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).