Clare Bird Sightings

There was a first-winter Iceland Gull at Ballyvaughan.
At Ballyallia Lake, Ennis there were two Chiffchaff.

One first-winter Kumlien’s Iceland Gull and a second first-winter bird were at Gull Island Loop Head today.
Also at Loop Head all the nesting cliff ledges were stacked with Guillemots, Razorbills and kittiwakes.
A flock of 36 White-fronted Geese and 11 Greylag Geese were at Lough Muchanagh.
Eight Little Egrets and 20 Whooper Swans were at Ballyallia Lake.
A group of 31 Brent Geese were at Rinville Bay of which two were wearing colour bands 1.(Left Leg Yellow 7 Right Leg Yellow U ), 2.(Left Leg White L, Right Leg White L).
Seven Crossbills and one Woodcock were at Gortcoirce.
Six Red-throated Divers were at Doughmore Bay.
One Wooodcock was at Roxton, Corofin.
Two Dippers were at Doolin village.

Recent records received from British visiting birders Paul Slade, Paul Ellis and Andrew Tweed for the 25th February were as follows;
Mutton Island off Quilty, c.150 Barnacle Goose and one Peregrine.
Quilty : Two Surf Scoter (one ad drake) 9 Purple Sandpipers, 32 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and four Great-northern Divers.
Lahinch : 5 Gt Northern, 8 Red-Throat, 50 Common Scoter, 2 Raven.
Liscannor : 2 Greenshank
Airladie : 2 imm Iceland Gull offshore
Craggah : 4 imm Iceland Gull offshore
Gleninagh Castle : 41 Black-throated Divers, 17 Gt Northern, 100 Common Scoter.
Ballyvaughan : 31 Red-breasted Merganser and one Greenshank.

A White-tailed Eagle has been seen on a daily basis at Williamstown, Whitegate over the past few weeks (Kevin Clark).
The Black Swan is still with the Whooper Swans in a field adjacent to the main road half way between Scarriff and Mount Shannon.