Brent
Leave a commentColour Banded Birds in Clare
Colour Ringed Birds in Clare
National Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey 2007/2008 News
Volunteers across the country are now at the half way point in the
National Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey. After beginning in October (many even in
August and September), a large amount of information has been built up, giving a
greater knowledge and understanding of what Irish Hen Harriers get up to during the
other 6 or 7 months of the year when not engaged in the breeding season.
Fixed roost watches and casual sightings continue to pour into co-ordinator Barry
O’Donoghue at harriers@environ.ie and 087-9110715. I would like to take this
opportunity at the half way point to thank those who have got out there and filled the
forms and/or submitted casual sightings. From Strangford Lough to West Kerry,
Longford to Limerck, Inisowen to West Cork, Connemara to Dublin, it has been a
pleasure hearing from you all and learning of the whereabouts of Hen Harriers during
the winter. Some have had the pleasure of sighting some of the youngsters which we
tagged in Cork, Kerry, Clare and Galway this year. Anyone that has seen harriers
tagged or untagged will agree it is a most enjoyable survey, and even those who have
gone out in search of new roosts but have not seen harriers on a particular evening
have usually been entertained by the wealth of bird life at these wetlands at sunset.
Marsh Harriers, Peregrines, Barn Owls just some of the other Birds of Prey sighted in
this years survey for example, not to mention the thousands of starlings and various
waterbirds.
Indeed a good number of new Hen Harrier winter roosts have been discovered this
winter – places heretofore unknown. Furthermore, old traditional roosts which have
not been watched for years are being returned to in aid of this survey. It cannot be
stressed enough how important it is to keep Hen Harrier winter roost locations secret.
In reports which will be generated for the whole country out of this survey, roost
locations are not mentioned – most often they are masked by giving the nearest town
name or a name of the observers choosing (as per record sheet).
People can fill roost record sheets (and casual sightings forms) as they go along and
submit to harriers@environ.ie or to Barry O’Donoghue, Ballynabrennagh, Tralee, Co.
Kerry bit by bit or together at the end of season. It is important to fill the roost details
sheet (just once for each roost) as it will let us know what harriers require for their
roosting habitat. It is further important to log watches where no harriers have been
seen. This will allow trends to be drawn at a roost as the winter progresses e.g. maybe
all harriers gone by January, or maybe they don’t come until November etc.
This Saturday 1st December is roost watch day (1st day of month). Being a weekend, it
is our best chance at co-ordinating a mass roost watch across the country. I urge
everyone to get out there this weekend either Friday, Saturday or Sunday from
3.45pm to 4.45pm (or alternatively for morning watches from 07.30am to 08.30am).
Anyone with queries or comments please do not hesitate to make contact with me at
harriers@environ.ie or 087-9110715.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.
Barry O’Donoghue, the National Parks & Wildlife Service Ranger for South
and West Clare is organising a new winter Hen Harrier Roost Survey this
year and is looking for some help across the county and beyond. The
first of these counts will take place this weekend 1st – 2nd October or
a close as possbile to this date.
Anyone interested should contact Barry @ 065-9051640
Anyone interested should contact Barry @ 065-9051640
Barry O’Donoghue, the National Parks & Wildlife Service Ranger for South
Leave a commentColour Ringed Birds in Clare
National Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey 2007/2008 News
Volunteers across the country are now at the half way point in the
National Hen Harrier Winter Roost Survey. After beginning in October (many even in
August and September), a large amount of information has been built up, giving a
greater knowledge and understanding of what Irish Hen Harriers get up to during the
other 6 or 7 months of the year when not engaged in the breeding season.
Fixed roost watches and casual sightings continue to pour into co-ordinator Barry
O’Donoghue at harriers@environ.ie and 087-9110715. I would like to take this
opportunity at the half way point to thank those who have got out there and filled the
forms and/or submitted casual sightings. From Strangford Lough to West Kerry,
Longford to Limerck, Inisowen to West Cork, Connemara to Dublin, it has been a
pleasure hearing from you all and learning of the whereabouts of Hen Harriers during
the winter. Some have had the pleasure of sighting some of the youngsters which we
tagged in Cork, Kerry, Clare and Galway this year. Anyone that has seen harriers
tagged or untagged will agree it is a most enjoyable survey, and even those who have
gone out in search of new roosts but have not seen harriers on a particular evening
have usually been entertained by the wealth of bird life at these wetlands at sunset.
Marsh Harriers, Peregrines, Barn Owls just some of the other Birds of Prey sighted in
this years survey for example, not to mention the thousands of starlings and various
waterbirds.
Indeed a good number of new Hen Harrier winter roosts have been discovered this
winter – places heretofore unknown. Furthermore, old traditional roosts which have
not been watched for years are being returned to in aid of this survey. It cannot be
stressed enough how important it is to keep Hen Harrier winter roost locations secret.
In reports which will be generated for the whole country out of this survey, roost
locations are not mentioned – most often they are masked by giving the nearest town
name or a name of the observers choosing (as per record sheet).
People can fill roost record sheets (and casual sightings forms) as they go along and
submit to harriers@environ.ie or to Barry O’Donoghue, Ballynabrennagh, Tralee, Co.
Kerry bit by bit or together at the end of season. It is important to fill the roost details
sheet (just once for each roost) as it will let us know what harriers require for their
roosting habitat. It is further important to log watches where no harriers have been
seen. This will allow trends to be drawn at a roost as the winter progresses e.g. maybe
all harriers gone by January, or maybe they don’t come until November etc.
This Saturday 1st December is roost watch day (1st day of month). Being a weekend, it
is our best chance at co-ordinating a mass roost watch across the country. I urge
everyone to get out there this weekend either Friday, Saturday or Sunday from
3.45pm to 4.45pm (or alternatively for morning watches from 07.30am to 08.30am).
Anyone with queries or comments please do not hesitate to make contact with me at
harriers@environ.ie or 087-9110715.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.
Barry O’Donoghue, the National Parks & Wildlife Service Ranger for South
and West Clare is organising a new winter Hen Harrier Roost Survey this
year and is looking for some help across the county and beyond. The
first of these counts will take place this weekend 1st – 2nd October or
a close as possbile to this date.
Anyone interested should contact Barry @ 065-9051640
Anyone interested should contact Barry @ 065-9051640
Barry O’Donoghue, the National Parks & Wildlife Service Ranger for South
Leave a commentApril 2009
Thursday 30th April 2009
Two male Blackcap were singing in Lees Road Wood Ennis this evening.
Another male Blackcap was singing at Applewood, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
There were 50 Whimbrel and 10 White Wagtails at Clahane.
One Common Sandpiper was at Lough Muchanagh.
One Whooper Swan was at Lough Atedaun.
Wednesday 29th April 2009
One male Blackcap was at Applewood, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Tuesday 28th April 2008
There were two singing male Blackcaps and 30 Whimbrel at Applewood, Ballycar
Newmarket-on-Fergus today.
Two more Blackcap were singing in Lees Road Wood.
A flock of 20 Whimbrels and 10 White Wagtails were at Clahane.
One Dipper was on the Doolin River.
Great Northern Diver in summer plumage at Liscannor Jeff Copner
Monday 27th April 2009
There were 100 Kittiwakes, 12 Purple Sandpipers and 10 Whimbrel at Clahane.
Two Whimbrel were at Drehednagower Bridge on the River Fergus Ennis this morning.
Three Blackcap were singing in Lees Road Wood Ennis this afternoon.
Sunday 26th April 2009
There were 20 Black-throated Divers, 51 Great Northern Divers and 12 Manx Shearwaters at Ballyvaughan.
One singing male Blackcap and three Greylag Geese at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Saturday 25th April 2009
The drake Green-winged Teal was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon (John N Murphy),
paired off with female Eurasian Teal. Also at the lagoon were four Little Egrets, three Greenshank,
ten Whimbrel, two pairs of Gadwall and a pair of Shovelor.
One Little Tern was within a flock of 12 Sandwich Terns at Fanore Beach.
In the Caher Valley, Fanore there were two Whitethroats and one male Blackcap.
The littoralis Rock Pipit was still at Clahane along with a flock of 16 Whimbrel and 12 White Wagtails.
A flock of 96 Whimbrel flew North West over Applewod, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus this evening.
Great Northern Diver summer plumage at Liscannor Dave McNamara
Friday 24th April 2009
There were seven Black-throated Divers and 20 Great Northerns off Aughinish Island, North Clare.
Two male Blackcaps were singing at Applewood, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus this morning,
while in the late evening a flock of 64 Whimbrel flew over in a North Westerly direction.
There was a flock of 30 Whimrel on the shores of Querrin this evening.
One male Blackcap was singing at Oileann na Managh, Shannon Town.
One Grasshopper Warbler was at Roxton, Corofin.
Thursday 23rd April 2009
One Whitethroat was on the Bog Road, Doora.
One male Blackcap, one Grasshopper Warbler and one Cuckoo were at Dysert.
Two Jay were seen in Lees Road Wood Ennis.
A flock of 50 Whimbrel and 12 White Wagtails were at Clahane.
Wednesday 22nd April 2009
The drake Green-winged Teal was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon this morning (Finbarr McGabhann),
also at the lagoon was one Little Egret and one Grasshopper Warbler.
One Blackcap, three Grasshopper Warblers, two Sedge Warblers, one Cuckoo and three Ravens were at Dysert.
Three Blackcap were singing in Lees Road Wood Ennis this evening.
Two Blackcaps and a Jay were at Clifden Hill, Corofin.
There were ten White Wagtails and 20 Whimbrels at Clahane.
Tuesday 21st April 2009
The drake Green-winged Teal was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon (John N Murphy),
along with one Short-eared Owl, four Little Egrets, three Sedge Warblers, two pairs of
Gadwall, one pair Shovelor and 500 Black-tailed Godwits.
Two Sedge Warblers were in reeds next to the river Fergus at the Quin Road
Indusrtrial Estate, Ennis the first for the year.
A pair of Blackcaps were in Lees Road Wood Ennis this afternoon.
Two Blackcap were singing at Ballyallia Lake this evening.
Short-eared Owl at Shannon Airport Lagoon John N Murphy
Monday 20th April 2009
One Common Sandpiper was at Ballycorrick Bridge, Ballynacally.
Four Whimbrel were at Islandavanna, Clarecastle.
One Dipper was at the Claureen River near Kilmaley.
Sunday 19th April 2009
There were 21 Whimbrel, one summer plumaged Great Northern Diver and
ten White Wagtails at Clahane.
One Grasshopper Warbler was at Roxton, Corofin.
Two Blackcap were singing in Lees Road Wood Ennis this afternoon.
One Blackcap was singing at Applewood, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
There were three Little Egrets in a field near Ballycasey, Shannon.
Three Ravens and two Gadwall were at Lough Inchiquin.
Whimbrel at Clahane Dave McNamara
Saturday 18th April 2009
The drake Green-winged Teal was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon (John N Murphy),
along with one Spotted Redshank and eight Little Egrets.
One Grasshopper Warbler was at Applewood, Ballycar, the first in Clare this year.
There were 14 White Wagtails at Clahane, Liscannor.
Two Peregrines and a Yellowhammer were at Eagle Rock, the Burren.
Ten Yellowhammer, a Raven and a male Blackcap were at Mullaghmore.
There was two Peregrines, eight Choughs and six Ravens at Moveen, Tullig Point.
One Cuckoo was heard singing at Cappanalaught, Sixmilebridge.
Friday 17th April 2009
Two Blackcap were singing in Lees Road Wood Ennis.
Thursday 16th April 2009
One Common Buzzard was at Clifden Hill, Corofin.
One littoralis Rock Pipit was at Clahane next to one Common Sandpiper and
three White Wagtails.
One Peregrine and one Raven were at Cahercalla Wood, Ennis.
Littoralis Rock Pipit at Clahane Dave McNamara
Tuesday 14th April 2009
A possible Great Spotted Woodpecker was reported between Rosroe and Fenloe Lakes,
Newmarket-on-Fergus this morning around 9a.m. (Robert Wallace).
Two Tree Sparrows were seen building a nest neat Liscannor.
Monday 13th April 2009
One adult Long-billed Dowitcher and the drake Green -winged Teal were at
the Shannon Airport Lagoon this morning (Finbarr McGabhann).
Also at the lagoon were six Little Egrets, two Spotted Redshanks and
hundreds of other waders.
One male Blackcap was singing at Applewood, Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Two Greylag Geese were at Ballycar Lough.
Two Jay were in Lees Road Wood, Ennis this morning.
A Blackcap was also singing at the same location.
Sunday 12th April 2009
One male Blackcap was singing at Mullaghmore.
A Jay was at Cliften Hill, Corofin.
There were 57 Lesser black-backed Gulls at Lough Atedaun.
Five Gadwall, one Raven and one Peegrine were at Lough Rath, Corofin.
Two Ravens , 59 Golden Plover and two Greylag Geese were at Ballycar Lough, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Saturday 11th April 2009
One adult & one first-winter Ring-billed Gulls were at Quilty this evening along with
one third year and one first-winter Iceland Gulls, 19 Brent Geese were on the sea
while on the rocky beach there were three White Wagtails.
There were over 300 Manx Shearwaters, two Puffins and thousands of Guillemots,
Razorbills and Kittiwakes off Loop Head.
Also on the headland at Loop were 10 Choughs, six Ravens and a Peregrine.
There were 20 Brent Geese at Doonbeg.
One of eight Shags nesting near the seabird colony at Loop Head John N Murphy
Friday 10th April 2009
The drake Green-winged Teal was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon (John N Murphy & John Rattigan).
Also at the Lagoon were one Short-eared Owl, two Spotted Redshanks and two Little Egrets.
A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Atedaun (Dave McNamara).
There was a Cuckoo calling this evening at Ballycar Lough, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
There were two Tree Sparrows and 84 Brent Geese at Liscannor.
Distant shots of Short-eared Owl at the Lagoon John N Murphy
Tree Sparrow at Liscannor Jeff Copner
Golden Plover in summer plumage at Clahane Jeff Copner
Wednesday 8th April 2009
A drake Green-winged Teal was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon (John N Murphy).
Also at the lagoon were two Spotted Redshanks moulting into summer plumage,
four Water Rails, one Little Egret, eight Gadwall, a pair of Shovelor, 800 Redshank
and over 1,000 Black-tailed Godwits, with one albino bird amongst the flock.
One male Blackcap was singing at Dysart.
Seven Gadwall were at Lough Inchiquin.
There were 13 Whooper Swans in a field near Corofin.
The Albino Black-tailed Godwit at the Lagoon today looked exactly like this one in
the above photo which was taken near Ring, Clonakilty, Cork in 2007 and has been
present throughout south Cork for the past four years John N Murphy
Tuesday 7th April 2009
A Blackcap was singing in Lees Road Wood Ennis this morning.
A Blackcap was singing in Lees Road Wood Ennis this morning.
Monday 6th April 2009
There were three Glaucous Gulls at Ross Bay Loop Head, also at Loop Head were
12 Chough, two Raven, 25 Manx Shearwaters and one Peregrine.
One first-winter Iceland Gull was at Kilkee.
One Dipper was on the Claureen River at Kilmaley.
There were 15 Brent Geese at Kilcredaun Marsh.
A flock of 50 Lesser Black-backed Gulls were at Lough Atedaun.
House Martins were seen at Cranny earlier today.
Sunday 5th April 2009
A male Blackcap was singing near he tail race in Parteen today.
There were 32 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 11 Whooper Swans at Lough Atedaun.
Eleven Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Lough Muchanagh.
There was a probable littoralis Rock Pipit at Clahane today, see photo below,
these seems to be a different bird to the one there in March.
Possible littoralis Rock Pipit Dave McNamara
Saturday 4th April 2009
One first-winter Iceland Gull and 152 Brent Geese were at Liscannor.
One hybrid Green-winged Teal x Common Teal was at Lough Atedaun, along with
three Greylag Geese and 11 Whooper Swans.
There were 21 Gadwall and at Lough Inchiquin,Corofin.
One male Hen Harrier was at Lough Donnell.
One Water Rail was at Ballyashee, Dysert.
One Swallow was in Clonlara, another Swallow was at Applewood, Ballycar,
Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Hybrid Teal x Green-winged Teal Dave McNamara
Friday 3rd April 2009
One Willow Warbler was at Ballymalley, Ennis.
Thursday 2nd April 2009
The drake Blue-winged Teal was still at Lough Atedaun (John N Murphy).
One Willow Warbler was singing at Mullaghmore , the Burren this afternoon (14.00),
this is the first recorded in the county this Spring.
There were ten Yellowhammers also at Mullaghmore.
Two Swallows were at Corofin with another near Toonagh, Ennis.
A flock of 10 Sandwich Terns were at Fanore, along with a flock of 68 Brent Geese, one of
which was a dark bellied birds as seen in the photo below with three colour ringed birds
in the flock as seen below.
One colour ringed Brent Goose was also at Clahane, Liscannor. along with
one first-winter Iceland Gull.
One Peregrine and a Raven were at Lough Atedaun.
Dark-bellied Brent Goose at Fanore John N Murphy
Colour-ringed Brent Geese at Fanore John N Murphy
Peregrine at Lough Atedaun John N Murphy
Wednesday 1st April 2009
The Blue-winged Teal was still at Lough Atedaun (Tom & Nuala Lynch).
The Water Pipit was also back at Clahane (Dave McNamara).
There were 15 Black-throated Divers, 26 Great Northern Divers, 238 Brent Geese
and 65 Red Breasted Mergansers between the Rine, Ballyvaughan and Corronroo.
A flock of 12 Yellowhammers were at Mullaghmore, the Burren.
This evening a flock of 22 White-fronted Geese flew over the north side of
Templebannagh, the Burren.
At Moveen south of Kilkee there were 12 Chough, two Ravens and one Merlin.
One Peregrine, 12 Brent Geese and the colour ringed Redshank (Red/white) were at Clahane.
Over 60 Puffins and two Ravens were at the Cliffs of Moher.
Raven Jeff Copner
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