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Ballyallia Lake is three miles north of Ennis just off the main Galway road. In winter it is very good for wildfowl especially ducks and hosts many other species of waders on its wet meadowed shores.The lake holds breeding Great Crested and Little Grebes. Coot and Moorhen are also plentiful. Winter Birds include a feeding flock of approximately 40 Whooper Swans which feed mainly on grassy fields at the Drumcliff graveyard end of the lake.
Ducks commonly found on the lake are, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted, Pochard, Pintail and Shoveler in National numbers of importance.
Waders seen in winter include Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Snipe.
Passerines found around the shores and tree lined areas include Jay, Raven, Kestrel, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Blackcap, Grey Wagtail and Brambling. A Lesser Whitethroat was found over-wintering in the 1970’s.
Ducks commonly found on the lake are, Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Tufted, Pochard, Pintail and Shoveler in National numbers of importance.
Waders seen in winter include Lapwing, Curlew, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Snipe.
Passerines found around the shores and tree lined areas include Jay, Raven, Kestrel, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Blackcap, Grey Wagtail and Brambling. A Lesser Whitethroat was found over-wintering in the 1970’s.
Rare or scarce birds found on the lake were Ring-necked Ducks, Ruddy Ducks, Little Egrets, Great White Egret, American Wigeon, Little Gulls, Green-winged Teal and Jack Snipe.
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Auginish Island
Aughinish Island is found on the north Clare coast in Galway Bay. It is connected to the mainland by a causeway and has a Martello Tower on the north east end of the island. You can drive onto Aughinish from the main road (N67) which runs between Kinvarra and Ballyvaughan.
It is best in winter for Divers, Grebes, Brent Geese, Long-tailed Duck and a variety of other seabirds and diving duck.
Scarce and rare birds here have included Ross’s Gull, Snow Bunting, Slavonian and Red-necked Grebe, Black Redstart and Forster’s Tern.
It is best in winter for Divers, Grebes, Brent Geese, Long-tailed Duck and a variety of other seabirds and diving duck.
Scarce and rare birds here have included Ross’s Gull, Snow Bunting, Slavonian and Red-necked Grebe, Black Redstart and Forster’s Tern.
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Bridges of Ross
Bridges of Ross 2006 © John N Murphy
The Bridges of Ross is located on the north side of the Loop Head peninsula. It is low lying and seabirds pass very close to shore during autumn migration. When sitting at the sea-watching point one faces northwards, so the light and sun is always at your back. Seabirds normally pass very close to shore if not over your head. This makes for really exciting watching and allows the observer superb views of all passing seabirds.
During late summer and early autumn Great, Cory’s, Balearic, Sooty and Manx Shearwater passage can be excellent. All four skuas, Great, Arctic, Pomarine and Long-tailed are regular and occur from late July to early November. Storm Petrels can be seen from mid July to late October. Wilson’s Storm Petrels are seen normally from mid July to mid September with mid August being the best time of year for passage. Leach’s Petrels are always that bit later and occur in large numbers from late September to late October. Sabine’s Gulls also appear from mid August to late October. Grey Phalarope are regular in September and October. Little Auks put in an appearance from early October to late winter depending on wind direction. Other wildlife: regularly seen off the Bridges are Whales, Dolphins and sunfish.
In autumn the best sea watching conditions are often after northwesterly gales, especially if the storm centre lies well to the north between Scotland and Iceland or if a fast depression moves down from Greenland and arctic Canada across the north Atlantic. These systems blow in Sabine’s Gulls, Leach’s Petrels, Little auks, and Grey phalaropes along with a good selection of skuas. Of the rarer seabirds so far there has been ten Fae’s Petrels, two Swinhoe’s Petrel, one Sooty Tern and three Little Shearwaters.
March 2006
Friday 31st March 2006
The female Ring-necked Duck was seen in the morning (John N Murphy) and was joined by
the male in the afternoon (Tim Griffin).
There were three Swallows also on Ballyallia Lake.
Thursday 30th March 2006
The drake and hen Ring-necked Ducks were still at Ballyallia Lake (Tim Griffin).
Wednesday 29th March 2006
There were some Sandmartins near a Quarry in Ennis today.
Saturday 25th March 2006
One drake Ring-necked Duck was at Ballyallia Lake this afternoon (John N Murphy et al).
A drake Green-winged Teal was at Bell Harbour.
A dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Lough Murree, near the Flaggy Shore.
There were 15 Black-throated Divers between Finvarra Point and Aughinish Island.
One Red-necked Grebe was off Doorus Pier near Aughinish Island along with one
Long-tailed Duck and one Sandwich Tern.
Great Northern Diver John N Murphy
Friday 24th March 2006
There was a drake and a hen Ring-necked Duck at Ballyallia Lake, Ennis.
Thursday 23rd March 2006
There was a Merlin at Quilty today.
Wednesday 22nd March 2006
There were five Wheatears near Tullig, Cross in west Clare today.
A count of 11 Little Egrets was had at Moyasta, Poulnasherry Bay.
There was a second-winter Ring-billed Gull and two Common
Sandpipers at the Quay in Clarecastle this evening.
Thursday 16th March 2006
There were 30 Whoopers Swans on wet meadows
along the Cullenagh River just south of Cullenagh on the Ennistymon road.
Wednesday 15th March 2006
There was a Merlin near Knockhogan on the main
Quin to Ennis road.
Tuesday 14th March 2006
The drake Ring-necked Duck was at Ballyallia Lake today (John N Murphy).
There were five Little Egrets at Poulnasherry Bay.
Sunday 12th March 2006
A second-winter Iceland Gull was at Ross Bay, Loop Head.
There were 93 Whoopers Swans between Latoon South and Ballygirreen.
There was one Chiffchaff at Pine Grove, Ennis.
Five Greylag Geese were at Finn Lough, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Friday 10th March 2006
A drake Ring-necked Duck was on Ballyiallia lake today (S. Nugent)
The 15 White-fronted Geese were at Tullagher Bog today.
Wednesday 8th March 2006
A Common Sandpiper was seen in Clarecastle.
Sunday 5th March 2006
There were three female Ring-necked Ducks
at Knockalough, Kilmihil (John N Muphy et al).
There was one Crossbill at Boolynagleragh Bog.
There were 13 Snow Buntings at Loop Head.
Two Little Egrets and the white Curlew were
at Poulnasherry Bay.
Three female Ring-necked Ducks at Knockalough © John N Murphy
Saturday 4th March 2006
The drake Green-winged Teal was still at Querrin (Maeve & Christy Meehan).
A group of 24 Red-throated Divers were off Querrin Point.
There were three Black-throated Divers off Finvarra Point.
The Black Redstart was still in Kilrush.
The Barn Owl was seen again in Kilkee.
Friday 3rd March 2006
The Barn Owl was one again seen hunting in Kilkee.
Thursday 2nd March 2006
One Jack Snipe was flushed at Ballyallia Lake.
There was one Black-throated Diver at Liscannor Bay with
two more birds off the rocky beach in Clahane.
A Barn Owl was seen hunting late this night at Kilkee.
A male Hen Harrier was seen west of Connolly.
A first winter Iceland Gull was at Lough O’Donnell, Quilty.
Wednesday 1st March 2006
Two Black-throated Divers were between Cappa and Aylevarroo, Kilrush.
A female Blackcap was in the Hermitage, Ennis.
February 2006
Tuesday 28th February 2006
There was a drake Green-winged Teal at Querrin and another
drake was at Bell harbour.
Two Little Egrets were at Poulnasherry Bay.
Partial albino Pied Wagtail in Kilkee,
this bird has been around for a few years © Iza Zawadzka
Sunday 26th February 2006
A male and female Blackcap were still at Oak Park, Ennis.
Saturday 25th February 2006
There was a Black Redstart at Liscannor.
Six Black-throated Divers and 20 Long-tailed Ducks
were seen along the Flaggy Shore in North Clare.
A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was in lough Murree.
Friday 24th February 2006
One male and one female Blackcap were in Oak Park, Ennis.
Thursday 23rd February 2006
A male and a female Blackcap were seen feeding in a gadren
in Oak Park, Ennis.
Wednesday 22nd February 2006
There was a drake Green-winged Teal at Querrin today (Maeve Meehan).
Tuesday 21st February 2006
There was a Merlin 2km east of Kilrush today.
Monday 20th February 2006
One Jay was seen North of Finn Lough, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Saturday 18th February 2006
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at Ballyvaughan.
There were seven Black-throated Divers and four
Long-tailed Duck near the Flaggy Shore today.
Friday 17th February 2006
There were two Jays north of Ardnacrusha.
Tuesday 14th January 2006
There was a Red Grouse at Woodcock Hill, Cratloe this afternoon.
One Water Rail was at Ballycar Lough, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Monday 13th February 2006
There was a Jack Snipe near Ballycar North, Ardnacrusha.
One Woodcock was at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Sunday 12th February 2006
The male Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Inchiquin, Corofin today (Meehan Family),
along with two Hen Harriers and seven Bewick’s Swans.
There was a female Hen Harrier at Islandavanna, Clarecastle.
One first-winter Iceland Gull was at Quilty.
One Little Egret was in Doonbeg Bay.
There was one Jay at Cappateemore East, north of Parteen today.
Saturday 11th February 2006
There were four Crossbills near Kylemore, Sallybank, Broadford.
One male Crossbill was at Kilnacreagh along with four Raven.
Friday 10th February 2006
There was a female Black Redstart on the peir at Seafield, Quilty.
Four Crossbills were at Gallowshill with one pair building a nest.
Black Redstart © Stan Nugent
Thursday 9th February 2006
There was a female Merlin at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
One male Merlin was seen hunting over the road at Toonagh Cross, Ennis.
One Dipper was spotted at the Rine River in Quin.
Wednesday 8th February 2006
There was a Jay at Moneennagliggin South, near Meelick this morning.
Tuesday 7th February 2006
There was one Jay near Glenwood, east of Sixmilebridge.
Monday 6th February 2006
There was a Barn Owl at Ballycasey, Shannon tonight.
One male Blackcap was seen just outside Quin village.
Sunday 5th February 2006
A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Inchiquin (Maeve Meehan).
There were 15 Crossbills and 35 Siskins at Kilnacreagh this morning.
One 2nd-winter Iceland Gull was at Clahane, Liscannor.
Two Little Egrets were at Blackwier Bridge, Poulnasherry Bay.
Friday 3rd February 2006
There was a Carrion Crow and one Jay near Cratloe this morning.
Thursday 2nd February 2006
One female Crossbill was in a small wood near Castlecrine
east of Sixmilebridge.
One Dipper was on the River below the bridge at Sixmilebridge.
January 2006
Tuesday 31st January 2006
There was one male Blackcap and a Kingfisher near Parteen Today.
One Black-throated Diver was in Kilkee Bay.
Monday 30th January 2006
Two Common Sandpipers were at the Quay in Clarecastle.
There was one Little Egret at poulnasherry Bay.
One male Black Redstart was at Kilrush.
Black Redstart at Kilrush © Charles Glynn
Sunday 29th Janaury 2006
One female Hen Harrier flew over Applewood, Ballycar
Newmarket-on-Fergus this morning.
Another female Hen Harrier was seen near Doonbeg this afternoon.
A count of 67 Whooper Swans were at Ballygireen.
The drake Ringed-necked Duck was at Ballyiallia lake (Austin Cooney & Brian Finnegan).
There was one Common Sandpiper and one Green Sandpiper
at the Quay in Clarecastle.
Saturday 28th January 2006
There were 15 Black-throated Divers off Finvarra Point and the Flaggy Shore.
Between Traugh Beach and the Flaggy shore there were 90 Black Guillemots
and 32 Long-tailed Ducks.
One Velvet Scoter was mixed in with a flock of 30 Common Scoters
off Aughinish Island.
There were also 50 Great Northern Divers and 30 Brent Geese along the
North Clare coast today.
Brent Geese at NorthClare © John N Murphy
Friday 27th January 2006
There were 11 Crossbills at Kilnacreagh Wood this afternoon.
Ten Graylag Geese flew into Ballycar Lough this morning.
Thursday 26th January 2006
Onme drake Ring-necked Duck at Ballyallia Lake,
Ennis ( Finbarr Mac Gabhann & Kieran Grace).
Tuesday 24th January 2006
The male Blackcap was still at Oak Park.
Monday 23rd January 2006
There was a male Blackcap at Oak Park, Ennis.
Sunday 22nd January 2006
Only the male Ring-necked Duck was seen today
at Ballyallia Lake (Austin Cooney & John N Murphy).
One male Blackcap was North of Sixmilebridge.
There were two Common Sandpipers and one Jack Snipe
on the Owenogarney River near Bunratty.
Drake Ring-necked Duck at Ballyallia lake © John N Murphy
Saturday 21st January 2006
The Common Sandpiper was once again at Clarecastle
Friday 20th January 2006
One Common Sandpiper was on the pier in Clarecastle.
The two Ring-necked Ducks were still at Ballyallia Lake (John N Murphy).
Thursday 19th January 2006
The female Blackcap was still at Balymacahill on the Tulla Road, Ennis.
Wednesday 18th January 2006
There was a female Blackcap at Ballymacahill, Ennis.
Tuesday 17th January 2006
There were three Crossbills at Kilnacreagh, east of Sixmilebridge.
One Little Egret was at Tullyvarraga Marsh in Shannon,
while at nearby Saint’s Island and Tradaree Point there
was a large flock of 2,500 Golden Plover and 2,000 Lapwing.
Monday 16th January 2006
There were two Ring-necked Ducks at Ballyallia, one drake
and one hen (Stan Nugent).
One Jay was at Sixmilebridge.
One male Blackcap was still at Oak Park, Ennis.
A flock of 35 Greylag Geese were at Ballycar Lake, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Sunday 15th January 2006
One female Blackcap was at Shannon Town.
There was a male Blackcap at Oak Park, Ennis.
There was a male Hen Harrier at Tullagher Bog.
There were 17 Greylag Geese at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.
Saturday 14th January 2006
There was a first-winter Iceland Gull at Quilty.
Ten Snow Buntings were near the Martello Tower on Aughinish
Island in North Clare.
A flock of 204 Brent Geese were in fields adjacent to Lough
Murree near the Flaggy Shore in North Clare this afternoon.
There were 125 Barnacle Geese on Mutton Island while another
50 were seen on Illaunonauran near Kilkee.
One Little Egret was at Doonbeg.
The Greenland White-fronted Goose flock at Tullagher Bog is
down to just 15 birds. At the rate they are dropping off in
three years there will probably be no more birds at this site.
Iceland Gull at Quilty © John N Murphy
Friday 13th January 2006
Female Blackcap at Ballymacahill, Ennis.
Tuesday 10th January 2006
Female Blackcap at Ballymacahill, Ennis.
Saturday 7th January 2006
There was one male and one female Blackcap at Oak Park, Ennis.
There were ten Crossbills in pine woods just North of Flagmont, near Lough Graney.
A flock of 60 Reed Buntings were also seen going to roost in a recently felled wood
just North of Flagmont.
Friday 6th January 2006
There was one Jackdaw of the Scandinavian race at Ballycar this morning.
One Little Egret fed in drains near Meelick this afternoon.
There were three Jays at the Lees Wood Road.
Thursday 5th January 2006
There was one Jay at Kilrush Woods.
A flock of 50 Siskins were on the Kilrush road just outside Ennis.
The female Blackcap was still at Ballymacahill, on the Tulla Road.
Wednesday 4th January 2006
One Common Sandpiper on the quayside in Clarecastle.
Monday 2nd January 2006
There was a 2nd winter Iceland Gull at Clahane.
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Quilty.
Loop Head Bird Observatory 1987
Loop Head
Bird Observatory
1987
Bird Observatory
1987
By Phil Brennan
Over the past 10 years, the Bridges of Ross on the Loop Head Peninsula, has become established as one of Ireland’s best seawatching sites. In 1985 it showed its potential as on observation site for migrant land-birds, and 1986 proved that the records of the previous year were no mere ‘flash-in-the-pan’.
This success has not been without its difficulties, however. Coverage has often been sporadic and mainly confined to weekends, due to the lack of accommodation for most visitors. Distances were also a problem, with most of the regulars living over 60 miles away, at least. It was with great good fortune, therefore, that the Burrows and Sides families allowed the rental of Kilbaha Cottage for the 1987 autumn season. This made it possible to run Loop Head on bird observatory lines, for the first time.
The seabird colonies at the Head were counted twice during the summer and a Heligoland trap was also completed. From August 25th to November 14th, 49 days coverage was achieved. October received the most attention, with only four days missed. The end of August had five days coverage, September nine and early November ten.
Bird ringing took place on 29 days. Some seawatching visits may have gone un-noticed. About 22 people in all stayed in the house, but well over 49 visited. Without a resident warden, it was very important to get experienced watchers and ringers to man the site. The people who filled this role made the season a success, despite rather thin pickings for some of them. The group who travelled all the way from Languard Bird Observatory in Suffolk and those who came long distances within Ireland deserve particular credit.
Weather Patterns:
Over the past 10 years, the Bridges of Ross on the Loop Head Peninsula, has become established as one of Ireland’s best seawatching sites. In 1985 it showed its potential as on observation site for migrant land-birds, and 1986 proved that the records of the previous year were no mere ‘flash-in-the-pan’.
This success has not been without its difficulties, however. Coverage has often been sporadic and mainly confined to weekends, due to the lack of accommodation for most visitors. Distances were also a problem, with most of the regulars living over 60 miles away, at least. It was with great good fortune, therefore, that the Burrows and Sides families allowed the rental of Kilbaha Cottage for the 1987 autumn season. This made it possible to run Loop Head on bird observatory lines, for the first time.
The seabird colonies at the Head were counted twice during the summer and a Heligoland trap was also completed. From August 25th to November 14th, 49 days coverage was achieved. October received the most attention, with only four days missed. The end of August had five days coverage, September nine and early November ten.
Bird ringing took place on 29 days. Some seawatching visits may have gone un-noticed. About 22 people in all stayed in the house, but well over 49 visited. Without a resident warden, it was very important to get experienced watchers and ringers to man the site. The people who filled this role made the season a success, despite rather thin pickings for some of them. The group who travelled all the way from Languard Bird Observatory in Suffolk and those who came long distances within Ireland deserve particular credit.
Weather Patterns:
This autumn confirmed the importance of S/SE winds for Loop Head. However, it was W/SW winds that dominated for most of the time. S/SE winds occurred at the following times:
End August …………. 30th, 31st.
September …………. 1st, 2nd, 19th, 27th to 30th.
October …………. 1st to 4th; 28th to 31st
November …………. 1st to 7th
September …………. 1st, 2nd, 19th, 27th to 30th.
October …………. 1st to 4th; 28th to 31st
November …………. 1st to 7th
It is a rather interesting co-incidence that these winds predominated at about at about the same time each month. The site was not manned, unfortunately, on the first two days in September. Some birds of interest were present every time S/SE winds were recorded. The south-easterlies in late Sept/early Oct and in late Oct/early Nov were the results on each occasion of High pressure areas crossing the Atlantic eastwards and eventually producing a S or SE swirl of wind over Ireland, extending at least as far as Biscay. The exceptions to the rule were Lapland Bunting and the Wryneck that turned up in unlikely conditions. For seawatching, the season as a whole was very disappointing. Despite excellent sightings on Sept. the to 9th and Nov 8th, the frequently windy conditions at other times did not produce the usual good results. The mid-September winds that were so fruitful were part of an intense depression that was centered north of Scotland, bringing airs from deep in the north Atlantic. It may be that the winds at other times were of too local an origin to produce good seabird passage.
The Season’s Progress
The end of August was disappointing, with even the expected Willow Warblers very scarce, as the were to remain for the rest of the Autumn. Two Garden Warblers on Aug 31st were the only birds of note. September started well and 22 Leach’s Petrels and 4 Sabine’s Gulls on the 6th. Visiting seawatchers again did well on the 12th when a Lapland Bunting was found. It was the seawatch of that day that made the journey worthwhile, with 26 Sabine’s, 126 Bonxies, 94 Leach’s Petrels and 32 Artic’ Skuas. Good numbers of Sabine’s Gulls were again recorded on the following two days, and the 16th saw 2 Black Terns. The SE winds on the night of the 18th brought Pied Flycatcher and the site’s first recorded Turtle Dove. The following days produced nothing of interest, but a Wryneck on the 26th improved this picture.
Sept. 29th saw the first falls of Goldcrests, falls that were to continue up to Oct. 9th. Goldcrests were very scarce in ‘85/’86, but this period had daily numbers of 15 to 40. The SE winds at this time were somewhat neutralised by regular rain, but when this stopped, one of the best periods of the season began. From Oct 4th to 10th, Richard’s Pipit, Scarlet Rosefinch, Whinchat, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Roseate Tern, Balearic Shearwater, Sabine’s Gull, Leach’s Petrel, Iceland and Glaucous Gull, Pintail, Snow Bunting and Garden Warbler were recorded. A large amount of effort in seawatching at this time did not produce the results normal in such windy weather, and the strong trans-Atlantic winds failed to result in any arrival of the American birds that were seen elsewhere.
Until the next period of SE winds (from Oct. 28th), the observers present had a lean time, with regular Garden Warblers and Snow Buntings among the few highlights. There were the inevitable wry comments about the health of the local Dunnock population! The end of the month produced the first evidence of the oncoming winter, with the arrival of Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling and Blackcap and with especially good numbers of Song Thrushes from the 27th onwards. The same day produced a Spotted Flycatcher and a late Whitethroat was seen on the 28th. A Hobby and two Black Redstarts were seen on Nov. 1st, giving hope that all was not yet over. Siskin appeared and Blackcap Chaffinch, Brambling and Song Thrush were more common, with 140 of the latter seen on the 7th. that day will be best remembered however for the sightings of Red-rumped Swallow, Ring Ouzel, Siberian Chiffchaff and the continued presence of the Hobby.
The season ended with seawatches that included Little Gull, 12 Great Northern Diver in one count and Black-throated Diver. The late October Spotted Flycatcher was still present on Nov. 14th.
In all 137 species were recorded from May to November. A most welcome addition to this list was Corncrake, which had not been heard in the area for some years. It was also satisfying to see the healthy state of the local Chough, Peregrine and Raven populations. The formerly fairly common Tree Sparrows were almost totally absent, however.
Sept. 29th saw the first falls of Goldcrests, falls that were to continue up to Oct. 9th. Goldcrests were very scarce in ‘85/’86, but this period had daily numbers of 15 to 40. The SE winds at this time were somewhat neutralised by regular rain, but when this stopped, one of the best periods of the season began. From Oct 4th to 10th, Richard’s Pipit, Scarlet Rosefinch, Whinchat, Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Roseate Tern, Balearic Shearwater, Sabine’s Gull, Leach’s Petrel, Iceland and Glaucous Gull, Pintail, Snow Bunting and Garden Warbler were recorded. A large amount of effort in seawatching at this time did not produce the results normal in such windy weather, and the strong trans-Atlantic winds failed to result in any arrival of the American birds that were seen elsewhere.
Until the next period of SE winds (from Oct. 28th), the observers present had a lean time, with regular Garden Warblers and Snow Buntings among the few highlights. There were the inevitable wry comments about the health of the local Dunnock population! The end of the month produced the first evidence of the oncoming winter, with the arrival of Fieldfare, Redwing, Brambling and Blackcap and with especially good numbers of Song Thrushes from the 27th onwards. The same day produced a Spotted Flycatcher and a late Whitethroat was seen on the 28th. A Hobby and two Black Redstarts were seen on Nov. 1st, giving hope that all was not yet over. Siskin appeared and Blackcap Chaffinch, Brambling and Song Thrush were more common, with 140 of the latter seen on the 7th. that day will be best remembered however for the sightings of Red-rumped Swallow, Ring Ouzel, Siberian Chiffchaff and the continued presence of the Hobby.
The season ended with seawatches that included Little Gull, 12 Great Northern Diver in one count and Black-throated Diver. The late October Spotted Flycatcher was still present on Nov. 14th.
In all 137 species were recorded from May to November. A most welcome addition to this list was Corncrake, which had not been heard in the area for some years. It was also satisfying to see the healthy state of the local Chough, Peregrine and Raven populations. The formerly fairly common Tree Sparrows were almost totally absent, however.
Acknowledgements:
My thanks to all those who made the ’87 autumn season so successful.
Special thanks
– to the Burrows and Sides families for the generous use of Kilbaha Cottage
– to the caretaker Michael Bonfil and Mrs. Bonfil for being so tolerant of all our
– to the caretaker Michael Bonfil and Mrs. Bonfil for being so tolerant of all our
comings and goings;
– to Tony Mee and John Murphy for all their work, especially on the trap;
– to the Languard BO group
– to Ken Perry;
– to David Duggan,
– to Gerard Duane,
– to Tom Tarper,
– to Philip Buckley,
– to Gerry Butler,
– to Ewart Jones for all his encouragement;
– To all the people who visited and contributed their records;
– To all the land-owners who allowed access to their property
– to all the people of Kilbaha for their hospitality and
– to the Donnelly family for same;
– and special thanks to my wife, Noreen
Ringing totals, Loop Head, 1987
– to Tony Mee and John Murphy for all their work, especially on the trap;
– to the Languard BO group
– to Ken Perry;
– to David Duggan,
– to Gerard Duane,
– to Tom Tarper,
– to Philip Buckley,
– to Gerry Butler,
– to Ewart Jones for all his encouragement;
– To all the people who visited and contributed their records;
– To all the land-owners who allowed access to their property
– to all the people of Kilbaha for their hospitality and
– to the Donnelly family for same;
– and special thanks to my wife, Noreen
Ringing totals, Loop Head, 1987
|
|
Aug
|
Sept
|
Oct
|
Nov
|
Tot
|
| Storm Petrel | 1 | 1 | |||
| Sparrowhawk | 1 | 1 | |||
| Merlin | 1 | 1 | |||
| Redshank | 1 | 1 | |||
| Woodpigeon | 3 | 3 | |||
| Swallow | 16 | 15 | 1 | 32 | |
| Meadow Pipit | 4 | 23 | 4 | 31 | |
| Rock Pipit | 1 | 5 | 6 | ||
| Grey Wagtail | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Pied Wagtail | 3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 16 |
| Wren | 3 | 7 | 10 | ||
| Dunnock | 15 | 15 | |||
| Robin | 17 | 7 | 15 | 39 | |
| Whinchat | 2 | 2 | |||
| Stonechat | 1 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 16 |
| Blackbird | 10 | 11 | 12 | 2 | 35 |
| Song Tthrush | 10 | 5 | 15 | 7 | 37 |
| Redwing | 6 | 1 | 7 | ||
| Sedge Warbler | 3 | 3 | |||
| Whitethroat | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Garden warbler | 2 | 4 | 6 | ||
| Blackcap | 1 | 6 | 3 | 10 | |
| Chiffchaff | 6 | 3 | 9 | ||
| Willow Warbler | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 | |
| Goldcrest | 2 | 6 | 44 | 52 | |
| Spotted Flycatcher | 1 | 1 | |||
| Pied Flycatcher | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Coal Tit | 1 | 2 | 3 | ||
| Blue Tit | 6 | 8 | 10 | 24 | |
| Great Tit | 3 | 1 | 17 | 21 | |
| Magpie | 2 | 2 | |||
| Starling | 1 | 1 | |||
| House Sparrow | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Chaffinch | 9 | 5 | 14 | ||
| Greenfinch | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||
| linnet | 3 | 11 | 14 | ||
| Reed Bunting | 6 | 8 | 19 | 1 | 34 |
Total
|
92 |
81 |
263 |
32 |
468 |
From Aug 25th to Nov. 8th, 468 birds of 37 species were ringed. Ringing took place on 32 days, but due to adverse weather, 10 or more birds were trapped on 18 days in all. Ten ringers and trainees visited the site in ’87.
A Helgoland trap was built over the old bog road near the sallows in May/June. It is 18’ at the mouth and about 60’ long. It caught fairly well in Aug/Sept, but disappointed in October. However, it trapped a good variety of species, including Sparrowhawk . It seemed to have a preference for Dunnocks, unfortunately, 8 to 10 nets, mainly ‘sixties’, were normally operated and the trapping area extended from Kilbaha Cottage to the trap gully. Though several were seen, no major rarities were trapped. However, birds such as Pied Flycatcher, Siberian Chiffchaff, Merlin and Whinchat added to the quality. Goldcrest was the bird of the autumn, with 52 ringed in a succession of ‘falls’. Numbers of Song Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Stonechat were good. Willow Warbler numbers were disappointing.
No effort was made to catch Storm Petrels due to lack of amplification equipment. One tape-lure effect with Meadow Pipit showed good potential for this species in future years.
A Helgoland trap was built over the old bog road near the sallows in May/June. It is 18’ at the mouth and about 60’ long. It caught fairly well in Aug/Sept, but disappointed in October. However, it trapped a good variety of species, including Sparrowhawk . It seemed to have a preference for Dunnocks, unfortunately, 8 to 10 nets, mainly ‘sixties’, were normally operated and the trapping area extended from Kilbaha Cottage to the trap gully. Though several were seen, no major rarities were trapped. However, birds such as Pied Flycatcher, Siberian Chiffchaff, Merlin and Whinchat added to the quality. Goldcrest was the bird of the autumn, with 52 ringed in a succession of ‘falls’. Numbers of Song Thrush, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Stonechat were good. Willow Warbler numbers were disappointing.
No effort was made to catch Storm Petrels due to lack of amplification equipment. One tape-lure effect with Meadow Pipit showed good potential for this species in future years.
Many Thanks to the ringers for all their efforts
Great Northern Diver: 2 singles, in Oct; 12 on Nov. 8th (in 1½ hrs.), 2 on 11th & 3 on 14th.
Black-Throated Diver: One bird, on November 14th.
Diver SPP: One unidentified diver was seen on Oct. 15th.
Little Grebe: One, at Cloghaun Lough, Oct 31st.
Fulmar: Generally scarce. The October numbers on seawatches varied from 3 to 151, but 1257 were counted on Nov 8th in 1½ hours. Counts of 300 and 600 were had in late Sept. and 2335 on Nov 11th was the highest count.
Manx Shearwater: 2280 in an hour on Aug. 25th was the best count, with 346 on Aug 26th and 300+ on Sept 6th. Recorded regularly in small numbers in Oct. – seawatches with a best count of 33. 15 were seen on Nov. 8th
Balearic Shearwater: One was seen off the Bridges of Ross on October 6th.
Sooty Shearwater: 180 per hour were counted on Sept 12th and 100 o the 6th. The Mid-October counts produced a best of 33 (twice). 50 were counted in 1½ hours on Nov 8th and 4 on Nov. 11th
Storm Petrel: Very few recorded. A single bird was seen on Aug. 27th, 3 on Sept. 6th, one on Oct 3rd, 2 on Oct. 8th, one on Nov. 11th. The Oct. 3rd bird was found on a trawler after fog.
Leach’s Petrel : Seen on seven days, with a very good count of 94 on Sept. 12th. 22 were seen on Sept 6th, with 3 to 5 seen on the other four occasions. There were four September and two October records, with one in November.
Gannet: The strongest passage was on Oct. 7th, when 5850 passed in 6 hours. 1122 passed in three hours on the previous day. 200 or more were counted on 12 days in October. 364 were seen in 1½ hours on Nov. 8th.
Shag: Regular in small numbers. Highest count of 14.
Cormorant: Seen on most days. Highest count of 14.
Grey Heron: Seen on most days. 5 was the highest recorded.
Mute Swan: Two records, each involving two birds, at Cloghaun Lough, on Oct. 5th and 10th.
Whooper Swan: One in Kilbaha bay on Oct. 11th.
Brent Goose: Two sightings. 5 on Oct. 5th and 10 on the 7th.
Barnacle Goose: Five sightings in all. 3, 15 and 35 were seen on Oct. 7th, 8th and 9th respectively, with one on Oct. 15th and 10 on Nov. 14th.
Grey Goose SPP: 16 unidentified grey geese were seen on Oct. 6th.
Wigeon: One record, on October 6th.
Teal: Seen on 15 days. Maximum of 15. Cloghaun Lough the main haunt.
Mallard: Seen on 22 days. 10 birds or less usually observed; peak 35.
Pintail: 5 were seen on Oct. 8th, the only record.
Tufted Duck: A single male was present on Oct. 27th.
Common Scoter: There were four sightings, with a maximum of four.
Red-Breasted Merganser: Two (females or immatures) were in Kilbaha Bay on Oct. 7th
Hen Harrier: Seen on seven days … Aug – 1, Oct – 2 and Nov – 4. All were females or immature birds and were seen singly, with the exception of a sighting of two on Nov. 7th.
Sparrowhawk: Seen on 22 days. Two wee seen on three days, the rest singly.
Hobby: First located near the lighthouse on Nov. 1st, this bird remained in the same area until last seen on Nov. 7th.
Kestrel: Present in summer. Seen on 29 days, usually singly, but two birds were seen on seven days.
Merlin: Recorded on 14 days, mainly single records, with 2 seen once.
Peregrine: A male was present at the seabird colony on June 16th. In the autumn, birds were seen on 14 days, mainly singly. Three were seen on Oct. 5th and two on Oct. 9th. One was seen to make a kill at sea during a seawatch on Oct. 3rd.
Pheasant: Heard on three days.
Corncrake: One was reported calling in June by local people between Kilbaha and Fodry. This was the first heard in the area for several years. Another bird was heard near Cross.
Moorhen: Recorded on 15 days; peak of 6; all at Cloghaun Lough.
Coot: A single record of one at Cloghaun Lough on Oct. 14th.
Oystercatcher: Recorded daily. Peak counts were …. 92 on Aug. 27th…..130 on Oct. 8th, 170 on Oct. 10th….. 235 on Nov. 14th. The counts usually involved 20 to 50 birds.
Ringed Plover: Two pairs nested. In the autumn, birds were present on 23 days, with a maximum of 14 on Oct 4th.
Golden Plover: no September sightings; recorded on 15 days thereafter, with counts generally of 30 to 70, but with 170 on Oct. 9th.
Grey Plover: One record., of a single bird, on Oct. 4th.
Lapwing: Recorded on 22 days. Highest numbers were in early November when counts of 175 to 650 were had, peaking at 1100 on Nov. 14th. 60 was the highest October count and there were no August records.
Knot: Present on three days in early October, with 8 being the peak count.
Sanderling: one bird was in Kilbaha harbour from Oct. 2nd to 6th.
Purple Sandpiper: Seen on 6 days, 10 being the maximum count.
Dunlin: remarkably scarce. Heard twice at the end of August and three were seen on Oct. 8th.
Snipe: Scarce in September (3 records) but seen almost daily thereafter, usually involving less than 15 birds. The maximum was 45 on Oct. 8th.
Woodcock: One record, of a single bird, in a field near the lighthouse, on Nov. 4th.
Bar-tailed Godwit: One record. A single bird, on Sept. 19th /20th.
Whimbrel: Nine were seen on May 16th. Recorded on 6 days in autumn, with a maximum of 4 on Sept. 12th.
Curlew: Seen on most days, with highest numbers in October. Over 100 were counted on 11 occasions. 200 were seen on Oct. 4th and 9th.
Redshank: recorded most days; peak of 12.
Greenshank: One record; a single bird, on Sept. 6th.
Turnstone: Seen daily; probably under-recorded. Maxima of 90 and 120 in October. Usually 20 + present
Great Skua: Seen on most seawatches (19 day-records), as follows…
End Aug … 2 days (2 and 7 seen)
Sept. … 3 days (12 on two days and 126 in 7 hrs on the 12th)
Oct. … 13 days (max. of 29, mainly in the first half of the month)
Nov. … 2 days (in the first half, with 8 on the 8th and 13 on the 11th)
Artic Skua: Recorded on 12 days as follows:
End Aug … 2 days (counts of 2 and 7)
Sept. … 3 days (32 on 12th was the best count)
Oct. … 7 days 1 to 12 per day (none after the 10th )
Pomarine Skua: Recorded daily. Peak counts were ….. 92 on Aug. 27th…..130 on Oct. 8th, 170 on Oct. 10th….. 235 on Nov. 14th. The counts usually involved 20 to 50 birds.
Black-Headed Gull: Seen daily; usually less than 40. Highest numbers in early October, with peaks of 200 and 150 on 5th and 6th October.
Little Gull: One bird was seen off the Bridges of Ross on Nov. 11th.
Common Gull: Regular, in small numbers; highest count of 15.
Black-Throated Diver: One bird, on November 14th.
Diver SPP: One unidentified diver was seen on Oct. 15th.
Little Grebe: One, at Cloghaun Lough, Oct 31st.
Fulmar: Generally scarce. The October numbers on seawatches varied from 3 to 151, but 1257 were counted on Nov 8th in 1½ hours. Counts of 300 and 600 were had in late Sept. and 2335 on Nov 11th was the highest count.
Manx Shearwater: 2280 in an hour on Aug. 25th was the best count, with 346 on Aug 26th and 300+ on Sept 6th. Recorded regularly in small numbers in Oct. – seawatches with a best count of 33. 15 were seen on Nov. 8th
Balearic Shearwater: One was seen off the Bridges of Ross on October 6th.
Sooty Shearwater: 180 per hour were counted on Sept 12th and 100 o the 6th. The Mid-October counts produced a best of 33 (twice). 50 were counted in 1½ hours on Nov 8th and 4 on Nov. 11th
Storm Petrel: Very few recorded. A single bird was seen on Aug. 27th, 3 on Sept. 6th, one on Oct 3rd, 2 on Oct. 8th, one on Nov. 11th. The Oct. 3rd bird was found on a trawler after fog.
Leach’s Petrel : Seen on seven days, with a very good count of 94 on Sept. 12th. 22 were seen on Sept 6th, with 3 to 5 seen on the other four occasions. There were four September and two October records, with one in November.
Gannet: The strongest passage was on Oct. 7th, when 5850 passed in 6 hours. 1122 passed in three hours on the previous day. 200 or more were counted on 12 days in October. 364 were seen in 1½ hours on Nov. 8th.
Shag: Regular in small numbers. Highest count of 14.
Cormorant: Seen on most days. Highest count of 14.
Grey Heron: Seen on most days. 5 was the highest recorded.
Mute Swan: Two records, each involving two birds, at Cloghaun Lough, on Oct. 5th and 10th.
Whooper Swan: One in Kilbaha bay on Oct. 11th.
Brent Goose: Two sightings. 5 on Oct. 5th and 10 on the 7th.
Barnacle Goose: Five sightings in all. 3, 15 and 35 were seen on Oct. 7th, 8th and 9th respectively, with one on Oct. 15th and 10 on Nov. 14th.
Grey Goose SPP: 16 unidentified grey geese were seen on Oct. 6th.
Wigeon: One record, on October 6th.
Teal: Seen on 15 days. Maximum of 15. Cloghaun Lough the main haunt.
Mallard: Seen on 22 days. 10 birds or less usually observed; peak 35.
Pintail: 5 were seen on Oct. 8th, the only record.
Tufted Duck: A single male was present on Oct. 27th.
Common Scoter: There were four sightings, with a maximum of four.
Red-Breasted Merganser: Two (females or immatures) were in Kilbaha Bay on Oct. 7th
Hen Harrier: Seen on seven days … Aug – 1, Oct – 2 and Nov – 4. All were females or immature birds and were seen singly, with the exception of a sighting of two on Nov. 7th.
Sparrowhawk: Seen on 22 days. Two wee seen on three days, the rest singly.
Hobby: First located near the lighthouse on Nov. 1st, this bird remained in the same area until last seen on Nov. 7th.
Kestrel: Present in summer. Seen on 29 days, usually singly, but two birds were seen on seven days.
Merlin: Recorded on 14 days, mainly single records, with 2 seen once.
Peregrine: A male was present at the seabird colony on June 16th. In the autumn, birds were seen on 14 days, mainly singly. Three were seen on Oct. 5th and two on Oct. 9th. One was seen to make a kill at sea during a seawatch on Oct. 3rd.
Pheasant: Heard on three days.
Corncrake: One was reported calling in June by local people between Kilbaha and Fodry. This was the first heard in the area for several years. Another bird was heard near Cross.
Moorhen: Recorded on 15 days; peak of 6; all at Cloghaun Lough.
Coot: A single record of one at Cloghaun Lough on Oct. 14th.
Oystercatcher: Recorded daily. Peak counts were …. 92 on Aug. 27th…..130 on Oct. 8th, 170 on Oct. 10th….. 235 on Nov. 14th. The counts usually involved 20 to 50 birds.
Ringed Plover: Two pairs nested. In the autumn, birds were present on 23 days, with a maximum of 14 on Oct 4th.
Golden Plover: no September sightings; recorded on 15 days thereafter, with counts generally of 30 to 70, but with 170 on Oct. 9th.
Grey Plover: One record., of a single bird, on Oct. 4th.
Lapwing: Recorded on 22 days. Highest numbers were in early November when counts of 175 to 650 were had, peaking at 1100 on Nov. 14th. 60 was the highest October count and there were no August records.
Knot: Present on three days in early October, with 8 being the peak count.
Sanderling: one bird was in Kilbaha harbour from Oct. 2nd to 6th.
Purple Sandpiper: Seen on 6 days, 10 being the maximum count.
Dunlin: remarkably scarce. Heard twice at the end of August and three were seen on Oct. 8th.
Snipe: Scarce in September (3 records) but seen almost daily thereafter, usually involving less than 15 birds. The maximum was 45 on Oct. 8th.
Woodcock: One record, of a single bird, in a field near the lighthouse, on Nov. 4th.
Bar-tailed Godwit: One record. A single bird, on Sept. 19th /20th.
Whimbrel: Nine were seen on May 16th. Recorded on 6 days in autumn, with a maximum of 4 on Sept. 12th.
Curlew: Seen on most days, with highest numbers in October. Over 100 were counted on 11 occasions. 200 were seen on Oct. 4th and 9th.
Redshank: recorded most days; peak of 12.
Greenshank: One record; a single bird, on Sept. 6th.
Turnstone: Seen daily; probably under-recorded. Maxima of 90 and 120 in October. Usually 20 + present
Great Skua: Seen on most seawatches (19 day-records), as follows…
End Aug … 2 days (2 and 7 seen)
Sept. … 3 days (12 on two days and 126 in 7 hrs on the 12th)
Oct. … 13 days (max. of 29, mainly in the first half of the month)
Nov. … 2 days (in the first half, with 8 on the 8th and 13 on the 11th)
Artic Skua: Recorded on 12 days as follows:
End Aug … 2 days (counts of 2 and 7)
Sept. … 3 days (32 on 12th was the best count)
Oct. … 7 days 1 to 12 per day (none after the 10th )
Pomarine Skua: Recorded daily. Peak counts were ….. 92 on Aug. 27th…..130 on Oct. 8th, 170 on Oct. 10th….. 235 on Nov. 14th. The counts usually involved 20 to 50 birds.
Black-Headed Gull: Seen daily; usually less than 40. Highest numbers in early October, with peaks of 200 and 150 on 5th and 6th October.
Little Gull: One bird was seen off the Bridges of Ross on Nov. 11th.
Common Gull: Regular, in small numbers; highest count of 15.
Birds Ringed loop Head
|
1983 |
1984 |
1985 |
1986 |
1987 |
1988 |
ToT. |
| Storm Petrel | 7 | 180 | 156 | 34 | 1 | 59 | 447 |
| Cormorant | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Sparrowhawk | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| Merlin | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Curlew Sandpiper | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Dunlin | 6 | 6 | |||||
| Curlew | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Redshank | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Woodpigeon | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | |||
| Swallow | 2 | 15 | 32 | 11 | 60 | ||
| Tree Pipit | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Meadow Pipit | 5 | 6 | 31 | 41 | 83 | ||
| Rock Pipit | 1 | 6 | 4 | 11 | |||
| Grey Wagtail | 3 | 3 | 5 | 11 | |||
| Pied Wagtail | 8 | 16 | 10 | 34 | |||
| Wren | 1 | 11 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 36 | |
| Dunnock | 15 | 17 | 15 | 5 | 52 | ||
| Robin | 1 | 34 | 25 | 39 | 43 | 142 | |
| Redstart | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Whinchat | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Stonechat | 5 | 8 | 16 | 25 | 54 | ||
| Wheatear | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Fieldfare | 1 | 3 | 4 | ||||
| Blackbird | 28 | 16 | 35 | 46 | 125 | ||
| SongThrush | 10 | 5 | 37 | 36 | 88 | ||
| Redwing | 2 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 17 | ||
| Mistle Thrush | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Grasshopper Warbler | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Sedge Warbler | 3 | 3 | |||||
| Whitethroat | 4 | 4 | |||||
| Barred Warbler | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Garden Warbler | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 15 | ||
| Blackcap | 2 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 24 | ||
| Wood Warbler | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Chiffchaff | 6 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 34 | ||
| Tristis Chifchaff | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Willow Warbler | 1 | 20 | 7 | 8 | 36 | ||
| Yellow-Browed Warbler | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |||
| Spotted Flycatcher | 2 | 1 | 3 | ||||
| Red Breasted Flycatcher | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Pied Flycatcher | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | |||
| Goldcrest | 6 | 1 | 52 | 64 | 123 | ||
| CoalTit | 54 | 3 | 5 | 62 | |||
| Blue Tit | 40 | 8 | 24 | 58 | 130 | ||
| Great Tit | 33 | 10 | 21 | 19 | 83 | ||
| Treecreeper | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Magpie | 4 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 11 | ||
| Jackdaw | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Starling | 22 | 1 | 22 | 45 | |||
| House Sparrow | 2 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 20 | ||
| Tree Sparrow | 2 | 5 | 7 | ||||
| Chaffinch | 13 | 13 | 14 | 127 | 167 | ||
| Brambling | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Bullfinch | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Greenfinch | 3 | 1 | 4 | ||||
| Goldfinch | 4 | 4 | |||||
| Siskin | 3 | 5 | 8 | ||||
| Redpoll Lesser | 3 | 3 | |||||
| Redpoll Mealy | 4 | 4 | |||||
| Linnet | 4 | 13 | 14 | 42 | 72 | ||
| Reed Bunting | 22 | 27 | 34 | 64 | 147 | ||
| Rustic Bunting | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Little Bunting | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Yellow-rumped Warbler | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Yearly Totals |
7 |
184 |
476 |
284 |
468 |
797 |
2212 |
Sabine’s Gull: Recorded on seven days in all, as follows….
Sept. 6th 4
11th 26
12th 13
14th 11
17th 1
Oct. 7th 1
9th 1
The Sept. 11th count is the highest ever at the Bridges of Ross and is very high in a national context.
Lesser Backed Gull: Scarce; only recorded on eight days. The maximum was 5, Sept. 20th.
– one record. A 1st year bird, on Oct. 8th, at the Bridges of Ross.
Glaucous Gull: Three sightings involving single birds … an adult on Oct 8th. Less than 30 daily otherwise.
Black-Headed Gull: Seen daily; usually less than 40. Highest numbers in early October, with peaks of 200 and 150 on 5th and 6th October.
Great Black-backed Gull: Recorded almost daily with a maximum of 100 on Oct. 8th. Less than 30 daily otherwise.
Kittiwake: Recorded daily. 4200 in 5 hours on Oct. 7th was the best movement and 1074 in 1.5 hrs. on Nov 8th was also good. Other high counts were: 1550 on Oct. 6th (4 hrs.)
2100 on Oct. 8th (5 hrs)
2250 on Oct. 9th (8.5 hrs.)
900 to 1000 on Oct. 10th (10 per hr.)
3215 on Nov. 11th.
Sandwich Tern: Seen on 5 days in late August and early September, maximum of 13.
Common Tern: Not specifically recorded. See ‘Commic’ Tern.
Arctic tern: Recorded on four occasions in early October. 27 were counted on Oct. 7th and 1 to 4 on the other days. See ‘Commic’ Tern
‘Commic’ Tern: Unspecified Common or Artic Terns were recorded on five days, with 33 on Sept. 12th, the highest.
Roseate Tern: Two were seen off the Bridges of Ross on October 8th.
Black Tern: Two, both adults, were seen off the Bridges of Ross on Sept. 6th.
Guillemot: The colonies from Loop Head to Bird Island were censused in the summer. 4101 individuals were counted on May 16th and 2480 on June 29th. Recorded on most seawatches. See ‘Auk species’.
Black Guillemot: Few records. One was at the colony on May 16th. Single birds were seen on Aug. 25/2th and on Sept. 6th.
Razorbill: A minimum of 33 nest sites was located at the colony in May – Regular on seawatches. See ‘Auk Species’.
Puffin: Only recorded specifically on four days. See ‘Auk Species’.
Auk Species: The following were the highest counts of non-specified Auks:
Oct. 6th and 9th ….. 1050
Oct. 7th …. 1200
Nov. 8th …. 1410
Nov. 11th …. 973
Rock Dove: present in summer. Seen on 13 days in the autumn, usually in small flocks. There was an increase in both numbers and sightings in early November. 17 was the highest count.
Woodpigeon: Irregular, in small numbers. Seen in 11 days – max. of 6.
Collared Dove: A single bird, on September 29th – near the orchard.
Turtle Dove: A juvenile flushed from the bushes a Kilbaha Cottage on the evening of September 19th.
Cuckoo: Several present in summer. No definite autumn record – though an unidentified bird seen on Oct. 3rd was probably of this species.
Red-rumped Swallow: This bird appeared near Lillis’ house mid-morning on November 7th and presented very good views for the following 1½ hours. It is probably the 4th Irish record of the species. Another was seen at Hook Head in Wexford on the following day.
Swallow: 20 were seen on May 16th. Recorded daily up to Oct. 13th and twice thereafter, on Nov 5th and 6th (single birds). Up to 100 were regularly present in late August. 40 to 50 were regular in the first half of September. No more than 10 were seen on any day in early October.
Sand Martin: One record, at Kilbaha, on Aug. 30th.
House Martin: One record, on Oct 5th.
Skylark:: Recorded on most days. There were no records of over 10 until Oct. 27th, when 17 were seen. In the first week of November 32 were seen in a day and some small flocks appeared to be arriving from an easterly direction.
Meadow Pipit: Present every day, sometimes in good numbers. No more than 60 were seen in Aug/Sept. the highest count was 500 on Oct. 4th, most of these birds frequenting the lighthouse area. Other good counts were had in October – 300 on the 5th, 150 on the 6th and 204 on the 15th. Counts otherwise varied from 20 to 100, but the species was often under-recorded.
Richard’s Pipit: Found by lucky observers at the hay-stacks near the lighthouse on October 6th, it remained in the same vicinity until the following day. This is the first county record of the species.
Rock Pipit: Resident. Recorded daily in good numbers on the shore and also found regularly in farmyards. Frequently under-recorded, as all shingle areas were not always visited. Up to 100 were often counted in early October.
Grey Wagtail: Recorded almost daily, usually with 1 to 6 present.
Pied Wagtail: Recorded daily – 10 to 30 was usually the daily total.
White Wagtail: Present on 5 days in September. 6 were seen on the 6th, and single birds on the 19th, 20th and 30th.
Wren: Common resident.
Dunnock: Common resident.
Redstart: There were two records both of female birds. The first was at the lighthouse on Oct. 5th and the other at the sycamore grove on Oct. 10th.
Black Redstart: Two were at the lighthouse on Nov. 1st, and single birds were seen there on Nov. 2nd and 4th.
Whinchat: October 4th produced an arrival of five birds, the first two being located at the lighthouse and the other three in the trap gully (old bog road). Two of the latter were trapped.
Stonechat: Common. 20 to 50 were counted on most days, with 100 seen on Oct. 4th.
Wheater: Scarce, being recorded on only five days in the autumn. Apart from a ‘fall’ of 11 on Oct. 4th, the other records were of single birds. The last record was on Oct. 10th.
Ring Ouzel: One was seen in the fields above the trap gully on Nov. 7th.
Blackbird: Rather scarce until October. 20 were counted on Oct. 6th. They only became more numerous in late Oct./early Nov. with the arrival of other migrant thrushes. 55 were logged on Nov. 7th.
Fieldfare: The first record, of two birds was on Oct. 20th. 75 were seen on Oct. 24th, and over 60 on Oct. 31st. Up to 200 were present in early Nov., when they were recorded daily.
Song Thrush: Present in small numbers, with no more than 8 in any day up to Oct. 27th, when 30 were logged. Thereafter, 10 to 55 were counted daily, with 140 o Nov. 7th.
Redwing: The first was seen on Oct. 4th. Present on a further 11 days in October and daily November. The peak count was 180 on Oct 31st and numbers were otherwise on 1 to 50.
Mistle Thrush: First recorded on Oct. 5th, a single bird. Two were seen on both Oct. 19th and 24th. 10 were present on Oct.31st, with the arrival of other thrushes. 1 to 5 were seen on six of the first eight days in November.
Wryneck: First seen on Sept. 25th. What was possibly the same bird was seen also seen on Oct.1st and 2nd. This is the only record since one was found dead at the Loop Head lighthouse on Oct. 25th 1931.
Grasshopper Warbler: A male was singing in the valley at Fodry on May 30th and continued into June. No autumn records.
Sedge Warbler: Three singing males were found in the reed ditches at Kilbaha Pool on May 16th. Three were trapped in he reeds at Kilbaha Cottage on Aug. 30th/31st. .
Whitethroat: Probably bred in the trap gully. Recorded on three days in late August. Three were seen on Sept. 6th. A late bird was at the sallows on Oct. 28th.
Garden Warbler: Recorded on nine days in all, involving at least 10 individuals. The first two were trapped at the fuscia bushes, on Aug 31st. The others were seen singly in October, the last on Oct. 24th. Six were ringed.
Blackcap: The first appeared on Sept 30th. Birds were present on six days in October and on seven in the first half of November. Four, on Nov. 5th, was the highest daily number. 10 were trapped.
Chiffchaff: No August or September records. Recorded on 13 days in October, usually singly or in twos, but 4 and 7 were seen on Oct 30th and 31st respectively. Seen daily in the first week of November, with numbers varying from 2 to 8.
A grey bird was in the Sallows from the fourth of November, and was trapped on the 7th. It was still present on the 14th. In the hand, it was identified as being a Siberian Chiffchaff, most likely of the ‘Tristis’ race.
Willow Warbler: Scarce. Present on 17 days, with no more than two on any day. Very sparse in August and September – only two seen in each month. The last was seen on Nov. 3rd. (2 present on May 16th)
Goldcrest: No records until Sept. 19th. Seen almost daily after that. 15 on Sept. 29th was the first sizeable arrival. 10 to 40 were seen daily up to Oct. 9th,when there were very obvious ‘falls’, and up to 11 were seen daily into early November. 53 were trapped.
Spotted Flycatcher: Two records, on Oct. 4th and 27th, this latter bird being still present until the very late date of Nov 14th.
Pied Flycatcher: Two records. Both were trapped, the first at Lillis’ house on Sept 20th and the other at the sallows on Oct.5th.
Coal Tit: Present on four days, starting with a single bird on Sept 30th. Four were recorded Oct. 1st and singles on Oct. 2nd and 5th.
Blue Tit: Present daily in small numbers, 14 being the peak count.
Great Tit: Recorded daily; 14 the maximum daily count.
Magpie: Recorded daily. 10 or more seen on most days, with a high of 35. Scarcity of nesting sites force the choice of some unusual sites, such as telegraph poles, very low sallows as well as wedging the nest between the guttering and the wall of the church.
Chough: Recorded almost daily with between 2 and 9 usually seen. The best count was of 19 on Oct. 15th. Four were at the seabird colony cliffs on May 16th.
Jackdaw: Seen daily, with numbers varying considerably. 140 in October and 170 in November were the highest day-counts. A flock of 110 was seen flying high over the light on Nov. 3rd and later returned eastwards. In the past, Jackdaws have been seen flying out to sea.
Rook: Seen on most days, in small numbers. Apart from 66 on Oct. 15th, no daily count exceeded 26.
Hooded Crow: Found nesting in low bushes in summer. Seen every day, with 15 the maximum count.
Raven: Recorded almost daily. The highest daily count was 9.
Starling: Recorded daily. 30 to 120 logged daily up to the end of October, with a peak of 300 on Oct. 9th. Numbers in early November were consistently high, with 100+ present on most days, and a peak of 370 on the 2nd. This influx coincided with thrush arrivals.
House Sparrow: Recorded each day, with a maximum of 40.
Tree Sparrow: Similar status to 1986, with the local population remarkably scarce in comparison with 1984/85. Only two records, of three on Oct. 15th and one of Nov. 2nd. No evidence of breeding..
Chaffinch: The only September record was of two birds on the 29th. Recorded, on 14 days in October and daily in early November. 14 was the highest day’s total until Oct 24th, when 50 were seen (Brambling appeared the same day). 23 to 50 was the normal daily tally in early November, with 70 seen on the 14th. Many of those trapped were large birds of European origin.
Brambling: Five records in all … singles on Oct. 24th and 27th. In November, there were 6 on the 2nd, one on the 7th and 2 on the 14th.
Greenfinch: Very scarce. Recorded on only six days (4 in Oct, 2 in Nov.), with a maximum of three birds.
Goldfinch: Present on three days (once in Sept. twice in Oct.) with a maximum of 3.
Siskin: Three records, involving single birds, in early November..
Linnet: Recorded daily. Only 4 four counts of 100 or more, with 10 to 60 more common. Highest numbers were all in October, the peak being on the 5th when 250 were counted. There was a noticeable drop after Oct. 13th with no more than 30 found daily thereafter. Bred locally.
Redpoll: Three records, involving single birds, in early November.
Scarelet Rosefinch: A female or immature of this species was located near the sallow on October 6th. This is the first county record for the species.
Reed Bunting: Seen daily, with a maximum of 50.
Snow Bunting: Much more common than in 1985/’86. There were 15 records in all. The first bird was seen on Sept. 28th. In Oct, they were recorded om 11 days, mainly as singletons, but wit 6 on the 6th, 3 were present on both the 2nd and 3rd, with 2 on the 5th.
Lapland Bunting: One bird was located near the Bridges of Ross on September 12th.
Sept. 6th 4
11th 26
12th 13
14th 11
17th 1
Oct. 7th 1
9th 1
The Sept. 11th count is the highest ever at the Bridges of Ross and is very high in a national context.
Lesser Backed Gull: Scarce; only recorded on eight days. The maximum was 5, Sept. 20th.
– one record. A 1st year bird, on Oct. 8th, at the Bridges of Ross.
Glaucous Gull: Three sightings involving single birds … an adult on Oct 8th. Less than 30 daily otherwise.
Black-Headed Gull: Seen daily; usually less than 40. Highest numbers in early October, with peaks of 200 and 150 on 5th and 6th October.
Great Black-backed Gull: Recorded almost daily with a maximum of 100 on Oct. 8th. Less than 30 daily otherwise.
Kittiwake: Recorded daily. 4200 in 5 hours on Oct. 7th was the best movement and 1074 in 1.5 hrs. on Nov 8th was also good. Other high counts were: 1550 on Oct. 6th (4 hrs.)
2100 on Oct. 8th (5 hrs)
2250 on Oct. 9th (8.5 hrs.)
900 to 1000 on Oct. 10th (10 per hr.)
3215 on Nov. 11th.
Sandwich Tern: Seen on 5 days in late August and early September, maximum of 13.
Common Tern: Not specifically recorded. See ‘Commic’ Tern.
Arctic tern: Recorded on four occasions in early October. 27 were counted on Oct. 7th and 1 to 4 on the other days. See ‘Commic’ Tern
‘Commic’ Tern: Unspecified Common or Artic Terns were recorded on five days, with 33 on Sept. 12th, the highest.
Roseate Tern: Two were seen off the Bridges of Ross on October 8th.
Black Tern: Two, both adults, were seen off the Bridges of Ross on Sept. 6th.
Guillemot: The colonies from Loop Head to Bird Island were censused in the summer. 4101 individuals were counted on May 16th and 2480 on June 29th. Recorded on most seawatches. See ‘Auk species’.
Black Guillemot: Few records. One was at the colony on May 16th. Single birds were seen on Aug. 25/2th and on Sept. 6th.
Razorbill: A minimum of 33 nest sites was located at the colony in May – Regular on seawatches. See ‘Auk Species’.
Puffin: Only recorded specifically on four days. See ‘Auk Species’.
Auk Species: The following were the highest counts of non-specified Auks:
Oct. 6th and 9th ….. 1050
Oct. 7th …. 1200
Nov. 8th …. 1410
Nov. 11th …. 973
Rock Dove: present in summer. Seen on 13 days in the autumn, usually in small flocks. There was an increase in both numbers and sightings in early November. 17 was the highest count.
Woodpigeon: Irregular, in small numbers. Seen in 11 days – max. of 6.
Collared Dove: A single bird, on September 29th – near the orchard.
Turtle Dove: A juvenile flushed from the bushes a Kilbaha Cottage on the evening of September 19th.
Cuckoo: Several present in summer. No definite autumn record – though an unidentified bird seen on Oct. 3rd was probably of this species.
Red-rumped Swallow: This bird appeared near Lillis’ house mid-morning on November 7th and presented very good views for the following 1½ hours. It is probably the 4th Irish record of the species. Another was seen at Hook Head in Wexford on the following day.
Swallow: 20 were seen on May 16th. Recorded daily up to Oct. 13th and twice thereafter, on Nov 5th and 6th (single birds). Up to 100 were regularly present in late August. 40 to 50 were regular in the first half of September. No more than 10 were seen on any day in early October.
Sand Martin: One record, at Kilbaha, on Aug. 30th.
House Martin: One record, on Oct 5th.
Skylark:: Recorded on most days. There were no records of over 10 until Oct. 27th, when 17 were seen. In the first week of November 32 were seen in a day and some small flocks appeared to be arriving from an easterly direction.
Meadow Pipit: Present every day, sometimes in good numbers. No more than 60 were seen in Aug/Sept. the highest count was 500 on Oct. 4th, most of these birds frequenting the lighthouse area. Other good counts were had in October – 300 on the 5th, 150 on the 6th and 204 on the 15th. Counts otherwise varied from 20 to 100, but the species was often under-recorded.
Richard’s Pipit: Found by lucky observers at the hay-stacks near the lighthouse on October 6th, it remained in the same vicinity until the following day. This is the first county record of the species.
Rock Pipit: Resident. Recorded daily in good numbers on the shore and also found regularly in farmyards. Frequently under-recorded, as all shingle areas were not always visited. Up to 100 were often counted in early October.
Grey Wagtail: Recorded almost daily, usually with 1 to 6 present.
Pied Wagtail: Recorded daily – 10 to 30 was usually the daily total.
White Wagtail: Present on 5 days in September. 6 were seen on the 6th, and single birds on the 19th, 20th and 30th.
Wren: Common resident.
Dunnock: Common resident.
Redstart: There were two records both of female birds. The first was at the lighthouse on Oct. 5th and the other at the sycamore grove on Oct. 10th.
Black Redstart: Two were at the lighthouse on Nov. 1st, and single birds were seen there on Nov. 2nd and 4th.
Whinchat: October 4th produced an arrival of five birds, the first two being located at the lighthouse and the other three in the trap gully (old bog road). Two of the latter were trapped.
Stonechat: Common. 20 to 50 were counted on most days, with 100 seen on Oct. 4th.
Wheater: Scarce, being recorded on only five days in the autumn. Apart from a ‘fall’ of 11 on Oct. 4th, the other records were of single birds. The last record was on Oct. 10th.
Ring Ouzel: One was seen in the fields above the trap gully on Nov. 7th.
Blackbird: Rather scarce until October. 20 were counted on Oct. 6th. They only became more numerous in late Oct./early Nov. with the arrival of other migrant thrushes. 55 were logged on Nov. 7th.
Fieldfare: The first record, of two birds was on Oct. 20th. 75 were seen on Oct. 24th, and over 60 on Oct. 31st. Up to 200 were present in early Nov., when they were recorded daily.
Song Thrush: Present in small numbers, with no more than 8 in any day up to Oct. 27th, when 30 were logged. Thereafter, 10 to 55 were counted daily, with 140 o Nov. 7th.
Redwing: The first was seen on Oct. 4th. Present on a further 11 days in October and daily November. The peak count was 180 on Oct 31st and numbers were otherwise on 1 to 50.
Mistle Thrush: First recorded on Oct. 5th, a single bird. Two were seen on both Oct. 19th and 24th. 10 were present on Oct.31st, with the arrival of other thrushes. 1 to 5 were seen on six of the first eight days in November.
Wryneck: First seen on Sept. 25th. What was possibly the same bird was seen also seen on Oct.1st and 2nd. This is the only record since one was found dead at the Loop Head lighthouse on Oct. 25th 1931.
Grasshopper Warbler: A male was singing in the valley at Fodry on May 30th and continued into June. No autumn records.
Sedge Warbler: Three singing males were found in the reed ditches at Kilbaha Pool on May 16th. Three were trapped in he reeds at Kilbaha Cottage on Aug. 30th/31st. .
Whitethroat: Probably bred in the trap gully. Recorded on three days in late August. Three were seen on Sept. 6th. A late bird was at the sallows on Oct. 28th.
Garden Warbler: Recorded on nine days in all, involving at least 10 individuals. The first two were trapped at the fuscia bushes, on Aug 31st. The others were seen singly in October, the last on Oct. 24th. Six were ringed.
Blackcap: The first appeared on Sept 30th. Birds were present on six days in October and on seven in the first half of November. Four, on Nov. 5th, was the highest daily number. 10 were trapped.
Chiffchaff: No August or September records. Recorded on 13 days in October, usually singly or in twos, but 4 and 7 were seen on Oct 30th and 31st respectively. Seen daily in the first week of November, with numbers varying from 2 to 8.
A grey bird was in the Sallows from the fourth of November, and was trapped on the 7th. It was still present on the 14th. In the hand, it was identified as being a Siberian Chiffchaff, most likely of the ‘Tristis’ race.
Willow Warbler: Scarce. Present on 17 days, with no more than two on any day. Very sparse in August and September – only two seen in each month. The last was seen on Nov. 3rd. (2 present on May 16th)
Goldcrest: No records until Sept. 19th. Seen almost daily after that. 15 on Sept. 29th was the first sizeable arrival. 10 to 40 were seen daily up to Oct. 9th,when there were very obvious ‘falls’, and up to 11 were seen daily into early November. 53 were trapped.
Spotted Flycatcher: Two records, on Oct. 4th and 27th, this latter bird being still present until the very late date of Nov 14th.
Pied Flycatcher: Two records. Both were trapped, the first at Lillis’ house on Sept 20th and the other at the sallows on Oct.5th.
Coal Tit: Present on four days, starting with a single bird on Sept 30th. Four were recorded Oct. 1st and singles on Oct. 2nd and 5th.
Blue Tit: Present daily in small numbers, 14 being the peak count.
Great Tit: Recorded daily; 14 the maximum daily count.
Magpie: Recorded daily. 10 or more seen on most days, with a high of 35. Scarcity of nesting sites force the choice of some unusual sites, such as telegraph poles, very low sallows as well as wedging the nest between the guttering and the wall of the church.
Chough: Recorded almost daily with between 2 and 9 usually seen. The best count was of 19 on Oct. 15th. Four were at the seabird colony cliffs on May 16th.
Jackdaw: Seen daily, with numbers varying considerably. 140 in October and 170 in November were the highest day-counts. A flock of 110 was seen flying high over the light on Nov. 3rd and later returned eastwards. In the past, Jackdaws have been seen flying out to sea.
Rook: Seen on most days, in small numbers. Apart from 66 on Oct. 15th, no daily count exceeded 26.
Hooded Crow: Found nesting in low bushes in summer. Seen every day, with 15 the maximum count.
Raven: Recorded almost daily. The highest daily count was 9.
Starling: Recorded daily. 30 to 120 logged daily up to the end of October, with a peak of 300 on Oct. 9th. Numbers in early November were consistently high, with 100+ present on most days, and a peak of 370 on the 2nd. This influx coincided with thrush arrivals.
House Sparrow: Recorded each day, with a maximum of 40.
Tree Sparrow: Similar status to 1986, with the local population remarkably scarce in comparison with 1984/85. Only two records, of three on Oct. 15th and one of Nov. 2nd. No evidence of breeding..
Chaffinch: The only September record was of two birds on the 29th. Recorded, on 14 days in October and daily in early November. 14 was the highest day’s total until Oct 24th, when 50 were seen (Brambling appeared the same day). 23 to 50 was the normal daily tally in early November, with 70 seen on the 14th. Many of those trapped were large birds of European origin.
Brambling: Five records in all … singles on Oct. 24th and 27th. In November, there were 6 on the 2nd, one on the 7th and 2 on the 14th.
Greenfinch: Very scarce. Recorded on only six days (4 in Oct, 2 in Nov.), with a maximum of three birds.
Goldfinch: Present on three days (once in Sept. twice in Oct.) with a maximum of 3.
Siskin: Three records, involving single birds, in early November..
Linnet: Recorded daily. Only 4 four counts of 100 or more, with 10 to 60 more common. Highest numbers were all in October, the peak being on the 5th when 250 were counted. There was a noticeable drop after Oct. 13th with no more than 30 found daily thereafter. Bred locally.
Redpoll: Three records, involving single birds, in early November.
Scarelet Rosefinch: A female or immature of this species was located near the sallow on October 6th. This is the first county record for the species.
Reed Bunting: Seen daily, with a maximum of 50.
Snow Bunting: Much more common than in 1985/’86. There were 15 records in all. The first bird was seen on Sept. 28th. In Oct, they were recorded om 11 days, mainly as singletons, but wit 6 on the 6th, 3 were present on both the 2nd and 3rd, with 2 on the 5th.
Lapland Bunting: One bird was located near the Bridges of Ross on September 12th.
OBSERVERS:
P. Brennan D. Manley
P. Buckley M. Marsh
G. Butler A. Mee
S. Cromane T. Mee
D. Daly K. Mullarney
G. Donlon J. Murphy
G. Duane M. O’Neill
D. Duggan D’ O’Sullivan
M. Fellowes E. O’Sullivan
J. Grant K. Perry
H. Galvin S. Piotrowski
B. Haslam C. Raffles
E. H. Jones T. Tarpey
T. Kilbane A. Walsh
P. Leonard
Apologies for any omissions
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Records of rare birds in this report are subject to acceptance by the Irish Rare Birds Committee. Any further records from the 1987 or previous seasons would be very welcome.
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Phil Brennan (Phone: 061 – 361317)
134 Tradaree Court,
Shannon,
Co. Clare
Jan 14th 1988
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