Recent reports

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

older records - archive

See migrant Lepidoptera page also (highlights below)

July 2009

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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

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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

bhgull_albino_youghalbridge_29062009_img_4231_small.jpg

medgull_1stsummer_ballinclamper_130609_img_3531_small.jpg

A similar bird was seen near Dunhill on 6 June.

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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