BALLYSCANLON: 4 Choughs & a Gatekeeper butterly (JAP).

DUNGARVAN: 3 Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee - 1st-summer & 2 adults including darvic-ringed 3H97 (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: Flock of 15-20 Common Scoter west past Ballinclamper @ 18:15 (MC).

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper & 20+ Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety; 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee, both unringed (earlier bird off pitch & putt had a white darvic ring) (MC, CF).

HELVICK HEAD: Storm Petrel, 11 Common Scoter, 2 Bonxies, 2 Arctic Terns & 7 Puffins west (seawatch 07:30-09:20), also 240 Manx Shearwaters west 07:30-08:30 & 4 adult Black Guillemots on sea (MC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: 2 SPOONBILLS at Western Bay, adult Mediterranean Gull off pitch & putt course (MC, CF).

Nr WHITING BAY: Juvenile Tree Sparrow at Ballysallagh (JAP, BS).

SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon): Reed Warbler & Stoat (DW).

SEAFIELD (nr Dungarvan): Long-eared Owl in garden c22:30 (DW).

HELVICK HEAD: Balearic Shearwater (very dark bird) passed c19:40 (MC).

HELVICK HEAD: c30 Storm Petrels, 8 Bonxies, 2 Arctic Skuas, 6 Arctic Terns & 30-40 Puffins all west (seawatch 11:15-1:30). Another Bonxie, 17 Storm Petrels, 230+ Manx Shearwaters & 8 Puffins west 14:05-15:35 / 16:15-17:15 (DW, PMW). Also a juvenile Swift feeding along cliffs at cove, 17:10 (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: 2 sub-adult SPOONBILLS at Killongford (viewed from Helvick road) @ 10:15; one bird colour-ringed (lime green over yellow tag on right leg, red over dark green/blue on left leg) - one of the Spoonbills seen at Timoleague, Co Cork recently (MC). Also an Arctic Tern there briefly. 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls & a Green Sandpiper at Ballyneety bridge, also good numbers of Common Sandpipers around Dungarvan (MC, DMcG). Spooonbills still present @ 13:35, also 750+ Black-tailed Godwit at Killongford (DW, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Balearic Shearwater on sea, feeding then flew west @09:35; also 80 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Storm Petrels & 4 Puffins all west (seawatch 09:00-10:00, wind f.5 SW, vis moderate / poor, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ Barnawee Bridge. (MC) CLONEA: Common Tern, adult Arctic Tern, Whimbrel and Black Guillemot @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

Nr CLONMEL: 3 Jays & 2 Treecreepers in spruce forest at Kilnamack East, also Spotted Flycatcher nearby (PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: Adult Roseate Tern at Ballinclamper, 6:50 pm (MC).

CLONEA: Common Sandpiper @ Ballinclamper. (MC) DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ Barnawee Bridge. (MC)

CLONEA STRAND: 3 Spotted Flycatchers at Ballinclamper (DC).

KILMACTHOMAS: Green Sandpiper, riverbank at Mahon Mills apartments (Gerry Walsh).

CLONEA: 6 Mediterranean Gulls ( 4 Adults including returning white darvic ring 3H97 for its 4th year and 2 juvenile birds) & 1 Common Sandpiper @ Ballinclamper. (MC, MC Sr.)

KILBARRY BOG (Tramore Road): Reed Warbler singing, 3 Water Rails calling, & 11 Sedge Warblers, also 35 Swifts feeding overhead, 07:30-08:50 (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Tree Sparrow nest with chick in farm building; 145 Manx Shearwaters west (25 east) in 1-hr seawatch (19:20-20:20, wind f. 6 SW) (MAD, PMW).

HELVICK HEAD: Adult LONG-TAILED SKUA flew east & into Dungarvan Bay 13:35 then out again & west 10 mins later; also 6 Great Skuas, 11+ Storm Petrels, 7 Common Scoter & 4 Common Terns all west, & 33+ Puffins west or on sea or cliffs ( seawatch 11:00-14:30) (CF, MC, MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull & 4 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety, & Common Tern at the Cunnigar (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: 4 Storm Petrels & 20+ Manx Shearwaters flew south (15:35-16:05) off Ballinclamper, also 3 Common Scoters (2 males & a female) on sea there (MAD, PMW).

BALLYVOYLE: 4 Common Sandpipers (DC).

DUNGARVAN: 4 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety Bridge (DC).

RAM HEAD: Minimum of 12 Fin Whales (AM).

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

Nr LEMYBRIEN: Kingfisher at Fox's Castle Bridge & Spotted Flycatcher near Curraheen (DMcG).

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

HELVICK HEAD: 1 Great Skua west & 15 Puffins (14 west, 1 east) (seawatch 7-8 pm) (MC).



Monday, July 05, 2010

RAM HEAD: Fin Whale, probable Humpback Whale & 200+ Manx Shearwaters, evening (AM).

SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon): Water Rail squealing @ 22:40 (DW).

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper, 7 Common Sandpipers & 10 Lapwing @ Ballyneety. (MC)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 3 Storm Petrels & a Puffin flew west (seawatch13:00-13:30, wind f. 5-6 SW/WSW); pair of Tree Sparrows at old farm buildings (PMW).

Nr CLONMEL: 3 Woodcock roding, Raven's Rock to Burnt Rock, 22:15-22:50, also 14+ Fallow Deer (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull, Barnawee bridge (MC). Adult Med Gull, Abeyside beach to Cunnigar (FO'C). 10 Lapwing, 7 Common Sandpipers & 2nd-summer Med Gull, Ballyneety (MC).

Nr WATERFORD CITY: Dead Barn Owl on new ring road on Co Kilkenny side, between Slieverue and new bridge (DMcG).

MID-WATERFORD: Buzzard (DW).

SEAFIELD, nr BUNMAHON: Treecreeper (DW).

Nr BALLYMACARBRY: 3 Jays, 2 Siskins & a Treecreeper just east of Boolabrien Lower (PMW).

Nr WATERFORD CITY: 3 Green Sandpipers at Ballycanvan, behind Beckett's, Dunmore Road (PA).

CLONEA STRAND: 1st-summer Mediterranean Gull & returning colour-ringed Black-headed Gull adult "238B" darvic-ringed at Ballinclamper (MC).

BUNMAHON: Common Sandpiper (MC).

CROHAUN: Long-eared Owl young calling @ 10:30 p.m. (DC).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (per DMcG).

CLONEA: 2nd Summer Mediterranean Gull, male Tufted Duck, 3 Common Sandpipers at Ballinclamper, and 1 Arctic Skua offshore. (MC, D Clarke, M Clarke).

BLACKWATER VALLEY: Spotted Flycatcher at Rincrew wood (PMW).

Nr KILROSSANTY: Long-eared Owl @ 11 p.m. (DC).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 1 Cuckoo, 1 reeling Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Woodcock at Knockadav; 1 Cuckoo Waterford side of the Vee (JAP, BS).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 2 recently-fledged Wheatear broods just E of Glentaunemon Bridge near the Vee (PMW).

Nr LISMORE: 3 male Yellowhammers SE of Lismore including one carrying food to nest (PMW).

Thursday, June 24, 2010

ARDMORE: 4-6 Mediterranean Gulls at beach, including 3+ 2nd-summer & 1+ 1st-summer (AM).

RAM HEAD: Minke Whale (AM).

Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN mountains: Woodcock roding nr Glentaunemon Bridge @ 23:05; Cuckoo calling after 22:00, Boggaghbaun / Boggaghduff forest; Spotted Flycatcher, Boggaghbaun, and 3+ birds (3 pairs present this year) & a Siskin, Moneygorm / Knockaungarriff; (DC, DW, PMW).

YOUGHAL BRIDGE: Glaucous Gull at Waterford side (FO'C).

CAMPHIRE: 7 singing Reed Warblers along the Blackwater / Bride loop, also a Lapwing & 4 Spotted Flycatchers (MC, CF).

SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon): Cuckoo calling today; also a Spotted Flycatcher nest & 2 pairs of Kingfishers along River Mahon recently, in same area (DW).

POLLRONE (Co Kilkenny, opposite Coolfin): Pair of Tree Sparrows nesting in old barn just north of Pollrone quay (PMW).

MOONVEEN (Co Kilkenny, opposite Mt Congreve): 3 Jays (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Chiffchaff juv (PMW).

ARDMORE: 1st-summer Mediterranean Gull at Curragh beach (SH).

TOWER HILL (nr Portlaw): 1+ Woodcock roding @ 22:17 & 22:40 (MAD, PMW).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Female Hen Harrier & 4 Crossbills (DC).

Nr THE VEE: Male Cuckoo calling just west of Glentaunemon Bridge, also 2 Siskins (MAD, PMW).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Painted Lady butterfly. (MC, CF)   FENOR BOG: Grasshopper Warbler in song. (")   BALLYSCANLON LAKE: Spotted Flycatcher. (")

MT MELLERAY: Adult male Crossbill @S097047 along track up to cross on hill above the monastery (MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: No sign of yesterday's Iberian Chiffchaff.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (1st Irish record) singing from willows and pine around back of main willow garden (PMW et al.). Also a Willow Warbler in same garden.

ANNESTOWN BOG: Grasshopper Warbler singing just downstream from Dunhill Castle @ 22:40 (PMW).

BALLINTLEA (nr Crohaun): 2-3 Woodcock roding tonight (MC).

CARRICK-ON-SUIR (Co Tipperary): Grasshopper Warbler seen @S406217 along river bank just east of the castle (PMW).

CORBALLY BEG (nr Ballymacaw): Tree Sparrow (PMW).

KILMEADAN POOLS: 3 Tufted Ducks (2 males & a female) (").

CROUGHAUN HILL (nr Kilmacthomas): 2 Woodcock roding @ 22:05 (PMW).

KILBRIDE / KNOCKEEN (nr Tramore): 6 Yellowhammers & 6 singing Whitethroats (PMW).

LYRENACARRIGA / BALLYCONDON (south of Tallow): Jay (PMW).

Nr TALLOW: Spotted Flycatcher & 3 singing Yellowhammers, Shean More /
Shean Beg (PMW).

BLACKWATER VALLEY: Total of 6 singing Reed Warblers at Camphire, along River Blackwater & Bride banks between Camphire slip and Camphire Bridge; also 11 Sedge Warblers (9 singing) & 11 male Reed Buntings; Spotted Flycatcher & flock of 36 Long-tailed Tits below Camphire Bridge (PMW).

COOLYDOODY WOOD (nr Tallow): Jay in Co Cork part of wood (PMW).

HELVICK HEAD: 5 Storm Petrels, 45 Manx Shearwaters (20+ feeding) & 2 Puffins west, Great Skua harassing Gannets (seawatch 18:15-19:00, MAD, PMW).

RAM HEAD: Common Dolphin, Storm Petrel, Great Skua & unidentified skua (AM).

KNOCKBRACK QUARRY (nr Clashmore): Newts in all pools, & 3 Emperor dragonflies (AM).

Nr ARDMORE: 2 + Tree Sparrows along the Ardoginna / Goat Island road, including one feeding chicks in a bungalow roof, also a Stock Dove (PMW).

BOHADOON: Cuckoo (JAP, BS).

COUMARAGLINMOUNTAIN: Cuckoo, 29 Small Heath & 4 Green Hairstreak butterflies @ grid ref S263041 (").

BALLYSCANLON LAKE: 3 Spotted Flycatchers. (MC, CF) KILMEADEN POOLS: Female Gadwall. (MC, CF) EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard. (MC, CF) WEST WATERFORD: Male Hen Harrier. (MC, CF, MC Sr.)

Nr DUNGARVAN: Spotted Flycatcher nr Hally's Bridge, Ballycullane & another along old Windgap to Ballyharrahan road (PMW).

BALLYSCANLAN: HOBBY (MC, CF).

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE: OSPREY & HOBBY (DW).

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE: 2 HOBBIES (Mary Dennehy).

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE: 3 HOBBIES in late afternoon, also Cuckoo, 3 Ravens & 8 Wood White butterflies (JAP). OSPREY still present later in evening (DMcG).

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE: OSPREY fishing (photo), and a HOBBY (PPA).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Merlin (JAP).

Nr WATERFORD CITY: Stoat, Williamstown (JAP).

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE: 3 adult HOBBIES now present, 11:35-11:55 (CF) - photo.

Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Male & female Hen Harrier, Buzzard, Cuckoo & 4 Hares (DC).

MAHON BRIDGE: Dipper (DC).

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE (nr Fenor): Hobby feeding over the lake c4 pm (MC).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Male & female Gadwall (MC).

Nr BUNMAHON: Spotted Flycatcher @ Seafield weir (DW).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Adult & juv Dipper, hybrid Whooper/Mute Swan, 2 Stock Doves over, & Cuckoo calling nearby (MC).

BRICKEY CANAL (nr Dungarvan): Kingfisher (DC).

BUNMAHON: Adult Ring-billed Gull @ mouth of River Mahon (DW).

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

DUNGARVAN: RED KITE overhead @ 2 pm (JAP).

BALLYDWAN: Merlin & 4 Choughs (DW).

Nr DUNGARVAN: Merlin (DC).

COMERAGH/MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (DC).

MID WATERFORD: Buzzard flew north (DW).

Nr BALLYMACARBRY: Dipper at Creggane Bidge, Spotted Flycatcher SE of Creggane (PMW).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Cuckoo near Knockaunabulloga (DMcG).

COMERAGH/MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: 14+ Green Hairstreak butterflies & a male Hen Harrier (JAP, Barry Power, JJC).

MID WATERFORD: Buzzard (DW).

STRADBALLY: c30 bird species on Dawn Chorus outing including Treecreeper at Woodhouse & Black Guillemot off cove (BWI, IWT & Stradbally Tidy Towns event); also a Spotted Flycatcher & Dipper at Carriganaffrin Bridge (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaff & 3 Wheatears (MAD, PMW).


Saturday, May 15, 2010

TOOR NORTH (nr Mountstewart): 2 Cuckoos calling (JAP, BS).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Spotted Flycatchers (PMW).

MONAVULLAGH/COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: 2 Cuckoos calling (1 seen); male Hen Harrier at one location, male & female at another location (JAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND: Purple Sandpiper (late) at Ballinclamper (MC).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher (PMW).

PILLTOWN CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS (nr Youghal Bay / Kinsalebeg): Male Garganey in second pool, then flew out onto estuary adjacent to Youghal Bay (CF).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Cuckoo calling near Coumtay (John Tierney).

SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon): 3 Swifts flew east (DW).

BALLYDWAN EAST: Wheatear & 3-4 House Martins (DW).

NW WATERFORD: Pair of Buzzards (PMW).

KILLOWEN & BALLINAMONA: Male Yellowhammers at both locations (JAP, BS).

Nr COMERAGH / MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: Female Hen Harrier (").

BALLYVOYLE: Red Admiral (").

COLLIGAN WOOD: Holly Blue (").

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Cuckoo calling just east of Knocknafallia, N of Mt Melleray (PMW).

Nr BALLYLANEEN: Yellowhammer carrying nest material (DW).

Nr BALLINAMULT: Pair of Dippers at Priestown Bridge (PMW).

MONAMINTRA BOG: Grasshopper Warbler reeling @ 20:30 (PMW).

KILCARAGH / KNOCKBOY: Water Rail calling @ 21:20 from bog along Keiloge River (PMW).

CASTLETOWN FEN: Male Cuckoo calling @ 21:45 (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher (PMW).

GARRANTURTON (nr Kilmacthomas): Wheatear yesterday (DW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 3 Wheatears (PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: 3 Great Northern Divers, 13 Whimbrel, 51 Sanderling, adult dark-bellied Brent, 41 Brent Geese & a singing Whitethroat at Ballinclamper (PMW);p another Whitethroat at Ballyvoyle (MC Snr).

Nr TALLOW: Yellowhammer at Shean More (PMW).

Nr MT MELLERAY: Dipper at Melleray Bridge (DMcG).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroat, 2 Grasshopper Warblers & 3-4 Wheatears (PPA).

Nr CLONEA STRAND: Whitethroat singing at Clonea Upper (MAD, PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: 62 Whimbrel & 3 singing Sedge Warblers nr Clonea Castle (MAD, PMW).

RATHMOYLAN COVE: Whitethroat & Sedge Warbler singing (MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Swifts flew north, also a male Blackcap (").

KILSHEELAN to CLONMEL (Waterford side): Jay & Treecreeper at Tikincor;
total of 22+ singing Blackcaps (PMW).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: Whooper Swan still present (JmP).

GURTEEN (nr Kilsheelan): 2 Spotted Flycatchers (1st of year) (PMW).

ANNESTOWN: Grasshopper Warbler (JAP, JJC, BS, RAW).

BUNMAHON to BALLYVOYLE: c10 singing Skylarks along coastal fields (").

BALLYVOYLE: Singing Whitethroat (").

CLONEA STRAND: 4 Great Northern Divers (").