Monthly Archives: January 2008

Introduction

The following report is based mainly on submissions to the scarce and rare birds section of the www.clarebirdwatching.com website during 2007.  A total of 1,313 individual records were submitted to the website during the year covering 288 days, up marginally on 285 days coverage in 2006 and well ahead of the 184 days coverage in 2005.

Other records came from Birdtrack.

Summary
The year will be remembered as being particularly wet, with rain almost daily from New Years Day until about 18^th March, and then after a six week dry spell rainfall again almost daily from May until early September; a second dry spell lasted until around late November when the rain returned.  In terms of temperature, the winter months were very mild.

Four species were added to the county list in 2007: a Bufflehead, Ireland’s second record and for many the “Bird of the Year” was found at Lough Atedaun, Corofin when the year was not yet a week old;  October provided two more additions with a Buff-bellied Pipit  (fourth Irish record) at Clahane and Arctic Redpolls at Kilcredaun (fifth Irish record).  The final addition was a Cattle Egret found at Clahane, part of a major influx of the species into Ireland and widely speculated as pioneering colonists.  With these additions, and the inclusion of Alpine Swift  which had been previously overlooked, the county list currently stands at 309 Species.

Seawatching provided many highlights at the Bridges of Ross during the Autumn and included reports of three Fea’s Petrels, four Wilson’s Petrels and over 70 Balaeric Shearwaters, but numbers of Cory’s and Great Shearwaters were lower than usual.  Elsewhere, rare ducks were in evidence with two Green-winged Teals at Bell Harbour and Lough Atadaun, Garganey at Shannon Airport Lagoon, and there was an influx of Ring-necked Ducks mainly in EnnisCorofin area.  A Goshawk was reported following a brief sighting, two Marsh Harriers wintered in the county during the year while two Common Buzzards were also reported but as in 2006, the pick of the raptors were the Ospreys which visited and lingered around the county during the summer months.

Doonbeg has become a magnet to transatlantic vagrant waders in recent years, and this year a Buff-breasted Sandpiper and the third Spotted Sandpiper in three years (and the third county record) continued the trend, while the Long-billed Dowitcher returned to Shannon Airport Lagoon.  There were no less than two Bonaparte’s Gulls during the year (the third and fourth county records), two Water Pipits (third and fourth county records) and a Rose-coloured Starling (seventh county record).  Although Loop Head was relatively quiet when compared to last year’s excitement, nearby Kilcreadaun still produced a Common Rosefinch (sixth county record).  The Common Rosefinch and the Arctic Redpolls highlighted Kilcredaun lighthouse as an area that deserves increased scrutiny in the future.

In the 2006 report, local birders were asked to submit any sightings of Tree Sparrows in the county as it was unclear if the species was being overlooked, in serious decline or even extinct in its former haunts.   Hopefully a fuller picture of Tree Sparrow’s status in the county is apparent in this year’s report.  In the year ahead, observers are asked to continue to note sightings of Tree Sparrows and Yellowhammers as they have done in previously but also to take particular note of Redpoll numbers, as they have been overlooked in recent years.

The Systematic List
The sequence followed is that of Professor K.H. Voous’ List of recent Holarctic Bird Species (1977).  Some records within this report may not yet have been accepted by the Irish Rare Birds Committee (I.R.B.C). For rare species with bracketed numbers e.g. Bufflehead (0,1), the first number stands for record of occurrences with county Clare to date and the second one for the number of occurrences within the year covered by this publication.

Red-throated Diver Gavia Stellata
Regular winter visitor and passage migrant.
Liscannor: 32, 23rd January; 50, 24^th January; 23, 6^th April; one, 1^st May; three, 29^th June; one, 3^rd July;
two, 15^th July; 11, 19^th July; two, 25^th August; 30, 9^th October; 19, 23^rd November.
On passage: six, Bridges of Ross, 15^th September.

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica
Regular winter visitor.
Ballyvaughan: 50, the Rine, 2^nd February; 20, 4^th February; two, 18^th February; 42, 3^rd March..
Ballyvaughan to Bishops Quarter: four, 21^st January.
Black Head: 16, 25^th November.
Liscannor:  one, 18^th April; six, 26^th November; one, 16^th December.
North Clare: 19, 30^th December.

Great-Northern Diver Gavia immer
Common winter visitor and passage migrant.
Black Head: one albino bird, returning individual, 20^th February.  14, 25^th November.
Ballyvaughan to Bishop’s Quarter: 15, 21^st January; 22, 10^th April.
Kilkee summer: one, 11^th to 20^th June.
Lough Murree: 20, 29^th November.
North Clare to Flaggy Shore:  21, 12^th April.
Quilty: two, Lurga Point, 20^th June; possible same individuals off Seafield, 19^th July.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus rufficollis
Common resident.
Corofin high count:  80, Lough Inichiquin, 20^th September.

Great-crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus
Common resident.

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegna
Rare winter visitor.
Doorus: one in winter plumage off the pier, 3^rd March.

Cory’s Shearwater Calonectis diomeda
Regular passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: one, 15^th August; two, 18^th August.
A poor year.

Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis
Regular passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: one, 23^rd August; one, 24^th August; one 25^th August; eight, 2^nd September; one, 3^rd September; two, 24^th September.

Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae
Rare vagrant.
The following unconfirmed reports refer to four birds on typical dates from the Bridges of Ross:  one, 21^st August (Richard Taylor); two, 25^th August (Andy Clifton); one, 26^th August (Allan Conlin).
Since the first county record at the Bridges of Ross in 1995 the majority of the fifteen subsequent recordsreports (including 2006) occurred in August.  Any observers planning to visit the Bridges of Ross to see Fea’s Petrel will find it useful to know that of these sixteen records, two have occurred on 21^st of the month four on the 25^th and two on the 26^th August.

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Regular passage migrant.
High counts
Black Head: 300, 28^th May.
Bridges of Ross: 200, 16^th May; 60,000, 9^th July; 5,000, 2^nd September.
Liscannor: 200 were seen off the pier on 20^th June; 100, 4^th July.

Balaeric Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan
Scarce passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: three, 12^th August; two, 15^th August; five, 18^th August; three, 19^th August; two, 20^th August; eigth, 23^rd August; seven, 24^th August; 28, 25^th August; five, 26^th August; four, 27^th August; two, 28^th August; two, 24^th September.
This species has been recorded almost annually since the first in 1983.

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
Regular passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross:  one, 4^th July; two, 9^th July; 58, 4^th August; ten, 5^th August; six, 15^th August; four, 16^th August; eight, 18^th August; 18, 19^th August; eight, 20^th August; 20, 23^rd August; 185, 24^th August; 600, 25^th August; 20, 26^th August; one, 27^th August; one, 28^th August; six, 31^st August; 45, 1^st September; 145, 2^nd September; 12, 3^rd September; 180, 16^th September; 600, 24^th September.

European Storm Petrel Hydrbates pelagicus
Common resident
Bridges of Ross: 120, 4^th July; 60, 6^th July; 30, 9^th July; 25, 4^th August; six, 5^th August; two, 18^th August; eight, 24^th August; two, 30^th August; three, 31^st August; eight, 1^st September; 21, 2^nd September; three, 15^th September; 22, 16^th September; 20, 24^th September.
Hags Head: 100, 20^th June; 10, 28^th June; four, 19^th July.
Liscannor: one off the pier, 20^th June; ten, 4^th July; 25, 6^th July; 25, 26^th July.
Miltown Malbay: 20 were at Green Island on 20^th June; 20, 21^st June; eight, 29^th June; seven, 4^th July; three, 5^th July; five, 25^th July; seven, 28^th July; five, 5^th August.
Quilty: 20 at Seafield, 20^th June; three, 29^th June; two, 3^rd July; 20, 4^th July; ten, 6^th July; one, 12^th July; eight, 28^th July.

Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus
Rare North Atlantic vagrant.
Bridges of Ross, four: two, 4^th July (K. Mullarney); one, 9^th July (D. Breen); one, 5^th August (D. Breen).
There have been nineteen reports of Wilson’s Storm Petrel off the Clare coast since 2001, all during the months of July (4), August (13), and September (2).  This species is now annual at the Bridges of Ross.

Leach’s Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa
Autumn passage migrant
Bridges of Ross: three, 1^st September; eight, 2^nd September; two, 15^th September; two, 16^th September; 15, 24^th September.

Gannet Morus bassanus
Common passage migrant.
Winter:
Ballyvaughan: five, Bishop’s Quarter, 21^st January.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Scarce localised resident.
Ballynacally: one, Ballycorick Bridge, 6^th November.
Ballyvaughan: one, The Rine, 2^nd to 18^th February; one, 30^th December.
Carrigaholt: one, 4^th to 30^th October.
Clarecastle: one, Islandmagrath, 26^th December
Doonbeg: one, 5^th August; one, 31^st August; one, 25^th November.
Ennis: one, Doora Bridge, 5^th May.
Kildysart: one, 28^th January; two, 13^th August.
Killimer: one, 17^th May.
Lahinch Marsh: one, 5^th to 21^st January; two, 20^th to 24^th February; one, 23^rd November.
Liscannor: two, 6^th to 7^th January; one, 22^nd January; one, 8^th March; one, Kilmacreehy Church, 3^rd to 8^th December.
Poulnasherry: one, Moyasta, 13^th to 19^th January; two, 23^rd March; ten, 25^th August; nine, 9^th September; nine, 4^th October; seven, 31^st October; seven, 27^th December; one, Blackweir Bridge, 18^th January; two, 19^th January; one, 23^rd January; one, “Poulnasherry Bay”, 24^th March; ten, 29^th August; seven, 30^th August; 13, 17^th October equalled the county record.
Querrin: two, 17^th October.
Quilty: one, Lough Donnell, 2^nd August.
Shannon: one, Tullyvarraga Marsh, 1^st January;  one, Inishcullen Hill, 10^th February; one, 8^th June; one, Airport Lagoon, 14^th April; two, 4^th August; one, 11^th August to 1^st September; three, 9^th September; five, 15^th September; five, 4^th October; three, 17^th November; one, Ballycasey, 26^th December.
Recorded in every month except July, the county record was equalled during the year.  Although the Little Egrets can now be seen just about anywhere on the coast, they are still rare inland at lakes or on the upper reaches of rivers.

Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (0,1)
Rare vagrant.
Liscannor: one in a field with cattle, Clahane, 15^th to 17^th December (J. N. Murphy et al).
This is the first county record and was part of an influx of several Cattle Egrets recorded in the Britain and Ireland in late 2007.  This bird was last seen flying towards the sea on the evening of 17^th December and was not seen again (T. Lynch, N. Lynch).

Whooper Swan Cygnus Cygnus
Common winter visitor.
Clarecastle: 14, Islandavanna, 25^th February.
Clenagh: 22 in the bay, 27^th January.
Corofin: 19, Lough Atadaun, 1^st to 7^th February; three, 11^th August; 77, Lough Inchiquin, 19^th November.
Ennis: 26, Ballyallia, 6^th January; 26, 15^th November. 17, 2^nd November; 15, 17^th November; 30, 23^rd November; 47, 30^th December.
Ennistymon: 14, Lough Cullanagh, 7^th March.
Flaggy Shore: 34, Lough Murree, 29^th November.
Kilfenora: 73 near the village, 12^th December.
Kilkee: 20, Tullagher Bog, 18^th February; 16, 30^th December.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: 10, Ballycar Lake, 14^th January; 16, 19^th January; 14, 29^th January; 12, 30^th January; 12, 14^th February; 14, 18^th to 25^th February; 16, 28^th February; 16, 7^th to 8^th March.  99, Balligirreen, 27^th January; 74, 20^th February; 60, 25^th February; 46, 27^th February; 72, 1^st to 3^rd March; 62, 9^th March; 16, 6^th November; 55, 19^th December; 60, 21^st December.
Quilty: 26, Lough Donnell, 27^th December.
Shannon: 87, Airport Lagoon, 17^th November.

Greenland White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons
Winter visitor in small numbers.
Kilkee: 15, Tullagher Bog, 18^th February; 12, 17^th October
Tubber: 22, Lough Muckanagh, 21^st February; 23, 7^th February.
These two traditional haunts are well separated, with Tullager Bog located in the south-west of the county and Lough Muckanagh situated in the north-east.  They can be viewed on a distribution map here.

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
Scarce winter visitor.
Clooney: one, 20^th January.
Lahinch Marsh: six, 4^th to 21^st January.
As these records demonstrate, previous observations of Pink-footed Goose have been well scattered across the county.

Greylag Goose Anser anser
Regular winter visitor.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: five, Ballycar Lake, 1^st January; two, 2^nd January; 16, 15^th January; two, 22^nd January;  two, 2^nd May; one 7^th October; one, 28^th December.  Seven, Fenloe Lake, 7^th January; four, 24^th February; four, 18^th December.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Winter visitor and passage migrant.
Doonbeg:  90, 13^th January; 43, the Long Field, 23^rd December.
Kilkee: 120, Mutton Island, 1^st March.  83, Illaunanearean, 27^th December.
Lahinch Marsh: one, 20^th October.
Quilty: six, Lough Donnell, 28^th March; 186, 31^st March; 110, Mutton Island, 18^th November.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla
Winter visitor and passage migrant.
Ballyvaughan: 90, Lough Murree, 6^th February; 146, Bishop’s Quarter, 3^rd April; 223, The Rine, 30^th December; 3^rd April.
Flaggy Shore: 79, Lough Murree, 29^th November.
Lahinch: 31, Creg Beach, 30^th January; 45, Lahinch Marsh, 24^th February.
Liscannor: 60, Goleen, 14^th March; 70, 19^th March.
Poulnasherry Bay: 192, 24^th March.
Querrin: 70, 12^th December.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Resident and common winter visitor.
Shannon: 82, Airport Lagoon, 14^th April.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Common resident.

Gadwall Anas platyrhynchos
Scarce winter visitor and rare breeder.
Numbers in Clare seem to be decreasing rapidly.
Corofin: 13, Lough Inchiquin, 1^st February; 18, 19^th November.

Gadwall John N Murphy.

Shoveler Anas clypeata
Common winter visitor.
Shannon: five males, Airport Lagoon, 9^th June.

Teal Anas crecca
Common winter visitor, scarce breeder.

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis
Rare vagrant.
Bell Harbour: the male which first wintered at this site in 2004/2005 (and may also be the bird which was observed at the site in 2002), was seen on 7^th January, and had returned for its fourth winter on 30^th December.
Corofin: male, Lough Atadaun, 27^th January to 25^th February.

Garganey Anas querquedula
Rare passage migrant.
Shannon: one, Airport Lagoon, 14^th May; female/immature, 18^th to 23^rd August.
During this decade Garganey has been recorded in every year except 2004.

Pochard Aytha femia
Common winter visitor.

Scaup Aythya marila
Winter visitor.
Carrigaholt: 23, on 27^th December.
Flaggy Shore: 15, Lough Murree, 29^th November; three, 30^th December.
Shannon: female, Airport Lagoon, 25^th February.

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Common resident and winter visitor.

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
Rare vagrant.
Corofin: one female, Lough Inchiquin, 6^th January (J. N. Murphy, F. Mac Gabhann) ; first winter male, 16^th January (M. Meehan, I. Zawadzka) ; female, 23^rd January to 25^th February (T. Griffin, J. Rattigan); male, 9^th November to 30^th December (F. Mac Gabhann).
Ennis: first winter male, Ballyallia Lake, 3^rd January (D. Mc Namara); first winter male, adult male and female, 4^th to 6^th January (J. N. Murphy, F. Mac Gabhann); male, 17^th January (J. N. Murphy, J. Lyons) first winter male, adult male and female 1^st February (F. Mac Gabhann); male, 9^th to 15^th February (F. Mac Gabhann, S. Nugent); male and female, 22^nd February to 22^nd March (T. Lynch, F. Mac Gabhann, S. Mc Enry, J. N. Murphy ); nearby on the floodplain at Rosslevan, male, 7^th and 8^th March; female, 13^th March (J. N. Murphy, S. Nugent).
Kilrush: male and female, Tullabrack Lake, 24^th April (T. Gittings). It was an excellent year for this species in Clare with about five individuals involved in this influx, and may have involved some returning birds from the previous year. The Ennis and Corofin birds alternated between Ballyallia and Lough Inchiquin which are just a few miles apart and were also obversed at Rosslevan.

Common Eider Somateria mollissima
Scarce winter visitor.
Liscannor: first winter male off the pier, 15^th to 17^th December.
The most recent records for Eider in Clare came from Kilkee in 2001 and 2004 and Ballyvaughan in 2005.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
Common winter visitor and passage migrant.
Ballyvaughan: 65, The Rine, 2^nd February.
Bridges of Ross: six, 19^th August; three, 25^th August; four, 28^th August; four, 29^th August; four, 30^th August; four, 31^st August; 15, 1^st September; eight, 2^nd September; three, 29^th September.
Liscannor: four, 21^st June.

Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca
Scarce winter visitor.
Doorus: one off the pier, 3^rd March.
This was a poor year for the species.

Long-tailed Duck  Clangula hyemalis
Scarce winter visitor.
Ballyvaughan: 16, The Rine, 2^nd February.
Burren: one, Lough Cullaun, 21^st February to 7^th March is an inland record.
Liscannor: peak of two, 19^th January to 20^th April.
North Clare remains the stronghold for this scarce winter visitor.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Regular winter visitor.
Summer
Liscannor:  two males, 21^st June.

Bufflehead Bucephala albeola (0,1)
Rare vagrant.
Corofin: female, Lough Atadaun, 6^th January to 4^th March (J. N. Murphy, F. Mac Gabhann et al).
This is the first for the county and the second Irish record.  Its lengthy stay provided ample opportunity for many to catch up with this mega-rarity .  The first record was in County Cork in 1998.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Common winter visitor.

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus
Rare vagrant.
Corofin: female, 30^th January; second winter male, 9^th February
Ennis: female, Ballyallia Lake, 3^rd January; male, 1^st February; probably same male, Lee’s Road Wood, 8^th February.
It appears that two birds wintered in the county.

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
Scarce resident and passage migrant.
Ballinruan: male, 29^th April.
Bridges of Ross: one, 27^th August.
Doolin: two males, Doonagore bog, 25^th February; one, 1^st male; female, 27^th May; female, 19^th October; female, 17^th November; two females, 19^th November.
Doonbeg: one, Killard, 25^th September.
Feakle: one, Maghera, 15^th May;
Kilkee: male near the town, 13^th July; female, 11^th November.
Lahinch: one, Bartra, 18^th to 21^st September; female, Inagh estuary, 4^th May.
Lisdoonvarna: female, 15^th August.
Liscannor: female, 26^th August.
Lissycasey: male, Booleynagleeragh Bog, 9^th June and 28^th June; female, Booleynagleeragh Bog, 14^th July.
Loop Head: juvenile, 31^st August; female, 29^th September; female, 4^th October; female, 14^th October.
Quilty: female, Lough Donnell, 29^th June; juvenile, 6^th August; male, 16^th September; male, 7^th October.
Tubber:  female, Lough Mucanagh, 7^th March; male and female, 29^th December.
Whitegate: one, 9^th July.
Clare is an important for breeding Hen Harriers and a controversial plan with government backing is afoot to protect Hen Harrier breeding sites in the Sliabh Aughty mountains of east Clare.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo
Rare vagrant.
Ballyvaughan: one, Muckinish East, 30^th September.
Connolly: one, 29^th March
Loop Head: one, 29^th September.
It seems likely that this series of records refer to two individuals.

Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (1,1)
Rare vagrant.
One was seen at Darragh on 22^nd February (B.O’Donoghue) and is the second county record.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Scarce passage migrant.
Burren: one, Slieve Elva, 1^st May.
Lahinch: one, Inagh estuary, 26^th May to 6^th July.
Lissycasey: one, Lough Acrow, 28^th June.
It is unclear as to how many individuals these records refer.
The individual at Lahinch was seen forty minutes before the bird at Lissycasey suggesting
the involvement of two individuals as a distinct possibility.

Osprey John N Murphy.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Common resident.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Common resident.
Migration
Loop Head: six, 29^th September; seven, 4^th October.

Merlin Falco columbarius
Scarce migrant, rare breeder.
Bridges of Ross: one, 3^rd September.
Carrigaholt: one, 27^th October.
Clarecastle: one, Islandavanna, 17^th September
Doolin: one, Doonagore bog, 25^th February; one, 19^th October.
Doonbeg: one, White Strand, 23^rd April.
Ennis: one, Rosslevan, 7^th March.
Fanore: one, 6^th January.
Lahinch: one, Inagh estuary, 9^th October; male, 17^th November.
Liscannor: two, 26^th March; two, Clahane, 3^rd November; female, 17^th November.
Loop Head:  one, 23^rd September; three, 4^th October; three, 14^th October; one, Kilcredaun Marsh, 27^th October; two, Kilcreadaun, 30^th October with one remaining to 31^st October.
Quilty: two, Lough Donnell, 29^th March; one, 23^rd July; one, 13^th October; female, 29^th December.

Peregrine Falco peregrines
Scarce resident.
Bridges of Ross: two, 15^th September.
Burren: three, Ballybruck North, 28^th July.
Corofin:  one, Lough Inchiquin, 19^th November.
Doolin: one, 1^st March; one, 29^th March.
Doonbeg: one, 23^rd September.
Dysart: one, 15^th March.
Ennis: one, 23^rd July.
Flaggy Shore: two, Lough Murree, 29^th November.
Lahinch:  one, Inagh estuary, 3^rd April; one, 25^th May; one, 28^th July; one, 9^th October; two, near Lahinch, 8^th June; two, Bartra, 15^th to 26^th July; one, 3^rd September.
Liscannor: one, 25^th February; one, 4^th September; one, 7^th October.
Loop Head: one, Cloughaun Lough, 10^th October; one, 14^th October; one, 3^rd November.
Miltown Malbay: one, Green Island, 5^th August; two, 2^nd October.
Newmarket: one, Ing, 7^th July; one, Ballycar, 29^th April; one, 18^th September.
Poulnasherry: one, 30^th August.
Quilty: one, Lough Donnell, 22^nd May; one, Seafield, 15^th August.
This species was under recorded in previous years.

Red Grouse Lapogus lapogus
Scarce resident.
Miltown Malbay: two, Mount Callan, 27^th March and 6^th April.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus
Scarce resident.
Burren: one, Lough Bunny, 29^th May.
Ennis: one, Oak Park housing estate, 24^th July, was an unexpected find.
Loop Head: one, Kilcredaun Marsh, 25^th and 27^th August.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: one, Fenloe Lake, 24^th February; one, Ballycar Lake, 28^th February;
20^th and 25^th April; one at Ballycar NS, 4^th October.
Shannon: a peak of two heard regularly during the year.
Tubber: one, Lough Muckanagh, 29^th December.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Common resident and winter visitor.
Shannon: one, Airport Lagoon, 29^th June.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Common winter visitor.
Clarecastle: 1,200, Islandavanna, 25^th February.
Lissycasey: 150, Booleynagleeragh Bog, 10^th March.
Loop Head: 45, 4^th October
Newmarket-on-Fergus: 350, Ballycar, 10^th March.
Shannon: 450, Airport Lagoon, 15^th September.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
Common winter visitor.
Ballyvaughan: 20, The Rine, 2^nd February.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Common winter visitor and breeder.
Shannon: two, Airport Lagoon, 9^th June.

Knot Calidris canutus
Common winter visitor.
Liscannor: seven, 15^th June.
Shannon: 15, Airport Lagoon, 14^th July; 50, 15^th September.

Sanderling Calidris alba
Scarce winter visitor.
Liscannor: 11, 15^th June.

Little Stint Calidris minuta
Scarce passage migrant.
Quilty: one, Seafield, 17^th August; two, 2^nd October; one, 9^th to 18^th October.

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotus
Scarce winter visitor.
One at Lough Donnell, Quilty on 10^th August was the only record received
and is well down on the six birds seen in the county in 2006.
This transatlantic species is almost annual.

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Scarce passage migrant.
Quilty: one, Seafield, 9^th October; two, 10^th to 13^th October.
Shannon: one, 4^th August; one, 7^th to 9^th September.
A poor year for this species.

Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritime
Scarce winter visitor.
Liscannor: eight, Clahane, 25^th November.
Quilty: 100, Seafield, 13^th January; 110, 25^th February; 40, 16^th May; 70, 3^rd December.
Seafield and Lurga Point at Quilty remains the stronghold of this winter visitor in Clare.

Turnstone Arenaris interpres
Common winter visitor.

Dunlin Calidris alpine
Common winter visitor.
Summer: twelve, Shannon Airport Lagoon, 9^th June; 50, had returned from their breeding grounds, 14^th July.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis
Rare vagrant
One at Doonbeg , 1^st to 3^rd September was the first for a number of years (D. Mc Namara, L. Benson et al).
This was the first occurrence of this species in Clare for a number of years, and the total number of records is now in the teens.

Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Scarce passage migrant.
Quilty: three, Lough Donnell, 12^th August; one, 22^nd September.
Shannon: one, Airport Lagoon, 9^th to 15^th September.

Ruff John N Murphy.

Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus
Scarce under-recorded winter visitor.
Doolin: two at Doonagore Bog, 25^th February.
Liscannor: one, 22^nd January.
Loop Head: two, 3^rd January.
Shannon: two in the town, 26^th February.

Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia (2,1)
Rare vagrant.
Adult in summer plumage at Doonbeg, 4^th and 5^th August (D. Mc Namara, D. Breen, L. Benson).  Unrecorded in Clare before 2005, this is the third year this North American species has been reported but the first time it has occurred in summer plumage.  The previous records come from Doonbeg (2005) and Kilbaha (2006).

Summer plumaged Spotted Sandpiper at Doonbeg John N Murphy.

Long-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus scolopaceus (9,1)
Rare vagrant.
Shannon: adult, Airport Lagoon, 28^th July to 13^th October was probably
a returning individual (F. Mc Gabhann, John N Murphy et al) and is the tenth county record.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
Scarce under-recorded resident and winter visitor.
Dysart: a peak count of four at Gortcoirce, between 3^rd and 14^th November; three, 12^th December.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Common winter visitor and passage migrant.
Shannon: 500, Airport Lagoon, 14^th April; one, 9^th June; 250, 14^th July; 1700, 15^th September.
Quilty: 19, Lough Donnell, 15^th July.

Bar-tailed Godwit  Limosa lapponica
Regular winter visitor, mainly to coastal regions but can be seen in Shannon and Fergus Estuaries.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Passage migrant.
Spring
Clarecastle: one, Islandavanna, 1^st May; two, 13^th May.
Ennis: seven, Ballyallia, 2^nd May; 16, Knockanean, 2^nd May.
Flaggy Shore: 46, 5^th May
Kilkishen: fourteen, Ballyblood Bog, 3^rd May.
Liscannor: three, 17^th April, decreasing to one, 18^th April; 40, 23^rd April; 20, Clahane, with 150 near the pier at Liscannor, 28^th April.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: 59, Ballycar, 20^th April; 21, 25^th April; 87, 30^th April; 65, 1^st May; two, 2^nd May
Quilty: 100, Lough Donnell, 28^th April; two, Seafield, 18^th and 19^th April; 20, 23^rd April; 82, 24^th April; 35, 28^th April. There was a total of 500, between Quilty and Lough Donnell on 4^th May.  Twenty, Quilty, 11^th June.
Autumn
Bridges of Ross: 42, 4^th August; 25, 25^th August; ten, 28^th August; 17, 2^nd September.
Doonbeg: three, 19^th July; 100, 4^th August; 50, 5^th August.
Liscannor: one, Clahane, 25^th October.

Curlew Numenius arquata
Resident and common winter visitor.
There was an albino bird at Lough Bunny on 6^th February.
Summer
Lahinch Marsh: 170, 21^st June; 200, 15^th July.
Miltown Malbay: 70, Green Island, 25^th July.
Poulnasherry Bay: the leucistic bird which has frequented the bay each winter for a
number of years had returned by 9^th September.

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
Regular passage migrant.
Poulnasherry Bay: one, 5^th August.
Shannon: one, Airport Lagoon, 3^rd to 29^th August; two, 1^st September; one, 7^th September; two, 9^th September.

Redshank Tringa totanus
Common winter visitor.
Shannon:  187, Airport Lagoon, 14^th April; one, 9^th June.

Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Common winter visitor and passage migrant.
High count
Poulnasherry Bay: 15, on 30^th August.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Scarce passage migrant, occasionally winters.
Ballynacally: one, Ballycorick Bridge, 1^st February; two, 22^nd February; three, 9^th September; one, 17^th September to 6^th November.
Clarecastle: two, Manusmore, 22^nd October.
Doonbeg: juvenile, 29^th June to 19^th July; one, 8^th to 18^th August.
Ennis: one, River Fergus, 3^rd February.
Ennistymon: one, The Falls, 2^nd April.
Poulnasherry Bay: one, Moyasta, 29^th August; one, 9^th September; two, 22^nd September; one, 25^th September to 6^th October; two, 17^th October.
Quin: one, Rine River, 6^th September.
Shannon: one just over the dyke from the Airport Lagoon on the estuary mudflats, 13^th August.

Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
Scarce passage migrant.
Shannon: one, Airport Lagoon, 7^th September.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Scarce breeder and regular passage migrant.
Winter:
Bunratty: one on the Owengarney River, 10^th November.
Clarecastle: one, The Quay, 7^th January.
Summer:
Burren: two, Lough Bunny, 26^th April;  two with four chicks, 29^th May; two, Mullaghmore, 20^th May.
Clarecastle: one, 4^th September.
Crusheen: one, O’Brien’s Lough, 26^th April.
Doonbeg: peak of five between 3^rd July and 4^th August; one, 8^th and 9^th August; three others at the mouth of the Skivileen River beside Doonbeg Golf Club, 9^th August; one, 18^th August; one, 3^rd September.
Ennis: one, River Fergus, 16^th July.
Lahinch: one, Inagh estuary, 3^rd July; four, 9^th August; three, 25^th to 26^th August.
Liscannor: one, 12^th July.
Lissycasey: two, Lough Acrow, 28^th June.
Loop Head: one, Cloughaun Lough, 12^th August.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: two on the Rine River, Latoon, 22^nd October.
Poulnasherry Bay: four, 6^th August.
Quilty: two, Lough Donnell, 23^rd July.
Shannon: one, Airport Lagoon, 15^th September.

Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius
Scarce passage migrant.
Passage:
Bridges of Ross: two, Bridges of Ross, 19^th August; 80, 24^th September.
Winter:
Ballyvaughan: one, Bishop’s Quarter, 21^st January.
Liscannor: four, 6^th January; two, 8^th January; one, 9^th to 13^th January; two, 16^th January; one, 17^th and 18^th January; three, 19^th January.
Westerly storms in December 2006 were responsible for the occurrence of this attractive wader in January.

Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarius
Regular passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: one, 4^th August; one, 5^th August; two, 27^th August; one, 28^th August; one, 29^th August; four, 2^nd September; one, 15^th September; seven, 16^th September; two, 20^th September; two, 24^th September; one, 27^th October;
Lahinch: two were observed and photographed feeding on a carcass at Cregg Beach, 23^rd to 26^th May.
Loop Head: one, Kilbaha, 31^st August; one, Renville Bay, 4^th October; eight, The Fodry, 26^th October.

Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
Regular passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: one, 6^th July; 16, 4^th August; five, 5^th August; one, 12^th August; four, 15^th August; three, 18^th August; four, 19^th August; seven, 20^th August; thirteen, 24^th August; four, 26^th August; one, 27^th August; five, 28^th August; two, 29^th August; four, 30^th August; one, 31^st August; five, 1^st September; eight, 2^nd September; four, 3^rd September; two, 15^th September; two, 16^th September; 22, 24^th September;
Lahinch: two were observed feeding on a carcass at Cregg Beach, 23^rd May.
Liscannor: one, 24^th May; one, 27^th May; one, 4^th July; one, 26^th July; one, 4^th September; one, 18^th September; one, 20^th to 21^st September.
Loop Head:  five, Kilbaha, 31^st August; three, The Fodry, 26^th October; one, off the tip, 29^th October.
Quilty: one, Seafield, 25^th May; one, 19^th July.

Long-tailed Skua Stercorarius longicaudus
Rare passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: four, 24^th September (observers unknown).
Loop Head: immature, Renville Bay, 4^th October (John N Murphy); immature, The Fodry, 26^th October (John N Murphy & Finbarr MacGabhann).

Great Skua Stercorarius skua
Common passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: ten, 4^th August; five, 5^th August; two, 12^th August; one, 15^th August; two, 16^th August; three, 18^th August; five, 29^th August; ten, 20^th August; three, 24^th August; one, 30^th August; five, 31^st August; one, 1^st September; six, 2^nd September; two, 15^th September; 22, 16^th September; 14, 24^th September.
Loop Head: two, The Fodry, 26^th October; one of the tip and another Kilbaha, 31^st October.
Miltown Malbay: one, Green Island, 5^th August.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus
Scarce winter visitor.
Kilkee: adult, 22^nd September.
Knock: three adults, one juvenile, 27^th August.
Lahinch: second winter, 2^nd to 5^th January; first winter, 3^rd January; adult, 17^th January; first winter, 16^th April; first winter, 4^th September; one, 13^th October; adult, Clahane, 25^th November to 27^th December; second winter, 8^th December.
Loop Head: two immatures, 29^th September.
New Quay: adult, 3^rd March.
Querrin: five first winters, 31^st August.
Quilty: one, 28^th January; one, 3^rd April; first winter wearing a green band on left leg, 16^th April; two, 17^th August; one, 18^th August;  second winter, Lough Donnell, 10^th to 15^th August.
Recorded during seven months of the year, it was a good year of this species.

Little Gull Larus minutes
Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: second winter, 1^st January; two juveniles, 31^st August; one, 24^th September.
Liscannor: six adults, 1^st and 2^nd January; 12, 3^rd January; 12 adults, first winter, two second winters, 4^th and 5^th January; ten, 6^th January; nine, 7^th January; four, 11^th January; three, 13^th January; second winter, 17^th to 21^st January; one, 13^th October.
Loop Head: two, Kilbaha, 1^st January; juvenile, 13^th January.
Moneypoint: adult, 3^rd January.
Records for this species befitted from the adverse weather conditions during the early part of the year.

Sabine’s Gull Larus sabini
Regular autumn passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: adult, 18^th August; one adults, 24^th August; two, 25^th August; three adults, 2^nd September; two adults, 14^th September; four, 15^th September; four adults, ten juveniles, 16^th September; one, 20^th September; 39, 24^th September;
Carrigaholt: one, 25^th September.
Doonbeg: one, 24^th September.
Loop Head: one adult was filmed 6km west of Loop Head; one off the tip, 29^th October.
Miltown Malbay: juvenile, Green Island, 18^th September.
A good year for this species.

Bonaparte’s Gull Larus philadelphia (2,2)
Rare vagrant.
Liscannor: first winter, 7^th December (D. Mc Namara).
Shannon: adult, Airport Lagoon, 10^th to 22^nd August (D. Mc Namara, J. N. Murphy, F. Mac Gabhann et al).
One local observer was responsible for doubling the county records for this species in 2007.

Bonaparte’s Gull at The Shannon Airport Lagoon John N Murphy.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Common and widespread.
Lahinch: one, which was seen on in the Inagh estuary on the 28^th April carried a yellow leg ring 283A.
Shannon: 1,500, Airport Lagoon, 10^th August.

Ring-billed Gull Larus delewarensis
Rare winter visitor.
Kilkee: first winter, 27^th December.
Kilrush: first winter at the Marina, 28^th October.
Quilty: adult, Seafield, 2^nd March to 19^th April; second winter, 13^th October; adult, Lough Donnell, 22^nd May; adult, 10^th August.

Iceland Gull Larus glaucoides
Scarce winter visitor.
Ballyvaughan: first winter, The Rine, 2^nd to 6^th February.
Lahinch: first and second winter, Inagh estuary, 2^nd January; five, 21^st January; two adults and two first winters, 22^nd January; two first winter, 10^th February; one second winter, 8^th March; adult and two first winters, Cregg Beach, 30^th January.
Liscannor: first winter, 3^rd January; first and second winter, 4^th January; first winter, 5^th January; first and second winter, 6^th January; adult, 17^th and 18^th January; first winter, 21^st January; two first winter, 20^th February; first winter, 7^th March; adult and first winter, Clahane, 15^th to 17^th March; three, 18^th March; two, 26^th March; first winter, 16^th April; first winter, 8^th December.
Quilty: first winter, Lough Donnell, 19^th March; adult and first winter, 26^th January; second winter, 22^nd to 24^th February; first winter, 26^th March.

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Scarce winter visitor.
Ballyvaughan: second winter, The Rine, 6^th and 7^th January; one, 3^rd March.
Carrigaholt: adult, 13^th Janaury.
Doonbeg: one, 28^th January.
Kilkee: first winter, 13^th April.
Loop Head: one, Kilbaha, 28^th January.
Liscannor: adult, Clahane, 19^th January; first winter, 17^th and 18^th March.
Quilty: first winter, Lough Donnell, 13^th January to 25^th February; adult, 24^th February; first winter and two second winter, 7^th February; two first winter, 24^th to 25^th February; first winter, 1^st to 8^th March; three, 26^th March; first winter, 16^th April; first winter, 8^th December.

Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
Common resident and passage migrant.
Clarecastle: one, The Quay, 15^th January.
Loop Head: 1,700, Renville Bay, 5^th October.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Common summer visitor and passage migrant.
Carrigaholt: 80, 27^th August.
Fanore: 100 off the beach, 21^st August.
Liscannor: 30, 24^th May; 32, 15^th June; 70, 21^st June.
Quilty:  one, 3^rd April.

Roseate Tern Sterna elegans
Scarce passage migrant.
One, Kilcredaun Marsh, 22^nd September.
A good record for Clare.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea
Common summer and passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: 80, 15^th September; 450, 16^th September; 1000, 24^th September.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons
Scarce passage migrant.
Liscannor: two, 25^th and 26^th August; one, 27^th August; one, 4^th September
Quilty: one, Seafield, 30^th August.
These are the first records for several years.

Guillemot Uria aalge
Common breeder and passage migrant.

Razorbill Alca torda
Common breeder and passage migrant.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: one at Tradaree Point, 6^th September was unusually far up the estuary.

Black Guillemot Cepphus grille
Scarce breeder and winter visitor.
Ballyvaughan: 50, The Rine, 3^rd March.
Flaggy Shore: 11, Lough Murree, 29^th November.
Kilkee: one, 15^th November.

Little Auk Alle alle
Rare winter visitor.
Bridges of Ross: two, 15^th August; adult summer, 19^th August.
Two very early records.

Puffin Fratercula arctica
Scarce summer visitor and passage migrant.
Bridges of Ross: one, Bridges of Ross, 31^st August.

Rock Dove Columbia livia
Scarce resident.
Hag’s Head: four, 14^th March, 2007.

Stock Dove Columba oenas
Scarce summer visitor.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: one, Ballycar, 2^nd August.

Woodpigeon Columbia palumbus
Common resident.

Turtle Dove Streptropelia turtur
Rare vagrant.
One, Loop Head, 1^st October.
There have been three previous records of this species during this decade
with two at Loop Head during 2003 and one a Ballyvaughan in 2006.

Turtle Dove John N Murphy.

Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Summer visitor.
The first of the year was one hear calling at Loughaun North near Feakle on 15^th April, followed closely by the second at Darragh, 17^th April; one was seen on telephone wires near Cranny, 5^th May.   Reports were considerably fewer this than last due to Cuckoo survey of 2006.

Barn Owl Tyto alba
Scare resident.
Poulnasherry Bay: one, Moyasta, 25^th October.
Sixmilebridge: one was seen near Minister’s Cross on 10^th June and 24^th November.

Barn Owl John N Murphy.

Long-eared Owl Asio otus
Scarce resident.
One was heard calling near Tubber on 23^rd June.

Short-eared Owl Asio flammaeus
Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.
The only report was of one at Tullagher Bog, Kilkee, 4^th February.

Swift Apus apus
Summer visitor.
Doora: 80, River Fergus, 15^th June.
Ennis: one, 25^th April; three, 26^th April; four, Ballyallia Lake, 8^th May; three, Knockanean, 9^th May.

Kingfisher Acedo atthis
Scarce resident.
Individuals were reported from Ballcorick Bridge and Clondegad at Ballynacally; Islandavanna near Clarecastle; Doonbeg; Drochidnagower Bridge and Abbey Street Car Park in Ennis; Kilcredaun Marsh at Loop Head; and Moyasta in Poulnasherry Bay.  Two were at Ballynacorick Bridge on 21^st September.

Skylark Alauda arvensis
Common resident.
Migration:
Loop Head: 50, 4^th October.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Common summer visitor.
The first of the year was seen in Shannon town on 9^th March; there were eight at Ballyallia Lake, Ennis, on 12^th March.

Swallow Hirundo rustica
Common breeder in summer.
The first of the year was seen at Hurler’s Cross, Shannon on 24^th March; the second was at Ballycar,
Newmarket-on-Fergus on 3^rd April.  The highest count received was 300 on 15^th June.

House Martin Delichon urbica
Common summer visitor.
The first of the year were a party of seven at Drumcliffe, Ennis 19^th March.
The only counts received were 20 on the River Fergus at both Ennis and
Clarecastle respectively on 17^th April.

Meadow Pipipt Anthus pratensis
Common resident.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus
Common resident.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta (2,2)
Rare vagrant.
Liscannor: one at Clahane, 31^st October into 2008 (D. Mc Namara).
Flaggy Shore: one, Lough Murree, 29^th November (P. Troake).
Clahane possesses a rocky shoreline which is well covered in parts with seaweed in winter and proved to be a huge attraction to pipits this year. This series of records brings the total for Clare to four.

Buff-bellied Pipit Anthus rubescens (0,1)
Rare vagrant.
Liscannor: one, Clahane, 7^th to 12^th October (D. Mc Namara, J. N. Murphy).
This transatlantic vagrant was part of an influx of this species into Britain and Ireland during 2007.
It is the first record for Clare and about the fourth for Ireland.

White Wagtail Moticilla alba alba
Passage migrant, probably under-recorded.
Bridges of Ross: one, 28^th August.
Doonbeg: one, 19^th August; three, 3^rd September; one, 25^th September.
Liscannor: one, Clahane, 14^th March; one, 18^th April; two, 28^th April; one, 7^th October; one, Cregg Beach, 16^th September.
Loop Head: one, Kilbaha, 31^st August.
Quilty: one, Seafield, 28^th April; two, 30^th August; two, 4^th September; one, 21^st September; one, Lough Donnell, 21^st September.
This is a good series of records for a species which is probably overlooked.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinera
Common resident.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes
Common resident.

Dipper Cinclus cinclus
Scarce localised resident.
Reported during the year from the Owenslieve River, Clondegad; The Falls,
Ennistymon; Claureen River, Kilmaley and the Owengarney River, Sixmilebridge.

Dunnock Prunella modularis
Common resident.

Robin Emithacus rubecula
Common resident

Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Rare passage migrant.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochuros
Scarce autumn/winter visitor.
Kilkee: female, Kilkee, 5^th February; one, 15^th November.
Liscannor: male, Clahane, 30^th and 31^st December.
Loop Head: one, 24^th October; one, 30^th October.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Common summer visitor and passage migrant.
The first of the year, a female, was reported from Poulnabrone in the Burren, 24^th March.
Loop Head: two, 24^th October; three, 30^th October.

Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Common resident.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
Common resident.

Redwing Turdus iliacus
Common winter visitor.

Mistle Thrush Turdus visivorus
Common resident.

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
Common winter visitor.

Blackbird Turdus merula
Common resident.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia
Scarce summer visitor.
The first of the year was one near Kilfenora on 20^th April.  Three were heard at Ballinruan on 29^th April.  One was heard in song at Doonagore Bog, Doolin, on 4^th May.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
Common summer visitor.
The first of the year was reported from the Roche plant at Clarecastle on 20^th April.

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
Scarce passage migrant.
Doonbeg: three, 8^th August; one, 9^th August; two, 17^th August; one, 22^nd August.
These birds were undoubtedly moving down the west coast on migration from breeding grounds further north, perhaps on the upper reaches of the Shannon.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca
Rare vagrant.
Loop Head: one, Kilbaha, 10^th to 14^th October; one, 24^th October.
All previous records during this decade came from this locality in 2001 and 2003.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis
Scarce summer visitor.
The first report of the year was from Clahane, Liscannor on 29^th April.  Three were reported from South Commons, Kilnaboy, 12^th May.  With thirty as a high count from Cranny on 21^st May, it was an excellent year for this species.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
Increasingly common winter visitor, regular breeder.
Winter
Barefield: two males, 9^th January.
Ennis: male, Ballyallia Lake, 4^th January; male, 6^th February; male, Our Lady’s Hospital, 5^th January; male, Oak Park, 22^th January to 20^th February;  female, 28^th December; male, 30^th December; female, Ballymacaula, 30^th January;  male, Ballymacahill, 10^th to 22^nd December.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: male, Ballycar, 11^th December; female, 26^th December.
Sixmilebridge: male, Oakwood, 30^th November; male, 19^th December.
Summer
Ballinruan: male, 29^th April.
Burren: two males, Mullaghmore, 30^th April; three males, 12^th May; two, 20^th May.
Corofin: male, Annalabba Bridge, 28^th July.
Cranny: one, 21^st May to 13^th June.
Ennis: male, Ballyallia Lake, 17^th April to 13^th June; two males, 20^th June; male, Doora, 26^th April; male, Knockanean, 10^th May;  male, Drumcliffe, 20^th June; male, Lees Road Wood, 16^th April to 19^th May; two, 20^th May;  three males, 22^nd to 24^th May; two male, 26^th May; male, 27^th May to 7^th July.
Feakle: male, Maghera Mountain, 4^th July
Lisdoonvarna: male, 1^st May.
Lissycasey: male, Booleygleeragh Bog, 12^th June.
Miltown Malbay: male, Mount Callan, 7^th June.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: male, Ballycar, 11^th April to 2^nd July; male, Fenloe, 1^st to 19^th June; two males, Mooghaun, 4^th June; one, 6^th to 22^nd June
Ruan: three males, Dromore Wood, 20^th May; two males, 13^th, 20^th, 29^th May; one male, 31^st May; four, 5^th June.
Tulla: one, Mc Graths quarry, 3^rd May.
Autumn
Loop Head: one, 1^st October; two, 24^th October.
It was an excellent year again for this species with an obvious spread in the breeding population.
The winter records refer to the German population, which are wintering in increasing numbers in Ireland.

Yellow-browed Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus
Rare vagrant.
Loop Head: one, 1^st October; two, 20^th October.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus
Common resident and autumn passage migrant.

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita
Common summer visitor.
The first of the year was heard at Darragh on 26^th March; the second bird was heard at Ballycar,
Newmarket-on-Fergus on 31^st March; one, Lee’s Road Wood, Ennis, 1^st April
Winter: one at Liscannor, 5^th to 21^st June.
Autumn: one Kilcredaun on 30^th October.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Common summer visitor.
The first of the year was at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus on 5^th April.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicpa striata
Scarce summer visitor.
Ruan: two, Dromore Woods, 13^th May.
Inch: two, Inch Bridge, 29^th May.

Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
Rare vagrant.
Loop Head: two, 1^st October (T.Tarpey).

Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
Scarce passage migrant.
Loop Head: three, 1^st October.

Great Tit Parus major
Common resident

Coal Tit Parus ater
Common resident

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
Common resident

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos candatus
Common resident.

Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Common resident.

Jay Garrulus glandarius
Scarce localised resident.
Barefield: one, Ballycarroll, 12^th February.
Burren: one, Slieve Elva, 1^st May.
Corofin: one, Lough Inchiquin, 29^th December.
Doora: one, Kilbrechin, 23^rd November.
Ennis: recorded every month except August and October at Lees Road Wood which a high count of four on 2^nd February; one, Gort Road, 17^th June; one, Cahercalla Road, 22^nd August; one, Rosslevan, 1^st November.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: one, 17^th and 18^th June; two, 22^nd June; one, 4^th November.
Ruan: one, Dromore Wood 26^th March; one,  13^th May; one, 5^th June.

Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
Scarce localised resident.
Cliffs of Moher: eight, Hag’s Head, 14^th March; two, 6^th August.
Doonbeg: two, 23^rd July.
Kilkee: 13, Illaunanearean, 13^th April.
Lahinch: two at the Golf Club, 27^th May; three, 9^th August.
Loop Head high count: 28, 23^rd September.
Quilty: two, Lough Donnell, 6^th and 19^th August.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula
Common resident.
An individual of the northern race was seen at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus,
20^th to 22^nd November and again on the 18^th December (J.N. Murphy).

Rook Corvus frugilegus
Common resident.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone
Scarce winter visitor.
One at Liscannor on 4^th January was seen at Lahinch Marsh on 5^th January.
One was seen at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus on 14^th April.

Hooded Crow Corvus cornix
Common resident.

Raven Corvus corax
Scarce resident.
Burren: one, Mullaghmore, 13^th April.
Cliffs of Moher: one, Hag’s Head, 14^th March.
Corofin: two, Lough Inchiquin, 19^th November.
Darragh: two, 25^th February.
Doolin: one, Doonagore Bog, 17^th October.
Doonbeg: three, 3^rd August; one, 3^rd September.
Ennis: a pair were seen regularly around Ennis, particularly around the Friary church, from 12^th March to 15^th May; one, Ballyallia, 22^nd March; one, 15^th May; one, Lees Road Wood, 7^th March; one, 7^th June.
Kilkee: two, Illaunanearean, 13^th April.
Liscannor: three, 22^nd to 25^th May;
Loop Head: two, Kilbaha, 19^th April; two, Cloughaun Lough, 10^th August; two, 4^th October.
Miltown Malbay: one, Slieve Elva, 4^th November.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: one, Mooghaun, 3^rd September; two, Ballycar, 22^nd December.
Poulnasherry Bay: two, 24^th March.
Quilty: three, Lough Donnell, 6^th August.
Ruan: one, Dromore Woods, 29^th May.
Sixmilebridge: one, 18^th April.

Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Common resident.

Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus (6,1)
Rare vagrant.
One was seen feeding with Starlings on the Limerick Road, Ennis in housing estates near the Halfway House pub, 19^th to 25^th August (F. MacGabhann, S Nugent et al).  This bird was first found by a group of Swedish birders who had stopped at a filling station across the road from the pub. This is the seventh record for Clare and the first since 2002, which also occurred in Ennis.

According to Ussher and Warren, the first county record came from Roxton, Corofin, “about 1808”. This is the oldest record cited by the authors’ and thus can be claimed as the first Irish record of this species.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Common resident.

Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
Scarce localised resident.
Doonbeg:  12, 23^rd March; one, 5^th August; two, White Strand, 11^th November.
Liscannor: one, Kilmacrehy Church, 16^th May; two, 17^th May; four, 20^th May; five, 22^nd May; two, 28^th May; four, 1^st June; eight, 15^th June; two on a second brood, 29^th June; five, 6^th July; one, 28^th July.
Loop Head: three, 7^th October; one, 10^th October; one, 3^rd November.
Quilty: one, Seafield, 17^th May; two, Lough Donnell, 2^nd June.
In the 2006 report, a call for increased submission of Tree Sparrow observations went out to local birders resulting in these series of reports.  Results reveal that at Loop Head (particularly around Kilbaha) numbers have dropped off considerably in recent years, and while the numbers from Liscannor and Quilty are similar to previous record levels the 12 birds at Doonbeg is a higher count than was expected. All records come from coastal locations.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
Common resident and winter visitor.
Ennis: 150, Lees Road Wood, 2^nd December; 100, 30^th December.
Loop Head: 100, 30^th December.

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
Scarce winter visitor.
Kilkishen: one, Fenloe Lake, 1^st January.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: one, 10^th February.

Linnet Cardeulis cannabina
Common resident.

Redpoll Cardeulis flammea
Scarce resident and winter visitor.

Arctic Redpoll Carduelis hornemanni exipilies (0,1)
Rare vagrant.
Four near Kilcredaun Lighthouse, 29^th to 30^th October (J N Murphy, F MacGabhann).
This is the first county record and the fifth for Ireland.

Arctic Redpoll at Kilcredaun John N Murphy.

Goldfinch Cardeulis chloris
Common resident and winter visitor.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris
Common resident and winter visitor.
Newmarket-on-Fergus: 100, Fenloe Lake, 1^st January.

Siskin Carduelis spinus
Scarce resident and winter visitor.
Feakle: a pair, Meaghera, 4^th July.
Loop Head: twenty, 14^th October.
Sixmilebridge: ten, Kilnacreagh Wood, 14^th April.

Twite Carduelis flavirostris
Scarce winter visitor.
Doonbeg: one, White’s Strand, 16^th December.
Liscannor: one, Clahane, 25^th October.
Lahinch: one, 7^th October; one, 14^th October.
An irregular winter visitor these days, the Lahinch/Liscannor records probably refer to the same bird.

Common Crossbill Laxia curvirostra
Scarce breeder and winter visitor.
Kilmaley: eight Letteragh Wood, 25^th March.
Lissycasey: one, Booleynagleeragh Bog, 22^nd December.
Sixmilebridge:  four, Kilnacreagh Wood, 14^th April; two females and a male, 15^th April.

Common Rosefinch Carpodacus erythrinus (6,1)
Rare vagrant.
One near Kilcredaun lighthouse, 29^th to 31^st October (J N Murphy, J Rattigan et al).  Initially this bird was seen but not identified on 29^th October as it rose from a track into brambles.  It was positively identified the next day at the same location where is presented itself briefly on an exposed section of the brambles.  This is the seventh county record.  The first was at Loop Head on 6^th October, 1987.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniculus
Common resident.

Lapland Bunting Calcarius lapponicus
Rare passage migrant.
Loop Head: six, 23^rd September; two, 29^th September.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
Regular passage migrant and scarce winter visitor.
Ballyvaughan: four, The Rine, 6^th January to 6^th February; one, 30^th September.
Doolin: six, Doonagore Bog, 22^nd December.
Kilkee: six, George’s Head, 14^th January; ten, 19^th January; ten, 21^st December.
Loop Head: one, 14^th October.
Quilty: one, 3^rd November.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citronella
Scarce resident, declining.
Barefield: a peak of ten frequented gardens in Ballycarroll where they fed on food provided for them from 8^th January to 26^th March; two had returned by 30^th November.
Burren: three, Poulnabrone, 24^th March; two, Mullaghmore, 27^th March; ten, 12^th April; eight, 13^th April; six, 28^th April; two, 30^th April; two, 12^th May; eight, 20^th May; one, Corcomroe, 3^rd April; one, 10^th April; one, Commons South, Kilnaboy, 20^th May; two, Caherconnell Stone Fort, 30^th May; male, Carron, 14^th and 15^th July.
It seems clear from these records that the Burren is the stronghold for this species in Clare and this is borne out distribution map in the Clare Biological Records Centre database.  Yellowhammer is an unusual garden visitor and the wintering flock at Barefield have exploited food left out for Chaffinches.  The origin of this flock is unclear.

List of Contributors
Paul Archer, Lorraine Benson, Richard Bonser, Hugh Delaney, Simon Berrow, Dermot Breen, Pat Brennan, Gerry Butler, Ed Carty, Andy Clifton, Austin Cooney, John Coveney, Patsy Cronin, Tom Cuffe, Jamie Darrant, Mike Davis, Jim Dowdall, Brian Egan, Brian Finnegan, Donal Foley, Tom Foley, Mick Frosdick, Sineád Garvey, Phil Grosse, Dermot Harney, Brian Haslam , Barry Howell, Marc Hughes, Geoff Hunt, Harry Hussey, Mary Kearns, Aidan Kelly, Noel Keogh, Sean McEnery, Finbarr MacGabhann, Eamonn MacLochlainn, Stephen McAvoy, Phil Mc Inerney, Dave McNamara, Brian Lynch, Tom Lynch, Nuala Lynch, Tony Mee, Andrew Meehan, Christy Meehan, Maeve Meehan, Paul Moore, Nelson Morrison, John N Murphy, Pat Murphy, Killian Mullarney, Kevin Nunan, Stan Nugent, Barry O’Donoghue, Aonghus O’Donnell, Sharon Parr, Geoff Pearson, John Rattigan, Andre Robinson, Sean Ronayne, Tom Tarpey, Bill Ryan, Andy Smith, Danny Smith, Ger Walsh, Stephen Ward, Paul Troake, Mick Woreland, Andy Woods, John Wright, Iza Zawadzka.

Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Olivia Crowe of BirdWatch Ireland for her help in sourcing records, and to Mark Grantham and Iain Downie of the BTO for compiling the BirdTrack records for the county.

References:
Ussher, R. & Warren, R. (1900), The Birds of Ireland. Gurney and Jackson, London.

Websites:
Clarebirdwatching
Clare Biological Research Centre
Irish Birding Images
YouTube