Recent reports

See guidance on what to report (not necessarily all for online publication here).

Thanks to all observers and photo-contributors, and to the organisers of the WhatsApp groups covering birds and other wildlife in Co Waterford, for their help.

MARCH 2025

Sat 15 Mar:
ANNESTOWN: Female Wheatear & 83 Brent Geese (just 1 1st-winter).

Thurs 13 Mar:
DUNGARVAN: Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker & 5 Chiffchaffs, Brickey canal.

Tues 12 Mar:
CLONEA BAY: Female Wheatear at Ballinard, 30 Rock Pipits including 3+ good candidates for littoralis (‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit) at Ballinclamper.

Sun 9 Mar:
RATHMOYLAN: 5 CATTLE EGRETS.
CLONEA BAY: 24 Great Northern Divers, 25 Sanderling & a Sandwich Tern.
DUNGARVAN: 2 Slavonian Grebes off Barnawee, Sandwich Tern off Gold Coast, 2 Whimbrel at Ballynagaul / Knockanpower.
HELVICK HEAD: Male Wheatear - first of the spring for Co Waterford.

Thurs 6 Mar:
RATHMOYLAN COVE: Black Redstart & adult Iceland Gull.
CLONEA BAY: 2 Sandwich Terns at Ballinard.

Mon 3 Mar:
WATERFORD CITY: 2 Chiffchaffs singing, Dunmore Road area.
CLONEA BAY: Purple Sandpiper.
DUNGARVAN: 3 Kingfishers, Crossbill, Jay & 2 Chiffchaffs.

Sun 2 Mar:
UNSPECIFIED LOCATIONS: Single Red Kites at 2 separate locations.
WHITING BAY: Merlin.

FEBRUARY 2025

Fri 28 Feb:
WATERFORD CITY: 2 Chiffchaffs & 2 female Blackcaps, St John's River Walk.
GLENDALLIGAN: Jays.

Thurs 27 Feb:
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 3 RING-NECKED DUCKS (female & 2 males), female Scaup, 24 Tufted Ducks & 1 Coot.
SUIR VALLEY: 56 Whooper Swans & 8 Greylag Geese at Derrigal.
N of LISMORE: Treecreeper.
BRIDE VALLEY: Brambling, Tallow.
WEST WATERFORD: Male Hen Harrier.

Weds 26 Feb:
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 2 Tufted Ducks at Lisselan, 11 Pintail & 69 Grey Plover.
ANNE VALLEY: Water Rail near Dunhill.
BALLINLOUGH: Chiffchaff, Coot & 2 Whooper Swans.
DUNGARVAN: c.20 Stock Doves near Western Bay.

Tues 25 Feb:
DUNMORE EAST: Black Redstart.
OLD TRAMOPRE ROAD: Long-eared Owl, Ballindud.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Merlin.
STRADBALLY: Barn Owl.
DUNGARVAN: 7 Shoveler.
Near ARDMORE: Barn Owl, Ballyquin.
N of LISMORE: Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming.

Mon 24 Feb:
TRAMORE: Mediterranean Gull .
CLONEA BAY: Common Sandpiper at Ballyvoyle.
GLENDALLIGAN: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Brambling & Blackcap.
DUNGARVAN: An early House Martin heading upriver over Ballyneety Bridge; Jack Snipe in flooded field & 2 Slavonian Grebes off White Strand, Abbeyside.
DRUM HILLS: RED-NECKED GREBE still at Monaneea Lake.
BRIDE VALLEY: Green Sandpiper, Tallowbridge.
WEST WATERFORD: Woodcock.

Sun 23 Feb:
DUNGARVAN: Early Swallow & Sand Martin over Dungarvan town.

Sat 22 Feb:
DUNGARVAN: 4 Jack Snipe & 2 Chiffchaffs on the Cunnigar.
DRUM HILLS: RED-NECKED GREBE still present at Monaneea Lake.
WEST WATERFORD: Woodcock.

Fri 21 Feb:
DUNMORE EAST: 2 Purple Sandpipers .
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 2 Pintail & 22 Greylag Geese at Lisselan.
CLONEA BAY: Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN: 30+ Stock Doves near Western Bay, 4+ Chiffchaffs beside Nissan stream.
COLLIOGAN MOUNTAIN: Barn Owl, Blackcap & Treecreeper.
BLACKWATER VALLEY: Pink-footed Goose, White-fronted Goose & Greylag Goose at Bewley.
WEST WATERFORD: Merlin.

Thurs 20 Feb:
ANNE VALLEY: Kingfisher.
DRUM HILLS: RED-NECKED GREBE at Monaneea Lake.
DUNGARVAN: 4+ Chiffchaffs beside Nissan stream.

Weds 19 Feb:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: 2 SPOONBILLS again at Cheekpoint.
DUNMORE EAST: Black Redstart & 2 Purple Sandpipers.
DRUM HILLS: RED-NECKED GREBE at Monaneea Lake.
BRIDE VALLEY: Brambling still present at Tallow.
N of LISMORE: Jay & Crossbills.
WEST WATERFORD: Male Hen Harrier.

Tues 18 Feb:
ANNE VALLEY: Chiffchaff(s).
KILMURRIN: Barn Owl.
BRIDE VALLEY: Brambling at Tallow.

Mon 17 Feb:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: 2 SPOONBILLS at Cheekpoint.
GLENDALLIGAN: Blackcap & male Brambling.

Sun 16 Feb:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: 2 SPOONBILLS W of Cheekpoint pier.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 2 drake RING-NECKED DUCKS, 26 Tufted Ducks, 39 Wigeon & 4 Coot.
GLENDALLIGAN: Male Brambling .
DUNGARVAN: Male Common Scoter in outer bay between Helvick pier & Ballynacourty lighthouse.
DRUM HILLS: RED-NECKED GREBE & 3 Whooper Swans at Monaneea Lake, Great Spotted Woodpecker & 5 Crossbills at Mountstuart.

Sat 15 Feb:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: 2 SPOONBILLS on Co Kilkenny side, NE of Cheekpoint pier at Suir/Barrow confluence.
CLONEA BAY: Whimbrel at Ballinclamper.
DRUM HILLS: RED-NECKED GREBE at Monaneea Lake.

Fri 14 Feb:
TRAMORE: 2 Black Redstarts at W end of strand.
DUNGARVAN: Unseasonal Swallow again in Dungarvan town, Slavonian Grebe in outer bay.
HELVICK: Black Redstart at cove.
COLLIGAN MOUNTAIN: Blackcap & Treecreeper.
DRUM HILLS: RED-NECKED GREBE at Monaneea Lake.
BLACKWATER VALLEY: Adult Little Gull at Newport East, Common Sandpiper.

Thurs 13 Feb:
N of LISMORE: Jay.

Wed 12 Feb:
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 7 Greylag Geese & 18 Pintail at Lisselan.
DRUM HILLS: 1st-winter RED-NECKED GREBE on Monaneea Lake - considered to be the same individual as at Dungarvan 2-3 Feb.
GLENDALLIGAN: Blackcap.

Tues 11 Feb:
DUNMORE EAST: Black Redstart.
WATERFORD CITY: Chiffchaff at ring road (Couse Bridge to Tramore roundabout).
TRAMORE ROAD: 2 Jays.
TRAMORE: Tufted Duck at boating lake.
ANNE VALLEY: Siberian Chiffchaff.
GLENDALLIGAN: Great Spotted Woodpecker.
COLLIGAN MOUNTAIN: Blackcap.

Mon 10 Feb:
DUNMORE EAST: Female/immature Black Redstart.
RATHMOYLAN: 4 CATTLE EGRETS again N of Rathmoylan, female/immature Black Redstart at cove.
CASTLETOWN: Long-eared Owl at Castletown Woods estate.
DRUM HILLS: Woodcock, Ballycurrane.
N of LISMORE: Jay.

Sun 9 Feb:
RATHMOYLAN: 2 CATTLE EGRETS N of Rathmoylan, Black Redstart at cove.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 30+ Pintail.
SUIR VALLEY: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Knockhouse.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Male RING-NECKED DUCK.
DUNGARVAN: 7 Shoveler in Western Bay, Great Spotted Woodpecker along Brickey canal.
N of LISMORE: Crossbills.

Sat 8 Feb:
RATHMOYLAN: 4 CATTLE EGRETS c.500 m N of Rathoylan junction (presumed same as birds N of Ballymacaw Nov 2024 to Jan 2025), Black Redstart at cove.
DUNGARVAN: An unseasonal Swallow, Dungarvan town; Slavonian Grebe off Gold Coast, 56+ Great Crested Grebes around bay, 6 Pintail & 7 Shoveler in Western Bay, Jack Snipe on the Cunnigar, Chiffchaff near Cunnigar car-park, 370 Knot at Killongford estuary.
COLLIGAN MOUNTAIN: Treecreeper.

Fri 7 Feb:
BRIDE VALLEY: Blackcap, Tallow.
N of LISMORE: Jay.

Thurs 6 Feb:
TRAMORE: Female/immature Black Redstart at W end of beach.
ANNE VALLEY: 3 Chiffchaffs.
Near COMERAGH/MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier.
BRIDE VALLEY: Green Sandpiper at Tallow Bridge.

Weds 5 Feb:
DUNMORE EAST: Black Redstart.
TRAMORE: 13 Gadwall at boating lake, 68 Sanderling on beach, 14 Red-throated Divers in Tramore Bay.
SUIR VALLEY: Barn Owl near Carriganore.
GLENDALLIGAN: Great Spotted Woodpecker & Jay.
DUNGARVAN: 2 Slavonian Grebes off Gold Coast Hotel car-park, Great Spotted Woodpecker at Kilmurry.
DRUM HILLS: Barn Owl, Mount Stuart.
WHITING BAY: Male Black Redstart & 35+ Ringed Plover at Whiting Bay.
BLACKWATER/BRIDE VALLEY: Kingfisher at Newport; Green Sandpiper at Tallow Bridge, 2 Dippers at Tallow New Line bridge; Pink-footed Goose, White-fronted Goose & Greylag Goose at Bewley.

Tues 4 Feb:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: 1st-winter SPOONBILL at Cheekpoint.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 17 Greylag Geese at Lisselan.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS, Scaup & Coot.
DUNGARVAN: 2 Chiffchaffs beside Nissan stream.

Mon 3 Feb:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: 2 SPOONBILLS again at Cheekpoint.
DUNMORE EAST: Black Redstart.
DUNGARVAN: 2nd-calendar-year (1st-winter) RED-NECKED GREBE still present, Abbeyside; Black Redstart in St Mary's graveyard.
N of LISMORE: Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Sun 2 Feb:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: 2 1st-winter SPOONBILLS, Cheekpoint.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Jack Snipe at Kilmacleague saltmarsh.
ANNE VALLEY: Siberian Chiffchaff & 8 Common Chiffchaffs (1 ringed bird).
DUNGARVAN: RED-NECKED GREBE close inshore off Abbeyside.

Sat 1 Feb:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: 2 2nd-calendar-year (1st-winter) SPOONBILLS at Cheekpoint, presumed same birds as seen around Suir/Barrow confluence on 15 Jan (& earlier 1 at Cheekpoint on 12 or 13 Jan) & 2 above Barrow Bridge, On Co Wexford shore, on 23 Jan.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Adult Little Gull & adult Yellow-legged Gull, western Backstrand opposite McCarthy's.

JANUARY 2025

Fri 31 Jan:
Near WATERFORD CITY: Barn Owl, Couse Bridge.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 16 Pintail at Lisselan.
DUNGARVAN: 2 Slavonian Grebes off Ballynacourty pier.
COLLIGAN MOUNTAIN: Barn Owl, Blackcap & Treecreeper.
BLACKWATER VALLEY & CALLOWS: Dipper daily at Clashmore this week, Pink-footed Goose,White-fronted Goose & Greylag Goose at Bewley, SE of Cappoquin; 4 Pink-footed Geese & 4 Shoveler, Blackwater callows; Jack Snipe & 2 Crossbills at Knaukaunroe, near Ballyduff Upper.
WEST WATERFORD: Red Grouse.

Thurs 30 Jan:
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Kingfisher & Whimbrel at Kilmacleague, Jack Snipe at Kilmacleague, 17 Greylag Geese & 2 Shoveler at Lisselan, 51 Pintail Kilmacleague to spits, 15 Gadwall & male Tufted Duck on boating lake.
ANNESTOWN / ANNE VALLEY: Kingfisher, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siberian Chiffchaff, 4+ Common Chiffchaffs.
CLONEA BAY: Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper.
GLENDALLIGAN: Great Spotted Woodpecker & Jay daily this week.
DUNGARVAN: Shoveler pair & 30+ Stock Doves, Western Bay.
N of LISMORE: Treecreeper.

Weds 29 Jan:
SUIR / WATERFORD CITY: Common Sandpiper west of Little Island.
RATHMOYLAN: Female/immature Black Redstart.
DUNGARVAN: Chiffchaff behind Nissan garage.
BLACKWATER/BRIDE: 4 Pink-footed Geese & 51 Whooper Swans on Blackwater callows east of Ballyduff, Jay at Templemichael, 2 Green Sandpipers at Tallow Bridge.

Tues 28 Jan:
COLLIGAN MOUNTAIN: Blackcap & Treecreeper.
DRUM HILLS: Crossbills at Mount Stuart.
ARDMORE: Merlin, Goat Island road.

Mon 27 Jan:
GLENDALLIGAN: Blackcap.
BLACKWATER VALLEY: Common Sandpiper at Villierstown Quay.
N of LISMORE: Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Sun 26 Jan:
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Male Goldeneye at Lisselan.
ANNE VALLEY: 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs & up to 8 Common Chiffchaffs.
BRIDE VALLEY: Barn Owl near Tallow
N of LISMORE: Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeder again.

Sat 25 Jan:
CLONEA BAY: 2 Purple Sandpipers & high counts of 30+ Great Nothern Divers & 25+ Red-throated Divers from Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN: 2 Slavonian Grebes.
N of LISMORE: Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeder.

Fri 24 Jan:
TRAMORE: Adult Mediterranean Gull at boating lake.
KILMACTHOMAS: 1st-winter male Black Redstart ('paradoxicus' type, with adult-type plumage) near Flahavan's.
DUNGARVAN: Black Redstart & 2 Goldeneye.

Thurs 23 Jan:
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Female Tufted Duck, 9 Gadwall & 17 Greylag on Lisselan ponds/fields, 40+ Pintail on Lisselan foreshore.
CLONEA BAY: 2 Purple Sandpipers at Ballinclamper.
HELVICK HEAD: 1 Manx Shearwater (seawatch 13:00-14:00).
BLACKWATER VALLEY: Common Sandpiper & c.2000 Golden Plover at Newport East; White-fronted Goose, Pink-footed Goose, Greylag Goose & Whooper Swans at Bewley, SE of Cappoquin.
WEST WATERFORD: 7 Woodcock.

Weds 22 Jan:
TRAMORE: Male AMERICAN WIGEON (2nd Co Waterford record), 17 Greylag Geese, 6 Shoveler & 4 Gadwall at Lisselan, 29 Pintail off Lisselan seawall, 16 Gadwall & a male Tufted Duck on boating lake.
ANNE VALLEY: 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs & 3 Common Chiffchaffs.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: RING-NECKED DUCK, Scaup (possibly 2) & 2 Coot.

Tues 21 Jan:
DUNGARVAN: 60+ Stock Doves & male Pintail at Western Bay, Kingfisher & 2 Green Sandpipers at Brickey canal.
BLACKWATER VALLEY: Common Sandpiper at Newport, Great Spotted Woodpecker.
BLACKWATER CALLOWS: Green Sandpiper at pool near Lismore.

Sun 19 Jan:
ANNE VALLEY: Siberian Chiffchaff.
BRIDE VALEY: Crossbill, Tallow.

Sat 18 Jan:
DUNGARVAN: 2 male Pintail opposite Nissan garage.
BRIDE VALLEY: Green Sandpiper at Tallow Bridge.
BLACKWATER VALLEY/CALLOWS: Pink-footed Goose & White-fronted Goose at Bewley SE of Cappoquin, 7 White-fronted Geese along Callows, Common Sandpiper & Jays.

Fri 17 Jan:
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 17 Greylag Geese at Kilmacleague.
N of LISMORE: Crossbills & Great Spotted Woodpecker

Thurs 16 Jan:
DUNGARVAN: Now 2 Slavonian Grebes in bay, from Ballynacourty towards Abbeyside.

Weds 15 Jan:
TRAMORE : Merlin, 18 Pintail & 10 Shoveler at Lisselan, male Tufted Duck & 10 Gadwall at boating lake.
SUIR VALLEY: Green Sandpiper along River Clodiagh below Portlaw.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Great Spotted Woodpecker & 6 Coot.
CLONEA BAY: Whimbrel & Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper.

Tues 14 Jan:
DUNGARVAN: 2 Yellow-legged Gulls at Ballyneety, Blackcap, Chiffchaff & c.15 Reed Buntings at Kilmurry.
BLACKWATER VALLEY: Barn Owl near Affane Cross.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 17 Greylag Geese, 7 Pintail & a Kingfisher at Lisselan, Jack Snipe on saltmarsh between Lisselan & Kilmacleague.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: RING-NECKED DUCK & Scaup
DUNGARVAN: 1st-winter male Goldeneye at Barnawee, Chiffchaff & 2 Water Rails behind Nissan garage.
BLACKWATER/BRIDE: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tallow & Jays, Lismore.

Mon 13 or Sun 12 Jan:
WATERFORD HARBOUR: SPOONBILL at Cheekpoint.

Sun 12 Jan:
BALLYMACAW: 4-5 CATTLE EGRETS.
TRAMORE ROAD: 3 CATTLE EGRETS E side of main road c.500 m from Halfway.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 31 Pintail.
Near COMERAGH/MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS: Treecreeper.
DUNGARVAN: Slavonian Grebe, 83 Great Crested Grebes, 12 Great Northern Divers & male Common Scoter in the bay.

Sat 11 Jan:
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 16 Greylag Geese, 8 Shoveler & 4 Gadwall at Lisselan.
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: RING-NECKED DUCK, Scaup & 2 Coot.
BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Gadwall & 2 Tufted Duck.
GLENDALLIGAN: Jays & Great Spotted Woodpecker.
DUNGARVAN: 2 Goldeneye & 17 Shoveler off pitch & putt course, Slavonian Grebe off Ballynacourty Pier.
BLACKWATER VALLEY: White-fronted Goose, Pink-footed Goose & Greylag Goose still at Bewley, SE of Cappoquin.
N of LISMORE: 6 Crossbills flying over.

Fri 10 Jan:
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 12 Pintail off the old dump.
COLLIGAN MOUNTAIN: Blackcap.

Thurs 9 Jan:
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 2 RING-NECKED DUCKS, a Scaup & 3 Shoveler.
DUNGARVAN: Black Redstart at Boreenatra, 2 Goldeneye (male & female) at Barnawee.
BLACKWATER VALLEY: Single White-fronted Goose, Pink-footed Goose & Greylag Goose feeding with c.190 Whooper Swans at Bewley, SE of Cappoquin; Barn Owl, Cappoquin.

Weds 8 Jan:
CLONEA BAY: 2 Purple Sandpipers & adult Mediterranean Gull at Ballinclamper, Black Redstart & Whimbrel at Ballinard, Dipper & 1000s of gulls (mainly Black-headed) at Ballyvoyle.
DUNGARVAN: Slavonian Grebe between Ballynacourty & Abbeyside, Great Spotted Woodpecker at Kilmurry.

Tues 7 Jan;
BRIDE VALLEY: Green Sandpiper & 30+ Golden Plover, Tallow.
N of LISMORE: Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Mon 6 Jan:
DUNMORE EAST: Black Redstart.
DUNGARVAN: Blackcap.

Sat 4 Jan:
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: RING-NECKED DUCK & Scaup.
GLENDALLIGAN: Great Spoted Woodpecker.
DUNGARVAN: HAWFINCH in a garden in Abbeyside.
N of LISMORE: Crossbills.

Fri 3 Jan:
Near MONAMINTRA CROSS-ROADS: Short-eared Owl flying SW towards Castletown Fen road.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Long-tailed Duck again at Lisselan, 30 Pintail in Backstrand.
CLONEA BAY: Whimbrel at Ballinard, 7 Red-throated Divers at Ballyvoyle (among 1000s of seabirds).
DUNGARVAN: Chiffchaff beside Brickey Canal, 2 Water Rails along stream behind Nissan garage.
BRIDE VALLEY: Green Sandpiper at Tallow Bridge.

Thurs 2 Jan:
CLONEA BAY: 3 Purple Sandpipers at Ballinclamper.
DUNGARVAN: Male GOOSANDER at Barnawee, Slavonian Grebe off Ballynagaul, 4 Pintail (2 males & 2 females) & a female Shoveler in Western Bay.
BLACKWATER VALLEY: Common Sandpiper & flock of 20+ Yellowhammers at Newport East.
BLACKWATER CALLOWS: 7 Pink-footed Geese.

Weds 1 Jan:
DUNGARVAN: Slavonian Grebe in bay, Barn Owl at Kilmurry.
CLONEA BAY: 2 Purple Sandpipers & 1 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper.
WHITING BAY: Merlin.
BLACKWATER CALLOWS: 7 Pink-footed Geese.
Near LISMORE: Woodcock near Ballysaggart.

Jan-Dec 2024

Jan-Dec 2023

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