Category Archives: Scarce & Rare Bird Sightings

John Archer, Penny Bartlett, Garry Baron, Roy Beddard, Keith Bennet, Sinead Biggane, Richard Bonser, Dermot Breen, Phil Brennan, John Joe Cahill, Victor Cashera, Padraic Callinan, Bruce Carrick, Florence & Kevin Carey, Dixie Collins, Austin Cooney, Jeff Copner, Dermot Cosgrove, Gerry Coughlan, Andrew Dale, Matthew Deans, Kris De Rouck, PJ Donnelly, Joe Doolan, Jim Dowdall, Jamie Durrant, Shane Farrell, Davey Farr, Peter Farbridge, Liam Feeney, Brian Finnegan, Mike Flannagan, Donal Foley, Owen Foley, Kieran Grace, Mark Gibson, Paul Gaughran, Sean Geraghty, Raymond Griffin, Adrian Glasgow, Clodagh Glasgow, Chris Harbard, Niall Hatch, James Hayes, Margaret Hanrahan, Mark Helmore, Barry Howell, Geoff Hunt, Josh Jones, Aidan Kelly, Aileen Lynch, Nuala and Tom Lynch, Steve Millar, Stephen McEvoy, Frank & Darragh McDermott, Finbarr McGabhann, Joy & Martin McKeown, Dave McNamara, Pat Lonergan, David Lyons, Frank O’ Duffy, Kathy & David O Gorman, Mick O’Neill, Elaine O’Malley, Tony Mee, Maeve Meehan, Christy Meehan, Dominic Mitchell, Killian Mullarney, Edel Murphy, John N Murphy, Jim Nolan, Chris Pappiet, Colin Perkins, Brian Porter, Chris Power, John Power, Pat Pykett, Bill Ryan, Pearse Ryan, Brendan Ross, Tom Shevlin, Will Soar, Christian Staunton, Tom Tarpey, Paul Troake, Darrach Turley, Robert Vaughan, Stephen Ward, Howard Williams & Mark Wilson.

© John N Murphy

One Long-tailed Duck, 119 Coot, 86 Little Grebe, 29 Gadwall, and 11 Whooper Swans were at Lough Inchiquin.

A female Blackcap was in a garden at Oak Park Ennis.

One Long-tailed Duck was at Lough Inchiquin., along with 14 Goldeneye.

A flock of 50 Whooper Swans were at Tullagher Bog.

There were 140 Whooper Swans at Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Two Jay were in Lees Road Wood.

One Buzzard was between Manusmore and the Killow Roundabout at Clarecastle.

At Lough Murree there was one Little Egret, the Black Swan, 178 Brent Geese, eight Whooper Swans, eight Red-breasted Mergansers and 240 Wigeon.

At Doorus there was one Long-tailed Duck, one Little Egret, 72 Brent Geese, 150 Wigeon, five Greenshank and 20 Bar-tailed Godwits.

Two Long-tailed Ducks wee at Liscannor Bay.

There were eight Whooper Swans and 12 Shoveler at Burrin Lake, New Quay.

Shoveler at Burrin Lake © John N Murphy

One drake Green-winged Teal was at Bell Harbour (John N Murphy, Brian Finnegan & Austin Cooney), along side 250 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 34 Shelduck and 20 Little Grebes.

At Lough Inchiquin there were two Goosanders (Howard Williams), also at Inchiquin was one Long-tailed Duck..

One Brambling was at the Spa, Lisdoonvarna.

One drake adult Common Eider was off the Flaggy Shore, New Quay.

At Lough Murree there was one Little Egret, the Black Swan, 140 Brent Geese and 240 Wigeon.

Along the Flaggy Shore there were 28 Bar-tailed Godwits and 50 Dunlin.

A flock of 160 Whooper Swans were at Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus this Morning.

Another nine Whooper Swans were at Burrin Lake, New Quay.

The drake Geen-winged Teal is still showing well at Bell Harbour © John N Murphy

Little Egret on the Flaggy Shore, birds were very scarce during the harsh weather © John N Muphy

A female/redhead Smew was at Lough Inchiquin (Dave McNamara, Howard Willliams et al).

Also at Lough Inchiquin were 25 Goldeneye and 40 Pochard.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Ballyallia Lake (Dave McNamara & Howard Williams).

At Liscannor Bay today there were four Long-tailed Ducks. 

One Merlin was at Rath Lough. 

One Black-throated Diver and one Woodcock were at Black Head.

One Woodcock, one male Blackcap, two Water Rails and three Ravens were at Applewood, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

One male Blackcap was in the garden of Mount Vernon, New Quay.

Woodcock at Black Head © Jeff Copner

There were two Woodcock,  one Jay and three Water Rails at Dromore Nature Reserve this morning.

Two more Woodcock were in a garden at Barefield.

One of the two Woodcocks in a garden at Barefield © Dave McNamara

Three Goosanders were still at Dromore Nature Reserve earlier today (Jeff Copner), along with five Whooper Swans, ten Goldeneye and 60 Tufted Ducks.

One Brambling was at the Shannon Industrial Estate while one female Blackcap was in Shannon Town.

One Woodcock was at Barefield, while another was near Fountain cross, Ennis.

A female Hen Harrier was at Gort Coirce, Dysert.

Snipe are foraging throughout many town gardens © John N Murphy

This female Blackcap was eating remaining apples on a tree in Shannon © John N Murphy

Redwings are really struggling to survive this cold winter © John N Murphy

There were five immature/female Goosanders at Dromore (John N Murphy), along with two Water Rails, one Jay and 45 Tufted Ducks.

Goosanders at Dromore Nature Reserve © John N Murphy

Water Rail on the Fergus River at Dromore Nature Reserve © John N Murphy

Three immature/female Goosanders were seen early this morning on the river Fergus near Dromore Nature Reserve (David Lyons).

Also at Dromore was one Water Rail and one Jay.

At Ballyallia Lake there were 200 Tufted Ducks, 100 Gadwall. 100 Wigeon, 20 Shoveler and two Pintail.

There were two White-fronted Geese and 14 Pintail at Ballyallia Lake.

A flock of 140 Gadwall were at Lough Inchiquin.

Three Woodcock were at Rath Lake, Corofin.

Six Goosanders were seen near Dromore Nature Reserve (per David Lyons).

There were 177 Whooper Swans at Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

One Slavonian Grebe and one Velvet Scoter were at Liscannor (John N Murphy & Howard Williams).

Also at Lisscannor were  30 Common Scoter, 16 Red-throated Divers and seven Great Northerns.

One returning drake Green-winged Teal was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon along with two Water Rails (James Hayes & Clodagh Glasgow).

One Brambling was at St.Flannans College, Ennis.

Over 140 Whooper Swans were at Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

A small flock of ten Whooper Swans were near Ennistymon.

At Seafield, Quilty this evening there was on first-winter Iceland Gull, 280 Dunlin, 36 Purple Sandpipers, 50 Sanderling, 80 Turnstone and a flock of 100 Barnacle Geese were on nearby Mutton Island.

One Great Northern Diver and eight Goldeneye were at Lough Atedaun.

One Peregrine was at Clahane.

Iceland Gull at Seafield © John N Murphy

Four Black-throated Divers were at Aughinish Island.

One Eastern Jackdaw was at Rossbracken, Shannon Town this morning (John N Murphy).

One female Hen Harrier and a Merlin were at Lough Cullaun, the Burren.

Six Yellowhammers were at Mullaghmore.

Three Turnstones and two Little Egrets were near Inishcullen Hill, Shannon.

There was a Water Pipit at Doonaha earlier today (Paul Troake).

At Lahinch there was one Slavonian Grebe, one Velvet Scoter, 60 Common Scoter, 13 Great Northern Divers, 11 Red-throated Divers and ten Brent Geese. 

One male Blackcap was at Bunratty.

A flock of 29 Greylag Geese were at Applewood, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Blackcap at Bunratty © John N Murphy

The three Goosanders were back at Lahinch this morning (Jeff Copner).

The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Ballyalli Lake (Finbarr MacGabhann).

Over 140 Whooper Swans were at Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus today.

There were 34 Greylag Geese at Applewood, Ballycar.

One Slavonian Grebe was at Liscannor (Frank O’Duffy).

One Common Buzzard was opposite Saints Island, the Shannon Estuary between Bunratty and Shannon.

One Snow Bunting was on the Green Road at Abbeyhill, the Burren.

One Little Egret was at Oilean na Managh, Shannon.

Common Buzzard near Saints Island © John N Murphy

A WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE (STAR) was seen flying from Limerick towards Bunratty at approximately 15.00 today (Tom Tarpey et al). 

The drake Green-winged Teal was still at Bell Harbour (John N Murphy & Brian Finnegan).

A Buzzard was seen on the main Ennis Galway road near Killow/Clarecastle this morning.

One Waxwing flew North-east over Rehy near Kilcredaun today along with one Merlin.

There were 15 Black-throated Divers, two immature Common Eiders, ten Long-tailed Duck, 64 Great Northern Divers, 50 Black Guillemots , 48 Red-breasted Mergansers, 30 Common Scoter, three Little Egrets and 150 Brent Geese between Aughinish and Ballyvaughan.

There were 133 Whooper Swans at  Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

One Black Swan was still at Lough Murree, along with 94 Mute Swans and 160 Wigeon.

At Lough Inchiquin today there were 25 Goldeneye, 120 Little Grebe, 140 Gadwall, 350 Tufted Duck and 15 Pochards.

Buzzard near Clarecastle © John N Murphy

Black-throated Diver off North Clare coast © John N Murphy

The drake Ring-necked Duck was still at Ballyallia Lake today (Howard Williams).

One Brambling was at the Shannon Industrial Estate.

One adult Mediterranean Gull was at Cloghaun Lough, Loop Head, while on the headland there were three Tree  Sparrows, one ring-tailed Hen Harrier, one Merlin, two Peregrine and 200 Snipe. 

Three Water Rails, 3,000 Dunlin, 800 Knot, 400 Golden Plover and 50 Teal were at Shannon Airport Lagoon.

Two Woodcock were at Applewood,  Ballycar.

Redpoll at the Shannon Airport Lagoon © John N Murphy

Many Snipe have turned up in gardens during this cold snap © John N Murphy

Three famale Goosanders were at Clegg Beach, Lahinch this morning along with ten Red-throated Divers and 60 Common Scoter (Howard Williams, Dave McNamara & Jeff Copner).

One immature drake Ring-necked Duck was at Ballyallia Lake (John N Murphy & Howard Williams), along with one imamature Scaup, 260 Tufted Ducks, 20 Pochard, 34 Gadwall and over 300 Coot.

There were two male Hen Harriers, one Merlin and two Woodcock at Doo Lough. 

At Ardclooney earlier today there were 22 Whooper Swans, 14 Goldeneye, 200 plus Tufted Ducks, ten Pochard, three Scaup, 100 Cormorants and two Jays.

Goosanders at Lahinch © Dave McNamara

Immature male Ring-necked Duck at Ballyallia with female Tufted Ducks © John N Murphy

Male Goldeneye Ardclooney © James Hayes

The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Ballyallia again today (Nuala and Tom Lynch) along with 54 Gadwall 15 Pintail and 37 Shoveler.

The Long-tailed Duck was still at Lough Inchiquin.

One Peregrine, one female Hen Harrier and 11 Goldeneye were at Lough Atedaun.

The drake Ring-necked Duck was still at Ballyallia Lake (Howard Williams), along with two White-fronted Geese, 19 Pintail, 26 Gadwall, and over 200 Coots.

A flock of 49 Common Scoter and two Red-throated Divers were at Lahinch.

One male Blackcap was in a garden on the Lahinch Road Ennis.

The first-winter drake Ring-necked Duck was at Ballyallia Lake (Dave McNamara & John N Murphy).

The male and one female Goosander Ardclooney (James Hayes & Paul Troake), along with 250 Tufted Ducks, 15 Goldeneye and three Scaup.

The first-winter male Velvet Scoter is still at Lahinch this morning (Jeff Copner).

Two Brambling were at St Flannan’s College, Ennis.

One male Blackcap was at a garden on the Lahinch Road, Ennis.

Red-throated Diver at Lahinch © Jeff Copner

Drake Shovelers and Wigeon flying over Ballyallia Lake © John N Murphy

A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Ballyallia Lake (Dave McNamara), along with two White-fronted Geese and nine Greylag Geese.

One Green Sandpiper was at the attenuation pond near the Killow West Roundabout, Doora.

One Long-eared Owl was at Rath.

Five Bramblings were at St.Flannan’s College.

Six Crossbills flew over Inagh.

One Long-tailed Duck was at Lough Inchiquin.

One Hen Harrier was at Lough Muchanagh.

Six Woodcock were at Clifden Hill, Corofin.

A flock of 176 Whooper Swans were at Kells Lake.

A male Blackcap was in a garden at Oak Park Ennis.

There were 41 Whooper Swans at Shragh.

Green Sandpiper near Killow West, Doora © John N Murphy

Bramblings are still at St. Flannan’s College © John N Murphy

One Black-throted Diver, 12 Red-throated Diver and 60 Common Scoter were at Liscannor Bay.

One Brambling was caught and Ringed at the Shannon Industrial Estate.

Three Jays were at the Lees Road Wood.

At the branch outing 58 Gadwall 40 Black-tailed Godwit and over 300 Coot were seen at Ballyallia Lake.

Thirteen Whooper Swan were also present on the partially frozen lake.

One "tristis" Chiffchaff and one Ruff were at Ardclooney, both good winter records.

One Short-eared Owl and seven Woodcock were at the Burren Perfumery in Carron.

The Long-tailed Duck was still at Lough Inchiquin along with 300 Tufted Ducks, 109 Little Grebes, 130 Gadwal and ten Goldeneye.

There were 100 Whooper Swans at Kells Lake with another 30 just on the approach road to Corofin village from Ennis.

There were 17 Goldeneye at Lough Muchanagh.

A flock of 25 Whooper Swans, two Woodcock  and ten Fieldfare’s were near Barry’s Orchard, Moanreel.

There were three Jack Snipe, one Woodcock, two Merlins and a Peregrine at Loop Head.

One Woodcock was at Ballyea, Inagh.

One Long-tailed Duck, 230 Tufted Duck,  127 Gadwal and two Jays were at Lough Inchiquin.

A flock of 60 Common Scoter were at Lahinch.

Woodcock in Snow © Dave McNamara

A herd of 60 Whooper Swans were at Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

A WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE that was released at Killarney National Park in 2009 roosted overnight at Cahercon, Kildysert before heading south the next day towards County Limerick.

One Hen Harrier and five Little Egrets were near the Falls, Ennistymon.

A small flock of 40 Whooper Swans were at Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

A flock of 60 Collared Doves were under the beach trees at St. Flannan’s College, Ennis.

Three Bramblings were at St.Flannan’s College, Ennis.

A flock of 17 Greylag Geese flew over Applewood, Ballycar this afternoon, while

three Water Rails were calling at Ballycar Lough.

One male Velvet Scoter was at Lahinch today (Geoff Pearson).

One Black Redstart and one Peregrine were at Cregg Beach, Lahinch.

One Green Sandpiper was in a flooded Field near Toonagh.

Also at Lahinch were 18 Common Scoter, four Red-throated Divers and five Great Northern Divers.

A flock of 60 Gadwall were at Lough Inchiquin.

There were 35 Greylag Geese and three Water Rails at Ballycar Lake, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Black Redstart at Clegg Beach © Dave McNamara

A WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE was seen flying high over Doora, Ennis (Garry Baron).

One immature/female Garganey was at Killimer.

At Ardclooney today there were 240 Tufted Ducks, 30 Pochard and nine Whooper Swans.

Two Crossbills were at Cragganowen.

Four Snow Buntings were at Tralagaun, North Clare.

Four Greylag Geese and two Water Rails were at Ballycar Lake, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

A flock of 30 Whooper Swans were between Mount Shannon and Scarriff.

One Green Sandpiper, 85 Teal and two Ravens were on a Flooded field near Toonagh.

Three Jays were at Ballygriffey Wood.

A flock of 60 Whooper Swans were at Lough Cullaun, the Burren.

There were 45 Gadwall at Lough Inchiquin.

One Dipper and one Chiffchaff were at the Falls, Ennistymon.

Over wintering Chiffchaff at Ennistymon © John N Murphy

A WHITE-TAILED SEA EAGLE was seen being harrased by four Hooded Crows near Moy, Lahinch (PJ Donnelly).

Two Snow Buntings were at Baltard Bay, Doonbeg.

One Green Sandpiper and a flock of 95 Teal were in a flash flooded field near Toonagh Quarry on the Corofin Road. 

A flock of 25 White-fronted Geese were at Lough Muchanagh.

One very late Swallow and a Jack Snipe were at Boolyneaska east Clare.

One Hen Harrier was seen on the road between Doolin and the Cliffs of Moher.

Five Woodcock were on the East Clare Way at Lough Graney.

Two Jays were at Ballygriffey Wood.

Nine Whooper Swans were at Doo Lough.

Twenty six Whooper Swans were at Ballyallia Lake along with 62 Black-tailed Godwit.

Six Gadwall were at the back end of the lake.

Five Jay and a Raven were in the wood nearby.

Sixteen Brambling were at St. Flannan’s College Ennis.

Redpoll showing a lot of white feathering in the wing © Jim Nolan

The drake Green-winged Teal was at Bell Harbour (Jeff Copner), along with one Ring-billed Gull, 200 Teal and 18 Shellduck.

Between the Flaggy Shore and New Quay there were eight Black-throated Divers, 50 Great Northern Divers, two Long-tailed Ducks 16 Brent Geese and one Peregrine.

One adult Ring-billed Gull was at Lahinch Marsh with over 300 Golden Plover, 200 Lapwing and 60 Dunlin.

One Merlin was at Seafield Quilty, along with 200 Dunlin, 25 Purple Sandpipers, 120 Turnstone, four Great Northern Divers and one Red-throated Diver.

Six Brambling were at St. Flannans College, Ennis.

One Jay was near Inch.

One Black-throated Diver, 35 Great Northern Divers and five Long-tailed Ducks were at Finvarra Point.

There were 12 Long-tailed Ducks and 30 Great Northern Divers off the Flaggy Shore.

One Grey Phalarope was off Lisscannor Pier.

Grey Phalarope at Liscannor © Dave McNamara

Ten Bramblings were at St. Flannans College, Ennis. 

One Peregrine, 500 Lapwings, ten Black-tailed Godwits, nine Whooper Swans and 11 Dunlin were at Lough Atedaun.

There were 59 Whooper Swans, 200 Lapwing and 30 Curlew at Lough O’Grady.

A flock of 100 Whooper Swans were at Kells Lough, the Burren.

One Merlin and six Goldeneye were at Lough Cullaun.

Four Woodcock were at Clifden Hill, Corofin.

Five Bramblings were under the beech trees on the grounds of St.Flannans College, Ennis with a flock of 200 Chaffinches and 30 Collared Doves.

One Long-tailed Duck was at Liscannor.

One Merlin and one Whooper Swan were at Clahane.

There were five Jays and 11 Gadwall at Lough Inchiquin.

At Ballyallia Lake there were 70 Tufted Duck, 300 Wigeon, 200 Teal, one Water Rail and one Jay.

A flock of 75 Greylag Geese were at Doon Lough, Broadford.

Over 300 Coots were at Lough Cullaunyheeda, near Kilkishen.

Bramblings at St.Flannans College, Ennis © John N Murphy

There were five Snow Buntings near Ballinalacken Castle.

Over 2,500 Dunlin, 80 Knot, 800 Golden Plover, 20 Shelduck, three Water Rail and a Little Egret at Shannon Airport Lagoon at lunchtime.

One male Blackcap was at Willow Park, Ennis.

The flock of 22 Whooper Swans were still at Lough Gash, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Nine Black-throated Divers and one Snow Bunting were at Finvarra Point.

There was one female Hen Harrier, one Manx Shearwater and a Jack Snipe at Loop Head.

Five Scaup and one Little Egret were at Carrigaholt.

One Kingfisher was one the River Fergus at Willow Park, Ennis.

One first-winer Mediterranean Gull was at Quilty today along with 120  Dunlin, 40 Sanderling, 60 Turnstone, 30 Purple Sandpiper and ten Great Northern Divers.

At Lough Gash, Newmarket-on-Fergus there were 22 Whooper Swans, 12 Gadwall and 40 Tufted Ducks.

First-winter Mediterranean Gull at Seafield © Dave McNamara

There were 30 Purple Sandpipers, over 100 Dunlin, 50 Sanderling plus the Great Northern Divers at Seafield, Quilty.

One Little Egret was at Lahinch Marsh.

A Jay was at Lees Road Wood this afternoon.

At Loop Head and Kilbaha today there was one Snow Bunting, one Lapland Bunting, three Bramblings, one Turtle Dove, one female Blackcap, one Chiffchaff, two Tree Sparrows, one Merlin, one Long-tailed Duck, two Great Northern Divers, one Red-throated Diver, one Purple Sandpiper and one Eastern Jackdaw.

A flock of 24 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Tullagher Bog this evening.

Adult winter Brambling at Kilbaha one of three birds there today © John N Murphy

Snow Bunting near the tip of Loop Head Lighthouse © John N Murphy

Purple Sandpiper on cliffs near Fodry, Loop Head © John N Murphy

One Turtle Dove was still at Gibson’s Garden, Kilbaha © John N Murphy

Great Crested Grebe juvenile in Kilbaha Harbour © John N Murphy

Great Northern Diver in Kilbaha Harbour © John N Murphy

There was a flock of 48 Whooper Swans and 23 Greylag Geese on flooded field near Scarriff Bay.

A male Hen Harrier was in fields near the Bridges of Ross.

One Kingfisher was seen near Doora.

Five Whooper Swans were at the Drumcliff end of Ballyallia Lake.

There were two Storm Petrels and three Great Northern Divers off the Bridges of Ross.

A flock of 14 Greylag Geese were at Applewood, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

There were 11 Brent Geese and two Little Egrets at Querrin.

One Little Egret was at Latoon Bridge.

There were two Jays at Willow Park, Ennis.

One Carrion Crow was near Shannon Airport.

One Little Egret was at Bishop’s Quarter, Ballyvaughan.

One Long-eared Owl was seen hunting near Applewood, Ballycar.

One Swallow was seen near Mount Vernon, New Quay.

There were 16 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Lough Muckanagh, the Burren.

A flock of 120 Chaffinches were at Querrin.

A small group of 18 Whooper Swans were at Ballygireen, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

A Jay was at Lees Road Wood in Ennis.

Thursday 30th September 2010

There were 50 Bar-tailed Godwits at Seafield, Quilty.

Bar-tailed Godwit © John N Murphy

Wednesday 29th September 2010

One Jay was just south of Corofin.

A flock of 250 Wigeon were at Lough Murree.

Tuesday 28th September 2010

The Black Tern was back at Lough Atedaun along with one female Hen Harrier.

A flock of 106 Black-tailed Godwit were at Ballyallia.

Monday 27th September 2010

A flock of 50 Snipe were at Lough George this morning.

A small group of 16 Black-tailed Godwits were at Lough Gash along with one Peregrine.

Another flock of 52 Black-tailed Godwit were at Ballyallia.

Sunday 26th September 2010

One Pink-footed Goose was near Kilcredaun Marsh.

A Snow Bunting and two Lapland Buntings were at the Bridges of Ross.

One Willow Warbler was at Kilbaha.

One Spotted Redshank, nine Little Egrets and 300 Teal were at Moyasta.

Pink-footed Goose near Kilcredaun © John N Murphy

Saturday 25th September 2010

The Blue-winged Teal was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon (John N Murphy), along with 25 Shoveler, six Gadwall, 140 Teal, 1,200 Black-tailed Godwits, 120 Golden Plover, four Little Egrets and five Water Rails.

One Pectoral Sandpiper was at lough Atedaun. 

There were 32 Bar-tailed Godwits and four White Wagtails at Quilty Beach.

There were three Little Egrets at Moyasta.

One Little Egret was at Doonbeg.

Two Chough were at Lough Donnell.

Friday 24th September 2010

One Green Sandpiper was a near Querrin Point with two Little Egrets were at Querrin Creek.

Thursday 23rd September 2010

The Black Tern was back at Lough Atedaun.

At the Bridges of Ross there was one immature Sabine’s Gull, six Arctic Skuas and four Grey Phalaropes.

One Pink-footed Goose was near Kilcredaun Marsh.

On Loop Head there were three Wheatears, five Chough, one Merlin, one Peregrine and 18 Rock Doves.

There was one Green Sandpiper and one Common Sandpiper at Clarecastle Quay.

Wednesday 22nd September 2010

There was a drake Eider off Aughinish Island this afternoon along with 40 Black Guillemots and three Sandwich Terns.

Along the shore near Aughinish were two Wheatears and ten Little Egrets. 

There was a flock of 18 Chough at Baltard Bay, Doonbeg.

Two Little Egrets were at Querrin.

Tuesday 21st September 2010

The juvenile Black Tern was still at Lough Atedaun.

One Green Sandpiper and a Kingfisher were at Moyasta.

Sunday 19th September 2010

Six Lapland Buntings were in Kilbaha village.

Saturday 18th September 2010

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Loop Head again today (Finbarr MacGabhann).

Also on the Loop Head peninsula were nine Lapland Buntings and one Snow Bunting.

Off the Bridges of Ross there were six Bonxies, three Arctic Skuas, five Common Scoter and a Whimbrel.

A single Roseate Tern was on the beach at Kilkee.

Two Curlew Sandpipers and a Kingfisher were at Blackweir Bridge.

There were seven Little Egrets were at Poulnasherry Bay.

Friday 17th September 2010

One immature Blue-winged Teal was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon this afternoon (John N Murphy) and two Garganey, 12 Little Egrets, eight Gadwall, seven Water Rails and one Peregrine.

Ten Lapland Buntings and five Snow Buntings were on Loop Head. 

One Black Tern was Lough Atedaun.

One Arctic Skua, one Curlew Sandpiper and eight Chough were at Doonbeg.

Snow Bunting at Loop Head © James Hayes

Thursday 16th September 2010

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was back on Loop Head with 12 Golden Plover (Howard Williams).

Three Sabine’s Gulls and a Black Tern were at the Bridges of Ross.

Four Pink-footed Geese flew over Kilbaha, while eight Lapland Buntings were found up the headland.

Two Lapland Buntings were at Poulnadsherry Bay.

One Lapland Bunting and five Wheatears were at Lough Donnell.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper with Golden Plover at Loop Head © Howard Williams

Lapland Bunting at Lough Donnlell © Dave McNamara

Wednesday 15th September 2010

At the Bridges of Ross today there was one Balearic Shearwater, 20 Sooty Shearwaters, 1,000 Manx Shearwaters, 13 Leach’s Petrels, four Storm Petrels, five Pomarine Skuas, 46 Arctic Skuas, 36 Bonxies, five Sabine’s Gulls, 134 Arctic Terns, one Common Tern, 19 Sandwich Terns, 45 Grey Phalaropes, 27 Common Scoter, 10 Red-throated Divers, one Great Northern Diver, one Puffin, five Wigeon, three Teal and 17 Brent Geese.

Off the Blue Pools near Kilkee there were four Bonxies, one Pomarine Skua, one Arctic Skua, one Leach’s Petrel, two juvenile Sabine’s Gulls, ten Arctic Terns, one Red-throated Diver and 31 Grey Phalaropes.

Knot landing on rocks at the Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Tuesday 14th September 2010

At the Bridges of Ross today there was one Wilson’s Storm Petrel (John N Murphy et al), 180 plus Leach’s Petrels, 24 Storm Petrels, 130 plus Sooty Shearwaters, one Balearic Shearwater, 1,500 Manx Shearwaters, one adult Long-tailed Skua (Niall T Keogh), 44 Arctic Skuas, 11 Pomarine Skuas, 93 Bonxies, 37 Sabine’s Gulls, 420 Arctic Terns, one Common Tern, one juvenile Black Tern, 34 Sandwich Terns, one juvenile Little Gull, 40 Grey Phalaropes, eight Common Scoter, 14 Red-throated Divers, two Puffins, 13 Whimbrel and one Sunfish.

There were 14 Lapland Buntings at the Fodry, Loop Head.

Off the Blue Pools, Kilkee today there were ten juvenile Sabine’s Gulls, three Arctic Skuas, one Bonxie, one Red-throated Diver, one Grey Phalarope and 20 Arctic Terns.

Arctic Skuas off the Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Distant shots of Leach’s Petrels off the Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy 

Bonxie with Arctic Terns passing the Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Monday 13th September 2010

At the Bridges of Ross today there were 27 Bonxies, one Balearic Shearwater, 86 Sooty Shearwaters, 152 Manx Shearwaters, two Pomarine Skuas, four Arctic Skuas, four Leach’s Petrels, 39 Storm Petrels, four Common Scoter, and one Merlin.  There was a Sabine’s Gull and one Fin Whale off Loop Head.

There were three Curlew Sandpipers, two Ruff, a female Hen Harrier and ten Little Egrets at the Shannon Airport Lagoon.

Sunday 12th September 2010

There was a juvenile Blue-winged Teal at the Shannon Airport Lagoon (Owen Foley).

At the Bridges of Ross today there were three Sabine’s Gulls, 45 Bonxies, nine Arctic Skuas, 13 Leach’s Petrels, 3 Storm Petrels, 36 Sooty Shearwaters, 84 Manx Shearwaters, 16 Arctic Terns, 188 Sandwich Terns and six Red-throated Divers.

Saturday 11th September 2010

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at the tip of Loop Head (Owen Foley).

At the Bridges of Ross there were two Wilson’s Petrels (Owen Foley), one Pectoral Sandpiper, 170 Leach’s Petrels, six Storm Petrels, one Great Shearwater, 80 Sooty Shearwaters, 80 Bonxies, 45 Arctic Skuas, four Pomarine Skuas, six Sabine’s Gulls, one Little Gull, 20 Black terns, sic Arctic Terns, 35 Grey Phalaropes, two Red-throated Divers and eight Lapland Buntings.

Three Lapland Buntings were near Kilcredaun Marsh.

There were 16 Curlew Sandpipers and one Peregrine at the Shannon Airport Lagoon.

Three Curlew Sandpipers were at Seafield, Quilty.

One Kingfisher was at Lough Inchiquin.

Bonxie at Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Black Tern far out at sea off the Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Red-throated Divers flying past the Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Friday 10th September 2010

There were 15 Curlew Sandpipers at the Shannon Airport Lagoon along with 20 Ruff, 50 Knot, 1,000 Black-tailed Godwits, 300 Dunlin, nine Grey Plover, five Little Egrets, three Water Rails and one female Hen Harrier.

Wednesday 8th September 2010

A juvenile Black Tern was at Lough Atedaun.

One Spotted Redshank and a Little Egret were at Clenagh Bay, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

One Common Sandpiper was at Clahane.

Black Tern on the southern shore of Lough Atedaun © Dave McNamara

Common Sandpiper on the rocky beach at Clahane © Dave McNamara

Tuesday 7th September 2010

There were three Grey Phalaropes, seven Arctic Skuas, four Bonxies, four Common Scoters, eight Arctic Terns and three Sandwich Terns off the Bridges of Ross.

Five Lapland Buntings, one Spotted Flycatcher, one Willow Warbler, one Peregrine , one female Hen Harrier, 15 Wheatears and ten Chough were at Loop Head.

A young male Sparrowhawk at Kilbaha © John N Murphy

Monday 6th September 2010

One Glossy Ibis was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon (John N Murphy & Brian Finnegan), along with one Wood Sandpiper, two Ruff, 50 Knot, 1,800 Black-tailed Godwits, three Water Rails, 14 Little Egrets and three Wheatears.

The Spoonbill was back in the Shannon Airport Lagoon late this evening (James Hayes, Clodagh Glasgow and Sinead Glasgow).

There were 14 Curlew Sandpipers and a Little Egret at Lough Donnell.

One Common Sandpiper was at Clahane.

Curlew Sandpipers with Dunlin at Lough Donnell © Jeff Copner

Sunday 5th September 2010

The Glossy Ibis is showing well this morning at Lough Atedaun (Dave McNamara & Frank O’Duffy).

A Loop Head there was one Turtle Dove, one Pied Flycatcher, one male and one female Blackcap, three Spotted Flycatchers and a Willow Warbler.

One Lapland  Bunting was at the tip of Loop Head.

There are large numbers of Swallows building up on wires in preparation for migration.

Glossy Ibis at Lough Atedaun in flight showing no leg rings © Frank O’Duffy

A young Swallow chick flys low over water to snatch a drink © John N Murphy

Saturday 4th September 2010

A juvenile Red-breasted Flycatcher was an early record and proved elusive at Gibson’s Garden, Loop Head (John N Murphy & Finbarr MacGabhann).

Also at Loop Head was one Pied Flycatcher, five Spotted Flycatchers, one juvenile Turtle Dove, three Lapland Buntings, 22 Rock Doves, three Chough, one Chiffchaff, one Willow Warbler and a Minke Whale was seen off the tip of Loop Head.

The American Golden Plover was at Moyasta (John N Murphy & Finbarr MacGabhann), along with one Spotted Redshank, one Kingfisher and 12 Little Egrets.

Lapland Buntings at Loop Head © John N Murphy

Juvenile Turtle Dove in flight at Loop Head © John N Murphy

Friday 3rd September 2010

Two Glossy Ibises were at the Shannon Airport Lagoon this morning (John N Murphy), along with four Ruff, one female Hen Harrier, one juvenile Peregrine, 3,500 Black-tailed Godwits of which three were colour banded, 60 Wigeon, 300 Teal, ten Shoveler, four Gadwall, 26 Little Egrets and four Water Rails.

There was a Glossy Ibis in Lough Atedaun this evening (Dave McNamara).

The American Golden Plover and Spotted Redshank were still at Moyasta (Dave McNamara).

One Pied Flycather and ten Spotted Flycatchers were in gardens Loop Head.

At the tip of Loop Head there was 11 Lapland Buntings.

One juvenile Curlew Sandpiper was at Seafield.

A male Ruff and a female Hen Harrier were at Lough Donnell.

Two Little Egrets were at Ballycorrick Bridge.

Glossy Ibis at Lough Atedaun © Dave McNamara

 

Female hen Harrier hunting the reedbeds at Shannon Airport Lagoon © John N Murphy

Pied Flycatcher at Kilbaha © Dave McNamara

Spotted Flycatcher at Kilbaha one of ten © Dave McNamara

Thursday 2nd  September 2010

The American Golden Plover was still at Moyasta along with a Spotted Redshank (Howard Willians & Chris Cullen).

At Loop Head there were six Spotted Flycatchers.

One Grey Phalarope, a Peregrine, one Hen Harrier and six Wheatears were at the Bridges of Ross.

One Curlew Sandpiper, 20 Dunlin, 20 Sanderling and 30 Bar-tailed Godwits were between Seafield and Quilty Beach.

One Ruff and seven Wheatears were at Lough Donnell.

American Golden Plover at Moyasta © Howard Williams

Wednesday 1st September 2010

The American Golden Plover, three Curlew Sandpipers and nine Little Egrets were at Moyasta (James Hayes & John N Murphy).

A Marsh Harrier flew in off the sea at the Bridges of Ross, while 15 Lapland Bunting and and one Spotted Flycatcher were around the Lighthouse at Loop Head.

Two more Lapland Buntings were on the road to Cloghaun  Lough east of Kilbaha.

Four Spotted Flycatchers were in the gardens of Kilbaha and a White Wagtail was in the pond in the harbour.

One Green Sandpiper was at the Claureen river attenuation Pond.

Three Curlew Sandpipers were at Lough Donnell.

There were 18 Knot and a Peregrine at Quilty Beach.

Two Whimbrel were at Rinneville beach.

There were 40 juvenile Black-tailed Godwits, 34 Curlew and three Little Egrets at Ballycorrick Bridge.

Lapland Bunting one of four at the tip of Loop Head this morning © John N Murphy

Spotted Flycatcher on the Lighthouse Wall at Loop Head © John N Murphy

Juvenile Black-tailed Godwits at Ballycorrick Bridge this evening © John N Murphy

Saturday 31st July 2010

There were four Balearic Shearwaters, 12 Sooties, 6,000 Manx Shearwaters,

one Red-throated Diver, 14 Storm Petrels, three Bonxies, two Blue Fulmars,

14 Arctic Terns , 26 Puffins and one Peregrine  at the Bridges of Ross.

One second year Glaucous Gull flew east over the Bridges of Ross.

Friday 30th July 2010

Today at the Bridges of Ross there were 11 Sooty Shearwaters, one Balearic

Shearwater, two Bonxies and 100 Puffins.

One Ruff was at Seafield, Quilty.

Thursday 29th July 2010

There were 3,000 Manx Shearwaters at the Bridges of Ross along with 

10 Sooty Shearwaters,  three Balearic Shearwaters and six Common Scoters.

At the Shannon Airport Lagoon there were 16 Little Egrets, two Water Rails

and 250 Black-tailed Godwits.

Wednesday 28th July 2010

There were 23 Little Egrets at the Shannon Airport Lagoon alongside

300 plus Black-tailed Godwits, 200 Redshank and 200 Dunlin.

Tuesday 27th July 2010

At the Bridges of Ross today there were; 14,000 Manx Shearwaters, two Balearic Shearwaters,

seven Sooty Shearwaters, three Great Skuas, one Arctic Skua, four Storm Petrels , four Whimbrel,

one Black Guillemot and 12 Puffins.

At Loop Head there were 22 Chough and 12 Raven.

One male Hen Harrier was seen hunting near Cross.

Bonxie off the Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Saturday 24th July 2010

One adult Mediterranean gull and three Little Egrets were at Killimer.

A Grasshopper Warbler was seen at Lissycasey.

Thursday 22nd July 2010

There were two Little Egrets, one Tufted Duck and a Wheatear

at Clenagh Lake, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

At the Shannon Airport Lagoon Black-tailed Godwit numbers had built up 

to over 300 birds and along with 16 Little Egrets, two Shoveler and three

Sanderling.

Tuesday 20th July 2010

One adult Mediterranean Gull, one Whimbrel and 30 Sanderling were at

Seafield Beach, Quilty.

There were 10,000 Manx Shearwaters off Loop Head along with

one Common Scoter, two Puffin, two Ravens, two Peregrine Falcons

and 32 Chough.

Six Common Sandpipers were at Doonbeg.

A flock of 60 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at Lough Atedaun.

Three Spotted Flycatchers were at Clifden House, Corofin.

Manx Shearwater gliding over the waves © John N Murphy

Monday 19th July 2010

One Great Skua was off the Bridges of Ross.

Sunday 18th July 2010

At the Shannon Airport lagoon today were eight Little Egrets, 200 Black-tailed

Godwits and one Water Rail.

Friday 16th July 2010

There were two Sooty Shearwaters, one Arctic Skua, one Bonxie, seven Storm Petrels

and 18 Puffins off the Bridges of Ross.

Wednesday 14th July 2010

One Great Northern Diver and one Little Egret were off Finvarra Point.

One Common Sandpiper, two Greenshank, 60 Dunlin and 40 Swifts

were at Lough Atedaun.

Two Spotted Flycatchers were at the Falls in Ennistymon.

Tuesday 13th July 2010

The Spotted Redshank , 40 Dunlin, 250 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Curlew and

16 Little Egrets were at Shannon Airport Lagoon, this morning.

A Jay was showing well along the walking trail at Lees Road Wood this morning.

Monday 12th July 2010

The SPOONBILL was back at the Shannon Airport Lagoon this evening (Clodagh Glasgow & James Hayes).

Also at the Lagoon were 200 Black-tailed Godwits and 20 Little Egrets.

One Buzzard was at the Lees Road Wood today along with one Blackcap.

One male Blackcap was singing at Applewood, Ballycar.

Sunday 11th July 2010

A hundred Manx Shearwater were seen off the Bridges of Ross along with a Storm Petrel.

Three Chough, three Raven and a flock of 8 Rock Doves were also at Loop Head Peninsula.

A Jay was at Lees Road Wood

Thursday 8th July 2010

One Blackcap was at Applewood, Ballycar.

Wednesday 7th July 2010

The Spotted Redshank, two Greenshank, 260 Black-tailed Godwits, two Water Rails

and 23 Little Egrets were at the Shannon Airport Lagoon this afternoon.

Tuesday 6th July 2010

The SPOONBILL was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon this afternoon (John N Murphy & James Hayes), 

but flew off west towards the Fergus Estuary but returned to the lagoon later in the evening (Clodagh Glasgow) .

Also at the Shannon Airport Lagoon were 34 Little Egrets, one Spotted Redshank, one Greenshank,

one Water Rail, the drake Tufted Duck and one Stock Dove.

There were five Little Egrets and 28 Little Grebes at Lough Gash, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Spoonbill at the Lagoon © John N Murphy

Monday 5th July 2010

The SPOONBILL was the Shannon Airport Lagoon this afternoon (Dave McNamara), along side

30 Little Egrets and the summer plumaged Spotted Redshank.

There were seven Spotted Flycatchers, 15 Treecreepers and four Blackcap at Clifden House

Gardens near Lough Inchiquin.

Four Siskins were at Moanreel.

A young Siskin at Moanreel © Jeff Copner

Sunday 4th July 2010

At the Shannon Airport Lagoon this morning there was one Spotted Redshank,

two Greenshank, 80 Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Little Egrets and one Stock Dove.

A Raven and two male Blackcap were at Lees Road Wood.

Saturday 3rd July 2010

One SPOONBILL flew west over Rineanna Point, Shannon this morning (Jeff Copner).

This is only the third county record of this species the last was in 1998.

At the Shannon Airport Lagoon there were 22 Little Egrets, 200 Black-tailed Godwits,

one drake Tufted Duck and the adult summer plumaged Spotted Redshank.

Two Storm Petrels were off Black Head.

One Common Sandpiper and a Ringed Plover were at Lough Atedaun.

One Jay was in the Caher Valley.

At least 12 Spotted Flycatchers were at the north and south sides of Lough Inchiquin.

Spoonbill flying west over Shannon Estuary © Jeff Copner

Spotted Flycatchers outside Corofin © John N Murphy

Thursday 1st July 2010

At the Shannon Airport Lagoon this afternoon there were: one summer plumaged 

Spotted Redshank, one adult Greenshank, one male Tufted Duck, 22 Little Egrets,

120 Black-tailed Godwits and two Water Rails.

There was a family party of six Blackcaps at Applewood, Ballycar.

Two Blackcap were singing in Lees Road Wood.

Little Egrets were very active in the lagoon this afternoon © John N Murphy

Reed Bunting families were numberous throughout the reedbeds at the lagoon © John N Murphy

A young Blackcap © Dave McNamara