BLACKWATER VALLEY: Red-legged Partridge at Newport East, Otter at Clashmore Broads (JAP, BS).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Mediterranean Gull flew past at Lisselan, up to 200 Curlew on Backstrand (MC).

Thursday, June 25, 2015

ARDMORE:  21 Whimbrel (very late or very early?)  on Curragh strand, Mediterranean Gull '666' in Ardmore Harbour (ADM).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (MC).

HELVICK HEAD: 30 Common Scoter flying W past boat very close to shore at 11:40 (FO'C).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Cuckoo calling, male Hen Harrier & 20+ Ravens (JAP, BS).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Adult or near-adult WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (NR) & 3 Hen Harriers (pair & ringtail at separate locations) (MC).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Small Heath butterflies common along with small numbers of Green Hairstreaks (JAP, BS).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Emperor dragonfly, an early(?) Meadow Brown & 3-4 Cryptic Wood Whites (").

Nr DUNHILL: Long-eared Owl fledgling again tonight (JF).

Nr DUNHILL: 2 Long-eared Owls (chick/fledgling still with some down & adult carrying prey) (JF).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Male & female Wigeon & a Stock Dove at Lisselan (AJ).

Nr DUNHILL: Long-eared Owl fledgling calling & flying between trees, 22:40 (JF).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Reed Warbler & drake Wigeon at Lisselan (MC).

BALLYSCANLON LAKE: Reed Warbler in song at western end of lake (MC).

CASTLETOWN FEN: Cuckoo again (JF).

RAM HEAD: 145 occupied Kittiwake nests in study plots (>95% of whole colony), a 16% increase from June 2014; also 10 Painted Lady butterflies & a Bordered Straw (scarce migrant moth) (PMW).

CASTLETOWN FEN: 2

Cuckoos (1 visible, 1 calling), also a Water Rail calling (JF).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Drake Tufted Duck at Lisselan (AJ).

Nr WHITING BAY: Small party of Tree Sparrows including 2 juveniles usual area near west end of Whiting Bay, also 2 Stock Doves in the same area (BS, JAP).

BALLYVOYLE: 2 Spotted Flycatchers actively feeding just above Ballyvoyle bridge (").

FENOR BOG: 6 Cryptic Wood White butterflies (").

VARIOUS: Pristine Painted Lady butterflies at various coastal locations (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: GLOSSY IBIS at Clohernagh (EAMacL), Reed Warbler at Lisselan (CF, DW).

CASTLETOWN: 2 Cuckoos (1 at fen, 1 between fen & airport) & a Spotted Flycatcher (CF, DW).

CARRIGAVANTRY: 17 Crossbills nr water treatment plant (DW, CF).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS:  Cuckoo seen above Kilclooney Wood, 08:00 (NR).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Reed Warbler & Cuckoo at Lisselan again (AJ).

BALLYSCANLON LAKE:  Reed Warbler in song (EAMacL).

CARRIGAVANTRY:  Crossbill but no sign of Hobby up to 0830 (PA).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Reed Warbler again present at 07:30 (JF).

CARRIGAVRANTRY:  HOBBY again today, flying W at 06:30 (JF) & also present in afternoon (DS).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  2 Cuckoos at Glenafallia (NR).

CASTLETOWN FEN:  Cuckoo calling (JF, PA).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Female wigeon species on main pond at Lisselan, male Wigeon flew past over seawall, also a Cuckoo (AJ); Reed Warbler in song at Lisselan, at small reed bed at beginnign of sea wall, also a Cuckoo calling (MC).

BUNMAHON:  Cuckoo around the large pines by Bunmahon bridge (DW).