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Waterford bird reports for December 2012

 
Waterford bird records December 2012 (details subject to verification or correction)
older records - archive

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December 2012
 
Check here for updates or further details
 
Mon 31 Dec:
Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Female Hen Harrier.
DUNGARVAN:  SURF SCOTER off Lookout, SPOONBILL & BLACK-NECKED GREBE at Western Bay, adult BLACK BRANT & 2 Long-tailed Ducks by the pitch & putt club, Jack Snipe above Ballyneety bridge, 15 Great Northern Divers, 29 Great Crested Grebes & 44 Red-breasted Mergansers around bay.
TRAMORE:  15 Waxwings at Seafield estate, 31 Gadwall at boating lake, 3 Shoveler  at Lisselan.
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
DUNMORE EAST:  2nd-winter Glaucous Gull.
WATERFORD CITY:  c250 Pied Wagtails roosting in trees opposite the Tower Hotel at 17:30.
 
Sun 30 Dec:
Nr KNOCKANORE:  Early frogspawn.
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course, 1st-winter male SURF SCOTER, SPOONBILL, Long-tailed Duck & Otter off Lookout / pitch & putt , BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty pier, & adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at Duckspool.
TRAMORE TOWN:  15 Waxwings at Seafield (nr Newtown Hill estate), Black Redstart at west end of beach.
DUNMORE EAST:  2nd-winter Glaucous Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull and 9 Purple Sandpipers at pier.
 
Sat 29 Dec:
KEEREEN (nr Aglish): 12 Whooper Swans.
ARDMORE:  3 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-winter, 2nd-winter & adult).
HELVICK HEAD:  Great Skua,  12 Red-throated Divers & a Merlin.
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter SURF SCOTER & 3 Long-tailed Ducks off lookout, SPOONBILL in western bay, BLACK BRANT at pitch & putt course,  BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty pier, Brambling at Strandside, & a Waxwing found dead at town bypass.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR:  Kingfisher.
BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  23 Whooper Swans & 14 Tufted Duck.
KILLOWEN ORCHARD (nr Portlaw):  c12 Waxwings.
TRAMORE:  Ring-billed Gull & 17 Gadwall at boating lake, Spotted Redshank at Backstrand.
 
Fri 28 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter SURF SCOTER & Long-tailed Duck off lookout.
HELVICK HEAD:  2 adult Pomarine Skuas, 1 Manx Shearwater, 8 Red-throated Divers, c2000 Fulmars, c500 Gannets, c250 Kittiwakes & c1000 large auks (95% Guillemots) (seawatch 09:45-11:45).
TRAMORE:  Black Redstart & Chiffchaff at west end of beach.
 
Thurs 27 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter SURF SCOTER & 3 Long-tailed Ducks inside Cunnigar, BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty, 2 Shoveler in western bay & BLACK BRANT on pitch & putt course.
BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  Total 218 Whooper Swans (142 Lismore to Ballyduff, 76 west of Ballyduff), Kingfisher & feral Barnacle Goose at Lismore canal.
CLONEA STRAND:  5 Great Northern Divers, 2 Whimbrel & 3 Otters at Ballinard.
MOUNTBOLTON:  Jay.
TIBBERAGHNY (Co Kilkenny):  c360 Greylag Geese.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR:  Shoveler.
TRAMORE:  Adult Ring-billed Gull at boating lake (video), 12 Gadwall, Black Redstart & 3 Chiffchaffs.
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
 
Weds 26 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter SURF SCOTER & Long-tailed Duck inside Cunnigar tip, adult Yellow-legged Gull at Ballyneety, & adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at Duckspool.
TRAMORE:  16 Waxwings still present at Ard na Groi estate.
 
Tues 25 Dec:
TRAMORE:  Waxwings at Ard na Groi estate.
 
Mon 24 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  SURF SCOTER & 3 Long-tailed Duck off Lookout,  BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty, 3 Pintail nr pitch & putt course.
TRAMORE:  14 Waxwings at Ard na Groi estate.
 
Sun 23 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty pier, 3 Long-tailed Ducks & 12 Great Northern Divers in bay, 2 Tufted Ducks off pitch & putt,
CLONEA STRAND:  2 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper.
TRAMORE:  16 Waxwings at Ard na Groi estate, nr racecourse; 15 Gadwall at boating lake.
 
Sat 22 Dec:
BALLYVOONEY COVE:  Common Scoter.
 
Fri 21 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  BLACK-NECKED GREBE off Ballynacourty pier.
BALLYMACMAGUE SOUTH:  Merlin.
SEAFIELD:  Green Sandpiper.
TRAMORE:  Black Redstart nr O'Shea's Hotel, Shoveler & 8 Gadwall on boating lake.
 
Thurs 20 Dec:
TRAMORE:  Waxwing in garden at Pickardstown.
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
CLONEA STRAND:  Black Redstart nr Clonea Hotel. 
DUNGARVAN:  Brambling at Strandside.
WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
 
Weds 19 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter male SURF SCOTER still present between pitch & putt course  & the Cunnigar.
Nr DUNGARVAN:  Barn Owl at 11 pm.
BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  183 Whooper Swans between Lismore & just west of Ballyduff.
 
Tues 18 Dec:
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
 
Mon 17 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  Male Chaffinch with some African-type features at Strandside.
TRAMORE TOWN:  Male Blackcap.
 
Sun 16 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter male SURF SCOTER & 2 Long-tailed Ducks off Lookout.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:   2 Long-tailed Ducks.
WATERFORD CITY:  Brambling.
 
Sat 15 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter male SURF SCOTER & a Long-tailed Duck off Lookout, another Long-tailed Duck off Ballynacourty pier & 8+ Crossbills at Gold Coast golf-course.
TIBBERAGHNY (Co Kilkenny):  315 Greylag Geese & 56 Whooper Swans.
COOLFIN/DERRIGAL:  61 Greylag Geese (40 Coolfin, 21 Derrigal) & 15 Whooper Swans (Portnascully, Co Kilkenny).
 
Fri 14 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter male SURF SCOTER between Lookout & the Cunnigar, 2 Bramblings at Shandon.
 
Thurs 13 Dec:
WATERFORD CITY:  Female Blackcap in garden, Francis Street.
DUNGARVAN:  Brambling at Abbeyside.
TRAMORE:  Flock of Waxwings at Crobally Upper, male Blackcap Tramore town.
 
Tues 11 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter male SURF SCOTER inside Cunnigar tip, 3 Crossbills at pitch & putt club, Chiffchaff at Knockanpower Lower.
CLONEA STRAND:  Barnacle Goose at Ballinclamper.
 
Mon 10 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  7 Crossbills behind Gold Coast.
 
Sun 9 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter SURF SCOTER & 2 Long-tailed Ducks off the Lookout, SPOONBILL on the Cunnigar, 3 Shoveler nr pitch & putt course, Merlin & 3 Waxwings at Abbeyside, & 9 Barnacle Geese. at Ballyneety.
CLONEA STRAND:  Adult dark-bellied Brent Goose at Ballinclamper.
TRAMORE TOWN:  3 Waxwings.
 
Sat 8 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter SURF SCOTER & 3 Long-tailed Ducks off the Lookout, Black Redstart nr pitch & putt course, female Eider at Ballynagaul, 7 Crossbills at Gold Coast, & 9 Barnacle Geese.
CLONEA STRAND:  1st-winter Eider at Ballinclamper.
BUNMAHON:  Green Sandpiper.
Nr BALLYLANEEN:  Jack Snipe & Chiffchaff.
GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  5 Fin Whales.
 
Fri 7 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter SURF SCOTER still off the Lookout, towards the Cunnigar.
KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  22 Ravens along Vee road.
TALLOW to LISMORE:  Barn Owl.
WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
CAPPOQUIN:  3 Otters.
DUNABRATTIN HEAD:  4 Fin Whales.
 
Thurs 6  Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  Brambling at Strandside, Abbeyside.
Nr DUNGARVAN:  Long-eared Owl.
TRAMORE TOWN:  Waxwing.
 
Weds 5  Dec:
KILBARRY BOG (nr Waterford city):  12 Siskins & 5 Redpolls (including pale bird) along Tramore road walkway.
BALLYVOYLE:  Adult male Eider & 2 Dippers.
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter SURF SCOTER still present; Chiffchaff, male Blackcap & 20 Siskins at Springmount.
TOORANEENA: Waxwing.
ARDMORE:  Merlin & 200+ Skylarks nr Goat Island.
RAM HEAD:  3 Fin Whales & 200+ Common Dolphins.
 
Tues 4 Dec:
WATERFORD CITY:  3 Waxwings.
 
Mon 3 Dec:
DUNGARVAN:  1st-winter male SURF SCOTER off the Lookout, 30+ Waxwings nr Campus garage on N25, 3 Long-tailed Ducks & 8 Barnacle Geese.
HELVICK HEAD:  Great Skua, Fin Whale & 80 Common Dolphins.
COOLFIN/DERRIGAL:  c210 Greylag Geese & 10 Whooper Swans nr Derrigal cross-roads.
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
 
Sun 2 Dec:
DUNGARVAN: 1st-winter male SURF SCOTERSPOONBILL, 3 Long-tailed Ducks & 9 Barnacle Geese off pitch & putt course; 35 Waxwings (video) by Campus garage at bypass N25 roundabout (also 2 at Ardscoil na nDeise); Brambling at Strandside; Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal.
CLONEA STRAND:  Whimbrel & flyover Crossbill, female Blackcap at Ballinclamper, adult male Eider (video) & 2 Dippers at Ballyvoyle.
BUNMAHON:  Short-eared Owl & Merlin.
TRAMORE:  13 Gadwall & adult-summer Mediterranean Gull.
 
Sat 1 Dec:
DUNGARVAN: 1st-winter male SURF SCOTER still off the Lookout, also 2 Long-tailed Ducks there; 9 Barnacle Geese at Ballyneety; 25+ Waxwings just W of Foley's garage, Youghal Road.
RAM HEAD:  2 Great Skuas, smaller skua species, 50+ Common Scoters & c30 Common Dolphins.
BALLYNACOURTY:  2 Waxwings & female Blackcap.
BALLYVOYLE: Adult male Eider.
NW WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
BUNMAHON: Green Sandpiper.
DUNABRATTIN HEAD:  4 Fin Whales.
ANNESTOWN:  Kingfisher and Water Rail.

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

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Waxwings, Seafield, Tramore, 30 Dec 2012 © R Zamora

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Glaucous Gull, 2nd-winter, Dunmore East, 30 Dec 2012 © M Cowming

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© R Zamora

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© R Zamora

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Surf Scoter, 1st-winter male, Dungarvan, 30 Dec 2012 © R Zamora

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Black Brant (with light-bellied Brent), adult, Dungarvan, 30 Dec 2012 © R Zamora

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© R Zamora

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© R Zamora

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© R Zamora

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© R Zamora

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Ring-billed Gull, adult, Tramore boating lake, 29 Dec 2012 © R Zamora

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© R Zamora

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© R Zamora

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Black Brant, adult, Dungarvan, 29 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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© D Clarke

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Waxwing, found dead, Dungarvan bypass, 29 Dec 2012 © F O'Connell

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© F O'Connell

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© F O'Connell

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Black Redstart, Tramore strand, 28 Dec 2012 © B Howell

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Chiffchaff ,Tramore strand, 28 Dec 2012 © B Howell

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Ring-billed Gull, adult, Tramore boating lake, 27 Dec 2012 © D Weldon

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© D Weldon

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© M Cowming

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Waxwings, Tramore, 26 Dec 2012 © PM Walsh

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Long-tailed Ducks, Dungarvan, 23 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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© D Clarke

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Goldeneye, Dungarvan, 23 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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Great Northern Diver, Dungarvan, 23 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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Great Northern Divers (with Shags), Dungarvan, 23 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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© D Clarke - note smaller-looking individual on far left

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© D Clarke

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© D Clarke

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Buzzard, west Waterford, 20 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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Brambling, Dungarvan, 14 Dec 2012 © F O'Connell

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Surf Scoter, 1st-winter male, Dungarvan, 8 Dec 2012 © F O'Connell

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Skylark, Vee road, 7 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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Ringed Plover, colour-ringed juvenile, Ballyquin, 5 Dec 2012 © AD Malcolm

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Ringed Plover, adult, Ballyquin, 5 Dec 2012 © AD Malcolm

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Dipper, Ballyvoyle, 5 Dec 2012 © R Zamora

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Great Crested Grebe, Dungarvan, 5 Dec 2012 © R Zamora

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Chiffchaff, Springmount, Dungarvan, 5 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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Otter, Cappoquin, 5 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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© D Clarke

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Waxwings, nr Campus garage, Dungarvan, 3 Dec 2012 © AD Malcolm

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© AD Malcolm

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© AD Malcolm

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© AD Malcolm

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Kestrel, 3 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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Waxwings, nr Campus garage, Dungarvan, 2 Dec 2012 © R Zamora

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Waxwings, Ardscoil na nDeise, Dungarvan, 2 Dec 2012 © R Zamora

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Brambling, Strandside, Dungarvan, 2 Dec 2012 © D Clarke

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Barnacle Geese, Ballyneety, Dungarvan, 1 Dec 2012 © F O'Connell

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