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Bird reports for June-July 2009

 
Waterford bird records June-July 2009 (details subject to verification or correction)
older records - archive

See migrant Lepidoptera page also (highlights below)

July 2009
 
Click here for further updates or extra details
 
Fri 31 July:
HELVICK HEAD:  2 Great Skuas, 3 Arctic Terns, c25 Puffins & c12 Storm Petrels west (seawatch 17:30-19:30).
RAM HEAD:  100 Manx Shearwaters west (seawatch 15:00-15:30).
 
Thurs 30 July:
HELVICK HEAD:  Arctic Skua, Storm Petrel & Black Guillemot west (seawatch 19:15-19:40).
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard being mobbed by Kestrel south of Waterford city.
BALLYMACARBRY:  Dipper at Ballymacarbry bridge, flock of 35+ Mistle Thurshes a half-km west of village.
 
Weds 29 July:
ARDMORE:  2 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh beach.
GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  42 Silver Y.
 
Tues 28 July:
HELVICK HEAD: 2 1st-summer SABINE'S GULLS , 1 Balearic Shearwater, 5 Pomarine Skuas, 1 Arctic Skua, 4 Storm Petrels & 2 Black Guillemots west (seawatch 18:45-20:30).
WATERFORD CITY:  2 Mediterranean Gulls (same 1st-summer & a 2nd-winter) near King's Channel below Blenheim Heights.
 
Sun 26 July:
HELVICK HEAD: 3 Pomarine Skuas, Common Scoter & Arctic Tern west (17:40-18:40); Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Storm Petrels & 4 Puffins west (seawatch 19:05-20:05).
WATERFORD CITY:  4 Mediterranean Gulls (juvenile, 1st-summer & 2 adults) near King's Channel below Blenheim Heights.
DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballyneety.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  390 Manx Shearwaters west (190 E) (seawatch 08:15-09:15); also a Common Sandpiper.
 
Sat 25 July:
DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull at the Cunnigar.
RAM HEAD:  98 chicks (mainly large or already flying) at Kittiwake study-plots, from 169 nests counted in June (0.58 chicks per nest).
 
Fri 24 July:
DUNGARVAN: Adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee.
.
Weds 22 July:
WESTOWN (near Great Newtown Head):  WOODCHAT SHRIKE.
CLONEA STRAND:  Arctic Skua & 3 Common Sandpipers at Ballinclamper.
 
Tues 21 July:
HELVICK HEAD:  Great Skua & 4 Storm Petrels west (seawatch 19:10-20:10).
 
Mon 20 July:
CLONEA STRAND:  2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (3H97 & unringed) at Ballinclamper.
 
Sun 19 July:
TRAMORE TOWN:  Hummingbird Hawk-moth.
BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Great Crested Grebe.
 
Fri 17 July:
RAM HEAD:  52 Common Scoter west (3 groups), 500+ Manx Shearwaters & 4 Porpoises.
 
Sun 12 July:
DUNGARVAN:  Adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee Bridge.
CLONEA STRAND:  3 Mediterranean Gulls (adult with green ring 3AV8, adult with white ring 3H97 & 1st-summer) & adult Arctic Tern at Ballinclamper.
CARROWGARRIFF / LISROE (north of Ballylemon):  Spotted Flycatcher at Carrowgarriff, singing Grasshopper Warbler at Lisroe.
Nr LISMORE:  Adult Whooper Swan on River Blackwater.
 
Sat 11 July:
DUNGARVAN:  Water Rail at Killongford & 3 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety; 17 Little Egrets at Barnawee Bridge; Otter at Davitt's Quay.
CLONEA STRAND:  3 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-summer & 2 adults including adult with white ring 3H97) & 23 Choughs at Ballinclamper.
 
Fri 10 July:
DUNGARVAN:  Adult Mediterranean Gull (white ring on right leg, probably 3H97) & 11 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety.
CLONEA STRAND:  2 adult Mediterranean Gulls & an Arctic Tern at Ballinclamper.
Nr CLONMEL:  2 Buzzards.
 
Thurs 9 July:
DUNGARVAN:  Adult Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull with colour-ring "238B" (ringed as a chick at Lough Mask, Co Mayo, 21/06/2007) & 2 Common Sandpipers at Barnawee bridge.
CLONEA STRAND:  4 Common Sandpipers at Ballinclamper.
CURRAGHMORE (nr Portlaw): Jay & 2 Spotted Flycatchers.
 
Weds 8 July:
CLONDONNELL FOREST (nr Rathgormuck): Woodcock roding.
MOUNT MELLERAY:  Jay.
GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  100 Rush Veneer moths (also 39 at Newtown Cove).
 
Mon 6 July:
WATERFORD CITY:  22 Mute Swans on St John's River at Waterside.
MAHON BRIDGE (nr Kilrossanty): Dipper.
 
Sun 5 July:
GLEN POER WOOD (nr Kilsheelan):  3 Jays & 2 Spotted Flycatchers.
KNOCKAUN (nr Ballylemon):  2 Jays.
BRICKEY CANAL:  c85 Swifts feeding.
 
Sat 4 July:
NORTH COMERAGHS: Buzzard, male Hen Harrier & Jay.
CURRAGHTAGGART LAKE (nr Clonea Power):  3 Emperor dragonflies.
BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Adult Whooper / Mute Swan hybrid.
TRAMORE SANDHILLS:  64 Painted Ladies.
 
Fri 3 July:
CLONEA STRAND:  Arctic Skua west & Common Sandpiper at Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN:  2 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-summer & 2nd-summer) at Ballyneety.
HELVICK HEAD:  425 Manx Shearwaters & a Storm Petrel flew W, Arctic Skua offshore.
GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  Bordered Straw & 83 Silver Y moths.
 
Thurs 2 July:
DUNGARVAN:  3 Mediterranean Gulls - adult & 2nd-summer at Barnawee, adult with white darvic-ring (probably Danish bird) at Ballyneety; also 2 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety.
TRAMORE TOWN:  Ni Moth.
 
Weds 1 July:
DUNGARVAN: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls at Ballyneety bridge, both ringed birds - 3H97 white ring right leg (Danish-ringed as seen at Ballinclamper 30/6), 3AV8 green ring right leg (Belgian-ringed, now 9 years old, originally ringed as a 2nd-summer bird).  Also 2 Common Sandpipers at Ballyneety.  Hummingbird Hawk-moth outside the Civic Offices.
TRAMORE TOWN:  Hummingbird Hawk-moth.

June 2009
 
Click here for further updates or extra details
 
Tues 30 June:
CLONEA STRAND: 3 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-summer, 2nd-summer & adult) at Ballinclamper; adult with ring number 3h97, Danish-ringed, previously seen at Ballinclamper 1st Sept 2007.
 
Mon 29 June:
HELVICK HEAD:  Sooty Shearwater (first of year), 4000 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Minke Whales & a Porpoise.
Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  3 Woodcock roding, Grasshopper Warbler singing & a pair of Spotted Flycatchers in Boggaghbaun / Boggaghduff area.
 
Sun 28 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  CORNCRAKE still calling.
MID-WATERFORD COAST:  Large numbers of Manx Shearwaters rafting & feeding close inshore - 2500+ off Dunabrattin Head (west of Boatstrand), 650+ off Tankardstown / Knockmahon (east of Bunmahon).
Nr KILMACTHOMAS:  Buzzard & Spotted Flycatcher.
 
Sat 27 June:
KILCLOONEY FOREST:  Woodcock roding.
 
Fri 26 June:
Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Cuckoo & Spotted Flycatcher below Knockmealdown.
CLONEA STRAND:  Cuckoo at Ballinclamper (also 23 June).
 
Thurs 25 June:
CLONEA STRAND: 4 Mediterranean Gulls (1st-summer, 2nd-summer & 2 adults including one with green darvic ring.
 
Weds 24 June:
CLONEA STRAND: 3 Mediterranean Gulls (adult with green darvic ring & 2 1st-summers) at Ballinclamper & an Arctic Skua offshore.
NIER VALLEY:  Jay & Spotted Flycatcher at Knockalisheen Bridge.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Emperor dragonfly at the embankments.
 
Tues 23 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  CORNCRAKE calling tonight.
Nr TRAMORE:  Barn Owl.
CLONEA POWER (nr Rathgormuck):  Spotted Flycatcher.
BOHADOONMOUNTAIN (nr Crohaun):  Woodcock.
 
Mon 22 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  CORNCRAKE (apparently 2 males) calling tonight.
CLONEA STRAND:  1st-summer Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper.
Off BALLYVOYLE:  c2000 Manx Shearwaters & 5 Minke Whales 2 miles offshore.
CROHAUN:  2 Woodcock.
 
Sun 21 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  CORNCRAKE calling this morning.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Whimbrel.
Nr BALLINLOUGH:  Emperor Dragonfly at pond, north side of Ballinlough Cross Roads.
HELVICK HEAD:  4 Minke Whales.
BALLYMACMAGUE area (nr Ballylemon):  Water Rail.
 
Sat 20 June:
TOURIG RIVER:  3 CATTLE EGRETS on Co Waterford side.
Nr KILROSSANTY:  Flocks of 4 & 5 Crossbills (possibly the same) at two conifer forests (3 males & 2 females in flock of 5), also a Pine Marten at one forest.
EAST WATERFORD:  CORNCRAKE calling tonight.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Tree Sparrow.
 
Fri 19 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  CORNCRAKE calling tonight.
 
Thurs 18 June:
Nr LISMORE:  Male Hen Harrier.
 
Tues 16 June:
FINISK RIVER:  Kingfisher at Finisk Bridge, Cappagh.
RAM HEAD:  Sunfish.
 
Mon 15 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  CORNCRAKE calling.
DUNMORE EAST & PORTALLY:  Early June total of 679 apparently occupied Kittiwake nests at the 4 main east Waterfrod colonies, a 44% increase since last year.
 
Sun 14 June:
Nr KILROSSANTY:  Spotted Flycatcher nr Aughatriscar Bridge.
 
Sat 13 June:
BALLINVELLA:  4 Yellowhammers.
KNOCKANORE:  2 Spotted Flycatchers.
BLACKWATER VALLEY:   2 Buzzards.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR:  Pair of Tufted Duck & the regular hybrid Whooper / Mute Swan.
ANNESTOWN BOG:  Water Rail calling.
EAST WATERFORD:  Male CORNCRAKE calling.
 
Fri 12 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  Male CORNCRAKE calling.
CLONEA STRAND:  First-summer Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper.
NEWPORT:  Water Rail calling calling from reedbed.
 
Thurs 11 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  Male CORNCRAKE calling again tonight.
Nr WOODSTOWN:  Buzzard.
RAM HEAD:  2 Basking Sharks; also an unidentified large raptor species in over sea into Ardmore Bay.
NEWPORT to KNOCKANORE:  Spotted Flycatcher.
 
Weds 10 June:
DUNGARVAN:  35 Little Egrets nests at colony.
HELVICK HEAD:  Minke Whale & 7 Basking Sharks.
DRUM HILLS:  Male Cuckoo calling near Scordaun, & 10 Whitethroats 98 singing) in Garrynagree / Scordaun area.
RAM HEAD: 169 apparently occupied Kittiwake nests in study plots (47% increase since last year).
BLACKWATER VALLEY:  33 Little Egret nests at the main colony.
 
Tues 9 June:
DUNGARVAN BAY:  9 Great Crested Grebes off White Strand.
 
Mon 8 June:
CLONEA STRAND:  2nd-summer Mediterranean Gull.
HELVICK HEAD:  4+ Bottlenose Dolphins off the pier.
 
Sun 7 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  CORNCRAKE calling again in early afternoon.
Nr KILSHEELAN (R. Suir):  Kingfisher at Gurteen Lower, on Co Waterford bank.
TIBBERAGHNY / TINHALLA (R. Suir):  Kingfisher at Tibberaghny (Co Kilkenny), Spotted Flycatcher at Tinhalla (Co Waterford).
 
Fri 5 June:
TOURIG RIVER (nr Youghal):  4 CATTLE EGRETS on Co Waterford side of Tourig.
KILCLOONEY (east Comeragh foothills):  Dipper at Kilclooney Bridge.
EAST WATERFORD:  Male CORNCRAKE heard in early evening.
 
Thurs 4 June:
TOURIG ESTUARY (nr Youghal):  4 CATTLE EGRETS on Co Cork side of Tourig.
DRUM HILLS:  Male Cuckoo calling SW of Pulla Cross Roads.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Great Skua & 136 Manx Shearwaters east (seawatch 20:45-21:15); also a STRIPED HAWK-MOTH caught tonight.
EAST WATERFORD:  Male CORNCRAKE heard tonight.
 
Weds 3 June:
Nr DUNGARVAN:  Barn Owl.
MINE HEAD:  20 Common Dolphins, 2 Porpoises & 7 Basking Sharks.
TRAMORE TOWN:  Ni MOTH & Bordered Straw trapped.
 
Tues 2 June:
CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore):  Spotted Flycatcher in garden again.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  A late Whimbrel at Ballinattin.
EAST WATERFORD:  Male CORNCRAKE heard in evening and briefly in morning, same location as last night.
 
Mon 1 June:
EAST WATERFORD:  2 male CORNCRAKES calling from adjacent silage fields at a confidential site; 1 male calling here for almost a week, 2 birds (apparently a pair) seen c.3 nights ago.
CASTLETOWN FEN:  2 Grasshopper Warblers & a Cuckoo heard.
Nr POULDREW:  Reed Warbler singing on Waterford bank, opposite Portnascully.
Nr FIDDOWN BRIDGE:  3 Reed Warblers singing slightly upstream, 1 on Co Waterford side, 2 on Co Kilkenny side.
BOATSTRAND:  Basking Shark.
RAM HEAD:  Pomarine Skua, 3-400 Manx Shearwaters, 20 Common Dolphins & a Basking Shark.
 
 

.click below for larger images

med3_juv_ballinakill_wt_26072009.jpg
Mediterranean Gull, juvenile, near King's Channel, Waterford city, 26 July 2009 © P Archer

arcticskua_ballinclamper_22072009_snv33387.jpg
Arctic Skua, Ballinclamper, 22 July 2009 © M Cowming

meapi_ramhd_20072009_p1010095edit.jpg
Meadow Pipit, Ram Head, 20 July 2009 © T Kennedy

medgull_adult_3h97_ballinclamper_11072009_snv33296.jpg
Mediterranean Gull "3H97", adult, Ballinclamper, 11 July 2009 © M Cowming

medgull_1stsummer_ballinclamper_11072009_snv33288.jpg
Mediterranean Gull, 1st-summer, Ballinclamper, 11 July 2009 © M Cowming

bhgull_colrgd_ballinclamper_11072009_snv33290.jpg
Black-headed Gull "238B", Ballinclamper, 11 July 2009 © M Cowming

yellowhammer_mahonbridge_06072009_img_4922_small.jpg
Yellowhammer, Mahon Bridge, 6 July 2009 © D Clarke

dipper_mahonbridge_06072009_img_4889_small.jpg
Dipper, Mahon Bridge, 6 July 2009 © D Clarke

muteswans_waterside_06072009_dsc00176.jpg
Mute Swan, part of a flock of 22, Waterside, Waterford city, 6 July 2009 © J Griffin

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Swift, Brickey canal, 5 July 2009 © D Clarke

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Little Egret, Killongford, Dungarvan, July 2009 © D Clarke

bhgull_albino_youghalbridge_29062009_img_4231_small.jpg
Black-headed Gull, albinistic, Youghal Bridge, 29 June 2009 © D Clarke

cuckoo_ballinclamper_26062009_img_4027_small.jpg
Cuckoo, Ballinclamper, 26 June 2009 © D Clarke

emperordfly_tramore_24062009_.jpg
Emperor dragonfly, Tramore embankments, 24 June 2009 © B Howell

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Pied Wagtail, Ram Head, 23 June 2009 © T Kennedy

medgull_1stsummer_ballinclamper_220609_snv33118.jpg
Mediterranean Gull, 1st-summer, Ballinclamper, 22 June 2009 © M Cowming

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Manx Shearwaters, off Clonea, 22 June 2009 © D Clarke

manx_clonea_22062009_img_3831_small.jpg

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Razorbill, Helvick Head, 22 June 2009 © D Clarke

kitti_ramhd_22062009_img_3908_small.jpg
Kittiwakes, Ram Head, 22 June 2009 © D Clarke

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Linnets, Ram Head, 22 June 2009 © T Kennedy

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Swallows, juvenile, Ram Head, 22 June 2009 © T Kennedy

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Whimbrel, Tramore Backstrand, 21 June 2009 © P Dwan

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Swallow nest & large nestlings on rafter & old saw, Ballylemon, 20 June 2009 © B Lynch

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Crossbill, male, Briska wood, 20 June 2009 © PM Walsh

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Turnstone, Tramore Backstrand, 19 June 2009 © P Dwan

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Rock Pipit, Ram Head, 19 June 2009 © T Kennedy

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Meadow Pipit, Ram Head, 19 June 2009 © T Kennedy

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Kingfisher, Finisk River, 16 June 2009 © D Clarke

kingfisher_finisk_16062009_img_3673_small.jpg

medgull_1stsummer_ballinclamper_130609_img_3531_small.jpg
Mediterranean Gull, 1st-summer, Ballinclamper, 13 June 2009 © D Clarke

bhgull_colrgd_ballinclamper_130609_img_3476_small.jpg
Black-head Gull, 1st-summer (colour-ringed "2388"), Ballinclamper, 13 June 2009 © D Clarke

medgull_2ndsummer_ballinclamper_08062009_snv33094.jpg
Mediterranean Gull, 2nd-summer, Ballinclamper, 8 June 2009 © M Cowming

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Cattle Egrets, Tourig river, 5 June 2009 © M Cowming

cattleegret_tourig_05062009_p1160377.jpg

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Leucistic juvenile Starling, with normal juvenile, Waterford city, 5 June 2009 © Pat Connolly

A similar bird was seen near Dunhill on 6 June.

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Striped Hawk-moth, Brownstown Head, 4 June 2009 © PM Walsh

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Striped Hawk-moth, Brownstown Head, 31 May 2009 © PM Walsh

stripedhawkmoth2_brownstownhead_31052009_dscn0224.jpg

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; to report sightings of rarities to the national  Birds of Ireland News Service (BINS), phone 01-8307364.

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