DUNGARVAN: Great Skua @ The Cunnigar. (MC, CF)

HELVICK HEAD: Storm Petrel, 2 juv Puffins & 45 Manx Shearwaters W (seawatch 17:15-17:45, PMW), also 2 Whimbrel on rocks.

RAM HEAD: Sooty Shearwater & 350 Manx Shearwaters W (6 E, 3 on sea) (seawatch 14:50-15:50, wind 2-3 SW- W, MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile stint species near Cunnigar tip (FO'C), now confirmed as Semipalmated Sandpiper - video (DW).

ARDMORE: Juvenile Mediterranean Gull (MC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ The Barnawee and Green Sandpiper @ Ballyneety (").

RAM HEAD: OSPREY (Mark Ryan per www.irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN: Adult SPERM WHALE live-stranded on sandbanks at the Cunnigar; also 3 Pomarine Skuas on sandbanks there (FO'C) & a Yellow-legged Gull (DW) & female/imm Shoveler (CF) at Killongford.

HELVICK HEAD: Sub-adult Pomarine Skua, Great Skua, 2 Puffins & small numbers of Manx Shearwaters (seawatch 19:45-20:15, CF).

RAM HEAD: Great Shearwater (on water then flew into feeding Manxie flock), 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 1 Great Skua & 1000+ Manx Shearwaters (AM).

BALLYNACOURTY LIGHTHOUSE: A Jay this morning (MC snr).

WEST WATERFORD PELAGIC: Boat-trip from Youghal to c5 miles off Ram Head (9-5) produced 2+ Balearic Shearwaters, 4+ Sooty Shearwaters, 4+ Bonxies, 8+ Stormies, a juvenile Puffin, 500+ feeding Manxies & 4+ Common Dolphins - subject to any later corrections (hard to exclude duplication for some species), also an ad or subadult Mediterranean Gull closer inshore (Paul Archer, Mark Carmody, Declan Clarke, Mark Foley, Owen Foley, Andrew Kelly, Andrew Malcolm, Ronan McLoughlin, Gerry Power, John Power, Ann Trimble, Paul Walsh, Daniel Weldon & boatman Martin Colfer www.charterangling.ie, wind 2-3 E to NE).

BUNMAHON: Hummingbird Hawk-moth (DW) & 3 Kingfishers (James Hearne)


Monday, August 15 2011

DUNGARVAN: Merlin at the Cunnigar, 2 Mediterranean Gulls at the Park Hotel (DC).

SEAFIELD: 2 flyover Green Sandpipers (DW).

Nr BUNMAHON: Barn Owl @ 9:35 pm (DW).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: 2 coveys of Red Grouse (PC).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Green Sandpiper & Common Sandpiper at Clohernagh (DS).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Common Sandpiper (").

DUNGARVAN: 2 juv Reed Warblers in tiny reedbed in dump complex at Ballyneety, Water Rail calling here also; Green Sandpiper & 2 Common Sandpipers, Ballyneety; Common Sandpiper at Killongford (MC, CF).

BUNMAHON: Green Sandpiper and 2 Kingfishers (").

RAM HEAD: Sooty Shearwater and Puffin west (").

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Ruff at the Cunnigar (MC).

SEAFIELD: 2 Green Sandpipers (DW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Arctic Skuas (Michael Nolan per www.irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN: At the Cunnigar, large numbers of Ringed Plover (including some flightless young), smaller numbers of Sanderling & Dunlin (ads & juvs & Turnstone, 4 Grey Plover (3 ad-summer & 1 juv), 14 Whimbrel, 2 Golden Plover & 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit (JAP).

DUNGARVAN: 3 Mediterranean Gulls (adult '3H97' & 2 juveniles) & a Common Sandpiper at Ballyneety (MC).

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull @ Barnawee. (MC)

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 4 Sooty Shearwaters, Great Skua & Arctic Skua (Michael Nolan per irishbirding.com)

HELVICK HEAD: 3 Storm Petrels, an Arctic Tern & just 16 Manx Shearwaters (seawatch 19:10-20:25, CF).

RAM HEAD: Large shearwater (Cory's/Great) hanging around same patch of water where seen recently, also a skua species W, immature Great Northern Diver on sea, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins & 2 Porpoises (AM).

DUNGARVAN: 7 Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee (2nd-summer & 6 adults including '3H97') (MC).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Ringed Plover (DW).

SEAFIELD: Grasshopper Warbler (DW).

DUNGARVAN: Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpipers & juvenile Merlin at Ballyneety (DC); SPOONBILL at Killingford @ 17:45, 34 Great Crested Grebes in Dungarvan Bay (PMW).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Puffins W & very few Manx Shearwaters (3 E, 1 W) in half-hour seawatch (16:30-17:00, wind 1-2 W or NW, PMW).

BUNMAHON: OSPREY circling for 5 minutes over sea, then flew east c18:35 (DW); later seen circling off Annestown/Kilfarrasy at 18:55 (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL & juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Killongford (MC, CF).

LISMORE: Barnacle Goose (presumed escaped or feral) on canal (").

WEST WATERFORD: Buzzard (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 4 Common Scoter E, 2 Black Guillemots E (ad + juv separately), 3 Whimbrel W, 134 Manx Shearwaters E (54 W), 20 Fulmars W (6 E), 300 Gannets E (177 W), 37 Kittiwakes W (28 E), 28 Sandwich Terns W (26 E), 2 Razorbills E, 2 large auks W & a Porpoise (seawatch 06:50-09:50, wind 1 W); on land, a Tree Sparrow (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: 3rd-cal-yr Yellow-legged Gull again at Killongford (PMW); juv Mediterranean Gull at Ballyneety, 2nd-summer Med Gull at Barnawee, 3 Common Sandpipers off pitch & putt (MC); 5 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety (DC).

CLODIAGH RIVER: Kingfisher (DC).

RAM HEAD: 3 large shearwaters & an immature Great Northern Diver (AM).

DUNGARVAN: 3rd-winter (3rd-calendar-year) Yellow-legged Gull at Killongford this evening (CF).

HELVICK: Puffin flew west. (MC)

BALLYRAFTER (Lismore): Flock of 70+ Siskins (AM).

Off MINE HEAD: Over 250 Manx Shearwaters, an immature Puffin & 2 Black Guillemots from boat (DC).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Wood Sandpiper still present, also an Emperor dragonfly (PA).

DUNGARVAN: 2 Common Sandpipers at Killongford bridge & 1 at the Cunnigar (PV).

CLONEA STRAND: 3 adult & 2 juvenile Sandwich Terns, 1 of juvs with yellow ring including "ECL" on right leg ("), & adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (MC snr).

COLLIGAN WOOD: Dipper & a brood of fledged Spotted Flycatchers (DMcG).




Sunday, July 31, 2011

Nr AGLISH: Barn Owl at 22:20 (MF).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Wood Sandpiper still present (DS, PV).

DUNGARVAN: 3 Common Sandpipers on Brickey at Killongford Bridge (AA).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Great Skua. (MC, CF)

CLOGHERNAGH: 4 Common Sandpipers. (MC, CF)

PICKARDSTOWN: 7 Common Sandpipers. (")

KNOCKADERRY LAKE: Common Sandpiper. (")

BALLYSHUNNOCK LAKE: Hybrid Mute X Whooper Swan & Swan Goose hybrid. (")

DUNGARVAN: Adult & 1st summer Mediterranean Gull @ Barnawee Bridge. (")

KILMEADEN POOLS: Wood Sandpiper & Green Sandpiper @ 08:30 (MC, CF) - see video of Wood Sandpiper on youtube.



Friday, July 29, 2011

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (PD).

RAM HEAD: 2 large shearwaters (probably Cory's) E up to 10:25, also 200+ Manx Shearwaters & 3 Porpoises (AM).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Garden Warbler eating plums in main willow-garden (PA).

BUNMAHON: Kingfisher (James Hearne).

Nr KILMEADEN: Adult Long-eared Owl found dead (road casualty) on N25 - see photos (PA).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper (DW).

RAM HEAD: Complete breeding failure at the Kittiwake colony here - no chicks in nests (first would normally be fledging about now), still 65-70 occupied but empty nests or ledges & 100+ adults this evening, of the 108 occupied nests counted at visible study plots in June (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Common Sandpiper @ Ballyneety. (MC)

CROHAUN: 3 Long-eared Owls, 3 Kestrels & 3 Ravens (DC).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Puffins W (seawatch 17:35-18:35, MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Storm Petrel & Porpoise W, flock of 18 Common Scoter
E, immature Great Northern Diver on sea close inshore, 140+ Manx Shearwaters feeding (seawatch 09:25-10:55, wind 1-2 W-SW, MAD, PMW); Tree Sparrow & 6+ Willow Warblers on land.

HELVICK HEAD: 4 Common Scoter W @ 10:20 (MC).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 CORY'S SHEARWATERS, juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2nd-summer Pomarine Skua W, 3 diver species, 3 Common Scoter, Great Skua, Arctic Skua & 2 adult Roseate Terns E, 720 Manx Shearwaters E (60 W, 60+ feeding/rafting) (seawatch 06:45-10:45, wind 1-2 NW-W, PMW). On land, 2 Tree Sparrows, 6+ Willow Warblers, a Common Lizard & a Hummingbird Hawk-moth (MAD, PMW).

Nr VILLIERSTOWN: Barn Owl heard at 11:30 pm (MC snr).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper again (DW).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper (DW).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): Long-eared Owl chick calling @ 22:55 (AM).

SEAFIELD: Green Sandpiper (DW).

LISMORE: Crossbills in woods behind Ballyrafter (AM).

DROMANA: Crossbills here also (").

DUNGARVAN: Adult & 1st summer Mediterranean Gull at The Barnawee. (MC)

DUNGARVAN: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (including 3H97) and a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull @ The Barnawee. 6 Common Sandpipers @ Ballyneety and 3 Common Sandpipers @ Killongford. (MC)

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: c140 Sandwich Terns roosting at Ballinattin (JmP).

HELVICK HEAD: 1 Storm Petrel (MC, CF).

DUNGARVAN: 9 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety & 1 at Killongford (").

CLONEA STRAND: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper (").

BALLINLOUGH: Water Rail calling (").

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Water Rail calling (").

ARDMORE: Adult Mediterranean Gull at harbour this morning (SH).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford (CF), 8 Common Sandpipers & a Treecreeper, Barnawee area (MC snr).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 CORY'S SHEARWATERS late today (MC snr).

DUNGARVAN: 16 Common Sandpipers @ Ballyneety. (MC)

MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: Snipe drumming at Ballintlea (tetrads S20Q & S20V) tonight (MC).

RAM HEAD: 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 300 Manxies, 1 Black Guillemot, 7 Porpoises & a Bank Vole this p.m. (AM).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (mobbed by 2 Mistle Thrushes) & Grasshopper Warblers (AM).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford (MC).

HELVICK HEAD: Sooty Shearwater on sea with 100+ Manx Shearwaters, also a Puffin west, & one of the regular Black Guillemots carrying food (seawatch 16:40-17:15, MAD, PMW).

Nr CAPPOQUIN: 4 Yellowhammers (3 singing males) at Springfield (").

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

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Grasshopper Warbler heard nr Bael Loch, Crossbills in wood behind Ballysaggart, & a male Hen Harrier (having a fight with 2 Pheasants!) elsewhere (AM).

Nr NEW ROSS (Co Wexford): Greater White-toothed Shrew found dead at Ballagh, Adamstown (AT) - probably another new county for the species.

DUNGARVAN: 6 Common Sandpipers @ Killongford. (MC)

Off HELVICK HEAD: From boat less than a half-mile out - 8 Common Scoter, 6 Pomarine Skuas, 1 Great Skua & 1 Storm Petrel, also 500+ Manx Shearwaters & Gannets diving around the boat plus a Minke Whale (FO'C).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford (MC).

ARAGLIN HILLS: Pair of Crossbills, 3 Jays, a Siskin & a Fallow Deer in Cahergal forest, a Dipper just south of Araglin village (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: 11 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety, adult Mediterranean Gull opposite Park Hotel (MC).

DUNGARVAN: Common Sandpiper at Killongford, 4 Whimbrel opposite sports complex (JAP).

Nr BALLYMACARBRY: Pair of Siskins, and Spotted Flycatcher south of there (DMcG).

CLONEA STRAND: 10 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adult, 2 2nd-summer, 1 1st-summer & 5 juveniles) at Ballinclamper - including darvic-ringed adult 3H97, ringed in Denmark June 2005, seen here every summer since 2007 (MC).

DUNGARVAN: 1st-summer Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (").

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Storm Petrels, 3 Puffins & 2 Black Guillemots (seawatch 19:15-20:00) (").

HELVICK HEAD: Balearic Shearwater, 4 Storm Petrels, Great Skua, 3 pale-phase Arctic Skuas, Puffin & 2 Black Guillemots west (seawatch 20:45-21:30, MC).

DUNGARVAN: 1st-summer Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (").

CLONEA STRAND: 4 Mediterranean Gulls (3 juveniles & a metal-ringed 2nd-summer) at Ballinclamper (MC snr).

BALLYQUIN STRAND (nr Ardmore): Adult Mediterranean Gull (AM).

CLONEA STRAND: Total of 16 Mediterranean Gulls at Ballinclamper - a record Co Waterford count - 6 adults, 3 1st-summers & 7 juveniles, @ 20:00, also darvic-ringed juvenile Black-headed Gull (26DO, left leg, white) (MC, MC snr).

DUNGARVAN: 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee @ 18:40 (MC).


Monday, July 04, 2011

Nr MOUNT CONGREVE (River Suir): Water Rail calling, & a seal species (probably Common Seal) (DMcG).

CLONEA STRAND: Adult Mediterranean Gull among c100 Black-headed Gulls.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS (Co. Tipperary side): c12 Crossbills at various locations in woods just over the border, also a dead Greater White-toothed Shrew on Tipperary side of Knockmealdowns.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Tree Sparrow (PMW).

DUNGARVAN: Greenshank, 100+ Redshank, c50n Curlew 7 6 Black-tailed Godwit at Barnawee (PV).

CLONEA STRAND: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Ballinclamper (MC snr), Common Sandpiper at Ballinard (PV).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Common Sandpiper (MC).

KILMEADEN POOLS: Adult Black-tailed Godwit (").

ANNESTOWN BOG: Mute Swan pair with 6 cygnets opposite Dunhill Castle (").

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

BALLYNACOURTY POINT: Adult Mediterranean Gull (FO'C).

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL & a juvenile Black-headed Gull at Killongford this evening (MC).



Monday, June 27, 2011

RAM HEAD: Clouded Yellow butterfly (early) & dark-phase skua (probably Arctic) (AM).

WHITING BAY: 11 Choughs on beach (").

SEAFIELD: 3 Spotted Flycatchers (1 juv) - 1 watched coughing up a pellet (DW).

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard (DMcG).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (AM).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Whooper/Mute Swan hybrid & Swan Goose hybrid still present (MC).

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

Nr MILLSTREET: 2 Spotted Flycatchers (separately at Mountaincastle & Knockaunnaglokee), 4 Stock Doves at Garryduff (PMW).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Roost of 47 Hooded Crows in forest near Davmore @22:15 (PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: Common Sandpiper at Ballinard (PV).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 3 Wheatears (1 juv), hills above the Vee (").

AGLISH: Male Yellowhammer (MC).

CLASHMORE BROADS: Stock Dove & 5 Ravens (").

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper at Ballyneety (JAP, BS).

DUNMORE EAST: Large passage of Manx Shearwaters off seawall (").

HELVICK HEAD: 4 Puffins, 2 Storm Petrels, and 2 Black Guillemots carrying fish to head (seawatch 3pm to 4pm, MC).

SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon): Yellowhammer with 2 fledglings, & Otter (DW).



Wednesday, June 22, 2011

WHITING BAY: Otter & 10 Choughs (AM).

DUNGARVAN: Common Sandpiper at Killongford bridge (JAP), adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee bridge (MC).

Nr LEMYBRIEN: Grasshopper Warblers singing at S283020 & S319002 tonight (MC).

FENOR BOG: 2 Sedge Warblers including 1 carrying food (DS).

Nr WATERFORD CITY: Pair of Spotted Flycatchers daily at IDA Park (").

DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull, Abbeyside, between red bridge and bypass (PV).

Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Female/immature Hen Harrier (AM).

MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier late this evening (MC).

HELVICK HEAD: 3 Storm Petrels loitering (CF).

Nr WHITING BAY : 2 adult Tree Sparrows at Ballysallagh, one carrying food (JAP, BS).

Nr CALISO BAY: Spotted Flycatcher at Moord (").

WOODSTOWN BOG: Reed Warbler singing & Water Rail calling, 19:40-20:00 (PMW).

Nr MI;;STREET: 4 Stock Doves (").

MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier, 4 recently-fledged Wheatear broods (altitudes 275 m to 417 m), & 2 Rabbits @ 417 m (PMW).

LEMYBRIEN: Adult Dipper on River Deehil (PMW).

ARDEENLOUN (nr Knockaderry): Grasshopper Warbler singibg this evening (MC).

GUILCAGH/GLENHOUSE WOOD (nr Portlaw): 3 Woodcock roding (2 + 1), 22:20-23:00 (PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows, 3 Swifts W (@ 20:40) (PMW).

GLENHOUSE/KILBUNNY WOOD (nr Portlaw): 2 Jays (PMW).

BALLINLOUGH: 2 singing Reed Warblers & a Water Rail (DW).

SEAFIELD: 2 pairs of Spotted Flycatchers & 7 Treecreepers (5 juvs) (").

HELVICK HEAD: 2050 Manx Shearwaters & 8 Puffins west (seawatch 18:35-19:35, wind 4 SW, PMW).

DRUM HILLS: Grasshopper Warbler singing in Reamanagh forest nr Keane's Cross Roads ("),

HELVICK HEAD: Good passage of Manxies, 2 Puffins, Black Guillemot seen three times flying towards head carrying fish (seawatch 15.45 - 16.45, MC).

ARDMORE / RAM HEAD: No further sign of Bee-eater up to 15:30.

DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford (MC, MC snr, CF).

ARDMORE / RAM HEAD: BEE-EATER still present up to 10:45 at least, very
flighty, feeding & calling (MC, MC snr, CF).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Female Wheatear with 3 recently fledged young on southern slope of Knocknafallia @ 418 m, 6 Swifts probably from Mt Melleray feeding above 600 m at Knocknafallia (PMW).

ARDMORE / RAM HEAD: BEE-EATER (1st county record) on wires by farm near the Coastguard Station south of Cliff Hotel @ 09:30 (AM, AT).

NIRE VALLEY: Jay & Treecreeper nr Birchell's Bridge (MAD, PMW).



Thursday, June 09, 2011

CARRIGEENNAGERAGH BIG (nr Lemybrien): Long-eared Owl tonight (MC).

Nr WATERFORD CITY: 2 Spotted Flycatchers & pair of Reed Buntings at IDA Park opposite Whitfield Clinic (DS).



Tuesday, June 7, 2011:

Nr THE PIKE: Cuckoo calling (MC snr). (Also one at Ballysaggart last week, Kevin Reddy per MC snr.)

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Albino Hen Harrier (AT).

RUSSELLTOWN WOOD (nr Clonmel): Red Squirrel (PMW).

EAST WATERFORD: Unconfirmed report of Corncrake seen in the past week while a field of grass was being cut (per Tom Ryan/DMcG).

KILMACTHOMAS: Cuckoo & 6 Whitethroats at Knocnkanearley, 2 Dippers & 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Flahavan's Mill bridge (DC).


NORTH COMERAGHS: Cuckoo calling along Munster Way just S of Clonmel, Jay SE of Clonmel & another Jay nr Labartt's Bridge, Nire Valley (MAD, PMW).

NIRE VALLEY: 3 Woodcocks roding over forest at Boolabrien Lower /Knockalisheen, 22:05-22:20, also 3+ Fallow Deer & (earlier) a Red Squirrel (MAD, PMW).

RUSSELLSTOWN WOOD (Nr Clonmel): 3 Jays, a Siskin, 32 Willow Warblers (29 singing), 12 Chiffchaffs & 9 Blackcaps singing (").

CAPPAGH: Hybrid Whooper/Mute Swan, 6 Mute Swans, Long-tailed Tit & several Sedge Warblers at Cappagh fishing lakes, Spotted Flycatcher at old Ballinameela Church beside Cappagh quarry (PV).

DUNGARVAN: Spoonbill at Killongford (MC, CF, DW).

BALYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Hummingbird Hawk-moth, male and fem tufty,
great c grebe, swan goose hybrid, whooper hybrid, 2 mutes and fem
mallard with 8 ducklings (MC, CF, DW).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Lots of Green Hairstreak butterflies in Rhododendron this morning (AM).


Thursday, June 02, 2011

Nr BUNMAHON: QUAIL calling @ 10:30 last night (DW).

RAM HEAD: Lots of Whitethroats, 5-10 Common Dolphins & a Porpoise (AM).

Monday, May 30, 2011

CLONEA STRAND: A colour-ringed Sanderling seen today had been ringed at Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania, in west Africa, on April 21 2009 (MC).