Category Archives: Limerick Sightings

Saturday 18th June 2011

Two Ringed Plover, 25 Lapwing, a Black-tailed Godwit, two Water Rails, a Little Egret, three Grey Herons, two Little Grebes, two Great Crested Grebes, eleven Pochard(inc. nine juveniles), a Gadwall, 20 Tufted Duck(18 drakes), five Mallard, three Stock Doves, two Skylarks, a Sedge Warbler, four Linnets and 20 Greenfinches were at Coonagh.

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Friday 17th June 2011

Seven Crossbills were at Drumreask, Athea.
Eight Great Crested Grebes(inc. a pair with three chicks), two Ringed Plover, 20 Lapwing, four Redshank, four Black-tailed Godwits, 15 Tufted Duck, a Shelduck, three Grey Herons, a Hen Harrier, a Sedge Warbler, two Stonechats and a flock of 41 Greenfinches were at Coonagh.

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Tuesday 14th June 2011

Four Cuckoos were at Carrigkerry.

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Saturday 11th June 2011

Adult male and juvenile Wheatears in the Galtee Mountains © Tom Tarpey

10 Wheatears, including recently fledged juveniles, were seen in the south western side of the Galtee Mountains. A Peregrine Falcon was also seen in the area.
A Cuckoo, four Blackcaps and three Whitethroats were at Aughinish Island.

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Wednesday 1st June 2011

Two Little Egrets were on the Maigue at the Croom By-pass Briidge.
Buzzard near Limerick/Cork border © Tom Tarpey

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Sunday 22nd May 2011

A female Pochard, a drake Shoveler, seven Tufted Duck, ten Mallard, ten Mute Swans, 60 Coot, two Great-crested Grebes, two Little Grebes, two Little Egrets, three Grey Herons, two Ringed Plovers and two Lapwings were at Coonagh this evening.

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Thursday 19th May 2011

Cuckoos were reported from Castlemahon, Patrickswell and Ballynort near Askeaton.

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January-may 2011 Limerick good

Contributors
Ciaran Cronin, Davey Farrar, Mike Flanagan, Clodagh Glasgow, Ger Griffin, Jane Griffin, James Hayes, Andrew Holmes, Geoff Hunt, Mark Hunt, Harry Hussey, Gearoid Jackson, Seamus Keating, Roy Lathwell,  Finbarr MacGabhann, Tony Mee, John N Murphy, Dennis O’Sullivan, John Power, Pearse Ryan, Mike Sheehy, Tom Tarpey, Paul Troake & Maura Turner.Thursday 19th May
Cuckoos were reported from Castlemahon, Patrickswell and Ballynort near Askeaton.

Tuesday 17th May 2011
One male Merlin and three Red Grouse were in the west Limerick Hills.
Sunday 15th May 2011
Three  Blackcaps, four Sedge Warblers, two Chiffchaffs, several  Willow Warblers  and  five Whimbrel  were the main birds of note at the  Dawn Chorus outing  by the  Shannon  at  UL.  See  feature on the outing  at the end of the  Sunday evening  news  programme on the TG4  website.Saturday 14th May 2011
A Wheatear, two Whitethroats, a Ringed Plover, two pairs of Lapwing, a pair of Great-crested Grebes, a pair of Teal and two Little Egrets were the main birds of note at Coonagh this morning.

Wednesday 11th May 2011
A Cuckoo was calling at Cloncrew, Dromcollogher.
A male Hen Harrier was seen in the west Limerick Hills.

Sunday 8th May 2011
A male Ruff in full summer plumage was at the Coonagh Settlements ponds.  Other birds at the site included 55 Black-tailed Godwits, a Lapwing, a Ringed Plover, six Shelduck, three Little Egrets and a pair of Greylag Geese with five recently hatched goslings.

Monday 2nd May 2011
A Corncrake was heard calling from the fields just north of the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this evening.  Ten Whimbrel were also seen in the same area.

Sunday 1st May 2011

A pair of Swifts was seen in Limerick City. These are the first reported this year for the city.
Four Cuckoos, three Whimbrel and two Hen Harrier pairs were seen in the West Limerick Hills.
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Hen Harriers in west Limerick © Mike Sheehy

Saturday 30th April 2011
A Cuckoo was at Carrigkerry.

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Cuckoo at Carrigkerry © Mike Sheehy

Thursday 28th April 2011
A single Swift was seen at Oola.
A Cuckoo was heard at Mainister, Croom.
A continental  race ‘sinensis’ Cormorant was noted at the breeding colony at Bunlickey (John N Murphy).

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Cormorant at Bunlickey showing characteristics of the European ‘sinensis’ race © John N MurphyWednesday 27th April 2011
White-tailed Eagle ‘Lochlann’ was at Dooncaha, Shannagolden on its way northwards from Kerry towards Clare.
Three Blackcaps were in song at Gooig Bog east side.

Monday 25th April 2011

A flock of 15 Crossbills were seen near Carrigkerry.

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Female Crossbill at Carrigkerry © Mike FlanaganSunday 24th April 2011
A Hen Harrier and three Crossbills were seen near Carrigkerry.

Saturday 23rd April 2011
Three Cuckoos and five Crossbills were reported from the Carrigkerry area.
A Dipper was seen on the Deel at Castlemahon.
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Dipper at Castlemahon © Mark Hunt

Sunday 17th April 2011
Eleven Whimbrel flew westwards over the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this morning.   Other birds of note at the site were a Wheatear, a Sedge Warbler, two pairs of Ringed Plover, four Lapwing and a Pochard.
Eight singing Blackcaps were in a CBS tetrad (2km x 2km) at Currachase. A Cuckoo was also heard in the area.

Friday 15th April 2011
A pair of Blackcaps was seen on the Southern Trail at Dromin McTurlough, near Newcastle West.

Monday 11th April 2011

A Cuckoo was heard calling at the eastern side of Plassey Park this evening. Two Blackcaps were also in song in the area.

Saturday 9th April 2011

A Merlin was seen south of  Banogue.

Friday 8th April 2011
Four Crossbills and two Wheatear were see near Tournafulla.

Thursday 7th April 2011
A Wheatear and two Little Egrets were at Coonagh.
A Blackcap and five Willow Warblers were in song at Gooig Bog. A single Swallow was alos seen there.

Tuesday 5th April 2011
A Swallow was seen at Adare.

Sunday 3rd April 2011
A Blackcap and a Willow Warbler were in song at Gooig Bog.  Seven Sand Martins were also seen there.
Four House Martins were at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds along with 50 Sand Martins and two Little Egrets.  Other birds at Coonagh included 36 Teal, 18 Wigeon, six Pochard, four Shoveler, a Gadwall, 16 Golden Plover, 15 Redshank and five Lapwing.
Five Swallows, three Chiffchaffs and two Willow Warblers were at Adare.
Swallows were also reported at Ballysteen and Grouse Lodge.

Saturday 2nd April 2011
A single Swallow was seen on the Roxboro Road in Limerick City. The first Swallow report this year in Limerick.
A Long-eared Owl was heard calling at Ballyorgan.

Friday 1st April 2011
There was 100 Sand Martins at Westfields.

Sunday 27th March 2011
Three Buzzards were seen at Monaleen, Castletroy this afternoon.  The birds were calling, circling overhead and slowly drifting westwards.

Saturday 26th March 2011
Singing Chaffchaffs were reported from several locations including four at Lough Gur, two at Knockderc, one at Coonagh and one at Ashbrook, Limerick City.
A flock of 400 Sand Martins was at Lough Gur. A smaller group of 15 was also seen at Healy’s Field, Corbally.
80 Redshank, five Dunlin, two Ringed Plover, two Curlew, 40 Tufted Duck, 25 Wigeon, six Mallard, five Pochard, four Gadwall, two Shelduck , a Little Egret, ten Mute Swans and 60 Coot were at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds.

Friday 25th March 2011
A Chiffchaff was in song at Monaleen.
20 Sand Martins were at Annacotty.

Wednesday 23rd March 2011
A Chiffchaff was in song at Westfields.

Tuesday 22nd March 2011
A Green-winged Teal was found at the Coonagh Settlements Ponds this morning (James Hayes). Other birds of note included a Chiffchaff and two Little Egrets.

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Green-winged Teal at Coonagh © James Hayes

Sunday 20th March 2011
Four Hen Harriers and two Peregrine Falcons were seen in the west Limerick uplands.
A Peregrine Falcon was also seen near Kilmeedy.
Seperate flocks of 22 and 15 Golden Plover were also seen migrating northwards in the same area.

Friday 18th March 2011
A Chiffchaff was reported at Plassey.

Thursday 17th March 2011
Twenty Sand Martins were reported on the Shannon at Plassey this morning, with the same number reported again down river at Corbally in the evening. Two more were also seen at Castlemahon.
A Chiffchaff was in song at Ashford.
A pair of Kingfishers was seen at Plassey.
A pair of Dippers were on the Deel at Castlemahon.
A flock of 95 Golden Plover was at Tournafulla.
Two Red Grouse were seen in the West Limerick hills.
Single Ravens were reported from Castletroy and Ballysteen.

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Red Grouse in West Limerick © James Hayes

Wednesday 16th March 2011
There were two Red Grouse, one male Hen Harrier and eight Crossbills at the west Limerick Hills.
Tuesday 15th March 2011
Two Brambling and 8 Jays were at Curraghchase.
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
A Blackcap was in Raheen.Friday 11th March 2011
20 Stock Doves were at Ballysteen.
Blackcaps were reported from Cappamore and Raheen.

Thursday 10th March 2011
Dippers were reported from the Maigue at Croom and the Demense at Newcastle West

Tuesday 8th March 2011
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
A Red Grouse was seen on the Slieve Felim hills.
One Goldeneye, 48 Tufted Duck and 164 Cormorants were at Bunlicky Lagoon.

Monday 7th March 2011
A flock of 45 Stock Doves was in the Ballysteen area.

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Stock Dove at Ballysteen © James Hayes

Sunday 6th March 2011

A Water Rail and four Treecreepers were at Corbally.
There was a flock of 42 Stock Doves at Ballysteen.
Blackcaps were reported  at Raheen and Cappamore.

Saturday 5th March 2011
A Waxwing was seen in a garden in Rathkeale.

Friday 4th March 2011
A Chiffchaff, 12 Ringed Plover, ten Dunlin, 22 Pochard, two Gadwall, one Merlin, one Water Rail and a Little Egret were the main birds of note at Coonagh.
The Black Swan and three Turnstone were at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
Seven Jays were at Currachase.

One Peregrine was at Rathkeale.
Two Blackcaps, one male and one female, were in a garden at Raheen.
A male Blackcap was also reported from Corbally.Thursday 3rd March 2011
A Kingfisher was at Corbally.

Wednesday 2nd March 2011
Two Goosanders and two Kingfishers were at Corbally (Maura Turner).

Tuesday 1st March 2011
One adult Ring-billed Gull was at Westfield’s Marsh (John N Murphy).

Seven Bramblings and a Jay were at the Curraghchase.
One Chiffchaff, two Stock Doves and two Little Egrets were at Coonagh.
Two drake Scaup were at Lough Gur.
The Black Swan was still at O’ Callaghan’s Strand.
Monday 28th February 2011
The Black Swan was back at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
One male and one female Blackcap were at a private garden in Raheen.Sunday 27th February 2011
A flock of 36 Stock Doves and a Merlin were reported at Ballysteen.
A Peregrine Falcon was reported from the Mullaghareirk Mountains.

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Peregrine Falcon  © Roy Lathwell

Friday 25th February 2011
There was two Crossbills and a Peregrine Falcon at Slieve Felim.
Five Brambling were at Glenstal Abbey.
An adult summer Mediterranean Gull, a Kingfisher and two Little Egrets were at Coonagh.
Two Goosanders were on the Shannon at Corbally (Maura Turner).

Wednesday 23rd February 2011
A flock of 143 Whooper Swans was at Clarina.
A male Blackcap was in a garden in Raheen.
A pair of Ravens were at Newcastle, Castletroy this evening.

Tuesday 22nd February 2011
The two Goosanders were at Shannon Banks, Corbally (James Hayes).
The adut Ring-billed Gull was still at Howley’s Quay.
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Linnet in a private garden at Newcastlewest © Mike SheehySunday 20th February 2011
Two female/immature Goosanders were on the Shannon at Corbally (Tom Tarpey).

One adult Ring-billed Gull was at Howley’s Quay.Saturday 19th February 2011
A Green Sandpiper and a Kingfisher were at the quay in Askeaton.

Thursday 17th February 2011
There was at least one Mealy Redpoll within a flock of 14 Lesser Redpolls and three Chiffchaffs, including two possible ‘tristis’ birds, at the Coonagh Settlement ponds earlier today (John N Murphy & James Hayes).

Other birds of note at the same site were 100 Teal, 63 Wigeon, 51 Tufted Duck, 20 Shoveler, one Pochard, three Pintail, three Water Rails, 48 Lapwing, 23 Dunlin, 12 Skylark and a Little Egret.
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Chiffchaff “tristis type” at Coonagh © John N MurphyTuesday 15th February 2011
A Mealy Redpoll, two Chiffchaffs, 14 Skylarks, 133 Teal, 60 Wigeon, 40 Tufted Duck, 31 Shoveler, three Shelduck, 90 Lapwing, one Greenshank, one Whooper Swan and 16 Mute Swans were at Coonagh (James Hayes).
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
Three Blackcaps, two males and a female, were at Raheen.

Sunday 13th February 2011,
Two Buzzards were seen in west Limerick.

Saturday 12th February 2011
A Mealy Redpoll was reported in garden at Newcastle West (Geoff Hunt).
A male Hen Harrier was at Grouse Lodge, Carrigkerry.

Friday 11th February 2011
Two Little Egrets were at the Ballinacurra Creek.
Thursday 10th February 2011
One male and one female Blackcap were at Raheen.
Wednesday 9th February 2011
Two male and one female Blackcaps were in a garden at Raheen.
One Little Egret was at Ballincurra Creek.
A Barn Owl was seen near Annacotty.
Tuesday 8th February 2011
The Black Swan was back at O”Callaghan’s Strand Limerick.
Also on the Shannon River near O’ Callaghan’s Strand was on Ring-billed Gull and two colour ringed Black-headed Gulls.
Two male Blackcaps were in a garden at Raheen.
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Black Swan with Mute Swans Limerick City © John N Murphy
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Yellow banded Black-headed Gull 252M © John N Murphy
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Yellow banded Black-Headed Gull 208P © John N MurphyMonday 7th February 2011
A Little Egret was on the Shannon at the Mill Road, Corbally.
Blackcaps were reported from Corbally (two birds) and Raheen.
The remains of pair of dead Buzzards were recovered  by a farmer in a field near Croagh. The birds had been seen in the area frequently since early January.

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Siskins have been reported from a number of gardens recently © Jane Griffin
Friday 3rd February 2011
There were two adult Mediterranean Gulls at Loghill.
One adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand (James Hayes & John N Murphy).
One male Blackcap was in a garden at Raheen.
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Mediterranean Gulls at Loghill © John N MurphyWednesday 2nd February 2011
The two immature/female Goosanders were still at Shannon Banks, and one male Dipper was in full song at the Mill Road.

There were three adult Mediterranean Gulls in a flock of 2,000 Black-headed Gulls at Loughill.
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Dipper at the Mill Road having a stretch © John N Murphy
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Goosanders near Shannon Banks, Limerick © John N Murphy
Tuesday 1st February 2011
A single female Goosander was on the Shannon at Corbally (James Hayes).
Two adult Ring-billed Gulls were at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
A male Blackcap was in Raheen.
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Goosander preening on a small island at Shannon Banks © James Hayes
Monday 31st January 2011
The two Goosanders were on the Shannon at Corbally today (Maura Turner).

Sunday 30th January 2011
Two Mealy Redpolls and a Chiffchaff were at Coonagh (Geoff Hunt et al).
Two Goosanders and Dipper were on the Shannon near the Mill Road carpark, Corbally (Tom Tarpey et al.)
Blackcaps were reported from Monaleen (female) and Raheen  (male).LimerickPics2011/chiffchaff07.jpg
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Goosanders  on the Shannon at Corbally © Tom Tarpey

Saturday 29th January 2011
Two Hawfinches were at the Curraghchase (John Power & Denis O Sullivan).
Two female Goosanders were at Shannon Banks, Limerick City (Tom Tarpey). This is the second record of this species in Limerick, the first was also of a female, shot near Askeaton in January 1979.
There was at least three Mealy Redpolls (one adut male) and two Chiffchaffs at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds today (Tom Tarpey). Other birds of note there were two Gadwall and two Stock Doves.
Four Crossbills were seen on the Ballyhoura Mts near Ardpatrick.
One Barn Owl was seen near Pallaskenry.
An adult Ring-billed Gull was reported at Westfields.

Friday 28th January 2011
A Mealy Redpoll was seen in a garden in Raheen (James Hayes)

Wednesday 26th January 2011
A first winter male Lesser Scaup was reported at Lough Gur (Ciaran Cronin).
Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Loughill.
The Eastern Jackdaw was back in Raheen this morning. A male Blackcap was also in the area.
A Little Egret was at Askeaton.

Monday 24th January 2011
Four Hawfinches and a few Brambling were in Curraghchase (Harry Hussey et al).
There was up to three probable Mealy Redpolls at the Coonagh Settelment Ponds (Harry Hussey et al).
A Waxwing was seen at Church Road, Raheen.
Two adult Ring-billed Gulls were at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
A male Blackcap was report from Raheen.


Sunday 23rd January 2011
At least two Mealy Redpolls were at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds today along with the two possible ‘tristis’ Chiffchaffs (Tom Tarpey).
Other birds of note there were 25 Shoveler, 20 Pochard and a Whooper Swan.
One Waxwing was on the Church Road in Raheen.
A Little Egret was seen in the Clonmacken/Coonagh area.

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Chiffchaffs showing characteristics of the Siberian race ‘tristis’ at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey

Saturday 22nd January 2011
A Mealy Redpoll was seen at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds today, along with two Chiffchaffs (James Hayes, Clodagh Glasgow).

Also at Coonagh were a flock of 50 Reed Buntings, 28 Shoveler, 15 Tufted Ducks, ten Teal, a Sparrowhawk and one Whooper Swan .
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Mealy Redpoll at Coonagh © James Hayes

Thursday 20th January 2011
Two Hawfinches, seven Brambling and four Jays were at Curraghchase,(James Hayes).
A male Blackcap was in a garden in Reheen.

Wednesday 19th January 2011
The adult Ring-billed Gull and five Turnstones were at O’Callaghan’s Strand while a flock of 40 Siskins and 30 Long-tailed Tits was at Westfields.

One Little Egret and 16 Greylag Geese were on the Cement factory side of the Limerick tunnel.
Two male Blackcaps were at a garden in Raheen.

Tuesday 18th January 2011
Two Chiffchaffs were seen at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this afternoon.  Both birds were showing characteristics of the Siberian race ‘tristis’. Other birds of note there were a pair of Pintail (new species for the site) and a Shelduck , a lone Whooper Swan and a roosting flock of 250 Dunlin and 350 Lapwing.

Monaday 17th January 2011
Adult Ring-billed Gulls were at O’Callaghan’s Strand and Westfields. Four Turnstone were also at O’Callaghan’s Strand.

A bird showing characteristics of Mealy Redpoll was in a garden at Raheen (see picture below).
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Redpoll at Raheen © James Hayes

Sunday 16th January 2011
Two male Blackcaps were in a garden in Raheen.
Three Turnstone were at Clancy’s Strand and a flock of 35 Oystercatchers were on the green just east of Thomond Weir.

Thursday 13th January 2011
One male and one female Crossbill were in the Ballyhoura Hills.
One male Blackcap was in a garden at Raheen.

Tuesday 11th January 2011
A single Hawfinch, 20 Brambling and seven Jay were at Curraghchase today (John N Murphy and Finbarr MacGabhann).
A Ring-billed Gull was on the Shannon at Howley’s Quay (James Hayes), this bird was later spotted at Westfield’s (John N Murphy & Finbarr MacGabhann).

There were five Turnstone at the Slipway near St.Michael’s Rowing Club, a good inland record for Limerick City.
A male Blackcap was present in a garden at Raheen.
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Hawfinch at the Curraghchase © John N Murphy
Sunday 9th January 2011
There were two Red Grouse at Lough Gay, Ashford.
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A drake Gadwall at Westfield’s Lake © Mike Flanagan
Saturday 8th January 2011
A single Waxwing was seen with a mixed flock of finches and sparrows in a garden at Raheen.

Friday 7th January 2011
A sub-adult Yellow-legged Gull (michieallis) was seen on Thomond Weir at Brown’s Quay in Limerick (Paul Troake).
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
Three male Blackcaps were seen in a garden in Raheen today.
Two Brambling were at Castlemahon.
Four Ravens were seen near Raheen.
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Adult Yellow legged Gull digiscoped in Limerick © Paul Troake
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Blackcaps in Raheen © James Hayes

Thursday 6th January 2011
Two male Blackcaps were seen in a garden in Raheen.

Wednesday 5th January 2011
A single Waxwing was seen in a garden in Raheen today.  A Blackcap was also in seen in Raheen.

Tuesday 4th January 2011

A single Waxwing was seen at the Court junction on the N69 near Kildimo.
One adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
Two male Blackcaps and a Siskin were in a garden in Raheen.
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Siskin at Raheen © James Hayes

Sunday 2nd January 2011

A Waxwing was reported at Adare Manor.

Saturday 1st January 2011
There were two Hawfinches, three Jays and a Brambling at the Curragh Chase this morning (Clodagh Glasgow & James Hayes).
Blackcaps were reported at several locations with females at Castletroy, Castleconnell and Old Kildimo(one to two birds) and males at Raheen and Kilmoreen/Old Kildimo(two birds).
A flock of 32 Whooper Swans was seen at Newtown, Clarina.
Two adult Ring-billed Gulls were at O’ Callaghan’s Strand a third bird was seen at Westfields.
545 Wigeon, 325 Tufted Duck, 54 Mallard, 38 Teal, 12 Shoveler, four Gadwall , two Pochard and a Scaup were at Lough Gur along with 13 Lapwing, 48 Coot and five Mute Swans.
There were 42 Tufted Duck, three Mallard, two Pochard, two Goldeneye and six Redshank were at Bunlicky.
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Scaup at Lough Gur © James Hayes

One of two Ring-billed Gulls at O’Callaghan’s Strand © James Hayes
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Limerick Sightings

Contributors

John Archer, Dermot Breen, Richard Bonser, Jim Bowman, Bruce Carrick, Tom Chadwick, Austin Cooney, Jeff Copner, John Coveney, Sean Cronin, Chris Cullen, Peter J Doyle, Davy Farrar, Brian Finnegan, John Fox, Clodagh Glasgow, Ger Griffin, Jane Griffin, James Hayes, Andrew Holmes, Barry Howell, Geoff Hunt, Gearoid Jackson, Irene Kelly, Dave McNamara, Finbarr MacGabhann, Coilin MacLochlainn, Ronan McLaughlin, Tony Mee, Pat Meehan, John N Murphy, Joe Noonan, Brian Porter, Mike Sheehy, Willi Stani, Carole Stapleton, Oliver Stapleton,Ian Stevenson, Tom Tarpey, Paul Troake, Carol Tyler, Patrick Veale and Howard Williams.

Thursday 30th December 2010

Five Brambling were at Athea.
Wednesday 29th December 2010
There was one Woodcock and four Jays at Creeves, Shanagolden.

Monday 27th December 2010
A adult Ring-billed Gull was seen at Westfields during the annual Christmas Outing.  A Water Rail also gave good views near the viewing platform.


Saturday 25th December 2010
Twelve Crossbills, including one singing male, were seen in the Ballyhoura Mts, near the fitness trail.
One Brambling and two Blackcaps were in a garden at Raheen.   

Friday 24th December 2010
Two Waxwings were seen in a garden in Cappamore.
A male Brambling was seen in a garden in Newcastle West.
Two Blackcaps, a male and a female, were reported froam a rural garden near Ballingarry.

Thursday 23rd December 2010.
A Brambling was seen in Croom.
A male Blackcap was seen in Monaleen, Castletroy.
A Buzzard was seen at Garryarthur, Glenroe.

Wednesday 22nd December 2010
Two Hawfinches and four Brambling were at Curraghchase (Andrew Holmes)

Monday 20th December 2010
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at Harvey’s Quay and 13 Redshank, ten Dunlin and seven Grey Herons were at Clancy’s Strand.  An otter was also seen feeding on an eel on a rock in the river at the strand.

Sunday 19th December 2010
Two Hawfinches and two Brambling were at Curraghchase (John N  Murphy).
A Brambling, a male Merlin, a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, 220 Chaffinches, 150 Reed Buntings, 55 Skylarks, three Lapwing, two Water Rails and a Golden Plover were at Coonagh.

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Goldcrest © Tom Tarpey

Saturday 18th December 2010
Six Hawfinches and 12 Bramblings were at the Curraghchase (James Hayes & Clodagh Glasgow). 
A Buzzard was at Patrickswell.

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Hawfinch at Curraghchase © James Hayes

Friday 17th December 2010

There were four Hawfinches and seven Brambling at Curraghchase today (James Hayes).
A colour ringed Black-headed Gull (White 2P45) was at Westfields. The bird was ringed as a chick at Cleveland Farm, Wiltshire on 29/6/09 and was observed at Cerney Wick, Gloucestershire on 17/9/09. This is the third coloure ringed bird from the Cotswold Water Park ringing project in England to be recorded in Limerick.
Wednesday 15th December 2010
The WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was seen briefly again near Ringmoylan (Ian Stevenson, Jim Bowman, Patrick Veale).
Five Hawfinches were at the Curraghchase this morning along with two Bramblings and seven Jays (James Hayes, Ian Stevenson, Jim Bowman, Patrick Veale).
The female Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Gur (James Hayes).
Tuesday 14th December 2010
The WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was at Ringmoylan again this morning (John N Murphy, Howard Williams & James Hayes)(10.30), along with 80 Whooper Swans. The eagle was seen catching and eating a fish at 10.45 (Jane & Ger Griffin).
One Hawfinch was at the Curragh Chase (James Hayes, John N Murphy, Howard Williams & Chris Cullen).
Two more Hawfinches were found later in the day at the Curraghchase (Coilin MacLochlainn).
Also at the Curragh Chase was one Brambling and four Jays.
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White-tailed Eagle near Ringmoylan © John N Murphy
Monday 13th December 2010
The WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was at Ringmoylan this morning (James Hayes).
A Brambling and seven Jays were at Curraghchase.
A female Ring-necked Duck (James Hayes), two Pintail, 28 Teal, 130 Tufted Duck, 200 Wigeon and a Raven were at Lough Gur.

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White-tailed Eagle at Ringmoylan © James Hayes

Sunday 12th December 2010
The WHITE-TAILED EAGLE was still near Ringmoylan Pier (John N Murphy, Clodagh Glasgow & James Hayes), along with four Little Egrets, 18 Grey Herons,
38 Whooper Swans and 600 Dunlin.
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White-tailed Eagle being harrased by other birds near Ringmoylan © John N Murphy 

Saturday 11th December 2010
A White-tailed Eagle was seen on the estuary near Ringmoylan Pier today (Tom Tarpey).  This is the second year male satelite tagged bird (Star) that has been frequenting the area for much of the past two weeks.
A flock of at least 70 Whooper Swans was also seen nearby.
There were 210 Whooper Swans again today at Clarina.
Two Goldeneye were at Cooperhill Lake, Mungret.

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Distant view of White-tailed Eagle attended by Hooded Crow near Ringmoylan (Tom Tarpey)

Friday 10th December 2010
There were 210 Whooper Swans in two seperate flocks at Newtown, Clarina.

Thursday 9th December 2010
A flock of 80 Whooper Swans were seen near Pallaskenry.

Wednesday 8th December 2010

A male Blackcap was at Gouldavoher.

Tuesday 7th December 2010
A male Blackcap was seen in a private garden in Raheen.
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.

Monday 6th December 2010
There were nine Bramblings and six Jays at the Currachase Forrest Park today.
The adult Ring-billed Gull was back at O’Callaghan’s Strand, Limerick City.
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Brambling on snowy branch © Mike Sheehy

Thurdsay 2nd December 2010
Five Hawfinches, ten Brambling and ten Jays were at Curraghchase Forest Park  (John N Murphy & James Hayes)

Wednesday 1st December 2010
A lone Waxwing was seen at the Monaleen Road, Castletroy this evening. This is the first appearance of this eruptive  species in Limerick since February 2005.
Two male Blackcaps were also seen in the Monaleen area.
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand again this morning.

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Waxwing at Castletroy © Tom Tarpey

Tuesday 30th November 2010

Seven Hawfinches were at the Curraghchase (Bruce Carrick).

One adult Mediterannean Gull was at Loghill late this evening with hundreds of Black-headed Gulls.
A partially albino Chaffinch was in a garden just outside Loghill.
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Albino Chaffinch at a garden near Loghill © James Hayes

Monday 29th October 2010
Five Hawfinches and four Bramblings were seen in Currachase Forest Park this morning (James Hayes)

Sunday 28th November 2010
A satelite tagged White-tailed Eagle was reported near Beagh Castle on the Shannon Estuary. This bird was also present in the same area on November 26th and was also seen that day near Ennis, Co. Clare.
A Cattle Egret was reported at Morgans North, Askeaton this afternoon by a farmer feeding his cattle (per Frank King).  The bird was also reported to have been seen at the same location on November 17th approx. Confirmation of identity is awaited.
At least nine  Hawfinches were at Curraghchase  (Peter J Doyle).

One male Blackcap was in a garden at Raheen.
A Kingfisher was found near Foynes.
Saturday 27th November 2010
The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at O’ Callaghan’s Strand today.
A yellow colour ringed Black-headed Gull was also at O’ Callaghan’s Strand 213G (see photo below).
One Blackcap and 20 Siskin were at Westfield’s Marsh.
Three Goldeneye and 800 Lapwing were at Bunlicky.
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Ring-billed Gull at the slipway near O Callaghan’s Strand © John N Murphy
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Colour-ringed Black-headed Gull at O’ Callaghan’s Strand slipway © John N Murphy
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Blackcap at Westfield’s Marsh © John N Murphy
Male Siskin at Westfield’s Marsh © John N Murphy 

Friday 26th November 2010

A Hawfinch, ten Brambling and 30 Jays were reported from Curraghchase (Bruce Carrick).
The female Ring-necked Duck was reported again at Lough Gur,
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand again today.
300 Lapwing, 18 Dunlin, ten Redshank, four Golden Plover, four Shoveler, 30 Teal and 14 Wigeon were at Coonagh.
Two colour ringed Black-headed Gulls (Yellow 252M & Yellow 208P) were at Harvey’s Quay today. Both birds were ringed as chicks in Lough Mask, Mayo in June 2007 and were recorded in Limerick City last winter as well.
Thursday 25th November 2010
Five Hawfinches and six Brambling were seen at Curraghchase this morning (Tom Tarpey).

Wednesday 24th November 2010
Six Hawfinches were still at the Curraghchase this morning (Dave McNamara, Jeff Copner & James Hayes).
The Eastern Jackdaw was seen again at Raheen.
A female Ring-necked Duck was reported at Lough Gur.

Tuesday 23rd November 2010
There were six Hawfinches and four Bramblings at the Curragh Chase this morning (Brian Finnegan, James Hayes & Austin Cooney).
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
 
Monday 22nd November 2010
There were seven Brambling within a flock of 200 Chaffinches, 17 Jay and two Raven at  the Curraghchase today.
The eastern Jackdaw and one Carrion Crow were at a garden in Raheen.
Sunday 21st November 2010
Two Hawfinches, nine Bramblings and six Jays were at the Curraghchase (Geoff Hunt & Ronan McLaughlin).
A pair of  Pintail along with 185 Tufted Duck, 150 Wigeon, 15, Teal, 12 Gadwall, eight Mallard and three Shoveler were at Lough Gur.
Friday 19th November 2010
There were five Hawfinches and 15 Bramblings at the Curraghchase today (Sean Cronin).
A Barn Owl was seen at Banogue near Croom.
Thursday 18th November 2010
There were 14 Hawfinches at the Curraghchase this morning (Howard Williams), along with 16 Bramblings and 20 Jays.
Four Bramblings were with a flock of 250 Chaffinches at Glenstal Abbey, Murroe and a large count of 23 Goldcrests was reported from the Clare Glens.
Hawfinch at the Curraghchase © Howard Williams
Wednesday 17th November 2010
There were tree Hawfinches (John N Murphy & James Hayes), 12 Brambling and ten Jays at the Currachase Forest Park this morning.
Hawfinch at the Curragh Chase © John N Murphy

Monday 15th November 2010
Ten Brambling were seen at Currachase Forest Park today.
The Eastern Jackdaw was seen again at Raheen.

Sunday 14th November 2010
There was at least ten Bramblings with the large Chaffinch flock at Currachase Forest Park today.
One Buzzard, a Merlin, 25 Greylag Geese, 75 Whooper Swans and a colour-ringed Little Egret (yellow 9 right, black J left) were seen at Ringmoylan.

Saturday 13th November 2010
Seven Hawfinches (James Hayes & Clodagh Glasgow) and five Brambling were seen at Currachase Forest Park today.  Hawfinches have been seen here on a number of occasions since a major influx of over 100 birds occurred in November 1988. The Hornbeam trees near the main carpark is one of the favoured areas used by these birds.
There were 300 Teal, ten Shoveler, 12 Whooper Swans, 55 Mute Swans, 290 Lapwing, 85 Golden Plover, eight Redshank, two Dunlin, a Snipe and one Little Egret were at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds today.


Hawfinch and Brambling at Curraghchase © James Hayes

Wednesday 10th November 2010
There were three Bramblings, 40 Jays, 200+ Chaffinchs and 60 Siskin at Currachase today.
An Eastern Jackdaw was seen at Croagh.


Jay and  Brambling at  Curraghchase © James Hayes

Sunday 7th November 2010
The Eastern Jackdaw was back at a garden in Raheen.
A Merlin was seen at Carrigkerry.

Saturday 6th November 2010
There was 100 Tufted Duck, 32 Teal and eleven Gadwall at Lough Gur today.

Tuesday 2nd November 2010
The Eastern Jackdaw was seen in Raheen today.

Saturday 30th October 2010
A juvenile Snow Bunting was found near the summit of Knockfierna today.

Friday 29th October 2010
There was 150 Tufted Duck, 28 Teal, a Scaup and 12 Little Grebe at  Lough Gur today.

Thursday 28th October 2010
The continental race Jackdaw was seen in a private garden at Raheen again today.


Recently arrived Whooper Swans at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey

Sunday 24th October 2010
Thirteen Whooper Swans (including four juveniles), 34 Mute Swans, 250 Teal, nine Shoveler, six Snipe, three Black-tailed Godwits and a Sparrowhawk were at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this evening.

Thursday 21st October 2010
The 20 Jays were still at the Curraghchase along with one Peregrine and one Raven.
A pair of Shovelers were at Westfield’s Marsh.
Wednesday 20th October 2010
There were 20 Jays, three Treecreepers and six Siskins at the Curraghchase.
Jay gathering acorns at the Curraghchase © James Hayes

Sunday 17th October 2010
Six Whooper Swans were early arrivals at Lough Gur today.


Saturday 16th October 2010
There were three Jays and five Redwing near Glenstal Abbey this afternoon.

Thursday 14th October 2010
One adult Mediterranean Gull was on the Shannon River next to the Coonagh settlement Ponds, while 
one Swallow was hawking over the main pond.  
Mediterranean Gull and Black Headed Gull on the Shannon near Coonagh © John N Murphy

Wednesday 13th October 2010
A adult Mediteranean Gull was seen at Robertstown today.

Saturday 9th October 2010
One Blue-winged Teal (Tom Tarpey), 40 Teal, 12 Shoveler, three Mallard, six Knot, seven Golden Plover, a female Hen Harrier, one female Sparrowhawk and a Whinchat were at Coonagh today.


Whinchat at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey

Friday 8th October 2010
A Buzzard was seen near Croagh today.

Wednesday 6th October 2010
The eastern race Jackdaw was on show on a public green in Raheen today.


Eastern race Jackdaw at Raheen © James Hayes

Monday 4th October 2010
Today there were eight Snipe, four Water Rails, two Little Egrets, 40 Teal, five Mute Swans, a Peregrine Falcon and two Kestrels at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds.

Sunday 3rd October 2010
An eastern race Jackdaw (C. m. monedula or soemmerringii) was seen in a garden in Raheen today (James Hayes).

Friday 1st October 2010
There was a Jack Snipe, a Spotted Redshank, five Snipe, 70 Teal, 15 Shoveler, three Mute Swans and a Wheatear at the Coonagh Ponds this evening.
Sparrowhawk Limerick City © James Hayes

Monday 27th September 2010
A Buzzard was seen at the M20/M7/N18 interchange at Rossbrien this morning.

Saturday 25th September 2010

A Wheatear, 43 Teal, two Tufted Duck, seven  Snipe, a Greenshank, a Water Rail, a female Sparrowhawk and a Kestrel were at the Coonagh Ponds.

Friday 24th September 2010
Black Swans have been reported from a number of localities in Limerick recently.  A pair were on the Shannon at Howley’s Quay today.


Black Swans at Howley’s Quay © James Hayes

Tuesday 21st September 2010
The Pectoral Sandpiper was at the east end of the Coonagh Ponds again this morning.  Two Wheatear, a Little Egret two Water Rails and 20 Shoveler were also at the site.
A Black Swan of unknown origin was associating with the Mute Swans at O’Callaghan’s Strand today.

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Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at Coonagh © James Hayes

Monday 20th September 2010
There were six Little Egrets roosting on St. Gearoid’s Island at Lough Gur this evening.

Sunday 19th September 2010
There was a Whimbrel and five Little Egrets at Tarbert today.

Friday 17th September 2010
There was a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at the Coonagh Ponds this evening. This is the third record of this transatlantic vagrant for the County. There was also 45 Teal, nine Black-tailed Godwits, two Tufted Duck,  two Little Egrets, three Swift, a Water Rail and a Kestrel at the site.

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Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey

Wednesday 15th September 2010
The Black tern was still at the Settlement Ponds at Coonagh along with one Water Rail and one late Sedge Warbler.

Tuesday 14th September 2010

The Citrine Wagtail was still present at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds today(Tom Tarpey). Also present was the Yellow Wagtail, the Black Tern, three Swift and a Reed Warbler.    

Monday 13th September 2010
At the Coonagh Settlement ponds today the Citrine Wagtail was still present (John N Murphy, James Hayes, Joe Adamson, Davey Farr et al).
Also at the settlement ponds were one Yellow Wagtail, one juvenile Black tern, 11 swifts and two Little Egrets.
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Citrine Wagtail at Coonagh Ponds © John N Murphy
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Juvenile Yellow Wagtail at Coonagh Ponds © John N Murphy
Sunday 12th September 2010
A juvenile CITRINE WAGTAIL was  found this afternoon at the Coonagh settlement Ponds (Tom Tarpey), along with one juvenile Black Tern, two Wheatear, five Swift, one Wood Sandpiper, four Little Egrets,15 Little Grebes, 40 Mallard and a female type Hen Harrier.  The Citrine Wagtail is the first county record of this rare Northern European vagrant.
Two Common Sandpipers, 150 Black-tailed Godwits, ten Greenshank, three Little Egrets, 50 Teal and a Peregrine were at Loghill.
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Citrine Wagtail at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey
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Black Tern at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey


Wednesday 8th September 2010
Today at the Settlement Ponds at Coonagh there were seven Little Egrets, one Peregrine, one Ringed Plover, 28 Lapwings, seven Little Grebes, 50 Reed Buntings, 100 Linnets, five Skylark, one Kestrel and four Wheatears.

Tuesday 7th September 2010
There was one Curlew Sandpiper, two Ruff, 19 Greylag Geese, three Little Egrets, one Whimbrel, a single Dunlin, small numbers of Black-tailed Godwits and Redshank and 15 Swift at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds.  One Painted Lady Butterfly was also noted.


Monday 6th September 2010
At the Settlement ponds in Coonagh today there was one Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope (John N Murphy, Brian Finnegan & James Hayes).
Also at the ponds there was one Wood Sandpiper, 11 Ruff, five Curlew Sandpipers, one Little Stint, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Lapwing, two Ringed Plovers, three Little Egrets, one female Hen Harrier, 28 Teal and six Wheatears.
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Red-necked Phalarope at Coonagh Settlement Ponds © John N Murphy
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Wheatear on the outer fence post of the Coonagh Settlement Ponds © John N Murphy

Sunday 5th September 2010
There was a Green Sandpiper, a juvenile Wood Sandpiper and three juvenile Spotted Redshank at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this morning. A pair of Swifts were also seen in the area.

Saturday 4th September 2010

The juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was seen at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds again today (Barry Howell).

Friday 3rd September 2010
A juvenile RED-NECKED PHALAROPE was at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this afternoon (Tom Tarpey).  This is the first record of the species in Limerick.  Nine Ruff, three Little Egrets, nine Little Grebes, a Greenshank, 40 Lapwing and smaller numbers of Black-talied Godwits, Teal and Mallard were also present.
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Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope at Coonagh © Tom Tarpey


Tuesday 31st August 2010
At the Coonagh Settlement Ponds there were 11 Ruff, two Curlew Sandpipers, one Spotted Redshank, two Golden Plover, 40 Black-tailed Godwits, 36 Teal, ten Snipe, eight Lapwing, two Little Egrets, two Ringed Plover, 12 Swift and a Kestrel.

Thursday 26th August 2010
The high tide count at the Coonagh Settlement Ponds this evening included ten Ruff, a Wood Sandpiper, 25 Snipe, 80 Redshank, 11 Greenshank, 28 Lapwing, 175 Black-tailed Godwits, two Little Egrets, six Shoveler, 20 Teal, five Mallard and four Little Grebe.

Friday 20th August 2010
Buzzard near the N69 at Askeaton. 

Two Common Sandpipers were at Loghill. 
Also at Loghill were six Greenshank, 50 Black-tailed Godwits and 60 Curlew.
There were two more Common Sandpipers at Robertstown Creek along
with eight Greenshank and a Little Egret.
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Common Sandpiper in flight at Roberstown Creek © James Hayes

Friday 6th August 2010
Adult Long-eared Owl with three chicks at Ballintubrid, Newcastle West.

Saturday 31st July 2010
Two Hen Harriers (female & juvenile), four Jays and a high count of 55 Mistle Thrushes were recorded

at Carker Mountain in the Ballyhoura Mountains today.
Sunday 18th July 2010
There were four Common Sandpipers, 16 Greenshank, 22 Shellduck, two Raven
and two Little Egrets at Aughinish, Askeaton.

Wednesday 14th July 2010

There was a Whimbrel near the Shannon  at Rhebogue.

Monday 12th July 2010
A second summer Mediterranean Gull and six Common Sandpipers were at Loghill. 
Monday 5th July 2010
One Red Grouse and a flock of 60 Redpolls were in the west Limerick Hills.
There were eight Greenshank and one Common Tern at Aughinish pools.
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Red Grouse © James Hayes
Sunday 4th July 2010
There were four Common Sandpipers at Loghill, west Limerick today.
Tuesday 29th June 2010
There were two Hen Harriers and at least three Red Grouse in the west Limerick Hills today.
Saturday 19th June 2010
One Little Egret was on the Maigue River near Croom.
Friday 18th June 2010
The Black-headed Gull wearing the yellow darvic leg band with the letters 208P
was still at Sarsfields Bridge in the City Centre.  This bird was first ringed at Lough Mask in Galway by
Eoin McGreal on 16th June 2007 and has spent 2009 and the earlier part of this year in Limerick City.
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Black-headed Gull © Willi Stani
Thursday 17th  June 2010
There were two Spotted Flycatchers and two Blackcaps near Plassey this afternoon.
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Spotted Flycatcher © James Hayes

Sunday 13th June 2010
There were four Blackcaps singing in one CBS tetrad at Currachase this morning. A Spotted Flycatcher was also seen.

Monday 24th May 2010
At Plassey this evening there were four Blackcaps a Kingfisher and a juvenile Dipper.

Sunday 23rd May 2010
There were four Blackcaps singing at the eastern end of Plassey Walk, Castletroy.

Saturday 22nd May 2010
Cuckoo at Gooig Bog.

Monday 17th May 2010
Single Cuckoos were seen at Scotland Bog, Carrigkerry and New Quay, Askeaton today.

One Cuckoo, one Raven, two Bar-tailed Godwits and two Whitethroats were at New Quay, Limerick.

Saturday 8th May 2010
Five Whimbrel were at Askeaton

Friday 7th May 2010
A Cuckoo was at Gortadroma, Ballyhahill.

Tuesday 4th May 2010
There was a Cuckoo at Ashfort, Patrickswell today.


Monday 3rd May 2010
A male and female Hen Harrier were at Carrigkerry.
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Whitethroat at Gooig Bog © Tom Tarpey

Saturday 1st May 2010
There were four Blackcaps in song in a one kilometre CBS square in Currachase.  A Sedge Warbler was also head in the area.
A Whitethroat was singing at Gooig Bog.

Thursday 29th April 2010
The first Swifts of the year were reported today from Bruff and the Castle Demense, Newcastle West.

Tuesday 27th April 2010

There was a Turtle Dove at Rathbane Golf Course today.
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Red Grouse © James Hayes

Monday 26th April 2010
Two Cuckoos, two Grasshopper Warblers, a male Hen Harrier and a Red Grouse were seen in the West Limerick Hills today.

Sunday 25th April 2010
Four Hen Harriers (three females and a male), four Grasshopper Warblers and two Cuckoos were in the West Limerick Hills today.

Tuesday 20th April 2010
There was Cuckoo, a female Hen Harrier and two Grasshopper Warblers at Griston Bog, Ballylanders today.
A Cuckoo and two Wheatear were seen at Gooig Bog.
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Willow Warbler at Gooig Bog © Tom Tarpey

Friday 16th April 2010
There was a Little Egret, seven Willow Warblers and five Chiffchaffs at Adare.

Wednesday 14th April 2010
There was a Blackcap in song and a Buzzard at Newtown, Castletroy.

Tuesday 13th April 2010
1st year Ring-billed Gull on the Shannon at Howley’s Quay, Limerick City.
Three Buzzards were seen circling overhead near Raheen, Limerick in the evening.
There was a Blackcap in song at Plassey, Castletroy.

Sunday 11th April 2010
The female Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Gur (Paul Troake), along with one
Common Sandpiper, five Little Egrets and one drake Scaup.

Monday 5th April 2010
Two Ring-billed Gulls (Adult and 1st Year) at Howleys Quay.

Sunday 4th April 2010
Second year Ring-billed Gull at Howleys Quay, Limerick City.
Eight Sand Martins at Westfields.
Saturday 3rd April 2010
One second year Ring-billed Gull was at the Salmon Weir, near St. John’s Island.

Friday 2nd April 2010

Green-winged Teal at Tarbert (Geoff Hunt).
Chiffcahffs at Ballingarry and Adare.

Wednesday 31st March 2010
The PIED-BILLED GREBE was still at Lough Gur (Josh Jones).

Tuesday 30th March 2010
Four Swallows at Bleach Lough, Kildimo.

Monday 29th March 2010

Adult Ring-billed Gull at Tarbert.

Sunday 28th March 2010
Two drake Scaup were at Lough Gur.  Three Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler were also head singing in the area.
A Blackcap was in song at Monaleen, Castletroy.


Friday 26th March 2010

One Chiffchaff at Adare.
Six Sand Martins and two Swallows at Abbeyfeale.

Thursday 25th March 2010

A number of Sand Martins were seen over the Maigue in Croom.


Wednesday 24th March 2010
One adult Ring-billed Gull was at O’ Callaghan’s Strand and three Sand Martins were at Westfields.
Two male Scaup were at Lough Gur.
A flock of three Little Egrets flew over Milltown, Ballysimon.
Monday 22nd March 2010
Two adult Ring-billed Gulls and a second-winter Mediterranean Gull were at Arthur’s Quay, Limerick City today.

Sunday 21th March 2010
There was a female Brambling in a garden at Monaleen, Castletroy today.

Thursday 18th March 2010
A Short-eared Owl was seen at Ringmoylan, Pallaskenry this evening.
There were four Little Egrets and a male Blackcap at Castleconnell

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Buzzard near Ardagh © Andrew Holmes

Monday 15th March 2010
There was a Buzzard just north of Ardagh by the side of the Shanagolden Road today

Sunday 14th March 2010
There were two Ring-billed Gulls, an adult and 1st winter bird, on the Shannon in Limerick City today.

Thursday 11th March 2010
One sinensis Cormorant was at Lough Gur today but there was no sign of the Grebe nor the Ring-necked Duck.
Tuesday 9th March 2010
The PIED-BILLED GREBE was still at Lough Gur today (Ronan McLaughlin).
There were two Spotted Redshanks, one second-winter Mediterannean Gull,
a Little Egret, 22 Ringed Plover and three Greenshank at Loghill, west Limerick.
One Common Sandpiper was at Foynes.
One Little Egret was at Adare.
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Common Sandpiper at Foynes Harbour © John N Murphy
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Spotted Redshank © John N Murphy
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Little Egret at Loghill © John N Murphy

Monday 8th March 2010
Two drake Scaup were at Lough Gur today.  Two Jay were also seen near the lake.
A flock of 54 Whooper Swans and a Little Egret were at Athlacca.

Sunday 7th March 2010
The female Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Gur today.
There was a male Blcakcap at Monaleen, Castletroy.

Saturday 6th March 2010

The PIED-BILLED GREBE was at Lough Gur along with the sinensis Cormorant,
the female Ring-necked Duck, the male Scaup and a male Garganey.

Thursday 4th March 2010
The PIED-BILLED GREBE was at Lough Gur (John Fox, John N Murphy, James Hayes et al).
Also at Lough Gur were the female Ring-necked Duck, one Little Egret, one Peregrine, ten 
Cormorants, 160 Tufted Ducks, nine Pochard, one drake Scaup and one Water Rail.
There was a Rock Pipit at the Charleville Lagoons an unusual inland record, along with
one Little Egret, eight Gadwall, 60 Wigeon, 18 Shoveler, 20 Tufted Ducks and two Dunlin.
Four Ravens were seen flying over Raheen.
There were at least three Common Redpolls at a garden in Raheen within a flock of
50 Lesser Redpolls and one female Blackcap. 
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Rock Pipit at the Charleville Lagoons © John N Murphy
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A pair of Gadwall flying over Charleville Lagoons © John N Murphy

Wednesday 3rd March 2010
The PIED-BILLED GREBE and the female Ring-necked Duck were seen at Lough Gur today.
Ring-necked Duck © James Hayes


Tuesday 2nd March 2010
The PIED-BILLED GREBE and the female Ring-necked Duck were seen at Lough Gur today. 
A female Brambling was also found in the area.
There were three Blackcaps (two male and a female) in a garden at Castleconnell.

Monday 1st March 2010
The PIED-BILLED GREBE was still at Lough Gur. 
The continental Cormorant and a Raven were also present today.

Continental Cormorant © James Hayes

Sunday 28th February 2010
The PIED-BILLED GREBE was still at Lough Gur, along with the female
Ring-necked Duck, the drake Green-winged Teal, the continental Cormorant
and 11 Little Egrets going to roost.
There was two male Blackcaps at Castleconnell.

Saturday 27th February 2010

The PIED-BILLED GREBE was showing well all day today at Lough Gur. 

A male Green-winged Teal was also seen (Sean Cronin et al). 
The female Ring-necked Duck (Tom Tarpey) was present there again today. 
Other birds of note at Lough Gur included a continental race (sinensis) Cormorant (Tom Tarpey),
a male Scaup, a Whooper Swan and a flock of 20 Golden Plover flying overhead.

Friday 26th February 2010

There was a female Ring-necked Duck at Lough Gur today (Tom Chadwick).

Thursday 25th February 2010

A PIED-BILLED GREBE was reported at Lough Gur this morning (Davy Farrar).

This is the first record of this American species for the county. 
The bird was found on February 19th last and identification was confirmed today.
Monday 22nd February 2010
There were three adult Ring-billed Gulls in Limerick City today.
Westfields had a count of 20 Pochard.
A male Blackcap was at Castletroy and a female was at Raheen.

Saturday 20th February 2010

A female Garganey was at the Charleville Lagoons. 

Thursday 18th February 2010
A Chiffchaff was seen at Deerpark, Adare.

Tuesday 16th February 2010 
Two adult Ring-billed Gulls were in Limerick City.
Sunday 14th February 2010
One female Hen Harrier was at Sugar Hill, County Limerick.
There was a male Blackcap at Monaleen, Castletroy.
Friday 12th February 2010
One adult Ring-billed Gull was still at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
One male Blackcap at Castleconnell.
Thursday 11th February 2010
One adult Ring-billed Gull was at the slipway near O’Callaghan’s Strand.

Sunday 7th February 2010

A female Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Gur earlier today (Paul Troake).

Friday 5th February 2010

A Ring-billed Gull and 25 Pochard were at Westfields today. 
A large flock of Siskins and Goldfinches were also seen feeding on the Alders lining the pondside pathway.

Wednesday 3rd February 2010

There was a Ring-billed Gull was at O’Callaghan’s Strand.
A Raven was seen at Aughinish Island and a Little Egret at nearby Robertstown Creek.

Tuesday 2nd February 2010

There were two Ring-billed Gulls and three Turnstone on the Shannon in Limerick City today.
Two Mediterranean Gulls, an adult and a second year, and an adult Ring-billed Gull were on 
the Shannon at Limerick City today.
There was a Scaup, two Whooper Swans and two Gadwall at Lough Gur.
A flock of 30 Oystercatchers was seen feeding on the green on King John’s Island in Limerick City today.
Black-headed Gull Yellow 286B was also seen at Arthur’s Quay today.
This bird was ringed as a chick at Aghinish, Lough Mask, Co. Mayo in 2008.

Whooper Swan at Mill Road, Corbally © John N Murphy

Thursday 27th January 2010

A Whooper Swan is still present at the Mill Road, Corbally.

Tuesday 26th January 2010

Ten Twite were seen at Aughinish, Askeaton.
There was a flock of 120 Whooper Swans at Newtown, Clarina.
Two Blackcaps (male and female) were in a garden at Raheen and a male was in Castletroy.


Sunday 24th January 2010

A Buzzard and a Hen Harrier were seen near Ballingarry.
A Black Redstart was at the Potato Market, Merchants Quay, Limerick.

Redshank at O’Callaghan’s Strand © Tom Tarpey

Ring-billed Gull at O’Callaghan’s Strand © James Hayes

Tuesday 19th January 2010

Two Ring-billed Gulls at O’Callaghan’s Strand and a third near the City centre.

Friday 15th January 2010

Eight Whooper Swans were seen near Rathkeale.
A Ring-billed Gull and a Little Egret were at Westfields.

Thursday 14th January 2010

The Hoopoe was seen again today in Castletroy.

Wednesday 13th January 2010
A Hoopoe turned up in a private garden in Castletroy today.

This first Spring migrant of the year is known for its tendency to arrive early and overshoot its normal breeding range. 
The species has not previously been recorded in Limerick post 1900.

Sunday 10th January 2010

A Ring-billed Gull was seen at Bishop’s Quay in Limerick City.
Three Blackcaps, a male and two females, were in a garden in Raheen.

Saturday 9th January 2010
There was a report of a Firecrest in Lisnagry today on a UK birding website. 

No further details have come to light yet, however if confirmed it would be
a first record of the species for Co. Limerick.
Thursday 7th January 2010
Two Blackcaps, a male and female, were in a garden in Raheen today.

Black-headed Gull White 2H59 © James Hayes
  
Wednesday 6th January 2010

A  Ring-billed Gull was  present in Westfields.
A pair of Gadwall and a Water Rail were also noted there along with
a colour ringed Black-headed Gull (White 2H59). 
This bird was ringed as a chick at Cerney Wick in Gloucestershire, England 
on 22/5/07 and was also seen in Limerick previously on 1/3/08.


Blackcaps in Castletroy © Tom Tarpey

Tuesday 5th January 2010
Two male Blackcaps were in a garden in Monaleen, Castletroy  today.

Saturday 2nd January 2010

A Twite was found in a mixed finch flock near the boatyard at Newquay, Askeaton today.

Two Ravens were also seen in the area.
An adult Ring-billed Gull was seen at Tarbert Bay.
Further afield Ballylongford Pier, Co. Kerry had two Kingfishers an a Common Sandpiper.

Redpoll © Tom Tarpey

Friday 1st January 2010

A Buzzard was seen at Killeline, Newcastle West this evening.

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