Waterford bird records March-May 2008

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Bird reports March-May 2008

Waterford bird records March - May 2008 (details subject to verification or correction)

See migrant Lepidoptera page also (highlights below)

May 2008

Sat 31 May:

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE: Cuckoo calling.

Fri 30 May:

CORBALLYMORE: Grasshopper Warbler singing at night, crossroads nr Saleen.

Thurs 29 May:

Nr MINE HEAD: Turtle Dove at Ballynamona (grid ref X280837).

Weds 28 May:

BALLYSCANLAN LOUGH: Reed Warbler singing.

Nr KILMEADEN / BALLYDUFF: Pine Marten along the N25 near woodland.

Tues 27 May:

Nr BALLYVOYLE COVE: Cuckoo seen.

Sun 25 May:

Nr AGLISH: Spotted Flycatcher pair at Ballynaparka.

DUNMORE EAST: Preliminary total of 42 pairs of roof-nesting Herring Gulls around the village, including 15 nests on factory / warehouse roofs at the harbour, based on surveys since mid May.

Fri 23 May:

Nr AGLISH: Spotted Flycatcher pair at Coolahest.

Mon 19 May:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows.

Sun 18 May:

Nr FEWS (Kilmacthomas): Spotted Flycatcher.

Sat 17 May:

Nr MINE HEAD: Turtle Dove still present, along road down to Ballinroad.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Female Hen Harrier & a roding Woodcock.

DUNGARVAN: 17+ Little Egret nests at colony.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 33 Whimbrel.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows.

Fri 16 May:

Nr MINE HEAD: Turtle Dove still present at Gates, also 4 Arctic Skuas flying east high over the lighthouse, & an Otter, at the Head.

Thurs 15 May:

Nr MINE HEAD: Turtle Dove feeding on road at Gates (grid ref X260838), present for about a week.

Nr DUNGARVAN: Female Hen Harrier.

Nr POULDREW: Kingfisher & Dipper along the Dawn River.

Weds 14 May:

CLASHMORE area: Kingfisher near Ballyheeny Bridge (Licky River) and Dipper along stream in Clashmore village.

Sun 11 May:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Tree Sparrow.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 27+ Whimbrel.

CASTLETOWN FEN: Male Cuckoo calling, also a Spotted Flycatcher nearby.

EAST WATERFORD: Buzzard south of the city.

Sat 10 May:

Nr CLONEA STRAND: Short-eared Owl along track at Ballinclamper.

BUNMAHON: A HOBBY flew west.

DUNHILL CASTLE: Long-eared Owl fledgling calling nearby.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: GLOSSY IBIS feeding in saltmarsh SE of the Dump, 1400 hrs, but apparently moved on shortly afterwards; also 55+ Whimbrel.

TRAMORE BEACH: 21 Sanderling, & a Common Seal close inshore.

CASTLETOWN FEN: Grasshopper Warbler singing at night.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher.

CREADAN HEAD: 6 Black Guillemots on sea close inshore - apparently a new breeding location.

c. 10 May:

Nr BALLYNATRAY: Cuckoo heard.

Fri 9 May:

HELVICK HEAD: 3 Spotted Flycatchers.

BROWNSWOOD (nr Portlaw): Cuckoo calling.

BALLYDOWANE BAY: Common Sandpiper & Spotted Flycatcher.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap & 4 Chiffchaffs.

KILBARRY BOG: Kingfisher along the St John's River opposite Superquinn.

Thurs 8 May:

HELVICK HEAD: An OSPREY flew west over the head at 0718 hrs.

PORTALLY COVE: Common Sandpiper.

Weds 7 May:

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Red Grouse, Cuckoo & Jay at Knocknanask & 5 Crossbills at Tooranaraheen, NE of Mountmelleray.

Tues 6 May:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 25-30 Common Scoter flew east, also a Porpoise & 45 Whimbrel.

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD: Delicate moth.

Nr LISMORE: Male Hen Harrier.

Mon 5 May:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Female/immature Black Redstart, 46 Whimbrel, 5 Swifts but few other migrants; Otter swimming off west side.

BRICKEY CANAL, nr Dungarvan: Long-eared Owl.

Sun 4 May:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Adult male SUBALPINE WARBLER (1st county record), Turtle Dove, Tree Sparrow, 30+ Whimbrel, Swift, House Martin, 2 Spotted Flycatchers (1st of year), 5 Sedge Warblers, 2 Blackcaps, 2+ Whitethroats; & 2 Pomarine Skuas, a Great Skua & 5 Common Scoter east, a Great Northern Diver west, during a half-hour seawatch (0840-0910 hrs).

HELVICK HEAD: Reed Warbler, Merlin, Spotted Flycatcher (1st of year), Whitethroat & 8 Bottlenose Dolphins.

Sat 3 May:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Turtle Dove, Swift & 2 Tree Sparrows.

TRAMORE SANDHILLS: Short-eared Owl.

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Little Egret, Greenshank and pair of Great Crested Grebes (one on nest).

KILBUNNY WOOD (nr Portlaw): Jay & totals of 10 Blackcaps & 24 Chiffchaffs singing.

Fri 2 May:

Nr WATERFORD AIRPORT: 2 CATTLE EGRETS (apparently part of the flock seen nr Clohernagh 27-28 April).

April 2008

Mon 28 April:

Nr TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 6 CATTLE EGRETS near Clohernagh.

WATERFORD CITY: 4 Swifts over the Industrial Estate.

DUNGARVAN: Swifts over town.

MINE HEAD: Swift.

Sun 27 April:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: TAWNY PIPIT (2nd or 3rd county record) in the west fields, also 7 or 8 Tree Sparrows.

TRAMORE BAY: 3 Bottlenose Dolphins.

Nr TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 5 CATTLE EGRETS in field between Clohernagh and Ballynamoyntragh Cross Roads, at grid ref S644024.

ANNESTOWN: Grasshopper Warbler singing at Annestown Bog, Red-throated Diver in the Bay.

CLASHMORE BROADS (lower Blackwater): 10 Whimbrel & 3 Sedge Warblers.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 5 Crossbills north of Knockadav / Ballysaggart.

Sat 26 April:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Male LITTLE BITTERN (3rd county record) found in evening, along stream close to sea, also Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler & 65 Whimbrel.

WATERFORD CITY: Grasshopper Warbler singing at night nr Collins Avenue.

DUNGARVAN area: 4 Swifts (1st of the year) over Dungarvan town, also 2 at the Pike east of Dungarvan.

LISMORE TOWN: Swift(s) also heard here.

DROMANA: Jay.

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Gadwall (west), Pomarine Skua, Red-throated Diver & 400+ Manx Shearwaters passed during a half-hour seawatch; on land, 2+ Grasshopper Warblers, 12+ Whitethroats, Sedger Warbler, 2+ Blackcap, 30+ Willow Warblers & 6 Chiffchaffs (1 very brown-plumaged).

RAM HEAD: Grasshopper Warbler singing & Wheatear.

WHITING BAY: 140 Whimbrel & a Common Sandpiper; Merlin at Goat Island.

Fri 25 April:

WHITING BAY: Iceland Gull.

HELVICK HEAD: Merlin, Wheatear, Whitethroat & 4-5 Willow Warblers.

Thurs 24 April:

LOWER BLACKWATER area: Buzzard.

Weds 23 April:

HELVICK HEAD: Flock of 8 Pomarine Skuas, also 2 Puffins, but no passerine migrants.

CLONEA STRAND: 170+ Whimbrel at Ballinclamper.

Tues 22 April:

RIVER BLACKWATER: OSPREY refound in same location, across river from Killahaly Wood.

Nr LISMORE: Long-eared Owls in garden at Carrignagour, including chick(s) giving 'rusty hinge' call.

Nr Dungarvan: Female Hen Harrier.

SALEEN/RINNESHARK (Tramore): *BLUETHROAT still present on sand-dunes just south of Saleen (2nd county record).

Mon 21 April:

RIVER BLACKWATER: OSPREY between Cappoquin & Camphire.

KILFARRASY: Grasshopper Warbler singing.

DUNGARVAN: Common Seal.

SALEEN/RINNESHARK (Tramore): *BLUETHROAT photographed on sand-dunes just south of Saleen (2nd county record).

Sun 20 April:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Large arrival of migrants including Pied Flycatcher, female Redstart, 2 singing Grasshopper Warblers, 100+ Willow Warblers, 10+ Blackcaps, 10+ Whitethroats, 2+ Sedge Warblers, 4 Wheatears & dozens of Whimbrel.

BELLE LAKE: House Martins (first reported of year) with Swallows over the lake.

ANNESTOWN BOG: 2 Grasshopper Warblers singing.

MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: First Cuckoo of year heard at Barracreemountain Lower.

CLONEA STRAND: Pair of Common Scoter on sea off Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN: Sedge Warbler at the Cunnigar.

HELVICK HEAD: 2 singing Grasshopper warblers, small numbers of Blackcaps, Whitethroats & Wheatears, & big fall of Willow Warblers.

ARDMORE HEAD: Lots of Willow Warblers & a few Blackcaps.

KILDALTON COLLEGE, PILTOWN (Co Kilkenny): House Martins seen.

Sat 19 April:

Nr CLONEA STRAND: Hoopoe along the walkway between Ballinclamper & Ballinard, Little Tern, adult dark-bellied Brent Goose, Common Sandpiper & 55+ Whimbrel at Ballinclamper.

HELVICK HEAD: White Wagtail, Blackcap, 2 Whitethroats (1st of year), Basking Shark, Porpoises & 7 Bottlenose Dolphins.

DUNGARVAN: Adult BLACK BRANT at the Cunnigar, Common Sandpiper at Kilminnin.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Black Terns.

Nr WATERFORD CITY: 2 adult-summer Little Gulls at outfall opposite Clover Meats.

Thurs 17 April:

MINE HEAD: 4 Puffins flew west.

Nr LISMORE: Barn Owl.

Weds 16 April:

ANNESTOWN: Common Tern.

Tues 15 April:

RAM HEAD: A probable WHITE-TAILED EAGLE flew west c5 km offshore, apparently heading towards the Youghal Harbour / Blackwater estuary.

STRADBALLY TO BALLYVOYLE: 11 Black Guillemots in early morning survey (4 just west of Stradbally, 7 at Islandhubbock), Red-throated Diver at Stradbally & 15 Whimbrel flying east at Island.

BALLYVOONEY COVE to STRADBALLY: 8 Brent Geese at Ballyvooney, 6 Black Guillemots just east of Stradbally.

Sun 13 April:

HELVICK HEAD: 6 Black Guillemots (early morning survey).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Male Blackcap & 5+ Willow Warblers.

RATHMOYLAN: 2 Blackcaps singing & 6 Willow Warblers.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 26 Little Egrets.

FORNAGHT STRAND: 2 Wheatears.

Sat 12 April:

BRIDGEQUARTER (nr Tourig River): 5 CATTLE EGRETS (grid ref X065804) with cattle, then flew towards Youghal.

Nr GLENDINE: Blackcap singing.

NEWTOWN COVE to KILFARRASY: 10 Black Guillemots (early morning survey).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Merlin.

Tues 8 April:

BLACKWATER VALLEY: WHITE-TAILED EAGLE, presumably one of the birds released in Killarney National Park (Co Kerry) in August 2007 (see Killarney NP website).

RAM HEAD: Minke Whale & Basking Shark.

DUNGARVAN: Merlin over town.

BALLYMACARBRY: Otter in carpark of Pinewood Healthcare.

Sun 6 April:

Nr LISMORE: Whooper Swan somewhat 'out of habitat' on stream below Carrignagour.

Sat 5 April:

WHITING BAY area: Merlin, 75 Sanderling, 9 Chiffchaffs (7 singing) , a singing Yellowhammer (very scarce south of the N25 in west Waterford), & small numbers of Sand Martins & Swallows.

ARDMORE: 8+ Willow Warblers.

CLONEA STRAND: Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper.

Fri 4 April:

DUNGARVAN: *ALPINE SWIFT over the town (5th county record) - amazingly, the last 2 county records were on almost the same date and both in Dungarvan, on 3 April 2005 & 3 April 2006! Also a Long-tailed Duck in the bay.

CLONEA STRAND: 2 Swallows, 15 Sand Martins, Wheatear & 2 singing Willow Warblers.

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Wheatears.

MINE HEAD to HELVICK HEAD: 13 Willow Warblers singing.

NORTH COMERAGHS: Male Hen Harrier.

CLONMEL (Co Tipperary): 5 House Martins at old bridge.

TRAMORE TOWN: Moth catches included the rare migrant micro-moth Euchromius ocellea (2nd county & 4th or 5th irish record).

Thurs 3 April:

RAM HEAD: 5 Red-throated Divers , a Great Northern Diver & 300+ Manx Shearwaters.

Tues 1 April:

CLONEA STRAND: 4 Sandwich Terns.

ARDMORE: Chiffchaff singing.

Nr CLASHMORE: 8 CATTLE EGRETS still present at Ballycrompane.

STRANCALLY: 32 Fallow Deer.

March 2008

Mon 31 March:

Nr LEMYBRIEN: Willow Warbler (first of year) singing & Swallow.

DUNGARVAN: Swallow.

MINE HEAD: Hen Harrier.

Sun 30 March:

DUNGARVAN: 5-6 Sandwich Terns in bay, BLACK BRANT at Western Bay.

CLONEA STRAND: Scandinavian Rock Pipit & 2 adult dark-bellied Brent Geese.

VILLIERSTOWN QUAY: Otter (possibly 2).

Weds 26 March:

GOAT ISLAND (nr Ardmore): A Long-eared Owl collided with a window, shortly after dark, but quickly recovered and flew off.

Mon 24 March:

BUNMAHON STRAND: 9 Red-throated Divers & a Great Northern Diver.

CLONEA STRAND: 2 Scandinavian Rock Pipits at Ballinclamper, in full or partial breeding plumage; also an adult dark-bellied Brent Goose.

DUNGARVAN: Long-tailed Duck near Cunnigar tip.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 2 Red Grouse on upper slopes between Knockmealdown and Sugarloaf.

Sat 22 March:

WATERFORD BIRD-RACE: A respectable total of 99 species was notched up in the county by a team of 5 observers today [or 103 species including species seen by <3 observers] - click here for full details.

Highlights were:

KNOCKADAV/BALLYSAGGART: 3 Woodcock, 4 Crossbills.

LISMORE: 2 Dippers, 12 Shoveler & 3 Shelduck ( Blackwater Callows).

CAMPHIRE: Singing Chiffchaff.

KNOCKANORE: Jay.

BALLINVELLA: 1-2 Yellowhammers, 5 Sand Martins.

NEWPORT: Buzzard, Merlin, female Hen Harrier, also 8 CATTLE EGRETS opposite side of river, close to usual haunt of Ballycrompane.

YOUGHAL: [2 Iceland Gulls on Cork side of Tourig "border".]

LOWER BLACKWATER: Also single Otters at 3 locations (Villierstown, Templemichael and Old Youghal Bridge).

ARDMORE/WHITING BAY: 9 Tree Sparrows at Springfield / Ballysallagh .

BRICKEY RIVER: Green Sandpiper not far from Two-mile Bridge.

DUNGARVAN: Common Sandpiper at the Barnawee Bridge / Kilminnin.

CLONEA STRAND: Scandinavian Rock Pipit, also Whimbrel, Purple Sandpiper & Black Guillemot, all at Ballinclamper.

BUNMAHON: Sandwich Tern (1st of year) & Kingfisher.

TRAMORE: Adult Ring-billed Gull.

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: 14 Whooper Swan.

Other records:

BALLYMACART: 2 Sandwich Terns (1st of year).

Fri 21 March:

LISMORE: First Swallows of the year.

CLONEA STRAND: Scandinavian Rock Pipit in full or partial breeding plumage.

BALLYVOONEY COVE: Leatherback Turtle swimming west.

Thurs 20 March:

MAHON BRIDGE / ASHTOWN area: Chiffchaff heard.

Weds 19 March:

KILBARRY BOG: Water Rail near the Tramore Road walkway.

RINGVILLE: Chiffchaff singing.

Mon 17 March:

VILLIERSTOWN QUAY (lower Blackwater): Green-winged Teal & 3 Otters.

Nr CLASHMORE: 8 CATTLE EGRETS at Ballycrompane.

FERRY POINT: 2 Wheatears (first of year) & an Iceland Gull.

Nr WHITING BAY: 10+ Tree Sparrows at usual farm, Springfield / Ballysallagh area.

DUNGARVAN: Dark-bellied Brent Goose at pitch & putt course, 2 Eider & 2 Black Guillemots at Ballynacourty.

Sun 16 March:

Nr CLASHMORE: 6 CATTLE EGRETS at Ballycrompane (same site where 8 seen in February).

KNOCKLOFTY (Co Tipperary): Male Black Redstart, just outside the Co Waterford border & well inland.

Sat 15 March:

DUNGARVAN: Black Guillemot & 2 Sand Martins (first of year) at Ballynacourty, 2 Whimbrel at Knockanpower Lower, and a dead owl (probably Short-eared Owl) near the pitch & putt course.

CLONEA STRAND: Whimbrel & 2 Sand Martins at Ballinclamper.

Weds 12 March:

HELVICK HEAD: Female Eider.

Tues 11 March:

LITTLE ISLAND: Common Sandpiper.

Sun 9 March:

DUNGARVAN: Long-tailed Duck off pitch & putt course, Common Sandpiper at Barnawee.

CLONE STRAND: 4 Purple Sandpipers at Barnawee.

Sat 8 March:

RINCREW (Tourig/Blackwater estuary): 3 1st-winter Iceland Gulls, including one on Co Waterford side, also a 1st-winter Glaucous x Great Black-backed Gull hybrid on Waterford side (first seen at Rincrew in February).

HACKETSTOWN (nr Mine Head): Hen Harrier.

Fri 7 March:

MINE HEAD: Pomarine Skua flying west.

Early March:

Nr WATERFORD CITY: 2 Buzzards, on two dates up to 7 March, just south of Waterford city.

Sun 2 March:

DUNGARVAN: BLACK-NECKED GREBE, BLACK BRANT, dark-bellied Brent Goose & Common Seal near pitch & putt course, another dark-bellied Brent at Ballyneety.

Sat 1 March:

HELVICK HEAD: 1st-winter Iceland Gull.

.click below for larger images

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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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