DUNGARVAN:  11 Barnacle Geese at Ballyneety (DW), 2 BLACK-NECKED GREBES at Ballynacourty, SPOONBILL in western bay (MC snr).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Male RING-NECKED DUCK (MC snr).

WHITING BAY:  20 Choughs at Ballinclamper (AM).

BALLYQUIN:  Female Merlin (").

CLONEA STRAND:  17 Choughs at Ballinclamper (").
 
DUNGARVAN:  11 Barnacle Geese at Ballyneety (DC).

HELVICK:  1st-winter Iceland Gull (MC snr).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL in western bay (").

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

DUNGARVAN:  2 BLACK-NECKED GREBES off Ballynacourty pier (MC snr).

ARDMORE:  3rd-winter Iceland Gull off Curragh strand  (AM).

RAM HEAD:  150 Common Dolphins (").

HELVICK HEAD:  2 1st-winter Iceland Gulls following trawler (CF).

DUNGARVAN:  Jack Snipe in pool near Cunnigar car-park (")

BALLYVOYLE:  Dipper (").

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Male RING-NECKED DUCK @ 14:45 (PA).

TRAMORE:  Black Redstart at west end of beach, only 1 Gadwall at boating lake (DS).

BUNMAHON:  Green Sandpiper & 2 Red-throated Divers (MC snr).

SEAFIELD:  Male Pintail @ 08:30 (DW).

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  76 Whooper Swans including 65 at Ballynerroon West, Jay near Lismore Towers (MAD, PMW).

BLACKWATER VALLEY:  62 Whooper Swans at Camphire (PMW).

BUNMAHON: Male Pintail (DW).

CROHAUN:  2 Woodcock (DC).

BOATSTRAND: 2nd winter Glaucous Gull & 1st winter Iceland Gull. (MC, CF, DW)

BALLYSCANLON LAKE: Jay. (")

TRAMORE: 25 Gadwall @ the boating lake. 3 Gadwall & 2 female Shoveler @ Lisselan. (")

DUNMORE EAST: 2nd winter Iceland Gull & 3rd winter Iceland Gull. (")

HELVICK: 1st winter Glaucous Gull & 2nd winter Iceland Gull. (MC)

DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal; Blackcap & 4 Siskins at Strandside (DC).

MID WATERFORD:  2 Buzzards (DC).

DUNGARVAN:  Female-type Black Redstart again in town centre (FO'C).

BOATSTRAND:  1st-winter Glaucous Gull (DW, DC).

DUNGARVAN:  Male Brambling in garden at Abbeyside @ 12:05, 1st-winter Iceland Gull at Barnawee (MC).

TRAMORE: 3 Gadwall at Lisselan (DW, MC snr), 1 Gadwall at boating lake & adult Mediterranean Gull on beach (DS).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Green Sandpiper (DW, MC snr).

DUNGARVAN: Greylag Goose with 3 Brent Geese at Abbeyside, beach, flying around (FO'C).

DUNGARVAN: 2 Black Redstarts (male & female-type) in town centre (FO'C).

BOATSTRAND: 2 1st-winter Glaucous Gulls (DW, MC snr).

SEAFIELD:  3 Pintail (2 males) (DW).

BOATSTRAND:  1st-winter Glaucous Gull & 2 1st-winter Iceland Gulls (DW, DC).

TRAMORE:  Black Redstart at west end of beach (DS).

TRAMORE: Total 1090 Brent Geese in Backstrand, also 530 Oystercatcher & 71 Shelduck; 2 Gadwall & 2 Tufted Duck at Lisselan; 1 Gadwall on boating lake (PMW).

TIBBERAGHNY (Co Kilkenny):  56 Whooper Swans, 1 Pink-footed Goose, 364 Greylag Geese & a hybrid (Bar-headed-type) goose (").

DERRIIGAL / PORTNASCULLY: 12 Whooper Swans & 28 Greylag Geese at Portnascully (Co Kilkenny).

DUNMORE EAST:  2 1st-winter & 2 2nd-winter Iceland Gulls (JAP, BS, FOC), & 1st-winter Glaucous Gull (JmP).

MID-WATERFORD:  Buzzard (JAP, BS, FO'C).

DUNGARVAN:  Male Blackcap, 2 Siskins & 5 Redpolls at Strandside, Abbeyside (DC).

Off DUNMORE EAST:  HUMPBACK WHALE, 4 Fin Whales, adult Mediterranean Gull & Red-throated Diver (DC).

CLONEA STRAND:  2 Whimbrel at Ballinard, 1st-winter male Black Redstart at Ballynacourty lighthouse (DW, CF).

DUNGARVAN:  2 Long-tailed Duck off Ballynacourty pier, 9 Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower, Ring (").

HELVICK HEAD:  15 Common Scoter W (DW, CF), 1st-winter Glaucous Gull (JAP, BS).

NEWPORT EAST:  2 Stock Doves (JAP, BS).

KINSALEBEG:  2 1st-winter Iceland Gulls (").

Nr WHITING BAY:  20+ Tree Sparrows at Springfield/Ballysallagh, male Hen Harrier hunting (").

BALLYDUFF UPPER: 2 adult Bewick's Swans and 2 Green Sandpipers @ Ballyneroon. (MC, CF, DW)

TINNABINNA: 1st W KUMLIEN'S GULL & 1st W Iceland Gull near Youghal Bridge. (")

CAPPOQUIN: Yellowhammer. (")

HELVICK: 1st W Glaucous Gull, adult Iceland Gull & a Black Guillemot. (MC)

CLONEA: 3 Black Redstarts @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

DUNGARVAN: 2 BLACK-NECKED GREBES @ Ballinacourty. (MC)

RAM HEAD: Pomarine Skua (light phase) chasing Kittiwakes, 42 Common Scoter E (4 flocks), 13 divers W, Fin Whale, Minke Whale (1st ever here at this time of year) & 100 Common Dolphins (AM).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 4 Red Grouse calling (JAP, BS).

GLENMORE (nr Lismore): 5 Jays (").

NEWPORT EAST: Female Hen Harrier & 3 Yellowhammers ("(.

WEST WATERFORD: 2 Buzzards (").

DUNGARVAN TOWN: 2 Chiffchaffs nr civic offices (FO'C).

DUNGARVAN: 2 BLACK-NECKED GREBES at Ballynacourty (MC snr).

Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Hen Harrier female (AM).

DUNGARVAN TOWN:  Female-type Black Redstart again today (FO'C).

RAM HEDA:  Fin Whale & 100 Common Dolphins (AM).

DUNGARVAN:  Kingfisher at Barnawee, Green Sandpiper at Ballyneety bridge (MC sr).

RING: Chiffchaff @ Knockanpower Lower. (MC)

DUNGARVAN: Adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose (bernicla) @ Ballyneety. (")

DUNGARVAN: 2 BLACK-NECKED GREBES & Long-tailed Duck off Ballynacourty pier (MC), also 109 Great Crested Grebes, 3 Red-throated Divers, Great Northern Diver & 26 Red-breasted Mergansers there (MAD, PMW); 2 Black Redstarts (incl male) in town centre (FO'C); total 1870 Brent Geese around the bay (incl 890 at Ballyneety, 625 at Duckspool & 270 at Killongford), SPOONBILL inside Cunnigar (MAD, PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: Total just 33 Brent Geese, 5 Great Northern Divers & 1 Red-throated Diver; 1 Purple Sandpiper & adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper; 3 Whimbrel at Ballinard; 1 Common Scoter flew SW off Ballyvoyle (MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL roosting on tip of the Cunnigar (PV).

CLONEA STRAND:  Great Northern Diver & Black Redstart at Ballinclamper (").

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  4 Shoveler & 2 Otters (MD).

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

DUNMORE EAST: Merlin. (MC, CF, DW)

TRAMORE: 1st W Iceland Gull & 25 Gadwall @ the boating lake. 2 Gadwall & 1 female Shoveler @ Lisselan. (")

BOATSTRAND: 1st W Iceland Gull & 1st W Glaucous Gull. (")

DUNGARVAN: 3rd W Yellow-legged Gull @ Killongford. (")

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): 32 Redpolls (flocks of 19 & 12) (AM).

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  3 Shoveler, 10 Whooper Swans & an Otter (MD).

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

ANNESTOWN:  Kingfisher & 10 Snipe (DC).

TRAMORE: 1st-winter Iceland Gull at boating lake, female/imm Merlin at Backstrand (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL on Cunnigar opposite Sports Centre; no sign of Glossy Ibises at Duckspool (MC sr).

CLONEA STRAND:  Black Redstart at Ballinclamper (").

ARDMORE: Yellowhammer & 1 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull @ Whiting Bay. (MC, DW)

DUNGARVAN: Adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose (bernicla) @ Ballyneety. (")

TRAMORE: 1st-winter Iceland Gull at boating lake (DS, JF), 800-1000 Brent Geese at new racecourse, Lisselan (DMcG).

DUNGARVAN: A fifth GLOSSY IBIS seen flying over Country Life shop,  the other four still present at Duckspool shortly afterwards (DS); in late afternoon, just 2 Ibis at Duckspool, later none (MC, DW)' SPOONBILL off pitch & putt, then flew to western bay (CF); 550 Brent Geese at Duckspool, 350 at Ballyneety (MAD, PMW).

HELVICK HEAD: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull (MC, DW).

BLACKWATER ESTUARY: 1st-winter KUMLIEN'S GULL, 2 1st/2nd-winter Iceland Gulls & 1st/2nd-winter Glaucous Gull flew over (to bread) from mudflats by Youghal dump (MAD, PMW).

DUNGARVAN:  4 GLOSSY IBISES still in original field opposite Friary College (MC, DW); 6 Great Northern Divers at Ballynacourty (DC).

CLONEA STRAND:  Black Redstart & 5 Great Northern Divers at Ballinclamper (DC).

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  2 Bewick's Swans with 33 Whooper Swans, viewable from layby about 1-2 km east of Ballyduff (MC, DW, DS).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  2 Crossbills in garden again, male singing (AM).

BLACKWATER CALLOWS: 6 Shoveler. (MC, CF)

BALLYDUFF: 2 Green Sandpipers @ Ballyneroon. (")

DUNGARVAN: 4 GLOSSY IBISES with Brent Geese at Duckspool (between Abbeyside & Kilminnin/Barnawee) (MC, CF)

BLACKWATER ESTUARY / YOUGHAL HARBOUR: Adult and 3rd-w Yellow-legged Gull, 3 Iceland Gulls (2 1st-w & a 2nd-w), 1st-w KUMLIEN'S GULL and 2 1st-w Glaucous Gulls at the pier on Co Waterford side nr Youghal. MC, CF

BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  2 adult Bewick's Swans about half way between Lismore & Ballyduff. Keeping company with 39 Whoopers; total of 85 Whoopers along Callows. MC, CF

BLACKWATER VALLEY:  76 Whooper Swans at Camphire (").

ANNESTOWN:  Kingfisher (DC).

DUNMORE EAST:  1st-winter Glaucous Gull at pier (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal (JAP).

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper heard calling over shopping centre in town this morning (CF).

BLACKWATER ESTUARY (Youghal harbour, Co Waterford side): KUMLIEN'S GULL on mud by last house on left before bridge, approaching from east - 1st county record of this subspecies (HH).

TRAMORE:  31 Gadwall at boating lake (DW).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Slavonian Grebe & 2 Long-tailed Ducks off Ballynacourty (CF).

CLONEA STRAND:  Whimbrel but no sign of Bluethroat at Ballinclamper (").

Nr CARRIGNAGOUR (N of Lismore): Male Merlin found dead, Redpoll still present in numbers (AM),

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: 1st-winter Iceland Gull (DS, Arlo & Joe Farrell).

RAM HEAD: Red-throated Diver, Fin Whale, 30 Common Dolphins & 2 Porpoises (AM).

DUNMORE EAST: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull & 2 Iceland Gulls (3rd-winter & a new, 1st-winter bird) (PA).

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

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Slavonian Grebe off Ballynacourty (MC, AJ, SH, DS), adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballyneety (MC), 3 Otters (adult & 2 young) between pitch & putt course and the Cunnigar (JAP).

DUNMORE EAST to BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Fin Whale, 2 Porpoises, 2-3 Great Skuas, 6 Common Scoter, Great Northern Diver & Red-throated Diver - whalewatching boat-trip with South Coast Charter Angling (MAD, AM, AT, PMW et al). Also 3 Fin Whales, 30+ Common Dolphins & 3-5 Great Skuas SE of Hook Head, Co Wexford.

DUNMORE EAST:  1st-winter Glaucous Gull (").

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Red Grouse heard, also a Red Deer stag (AM).

TRAMORE:  1st-winter Iceland Gull at boating lake (MC, CF).

DUNMORE EAST: Grey Phalarope, 1st-winter Glaucous Gull and adult argentatus-race Herring Gull at pier (MC, CF).

DRUM HILLS: 2 Crossbills near Knocknaglogh Lower (MAD, PMW).

ARDMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull at harbour (SH).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): Large flock of 20+ Redpolls (AM).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  Chiffchaff (AM).

TRAMORE:  1st-winter Iceland Gull at boating lake (MC sr).

PORTLAW:  Green Sandpiper (").

SEAFIELD:  Green Sandpiper (dw).

ANNESTOWN:  Kingfisher (DC).

BUNMAHON:  Kingfisher (").

BRAMBLING:  Male Brambling at Strandside (").

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT  at Ballinclamper (Pat Brennan per irishbirding.com).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  Red Admiral flying around garden (AM).

KILMURRY: Queen bumblebee feeding on Rosemary in garden (JAP).

DUNGARVAN:  Slavonian Grebe / Black-necked Grebe still at Ballynacourty (MC sr).

WATERFORD CITY:  Chiffchaff feeding in garden (DS).

Thursday, January 05, 2011

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & 3 Black Redstarts at Ballinclamper (Jeff Copner & Paul Copner per irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL near the Cunnigar ("),

DUNMORE EAST:  3rd-winter Iceland Gull, 2 1st-winter Glaucous Gulls & 5 Purple Sandpipers (MC sr).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT showing well plus 2 Black Redstarts (JAP, RAW).

Tuesday, January 03, 2011

DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL in western bay, 2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull at Ballynacourty (HH).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & 2 Black Redstarts at Ballinclamper (").

ARDMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull in harbour (CF).

WHITING BAY:  20+ Tree Sparrows at Springfield Lower in small farmyard opposite concrete area for sugar beet, also large numbers of finches in same area (").

DUNMORE EAST:  2 Glaucous Gulls (1st- & 2nd-winter) & a 3rd-winter Iceland Gull (PA).

DUNMORE EAST:  4 Glaucous Gulls (CtB).

CAMPHIRE (Blackwater / Bride): c30 Whooper Swans below Camphire bridge (JAP, BS).

BALLYBRACK:  c10 Yellowhammers (").

DUNGARVAN:  Slavonian Grebe at Gold Coast, female Pintail off pitch & putt (CF & John Langton), adult dark-bellied Brent at pitch & putt, 3 Chiffchaffs at knockanpower (MC), SPOONBILL at the Cunnigar (Chris ten Bohmer, KAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT, 3 Black Redstarts & 2 Purple Sandpipers at Ballinclamper (MC, CF, JL, Declan Murphy).

SEAFIELD:  Merlin & 2 Chiffchaffs (DW).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Very fresh Red Grouse droppings (AM), Red Grouse calling elsewhere & 3 Woodcock (JAP, BS).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  7 Crossbills in garden (").

DRUM HILLS:  5 Crossbills between Toor North & Ballynaparka (JAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT at Ballinclamper (JAP, BS).

DUNGARVAN:  3 Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower (MAD, PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: 5 Black Redstarts, 4 Purple Sandpipers, BLUETHROAT & 5 Great Northern Divers at Ballinclamper (", RMcL, Shay Power).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Great Skua flew E (PMW).

DUNMORE EAST: 2 1st Winter Glaucous Gulls & 8 Purple Sandpipers. (MC, CF, DW)

TRAMORE: 37 Gadwall & 1 Merlin @ the Boating Lake. Male & female Shoveler  at the backstrand. 2 1st W Black Redstarts in the western corner of the beach under O'Shea's Hotel. Dark-bellied Brent (bernicla) @ Lisselan. (")

DUNGARVAN:  Bluethroat @ Ballinclamper. Spoonbill off the Pitch & Putt course. Male & female Long-tailed Ducks off the Sports Centre. Merlin, Slavonian & Black-necked Grebe off Ballinacourty Pier. Dark-bellied Brent (bernicla) @ Ballyneety. (")

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT (MC, CF, DW), 5 Black Redstarts (James Hayes per irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN BAY:  SPOONBILL in western bay, 2 Long-tailed Ducks & female Pintail off pitch & putt ("), adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (MC sr), Slavonian Grebe at Ballynacourty (MC, CF).

ARDMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull in bay, ringtail Hen Harrier (MC, CF, DW).

RAM HEAD:  2 Tree Sparrows & 5-10 Yellowhammers (").

LISMORE TO CAPPOQUIN:  Grey Squirrel with 4 Red Squirrels (AM).

TANKARDSTOWN:  Porpoise (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Slavonian Grebe off Ballynacourty pier (MC, CF), also Common Seal there (DS), 2 Common Scoter off Ballynagaul, 7+ Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower (CF).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT showing well up to 4 pm (back in corner south of carpark where originally found), 3 Black Redstarts & Purple Sandpiper (MC, Stephen Lawlor, Rick Mundy, DS et al).

TRAMORE:  Black Redstart at west end of beach (DS).

WATERFORD CITY:  2 male Blackcaps in garden every day (").

DUNGARVAN: BLACK BRANT at the pitch & putt club. (MC)

DUNGARVAN:  Merlin at Ballynagaul (JAP, BS).

Nr Ballyduff: Green Sandpiper @ Ballynerroon. (MC)

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT at Clonea Strand, 09:30 (Mark Stewart & Shane Farrell per irishbirding.com).

BUNMAHON:  3 Little Grebes on River Mahon (EB).

DUNMORE EAST: 1st-winter Glaucous Gull & Iceland Gull (DW, MC, CF, JAP, BS); Black Redstart at Councillor's Strand (JB).

TRAMORE:  32 Gadwall & m + f Shoveler at boating lake, male Pintail at Lisselan (DW, MC, CF), Black Redstart at west end of beach (BH).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & Black Redstart at Ballinclamper (Seamus Enright & Geoff Hunt per irishbirding.com).

DUNGARVAN:  Velvet Scoter at Ballynacourty (Michael Nolan per irishbirding.com), 4 female Goldeneye at Quann's (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper at Killongford, 3 Chiffchaffs at Poulapucha, Ring (JAP, BS); SPOONBILL & Merlin (chasing Dunlin) at Youghal road (AM).

BALLYMACART:  Male Hen Harrier hunting, also a seal pup on beach (JAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT (MC, CF, PK, AK), adult Yellow-legged Gull & 1st-winter Iceland Gull (PK, AK) at Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Slavonian Grebe off Ballynacourty pier, 2 Velvet Scoter in bay, adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee (MC, CF).

ARDMORE: 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls (").

WHITING BAY:  Adult & 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull (").

DUNGARVAN: Male Brambling, Abbeyside (MC sr); 2 Velvet Scoters (MC sr) & 2 Long-tailed Ducks (SH) off Ballynacourty pier.

SEAFIELD:  Green Sandpiper (DW).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present (Jack Burtchaell), Black Redstart at Ballinclamper  @ 16:00 (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  2 Long-tailed Duck flew into Quanns @12:30, dark-bellied Brent Goose at pitch & putt course (EB), 4 Common Scoter at Ballynagaul (JAP), 5 Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower, Ring (MC).

HELVICK HEAD:  'BLUE' FULMAR west @ 15:20 (MC).

ABBEYSIDE: Male Blackcap at Crúachán Estate. MC

WATERFORD CITY:  Male Blackcap in garden at Collins Avenue (TO'C).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present on Christmas Day! (MC)

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Slavonian Grebe & 2 Velvet Scoter off the Gold Coast, 2 Long-tailed Duck off Abbeyside, BLACK BRANT at Quann's (CF); SPOONBILL at Quann's / Cunnigar (CF, AM); adult dark-bellied Brent (bernicla) & probable dark- x pale-bellied hybrid (bernicla x hrota) on pitch & putt course, 5-6 Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower, Ring (MC).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & 2 Black Redstarts at Ballinclamper (M. Carmody per irishbirding.com).

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  Flock of Crossbills in garden (AM).

DUNGARVAN:  Adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at pitch & putt course (DC).

ARDMORE:  >50 Snipe at the Curragh (AM).

DUNMORE EAST:  Iceland Gull, 1st-winter Glaucous Gull & 3 Purple Sandpipers  (DC).

SEAFIELD:  Chiffchaff & 5 Siskins (DW).

DUNGARVAN (I-WeBS count): 1500+ Brent Geese, 4 Great Northern Divers, 43 Great Crested Grebes, SPOONBILL near Cunnigar tip, 3 Common Scoter (flew E) off Ballynagaul pier, Long-tailed Duck inside Cunnigar, Slavonian Grebe & 2 Velvet Scoters off Ballynacourty pier, Merlin at Youghal road, 20+ Siskins & 20+ Lesser Redpolls behind Nissan garrage on Youghal road (MC sr, BD, Damaris Lysaght, Megan Morris, PS, PMW).

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT just north of Ballinclamper car-park (Jim Bowman, Sean Cronin, DL, MM, PMW), BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT on seaweed at south end of beach (JB per irishbirding.com).



Monday, December 19, 2011

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT (Sharon Hogan per irishbirding.com).

HELVICK HEAD:  2 Black Redstarts, 3 Great Northern Divers & a Fin Whale (2 km offshore) (DC).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT, Black Redstart & Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper (MC, SB, TN, MO'S).

DUNGARVAN:  2 Velvet Scoters off Ballynacourty pier, BLACK BRANT & 2 adult dark-bellied Brent at Christian Brothers school grounds ("); Kingfisher & Common Seal at Barnawee (EB).

RAM HEAD:  Short-eared Owl hunting, 7 Red-throated Divers & 3 Fin Whales (AM).

DUNGARVAN:  2 female-type Velvet Scoters, BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier (DW, MC), 3 Pochard (2 males & a female) off Gold Coast (Tom McCabe), SPOONBILL in western bay (John Murphy).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present (MC, DW, JNM, FM'CG), also BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT showed briefly, Merlin, 3 Purple Sandpipers & 3 Black Redstarts (MC, DW).

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT & 5 Black Redstarts again present (Jeff Copner & Paul Copner per irishbirding.com).

TRAMORE TOWN:  Blackcap in garden (TB).

CLONEA STRAND: 1st-winter male BLUETHROAT still present, also 5 Black Redstarts (AM).

Nr BALLYLANEEN:  Barn Owl (per DW).

BUNMAHON:  3 Fin Whales including one only 1.5 km offshore (DC).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Black Redstart on beach midway between lighthouse & Gold Coast (MC sr).

DUNGARVAN:  Female Blackcap & Goldcrest in garden at Southways, Abbeyside (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Long-tailed Duck & Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier, Blackcap at Ballynacourty (DW), BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course & 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee (MC), 2 Otters at Quann's/Sports Centre (EB).

CLONEA STRAND:  BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present (Derek Charles per irishbirding.com), 4 Black Redstarts at Ballinclamper (MC).

TRAMORE:  Black Redstart at west end of beach (DS), 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull & 27 Gadwall at boating lake, male Long-tailed Duck, 1020 Brent Geese & 645 Black-tailed Godwits at backstrand (PMW) - all the godwits & 1005 Brent at Lisselan racecourse.

WATERFORD CITY:  Male Blackcap in garden today & yesterday (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, 2 Long-tailed Ducks & Black Guillemot off Ballynacourty pier/golf course (MC, JAP, BS, Brian Porter, Dick Coombes).

RAM HEAD: 21 Common Scoter past, 8 Fin Whales & 60 Common Dolphins (AM).

ARDMORE: Female Common Scoter at Curragh beach (").

CLONEA STRAND:  6 Black Redstarts (incl 3 1st-winter males) between Ballinard & east end corner of Clonea beach, 5 Purple Sandpipers at Ballinclamper, but no sign of Bluethroat or Buff-bellied Pipit (MC); 2 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper, Great Northern Diver at Ballyvoyle (PV).

Nr CLASHMORE:  Black Redstart at Ballyheeny, c5 km inland (JAP, BS).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present @ 12:50, also 3 Black Redstarts (Steve Millar per irishbirding.com).

TRAMORE:  2 Snow Buntings bathing in pools at the car-park before the sandhills; female/imm Merlin, 4 Snipe & a Grey Seal later at the embankments in Backstrand, 75 Shelduck at Pickardstown & 24 Gadwall at the boating lake (DS).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Black Redstart on beach midway between lighthouse and Gold Coast (MC sr).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present this pm, also 3 Black Redstarts (SH).

Wednesday, December 07, 2011

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present (Dick Coombes per irishbirding.com).

Nr BUNMAHON:  Barn Owl @ 18:40 (DW).

WATERFORD CITY:  Kingfisher on St John's River at Bolton Street car-park (Aidan Hegarty).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  7 Whooper Swans (JF).

CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present, also Black Redstart , Purple Sandpipers (AM) & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT (Mike Sheehy & Eamonn O'Donnell per irishbirding.com).

TRAMORE:  Merlin on cliff at west side of beach (DS).

DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty Pier (MC, MC sr, NK, NTK, SK), 2 Long-tailed Ducks (female & 1st-winter male) off pitch & putt (NK, NTK, SK).

TRAMORE:  3 1st-w/f Black Redstarts western corner of beach, Merlin & 26 Gadwall at boating lake,
& adult Ring-billed Gull roosting at Lisselan (then flew towards Tramore town, later seen at boating lake) (MC).

CLONEA STRAND: BLUETHROAT, BUFF- BELLIED PIPIT & 2 Black Redstarts again present, also Great Northern Diver & (Ballinclamper) 25 Choughs &  Purple Sandpipers (MC, Niall Keogh et al).

CLONEA STRAND: Male BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present along edge - Bluethroat just left (north) of Ballinclamper carpark @ 15:10, pipit just right (south) of Clonea Strand Hotel c16:00; also 2 Black Redstarts near pipit, 5 Great Northern Divers & a Common Seal off beach (MC, CF, PMW).

DUNGARVAN: BLACK BRANT behind pitch & putt, Ruff with Lapwing at Ballyneety (MC, CF), 3 Great Northern Divers, 12 Great crested Grebes & 2 Common Seals off Gold Coast (PMW).

BOATSTRAND:  Great Skua (DC).

DUNGARVAN: Female/imm Long-tailed Duck inside Cunnigar tip @ 13:00, also 38 Red-breasted Mergansers & 8 Great Crested Grebes inside Cunnigar, 2 Great Northern Divers outside (PMW).

Nr CLASHMORE:  5 Yellowhammers at Ballycurrane North (MC, CF).

Nr BALLYDUFF: 3 Green Sandpipers but no sign of Spotted Sandpiper on Blackwater at Ballynerroon, water level very high (MC, CF).

SEAFIELD: Male Blackcap in garden (DW).

RAM HEAD:  5+ Fin Whales & 50 Common Dolphins (AM).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  2 Black Redstart on beach just west of lighthouse (MC sr).

BUNMAHON:  Kingfisher & Fin Whale (DC).

ANNESTOWN:  2 Kingfishers (").