Category Archives: Scarce & Rare Bird Sightings

Two of the four Yellow-browed Warblers at Loop Head today John N Murphy

A RICHARD’S PIPIT was at Loop Head Lighthouse this morning (09.05 to 10.00), (John N Murphy, Nuala & Tom Lynch). This is only the fourth county record of this rare eastern vagrant.
Also at Loop Head today were four Yellow-browed Warblers (three of which were ringed), two Chiffchaff, one Snow Bunting, one Wheatear, 26 Reed Buntings, one Buzzard, two Merlin, two Peregrines, one Redwing, 170 Golden Plover, one Great Northern Diver, four Brent Geese and 14 Skylark. (Phil Brennan, Nuala & Tom Lynch, John N Murphy & Geoff Pearson)
One Garganey was at the Shannon Airport Lagoon. (Mark Gibson)
There were three Swallows just west of Kilkee this evening. (John N Murphy)
Six Redwing were at Ardroo Bridge, Ruan this evening (Cliff Baxter).
One Wheatear was at Mullaghmore, the Burren. (Cliff Baxter)
One Barn Owl was picked up dead on the M18 motorway near Dromoland Castle Roundabout. (Darren Gardiner)
One Little Stint and 300 Teal were at Lough Donnell. (Jeff Copner)

Spotted Flycatcher at Kilbaha John N Murphy

There was one Spotted Flycatcher, one Chiffchaff, two Goldcrest, two Wheatear, 34 Goldfinch, 38 Rock Dove, one Merlin, one Sparrowhawk and 102 Golden Plover at Loop Head today. (John N Murphy)
Five Swallows were at Applewood, Ballycar this evening. (John N Murphy)

Bluethroat at Loop Head Killian Mullarney

A first-winter female BLUETHROAT was at Loop Head today. (John N Murphy, Killian Mullarney et al) This is only the second county record and exactly 33 years to the day since the first record at the Shannon Airport Lagoon on 6th October 1982.
Also at Loop Head there was one Lapland Bunting, one female Blackcap, one Spotted Flycatcher, one Peregrine, 40 Golden Plover, 16 Chough, 14 Redpoll, 16 Goldfinch, 10 Greenfinch and two Wheatear.
There were five Arctic Skuas, two Great Northern Divers, one Red-throated Diver and one Storm Petrel at the Bridges of Ross. (Geoff Pearson & Killian Mullarney)
There were four Little Stints at Lough Donnell. (Dave McNamara & Jeff Copner)