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Bird reports for December 2011

 
Waterford bird records December 2011 (details subject to verification or correction)
older records - archive

December 2011
 
Check here for updates or further details
 
Sat 31 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & 5 Black Redstarts.
DUNGARVAN BAY:  SPOONBILL in western bay, BLACK-NECKED GREBESlavonian Grebe at Ballynacourty, 2 Long-tailed Ducks & female Pintail off pitch & putt, adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee, adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at Ballyneety, Long-eared Owl at Ballyneety.
ARDMORE:  Adult Mediterranean Gull & ringtail Hen Harrier.
RAM HEAD:  2 Tree Sparrows & 5-10 Yellowhammers.
LISMORE TO CAPPOQUIN:  Grey Squirrel with 4 Red Squirrels.
 
Fri 30 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Slavonian Grebe & Common Seal off Ballynacourty pier, 2 Common Scoter off Ballynagaul, 7+ Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower.
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT, 3 Black Redstarts & Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper.
TANKARDSTOWN (nr Bunmahon):  Porpoise.
 
Thurs 29 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT at Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt club, Merlin at Ballynagaul.
BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  Green Sandpiper at Ballynerroon, nr Ballyduff.
TRAMORE:  Black Redstart at west end of beach.
WATERFORD CITY:  2 male Blackcaps in garden (daily).
EAST WATERFORD:  3 Buzzards.
 
Weds 28 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT Black Redstart at Ballinclamper.
TRAMORE:  32 Gadwall & 2 Shoveler at boating lake, Pintail at Lisselan, Black Redstart at west end of beach.
DUNMORE EAST:  1st-winter Glaucous Gull (video) & Iceland Gull, & Black Redstart.
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
 
Tues 27 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT, adult Yellow-legged Gull & 1st-winter Iceland Gull at Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Velvet Scoter & 2 Long-tailed Duck off Ballynacourty pier, adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee, male Brambling at Abbeyside, Green Sandpiper at Killongford, 3 Chiffchaffs at Poulapucha, Ring, SPOONBILL & Merlin at Youghal road.
BALLYMACART:  Male Hen Harrier.
ARDMORE: 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls.
WHITING BAY:  Adult & 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull.
WEST WATERFORD:  5 Buzzards.
 
Mon 26 Dec:
HELVICK HEAD:  'Blue' Fulmar flew west.
DUNGARVAN:  4 Common Scoter at Ballynagaul, 5 Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower, Ring, 2 Long-tailed Duck at Quanns, dark-bellied Brent Goose at pitch & putt course.
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present, also Black Redstart at Balllinclamper.
SEAFIELD:  Green Sandpiper.
 
Sun 25 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present on Christmas Day!
WATERFORD CITY:  Male Blackcap at Collins Avenue.
 
Sat 24 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & 2 Black Redstarts at Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE, Slavonian Grebe & 2 Velvet Scoter off Gold Coast, 2 Long-tailed Duck off Abbeyside, adult BLACK BRANT & adult dark-bellied Brent at pitch & putt course / Quann's, SPOONBILL on Cunnigar, 5-6 Chiffchaffs at Knockanpower Lower, Ring.
CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  Crossbill flock.
 
Fri 23 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  Adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at pitch & putt course.
ARDMORE:  >50 Snipe at the Curragh.
 
Thurs 22 Dec:
DUNMORE EAST:  Iceland Gull., 1st-winter Glaucous Gull & 3 Purple Sandpipers.
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
 
Weds 21 Dec:
SEAFIELD:  Chiffchaff.
 
Tues 20 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT at Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN:  1500+ Brent Geese, 43 Great Crested Grebes & 4 Great Northern Divers, SPOONBILL near Cunnigar tip, Long-tailed Duck inside Cunnigar, Slavonian Grebe & 2 Velvet Scoters off Ballynacourty pier, 3 Common Scoters off Ballynagaul, Merlin, 20+ Siskins & 20+ Lesser Redpolls at Youghal road.
 
Mon 19 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT & BLUETHROAT at Ballinclamper.
 
Sun 18 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT, Black Redstart & Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN:  2 Velvet Scoters off Ballynacourty pier, BLACK BRANT & 2 adult dark-bellied Brent at CBS grounds, Kingfisher & Common Seal at Barnawee.
HELVICK HEAD:  2 Black Redstarts, 3 Great Northern Divers & a Fin Whale.
RAM HEAD:  Short-eared Owl, 7 Red-throated Divers & 3 Fin Whales.
 
Sat 17 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present, Merlin, 3 Purple Sandpipers & 3 Black Redstarts.
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & 2 female-type Velvet Scoters off Ballynacourty pier, 3 Pochard off Gold Coast, SPOONBILL in western bay.
WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
ANNESTOWN:  Kingfisher.
 
Thurs 15 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  1st-winter male BLUETHROAT still present (since 20 Nov) & 5 Black Redstarts.
TRAMORE TOWN:  Blackcap in garden.
 
Weds 14 Dec:
Nr BALLYLANEEN:  Barn Owl.
BUNMAHON:  3 Fin Whales.
BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Black Redstart.
DUNGARVAN:  Blackcap at Southways, Abbeyside.
 
Tues 13 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course.
 
Mon 12 Dec:
EAST WATERFORD:  A Buzzard found dead today had been ringed as a chick in Co Cork this summer.
 
Sun 11 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Long-tailed Duck off Ballynacourty pier, Blackcap at Ballynacourty, BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course, 2 Otters at sports centre, 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Barnawee.
CLONEA STRAND:  BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present & 4 Black Redstarts.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Black Redstart at west end of beach, 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull & 27 Gadwall at boating lake, male Long-tailed Duck & 1020 Brent Geese at backstrand.
WATERFORD CITY:  Blackcap.
 
Sat 10 Dec:
Nr CLASHMORE:  Black Redstart at Ballyheeny (c5 km inland).
RAM HEAD:  21 Common Scoters past, 8 Fin Whales & 60 Common Dolphins.
ARDMORE:  Common Scoter at Curragh beach.
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE & 2 Long-tailed Ducks off Ballynacourty pier.
CLONEA STRAND:  6 Black Redstarts, 2 Whimbrel & 5 Purple Sandpipers.
WATERFORD CITY:  Blackcap.
 
Fri 9 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT still present , also 3 Black Redstarts; a colour-ringed Sanderling at Ballinclamper had been ringed in northern Poland in August or September.
TRAMORE:  2 Snow Buntings near car-park before the sandhills, Merlin at embankments & 24 Gadwall at boating lake.
BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Black Redstart.
 
Thurs 8 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT still present, also 3 Black Redstarts.
 
Weds 7 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT & BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT.
 
Tues 6 Dec:
Nr BUNMAHON:  Barn Owl.
WATERFORD CITY:  Kingfisher on St John's River.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  7 Whooper Swans.
 
Mon 5 Dec:
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT, BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT, Black Redstart & Purple Sandpipers.
BUNMAHON:  2 Fin Whales <2 km offshore.
TRAMORE:  Merlin at western end of beach.
 
Sun 4 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty Pier, 2 Long-tailed Ducks (female & 1st-winter male) off pitch & putt course.
CLONEA STRAND:  BLUETHROAT &  BUFF- BELLIED PIPIT still present, also 7 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Black Redstarts & 25 Choughs.
TRAMORE:  3  Black Redstarts at western corner of beach, Merlin & 26 Gadwall at boating lake, & adult Ring-billed Gull at Lisselan (later at boating lake).
 
Sat 3 Dec:
BOATSTRAND:  Great Skua.
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
CLONEA STRAND:  BUFF-BELLIED PIPIT (video) & 1st-winter male BLUETHROAT (video) still present , between Ballinclamper & Clonea Strand Hotel, also 2 Black Redstarts, 5 Great Northern Divers & a Common Seal.
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course, Ruff at Ballyneety, Long-tailed Duck inside Cunnigar tip, 3 Great Northern Divers & 2 Common Seals off Gold Coast.
Nr CLASHMORE:  5 Yellowhammers at Ballycurrane North.
Nr BALLYDUFF:  3 Green Sandpipers at Ballynerroon.
NEWPORT:  Otter.
 
Fri 2 Dec:
NW WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
SEAFIELD:  Blackcap.
 
Thurs 1 Dec:
RAM HEAD:  5+ Fin Whales & 50 Common Dolphins.
BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  2 Black Redstarts just west of lighthouse.
BUNMAHON:  Kingfisher & Fin Whale.
ANNESTOWN:  2 Kingfishers.
 

 
 
 

.click below for larger images,
or see larger-format photo gallery

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Great Northern Diver, juvenile, Dungarvan, 31 Dec 2011 © P Archer

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Black-necked Grebe, Dungarvan, 31 Dec 2011 © P Archer

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Black Redstart, Tramore beach, 28 Dec 2011 © B Howell

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Glaucous Gull, 1st-winter, Dunmore East, 28 Dec 2011 © M Cowming

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Preliminary winter distribution 2007/8-2010/11 @ 28 Dec 2011 (Atlas bird of the day)

Atlas update:  National fieldwork for Bird Atlas 2007-11 is now completed (late-submission deadline 31 January 2012), but the Waterford Atlas will collect roving/casual records for one more winter and breeding season, i.e. Nov-Feb 2011/12 and Apr-July 2012. Submit records via Atlas or BirdTrack websites, or to atlas @ waterfordbirds.com

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Glaucous Gull, 1st-winter, Dunmore East, 22 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Black Redstart, Helvick Head, 18 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Great Northern Diver, Helvick Head, 18 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Short-eared Owl, Ram Head, 18 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Bar-tailed Godwits, 18 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Kingfisher, Annestown, 17 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Bluethroat, 1st-winter male, Clonea Strand, 15 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Raven, Bunmahon, 14 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Kestrel, Bunmahon, 14 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Turnstone, 14 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Black Brant, adult, Dungarvan, 13 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Buzzard, found dead, east Waterford, 12 Dec 2011 © E McSweeney

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Great Northern Diver, Curragh beach, Ardmore, 11 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Common Gull, adult, Curragh beach, Ardmore, 10 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Chough, Whiting Bay, 9 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Sanderlings, Whiting Bay, 9 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Black-headed Gull, 1st-winter, Whiting Bay, 9 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Bluethroat, 1st-winter male, Clonea Strand, 5 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Purple Sandpiper, Clonea Strand, 4 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Sanderling, Clonea Strand, 4 Dec 2011 © A Malcolm

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Bluethroat, 1st-winter male, Clonea Strand, 4 Dec 2011 © RMcLaughlin

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Buff-bellied Pipit, Clonea Strand, 4 Dec 2011 © RMcLaughlin

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Buzzard, NW Waterford, 3 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

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Kingfisher, 1 Dec 2011 © D Clarke

Note: Sightings listed here are reports, not necessarily authenticated records.  * = species for which the Irish Rare Birds Committee currently requires substantiating descriptions or photographs.  Records are regularly updated, and older records added or amended where necessary .  Many thanks to observers who provided records above - any further records (current or older) would be appreciated.  
 
Please email any sightings, or text details of scarcer species to 0861701599.

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