Tuesday 31st October 2006
There was one Snow Bunting at Doolin.
Two Dippers were on the Claureen River in Kilmaley.

Monday 30th October 2006
An adult female Marsh Harrier (Myles Carey) and one female Hen Harrier
were at Ballyallia Lake today. 

Sunday 29th October 2006
There was a Brambling near Gibson's garden at Kilbaha and
one male Hen Harrier, one Merlin and one Peregrine on the headland.

Saturday 28th October 2006
 The Glaucous Gull and one Merlin were at Seafield, Quilty.
One Dipper was on the Claureen River today with one Merlin
seen hunting at Lough Donnell.

Friday 27th October 2006
There was a flock of 450 Great Black-backed Gulls at Lough Donnell.

Thursday 26th October 2006
There was one Glaucous and two first-winter Mediterranean
gulls at  Quilty beach today.  One Black-throated Diver was
in Doonbeg Bay.

Tuesday 24th October 2006
There were six Little Egrets at Poulnasherry Bay.

Monday 23rd October 2006
The Hoopoe was back in John & Mary Lynch's garden at Moyasta today.
Two Whooper Swans were on the beach in Kilkee. 

Sunday 22nd October 2006
Two Great Skuas were seen flying along the Rine in Ballyvaughan.
There were 20 Greenland White-fronted Geese at Tullagher Bog today.
One Whooper Swan and one Water Rail were at Ballycar Lake, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Saturday 21st October 2006
Today at Loop Head there was one Yellow-browed Warbler (John N Murphy
John Rattigan & Finbarr MacGahann). There was also one Lapland Bunting,
two Chiffchaffs, 16 Chough, one Merlin, and in fields near the Bridges of Ross
there was one Canada Goose in a small flock of nine Barnacle Geese. 
This is a Richardson's Canada Goose (Branta hutchinsii hutchinsii).
There was a small flock of 15 Whooper Swans at Doonbeg Bay and three more
flew over Tullagher Bog.


Richardson's Canada Goose with Barnacles near Bridges of Ross © John N Murphy

Friday 20th October 2006
One adult Mediterranean Gull was at Cloghaun Lough, Loop Head today.

Thursday 19th October 2006
There was good Redwing migration throughout the county today.
News from around the country a Hermit Thrush has been found on
Cape Clear Island this morning and the Isabelline Shrike has re-appeared
on the Old Head of Kinsale in the exact same bush.

Wednesday 18th October 2006
There were four Little Egrets at Blackweir Bridge this morning.

Tuesday 17th October 2006
The Green Sandpiper was still at the Falls in Ennistymon.
The Hoopoe which was reported from Moyasta was still present today.
This news was only received on the evening of Wednesday 18th after the
bird had departed the garden. 

Green Sandpiper Video Grab © Stan Nugent

Monday 16th October 2006
The American Golden Plover was at Doonbeg this morning (Stan Nugent).
One Green Sandpiper was showing well at the Falls at Ennistymon this afternoon.
The Hoopoe was still at Moyasta.
News from around the country there was a Red-throated Pipit on Dursey
Island in west Cork earlier today.

Sunday 15th October 2006
The American Golden Plover was at Doonbeg again today (Stan Nugent).
There was no news of the Canada Warbler or the Red-eyed Vireo from Loop.
The Hoopoe was once again in a garden in Moyasta today.
Two Redwings were seen at Ballycar this evening.

American Golden Plover at Doonbeg © Paul Hackett

Saturday 14th October
There was no sign of the CANADA WARBLER at Loop Head today.
The Red-eyed Vireo was once again at the west end of Kilbaha gardens,
one Snow Bunting was near the Lighthouse three Melins, one Hen Harrier
24 Chough and one Swallow were also seen on Loop Head.
There was two Bonxies and one Arctic Skua off the pier in Kilbaha.
A Hoopoe was found in a local garden in Moyasta today.
The American Golden Plover was still at Doonbeg (see photos below).
One Curlew Sandpiper and two Little Stints were on the beach at Seafield, Quilty. 
One Green Sandpiper was at the Falls at Ennistymon.



American Golden Plover at Doonbeg with Golden Plover © John N Murphy

Friday 13th October 2006
The CANADA WARBLER showed well this evening at Kilbaha.
No sign of the Red-eyed Vireo.
The American Golden Plover was in the Bay at Doonbeg (Dave McNamara).
There was one Kingfisher and a Water Rail at Balllycorick Bridge near Ballynacally.


Thursday 12th October 2006
The CANADA WARBLER was once again on dsiplay this morning in
the same garden at Kilbaha, the Red-eyed Vireo was seen late this evening.
One male Hen Harrier was in the bog at Loop Head, 12 Brent Geese
were near Ross Bay and one White Wagtail.
Two female Hen Harriers were seen hunting over Farrihy Lough
late yesterday evening.
News in from Cape Clear, a Baltimore Oriole was found there this afternoon.

Red-Eyed Vireo in Kilbaha © Stuart Elsom

Wednesday 11th October 2006
The CANADA WARBLER has been showing well this morning in Peter
Gibson's Garden in Kilbaha.  The Red-eyed Vireo has moved close to
this area as well.  The Red-breasted Flycatcher was spotted on the
harbour wall in Kilbaha and two Spotted Flycatchers and one Merlin
were alos on the headland. 
There was an American Golden Plover (Dave McNamara)(time 14.00) with
the flock of Golden Plover at Doonbeg Bay.
One Mediterranean Gull was at the mouth of the Skivileen river near the 
Doonbeg Golf Course Club house in Doughmore Bay.  
Two Common Sandpipers were on the pier in Clarecastle.
One Green Sandpiper, one Little Egret and three Whimbrel were at Moyasta.
Other news from around the country there was a Little Bunting and
a Yellow-browed Warbler this morning on Dursey Island in Cork but
no sign of the Blackpoll Warbler.

Tuesday 10th October 2006
The CANADA WARBLER was still at Kilbaha Loop Head this morning.
There was an unconfirmed report of a Yellow-rumped Warbler at
Poulnasherry Bay from yesterday.  This bird has not been re-located.
The Purple Heron has re-appeared at Lough Donnell (Dave McNamara).
There was also a report of a juvenile Pink-footed Goose in fields along
the coast road just outside Kilbaha.
The three Green Sandpipers were still at Ballycorick Bridge.
Other news from around the country a Blackpoll Warbler was found
on the west end of Dursey Island in Cork this morning.

Monday 9th October 2006
The CANADA WARBLER is showing very well this morning at Loop Head.
Also present was the RED-EYED VIREO, one Red-breasted Flycatcher ,
and one Common Rosefinch. The Spotted Sandpiper has not been seen
since Saturday.
Three Green Sandpipers were at Ballycorick Bridge, near Ballynacally.

Canada Warbler in Kilbaha © John N Murphy
 
Sunday 8th October 2006
A CANADA WARBLER was found at Kilbaha this afternoon (Maurice Hanafin).
This is a first Irish record and only a second for the western palearctic.
It went to roost this evening at Gibsons Garden which is half way on the
road to the lighthouse from Kilbaha.  Anyone visiting this area is asked to please
park your cars at Kilbaha and not in front of Peters farm as he needs room to
get his trucks in and out of the farm yard.  Also there is not admittance into the
farmyard.  Please stick to these rules.
The RED-EYED VIREO was aslo seen in the garden behind Keatings Pub but there
was no sign of the Spotted Sandpiper.
Other news the Pink-footed Goose was at Lahinch Marsh today along with
one Barnacle Goose, one Glaucous Gull and two Mediterranean Gulls.

Saturday 7th October 2006
Clare's fourth RED-EYED VIREO gave stunning views at Kilbaha,
Loop Head this morning (John N Murphy, Finbarr MacGabhann,
Austin Cooney, Tom Tarpey & Killian Mullarney).
Also in the harbour at Kilbaha today was one juvenile SPOTTED
SANDPIPER (John N Murphy, Killian Mullarney, Tom Tarpey,
Finbar MacGabhann and Dave McNamara).  This is only the second
record for Clare.
There was one Barn Owl at Clarecastle this evening.
One Shag flew over Ballycar Lake this morning.  This is a very good inland record.

Red-eyed Vireo in Kilbaha © John N Murphy

Spotted Sandpiper in Kilbaha © John N Murphy

Friday 6th October 2006
Strong gale force winds today were very good for seawatching off the
Bridges of Ross where there lots of seabirds. Highlights were;
18 Sooty Shearwaters, one Balearic Shearwater, five Storm Petrels,
25 Leach's Petrels, 25 Puffin, four Little Auks, 45 Arctic Skuas, 74 Bonxies,
eight Pomarine Skuas, one juvenile Long-tailed Skua (Killian Mullarney &
John N Murphy), one juvenile Little Gull, three juvenile Sabine's Gulls,
two Great Northern Divers and five Red-throated Divers, 12 Grey
Phalaropes, one Peregrine and one Merlin.
There was also one Minke Whale and one Sunfish.
One adult Mediterranean Gull was on the beach at Kilkee.


Great Skuas © John N Murphy

Pale phased adult Arctic Skua © John N Murphy

Wednesday 4th October 2006
The Purple Heron was seen flying south away from Lough Donnell
today (Dave McNamara),  two Little Stints were aslo at the lough.
There were two Ruff at Doonbeg.
Two Green Sandpipers were at Ballycorick Bridge, Ballynacally.
One adult Mediterranean Gull was at Liscannor. 

Tuesday 3rd October 2006
The Purple Heron was at Lough Donnell again today (Dave McNamara & John N Murphy)


Juvenile Purple Heron at Lough Donnell  © John N Murphy  

There were five Little Stints on the beach at Seafield, Quilty
with another single bird at Lough Donnell and one Merlin.
A Pink-footed Goose was at Lahinch Marsh this evening.

Monday 2nd October 2006
One calling Common Crossbill flew over Ballycar this afternoon.
There was one Common Sandpiper at the mouth of the Skivileen
River in Doonbeg.

Sunday 1st October 2006
There was one juvenile Purple Heron at Lough Donnell (Dave McNamara et al).

This is only a second county record.
Five Little Stints were on the beach at Seafield, Quilty.
There was one male Hen Harrier at Lough Donnell.
One male Hen Harrier was at Loop Head.

 

Bird Sightings for 2006


Tuesday 29th August 2006
There was an unconfirmed report of a Fea's Petrel off
the Bridges of Ross this morning.
Also at the Bridges of Ross this morning there was
seven Sooty Shearwaters, one Balearic Shearwater,
four Arctic Skuas, two Bonxies and two Storm Petrels.
The Long-billed Dowitcher is still at the Shannon Airport
Lagoon this morning but there was no sign of it in the evening
only one Curlew Sandpiper, nine Sanderling, 300 plus Dunlin and
the regular flock of Black-tailed Godwits.
One Sabine's Gull was seen at Bishop's Island Kilkee.
There are three Little Egrets and the white Curlew at
Poulnasherry Bay.

Monday 28th August 2006
A Little Shearwater has been reported from the Bridges of Ross
this morning  along with one Wilson's Petrel, two Sabine's Gulls,
six Leach's Petrels, eight Storm Petrels,  160 Sooty Shearwaters,
four Great Shearwaters, five Balearic Shearwaters, two Arctic Skuas,
two Pomarine Skuas and seven Bonxies.
The Long-billed Dowitcher and two Ruff were at the Shannon Airport
Lagoon this morning. 

Sunday 27th August 2006
The Long-billed Dowitcher, Pectoral Sandpiper and
adult Sabine's Gull were all at the Shannon Airport Lagoon
this morning along with one Little Egret.
At the Bridges of Ross today there were four Great Shearwaters,
one Cory's one Balearic, two Leach's Petrels, two Pomarine and
two Arctic Skuas.  One Spotted Flycatcher was seen on Loop Head.

Saturday 26th August 2006
At the Bridges of Ross today there was,
189 Great Shearwaters, five Cory's, 22 Sootys,
five Balearic Shearwaters, one Pomarine Skua, ten Arctic Skuas, two Bonxies,
a few Storm Petrels, one Red-throated Diver, ten Common Scoter
and a Leather-backed Turtle.
One female Hen Harrier was seen on the Loop Head peninsula.
One male Hen Harrier was at Moanmore Bog near Kilrush.
The Long-billed Dowitcher and Pectoral Sandpiper were still
at the Shannon Airport Lagoon.
A first summer Mediterranean Gull was at the mouth of the
Skivileen River near the golf course at Doonbeg.
There was a Kingfisher at Moyasta.

Friday 25th August 2006
One Black Tern was at the Bridges of Ross this morning with small passage
of shearwaters including 39 Greats, five Balearic, 120 Sooties, 12 Storm
Petrels, three Leach's Petels, one Grey Phalarope,two Arctic Skuas, two Pomarine Skuas,
and one drake Scaup.
There was one Green Sandpiper and one Little Egret at Moyasta.
There was a second winter Ring-billed Gull at Lough Donnell.
One juvenile Mediterranean Gull was at Doonbeg Golf Club where
two Arctic Skuas flew in off the sea.

Thursday 24th August 2006
The Bridges of Ross was quiet this morning with three Great Shearwaters
five Balearic Shearwaters, three Arctic Skuas and two Pomarine Skua.
The Long-billed Dowitcher and Pectoral Sandpiper were back in the Shannon 
Airport Lagoon this evening.
There were three Chough at Illaunonearaun, near Kilkee.
Two Little Egrets and nine Greenshank were at Moyasta, Poulnasherry Bay.
At Lough Donnell there were two Ruff and one Ring-tailed Hen Harrier.
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Lough Donnell and one juvenile
Mediterranean Gull was at Doonbeg Golf Club.
A white bellied female Hen Harrier flew in off the sea at the Bridges of Ross.
One Minke Whale was seen off the Bridges of Ross.

Wednesday 23rd August 2006
At the Bridges of Ross this morning there was one Fea's Petrel (Andy Clifton),
movements of three Balearic Shearwaters, 92 Great and six Cory's Shearwaters,
two Balearic Shearwaters, a juvenile Long-tailed Skua, two Pomarine Skuas
and one adult Sabine's Gull. 
At the Shannon Airport Lagoon this morning, there was no sign
of the Dowitcher nor the Sabine's Gull but the Pectoral Sandpiper was there along
with one Curlew Sandpiper, two Ruff, one Little Egret and three Water Rails.
There were also lots of other waders including 5-600 Black-tailede Godwits
120 Ringed Plovers and a large mix of Dunlin and Redshank.
One Barn Owl was at Cross Village on the Loop Head peninsula. 

Tuesday 22nd August 2006
This morning at the Bridges of Ross there were;
two Balearic Shearwaters, eight Sooty Shearwaters,
ten Arctic Skuas, five Great Skuas, 15 Storm Petrels,
one Sabine's Gull and three Common Scoter.
The Shannon Airport Lagoon had the Long-billed Dowitcher,
one Pectoral Sandpiper, one Ruff, two Little Egrets, an adult Sabine's Gull and one Curlew
Sandpiper.

Monday 21st August 2006
Late report came in this evening of  a Fea's Petrel off the Bridges of Ross(?).
Things were quiet this morning at the Bridges of Ross,
there was one juvenile Black Tern, two Balearic Shearwaters,
one Sooty Shearwater and three Bonxies.
The Shannon Airport Lagoon had one adult Sabine's Gull, the Long-billed
Dowitcher, two Curlew Sandpipers and two Little Egrets.

Sunday 20th August 2006
At the Bridges of Ross this morning there was two Balearic Shearwaters,
five Sooty Shearwaters, one Long-tailed Skua, ten Arctic Skuas, four Bonxies,
one Pomarine Skua, and six Storm Petrels. 
The Ring-billed and Mediterranean Gulls were still at Quilty.
 
Saturday 19th August 2006
The Long-billed Dowitcher was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon 
along with one Curlew Sandpiper and the juvenile Ruff.
The Bridges of Ross had three Balearic Shearwaters,
44 Sooty Shearwaters, two Pomarine Skuas, four Arctic Skuas,
four Bonxies, one Leach's Petrel, 12 Storm Petrels, three adult
Sabine's Gulls and one adult  Little Gull.
On Loop Headbetween the Anvil Farm and the Bridges of Ross
there was one female Redstart.
There were two Green Sandpipers at Moyasta.
One 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull along with one 2nd winter Mediterranean
Gull at Quilty.


Friday 18th August 2006
At the Bridges of Ross this morning there was,
one Balearic Shearwater, seven Sooty Shearwaters,
12 Arctic Skuas, 11 Bonxies and small numbers of Storm Petrels.
In the ebvening the Bridges of Ross had one Great Shearwater
one Pomarine Skua, one Bonxie and five Sooty Shearwaters.
The Long-billed Dowitcher, two Curlew Sandpipers and two Ruff
were at the Shannon Airport Lagoon. 
There was a flock of 60 Sandwich Terns on Liscannor beach.

Thursday 17th August 2006
This morning at the Bridges of Ross there were
62 Sooty Shearwaters, 570 Manx Shearwaters,
two Storm Petrels and one Bonxie.
Two Curlew Sandpipers on the beach at Quilty
and one Arctic Skua off the Pier at Seafield.
One adult Ring-billed Gull was on a beach half
way between Lurga Point and Lough Donnell.
There were three Ruff at Lough Donnell.

Ruff at Lough Donnell Stan Nugent

Wednesday 16th August 2006
There were ten Arctic Skuas and four Bonxies at the Bridges of Ross today.

Tuesday 15th August 2006
At the Bridges of Ross there was one Balearic Shearwater, four
Storm Petrels, three Arctic Skuas and three Bonxies.
One Common Sandpiper on the quay in Clarecastle.
The Albino Curlew is back at Poulnasherry Bay.
There was one Jay on the Lees Wood Road in Ennis this evening.

Monday 14th August 2006
Seabird migration was slow at the Bridges of Ross with just two
Arctic Skuas and one Bonxie.  
There were two Stock Doves at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Sunday 13th August 2006
One Common Sandpiper and two Ravens at Kilbaha.

Friday 11th August 2006
The Long-billed Dowitcher is still at the SAL (Gerry Butler, Lorraine Benson
& John N Murphy). There was also one juvenile Ruff, 90 Dunlin,
320 Black-tailed Godwits, five Bar-tailed Godwits, 30 Knot and three Warer Rails.
News from the Bridges of Ross; one adult Pomarine Skua, two Arctic Skuas and
one Red-throated Diver.

Thursday 10th August 2006
The Long-billed Dowitcher was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon
again this morning (Finbarr MacGahann) along with 400 Black-tailed
Godwits, 150 Dunlin and one Water Rail. 

Wednesday 9th August 2006
There was a Whimbrel and three Ravens at Seafield, Quilty today.

Tuesday 8th August 2006
There were unconfirmed records of a Fae's Petrel and a Wilson's Storm
Petrel from the Bridges of Ross this evening (visiting British Birders?).
Two Common Sandpipers were at Islandavanna, Clarecastle.

Monday 7th August 2006
The adult Long-billed Dowitcher was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon
(Eric Dempsey).
There was one Water Rail at Ballycar Lough, Newmarket-on-Fergus.  

Saturday 5th August 2006
The Long-billed Dowitcher was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon this afternoon
(Finbarr Mac Gabhann) along with two Water Rails.
There were two Ravens and two Water Rails at Ballycar Lake.

Friday 4th August 2006
There was one male Blackcap at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus this morning.

Thursday 3rd August 2006
At the Bridges of Ross this evening in very calm conditions there
were two adult Great Skuas and one adult Pomarine Skua.
There was one 1st summer Little Gull at Lough Bunny.

Tuesday 2nd August 2006
There was a good movement of seabirds off the Brisges of Ross today
with highlights of 3,000 Manx, and five Sooty Shearwaters, 15 Storm Perels,
one Pomarine Skua and three Arctic Skuas (2 hour seawatch). 
 
Tuesday 1st August 2006
The Long-billed Dowitcher was reported from the Shannon Airport

Lagoon this morning (Finbar Mac Gabhann) along with a good

mix of other waders and one Water Rail.
There was a large movement of seabirds off Lurga Point, Quilty this lunchtime.
There were over 4,000 Manx Shearwaters, one light phased Arctic Skua
and over 20 Storm Petrels.

Long-billed Dowitcher (bird on the right of the picture) at Shannon Airport Lagoon © Stefan Magnusson

Sunday 30th July 2006
The Long-billed Dowitcher was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon today
(John N Murphy, Austin Cooney & Brian Arthurs).  There was also a  large
flock of 600  Black-tailed Goswits and two Water Rails. 

Saturday 29th July 2006
A seawatch at the Bridges of Ros today in strong South Westerly winds was
dissappointing as it only produced one Cory's Shearwater, one Arctic Skua
and a second year Long-tailed Skua.
On Loop Head there were 22 Chough and four Raven.

Friday 28th July 2006
There was a summer plumaged Long-billed Dowitcher at the Shannon
Airport lagoon this afternoon (Arne Holgensson, Stefan Magnusson
& John N Murphy).
Also at the Lagoon were one summer plumaged Curlew Sandpiper,
five Water Rails, one Grasshopper Warbler and a good mix of other waders.
At the Bridges of Ross there was five Cory's Shearwaters, one Balearic,
11 Sooties, one Storm Petrel, three Great Skuas four Pomarine Skuas,
four Arctic and 14 unidentified Skuas probably all Arctic's.
There were two Water Rails at Ballycar Lake.

Thursday 27th July 2006
There were two Stock Doves at ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Wednesday 26th July 2006.
There was a male Blackcaps singing at Ailwee Caves.

Sunday 23rd July 2006
There was one Arctic Skua at the Shannon Airport Lagoon.
Two female Hen Harriers and 46 Curlew were seen at Islandavanna, near Clarecastle.

Saturday 22nd July 2006
There was one Jay on the Lees Wood Road this morning

Friday 21st July 2006
There were eight Chough, six Raven and three Peregrines at the Cliffs of
Moher.  All the Puffins seemed to have departed the clifss and gone out to sea.

Thursday 20th July 2006
There was one Peregrine at Boolynagleeragh Bog in Lissycasey today.

Wednesday 19th July 2006
A flock of 40 Curlew were at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Sunday 16th July 2006
Two Stock Doves and two water Rails were at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Saturday 15th July 2006
There were two Blackcaps, four Siskin, four Whitethroats and two Raven at
Kilnacreagh Wood, east of Sixmilebridge.
One Raven was at Boolynagleeragh Bog, Lissycasey.

Friday 14th July 2006
One Stock Dove at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Tuesday 11th July 2006
Male Blackcap still at Ballycar.

Monday 10th July 2006
One male Blackcap was still at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Sunday 9th July 2006
There was one Little Tern at Quilty.
One Blackcap and two Water Rails were at Ballycar Lake,
Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Saturday 8th July 2006
There was one Blackcap at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Friday 7th July 2006
A two hour seawatch this evening at the Bridges of Ross

produced 3,000 Manx Shearwaters and three Sooty Shearwaters.

Male Blackcap still at Ballycar.

Two Common Sandpipers were at Ballyallia Lake, Ennis.

The male Blackcap was singing at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

A Blackcap was still at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus. 

Tuesday 4th July 2006
The Spotted Redshank was still at the Shannon Airport Lagoon.
Three Jays were at the Lees Wood Road in Ennis.
One male Blackcap was singing at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

Monday 3rd July 2006
There was one adult summer Spotted Redshank in his black plumage
showing well at the Shannon Airport Lagoon along with 14 Teal and
30 Redshank. There were also four Water Rail and three Black-tailed
Skimmer Dragonflies.

Sunday 2nd July 2006
One Blackcap was at the Lees Road Wood in Ennis.

The male Blackcap was still singing at Ballycar, Newmarket-on-Fergus.

One Water Rail was alos callin at Ballycar Lake.

There was one Blackcap singing at Ballycar, Newmarket on Fergus, along

with a juvenile Long-eared Owl and one Water Rail. 

One Jay and one Blackcap were on the Lees Wod Road in Ennis.