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.



Thursday, January 31, 2013

DUNGARVAN:  3 Green Sandpipers at Brickey canal (JAP).
DUNGARVAN:  Long-tailed Duck showing very well c20 m off the Lookout (ADM), also visible (& SPOONBILL) from pitch & putt, plus Slavonian Grebe & another Long-tailed Duck off Ballinacourty (CF & MS).

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

DUNMORE EAST:  4 Iceland Gulls (3rd-winter, 2nd-winter & 2 1st-winters), 2 Glaucous Gulls (1st-winter & 2nd-winter) & a Mediterranean Gull (RZ).

Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Female Hen Harrier (ADM).


TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2013

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal, Brambling & Blackcap at Strandside (DC).

Monday, January 28, 2013

DUNGARVAN: 2 Long-tailed Ducks off lookout (JAP).

Sunday, January 27, 2013


TRAMORE:  Adult Ring-billed Gull at boating lake (JDP), 2 Blackcaps (male & female) in garden at Pickardstown (NMcC).

DUNMORE EAST:  1st-winter CASPIAN GULL (4:20 pm for c15 mins) (P. Archer et al. per irishbirding.com), 2 Glaucous Gulls (1st-winter & 2nd-winter) (JDP) & 1st-winter Iceland Gull (RZ).
DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL off pitch & putt course (AJ).
DUNGARVAN:  Blackcap & 2 Bramblings at Strandside (DC).

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Nr WATERFORD CITY:  Blackcap in garden at King's Channel the last few days (DMcG).

DUNGARVAN:  Female Blackcap at Strandside, Abbeyside (DC).

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  60 Whooper Swans nr Ballyduff (").
DUNMORE EAST:  CASPIAN GULL came in & out of harbour @ c1325; 10 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Porpoises also at DE (MC, CF, DW). Adult Mediterranean Gull off seawall  & 2nd-winter Glaucous Gull later (PMW).
TIBBERAGHNY (Co Kilkenny): 282 Greylag Geese, 36 Whooper Swans & 3 Little Egrets @11:45 (PMW).

COOLFIN / DERRIGAL / PORTNASCULLY; Green Sandpiper at Clodiagh Bridge, 18 Whooper Swans, 67 Greylag Geese & a hybrid goose (Barnacle x?) at Derrigal cross, 120+ Fieldfares opposite Portnascully (").
DUNMORE EAST: 2nd-winter Iceland Gull & 1st-winter Glaucous but no sign of Caspian Gull yet by 09:00 (MC, CF, DW).
ANNESTOWN: 2 Water Rail calling (BS, RAW, FO'C, JAP).

TRAMORE: Adult Little Gull at strand, adult Ring-billed Gull at boating lake (").

Friday, January 25, 2013


DUNMORE EAST: 1st-winter CASPIAN GULL still present this morning (PA).

Thursday, January 24, 2013

DUNMORE EAST:  1st-winter CASPIAN GULL (2nd county record) - photos - & 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull (PA).

LISMORE CANAL:  Kingfisher (DC).

WEST WATERFORD:  2 Buzzards (").

DUNGARVAN (I-WeBS count): 2 redhead Goosanders at Killongford, SPOONBILL nr pitch & putt course, adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at Cunnigar tip, 1st-winter SURF SCOTER inside Cunnigar tip, Slavonian Grebe & 2 Long-tailed Ducks off Ballynacourty pier, & totals of 103 Great Crested Grebes & 12 Great Northern Divers around bay (BD, PS, PMW).

CLONEA STRAND (I-WeBS count):  350 Brent Geese, 6 Great Northern Divers & 11 Red-throated Divers (PMW).

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Nr KILMACTHOMAS:  26 Yellowhammers (DW).

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

RAM HEAD:  5 Common Scoter & 11 Red-throated Divers flew E, 2 Fin Whales (one close inshore) (ADM).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE:  Adult RING-BILLED GULL, 13 Gadwall & 5 Shoveler - lake is partially frozen (JF).

Monday, January 21, 2013

Nr WATERFORD CITY:  Brambling again with finch flock at IDA Park, Cork Road (DS).
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Spotted Redshank in pool to north of first hillock (AJ).


SUNDAY, JANUARY 21, 2013

Nr DUNGARVAN:  Barn Owl (EP per JAP).

Sunday, January 20, 2013

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: 35 Whooper Swans (AJ, RZ).

TRAMORE: Adult Ring-billed Gull, 26 Gadwall & 7 Shoveler at boating lake, Gadwall at Lisselan (MC).

DUNMORE EAST: 7 Purple Sandpipers at pier (DS).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Male RING-NECKED DUCK on small lake (viewable with telescope from high road), also male Shoveler & pair of Gadwall (MC).

TRAMORE: 14 Waxwings at Ard na Groi estate (JDP), 9 Shoveler, 10 Gadwall, 3 Wigeon & a Kittiwake at boating lake, Fin Whale off Tramore Bay (AJ).

DUNMORE EAST:  Mediterranean Gull & 2 Glaucous Gulls (1st-winter & 2nd-winter) (RZ).


Saturday, January 19, 2013

WATERFORD BIRD-RACE:  2 teams recorded day-totals of 91 & 92 species seen or heard by 3+ observers (overall total 103 species) (92 species PV, DW, PMW, 91 species FO'C, DO'S, JAP, BS).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Red Grouse & Woodcock (JAP et al).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL on the Cunnigar, 10+ Great Northern Divers (PV, DW, PMW), Jack Snipe at the Cunnigar (FO'C), 2 Brambling at Abbeyside (FO'C, DO'S, JAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND:  Whimbrel at Balinclamper (PV, DW, PMW).

HELVICK HEAD:  6 Great Northern Divers (").

Nr WHITING BAY:  Adult Mediterranean Gull & 2 Tree Sparrows (").

BALLYVOYLE:  2 Red-throated Divers  (").

STRADBALLY COVE:  Dipper (PV, DW, PMW, FO'C, DO'S, JAP, BS).

BUNMAHON/SEAFIELD:  Kingfisher (PV, DW, PMW).

BOATSTRAND:  1st-winter Glaucous Gull at pier (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  2 Long-tailed Ducks (").

Nr WATERFORD CITY:  Male Brambling at IDA estate, Cork Road (JF).


HELVICK: 1st Winter Glaucous Gull. (MC, CF)

DUNGARVAN: 1st Winter male Surf Scoter & 2 Long-tailed Ducks off the Lookout. (")

BALLINACOURTY: 2 Long-tailed Ducks. (MC)

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (Brian Whitty).

Friday, January 18, 2013

DUNGARVAN: 2 Brambling at Strandside, Abbeyside (DC).

WEST WATERFORD: Buzzard (").
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Short-eared Owl at Lisselan (DS).
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Short-eared Owl, 2 Kingfishers, female Shoveler, Great Northern Diver & 31 Little Grebes at Lisselan (DS).

Thursday, January 17, 2013

DUNGARVAN:  SURF SCOTER off the Lookout (JAP), 3 Bramblings at Strandisde, Abbeyside (DC).
TRAMORE:  12 Waxings at Crobally Heights, flycatching (JF).

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  133 Whooper Swans - 76 Lismore to Ballyduff, 57 west of Ballyduff (TM).

DUNMORE EAST:  1st-winter Glaucous Gull & Purple Sandpipers (PA).

TRAMORE:  Adult Ring-billed Gull & colour-ringed adult Mediterranean Gull at boating lake (Med Gull ringed as a chick at Lady's Island Lake, Co Wexford in 2005 & last seen in 2007, again at Tramore) (").


TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2013

RAM HEAD:  5 Red-throated Divers but no cetaceans (lunchtime seawatch, ADM).

Monday, January 14, 2013

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  73 Whooper Swans (15 juveniles) just west of Lismore (PV).

WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (").

WATERFORD CITY:  Male & female Blackcap in garden at Francis Street (DS).

Sunday, January 13, 2013

EAST WATERFORD:  2 Buzzards (RZ).

DUNGARVAN:  2 Green Sandpipers at Brickey canal (PV).

CLONEA STRAND:  2 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper (MC).
BROWNSWOOD (nr Portlaw): Jay (MC).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Great Northern Diver & 3 Long-tailed Ducks (AJ).
DUNMORE EAST: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull (MC) & 4 Purple Sandpipers (RZ).

DUNGARVAN: Single Waxwing feeding on berries on the Coolagh road roundabout (RZ).

BALLYVOYLE: 3 Great Northern Divers (").

BALLYVOONEY: Common Scoter (").
RAM HEAD: Male Merlin (ADM).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: Merlin flew over carpark towards town (JF).

Nr WATERFORD CITY: Male Brambling again at IDA Park, Cork Road (DS).
DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL roosting off pitch and putt course, SURF SCOTER off lookout, BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballinacourty (JAP, BS).
DUNGARVAN: 3 Bramblings at Strandside, Abbeyside (DC).

Saturday, January 12, 2013

DRUM HILLS:  Woodock flew over N25 near Coolroe @ 17:15 (PMW).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Spotted Redshank in pool to north of first hillock (AJ).

DUNGARVAN: BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Gold Coast & dark-bellied Brent Goose at Duckspool (PV), 5 Common Scoter on sea off Ballynacourty pier (PMW).

Friday, January 11, 2013

BALLYVOONEY:  Common Scoter (AJ).

TRAMORE: 3 Shoveler, 31 Gadwall & 1 adult Ring-billed Gull @ the boating lake. (MC)

FERRY POINT:  Great Northern Diver (TK).
DUNGARVAN:  Pair of Crossbills at 'drinking tree' behind Gold Coast (MC snr).
DUNGARVAN: SURF SCOTER showing extremely well off lookout @ 0900 (JAP).

Thursday, January 10, 2013

LEMYBRIEN:  Woodcock flew over N25 around dusk (MC).

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  142 Whooper Swans - 68 between Lismore & Ballyduff, 74 west of Ballyduff (TM).

WEST WATERFORD:  Pair of Buzzards (ADM).
TRAMORE BOATING LAKE:  Ring-billed Gull, Shoveler & 25 Gadwall (JF).

Wednesday, January 09, 2013

RAM HEAD: 3 Red-throated Divers flew west & 30 Common Dolphins this afternoon (ADM).
SOUTH KILKENNY:  Buzzard (JB).

KILBARRY BOG (nr Waterford city):  Kingfisher, Kestrel, 2 Moorhens, 25 Siskins, 5 Bullfinches, Redpoll & 6 Goldcrests along Tramore Rd walkway, Superquinn to Black Rock (AJ, DS).
TRAMORE BOATING LAKE:  Ring-billed Gull, 24 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon & 4 Snipe - 2 Snipe seem to be fishing heron-style (AJ).
DUNGARVAN:  SURF SCOTER back off Lookout (JAP), female Blackcap in Dungarvan town (MC).

HELVICK HEAD:  20 Common Dolphins (ADM).

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

DUNMGARVAN TOWN:  Update - 5 Waxwings at Byrneville today (per MC).
SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon):  2 Green Sandpipers (DW).
DUNGARVAN TOWN: Single Waxwing feeding on apple in garden at Byrneville (per MC).
DUNGARVAN:  Male Brambling in garden, Abbeyside (MC snr).

Sunday, January 06, 2013

Nr CASTLE DODARD:  Woodcock after dusk (ADM).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Adult dark-belled Brent Goose at Lisselan, 2 Gadwall west of spits, & totals including 700 Brent Geese, 64 Shelduck, 375 Teal, 500 Black-tailed Godwit, 96 Grey Plover & 130 Lesser Black-backed Gulls  (PMW).

Nr MOTHEL  / CLONEA POWER:   Male Hen Harrier (GP).
HOLYCROSS: Male Brambling. (MC)

TRAMORE: 4 Shoveler & 2 Goldeneye @ Lisselan. 4 Shoveler & 35 Gadwall @ the boating lake. (")

DUNMORE EAST: Purple Sandpiper. (")

DUNGARVAN: Black-necked Grebe & a Black Guillemot @ Ballinacourty Pier. (")
TRAMORE TOWN: 10 Waxwings at Ard na Groi estate (AJ).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL roosting off pitch & putt course (JAP, BS).

Saturday, January 05, 2013

BLACKWATER VALLEY:  12 Stock Doves & 40+ Yellowhammers at Newport east (CF).

DUNMORE EAST:  5 Purple Sandpipers (JAP, BS, RZ).

TRAMORE:  14 Waxwings at Seafield cul-de-sac (").

BALLYVOONEY COVE:  Female Common Scoter (").

DUNGARVAN:  3 Long-tailed Duck off pitch & putt course, Chiffchaff at Brickey canal, 60+ Snipe at Killongford pool (").
DUNGARVAN: Black Brant off the pitch & putt club. (MC, JNM, FG)
Nr WATERFORD CITY: Male Brambling at the IDA park, Cork Road. Feeding in stubble field north of main office building with mixed flock of Chaffinches, Redpolls and Reed Buntings (DS).

Friday, January 04, 2013

ARDMORE: 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult & 2nd-winter) (DW, MC snr).
BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  140 Whooper Swans & 2 Shoveler (DW, MC snr).

WHITING BAY:  Tree Sparrow (").

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier ("), SURF SCOTER still off Lookout (JAP).

TRAMORE TOWN:  6 Waxwings at Seafield (CF).

Thursday, January 03, 2013

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  Total 168 Whooper Swans - 119 between Lismore & Balldufff, 49 west of Ballyduff (TM).

TRAMORE:  15 Waxwings, 24 Gadwall & 2 Long-tailed Duck (DW, MC snr).

DUNMORE EAST:  2nd-winter Glaucous Gull & 5 Purple Sandpipers (").
TRAMORE TOWN:  11 Waxwings at Seafield cul-de-sac (MC snr).

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

TRAMORE TOWN:  15 Waxwings just before entrance to Newtown Hill estate, flycatching from treetops (DS).

EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard (MC).

Tuesday, January 01, 2013

CLOHERNAGH: Kingfisher. (MC, CF, DW)

TRAMORE: 38 Gadwall & 5 Shoveler @ the boating lake. Shoveler & long-tailed Duck @ the backstrand. Female Black Redstart & 2 Chiffchaffs @ western end of beach. (")

BUNMAHON: Green Sandpiper @ Seafield. (")

KILMEADEN:  2 Jays (").

PORTLAW: ~300 Greylag Geese, 14 Whooper Swans & a Green Sandpiper @ Derrigal Cross. (")

MID WATERFORD: 2 Buzzards. (")

DUNGARVAN: Spoonbill off the pitch & putt club. Black Brant in the pitch & putt grounds. 1st winter male Surf Scoter off the Lookout (MC, CF).
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Spotted Redshank.
DRUM HILLS: Male Hen Harrier flew N over main road (CB).
TRAMORE: Ring-billed Gull at boating lake, 15 Waxwings at Seafield estate (RZ).

DUNMORE EAST: 6 Purple Sandpipers (").

DUNGARVAN: Crossbill nr Gold Coast (MC snr), Green Sandpiepr at Brickey canal (DC).

ARDMORE: 60 Brent Geese in field at Curragh (ADM).

RAM HEAD: 2 Pomarine Skuas & 2 Porpoises (").