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).
