Recent reports

Waterford bird records April-May 2009 (details subject to verification or correction)

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See migrant Lepidoptera page also (highlights below)

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RAM HEAD: 50+ Common Dolphins, 3 Porpoises & a Basking Shark.

Nr CROHAUN: 3 or 4 Grasshopper Warblers singing.

PORTLAW / CURRAGHMORE AREA: Dipper at Portlaw Bridge, Jay nr Lowry Bridge, & 90 Painted Ladies.

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD: STRIPED HAWK-MOTH & Bordered Straw trapped overnight 31.5-1.6.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 30 Painted Ladies & 83 Silver Ys by day, 3 STRIPED HAWK-MOTHS trapped overnight 31.5-1.6.

MAHON BRIDGE / LEMYBRIEN area: 3 Spotted Flycatchers - near Ballylinch (2) & SE of Mahon Bridge (1); total of 785 Painted Lady butterflies, mosttly flying NNW (including one sample count of 375 NNW across a field in 15 mins = 1500/hr).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 138 Painted Ladies & 81 Silver Y moths.

NIER VALLEY: Dipper near Knockaunbrandaun & Jay near Graignagower.

Nr TRAMORE: 11 Choughs.

VARIOUS LOCATIONS: Several dozen Painted Lady butterflies, Youghal east to Tramore.

CARRIGNAGOUR (nr Lismore): Spotted Flycatcher.

NIER VALLEY / COMERAGHS: Spotted Flycatcher near Knockalisheen, Cuckoo near Moanyarha.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Red Grouse & Cuckoo, Ballysaggart area.

BALLYVOYLE COVE: Apparent SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPIT paired with local Rock Pipit & collecting food (presumably for chicks nearby). There was a similar occurrence at Goat Island, nr Whiting Bay, in June 2008.

CARRIGCAUM FOREST (SE of Kilsheelan): 3 Jays, a Spotted Flycatcher & 7 singing Whitethroats.

DUNHILL CASTLE: Spotted Flycatcher.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 15 Whimbrel at Ballinattin.

HELVICK HEAD: 5 Spotted Flycatchers & 2 Chiffchaffs.

CLONEA STRAND: 2 late Brent Geese & a summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver.

Nr KNOCKEEN DOLMEN: A summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver flew west overhead (4-5 km inland from Tramore).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Tree Sparrow & Wheatear on land, 2 Swifts west overhead; a Red-throated Diver, 740 Manx Shearwaters & 164 Gannets west in a 1-hr evening seawatch (20:10-21:10).

Nr BALLYNAMULT: Dipper at Priestown Bridge.

EASTERN KNOCKMEALDOWNS: Grasshopper Warbler nr Broemountain.

HELVICK HEAD: Pomarine Skua, 2 unidentified skuas (probably Pomarine) & 4 Storm Petrels west (seawatch 18:45-19:15).

DUNGARVAN TOWN: Tufted Duck again at the new town park.

HELVICK HEAD: 8 Pomarine Skuas, 4 Arctic Skuas, 9 Storm Petrels & 2 Puffins west (seawatch 18:45-19:55).

DUNGARVAN TOWN: Tufted Duck at the new town park nr Lidl.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 6 adult Pomarine Skuas & a Storm Petrel east, 780 Manx Shearwaters & an adult-summer Great Northern Diver west (seawatch 07:30-08:30).

KILBARRY BOG: Grasshopper Warbler.

HELVICK HEAD: 4 Spotted Flycatchers & 2 Blackcaps (male & female) on land; seawatching produced a Storm Petrel west (morning), & 2 1st-summer Little Gulls, 7 Storm Petrels & a diver species west (18:45-20:00).

Nr WHITING BAY: c20 Tree Sparrows - 4 in Bawnacommera area, c16 Ballysallagh area.

HELVICK HEAD: Female Whinchat (first of year). Adult SABINE'S GULL, 3 Storm Petrels, 11 Arctic Terns, 1 Great Skua, 3 unidentified skuas (probably Pomarine) & 14 light-phase Pomarine Skuas west during an evening seawatch (19:15-20:45). The Pomarines were part of a larger total seen off Ballynacourty Point this evening, 14 of which rested in Dungarvan Bay before continuing west. 2 1st-summer Little Gulls, 5 Puffins & 940 Manx Shearwaters west during an earlier seawatch (13:55-14:55).

BALLYNACOURTY POINT: 22+ Pomarine Skuas.

CLONEA STRAND: 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Ballinclamper.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 4 adult light-phase Pomarine Skuas west, 2 Great Skuas east, 495 Manx Shearwaters & 154 Gannets west, also a Black Guillemot on sea (seawatch 18:00-19:00).

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Spotted Flycatchers.

CLONEA STRAND: Spotted Flycatcher at Ballinclamper.

HELVICK HEAD: 6 Spotted Flycatchers.

HELVICK HEAD: Spotted Flycatcher.

Nr PORTLAW: Buzzard.

WHITING BAY: 16 Whimbrel.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Small arrival of landbird migrants - Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher (1st of year), 2 Sedge Warblers & a Wheatear.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 20 Whimbrel at Ballinattin.

KILCLOONEY FOREST (east Comeragh foothills): Grasshopper Warbler singing.

CLONEA STRAND: Merlin (killed House Sparrow on feeder), 18 Whimbrel, 22 Sanderling & 3 Wheatears at Ballinclamper.

FORNAGHT: 4 Whimbrel & 11 late Brent Geese on beach, Water Rail calling from bog.

DUNMORE EAST: 6 Whimbrel on rocks.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Arctic Skuas & 627 Manx Shearwaters west (seawatch 11.35-12.35); also 3 Swifts, 3 Whimbrels & 2 Chiffchaffs on the head.

BALLYVOONEY: Ringtail Hen Harrier.

CLONEA STRAND: 4 Wheatears at Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN TOWN: 2 Great Northern Divers flew west over town @ 6 a.m.

HELVICK HEAD: Great Skua west (seawatch 5.05-5.35 p.m.).

RAM HEAD: Great Northern Diver west.

VARIOUS SITES: Several Swifts between Dungarvan & Knockaderry Reservoir via coast road.

Fri 8 May:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Balearic Shearwater & 287 Manx Shearwaters west in an evening seawatch (7.25-8.25 pm); 207 Manx Shearwaters west in a earlier seawatch (10.40-11.40 a.m.). 21 Whimbrel on land.

Thurs 7 May:

BLACKWATER VALLEY: 3 Swifts at Dromana House.

HELVICK HEAD: 4 Great Skuas, an unidentified skua, 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Puffins, a Common Tern & many Manx Shearwaters west (seawatch 6.40-7.50 pm),

Near KILSHEELAN: 16+ singing Blackcaps in woodland from Kilsheelan east to Coolnamuck, & 4 Swifts low over River Suir.

Weds 6 May:

DUNMORE EAST: 2 Black Guillemots east of the pier.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows; a Pomarine Skua east, & 340 Manx Shearwaters, 125 Guillemots & 2 Whimbrel west during a 1-hr seawatch (7-8 pm).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 7 Whimbrel at Clohernagh.

BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: Whooper / Mute Swan hybrid (first recorded here in 2006) & a pair of Great Crested Grebes.

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 2 Whimbrel.

HELVICK HEAD: 2 Puffins on sea, a diver species & good numbers of Manx Shearwaters west.

Tues 5 May:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: An Arctic Skua E, 2 Puffins on sea & 206 Manx Shearwaters W (20 feeding close inshore) in a half-hr seawatch (7.20-7.50 pm). Also 19 Whimbrel.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 14 Whimbrel on the spits.

CLONEA STRAND: 15 Whimbrel & 20 Sanderling at Ballinclamper.

Mon 4 May:

HELVICK HEAD: Single Cuckoo, Wheatear & Sedge Warbler.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Grasshopper Warbler singing at Kilmacleague inlet, 42 Whimbrel visible off Saleen.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Pomarine Skua (1st of yr) & Great Skua east during a 1-hr seawatch (10.18-11.18 am); also 39 Manx Shearwaters W (+ 15 feeding). 44 Manx W in 45 mins in evening (6.55-7.40 pm). Also 20 Whimbrel, 8 Swifts & 2 Wheatears.

RATHMOYLAN COVE: 3 Swifts in off the sea.

VARIOUS COASTAL SITES: Whitethroats & Wheatears widespread today.

Sun 3 May:

Nr TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Buzzard.

BALLYSCANLAN LAKE: 1st/2nd-summer Iceland or Glaucous Gull flying west over the lake.

RIVER SUIR near POULDREW: Reed Warbler singing from Co Waterford bank opposite Portnascully (1st county record of year); also 27 Whimbrel.

BELLE LAKE: Another Reed Warbler singing here.

WOODSTOWN BOG: 2 Water Rails calling.

WOODSTOWN STRAND: A late Brent Goose flying towards Duncannon.

Sat 2 May:

TOURIG RIVER: 6 CATTLE EGRETS (3 on Cork side, 3 on Waterford side). Details.

RAM HEAD: Buzzard, 9 divers (1+ Great Northern) & 5 Porpoises.

HELVICK HEAD: 3 Whitethroats.

BALLYVOYLE: 2 Whitethroats.

Nr COMERAGHMOUNTAIN / MAHON FALLS: Grasshopper Warbler & Whitethroat singing.

Nr KILROSSANTY: Dipper at Aughnacurra Bridge.

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Cuckoo.

CASTLETOWN FEN: Cuckoo.

Fri 1 May:

BALLYSCANLAN HILLS: Cuckoo heard.

ARDMORE BAY: 42+ Whimbrel, and Manx Shearwaters passing west at c170/hr in evening.

April 2009

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Thurs 30 Apr:

RAM HEAD: 300+ Manx Shearwaters in afternoon, good numbers passing west in evening.

ARDMORE BAY: 2 Great Northern Divers (adult summer plus winter/immature bird).

YOUGHAL BAY: Great Northern Diver.

Tues 28 Apr:

Near BALLYDWAN: Male WOODCHAT SHRIKE still present.

CLONEA STRAND: c110 Whimbrel & 5 Wheatears at Ballinclamper.

RIVER DALLIGAN: Dipper near Killineen.

RINCREW (Tourig estuary): 8 CATTLE EGRETS on Waterford side of Tourig river, 1st-winter Mediterranean Gull off Youghal dump (both sides of Cork/Waterford border).

Mon 27 Apr:

Near BALLYDWAN: Male WOODCHAT SHRIKE still present at same location as previous days.

CLONEA STRAND: 40 Whimbrel.

DUNGARVAN: 95 Whimbrel at the Cunnigar.

CROHAUN: Whitethroat.

CAPPAGH: Red-legged Partridge (escapee from shoot).

Sun 26 Apr:

Near BALLYDWAN: Male WOODCHAT SHRIKE still present.

CLONEA STRAND: 42 Whimbrel, 110+ Turnstone, 26+ Sanderling & a White Wagtail at Ballinclamper.

BALLYVOYLE: Whitethroat.
BALLYSHUNNOCK RESERVOIR: White Wagtail.

BALLINLOUGH: Cuckoo.

KILMOYLIN (nr Kilmacthomas): Whitethroat singing.
CASTLECRADDOCKBOG (nr Dunhill): 2 Sedge Warblers singing.
BUNMAHON: Common Sandpiper.
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 2 Whimbrel at Clohernagh, 14+ at Lisselan / Ballinattin.
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Swift, 4 Willow Warblers & a Chiffchaff.

Sat 25 Apr:

Near BALLYDWAN: Male WOODCHAT SHRIKE refound at same location as on Tues 20th (grid ref X389987). Seen carrying a Wren on one occasion. Further details. Also 2 Sedge Warblers.

HELVICK HEAD: Several Common Terns (first of spring).

DUNGARVAN TOWN: Swift over the quay (2nd of spring).
CLONEA STRAND: 250 Brent Geese, 5 Common Scoter (flew west), Great Northern Diver, 38 Whimbrel, 26 Sanderling, Swift in off sea & a White Wagtail at Ballinclamper.
BALLYVOYLE COVE: Common Sandpiper.

BALLYVOONEY COVE: 4 Common Sandpipers & 7 Whimbrel.

KILCANNON, DUNHILL: Cuckoo (first of spring for Co Waterford), Grasshopper Warbler & many Sedge Warblers.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 10 Whimbrel at Ballinattin & 3 at Clohernagh.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Grasshopper Warbler, Whitethroat, 7 Willow Warblers & 2 Wheatears.

Fri 24 Apr:

BALLINCLAMPER to BALLINARD: 30+ Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 6 White Wagtails, 11 Sanderling and 2 Gadwall (on sea with Shelduck).

HELVICK HEAD: Noticeable arrival of common migrants including first Swift of the spring, 20+ Willow Warblers and 3 Sedge Warblers (2 in song).
ARDMORE: 30 Whimbrel at Curragh.

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD: Diamond-back Moth & 3 Painted Ladies.

Thurs 23 Apr:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Whitethroats & 5 Willow Warblers.

CLONEA STRAND: 3 White Wagtails, 1 Ruff, 45 Whimbrel, 30 Sanderling, 44 Bar-tailed Godwits, and 1 Basking Shark offshore, at Ballinclamper.

Weds 22 Apr:

CLONEA STRAND: 63 Whimbrel & a White Wagtail at Ballinclamper.

BROWNSWOOD (nr Fiddown): House Martins back at last year's nests (occupied by roosting Wrens until recently).

Tues 21 Apr:

Nr BALLYDWAN (east of Stradbally): WOODCHAT SHRIKE (4th county record) at grid reference X389987.

DUNGARVAN: 5 House Martins at Abbeyside, Grasshopper Warbler at Brickey canal.

Mon 20 Apr:

CLONEA STRAND: 5 White Wagtails & 26 Whimbrel at Ballinclamper.

DUNGARVAN TOWN: Holly Blue butterfly.

Sun 19 Apr:

CLONEA STRAND: Purple Sandpiper, 30+ Whimbrel & 3 White Wagtails at Ballinclamper.

Nr KILL: 2 Grasshopper Warblers & 5 Sedge Warblers singing from young forest and waste-treatment ponds just east of the village.

Sat 18 Apr:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Female Redstart, male Blackcap, 7 Willow Warblers, 6 Chiffchaffs & 2+ Whimbrel.

Fri 17 Apr:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Grasshopper Warbler & 2 Sedge Warblers (first of year), several Blackcaps and lots of phylloscs.

CLONEA STRAND: 25 Whimbrel & 2 White Wagtails at Ballinclamper.

Thurs 16 Apr:

TRAMORE TOWN: First Diamond-back Moth of the year.

Tues 14 Apr:

BELLVIEW PORT (Waterford/Kilkenny): Whitethroat singing (first of spring).

LITTLE ISLAND: Common Sandpiper near the ferry.

Mon 13 Apr:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Merlin, 10 Willow Warblers & 2 Chiffchaffs on land; 3 Puffins, 2 Common Scoters & 16 Manx Shearwaters flew east during a 1-hr seawatch (1025-1125). Other seawatch totals: Fulmar 4E/2W; Gannet 34E/4W; Kittiwake 7E/1W; Sandwich Tern 2W; Razorbill 3E/1W; Guillemot 1E.

BROWNSWOOD (nr Fiddown): Pair of Swallows back at last year's nest.

CLONEA STRAND: 2 SCANDINAVIAN ROCK PIPITS (littoralis subspecies), 22 Sanderling & 2 Great Northern Divers, & an Arctic Skua flying west, at Ballinclamper.

GOAT ISLAND (nr Whiting Bay): House Martin.

Sun 12 Apr:

FIDDOWN: 10 Blackcaps singing (9 on Waterford side of river) & 2 Little Egrets.

BROWNSWOOD (nr Fiddown): Jay.

TIBBERAGHNY BOG (Co Kilkenny): 2 House Martins.

Sat 11 Apr:

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows.

SLIEVNAMONA (nr Kill): 10 Willow Warblers singing.

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: 2 Little Egrets & a late Gadwall.

VARIOUS SITES: Blackcaps, Willow Warblers & Chiffchaffs widespread.

Fri 10 Apr:

BELLE LAKE: Water Rail calling, 3 Blackcaps & 8 Willow Warblers singing.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 13+Willow Warblers, 2 Swallows & a Wheatear; also a Red Admiral.

TRAMORE BAY: Great Northern Diver, 7 Red-throated Divers & 2 Great Crested Grebes in NE corner.

Nr TRAMORE: Buzzard.

WHITING BAY: Swallow, 60 Sand Martins & 2 Willow Warblers.

Thurs 9 Apr:

CLONEA STRAND: A Great Skua flew west

Weds 8 Apr:

DUNGARVAN: Willow Warbler singing at GlaxoSmithKline.

WOODSTOWN BOG: Water Rail.

WATERFORD CITY: An early fledged Robin at King's Channel.

Tues 7 Apr:

DUNGARVAN: An early Garden Warbler singing at Knockmaun, near Brickey River.

Mon 6 Apr:

KILMURRAY (nr Dungarvan): Male Merlin.

Sun 5 Apr:

Nr CAPPAGH: Several Stock Doves near quarry.

KNOCKMAON area (nr Dungarvan): 2+Swallows, Willow Warbler, 4+ Chiffchaffs, 3+ singing Blackcaps, & 13+ Redpoll.

FENOR: Willow Warbler singing & 3 Swallows.

ANNESTOWN: Gannets feeding close inshore.

Sat 4 Apr:

WATERFORD CITY: Blackcap in Waterford Regional Hospital grounds.

DUNMORE EAST: 10 Purple Sandpipers & 6 Sandwich Terns.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 2 Sandwich Terns at Saleen.

DUNHILL: Blackcap & 5+ Willow Warblers.

BALLYSHUNOCK RESERVOIR: Swallow, singing Blackcap & 3 Otters.

CLODIAGH RIVER (Portlaw): Green Sandpiper.

CLONEA STRAND: 11+ Whimbrel (early, first obvious arrival of spring), 3 Purple Sandpiper, 10+ Sandwich Terns & a Wheatear.

Nr DUNGARVAN: Woodcock roding.

BALLYLEMON WOOD: Blackcap, Willow Warbler & 4+ Chiffchaffs singing, 2 Stock Doves, 2 Jay and a late Redwing.

ARDMORE / RAM HEAD: 4 Red-throated Divers & a Manx Shearwater (first of spring).

INCHINLEAMA to KNOCKANISKA (nr Araglin): 2 Blackcaps & a Willow Warbler singing, also a Jay.

VARIOUS SITES: Sand Martins & Chiffchaff widespread today.

Fri 3 Apr:

LISMORE: Swallows (earlier than usual for this location).

Thurs 2 Apr:

CROHAUN: Male & female Long-eared Owls calling.

Weds 1 Apr:

WEST WATERFORD: Probable Nightjar (albeit very early in season) seen feeding in a garden near the Knockmleldown foothills.

.click below for larger images

Just a selection of the wader & passerine species feeding recently on fly larvae in the masses of rotting seaweed at Ballinclamper

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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