYVOYLE:  2 Great Northern Divers, 3 Fin Whales, 2 Minke Whales & a Porpoise (EB).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Yellow-legged Gull @ Ballyneety. 4 Long-tailed Ducks off the sports centre. (MC)

TRAMORE: 2 Blackcaps (male & female) at Tramore House; 33 Common Scoter & a Great Northern Diver in Bay, from Ladies' Slip; Long-tailed Duck in Backstrand, between the spits (AJ).

Off DUNGARVAN BAY:  HUMPBACK WHALE & 3 Fin Whales just south of the Blackrock (EB).

BALLYVOYLE:  10 Choughs & 2 Great Northern Divers (").

BALLYSHUNNOCK: 17 Tufted Ducks. (MC, CF)

EAST WATERFORD: 2 Buzzards. (")

DERRIGAL: 22 Whooper Swans & 5 Greylag Geese. (")

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Male Shoveler. (")

TRAMORE: 11 Shoveler, 3 Coot & 45 Gadwall @ the boating lake. Greenshank with radio transmitter at Pickardstown. Adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose at the backstrand. (")

LISSELAN: 8 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Ducks & 4 Pintail. (")

DUNGARVAN: 4 Long-tailed Ducks off pitch & putt course. 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls & an adult Mediterranean Gull @ Ballyneety. (")

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 4 Pintail at Lisselan (MC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: Long-tailed Ducks still present off pitch & putt course (SMH).

TRAMORE: 5 Coot, 24 Gadwall, 2 female/immature Shoveler and female/immature Tufted Duck-type at boating lake (JF).

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

BUNMAHON: 2 Fin Whales, 50 Common Dolphins, 27 Common Scoter & a Swallow! (ADM).

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (KB).

Nr DRUM HILLS:  Male Hen Harrier this afternoon (ADM).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): Whooper Swans flying over at midnight last night (").

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL on the Cunnigar, 3 Long-tailed Duck down from the Cunnigar tip, & 2 Whooper Swans W past pitch & putt course (FO'C).

BALLYDWAN: Manx Shearwater W (DW).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: 18 Tufted Ducks & 9 Wigeon. (MC)

DERRIGAL: 11 Whooper Swans. (")

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard. (")

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: 43 Gadwall, 7 Shoveler & 8 Coot. (")

LISSELAN: 4 Gadwall, 1 Coot & 2 Tufted Ducks. (")

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Shoveler & 1 Tufted Duck. (")

DUNGARVAN BAY: Surf Scoter. (")

DUNMORE EAST to just W of TRAMORE:  Great Skua, Glaucous Gull, Fin Whale, 7 Minke Whales, 11 Porpoises & 100 Common Dolphins from boat (ADM).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  13 Tufted Duck (CF).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR:  2 Tufted Duck (").

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

TRAMORE: 41+ Gadwall, 9 Shoveler, diving duck species (Tufted Duck?), 7 Coot & adult Mediterranean Gull at boating lake (CF, AJ); Scaup & Coot at Lisselan (CF); 325 Brent Geese, 178 Dunlin, 62 Grey Plover, 10 Little Egrets, 49 Shelduck & a Merlin west of spits in Backstrand; Great Crested Grebe in bay (AJ).

DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER outside Cunnigar tip late afternoon, 330 LBbGulls there at dusk (MAD, PMW).

CLONEA: 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull, 16 Great Northern Divers & 250+ Gannets (").

BALLYVOONEY COVE: 8 Red-throated Divers (JAP, EMcL, BS).

KILMURRIN: Mediterranean Gull (").

BUNMAHON: Mediterranean Gull (")

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL off pitch & putt course, 3 Long-tailed Ducks near tip of Cunnigar, 3 adult Yellow-legged Gulls & adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballyneety (JAP, EMcL, BS).

HELVICK HEAD: 3 Common Scoter, Black Guillemot, Common Dolphins & Porpoises (").

TANKARDSTOWN (east of Bunmahon):  2 Great Northern Divers on sea, Minke Whale & small numbers of Common Dolphins & Porpoises (ADM).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  16 Tree Sparrows, otherwise very quiet (JF).

TRAMORE BAY:  4 Great Crested Grebes (").

COLLIGAN WOODS:  Dipper (LB).

NW WATERFORD:  Buzzard (SOF).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Great Skuas, 7 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver & lots of Gannets, Common Dolphins & Porpoises (ADM).

Nr LITTLE ISLAND: Kingfisher close to Waterford Castle ferry (LR).

MUGGORT'S BAY (west of Helvick Head): Great Skua W (PMW).

RAM HEAD: Pomarine Skua, 7 Manx Shearwaters & 200+ Common Dolphins (ADM).

HELVICK HEAD to BALLYVOYLE: 200+ Gannets feeding/resting (PMW).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: 17 Gadwall & female/immature Scaup (JF).

DUNGARVAN (I-WeBS count): SURF SCOTER in outer bay (between Ballynacourty pier & Cunnigar / Abbeyside) (PS, PMW); 2 Long-tailed Ducks near Cunnigar point (FO'C); SPOONBILL on Cunnigar (PS); VAGRANT EMPEROR dragonfly near sports centre @ 11:55 (PMW); totals 10 Great Northern Divers, 60 Great Crested Grebes, 42 Red-breasted Mergansers & 2 Goldeneye. Also a HUMPBACK WHALE, Fin Whales, Porpoises & Common Dolphins at/off Dungarvan bay this morning (RMcL).

CALISO BAY: Female Merlin (ADM).

Nr WHITING BAY: 2 Tree Sparrows at feeder at Moord (JAP).

ARDMORE: Adult & first-winter Mediterranean Gulls (").

WEST WATERFORD: Buzzard (").

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard (AJ, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER & Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier, but distant (MC); Green Sandpiper at Killongford pool (MC sr).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Swallows (MC sr).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: GLOSSY IBIS (flying N over Kilmacleague / Clohernagh fields, then headed NW, c09:15) (DMcG); also Short-eared Owl, north saltmarsh, Long-tailed Duck west of spits, 5 Whooper Swans at Riverstown, Scaup at Lisselan, & 828 Brent Geese (DMcG, AJ, PMW).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: 22 Gadwall, 8 Shoveler (2 male) & 8 Coot (JDP).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 14 Common Scoter W (PMW).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL off the pitch & putt course, adult Yellow-legged Gull & adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballyeenety (DW, CF); Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier (MC).

CLONEA:  Merlin at Ballinclamper (DW, CF).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Adult Mediterranean Gull (").

TRAMORE BAY: Great Skua W across bay off Newtown Cove (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Female/1st-winter type SURF SCOTER off Ballinacourty Pier (MC).

ANNESTOWN: Merlin & Kingfisher (JAP, BS).

DERRIGAL/PORTNASCULLY: 59 Greylag Geese at Derrigal cross, 10 Whooper Swans on Co Kilkenny side at Portnascully (PMW).

TIBBERAGHNY (Co Kilkenny): Adult Mediterranean Gull & 8 Whooper Swans (").

BUNMAHON:  Kingfisher & Fin Whale (DC).

ANNESTOWN:  Kingfisher (").

MID WATERFORD:  2 Buzzards (").

DUNGARVAN:  35 Red-breasted Mergansers & 12 Great Crested grebes (AJ).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Big flock of Crossbills still present in Killballyboy Woods on Co Tipperary side (ADM).

TRAMORE: Scaup, adult Mediterranean Gull, Kingfisher & a Chiffchaff at Lisselan; 17 Gadwall, 3 Shovelers & a Coot at the boating lake (DS).


Thursday, November 08, 2013

TRAMORE: 35 Gadwall & 3 Shoveler (male & 2 female/immature) at the boating lake (JF).

RAM HEAD:  2 Great Skuas, Arctic Skua, Merlin, Fin Whale, Minke Whale & 50 Common Dolphins (seawatch 11:00-12:45) (ADM).

WHITING BAY:  Mediterranean Gull (NJB).

TIBBERAGHNY (south Kilkenny):  7 Whooper Swans (2 juvenile) (FJ).

TRAMORE:  Scaup at Lisselan, 8 Gadwall at boating lake (JF).

BLACKWATER CALLOWS: 115 Whooper Swans between Lismore and Ballyneroon. (MC)

CAMPHIRE: 29 Whooper Swans & 8 Greylag Geese. (")

WEST WATERFORD: Buzzard. (")

HELVICK: Otter. (")

TRAMORE: 4 Swallows past, Ballycarnane Woods (AJ).

DRUM HILLS: Male Hen Harrier (MF).

DUNGARVAN: Swallow at the Lookout today (FO'C).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 8:25-11:25 (JB, PMW, wind 8 SW):

Great Skua: 4 W.

Manx Shearwater: 2 W.

Fulmar: 1 E, 75 W.

Gannet: 26 E, 365 W.

Kittiwake: 17 E, 150 W.

Large auks: 18 E, 70 W.
On land, just a Chiffchaff noted.

BALLYSHUNNOCK: Male RING-NECKED DUCK, 3 Scaup, 21 Whooper Swans & 6 Stock Doves. (MC)

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  89 Whooper Swans west of Lismore (TM).

DUNGARVAN:  Hummingbird Hawk-moth in garden (JAP).

KILMEADEN: Jay. (MC)

DUNGARVAN:  100+ Hooded Crows at Ballyneety (DC).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Male RING-NECKED DUCK still present (RZ).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL at the Cunnigar (SMH, FO'C), Green Sandpiper at newly flooded area adjacent to Killongford pools (JAP).


Wednesday, October 30, 2013

RAM HEAD:  Swallow (ADM).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL showing well off pitch & putt course / Quann's (MC sr).

CLONEA:  Good numbers of Goldcrests & Chaffinches at Ballinard (SMH).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Scaup & 5 Gadwall at Lisselan (DS).

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

WATERFORD CITY:  3 Swallows (DMcG).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: RING-NECKED DUCK still present (JDP).

ARDMORE:  3 female./immature Black Redstarts at Dysert (NJB), Mediterranean Gull at Curragh (ADM).

WHITING BAY:  35 Ringed Plover at Whiting Bay (NJB).

HELVICK: 6 Chiffchaffs & 1 Merlin. (MC)

DUNGARVAN: 2 female Shoveler off the Pitch & Putt course. (")

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Scaup still present & Merlin (MD).

SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon): Green Sandpiper & 2 Swallows (DW).

TRAMORE:  Stock Dove, Beech Park near Riverstown (JF).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL off corner of pitch & putt (MC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Very quiet - Willow Warbler & pair of Blackcaps (PA).

STRADBALLY:  Treecreeper at Woodhouse Estate (EB).

BALLINARD: late Willow Warbler with mixed flock of tits (CF).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  as well as diving ducks, also 56 Mallard, 4 Wigeon, 7 Teal, 12 Whooper Swans, female Gadwall, female Shoveler & an adult Mediterranean Gull (MC, MD).

PORTLAW:  Jay on road (").

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Male RING-NECKED DUCK (video), 3 Scaup, 3 Tufted Duck, 11 Whooper Swans & a Merlin (JF, MC).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Now over 30 Crossbill in flock at Co Tipperary side (ADM).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Scaup & Wheatear (MD).

HELVICK: 4 Blackcaps & 1 Merlin. (MC)

DUNGARVAN: Merlin @ Ballyneety. (")

CLONEA:  Merlin & Great Northern Diver at Ballinclamper (DC).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: RING-NECKED DUCK, 3 Scaup, Kingfisher & 5 Whooper Swans (SMH, MC sr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Merlin.

Seawatch 14:10-16:10 (wind 6-8 SW, PMW):

Arctic Skua: 1W.

Manx Shearwater: 3 W.

Fulmar: 1 W.

Gannet: 2 E, 110 W (15:10-16:10).

Kittiwake: 1 E, 65 W (15:10-16:10).

Large auks: 5 E, 55 W (15:10-16:10).

Porpoise: 1.

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Male RING-NECKED DUCK  still on east lake.  Also 3 Scaup and 5 Tufties (CF).

HELVICK HEAD: Juvenile SABINE'S GULL, 4+ Bonxies, 1 Manx Shearwater & 7 Common Scoter W (seawatch 09:45-10:45), 4 Chiffchaff best on head (CF).

WATERFORD CITY: 2 Kingfishers on the river beside Advance Tyres (LR).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Flock of 27 Crossbills in wood at Co Tipperary side (ADM).

DUNGARVAN: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Ballynagaul, Ring (JAP, EMacL, BS)

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS (Co Tipperary): 8 Crossbills at Tipperary side, including male singing to female & another 6 overhead (ADM).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Male RING-NECKED DUCK & 3 Scaup keeping company with 4 Tufted Ducks, main lake at eastern side of road; also a Ruff & 5 Whooper Swans (MC).

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (DS).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Also a Merlin, 4 Chiffchaffs (including odd-calling bird from last weekend) & good numbers of Painted Ladies & Red Admirals (DS).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in main willow garden @ 13:40 - probably different bird than last weekend, giving a more classic YBW call (DS).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Chiffchaffs & 4+ Tree Sparrows this evening (DS).

WATERFORD CITY:  Jackdaw showing characteristics of one of the eastern or Nordic races at hospital roundabout, Ardkeen (JDP).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull with metal ring on right leg but no darvic (").

CLONEA:  Merlin at Ballinclamper (DC).

BALLYBOONEY:  2 Fin Whales, an unidentified smaller whale & 2 Porpoises (").

DUNGARVAN:  Kingfisher at Killongford pools (JAP).

OLD PARISH:  3 Swallows (").

BALLYMACART LOWER:  2 Dippers (").

ARDMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull at Curragh strand ("), 4 Mediterranean Gulls there including colour-ringed 'E713' (ADM)..

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (JAP).

HELVICK HEAD:  RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER still present in sycamores this morning (FO'D per irishbirding.com) & at 14:45 (JAP).

AT SEA:  14 Great Skuas & 4 Arctic Skuas from R.V. Celtic Explorer in Celtic Sea off Co Waterford (SMcA).

DUNGARVAN:  Adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (MC sr).

HELVICK HEAD:  RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER again this morning, also female Merlin & 2 female Blackcaps (Pat Brennan).

HELVICK HEAD: RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER still present this evening, also a Merlin (C. ten Bohmer).

WHITING BAY:  Merlin & male Wheatear this morning (NJB).

CLONEA:  White Wagtail & 27 Sanderling at Ballinclamper (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper @ Ballyneety. 2 Swallows @ Killongford. (MC)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER again in main gardens, also male Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaffs (MAD AJ DS PMW).

Seawatch 09:00-12:00 (wind 6-7 SW, JB, AJ, DS, PMW):

Red-throated Diver: 1 on sea.

Great Crested Grebe: 1 on sea.

Manx Shearwater: 3 W.

Shearwater species: 2 W (medium/small).

Fulmar: 1 E, 2 W.

Gannet: 5 E, 70 W.

Mallard: 1 E.

Kittiwake: 19 W.

Sandwich Tern: 1 E, 1 W.

Large auk species: 5 E, 135 W.

Razorbill: 1 E, 12 W.

Guillemot: 1 E, 2 W.

HELVICK HEAD: RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER still present (MC) (video).

Red-breasted Flycatcher, 1st-winter, Helvick Head, 20 Oct 2013 (c) R Zamora

More photos here on www.waterfordbirds.com

ARDMORE: 6 Mediterranean Gulls (5 adults & a 1st winter) @ Curragh Beach. MC, CF, DW

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): 6 Crossbills in garden, also 15 Co Tipperary side of the Vee (ADM).

HELVICK HEAD: RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER, YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER & Reed Warbler all in same tree along boreen above pier, also 6 Blackcaps, Willow Warbler, Black Redstart, 4 Swallows, good numbers of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, 6 Painted Ladies & a Hummingbird Hawk-moth (MC, CF, DW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER in main gardens, also a Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Black Redstart, 2 Tree Sparrows, a Willow Warbler & 4+ Chiffchaffs (MAD, PMW).

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD: Large shearwater species E at 5 pm (AJ).

DUNGARVAN:  Guillemot on the Brickey canal (DC).

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (DC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Quiet again - 5 Chiffchaffs, Blackcap, White Wagtail, 5 Redwing, 4 Tree Sparrows, Grey Wagtail, 6 Sandwich Terns, Merlin & a Long-tailed Tit (DS).

ARDMORE: 15+ Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh (ADM).

AT SEA:  Storm Petrel & 36 Great Skuas from R.V. Celtic Explorer, south of Tramore in the Celtic Sea, also single Swallow, Pied Wagtail & Chaffinch (NTK, SMcA).

CLONEA: Adult & 1st winter Mediterranean Gulls @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

HELVICK HEAD:  HOBBY at grid reference X308 882 (JJC).

AT SEA: 25 Great Skuas from R.V. Celtic Explorer, south of Co Waterford in the Celtic Sea, also single Manx Shearwater, Skylark, Swallow and 2 Meadow Pipits (NTK, SMcA).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR:  Drake Shoveler & 2 Coot (MC).

EAST WATERFORD:  2 Buzzards (DC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  3 Chiffchaffs & 8 Tree Sparrows (DS).

2013 species list:  181 species to 5 October (full list here). Latest additions OSPREY 5/10, YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER 30/9, Garden Warbler 28/9, WRYNECK 27/9.

KILMEADEN POOLS:  Curlew Sandpiper (PV).

AT SEA (Cork/Waterford border):  39 Great Skuas & 2 Arctic Skuas from R.V. Celtic Explorer in the Celtic sea south of Youghal, also a juvenile Storm Petrel found onboard last night & successfully released this mornng (NTK & SMcA).

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (ADM).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Merlin, 5 Wheatears & 120+ Swallows (DS).

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  30 Swallows & 6 Black Guillemots (AJ).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): over 100 Redwing this morning (ADM).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 483 Brent Geese, 118 Ringed Plover 118, 40 Sanderling, 18 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, 500+ Wigeon, 8 Shoveler & 6 Wheatears (AJ).

BUNMAHON:   Merlin (DC).

CLONEA:  Yellow Wagtail, Otter & Common Seal at Ballinclamper (").

DUNGARVAN: Female Common Scoter off Gold Coast hotel (MC).

DUNGARVAN: 72 Brent at Barnawee (MC sr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Fieldfare (1st of autumn here) & 8+ Tree Sparrows (PMW).

BALLYSCANLAN:  Jay (TB).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: updated totals 15 Tree Sparrows, 3 Chiffchaffs & 8 Goldcrests (MAD, PMW).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 12 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Coot, 145 Brent (4 ringed), Kingfisher & 2 Wheatear at Lisselan (DS).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Redwing (1st of autumn here), Chiffchaff, 4 Siskins, 8 Redpolls & 2+ Tree Sparrows (MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at Abbeyside Park, 08:40 (FO'C).

DUNGARVAN: 2 Whooper Swans over town centre came from east then went back east (FO'C).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: also a female/imm Hen Harrier (MD) - one of 4 raptor species here today (6 in last 3 days).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: also juvenile Merlin, 2 White Wagtails, Wheatear, 2 Chiffchaffs, 3 Redpolls & a Siskin (KA, AJ, MAD, PMW).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 14 Knot, c200 Dunlin & 48 Brent Geese at Pickardstown (KA, AJ); 65 Brent at Saleen & 40 at Rinneshark (PMW).

BALLYMACAW: Tree Sparrow with 75 House Sparrows in stubble field (PMW).

PORTALLY: Female Blackcap at cove, Merlin, Wheatear, Clouded Yellow along cliff walk & 66 Red Admirals (54 in ivy-filled hollow / blowhole just west of cove) (MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at seaward end of gulley/stream south of main lane, feeding actively in gorse & ivy @ 16:00 (MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: 30 House Martins, Abbeyside, 5 Swallows & 128 Brent Geese (FO'C).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER at main gardens 10:15-15:30 at least, flock 28+ Tree Sparrows (site peak), Merlin, 4 Blackcaps (3 m 1 f), 2 Chiffchaffs, 8+ Redpolls, a Siskin & a Clouded Yellow butterfly (MD, MAD, DS, PMW). 

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 11 Shoveler on the racecourse lake at Lisselan this evening (DS).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:   Arctic Skua W & Great Skua off-passage (seawatch 09:35-10:35); 6 Tree Sparriows, 4 Chiffchaffs & a Wheatear (PMW); migrant moths trapped last night included 2 Delicate.

WHITING BAY: Adult Mediterranean Gull at east end of Whiting Bay (JJC).

DUNGARVAN: HOOPOE again at River Lane estate (JAP, BS, DO'S, GW) & OSPREY over town (FO'C).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 6 Tree Sparrows, Red-throated Diver W, Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaffs & 3 Wheatears (JDP, PMW).

DUNMORE EAST: Purple Sandpiper with 18 Turnstone outside seawall, Blair's Shoulder-knot (moth) found dead near Black Knob (MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: OSPREY flying W over Abbeyside, 1550 (FO'C), last seen flying W extremely hight, 1720 (MC); HOOPOE still present at River Lane estate, Abbeyside this morning (FO'C and up to 18:30 (ADM, AT).

CLONEA: Pied Flycatcher (FO'C)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 5 Blackcaps (3 male & 2 female), 23 Wheatears, Spotted Fltcatcher, 3 Tree Sparrows & 12 Ravens, but few phylloscs (AJ, MAD, PMW).

RAM HEAD:

Seawatch 08:35-11:05 (ADM)

Harrier species: female/imm over sea.

Pomarine Skua: 2.

Common Scoter: 6.

Shearwater species: 3.

Porpoise: 5.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 0835-1135 (AJ, PMW)

Balearic Shearwater: 1 W @ 0920.

Manx Shearwater: 1 W.

Great Skua; 1 W.

Common Scoter: 11 W, 3 W.

Red-throated Diver: 1 W

Diver species: 1 W.

Golden Plover: 3 in from sea.

Gannet: not counted.

Kittiwake: 6 E, 11 W.

Sandwich Tern: 6 E, 19 W.

Black Guillemot: 3 W.

Razorbill: 1 E, 6 W.

Guillemot: 3 E, 2 W.

Large auk species: 113 E, 106 W.

Meadow Pipit: 375 W.

Skylark: 8 W.

Swallow: 1 E, 3 in from sea.

Pied/White Wagtail: 3 W.

Porpoise: 2.

Common Dolphin: 3 W.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Also Short-eared Owl, 2 Blackcaps, 3 Tree Sparrows & White Wagtail (MC,JF, AJ).

DUNGARVAN:  HOOPOE still at River Lane estate, Abbeyside (JJC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Whitethroat, 40+ Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warblers, 7 Wheatears & 7 Goldcrests (DS).

HELVICK HEAD: Whinchat, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat & Great Northern Diver (FO'C, JAP).

DUNGARVAN: HOOPOE at River Lane estate, on main estate before flying to Cruachán estate. Harassed by corvids. (DC, MC, MC Sr).

KNOCKADERRY: Stock Dove. (MC)

BALLYVOYLE COVE: Adult Mediterranean Gull (MC sr).

DUNGARVAN: HOOPOE, River Lane housing estate. Chased by crow into large green field behind estate @ 16:25 (DC).

HELVICK HEAD:  Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Chiffchaffs, Willow Warbler and Wheatear  (MC sr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Pied Flycatcher, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 20+ Chiffchaffs & 2 Wheatears 14:15-15:30 (DS).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (along main lane halfway between chalet & end gate), Lesser Whitethroat & Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatchers & hundreds of Swallows, Meadow Pipits & Skylarks (CFo).

HELVICK HEAD:  Turtle Dove (EAMacL per irishbirding.com).

ARDMORE:  Mediterranean Gull on beach (NJB).

Nr WATERFORD CITY:  Turtle Dove near Holy Cross Inn, Cork road, feeding at side of road c18:20 (FO'C).

ARDMORE: Turtle Dove at farm on Goat Island road, Grasshopper Warbler in gorse just south of coastguard station, 3 Chiffchaffs & 6 Goldcrests coastguard / Cliff Hotel area (MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: also 2 Whinchats (MC sr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Yellow Wagtail, LESSER WHITETHROAT, Turtle Dove, Whitethroat, male Blackcap, 4 Spotted Flycatchers and 3 White Wagtails (MC, MC Sr).

DUNGARVAN: Little Stint & 3 Green Sandpipers at Killongford pools (JAP, BS).

WATERFORD CITY:  Chiffchaff singing at  Arbourmount, Ferrybank; 9 Long-tailed Tits at Waterford Industrial estate (LR).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Also 2 Turtle Doves, LESSER WHITETHROAT (beyond end of track across top of gully on way to towers), Whitethroat, 3 Wheatears, Great Skua E, Great Northern Diver E & updated totals 5 Blackcaps & 19 Chiffchaffs (JAP, FO'C, BS, RAW, PMW).

RAM HEAD:  c100 House Martins, 300 Swallows, 100 Meadow Pipits, 2 iskins & 20 Linnets passed 09:05-10:00 (NJ Bourke).

BALLYVOYLE: Adult Mediterranean Gull (JAP, FO'C, BS, RAW).

DUNHILL: Kingfisher (").

WEST WATERFORD: 3 Buzzards together (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: No sign of Wryneck at the valley but Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcaps (2 m 2 f) & a Vestal moth there; other totals for the head include 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 16 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, 5 Goldcrests, 3 Tree Sparrows, 2 Redpolls, 60+ House Martins (E), 170+ Swallows (E), 300+ Meadow Pipits, & a Bar-tailed Godwit with Curlew (JF, AJ, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: final totals WRYNECK, LESSER WHITETHROAT, 2 Turtle Doves, Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps (m + 2 f), 12+ Chiffchaffs, 4-5 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Goldcrests, Wheatear, 4 White Wagtails, 300+ Meadow Pipits, 150+ Swallows & 6 Tree Sparrows (AA, CFo, AJ, DS, PMW). Also migrant moths (by day): 1 Vestal, 30 Rush Veneer & 4 Silver Y; plus 32 Red Admirals & 2 Painted Ladies.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Kingfisher at Clohernagh (AA).

ARDMORE: 6 Wheatear at Curragh; juv Turtle Dove at farmhouse along Goat Island road (SH).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: LESSER WHITETHROAT (by chalet along main lane), Turtle Dove (flew up head), 4 White Wagtails, 6 Tree Sparrows, 4-5 Spotted Flycatchers, Wheatear, 2 Whitethroats & 5+ Chiffchaffs so far, by 12:30 (CF, DS, AA, PMW).

HELVICK HEAD: Juvenile Whinchat (MC sr).

ARDMORE: Juvenile Turtle Dove by farmhouse along Goat Island road (IS).

ARDMORE: Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatchers & a few Chiffs in sycamores of Round Tower graveyard (IS)

ARDMORE: Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatchers & a few Chiffs in sycamores of Round Tower graveyard (IS)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Whinchat & Turtle Dove this evening (MC) - TD in field beyond gate at end of main track

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  Redwing heard (TB) - first of autumn.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 10+ Tree Sparrows, 3 female Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest & 6 Snipe ( DS).

CLONEA: Grasshopper Warbler @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Reed Warbler at end of main lane, otherwise just 2 Chiffchaffs & a Tree Sparrow this morning (AA).

ARDMORE:  Juvenile Turtle Dove along Goat Island road, at farmyard at first 90-degree bend in road; Pied Flycatcher in sycamores behind Round  Tower (MC, CF).

HELVICK HEAD:  3 Blackcaps (2 males & 1 female) (JAP, BS).

DUNGARVAN:  30+ Great Crested Grebes in harbour, Common Sandpiper at Ballyneety (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  57 Sandwich Terns at Saleen (AA).

RAM HEAD:
Seawatch 08:20-11:20 (ADM):
GREAT SHEARWATER:  1.
Arctic Skua: 2.
Common Scoter: 11,
Common Dolphin: 32.
Porpoise: 2.

ARDMORE:  9 Mediterranean Gulls at harbour including white-ringed 'E666' (").

DUNGARVAN:  8 Curlew Sandpipers (2 at the Cunnigar, 6 at Ballyneety) (DW, CF).

ARDMORE:  3 Mediterranean Gulls - adult & 2nd-winter at town, 2nd-winter at Curragh (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
On land, 8 Chiffchaffs, 19 Choughs & 9 Ravens (JB, MAD, PMW).
Seawatch 08:10-11:10 (wind 3 SW, JB, PMW):
Great Skua: 1 E.
Common Scoter: 1 W.
Red-throated Diver: 1 adult-summer E.
Manx Shearwater: 22 W.
Fulmar: 2 E, 3 W.
Gannet: 36 E, 88 W.
Kittiwake; 27 E, 32 W.
Arctic Tern: 2 E, 1 W.
Sandwich Tern: 28 E, 74 W.
Razorbill: 10 W,
Guillemot: 1 on sea.
Large auk species: 9 E, 11 W.
Swallow: 19 W.
Meadow Pipit: 16 W.
Porpoise: 1.

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and returning yellow darvic ringed (238B) Black-headed Gull. (MC)

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  48 Brent Geese & 5 Wheatears at Lisselan (AJ).

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 07:35-08:35 (JF)
Great Skua: 1 E.
Common Scoter: 3 W.
Manx Shearwater: 1E, 14 W.
Fulmar: 1 E, 2 W.
Gannet: 9 E, 31 W.
Curlew: 2 W.
Kittiwake: 2 E, 3 W.
Black Guillemot: 3 E, 3 W.
Large auks: 2 E, 4 W.
Common Dolphin: 3 E, 2 W.


Thursday, September 19, 2013

DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal (JAP, BS).

CLONEA:  Arctic Skua (").

BALLYVOYLE:  Common Sandpiper & Dipper (").

STRADBALLY:  Kingfisher (").

ARDMORE:  5 Mediterranean Gull at harbour, including white ring 'E666' ("); 3 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh incl red ring 'PNT9'; skua species flew across bay (ADM).

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 08:00-13:00 (CF)
Balearic Shearwater: 3.
Manx Shearwater: c500.
Pomarine Skua: 2.
Arctic Skua: 5.
Great Skua: 16+.
Puffin: 12.
Common Scoter: 4.
Wigeon: 9.

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS:  40+ Ravens, female Hen Harrier & Dipper (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  24 Little Egrets upriver from Barnawee bridge (MC sr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 09:00-12:00 (wind 6 SW, PMW)
Sooty Shearwater: 1 W.
Great Skua: 3 W singly.
Manx Shearwater: 3 E, 458 W.
Fulmar: 1 E, 9 W.
Gannet: 11 E, 248 W.
Kittiwake: 1 E, 10 W.
Sandwich Tern: 51 W.
Large auks: 32 W.

CLONEA STRAND: Curlew Sandpiper at Ballinclamper (DC).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: Adult Mediterranean Gull, 11 Coots & 4-5 Little Grebes (JDP).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Grasshopper Warbler, 23+ Tree Sparrows (incl flock 20+ at entrance to east lane to valley), 1000+ Swallows feeding or passing through, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 8 Wheatears, 3 Blackcaps (2 male 1 female), 4 Willow Warblers, 18 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 55 Meadow Pipits, 12 Choughs, 5 Long-tailed Tits & 2 Migrant Hawker dragonflies, 12:00-17:10 (PMW).

WATERFORD CITY: Redshank on mudflats beside Tower Hotel.

CLONEA STRAND:  Spotted Flycatcher at Ballinclamper (MC sr).

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper @ Ballyneety. (MC)

WEST WATERFORD: Buzzard (SMH).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Female/Immature Gadwall. (MC)

ARDMORE:  2 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh - one with white ring 'E713' (ADM): ringed as a chick at Arnhem, Netherlands on 21 June 2012.

DUNGARVAN: Little Stint @ the Cunnigar. (MC)

DUNGARVAN:  Kingfisher at brickey canal, Killongford (SMH).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  9 Wheatears & 4 Grey Plover at Lisselan; good numbers of small waders at outflow of the new wetland at Kilmacleague (AJ).

LISSELAN (Tramore Backstrand):  Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Chiffchaff, 11 Wheatear, female Shoveler, 12 Wigeon, 6 Teal & 2 Brent Geese (DS, AJ).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 8 Wheatears, Whitethroat, 2 Willow Ws, 2 Chiffs & a Bar-tailed Godwit (MAD, PMW); adult Mediterranean Gull on rocks at west side (DS).

RAM HEAD: Storm Petrel, Common Scoter & only 3 Manx Shearwaters on Seatrack seawatch this morning (ADM).

ARDMORE: Juvenile Knot at Curragh (").

BELLE LAKE: Juvenile Reed Warbler, 2 Water Rails calling & 11 Sedge Warblers ringed (JDP, PMW).

KILBARRY BOG:  Kingfisher at bridge opposite Superquinn (DMcG).

DUNGARVAN: Little Stint, 3+ Curlew Sandpipers and a Brent Goose at the Cunnigar. (MC, CF, DW); Brent Goose also flew in from sea at Abbeyside (FO'C).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, 40+ House Martins, Whitethroat 10+ Willow Warblers, 3+ Chiffchaffs & 23 Choughs (DS, MAD, PMW): Puffin E, skua species circling & just 30 Manx Shearwaters E, 9 Dunlin & 6 Bar-tailed Godwits W (seawatch 07:45-10:45m JB, DS, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows. (MC)

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 2 White Wagtails at Lisselan, 9 Knot at Pickardstown )AJ).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 15 Wheatear, female Blackcap, 7 Willow Warbler & 3 Chiffchaff (DS).

CLONEA STRAND: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (MC sr).

ARDMORE:  6 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh including colour-ringed subadult 'PNT9'(?) red/leftleg (ADM).

TRAMORE: Adult or sub-adult Mediterranean Gull on beach (JDP).

WATERFORD CITY: Kingfisher on river bank in the People's Park.

DUNGARVAN: Moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper opposite Fraher Field (JAP, BS).

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, juvenile Spotted Redshank and adult Yellow-legged Gull at Killongford (MC).

Sedge Warbler juvenile at Belle Lake

BELLE LAKE: 2 Reed Warblers, 11 Sedge Warblers & a Blackcap ringed (all juveniles), 2 Water Rail calling (PMW).

BELLE LAKE: Water Rail calling this evening (PMW).

HELVICK:  2nd-summer Glaucous Gull (FO'C).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  Hummingbird Hawk-moth (CI).

BALLYSHUNNOCK: 2 Stock Doves. (MC)

CLONEA: Juvenile White Wagtail @ Ballinclamper. (")

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Whinchat along first hedge west from main lane below last house on right, 16:15 (MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Little Stint at the Cunnigar (SMH, CF); Ruff at Ballyneety, 8 Common Sandpipers at Killongford & Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal (BS, FO'C, JAP).

CALISO BAY: Spotted Flycatcher (").

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard (MC).

DUNGARVAN:  Spotted Redshank again at the Cunnigar but got up & flew high west (FO'C).

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper & Common Sandpiper at Ballyneety (FO'C).



Thursday, August 29, 2013

DUNGARVAN:  Adult-winter Spotted Redshank & juvenile Little Stint on the Cunnigar (FO'C).

ARDMORE: Whimbrel at Curragh (SH).

HELVICK: 2nd-summer Glaucous Gull (JAP).

ARDMORE:  10+ Mediterranean Gulls (JAP).

Nr WHITING BAY:  2 Tree Sparrows at Moord (").

ARDMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull at pier (MC sr).

DUNGARVAN: Ruff at Ballyneety (JAP).

BALLYVOYLE: Dipper & flock of 23+ Chough (").

RAM HEAD: 2 Sooty Shearwaters, Minke Whale, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins & 4 Porpoises  (seawatch 13.20-15.00, ADM)

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Ruff, 2 juvenile Little Stints, adult Curlew Sandpiper & 5 Whimbrel at the Cunnigar (JAP).

KILMEADEN POOLS:  Juvenile Cuckoo & adult White Wagtail (MC).

RAM HEAD: Great Skua off-passage & 1020 Manx Shearwaters W (140+ feeding) (seawatch 9:35-11:35, PMW)

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull at the Cunnigar. (MC, CF)

CLONEA: Wigeon @ Ballinclamper. (MC, MC Sr., PV)

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Little Stint (video) and 2 juv Curlew Sandpipers at Cunnigar (MC, CF).

HELVICK HEAD:  Lesser Whitethroat, between carpark and seawatch cove on seaward side of path (LO'B).

CLONEA STRAND:  Common Sandpiper & 4 Whimbrel (").

DUNGARVAN:  Common Sandpiper at Barnawee bridge, more Whimbrel between the bridge and Gold Coast (").

ARDMORE: 4 Spotted Flycatchers at Dysert (SH).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Kingfisher at Clohernagh (JF).

CLONEA STRAND: Juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (MC sr).

RAM HEAD:

Seawatch 18.45-20.15 (CF, MC, MC sr)

Black Tern: 1 juv/1st/winter.

Great Skua: 3.

Manx Shearwater: c25.

CLONEA STRAND:  Common Sandpiper & 2 Whimbrel (LO'B).

DUNGARVAN:  Adult Ruff & 2 Little Terns at the Cunnigar (FO'C).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull, Little Grebe with chick, & 7 Coots (JF).

ARDMORE: 3-4 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh strand (ADM, AT).

RAM HEAD:

Seawatch 10:45-14:45 & 15:10-17:10 (wind 3-4 SW-WSW, PMW, ADM, AT)

Sooty Shearwater: 1 W at 16:57.

Great Skua: 1 E then on sea.

Puffin: 15 W.

Manx Shearwater: 23 E, 280 W.

Fulmar: 7 E, 61 W.

'Commic' Tern: 1 W.

Sandwich Tern: 10 E.

Large auks: 3 W.

RAM HEAD:

Seawatch 10:45-11:45 (wind 2-3 WSW, vis excellent, PMW)

Great Skua: 1 E

Puffin: 7 W.

Manx Shearwater: 8 E, 76 W.

Fulmar: 1 E, 11 W.

Sandwich Tern: 4 E.

Large auk: 1 W.

Gannet, Kittiwake: not counted.

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (MC snr).

DUNGARVAN: 2nd summer Glaucous Gull & adult Mediterranean Gull @ Ballyneety. (MC)

HELVICK HEAD: 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 6 Bonxies & 5 Puffins on seawatch, also an immature Little Gull off harbour wall (JAP, FO'C, RAW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch totals 07:10-09:10 (DS, AJ):
GREAT SHEARWATER: 1 W.
Storm Petrel: 1 W.
Great Skua: 2 W.
Manx Shearwater: 2 E, 562 W.
Fulmar: 22 E, 107 W.
Gannet: 35 E, 207 W.
Kittiwake: 4 E, 35 W.
Sandwich Tern: 18 W.
'Commic' Tern: 1 W.

HELVICK HEAD: totals 3 GREAT SHEARWATERS, 1 Balearic, 3 Sooty & c.1000 Manx Shearwaters, 6 Bonxie, 3 Storm Petrels and 20+ Puffin (CF).

RAM HEAD: Sooty Shearwater & 100+ Manx (seawatch 08:30-09:45, ADM).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: GREAT SHEARWATER W at 08:01 on Seatrack seawatch (DS) - only 3rd site record.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  4 Common Sandpipers & an Otter at Lisselan (DS).

IDA Park (nr Waterford city):  2 Spotted Flycatchers (").

IDA Park (nr Waterford city):  4+ Spotted Flycatchers - 2 adults feeding 2-3 juveniles (DS).

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

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper @ Ballyneety. (MC)

ARDMORE:  4 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-summer & 3 adults) (ADM).

RAM HEAD:  4 Great Skuas in 10 minutes (").

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Ruff (flew east high) and juv Mediterranean Gull on Cunnigar (MC, CF).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT: 11+ Bottlenose Dolphins (including 2 calves) at lighthouse (DC, ADM, AT).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Kingfisher, 2 Common Sandpipers & a Stock Dove at Lisselan (DS).

WEST WATERFORD PELAGIC (Youghal to south of Ram Head & Mine Head):  Quiet - final tallies 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 10+ Storm Petrels, 5+ Puffins, an Arctic Tern & 2+ porpoises, with very few Manx Shearwaters (09:00-17:00: DC, MAD, CF, SMH, AJ, AJe, ADM, FO'C, DO'S, JAP, PV, PMW, DW on 'Rebecca C' with Martin Colfer).

WEST WATERFORD PELAGIC: slow start so far - Sooty Shearwater, 2 Storm Petrels, 2 Puffins & just a few dozen Manxies by 11:30.

Nr DUNGARVAN: Barn Owl at 01:30 (JAP).

HELVICK: 2 Great Skuas. (MC)

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Off HELVICK HEAD:  15 Storm Petrels, 3 Pomarine Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 4 Puffins, 8 Arctic Terns & 20-30 Manx Shearwaters seen from fishing boat 8 miles south of Helvick, 11:30-17:00 (FO'C).

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  9 Common Sandpipers E (others calling from cliff base) & a Wheatear (AJ).

PORTLAW TOWN:  3rd Kingfisher of the day at bridge over River Clodiagh (SMH, MC snr).

POULDREW BRIDGE (nr Kilmeaden):  Kingfisher (SMH, MC snr).

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

SEAFIELD (Bunmahon):  Kingfisher (SMH, MC snr).

Monday, August 05, 2013

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE:  2 Common Sandpipers & 9 Coot (JF).

DUNGARVAN:  Up to 1000 small waders on the Cunnigar this evening - 40:40:20 ratio of Dunlin / Ringed Plover / Sanderling, with good numbers of juveniles among Dunlin - also 4 Common Sandpipers, 12 Whimbrel & a Golden Plover (CF).

DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper & 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2nd-summer & 2 adults including '3H97') at Ballyneety (MC).

HELVICK:  2nd-summer Glaucous Gull (").

ARDMORE:  2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (").

RAM HEAD:
Seawatch 16:30-19:00 (MC)
Sooty Shearwater: 2 W.
Great Skua: 1 W.
Common Scoter: 3 E.
Arctic Tern: 3 W.
Puffin: 1 W.
Minke Whale: 1.
Also a Common Lizard.

RAM HEAD: Sooty Shearwater west @ 16:30 (MC).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Stock Dove & Common Sandpiper at Lisselan (AJ).

CLONEA STRAND:  2 adult Roseate Terns at Ballinclamper (MC, CF, DW).

DUNGARVAN: 3 Mediterranean Gulls (2nd-summer & 2 adults including returning white 3H97) at Ballyneety bridge, 3 adult Meds at Barnawee (MC, CF, DW).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 3 Common Sandpipers at Clohernagh (DS).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 06:50-09:50 (DS, PMW, ADM, wind 3 W-WSW)

Great Skua: 1W.

Common Scoter: 3 E, 35 W.

Manx Shearwater: 14 E, 35 W.

Fulmar: 9 E, 20 W.

Gannet: 31 E, 152 W.

Curlew: 2 W.

Dunlin: 3 W (& 3 Dunlin or Sanderling W).

Kittiwake: 7 E, 69 W.

Sandwich Tern: 3 E, 25 W.

Black Guillemot: 1 E.

Large auk so: 19 E, 1 W.

Porpoise: 2.

RAM HEAD:

Seawatch (ADM et al):

Balearic Shearwater: 1.

Great Skua: 1.

Common Scoter: 57, incl group of 33 W.

ARDMORE: 5 Common Sandpipers at Curragh, 6 Mediterranean Gulls (4 2nd-summer & 2 adults include white '666' ring) (MC, CF, DW, ADM).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull over the town. (MC)

CLONEA STRAND:  2 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper (PV).

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 19:00-20:40 (MC)
SABINE'S GULL: 1 W @ 20:33.
Puffin: 13.
Black Guillemot: 1.

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 13:45-14;45 (MC, MC snr)
Great Skua: 1.
Mediterranean Gull: 1 adult.
Common Scoter: c27.

HELVICK HEAD:

Seawatch 18:00-20:30 (BS, FO'C, CF, JAP)

Storm Petrel: 2

Common Scoter: 1.

Great Skua: 9.

Puffin: 17.

Manx Shearwater, Fulmar, Gannet: light passage.

Glaucous Gull: in harbour. 

CLONEA: 10 Common Scoter flew west off Ballinclamper. (MC)

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 17:00-18:10 (MC):
GREAT SHEARWATER: 1 W.
Puffin 21.

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 13:45-14:30 (MC):
Balearic Shearwater: 1 W @ 14:00.
Great Skua: 1
Puffin: 6.

FERRY POINT:  3 Common Sandpipers (ADM).


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 20:50-21:35 (JF):
Bottlenose Dolphin: 1 just off the Head.
Fulmar: 1 E, 2 W.
Gannet: 3 E, 27 W.
Kittiwake:  1 W.
Sandwich Tern: 2 E, 4 W.
Black Guillemot: 1 W.

CLONEA STRAND: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (MC snr).

DUNGARVAN: 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull @ Ballyneety. (MC)

MT CONGREVE:  2 Comma butterflies along railway track, near the lime kilns; also a range of other butterfy species including Common Blue and Small Copper (JJC, JAP, BS).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  10 Greenshank at Pickardstown including a ringed bird (double orange band on left tibia, plus a geolocator?, metal ring right), also 4 Whimbrel (DS).


Thursday, July 25, 2013

MT CONGREVE:  Comma butterfly along railway track (DMcG).

RAM HEAD:  Total of 72 Kittiwake chicks in study plots which held 105 occupied nests on 17 June - a big improvement over 2012 (when only 2 chick on same date from 117 nests in June).

ARDMORE:  3 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh & another adult-summer at Cliff Hotel (ADM).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 0630-0815 (DS):
Arctic Skua: 2 E @ 07;35.
Common Scoter: 2 E.
Manx Shearwater: 89 E, 177 W.
Fulmar: 4 W.
Gannet: 128 E, 21 W.
Curlew: 1 W.
Kittiwake: 9 W.
Sandwich Tern: 24 W.
Razorbill: 6 E, 12 W.
Also 10+ Red Admirals along the lane.

CLONEA: 4 Mediterranean Gulls (3 Adults, 2nd Summer) & 3 Common Sandpipers @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 08:30-09:30 (AJ):
Manx Shearwater: 10 E, 7 W.
Fulmar: 36 (6 nests, 4 chicks - 1 dead).
Kittiwake: 3 E.
Black Guillemot: 5.
 

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  SPOONBILL again at racecourse lake (AJ).

BALLYVOYLE COVE:  2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (MC snr).

BUNMAHON:  2 Green Sandpipers & a Common Sandpiper (DW).

DUNGARVAN:  Adult Yellow-legged Gull at Ballyneety bridge, adult Mediterranean Gull at the Lookout (MC).

CLONEA STRAND:  6 Mediterranean Gulls (3 adult, 2 2nd-summer & 1 1st-summer) at Ballinclamper, by 19:30 (MC snr).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  c50 Swifts feeding over Lisselan, 17:10 (PMW).

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (ADM).

RAM HEAD: 11 Great Skuas & 57 Common Scoter best on seawatch (ADM).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 06:40-9:40 (wind 2 E-ENE, JB, PMW)

Great Skua: 2 W.

Common Scoter: 11 E, 62 W (incl flock 45).

Mediterranean Gull: 4 (juvenile & 2 adults W, adult feeding).

Puffin: 1 E, 7 W.

Manx Shearwater: 460 E, 85 W.

Fulmar: 9 E, 3 W.

Gannet: 295 E, 43 W.

Grey Plover: 3 E.

Kittiwake: 15 E, 8 W.

Sandwich Tern: 1 E, 10 W.

Guillemot: 5 E, 2 W.

Razorbill: 15 E, 2 W.

Large auk sp: 9 E, 8 W.

DUNGARVAN: 9 Common Sandpipers at  Ballyneety (JAP, BS).

BALLYSCANLAN WOOD: 3 Silver-washed Fritillary & 3 Gatekeeper butterflies ("). 

TRAMORE: Adult Spoonbill, adult Mediterranean Gull, Reed Warbler in song, Tufted Duck & 2 Teal @ Lisselan. (MC)

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  SPOONBILL still present at Lisselan, 15:45 (JF).

HELVICK:  2nd-summer Glaucous Gull (JAP, BS).

BALLYMACART:  Immature Dipper & flock of 27+ Chough (").

WHITING BAY:  Tree Sparrow & Common Sandpiper at extreme western end of bay (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: SPOONBILL again at Lisselan, 11:20, east bank of northern pond in middle of racecourse (AJ).

GARRARUS: Flock of 67 Choughs, also 100+ Pied Wagtails & 6 Ravens - plus snorkeling showed hundreds of small pollack, ballan wrasse, ling, flats and sand eels, also edible, shore and spider crab, large mullet, 3 lesser weevers and a cuttle fish, depth under 10 feet (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 2 Common Sandpipers, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, Emperor Dragonfly & a Brown Hawker also at Lisselan earlier today (DS).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  SPOONBILL at Lisselan - at racecourse lake with roosting gulls, 13:50, before being flushed by cattle and flying high & north (DS).

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper & 3 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety (MC snr).

KNOCKBRACK QUARRY (nr Clashmore): 3 Emperor dragonflies (ADM).

RAM HEAD:  20 Common Scoter, good passage of Manx Shearwaters W & 2 Sunfish (ADM).

ARDMORE:  3 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh (ADM).

BUNMAHON: 2 Reed Warblers singing, Green Sandpiper & 2 Common Sandpipers (DW).

BUNMAHON:  2 singing Reed Warblers in reeds along River Mahon behind the village (1 singing yesterday) (DW).

HELVICK:  2nd-summer Glaucous Gull still present (MC snr).

WEST WATERFORD: Buzzard (FO'C).

ARDMORE:  Cuckoo nestling/fledgling from Dunnock nest (SH).

Nr DUNGARVAN: Long-eared Owl at 22:45 (JAP).

CARRIGAVRANTRY:  Common Sandpiper (DS).

DUNGARVAN: 6 Common Sandpipers and a male Tufted Duck @ Ballyneety. (MC)

ARDMORE: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Curragh (SH).

CARRIGAVRANTRY: HOBBY at c20:00 (AJ).

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard (DS).

CLONEA: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (MC snr).

WATERFORD CITY: 2 Common Terns hawking insects over Francis Street with 200+ BH Gulls & 200+ Swifts @ 21:20 this evening (DS).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull opposite Fraher field, 6 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety, 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult & 2nd-summer) at Barnawee (DW, MC snr).

Nr ARDMORE:  Adult-summer BONAPARTE'S GULL flying east between Whiting Bay & Ardmore, 15:50 (S Cronin per irishbirding.com) - 3rd county record  (previously records Dungarvan 2004 and Ardmore 2007, with an unconfirmed report from Ardmore in 2008).

LISSELAN (Tramore Backstrand):  Mediterranean Gull roosting with Black-headed Gulls & 6 Common Sandpipers (JF).

LISSELAN (Tramore Backstrand):  4 Common Sandpipers & 3 Lapwing this evening (DS).

LISSELAN: Stock Dove (AJ).

WATERFORD CITY: Herring Gull nest with at least one on a rooftop at Ballybricken today (DMcG) - first ever roof-nesting confirmed for the city?

COUMTAY (Comeragh Mountains):  30+ Wheatears (70% juvenile), 6 Mistle Thrushes (4 juv), 4 Reed Buntings, Dipper, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, a Fox & a Sundew colony (AJ).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows (JF).

DROMANA FOREST (nr Villierstown): Crossbill, Treecreeper & 3 Jays @ X1094 

(PMW).

TALLOW: Pair of Spotted Flycatchers in village, 3 singing Yellowhammers along road south to Carrigroe (PMW).

IDA Park (nr Waterford city): Adult Treecreeper carrying food (DS).

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard (LR).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  1 Puffin, 290 Manx Shearwaters, 24 Curlew & 20 Sandwich Terns W between 08:00 & 09:00 (DS).

DUNGARVAN: Kingfisher & Common Sandpiper at Ballyneety (MC snr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 11:30-12:30 (wind 5 SW, PMW):

Puffin 5 W

Manx Shearwater: 120 E, 195 W

Fulmar: 1 E, 6 W

Gannet: 8 E, 48 W

Curlew: 2 W

Kittiwake: 2 E, 3 W

Sandwich Tern: 2 E, 4 W

Guillemot: 3 E, 13 W

Razorbill: 3 W

Large auk sp: 4 E, 4 W

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 20:10-20:55 (MAD, PMW):

Common Dolphin: 2 E

Manx Shearwater: 220 E, 27 W

Fulmar: 1 E, 2 W

Gannet: 5 E, 29 W

Shelduck: 2 E

Curlew: 2 W

Kittiwake: 2 E, 2 W

Sandwich Tern: 2 W

Large auks: 1 E, 7 W.

Also a Swift over land.

BLACKWATER VALLEY: Reed Warbler singing E of Camphire bridge, Spotted Flycatcher & Silver Y moth at Knockanore (MAD, PMW).


WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (PMW).

BALLYSCANLON:  Crossbill & Yellowhammer (DW, MC snr).

BALLINLOUGH:  Reed Warbler singing (").

DUNGARVAN:  2 Common Sandpipers & 2 Lapwings at Ballyneety (MC).

VARIOUS:  Buzzard at two locations (").

DUNGARVAN:  2 Common Sandpipers at Killongford bridge (JAP).

Monday, June 24, 2013

ARDMORE:  Basking Shark in bay (100 m off Cliff Hotel), Common Sandpiper at the Curragh (ADM).

DUNGARVAN: 2 drake Scaup off sports centre (MC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Recently fledged juvenile Tree Sparrow along lane - success for the local pair (PMW).

MAHON BRIDGE: Stock Dove (PMW).

KILMEADEN: Stock Dove (").

DUNGARVAN: 2nd-summer Glaucous Gull off Cunnigar car-park (MC snr).

DUNGARVAN: 2 Crossbills at Ballynacourty pier (PV).

HELVICK HEAD: Glaucous Gull (").

Nr CAPPAGH: 2+ Spotted Flycatchers at Ballinameela church (").

CARRIGAVRANTRY: Snipe displaying  (JF,DS,AJ).

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (MC).

Nr BALLYVOONEY: Grasshopper Warbler reeling (DW).

RAM HEAD: Kittiwake count - 105 apparently occupied nests (AONs) at study plots (most of colony), a 10% decline from 117 AONs in 2012. Most birds apparently sitting tight, but total includes at least 20 empty but occupied nests (PMW).

TRAMORE ROAD: Long-eared Owl flew across road near Gracedieu tonight (JF).

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (EB).

RAM HEAD:  2 Storm Petrels, a Minke Whale & good passage of Manx Shearwaters this morning (ADM).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Arctic Skua (dark adult) E & 500+ Manx Shearwaters (seawatch 1000-1100); 2 Tree Sparrows, both carrying food (DS).

NEWTOWN GLEN (Tramore Bay): FIRECREST about 20 yards up from beach (AJ) -presumed same bird since 3 April, last reported 19/4; no previous Waterford occurrences outside period Sept-April.

BALLINLOUGH: 2 Treecreepers (JAP, RAW, BS).

CARRIGAVRANTRY: Spotted Flycatcher at entrance (").

DUNHILL: Grasshopper Warbler reeling (").

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS:  Green Hairstreak & Grey Heron at Coum Araglin (").

MID-WATERFORD: 3 Buzzards (FO'C, MC snr).

CARRIGAVRANTRY: HOBBY at 15:50 (AJ).

Nr DUNGARVAN: Long-eared Owl last night (JAP).

Yesterday (3 June):

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: White Wagtail at Clohernagh (JF).

CASTLETOWN FEN: Cuckoo calling (")..

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows (JF).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Pomarine Skuas off Helvick pier in flat calm conditions (JAP, BS),

BLACKWATER VALLEY: Sandwich Tern feeding upriver on the Blackwater at Newport east (").

BALLINLOUGH: Male & female Cuckoo, young Mute Swan cygnets (LR).

HELVICK HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher (MC snr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher (PMW).

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 1850-1940 (JF):

Manx Shearwater: 90 E, 33 W

Gannet: 4 E, 3 W

Kittiwake: 18 E, 27 W
Guillemot: 4 E, 3 W

Razorbill: 1 E.

BALLINLOUGH:  male & female GARGANEY, Water Rail calling, Spotted Flycatcher & 2 Treecreepers (DS, JF).

KILL:  Cuckoo at water treatment plant (").

BALLINLOUGH: male & female GARGANEY still present (DW).

RAM HEAD:

Seawatch 1605-1705 (wind 4 SW, MAD, PMW):

Puffin: 5 W

Manx Shearwater: 2 E, 550 W

Fulmar: 2 E, 4 W

Gannet: 46 W

Guillemot: 245 W

Razorbill: 1 E, 73 W

Unidentified large auks: 7 E, 69 W

Kittiwake: not counted

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Puffins on sea, also hundreds of Manx Shearwaters, Guillemots & Razorbills feeding (ADM, AT).

BALLINLOUGH: 2 GARGANEY (male + female), 12:00 (DW, MC snr).

Off HELVICK HEAD:  Adult Little Gull, Great Skua, 3 Pomarine Skuas & 500+ Common Dolphins 10 miles off Helvick from a fishing boat (FO'C).

Pomarine Skua, off Helvick Head © F O'Connell

more photos

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  6 Black Guillemots (AJ).

NEWTOWN GLEN:  Blackcap, & fledgling Grey Wagtails & Goldcrests (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Cuckoo at Lisselan (").

MID WATERFORD:  Buzzard (PMW).

WATERFORD CITY: Hummingbird Hawk-moth feeding on Aubretia at Ferrybank (LR).

Nr BALLYSCANLON: Cuckoo calling this evening (LR).

Nr WATERFORD CITY: 2 Dippers (including bird carrying food) at Ballindud roundabout (KB).

BELLE LAKE:  Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Sedge Warblers & 7 Whitethroats (AJ).

Nr JACK MEADE'S;  Wheatear on road (").

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

WHITING BAY: Short-eared Owl at east end (MC snr), later flew W over fields towards next car park (MC) (video).

MODELIGO: Cuckoo calling (per MC snr).

KILL: 3 Sedge Warblers & Grasshopper Warbler singing at water treatment plant (JF).

BALLINLOUGH: 7 Sedge Warblers (").

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard at two locations (")

Nr CLASHMORE VILLAGE: metal-ringed Dipper (MC snr).

DUNGARVAN:  Adult-summer Black Tern near Cunnigar point, then flew towards pitch & putt course (FO'C).

ARAGLIN HILLS:  Dipper at Glouncaol Bridge (PMW).

Nr TALLOW:  Stock Dove (").

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

ARDMORE: Spotted Flycatcher along Goat Island road (JAP, BS).

ARDMORE: Yellow Wagtail at stream on Curragh Strand, 13:10 (JAP, BS).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: c500 Dunlin with 30+ Ringed Plover, 2 Cuckoos, 12 Sedge Warblers, Swift, Whitethroat & hirundines all at Lisselan (AJ).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Spotted Flycatchers & a Wheatear (CF).

BALLYSCANLAN:  Cuckoo in song, Mute Swan pair have hatched 4 cygnets (MC).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Cuckoo heard at Lisselan, 6 a.m. (JF).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  WHITE-TAILED EAGLE again (ADM).

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  20 Common Scoter E, 3 Manx Shearwaters W & 3 Black Guillemots (AJ).

Nr DUNGARVAN:  Pine Marten dead on road (MC).

Nr ANNESTOWN BOG: Long-eared Owl calling again tonight (MD).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (young wing-tagged bird) (ADM).

(c) AD Malcolm

Nr CAPPOQUIN:  Jay at Toor/Ardaguna forest (PMW).

BLACKWATER VALLEY:  37 Whimbrel at Clashmore Broads (").

EAST WATERFORD:  2 Buzzards (MC snr).

ANNESTOWN BOG: 5 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler singing & Water Rail calling this morning (JF).

Nr ANNESTOWN BOG:  Adult Long-eared Owl calling last night (MD).

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  Adult Pomarine Skua W (AJ).

NEWTOWN GLEN:  Spotted Flycatcher (").

TRAMORE BAY: Spotted Flycatcher in Newtown Glen (JF).

ANNESTOWN BOG:  2 Gadwall, Grasshopper Warbler & 3 Sedge Warblers (RZ).

WATERFORD CITY:  first Swifts in Ferrybank (LR).

CLONEA STRAND:  Adult summer Great Northern Diver, 15 Brent Geese, 8 Whimbrel & 125 Bar-tailed Godwits at Ballinclamper (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 09:30-11:30 (wind 4-5 SW-WSW, vis moderate, PMW):

Pomarine Skua: 2 W (adult & subadult light-phase) @10:50

Storm Petrel: 1 feeding

Red-throated Diver: 1 adult summer W

Arctic Tern: 180+ (including 127 W)

Puffin: 2 W

Manx Shearwater: 4 E, 190 W, 15+ feeding

Fulmar: 1 E, 7 W

Gannet: 5 E, 33 W

Sandwich Tern: 21 W

Whimbrel: 12 W

Kittiwake: 3 E, 80 W

Large auks: 3 E, 33 W

Guillemot: 65+ feeding

Razorbill: 25+ feeding

On land: Swift, male Blackcap, 4 Whitethroats, Chiffchaff & Tree Sparrow.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 18:35-19:35 (wind 4-5 W-NW, MAD, PMW)

Pomarine Skua: 1 adult light-phase W

Arctic Tern: 40 W

Sandwich Tern: 25 W

tern sp: 100+ feeding near horizon

Manx Shearwater: 20 W

Gannet: 21 W

Kittiwake: 3 E, 43 W

Razorbill: 1 W

Guillemot: 1E

On land:

Tree Sparrow

DUNGARVAN: 35 Whimbrel at Ballyneety (PMW).

NORTH WATERFORD:  4 Buzzards (FJ).

HELVICK HEAD: 5 adult summer plumaged Black Terns on seawatch (FO'C) - first of year.

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 15:30-16:40 (JAP, FO'C, RZ):
Arctic Skua: 1
Storm Petrel: 2
Black Guillemot: 1
Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill: light passage

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Tree Sparrow, 3+ Whitethroats, 2+ Goldcrests alone lane, Arctic Tern feeding off the tip (DS).

TRAMORE BAY:  43 Whimbrel, 12 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Black Guillemots, Mallard & 2 Common Dolphins at Metal Man / Great Newtown Head (AJ).

TRAMORE BAY:  Great Skua W past Metal Man (AJ).

HELVICK HEAD: 1 Storm Petrel & about a dozen Manxies (seawatch 19:20-19:50, MC).

CLONEA STRAND:  5 Great Northern Divers (3 in summer plumage) (JAP).

BALLYLEMON:  Wheatear on farmland (SL).

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 09:30-10:00 (JAP):
Storm Petrel: 3 feeding close inshore (1st of year)
Great Skua: 1-4 (?same bird)
Fulmar: many
Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Kittiwake, Commic Tern, auks: light passage

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 18.20-19.00 (DS):

Great Skua: 1 E

Manx Shearwater: 1 E

Commic Tern: 4 E, 6 W

Whimbrel: 1 W 

HELVICK HEAD:  2 Spotted Flycatchers at 1445 (MC snr), 4+ later & a Whitethroat (JAP, MC snr).

HELVICK HEAD:  Spotted Flycatcher (1st of year), 1250 (JAP).

DUNGARVAN:  late report from yesterday of a NIGHT HERON flying over the Old Hospital Road at 1600 mobbed by corvids (Susanne Mordhorst per www.irishbirding.com).

WATERFORD CITY:  Swifts numerous around city today including 13 over main industrial estate (DS, JF), also birds over Ballybricken & the Quay (DS).

BLACKWATER VALLEY: 2+ Reed Warblers at Raheen Quay, Clashmore (ADM).

ARDMORE: 42 Whimbrel at Curragh (").

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS:  Male & female Hen Harrier (AA).

DRUM HILLS: 2 Yellowhammers & a Stoat nr Broken Bridge / Lisgriffin (tetrad X18P) (MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: very quiet early a.m. - 2 Whitethroats (DS).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: quiet also at Lisselan but good nos of butterflies incl. a Painted Lady, Speckled Wood, Green-Veined White & 15+ Orange Tips (").


CARRIGANORE (nr Waterford city):  2 Swifts (").

IDA PARK (Cork Road): Red Admiral & Peacock butterfly (").

BALLYSCANLAN:  6+ singing Sedge Warblers, 2 Siskins & a Red Admiral (LR).

COUMTAY (Comeragh Mountains): Cuckoo, Ravens, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, many Wheatears, Dipper, Reed Buntings including one at very back of the Coum but no Ring Ouzel (RZ, BS, AJ, JAP).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (SH).

LISMORE:  4 SWifts (").

CLONEA STRAND: 3 White Wagtails, 35 Whimbrel, 102 Bar-tailed Godwits & 2 adult summer Great Northern Divers (MAD, PMW).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 40 Whimbrel, 12 Little Egrets, 2 Mallard ducklings at Lisselan (PMW).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Ring Ouzel at Coumtay (PD).

BLACKWATER VALLEY: Reed Warbler at Raheen Quay, Clashmore; Jay in Villierstown (CF).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT: 2 Little Terns flew W past lighthouse (MC snr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:

Seawatch 12:05-13:05 (wind 3-4 SW, MAD, PMW)

Arctic Skua: 1 off-passage

Roseate Tern: 5 feeding (1st of year)

Common/Arctic Tern: 5+ feeding

Sandwich Tern: 1 W

Manx Shearwater: 51 W, up to 10 feeding

Fulmar: 3 W

Gannet: 4 E, 27 W

Kittiwake: 3 W, 5-10 feeding

Large auk: 1 W

Swallow: 2 E in from sea