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Bird reports for May-June 2011

 
Waterford bird records May-June 2011 (details subject to verification or correction)
older records - archive

June 2011
 
Check here for updates or  further details.
 
Breeding Bird Atlas: click here for species lists and maximum breeding status by 10-km square based on 2008-2010 records; any records that will help update these are needed (up to 31st July 2011).
 
Thurs 30 June:
GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  Migrant moths included a Blair's Mocha and 82 Rusty-dot Pearl.
 
Weds 29 June:
WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard at two locations.
 
Tues 28 June:
DUNGARVAN: SPOONBILL at Killongford.
BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Adult Mediterranean Gull off lighthouse.
 
Mon 27 June:
RAM HEAD:  Dark-phase skua species & a Clouded Yellow.
WHITING BAY:  11 Choughs.
SEAFIELD:  3 Spotted Flycatchers (1 juv).
TRAMORE:  3 Hummingbird Hawk-moths, Tramore sandhills.
EAST WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
 
Sun 26 June:
KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Male Hen Harrier.
Nr MILLSTREET:  Spotted Flycatchers at Mountaincastle & Knockaunnaglokee.
DUNGARVAN:  Hummingbird Hawk-moth at Kilmurray.
BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Hybrid Whooper/Mute Swan.
CARRICKAVRANTRY:  7 Hummingbird Hawk-moths.
TRAMORE:  4 Hummingbird Hawk-moths, Tramore town.
 
Sat 25 June:
HELVICK HEAD:  4 Puffins & 2 Storm Petrels.
DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper at Ballyneety.
CLONEA STRAND:  Common Sandpiper at Ballinard.
COMERAGH MOUNTAINS:  Night-roost of 47 Hooded Crows nr Davmore.
 
Thurs 23 June:
Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Male Hen Harrier.
SEAFIELD:  Otter.
 
Weds 22 June:
WHITING BAY:  Otter & 10 Choughs.
 
Mon 20 June:
DUNGARVAN:  Adult Mediterranean Gull at Barnawee bridge, Common Sandpiper at Killongford bridge.
 
Sun 19 June:
Nr KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Female/immature Hen Harrier.
DUNGARVAN:  Adult Mediterranean Gull at Abbeyside.
Nr LEMYBRIEN:  Grasshopper Warblers singing at two locations.
Nr WATERFORD CITY:  Pair of Spotted Flycatchers daily at IDA Park.
 
Sat 18 June:
Nr WHITING BAY:  2 Tree Sparrows at Ballysallagh (1 carrying  food).
Nr CALISO BAY:  Spotted Flycatcher at Moord.
HELVICK HEAD:  3 Storm Petrels.
MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS:  Male Hen Harrier.
WOODSTOWN BOG:  Reed Warbler singing & Water Rail calling.
 
Tues 14 June:
MONAVULLAGH MOUNTAINS:  Male Hen Harrier.
LEMYBRIEN:  Dipper on River Deehil.
 
Mon 13 June:
KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Red Grouse droppings found.
Nr PORTLAW:  2 Jays in Glenhouse/Kilbunny forest, 3 Woodcock roding in Guilcagh/Glenhouse forest.
ARDEENLOUN (nr Knockaderry):  Grasshopper Warbler singing.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  2 Tree Sparrows.
 
Sun 12 June:
BALLINLOUGH:  2 singing Reed Warblers & a Water Rail.
SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon):  2 pairs of Spotted Flycatchers.
HELVICK HEAD:  10 Puffins W in 2 hrs (seawatches 15:45-16:45 & 18:35-19:35), 2050 Manx Shearwaters W in 1 hr (18:35-19:35).
DRUM HILLS:  Grasshopper Warbler singing at Reamanagh.
 
Sat 11 June:
ARDMORE / RAM HEAD:  BEE-EATER near the Coastguard station - 1st county record.
RAM HEAD:  108 occupied Kittiwake nests in study-plots (most of the colony), a 38% decrease from 174 nests in 2010
DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL at Killongford.
KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Male & female Hen Harrier at different locations.
 
Fri 10 June:
NIRE VALLEY:  Jay nr Birchell's Bridge.
 
Thurs 9 June:
Nr LEMYBRIEN:  Long-eared Owl at Carrigeennageragh Big.
 
Weds 8 June:
Nr WATERFORD CITY:  2 Spotted Flycatchers at IDA Park.

Tues 7 June:
Nr DUNGARVAN:  Cuckoo calling nr the Pike.
KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Albino Hen Harrier.
RUSSELLTOWN WOOD (nr Clonmel):  Red Squirrel.
Nr LISMORE:  Family of Bank Voles.

Mon 6 June:
Nr CLONMEL:  Cuckoo calling along Munster Way, Jay SE of Clonmel.
NIRE VALLEY:  Jay nr Labartt's Bridge.
COMERAGH MOUNTAINS:  Male Hen Harrier.
Nr KILMACTHOMAS:  Cuckoo at Knockanearley, 2 Dippers & 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Flahavans's Mill bridge.
MID WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
 
Sun 5 June:
RUSSELLSTOWN WOOD (nr Clonmel):  3 Jays & 29 singing Willow Warblers.
NIRE VALLEY:  3 Woodcock roding over Boolabrien Lower / Knockalisheen forest, also a Red Squirrel.
CAPPAGH :  Hybrid Whooper/Mute Swan.at Cappagh fishing lakes, Spotted Flycatcher nr Cappagh quarry.
 
Sat 4 June:
DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL at Killongford. 
MID WATERFORD:  Buzzard.
BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Great Crested Grebe, 2 Tufted Duck & Whooper/Mute Swan hybrid.
 
Fri 3 June:
CARRICKAVRANTRY:  Cuckoo calling & Grasshopper Warbler.
Nr RATHGORMUCK:  Long-eared Owl chicks heard & seen over last few nights.
THE VEE:  Lots of Green Hairstreak butterflies on Rhododendron.
 
Thurs 2 June:
Nr BUNMAHON:  QUAIL calling at 22:30.
RAM HEAD:  5-10 Common Dolphins & a Porpoise.
 

May 2011
 
Check here for updates or  further details, also see Seawatch summaries.
 
Mon 30 May:
CLONEA STRAND:  Colour-ringed Sanderling, ringed at Banc d'Arguin, Mauritania (west Africa) on 21 Apr 2009.
 
Sun 29 May:
MONEYGORM (north of Lismore):  Greater White-toothed Shrew found dead - apparently first Co Waterford record (previously known from Cos Tipperary & Limerick, discovered 2007 - details).
DUNGARVAN:  1st-summer Mediterranean Gull at Killongford.
CLONEA STRAND:  2 Pomarine Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas & 2 Storm Petrels west past Ballinclamper.
BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR:  Hybrid Whooper/Mute Swan.
 
Sat 28 May:
KNOCMMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Female Hen Harrier.
WEST WATERFORD:  Buzzard at two locations.
BALLYNATRAY:  Jay.
DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL at Killongford.
BALLYNACOURTY POINT:  Arctic Skua & Arctic Tern.
CLONEA STRAND:  Ring-billed Gull, adult Great Northern Diver & 4 Arctic Terns at Ballinclamper.
Nr BUNMAHON:  Barn Owl.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  4 Tree Sparrows & 13 Choughs.
 
Fri 27 May:
CLONEA STRAND:  Ring-billed Gull, adult Great Northern Diver & 4 Arctic Terns at Ballinclamper.
KNOCKLOFTY (nr Clonmel):  Kingfisher (Tipperary side) & Grey Squirrel.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Adult Red-throated Diver, immature Great Northern Diver & 235 Manx Shearwaters west (seawatch 19:00-20:00); 15 Choughs.
 
Thurs 26  May:
CLONEA STRAND:  4 Arctic Terns off Ballinclamper.
 
Weds 25  May:
HELVICK HEAD:  3 Arctic Skuas, 4 Pomarine Skuas, 5 Great Skuas, 77 Storm Petrels, 1 Little Tern, 10 Common Terns, 2 Arctic Terns, 6 Puffins , 1 Tufted Duck & 2 small diver species (seawatches 14:30-16:30 & 18:50-20:00).
LISMORE:  Barnacle Goose (escapee?) at Lismore canal.
KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Female-type Hen Harrier.
 
Tues 24 May:
North of LISMORE:  2 Cuckoos calling nr Moneygorm North.
 
Mon 23 May:
KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Male Hen Harrier.
 
Sun 22 May:
North of LISMORE:  Cuckoo nr Moneygorm North.
DRUM HILLS:  Male Hen Harrier.
GLENDALLIGAN WOOD:  Bank Vole.
 
Sat 21 May:
CLONEA STRAND:  2 1st-summer Mediterranean Gulls at Ballyvoyle.
HELVICK HEAD:  Hight total of 67 Puffins (mainly W, some on sea close inshore), also Great Northern Diver E, Storm Petrel, small skua speciesArctic Tern W (seawatches 08:40-09:40 & 14:00-16:00), 1715 Manx Shearwaters W (14:00-16:00). 
 
Fri 20 May:
CLONEA STRAND:  2 1st-summer Mediterranean Gulls at Ballinclamper & a Puffin W offshore.
GLENSHELANE RIVER WALK (nr Cappoquin):  2 Jays, 3 Dippers & 14+ singing Blackcaps.
 
Thurs 19 May:
RAM HEAD:  2 Red-throated Divers W & a Minke Whale.
CLONEA STRAND:  1st-summer Mediterranean Gull.
 
Weds 18 May:
DRUM HILLS:  HOBBY.
CLONEA/BALLINARD:  3rd/4th-summer type Yellow-legged Gull & subadult Ring-billed Gull at Ballinard, 2 1st-summer Mediterranean Gulls & 2 Brent Geese at Ballinclamper.
 
Tues 17 May:
RIVER SUIR:  Reed Warbler singing opposite Granny.
 
Sun 15 May:
CLONEA STRAND:  2 Great Northern Divers & 43 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper.
Nr MILLSTREET:  Spotted Flycatcher.
 
Sat 14 May:
BLACKWATER CALLOWS:  Kingfisher at Ballynerroon, Ballyduff.
BALLYMACART:  Cuckoo.
BALLYVOYLE:  Dipper.
East of KILSHEELAN:  Kingfisher along River Suir, Jay at Kildroughtaun.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Spotted Flycatcher.
WOODSTOWN BOG:  Reed Warbler singing.
 
Fri 13 May:
Nr KILROSSANTY:  Woodcock roding.
RIVER SUIR:  2 or 3 Reed Warblers singing Killoteran/Knockhouse area.
 
Thurs 12 May:
DUNGARVAN:  SPOONBILL again at Killongford. 
 
Weds 11 May:
ARDMORE:  Adult Great Northern Diver off Curragh strand. 
 
Tues 10 May:
CLONEA STRAND:  Purple Sandpiper at Ballinclamper. 
 
Sun 8 May:
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  4 adult Pomarine Skuas W (2 E), 2 adult Arctic Skuas E (1 W), adult Great Northern Diver & adult Red-throated Diver W, 540 Manx Shearwaters W (235 E) (seawatch 07:40-09:10).  Also 2 Tree Sparrows.
HELVICK HEAD:  2 Red-throated Divers, 113 Manx Shearwaters, 8 Puffins & c550 large auks W (seawatch 18:20-19:20).
Nr WHITING BAY:  4 Tree Sparrows along Goat Island road.
 
Sat 7 May:
HELVICK HEAD:  Female or immature GOLDEN ORIOLE & Whinchat.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Adult Pomarine Skuas E, Great Skua E & W, adult Arctic Skua E, Puffin E & W, 388 Manx Shearwaters E & 513 W (seawatches 08:20-09:20 & 18:45-19:45). On land, 2 Sedge Warblers, 3 Blackcaps, 8 Whitethroats, 3 Spotted Flycatcher & 4 Tree Sparrows.
 
Fri 6 May:
KILBARRY BOG (nr Waterford city):  An OSPREY flew overhead.
ARDMORE:  Great Northern Diver off Curragh beach.
 
Thurs 5 May:
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 adult-summer Black-throated Divers W, 2 Great Northern Divers E (1 W), 8+ Pomarine Skuas (4 adults W, 4 adults & a 2nd-summer E), 21 Whimbrel W & 495 Manx Shearwaters E (275 W) (seawatches 08:45-10:45 & 18:25-19:25). Also a Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher & 2 Tree Sparrows.
 
Weds 4 May:
BALLINLOUGH:  Male GARGANEY (c7th county record), Common Sandpiper & Water Rail.
CLONEA STRAND:  Purple Sandpiper.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Adult Arctic Skua, 2 Puffins & 237 Manx Shearwaters E, Great Skua E+W (seawatch 19:15-20:15).
 
Tues 3 May:
HELVICK HEAD:  Skua species (Arctic/Pomarine) E & 152 Gannets W (seawatch 17:35-18:35).
DUNGARVAN:  Adult BLACK BRANT & sub-adult SPOONBILL at Killongford.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Spotted Flycatcher & 2 Tree Sparrows; adult Pomarine Skua, 3 Arctic Skuas, 4 Puffins, 2 Roseate Terns & 10 Arctic Terns E (seawatch 08:15-09:15).
 
Mon 2 May:
SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon):  Adult NIGHT HERON still present, also a Corncrake briefly calling nearby.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Whinchat, 20+ Whimbrels, Swift, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 7 Wheatears, 7+ Willow Warblers, Tree Sparrow; 3 Common Scoter, 235 Manx Shearwaters, 310 Gannets, 2 adult Pomarine Skuas, 2 Puffins & 5 Roseate Terns E (up to 3 feeding), 70+ Arctic Terns feeding.
BALLYVOYLE HEAD:  2 Swifts.
HELVICK HEAD:  Adult Pomarine Skua & adult Arctic Skua, 300+ Manx Shearwaters & c500 Gannets W (seawatch 10:00-11:15).
Nr DRUM HILLS:  Female Hen Harrier.
ARDMORE:  2nd-calendar-year Iceland Gull.
RAM HEAD:  2 Basking Sharks (also 1 off nearby Goat Island).
 
Sun 1 May:
SEAFIELD (nr Bunmahon):  Adult NIGHT HERON still present, Common Sandpiper & 2 Swifts.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Adult HOBBY, Swift, Blackcap, 2 Sedge Warblers, 4 Whitethroats & a Tree Sparrow; Common Tern (1st of year) & 428 Gannets E in 1.5 hrs (seawatch 08:55-10:25).
BUNMAHON to STRADBALLY:  Snipe singing on top of a telephone pole.
BLACKWATER VALLEY:  MARSH HARRIER at Newport.
DUNGARVAN:  2 1st-summer Mediterranean Gulls at Killongford.

.click below for larger images

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Common Buzzard (with jesses or prey?), west Waterford, 28 June 2011 © A Malcolm

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Mediterranean Gull, adult, Ballynacourty Point, 28 June 2011 © F O'Connell

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Sparrowhawk chicks (x3), nr Lismore, 28 June 2011 © C Ind

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Whooper/Mute Swan hybrid and Swan Goose hybrid, Ballyshunnock Reservoir, 26 June 2011 © M Cowming

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Swan Goose hybrid, Ballyshunnock Reservoir, 26 June 2011 © M Cowming

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Yellowhammer, Seafield, 23 June 2011 © D Weldon

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Otter, Seafield, 23 June 2011 © D Weldon

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Chough, Whiting Bay, 22 June 2011 © A Malcolm

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Otter, Whiting Bay, 22 June 2011 © A Malcolm

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Preliminary breeding distribution 2008-2011 @ 21 June 2011 (Atlas bird of the day)
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Preliminary breeding distribution 2008-2011 @ 18 June 2011 (Atlas bird of the day)

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Red Grouse poo, Knockmealdown Mountains, 13 June 2011 © A Malcolm

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Bee-eater, Ardmore / Ram Head, 11 June 2011 © A Malcolm

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© A Malcolm

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© C Flynn

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© M Cowming

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mobbed by Reed Bunting © A Malcolm

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Hybrid Whooper / Mute Swan, Cappagh Lake, 5 June 2011 © P Veale

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Whitethroat, Knockanearley, 6 June 2011 © D Clarke

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Green Hairstreak, the Vee, 3 June 2011 © A Malcolm

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Common Blue, near Bunmahon, 2 June 2011 © D Weldon

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Yellowhammer, near Bunmahon, 2 June 2011 © D Weldon

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Whitethroat, Ram Head, 2 June 2011 © A Malcolm

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Four-spotted Chaser, Knockbrack quarry, 2 June 2011 © A Malcolm

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Greater White-toothed Shrew, Moneygorm, north of Lismore, 29 May 2011 © A Trimble

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Barnacle Goose, Lismore canal, 25 May 2011 © A Malcolm

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Spotted Flycatcher, male (singing to female), Seafield, 20 May 2011 © D Weldon

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Pheasant, male, Kilmurrin, May 2011 © S Corcoran

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Ringed Plover, Ballinclamper, 20 May 2011 © PM Walsh

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Sanderling, summer plumage, Ballinclamper, 20 May 2011 © PM Walsh

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Spotted Flycatcher, Seafield, 19 May 2011 © D Weldon

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Fulmar, Ram Head, 19 May 2011 © A Malcolm

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Turnstones, May 2011 © A Malcolm

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Linnet, male, 19 Ram Head, 19 May 2011 © A Malcolm

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Preliminary breeding distribution 2008-2011 @ 19 May 2011 (Atlas bird of the day)

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Yellow-legged Gull, 3rd-summer type, Ballinard, 18 May 2011 © M Cowming

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Ring-billed Gull, 2nd-summer, Ballinard, 18 May 2011 © M Cowming

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Stonechat, male, Curragh strand, Ardmore, May 2011 © A Malcolm

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Whimbrel, Curragh strand, Ardmore, May 2011 © A Malcolm

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Sedge Warbler, the Cunnigar, Dungarvan, 9 May 2011 © A Malcolm

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Great Black-backed Gull, adult, Rathmoylan Cove, 8 May 2011 © PM Walsh

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Garganey, male, Ballinlough, 4 May 2011 © D Weldon

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© M Cowming

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Night Heron, adult, Seafield, nr Bunmahon, 2 May 2011 © D Weldon

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Night Heron, adult, Seafield, nr Bunmahon, 30 Apr 2011 © D Clarke

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.

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