Waterford bird reports Jan-Feb 2008

Waterford bird records January-February 2008

See migrant Lepidoptera page also (highlights below)

February 2008

Thurs 28 Feb:

Nr WATERFORD CITY: 2 Buzzards south of the city.

Tues 26 Feb:

Nr WATERFORD CITY: Long-eared Owl at Couse roundabout.

Sun 24 Feb:

ISLANDTARNSEY (nr Kilfarrassy): Flock of 125 Skylarks in stubble field.

GILES' QUAY (Co Kilkenny): Kingfisher along Kilkenny bank of Suir, opposite Little Island.

Sat 23 Feb:

BLACKWATER CALLOWS: 4 Shoveler, a Shelduck (well inland) & 111 Whooper Swans west of Towers, between Lismore & Ballyduff.

Fri 22 Feb:

WATERFORD CITY: A wintering (or very early) Chiffchaff singing between Alexander Street & Michael Street.

Mon 18 Feb:

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 2 or 3 Red Grouse SW of the Vee, and inside Waterford border.

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: 12 Crossbills at Boolabrien Upper (grid ref S1916).

DUNGARVAN (I-WeBS count): BLACK-NECKED GREBE inside Cunnigar, 2 CATTLE EGRETS at Gortnadiha Lower, 2 Great Northern Divers, Whimbrel at Ballynagaul, 1130 Brent Geese including 3 dark-bellied Brent (1 Ballyneety, 2 Duckspool/Kilminnin); Common Seal at Killongford bridge.

Sun 17 Feb:

Nr CLASHMORE: 8 CATTLE EGRETS again at Ballycrompane (grid ref X114827).

VILLIERSTOWN QUAY (lower Blackwater): Scaup.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 2 Crossbills at Knockadav (grid ref S014061). [Also 3 Red Grouse & 2 Jack Snipe on Co Tipperary side of border.]

RAM HEAD: 3 Red-throated Divers.

DUNGARVAN: 1 CATTLE EGRET at Gortnadiha Lower about 1 km W of the Cunnigar (presumably one of the birds last reported at Ballyharrahan, near Killongford, 17 January).

Sat 16 Feb:

Nr CLASHMORE: *8 CATTLE EGRETS at Ballycrompane (grid ref X114827).

VILLIERSTOWN QUAY (lower Blackwater): Scaup & Otter.

BALLYNACLASH (lower Blackwater): Otter.

HELVICK HEAD: 1st-winter Iceland Gull.

DUNMGARVAN: Shoveler at Abbeyside.

DRUMLOHAN CROSS ROADS (nr Lemybrien / Stradbally): 3 Bramblings.

Fri 15 Feb:

VILLIERSTOWN (lower Blackwater): Scaup.

Thurs 14 Feb:

VILLIERSTOWN (lower Blackwater): Scaup.

Weds 13 Feb:

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Red Admiral at Lisselan.

Tues 12 Feb:

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Jack Snipe near Coummahon.

Mon 11 Feb:

LITTLE ISLAND: Common Sandpiper near the ferry.

HALFWAY HOUSE area (nr Waaterford city): Early / overwintering Red Admiral buterfly.

GLENDALOUGHIN (ne Nier Valley): Another record of the rare migrant moths Euchromius ocellea.

Sun 10 Feb:

BAWNGARRANE (nr Ardmore / Grange): 2 CATTLE EGRETS still present, south of N25; 1 present earlier, plus another (1 of the 2?) north of N25, further west towards Youghal bridge.

BALLYLEMON: Male Blackcap in garden.

RIVER BRICKEY (nr Dungarvan): Kingfisher, Dipper & Chiffchaff just below Knockmaon Bridge; another Chiffchaff below Twomile Bridge.

DUNGARVAN: BLACK-NECKED GREBE, 3 dark-bellied Brent Geese & a 2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull.

BALLINARD: 3 Red-throated Divers.

Sat 9 Feb:

BAWNGARRANE (nr Ardmore / Grange): *2 CATTLE EGRETS seen from the N25.

NEWPORT (lower Blackwater): 2 Buzzards, ringtail Hen Harrier & an Otter.

DRUM HILLS: Woodcock at Scordaun forest.

CLONEA STRAND: 12 Great Northern Divers & a Red-throated Diver.

TRAMORE TOWN: 2 rare migrant moths of species Euchromius ocellea (only 2nd or 3rd Irish record).

Weds 6 Feb:

RAM HEAD: Fin Whale & 50+ Common Dolphins.

Tues 5 Feb:

Nr LEMYBRIEN / STRADBALLY: 2 CATTLE EGRETS & 4+ Brambling at Drumlohan Cross Roads.

MINE HEAD: Iceland Gull.

WHITING BAY: Glaucous Gull.

Mon 4 Feb:

ARDMORE HEAD: Adult Mediterranean Gull.

BALLYNAMONA (nr Mine Head): Blackcap.

Sun 3 Feb:

HELVICK HEAD: 1st-winter Iceland Gull & 2nd-winter Glaucous Gull.

Sat 2 Feb:

CLONEA STRAND: WATER PIPIT & 2 Purple Sandpipers at Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN: BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Long-tailed Duck off Sports Centre, Kingfisher & Common Sandpiper at Ballyneety.

BLACKWATER CALLOWS: 165 Whooper Swans & 670 Black-tailed Godwits west of Towers, Lismore to Ballyduff.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 9+ Crossbills (mostly males) near Knockadav. See also video of Crossbill feeding in garden near Lismore last winter.

Fri 1 Feb:

Nr DUNGARVAN: 6 CATTLE EGRETS, Ballyeitragh (north of N72).

DUNGARVAN: Tree Sparrow at Ballyneety, in maize field by former dump.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Merlin & Hen Harrier.

January 2008

Thurs 31 Jan:

DUNGARVAN: 2 Brambling in garden at Abbeyside.

CLONEA STRAND: Iceland Gull at Ballinclamper.

Weds 30 Jan:

BLACKWATER CALLOWS: *2 CATTLE EGRETS at Ballysaggart More (grid ref X0199), north side of Blackwater between Lismore and Ballyduff; said to have been present for some time.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier.

BALLYVOONEY COVE: Black Redstart.

East of BALLYDOWANE COVE: Another Black Redstart.

Thur 29 Jan:

Near STRADBALLY / LEMYBRIEN: 10 CATTLE EGRETS at Drumlohan Cross Roads.

BALLYVOONEY COVE: 2 Puffins.

CLONEA STRAND: Water Pipit at Ballinclamper.

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Iceland & 2 Glaucous Gulls.

Sun 27 Jan:
Near STRADBALLY / LEMYBRIEN: *10 CATTLE EGRETS at Drumlohan Cross Roads (grid ref S3600), with 3 Little Egrets; also a Brambling with c200 Chaffinches. (3 suspected Cattle Egrets were seen here on 6 Jan but only Little Egrets were confirmed until today.)

DUNGARVAN: BLACK-NECKED GREBE, BLACK BRANT & Long-tailed Duck.

KILMURRAY, nr Dungarvan: 110+ Stock Doves.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Hen Harrier.

RAM HEAD: 3 Red-throated Divers.

WHITING BAY: 1 Choughs & a dead Common Seal.

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Hybrid Whooper x Mute Swan adult & 44 Tufted Duck.

Sat 26 Jan:

CLONEA STRAND: WATER PIPIT again at Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN: 2 female Eider & 3 Great Northern Divers in outer bay.

RIVER BRICKEY: Kingfisher at Knockmaun, & Green Sandpiper.

HELVICK HEAD: 2 1st-winter Glaucous Gulls & 2 1st-winter Iceland Gulls.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 2 Crossbills north of Knockadav; 2 Woodcock and a calling Red Grouse SE of Knockshanahullion.

Fri 25 Jan:

CLONEA STRAND: WATER PIPIT at Ballinclamper.

Sun 20 Jan:

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: 7 Crossbills north of Knockadav.

HELVICK HEAD: 1st-winter Iceland Gull at pier.

DUNGARVAN: Long-tailed Duck & 2 female Eiders in bay; total 6 Common Seals (4 Ballyneety, 1 quay, 1 off pitch & putt).

CLONEA STRAND: Whimbrel & 3 Purple Sandpipers at Ballinclamper.

TIBBERAGHNY BOG (Co Kilkenny): Adult White-fronted Goose, 166 Greylag Geese, 44 Whooper Swans, 13 Little Egrets & 82 Hooded Crows.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 774 Brent Geese & 230 Knot.

Sat 19 Jan:

WATERFORD CITY: Male Blackcap at King's Channel.

CLONEA STRAND: 4 Great Northern Divers off Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN: BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Common Seal off pitch & putt, 2 female Eiders off Ballynacourty pier.

TEMPLEMICHAEL (lower Blackwater): Common Sandpiper.

Thurs 17 Jan:

DUNGARVAN (I-WeBS count): BLACK-NECKED GREBE & Long-tailed Duck inside Cunnigar-tip (off pitch & putt), 2 CATTLE EGRETS nr Killongford, 2 female Eiders off Ballynacourty pier, Whimbrel at Ballynagaul, adult BLACK BRANT and adult dark-bellied Brent at the pitch & putt club, c840 light-bellied Brent, & 8 Great Northern Divers.

CLONEA STRAND: Whimbrel, Purple Sandpiper, 26 Sanderling & 19 Chough at Ballinclamper, 10 Great Northern & 6 Red-throated Divers.

GULL ISLAND (Stradbally/Ballyvooney): Adult or 3rd-winter Yellow-legged Gull with 247 Great Black-backed & 192 Herring Gulls.

Weds 16 Jan:

Nr YOUGHAL: *GLOSSY IBIS flying over the Youghal dump area (Cork/Waterford), then flew up the River Blackwater - the first Co Waterford record since 1946.

RAM HEAD: Arctic Skua, 3 Red-throated Divers, & 2 Porpoises with calves.

DUNGARVAN: Black Redstart at Ard Scoil na nDeise carpark.

mid Jan:

Nr VILLIERSTOWN (lower Blackwater): Green-winged Teal.

Sun 13 Jan:

HELVICK HEAD: Black Redstart on pier, 14 Great Crested Grebes, 177 Herring Gulls & 130 Great Black-backed Gulls.

DUNGARVAN: 2 female Eiders off Ballynacourty pier, Whimbrel & Black Guillemot at Knockanpower Lower, 14 Great Northern Divers, 1 Red-throated Diver & 44 Great Crested Grebes.

CLONEA STRAND: Merlin, 9 Great Northern Divers, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 16 Sanderling & 12 Choughs, Ballinclamper / Ballinard.

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: Otter.

Sat 12 Jan:

DUNMORE EAST: Black Redstart in Inner Harbour / pier area.

RATHMOYLAN: Tree Sparrow.

CASTLETOWN FEN: Male Blackcap.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 2 Long-tailed Ducks.

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: Adult Ring-billed Gull & adult Mediterranean Gull.

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Female Goosander (at east side) & 54 Whooper Swans.

DUNGARVAN: Black Redstart at Devonshire Bridge, female Blackcap in a garden.

RAM HEAD: c150 Common Dolphins.

WHITING BAY: 13 Choughs.

Early January:

Nr WHITING BAY: 2 Tree Sparrows at Ardoginna Head, Black Redstart at Goat Island.

Weds 9 Jan:

DUNGARVAN: Eider off Ballynacourty.

Tues 8 Jan:

Nr STRADBALLY: 2 Bramblings with 300 Chaffinches at Drumlohan Cross Roads, also 4 Little Egrets.

Sun 6 Jan:

DUNGARVAN: 2 Eiders in bay.

BALLINARD: Female Brambling.

CLONEA STRAND: Whimbrel & Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper.

BALLYDOWANE: Black Redstart.

Sat 5 Jan:

DUNGARVAN: 2 CATTLE EGRETS still present.

ARDMORE BEACH: 2 Mediterranean Gulls (adult + 2nd-winter).

Nr WHITING BAY: Up to 20 Tree Sparrows at same farm as last winter (Springfield / Ballysallagh area), 2nd-winter Mediterranean Gull in adjacent fields.

CAMPHIRE (Bride/Blackwater confluence): Black Swan feeding with Whooper Swans; also recorded in November 2007, and presumably an escapee (or free-flying bird) from a collection.

RINCREW (Tourig/Blackwater estuary): 4th-winter Yellow-legged Gull & 1st-winter Glaucous Gull.

Fri 4 Jan:

WATERFORD CITY RING ROAD: *CATTLE EGRET, at Six Cross Roads junction.

Weds 2 Jan:

GARRARUS: *CATTLE EGRET present since 25 December.

Tues 1 Jan:

DUNGARVAN: 2 CATTLE EGRETS still present near Killongford; adult BLACK BRANT & 2 adult Dark-bellied Brent Geese at pitch & putt field.

.click below for larger images

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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