Category Archives: Scarce & Rare Bird Sightings

The Clare Branch of BWI had their annual boat trip along the Cliffs of Moher today. This was a joint outing with the Limerick Branch of BWI so the ‘Jack B’ from Doolin 2 Aran Ferries had a sizeable number of birders on board as it set off from Doolin Pier. The sun shone on a flat turquoise coloured sea. All aboard enjoyed close up views of Puffin, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Shag, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull and Black Guillemot. The fact that the boat was able to go reasonably close to the sea-stack close to Goat Island was the highlight of the outing for many. Here the sight sound and smell of some of the 30000 or so seabirds nesting on the cliffs could be enjoyed to the full.

A pair of Yellowhammer were at the Crag Road close to Mullaghmore. Three Blackcap were singing in the Burren National Park. Two more were singing at the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron

A male Yellowhammer was seen in the North Commons area in the Burren close to Caher Commaun and another was at Rinroe near Lough Cullaun

At the Clare Branch of BWI Dawn Chorus outing to the Burren this morning a number of Blackcap and Whitethroat were heard singing in a chorus dominated by Blackbird song. A Cuckoo in full voice gave lovely close up views for a long period and he took little notice of several pairs of Meadow Pipit as they mobbed him. Two male Yellowhammer were seen along with Wheatear and Common Gull. Several Willow Warbler sang in the hazel bushes. A Barn Owl was seen hunting prey at Drumcliffe Cross in Ennis by people on their way to the outing at 4.30a.m.