John Archer, Dermot Breen, Richard Bonser, Jim Bowman, Bruce Carrick, Tom Chadwick, Austin Cooney, Jeff Copner, John Coveney, Sean Cronin, Chris Cullen, Peter J Doyle, Davy Farrar, Brian Finnegan, John Fox, Clodagh Glasgow, Ger Griffin, Jane Griffin, James Hayes, Andrew Holmes, Barry Howell, Geoff Hunt, Gearoid Jackson, Irene Kelly, Dave McNamara, Finbarr MacGabhann, Coilin MacLochlainn, Ronan McLaughlin, Tony Mee, Pat Meehan, John N Murphy, Joe Noonan, Brian Porter, Mike Sheehy, Willi Stani, Carole Stapleton, Oliver Stapleton,Ian Stevenson, Tom Tarpey, Paul Troake, Carol Tyler, Patrick Veale and Howard Williams.

Thursday 30th December 2010
Five Brambling were at Athea.

There was one Woodcock and four Jays at Creeves, Shanagolden.

Monday 27th December 2010
A adult Ring-billed Gull was seen at Westfields during the annual Christmas Outing.  A Water Rail also gave good views near the viewing platform.

Twelve Crossbills, including one singing male, were seen in the Ballyhoura Mts, near the fitness trail.
One Brambling and two Blackcaps were in a garden at Raheen.   

Friday 24th December 2010
Two Waxwings were seen in a garden in Cappamore.
A male Brambling was seen in a garden in Newcastle West.
Two Blackcaps, a male and a female, were reported froam a rural garden near Ballingarry.

Thursday 23rd December 2010.
A Brambling was seen in Croom.
A male Blackcap was seen in Monaleen, Castletroy.
A Buzzard was seen at Garryarthur, Glenroe.

Wednesday 22nd December 2010
Two Hawfinches and four Brambling were at Curraghchase (Andrew Holmes)

Monday 20th December 2010
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at Harvey’s Quay and 13 Redshank, ten Dunlin and seven Grey Herons were at Clancy’s Strand.  An otter was also seen feeding on an eel on a rock in the river at the strand.

Sunday 19th December 2010
Two Hawfinches and two Brambling were at Curraghchase (John N  Murphy).
A Brambling, a male Merlin, a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, 220 Chaffinches, 150 Reed Buntings, 55 Skylarks, three Lapwing, two Water Rails and a Golden Plover were at Coonagh.

Goldcrest © Tom Tarpey

Six Hawfinches and 12 Bramblings were at the Curraghchase (James Hayes & Clodagh Glasgow). 

A Buzzard was at Patrickswell.

Hawfinch at Curraghchase © James Hayes

Friday 17th December 2010

There were four Hawfinches and seven Brambling at Curraghchase today (James Hayes).
A colour ringed Black-headed Gull (White 2P45) was at Westfields. The bird was ringed as a chick at Cleveland Farm, Wiltshire on 29/6/09 and was observed at Cerney Wick, Gloucestershire on 17/9/09. This is the third coloure ringed bird from the Cotswold Water Park ringing project in England to be recorded in Limerick.

The WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was seen briefly again near Ringmoylan (Ian Stevenson, Jim Bowman, Patrick Veale).

Five Hawfinches were at the Curraghchase this morning along with two Bramblings and seven Jays (James Hayes, Ian Stevenson, Jim Bowman, Patrick Veale).

The female Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Gur (James Hayes).

The WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was at Ringmoylan again this morning (John N Murphy, Howard Williams & James Hayes)(10.30), along with 80 Whooper Swans. The eagle was seen catching and eating a fish at 10.45 (Jane & Ger Griffin).

One Hawfinch was at the Curragh Chase (James Hayes, John N Murphy, Howard Williams & Chris Cullen).

Two more Hawfinches were found later in the day at the Curraghchase (Coilin MacLochlainn).

Also at the Curragh Chase was one Brambling and four Jays.

White-tailed Eagle near Ringmoylan © John N Murphy

The WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was at Ringmoylan this morning (James Hayes).
A Brambling and seven Jays were at Curraghchase.
A female Ring-necked Duck (James Hayes), two Pintail, 28 Teal, 130 Tufted Duck, 200 Wigeon and a Raven were at Lough Gur.

White-tailed Eagle at Ringmoylan © James Hayes

The WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was still near Ringmoylan Pier (John N Murphy, Clodagh Glasgow & James Hayes), along with four Little Egrets, 18 Grey Herons,

38 Whooper Swans and 600 Dunlin.

White-tailed Eagle being harrased by other birds near Ringmoylan © John N Murphy 

Saturday 11th December 2010
A White-tailed Eagle was seen on the estuary near Ringmoylan Pier today (Tom Tarpey).  This is the second year male satelite tagged bird (Star) that has been frequenting the area for much of the past two weeks.
A flock of at least 70 Whooper Swans was also seen nearby.
There were 210 Whooper Swans again today at Clarina.
Two Goldeneye were at Cooperhill Lake, Mungret.

Distant view of White-tailed Eagle attended by Hooded Crow near Ringmoylan (Tom Tarpey)

Friday 10th December 2010
There were 210 Whooper Swans in two seperate flocks at Newtown, Clarina.

Thursday 9th December 2010
A flock of 80 Whooper Swans were seen near Pallaskenry.

Wednesday 8th December 2010
A male Blackcap was at Gouldavoher.

Tuesday 7th December 2010
A male Blackcap was seen in a private garden in Raheen.
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.

There were nine Bramblings and six Jays at the Currachase Forrest Park today.

The adult Ring-billed Gull was back at O’Callaghan’s Strand, Limerick City.

Brambling on snowy branch © Mike Sheehy

Thurdsay 2nd December 2010
Five Hawfinches, ten Brambling and ten Jays were at Curraghchase Forest Park  (John N Murphy & James Hayes)

Wednesday 1st December 2010
A lone Waxwing was seen at the Monaleen Road, Castletroy this evening. This is the first appearance of this eruptive  species in Limerick since February 2005.
Two male Blackcaps were also seen in the Monaleen area.
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand again this morning.

Waxwing at Castletroy © Tom Tarpey

Tuesday 30th November 2010
Seven Hawfinches were at the Curraghchase (Bruce Carrick).

One adult Mediterannean Gull was at Loghill late this evening with hundreds of Black-headed Gulls.

A partially albino Chaffinch was in a garden just outside Loghill.

Albino Chaffinch at a garden near Loghill © James Hayes

Monday 29th October 2010
Five Hawfinches and four Bramblings were seen in Currachase Forest Park this morning (James Hayes)

Sunday 28th November 2010
A satelite tagged White-tailed Eagle was reported near Beagh Castle on the Shannon Estuary. This bird was also present in the same area on November 26th and was also seen that day near Ennis, Co. Clare.
A Cattle Egret was reported at Morgans North, Askeaton this afternoon by a farmer feeding his cattle (per Frank King).  The bird was also reported to have been seen at the same location on November 17th approx. Confirmation of identity is awaited.
At least nine  Hawfinches were at Curraghchase  (Peter J Doyle).

One male Blackcap was in a garden at Raheen.
A Kingfisher was found near Foynes.

The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at O’ Callaghan’s Strand today.

A yellow colour ringed Black-headed Gull was also at O’ Callaghan’s Strand 213G (see photo below).

One Blackcap and 20 Siskin were at Westfield’s Marsh.
Three Goldeneye and 800 Lapwing were at Bunlicky.

Ring-billed Gull at the slipway near O Callaghan’s Strand © John N Murphy

Colour-ringed Black-headed Gull at O’ Callaghan’s Strand slipway © John N Murphy

Blackcap at Westfield’s Marsh © John N Murphy

Male Siskin at Westfield’s Marsh © John N Murphy 

Friday 26th November 2010
A Hawfinch, ten Brambling and 30 Jays were reported from Curraghchase (Bruce Carrick).
The female Ring-necked Duck was reported again at Lough Gur,
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand again today.
300 Lapwing, 18 Dunlin, ten Redshank, four Golden Plover, four Shoveler, 30 Teal and 14 Wigeon were at Coonagh.
Two colour ringed Black-headed Gulls (Yellow 252M & Yellow 208P) were at Harvey’s Quay today. Both birds were ringed as chicks in Lough Mask, Mayo in June 2007 and were recorded in Limerick City last winter as well.

Thursday 25th November 2010
Five Hawfinches and six Brambling were seen at Curraghchase this morning (Tom Tarpey).

Six Hawfinches were still at the Curraghchase this morning (Dave McNamara, Jeff Copner & James Hayes).

The Eastern Jackdaw was seen again at Raheen.
A female Ring-necked Duck was reported at Lough Gur.

There were six Hawfinches and four Bramblings at the Curragh Chase this morning (Brian Finnegan, James Hayes & Austin Cooney).
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
 

There were seven Brambling within a flock of 200 Chaffinches, 17 Jay and two Raven at  the Curraghchase today.

The eastern Jackdaw and one Carrion Crow were at a garden in Raheen.

Two Hawfinches, nine Bramblings and six Jays were at the Curraghchase (Geoff Hunt & Ronan McLaughlin).
A pair of  Pintail along with 185 Tufted Duck, 150 Wigeon, 15, Teal, 12 Gadwall, eight Mallard and three Shoveler were at Lough Gur.

There were five Hawfinches and 15 Bramblings at the Curraghchase today (Sean Cronin).
A Barn Owl was seen at Banogue near Croom.

There were 14 Hawfinches at the Curraghchase this morning (Howard Williams), along with 16 Bramblings and 20 Jays.
Four Bramblings were with a flock of 250 Chaffinches at Glenstal Abbey, Murroe and a large count of 23 Goldcrests was reported from the Clare Glens.

Hawfinch at the Curraghchase © Howard Williams

Wednesday 17th November 2010
There were tree Hawfinches (John N Murphy & James Hayes), 12 Brambling and ten Jays at the Currachase Forest Park this morning.

Hawfinch at the Curragh Chase © John N Murphy

Monday 15th November 2010
Ten Brambling were seen at Currachase Forest Park today.
The Eastern Jackdaw was seen again at Raheen.

Sunday 14th November 2010
There was at least ten Bramblings with the large Chaffinch flock at Currachase Forest Park today.
One Buzzard, a Merlin, 25 Greylag Geese, 75 Whooper Swans and a colour-ringed Little Egret (yellow 9 right, black J left) were seen at Ringmoylan.

Saturday 13th November 2010
Seven Hawfinches (James Hayes & Clodagh Glasgow) and five Brambling were seen at Currachase Forest Park today.  Hawfinches have been seen here on a number of occasions since a major influx of over 100 birds occurred in November 1988. The Hornbeam trees near the main carpark is one of the favoured areas used by these birds.
There were 300 Teal, ten Shoveler, 12 Whooper Swans, 55 Mute Swans, 290 Lapwing, 85 Golden Plover, eight Redshank, two Dunlin, a Snipe and one Little Egret were at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds today.

Hawfinch and Brambling at Curraghchase © James Hayes

Wednesday 10th November 2010
There were three Bramblings, 40 Jays, 200+ Chaffinchs and 60 Siskin at Currachase today.
An Eastern Jackdaw was seen at Croagh.

Jay and  Brambling at  Curraghchase © James Hayes

The Eastern Jackdaw was back at a garden in Raheen.
A Merlin was seen at Carrigkerry.

Saturday 6th November 2010
There was 100 Tufted Duck, 32 Teal and eleven Gadwall at Lough Gur today.

Tuesday 2nd November 2010
The Eastern Jackdaw was seen in Raheen today.

Saturday 30th October 2010
A juvenile Snow Bunting was found near the summit of Knockfierna today.

Friday 29th October 2010
There was 150 Tufted Duck, 28 Teal, a Scaup and 12 Little Grebe at  Lough Gur today.

Thursday 28th October 2010
The continental race Jackdaw was seen in a private garden at Raheen again today.

Recently arrived Whooper Swans at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey

Sunday 24th October 2010
Thirteen Whooper Swans (including four juveniles), 34 Mute Swans, 250 Teal, nine Shoveler, six Snipe, three Black-tailed Godwits and a Sparrowhawk were at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this evening.

The 20 Jays were still at the Curraghchase along with one Peregrine and one Raven.

A pair of Shovelers were at Westfield’s Marsh.

There were 20 Jays, three Treecreepers and six Siskins at the Curraghchase.

Jay gathering acorns at the Curraghchase © James Hayes

Sunday 17th October 2010
Six Whooper Swans were early arrivals at Lough Gur today.

There were three Jays and five Redwing near Glenstal Abbey this afternoon.

One adult Mediterranean Gull was on the Shannon River next to the Coonagh settlement Ponds, while 

one Swallow was hawking over the main pond.  

Mediterranean Gull and Black Headed Gull on the Shannon near Coonagh © John N Murphy

Wednesday 13th October 2010
A adult Mediteranean Gull was seen at Robertstown today.

Saturday 9th October 2010
One Blue-winged Teal (Tom Tarpey), 40 Teal, 12 Shoveler, three Mallard, six Knot, seven Golden Plover, a female Hen Harrier, one female Sparrowhawk and a Whinchat were at Coonagh today.

Whinchat at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey

Friday 8th October 2010
A Buzzard was seen near Croagh today.

Wednesday 6th October 2010
The eastern race Jackdaw was on show on a public green in Raheen today.

Eastern race Jackdaw at Raheen © James Hayes

Monday 4th October 2010
Today there were eight Snipe, four Water Rails, two Little Egrets, 40 Teal, five Mute Swans, a Peregrine Falcon and two Kestrels at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds.

Sunday 3rd October 2010
An eastern race Jackdaw (C. m. monedula or soemmerringii) was seen in a garden in Raheen today (James Hayes).

Friday 1st October 2010
There was a Jack Snipe, a Spotted Redshank, five Snipe, 70 Teal, 15 Shoveler, three Mute Swans and a Wheatear at the Coonagh Ponds this evening.

Sparrowhawk Limerick City © James Hayes

Monday 27th September 2010
A Buzzard was seen at the M20/M7/N18 interchange at Rossbrien this morning.

Saturday 25th September 2010
A Wheatear, 43 Teal, two Tufted Duck, seven  Snipe, a Greenshank, a Water Rail, a female Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were at the Coonagh Ponds.

Friday 24th September 2010
Black Swans have been reported from a number of localities in Limerick recently.  A pair were on the Shannon at Howley’s Quay today.

Black Swans at Howley’s Quay © James Hayes

Tuesday 21st September 2010
The Pectoral Sandpiper was at the east end of the Coonagh Ponds again this morning.  Two Wheatear, a Little Egret two Water Rails and 20 Shoveler were also at the site.
A Black Swan of unknown origin was associating with the Mute Swans at O’Callaghan’s Strand today.

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at Coonagh © James Hayes

Monday 20th September 2010
There were six Little Egrets roosting on St. Gearoid’s Island at Lough Gur this evening.

Sunday 19th September 2010
There was a Whimbrel and five Little Egrets at Tarbert today.

Friday 17th September 2010
There was a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at the Coonagh Ponds this evening. This is the third record of this transatlantic vagrant for the County. There was also 45 Teal, nine Black-tailed Godwits, two Tufted Duck,  two Little Egrets, three Swift, a Water Rail and a Kestrel at the site.

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey

The Black tern was still at the Settlement Ponds at Coonagh along with one Water Rail and one late Sedge Warbler.

Tuesday 14th September 2010
The Citrine Wagtail was still present at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds today(Tom Tarpey). Also present was the Yellow Wagtail, the Black Tern, three Swift and a Reed Warbler.    

Monday 13th September 2010

At the Coonagh Settlement ponds today the Citrine Wagtail was still present (John N Murphy, James Hayes, Joe Adamson, Davey Farr et al).

Also at the settlement ponds were one Yellow Wagtail, one juvenile Black tern, 11 swifts and two Little Egrets.

Citrine Wagtail at Coonagh Ponds © John N Murphy

Juvenile Yellow Wagtail at Coonagh Ponds © John N Murphy

A juvenile CITRINE WAGTAIL was  found this afternoon at the Coonagh settlement Ponds (Tom Tarpey), along with one juvenile Black Tern, two Wheatear, five Swift, one Wood Sandpiper, four Little Egrets,15 Little Grebes, 40 Mallard and a female type Hen Harrier.  The Citrine Wagtail is the first county record of this rare Northern European vagrant.

Two Common Sandpipers, 150 Black-tailed Godwits, ten Greenshank, three Little Egrets, 50 Teal and a Peregrine were at Loghill.

Today at the Settlement Ponds at Coonagh there were seven Little Egrets, one Peregrine, one Ringed Plover, 28 Lapwings, seven Little Grebes, 50 Reed Buntings, 100 Linnets, five Skylark, one Kestrel and four Wheatears.

Tuesday 7th September 2010
There was one Curlew Sandpiper, two Ruff, 19 Greylag Geese, three Little Egrets, one Whimbrel, a single Dunlin, small numbers of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank and 15 Swift at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds.  One Painted Lady Butterfly was also noted.

At the Settlement ponds in Coonagh today there was one Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope (John N Murphy, Brian Finnegan & James Hayes).

Also at the ponds there was one Wood Sandpiper, 11 Ruff, five Curlew Sandpipers, one Little Stint, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Lapwing, two Ringed Plovers, three Little Egrets, one female Hen Harrier, 28 Teal and six Wheatears.

Red-necked Phalarope at Coonagh Settlement Ponds © John N Murphy

Wheatear on the outer fence post of the Coonagh Settlement Ponds © John N Murphy

Sunday 5th September 2010
There was a Green Sandpiper, a juvenile Wood Sandpiper and three juvenile Spotted Redshank at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this morning. A pair of Swifts were also seen in the area.

Saturday 4th September 2010
The juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds again today (Barry Howell).

Friday 3rd September 2010
A juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this afternoon (Tom Tarpey).  This is the first record of the species in Limerick.  Nine Ruff, three Little Egrets, nine Little Grebes, a Greenshank, 40 Lapwing and smaller numbers of Black-talied Godwits, Teal and Mallard were also present.

Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey

At the Coonagh Settlement Ponds there were 11 Ruff, two Curlew Sandpipers, one Spotted Redshank, two Golden Plover, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 36 Teal, ten Snipe, eight Lapwing, two Little Egrets, two Ringed Plover, 12 Swift and a Kestrel.

Thursday 26th August 2010
The high tide count at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this evening included ten Ruff, a Wood Sandpiper, 25 Snipe, 80 Redshank, 11 Greenshank, 28 Lapwing, 175 Black-tailed Godwits, two Little Egrets, six Shoveler, 20 Teal, five Mallard and four Little Grebe.

Friday 20th August 2010
Buzzard near the N69 at Askeaton. 

Two Common Sandpipers were at Loghill. 

Also at Loghill were six Greenshank, 50 Black-tailed Godwits and 60 Curlew.

There were two more Common Sandpipers at Robertstown Creek along

with eight Greenshank and a Little Egret.

Common Sandpiper in flight at Roberstown Creek © James Hayes

Adult Long-eared Owl with three chicks at Ballintubrid, Newcastle West.

Saturday 31st July 2010
Two Hen Harriers (female & juvenile), four Jays and a high count of 55 Mistle Thrushes were recorded

at Carker Mountain in the Ballyhoura Mountains today.

There were four Common Sandpipers, 16 Greenshank, 22 Shellduck, two Raven

and two Little Egrets at Aughinish, Askeaton.

Wednesday 14th July 2010
There was a Whimbrel near the Shannon  at Rhebogue.

A second summer Mediterranean Gull and six Common Sandpipers were at Loghill. 

One Red Grouse and a flock of 60 Redpolls were in the west Limerick Hills.

There were eight Greenshank and one Common Tern at Aughinish pools.

Red Grouse © James Hayes

There were four Common Sandpipers at Loghill, west Limerick today.

There were two Hen Harriers and at least three Red Grouse in the west Limerick Hills today.

One Little Egret was on the Maigue River near Croom.

The Black-headed Gull wearing the yellow darvic leg band with the letters 208P

was still at Sarsfields Bridge in the City Centre.  This bird was first ringed at Lough Mask in Galway by

Eoin McGreal on 16th June 2007 and has spent 2009 and the earlier part of this year in Limerick City.

Black-headed Gull © Willi Stani

There were two Spotted Flycatchers and two Blackcaps near Plassey this afternoon.

Spotted Flycatcher © James Hayes

Sunday 13th June 2010
There were four Blackcaps singing in one CBS tetrad at Currachase this morning. A Spotted Flycatcher was also seen.

At Plassey this evening there were four Blackcaps a Kingfisher and a juvenile Dipper.

Sunday 23rd May 2010
There were four Blackcaps singing at the eastern end of Plassey Walk, Castletroy.

Saturday 22nd May 2010
Cuckoo at Gooig Bog.

Monday 17th May 2010
Single Cuckoos were seen at Scotland Bog, Carrigkerry and New Quay, Askeaton today.

One Cuckoo, one Raven, two Bar-tailed Godwits and two Whitethroats were at New Quay, Limerick.

Saturday 8th May 2010
Five Whimbrel were at Askeaton

Friday 7th May 2010
A Cuckoo was at Gortadroma, Ballyhahill.

Tuesday 4th May 2010
There was a Cuckoo at Ashfort, Patrickswell today.

A male and female Hen Harrier were at Carrigkerry.

Whitethroat at Gooig Bog © Tom Tarpey

Saturday 1st May 2010
There were four Blackcaps in song in a one kilometre CBS square in Currachase.  A Sedge Warbler was also head in the area.
A Whitethroat was singing at Gooig Bog.

Thursday 29th April 2010
The first Swifts of the year were reported today from Bruff and the Castle Demense, Newcastle West.

Tuesday 27th April 2010
There was a Turtle Dove at Rathbane Golf Course today.

Red Grouse © James Hayes

Monday 26th April 2010
Two Cuckoos, two Grasshopper Warblers, a male Hen Harrier and a Red Grouse were seen in the West Limerick Hills today.

Sunday 25th April 2010
Four Hen Harriers (three females and a male), four Grasshopper Warblers and two Cuckoos were in the West Limerick Hills today.

Tuesday 20th April 2010
There was Cuckoo, a female Hen Harrier and two Grasshopper Warblers at Griston Bog, Ballylanders today.
A Cuckoo and two Wheatear were seen at Gooig Bog.

Willow Warbler at Gooig Bog © Tom Tarpey

Friday 16th April 2010
There was a Little Egret, seven Willow Warblers and five Chiffchaffs at Adare.

Wednesday 14th April 2010
There was a Blackcap in song and a Buzzard at Newtown, Castletroy.

Tuesday 13th April 2010
1st year Ring-billed Gull on the Shannon at Howley’s Quay, Limerick City.
Three Buzzards were seen circling overhead near Raheen, Limerick in the evening.
There was a Blackcap in song at Plassey, Castletroy.

The female Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Gur (Paul Troake), along with one

Common Sandpiper, five Little Egrets and one drake Scaup.

Monday 5th April 2010
Two Ring-billed Gulls (Adult and 1st Year) at Howleys Quay.

Sunday 4th April 2010
Second year Ring-billed Gull at Howleys Quay, Limerick City.
Eight Sand Martins at Westfields.

One second year Ring-billed Gull was at the Salmon Weir, near St. John’s Island.

Friday 2nd April 2010
Green-winged Teal at Tarbert (Geoff Hunt).
Chiffcahffs at Ballingarry and Adare.

The PIED-BILLED GREBE was still at Lough Gur (Josh Jones).

Tuesday 30th March 2010
Four Swallows at Bleach Lough, Kildimo.

Monday 29th March 2010
Adult Ring-billed Gull at Tarbert.

Sunday 28th March 2010
Two drake Scaup were at Lough Gur.  Three Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler were also head singing in the area.
A Blackcap was in song at Monaleen, Castletroy.

One Chiffchaff at Adare.
Six Sand Martins and two Swallows at Abbeyfeale.

Thursday 25th March 2010
A number of Sand Martins were seen over the Maigue in Croom.

One adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’ Callaghan’s Strand and three Sand Martins were at Westfields.
Two male Scaup were at Lough Gur.
A flock of three Little Egrets flew over Milltown, Ballysimon.

Monday 22nd March 2010
Two adult Ring-billed Gulls and a second-winter Mediterranean Gull were at Arthur’s Quay, Limerick City today.

Sunday 21th March 2010
There was a female Brambling in a garden at Monaleen, Castletroy today.

Buzzard near Ardagh © Andrew Holmes

Monday 15th March 2010
There was a Buzzard just north of Ardagh by the side of the Shanagolden Road today

Sunday 14th March 2010
There were two Ring-billed Gulls, an adult and 1st winter bird, on the Shannon in Limerick City today.

One sinensis Cormorant was at Lough Gur today but there was no sign of the Grebe nor the Ring-necked Duck.

The PIED-BILLED GREBE was still at Lough Gur today (Ronan McLaughlin).

There were two Spotted Redshanks, one second-winter Mediterannean Gull,

a Little Egret, 22 Ringed Plover and three Greenshank at Loghill, west Limerick.

One Common Sandpiper was at Foynes.

One Little Egret was at Adare.

Common Sandpiper at Foynes Harbour © John N Murphy

Spotted Redshank © John N Murphy

Little Egret at Loghill © John N Murphy

Monday 8th March 2010
Two drake Scaup were at Lough Gur today.  Two Jay were also seen near the lake.
A flock of 54 Whooper Swans and a Little Egret were at Athlacca.

Sunday 7th March 2010
The female Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Gur today.
There was a male Blcakcap at Monaleen, Castletroy.

Saturday 6th March 2010

Thursday 4th March 2010

The PIED-BILLED GREBE was at Lough Gur (John Fox, John N Murphy, James Hayes et al).

Also at Lough Gur were the female Ring-necked Duck, one Little Egret, one Peregrine, ten 

Cormorants, 160 Tufted Ducks, nine Pochard, one drake Scaup and one Water Rail.

There was a Rock Pipit at the Charleville Lagoons an unusual inland record, along with

one Little Egret, eight Gadwall, 60 Wigeon, 18 Shoveler, 20 Tufted Ducks and two Dunlin.

Four Ravens were seen flying over Raheen.

There were at least three Common Redpolls at a garden in Raheen within a flock of

50 Lesser Redpolls and one female Blackcap. 

Rock Pipit at the Charleville Lagoons © John N Murphy

A pair of Gadwall flying over Charleville Lagoons © John N Murphy

Sunday 28th February 2010

The PIED-BILLED GREBE was still at Lough Gur, along with the female

Ring-necked Duck, the drake Green-winged Teal, the continental Cormorant

and 11 Little Egrets going to roost.
There was two male Blackcaps at Castleconnell.

A male Green-winged Teal was also seen (Sean Cronin et al). 

The female Ring-necked Duck (Tom Tarpey) was present there again today. 

Other birds of note at Lough Gur included a continental race (sinensis) Cormorant (Tom Tarpey),

a male Scaup, a Whooper Swan and a flock of 20 Golden Plover flying overhead.

Friday 26th February 2010

There was a female Ring-necked Duck at Lough Gur today (Tom Chadwick).

Thursday 25th February 2010

A PIED-BILLED GREBE was reported at Lough Gur this morning (Davy Farrar).

This is the first record of this American species for the county. 

The bird was found on February 19th last and identification was confirmed today.

There were three adult Ring-billed Gulls in Limerick City today.
Westfields had a count of 20 Pochard.
A male Blackcap was at Castletroy and a female was at Raheen.

Saturday 20th February 2010

A female Garganey was at the Charleville Lagoons. 

Thursday 18th February 2010
A Chiffchaff was seen at Deerpark, Adare.

Tuesday 16th February 2010 

Two adult Ring-billed Gulls were in Limerick City.

One female Hen Harrier was at Sugar Hill, County Limerick.
There was a male Blackcap at Monaleen, Castletroy.

One adult Ring-billed Gull was still at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
One male Blackcap at Castleconnell.

One adult Ring-billed Gull was at the slipway near O’Callaghan’s Strand.

Sunday 7th February 2010
A female Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Gur earlier today (Paul Troake).

Friday 5th February 2010
A Ring-billed Gull and 25 Pochard were at Westfields today. 

A large flock of Siskins and Goldfinches were also seen feeding on the Alders lining the pondside pathway.

Wednesday 3rd February 2010
There was a Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
A Raven was seen at Aughinish Island and a Little Egret at nearby Robertstown Creek.

Tuesday 2nd February 2010
There were two Ring-billed Gulls and three Turnstone on the Shannon in Limerick City today.

Two Mediterranean Gulls, an adult and a second year, and an adult Ring-billed Gull were on 

the Shannon at Limerick City today.
There was a Scaup, two Whooper Swans and two Gadwall at Lough Gur.
A flock of 30 Oystercatchers was seen feeding on the green on King John’s Island in Limerick City today.
Black-headed Gull Yellow 286B was also seen at Arthur’s Quay today.

This bird was ringed as a chick at Aghinish, Lough Mask, Co. Mayo in 2008.

Whooper Swan at Mill Road, Corbally © John N Murphy

Thursday 27th January 2010
A Whooper Swan is still present at the Mill Road, Corbally.

Tuesday 26th January 2010
Ten Twite were seen at Aughinish, Askeaton.
There was a flock of 120 Whooper Swans at Newtown, Clarina.
Two Blackcaps (male and female) were in a garden at Raheen and a male was in Castletroy.

Thursday 31st December 2009
A Merlin was seen today at Newquay, Askeaton.
There was a male and a female Blackcap in a garden at Raheen and a single male at Castletroy.