Welcome to the Waterford Birds blog, supplementing the Recent reports page of the main Waterford Birds website www.waterfordbirds.com. If it's not there yet it may be here (real-time postings when possible), along with extra details. Please post any updates, new reports or corrections by texting 0861701599 (alternatively - but this may delay dissemination of news - click Comments). The main website will be updated (including photos) at next opportunity.



Monday, September 30, 2013

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Pied Flycatcher, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 20+ Chiffchaffs & 2 Wheatears 14:15-15:30 (DS).
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER (along main lane halfway between chalet & end gate), Lesser Whitethroat & Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatchers & hundreds of Swallows, Meadow Pipits & Skylarks (CFo).

Sunday, September 29, 2013

HELVICK HEAD:  Turtle Dove (EAMacL per irishbirding.com).

ARDMORE:  Mediterranean Gull on beach (NJB).
Nr WATERFORD CITY:  Turtle Dove near Holy Cross Inn, Cork road, feeding at side of road c18:20 (FO'C).
ARDMORE: Turtle Dove at farm on Goat Island road, Grasshopper Warbler in gorse just south of coastguard station, 3 Chiffchaffs & 6 Goldcrests coastguard / Cliff Hotel area (MAD, PMW).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: also 2 Whinchats (MC sr).
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Yellow Wagtail, LESSER WHITETHROAT, Turtle Dove, Whitethroat, male Blackcap, 4 Spotted Flycatchers and 3 White Wagtails (MC, MC Sr).

DUNGARVAN: Little Stint & 3 Green Sandpipers at Killongford pools (JAP, BS).
WATERFORD CITY:  Chiffchaff singing at  Arbourmount, Ferrybank; 9 Long-tailed Tits at Waterford Industrial estate (LR).

Saturday, September 28, 2013

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Also 2 Turtle Doves, LESSER WHITETHROAT (beyond end of track across top of gully on way to towers), Whitethroat, 3 Wheatears, Great Skua E, Great Northern Diver E & updated totals 5 Blackcaps & 19 Chiffchaffs (JAP, FO'C, BS, RAW, PMW).

RAM HEAD:  c100 House Martins, 300 Swallows, 100 Meadow Pipits, 2 iskins & 20 Linnets passed 09:05-10:00 (NJ Bourke).

BALLYVOYLE: Adult Mediterranean Gull (JAP, FO'C, BS, RAW).

DUNHILL: Kingfisher (").

WEST WATERFORD: 3 Buzzards together (").
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: No sign of Wryneck at the valley but Garden Warbler, 4 Blackcaps (2 m 2 f) & a Vestal moth there; other totals for the head include 4 Spotted Flycatchers, 16 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, 5 Goldcrests, 3 Tree Sparrows, 2 Redpolls, 60+ House Martins (E), 170+ Swallows (E), 300+ Meadow Pipits, & a Bar-tailed Godwit with Curlew (JF, AJ, PMW).

Friday, September 27, 2013

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: final totals WRYNECK, LESSER WHITETHROAT, 2 Turtle Doves, Reed Warbler, 2 Whitethroats, 3 Blackcaps (m + 2 f), 12+ Chiffchaffs, 4-5 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Goldcrests, Wheatear, 4 White Wagtails, 300+ Meadow Pipits, 150+ Swallows & 6 Tree Sparrows (AA, CFo, AJ, DS, PMW). Also migrant moths (by day): 1 Vestal, 30 Rush Veneer & 4 Silver Y; plus 32 Red Admirals & 2 Painted Ladies.

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Kingfisher at Clohernagh (AA).

ARDMORE: 6 Wheatear at Curragh; juv Turtle Dove at farmhouse along Goat Island road (SH).
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: LESSER WHITETHROAT (by chalet along main lane), Turtle Dove (flew up head), 4 White Wagtails, 6 Tree Sparrows, 4-5 Spotted Flycatchers, Wheatear, 2 Whitethroats & 5+ Chiffchaffs so far, by 12:30 (CF, DS, AA, PMW).

HELVICK HEAD: Juvenile Whinchat (MC sr).

ARDMORE: Juvenile Turtle Dove by farmhouse along Goat Island road (IS).
ARDMORE: Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatchers & a few Chiffs in sycamores of Round Tower graveyard (IS)
ARDMORE: Turtle Dove, 2 Spotted Flycatchers & a few Chiffs in sycamores of Round Tower graveyard (IS)

Thursday, September 26, 2013

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Whinchat & Turtle Dove this evening (MC) - TD in field beyond gate at end of main track

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:  Redwing heard (TB) - first of autumn.

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 10+ Tree Sparrows, 3 female Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaff, 4 Willow Warbler, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Goldcrest & 6 Snipe ( DS).

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

CLONEA: Grasshopper Warbler @ Ballinclamper. (MC)

Monday, September 23, 2013

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Reed Warbler at end of main lane, otherwise just 2 Chiffchaffs & a Tree Sparrow this morning (AA).

Sunday, September 22, 2013

ARDMORE:  Juvenile Turtle Dove along Goat Island road, at farmyard at first 90-degree bend in road; Pied Flycatcher in sycamores behind Round  Tower (MC, CF).

HELVICK HEAD:  3 Blackcaps (2 males & 1 female) (JAP, BS).

DUNGARVAN:  30+ Great Crested Grebes in harbour, Common Sandpiper at Ballyneety (").

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  57 Sandwich Terns at Saleen (AA).
RAM HEAD:
Seawatch 08:20-11:20 (ADM):
GREAT SHEARWATER:  1.
Arctic Skua: 2.
Common Scoter: 11,
Common Dolphin: 32.
Porpoise: 2.

ARDMORE:  9 Mediterranean Gulls at harbour including white-ringed 'E666' (").

Saturday, September 21, 2013

DUNGARVAN:  8 Curlew Sandpipers (2 at the Cunnigar, 6 at Ballyneety) (DW, CF).

ARDMORE:  3 Mediterranean Gulls - adult & 2nd-winter at town, 2nd-winter at Curragh (").

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
On land, 8 Chiffchaffs, 19 Choughs & 9 Ravens (JB, MAD, PMW).
Seawatch 08:10-11:10 (wind 3 SW, JB, PMW):
Great Skua: 1 E.
Common Scoter: 1 W.
Red-throated Diver: 1 adult-summer E.
Manx Shearwater: 22 W.
Fulmar: 2 E, 3 W.
Gannet: 36 E, 88 W.
Kittiwake; 27 E, 32 W.
Arctic Tern: 2 E, 1 W.
Sandwich Tern: 28 E, 74 W.
Razorbill: 10 W,
Guillemot: 1 on sea.
Large auk species: 9 E, 11 W.
Swallow: 19 W.
Meadow Pipit: 16 W.
Porpoise: 1.

Friday, September 20, 2013

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and returning yellow darvic ringed (238B) Black-headed Gull. (MC)
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  48 Brent Geese & 5 Wheatears at Lisselan (AJ).
GREAT NEWTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 07:35-08:35 (JF)
Great Skua: 1 E.
Common Scoter: 3 W.
Manx Shearwater: 1E, 14 W.
Fulmar: 1 E, 2 W.
Gannet: 9 E, 31 W.
Curlew: 2 W.
Kittiwake: 2 E, 3 W.
Black Guillemot: 3 E, 3 W.
Large auks: 2 E, 4 W.
Common Dolphin: 3 E, 2 W.


Thursday, September 19, 2013

DUNGARVAN:  Green Sandpiper at Brickey canal (JAP, BS).

CLONEA:  Arctic Skua (").

BALLYVOYLE:  Common Sandpiper & Dipper (").

STRADBALLY:  Kingfisher (").

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

ARDMORE:  5 Mediterranean Gull at harbour, including white ring 'E666' ("); 3 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh incl red ring 'PNT9'; skua species flew across bay (ADM).

Sunday, September 15, 2013

HELVICK HEAD:
Seawatch 08:00-13:00 (CF)
Balearic Shearwater: 3.
Manx Shearwater: c500.
Pomarine Skua: 2.
Arctic Skua: 5.
Great Skua: 16+.
Puffin: 12.
Common Scoter: 4.
Wigeon: 9.

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS:  40+ Ravens, female Hen Harrier & Dipper (EB).

DUNGARVAN:  24 Little Egrets upriver from Barnawee bridge (MC sr).
BROWNSTOWN HEAD:
Seawatch 09:00-12:00 (wind 6 SW, PMW)
Sooty Shearwater: 1 W.
Great Skua: 3 W singly.
Manx Shearwater: 3 E, 458 W.
Fulmar: 1 E, 9 W.
Gannet: 11 E, 248 W.
Kittiwake: 1 E, 10 W.
Sandwich Tern: 51 W.
Large auks: 32 W.
CLONEA STRAND: Curlew Sandpiper at Ballinclamper (DC).

TRAMORE BOATING LAKE: Adult Mediterranean Gull, 11 Coots & 4-5 Little Grebes (JDP).

Saturday, September 14, 2013

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: Grasshopper Warbler, 23+ Tree Sparrows (incl flock 20+ at entrance to east lane to valley), 1000+ Swallows feeding or passing through, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 8 Wheatears, 3 Blackcaps (2 male 1 female), 4 Willow Warblers, 18 Chiffchaffs, 4 Goldcrests, 55 Meadow Pipits, 12 Choughs, 5 Long-tailed Tits & 2 Migrant Hawker dragonflies, 12:00-17:10 (PMW).

WATERFORD CITY: Redshank on mudflats beside Tower Hotel.

Friday, September 13, 2013

CLONEA STRAND:  Spotted Flycatcher at Ballinclamper (MC sr).

Thursday, September 12, 2013

DUNGARVAN: Green Sandpiper @ Ballyneety. (MC)

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

WEST WATERFORD: Buzzard (SMH).
KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Female/Immature Gadwall. (MC)
ARDMORE:  2 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh - one with white ring 'E713' (ADM): ringed as a chick at Arnhem, Netherlands on 21 June 2012.

Monday, September 09, 2013

DUNGARVAN: Little Stint @ the Cunnigar. (MC)
DUNGARVAN:  Kingfisher at brickey canal, Killongford (SMH).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  9 Wheatears & 4 Grey Plover at Lisselan; good numbers of small waders at outflow of the new wetland at Kilmacleague (AJ).

Sunday, September 08, 2013

LISSELAN (Tramore Backstrand):  Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Chiffchaff, 11 Wheatear, female Shoveler, 12 Wigeon, 6 Teal & 2 Brent Geese (DS, AJ).
BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 8 Wheatears, Whitethroat, 2 Willow Ws, 2 Chiffs & a Bar-tailed Godwit (MAD, PMW); adult Mediterranean Gull on rocks at west side (DS).
RAM HEAD: Storm Petrel, Common Scoter & only 3 Manx Shearwaters on Seatrack seawatch this morning (ADM).

ARDMORE: Juvenile Knot at Curragh (").
BELLE LAKE: Juvenile Reed Warbler, 2 Water Rails calling & 11 Sedge Warblers ringed (JDP, PMW).

Saturday, September 07, 2013

KILBARRY BOG:  Kingfisher at bridge opposite Superquinn (DMcG).

DUNGARVAN: Little Stint, 3+ Curlew Sandpipers and a Brent Goose at the Cunnigar. (MC, CF, DW); Brent Goose also flew in from sea at Abbeyside (FO'C).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD:  Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, 40+ House Martins, Whitethroat 10+ Willow Warblers, 3+ Chiffchaffs & 23 Choughs (DS, MAD, PMW): Puffin E, skua species circling & just 30 Manx Shearwaters E, 9 Dunlin & 6 Bar-tailed Godwits W (seawatch 07:45-10:45m JB, DS, PMW).

Friday, September 06, 2013

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 2 Tree Sparrows. (MC)
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: 2 White Wagtails at Lisselan, 9 Knot at Pickardstown )AJ).

BROWNSTOWN HEAD: 15 Wheatear, female Blackcap, 7 Willow Warbler & 3 Chiffchaff (DS).

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

CLONEA STRAND: 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls (MC sr).

ARDMORE:  6 Mediterranean Gulls at Curragh including colour-ringed subadult 'PNT9'(?) red/leftleg (ADM).
TRAMORE: Adult or sub-adult Mediterranean Gull on beach (JDP).

Monday, September 02, 2013

WATERFORD CITY: Kingfisher on river bank in the People's Park.

Sunday, September 01, 2013

DUNGARVAN: Moulting adult Curlew Sandpiper opposite Fraher Field (JAP, BS).

DUNGARVAN: Juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, juvenile Spotted Redshank and adult Yellow-legged Gull at Killongford (MC).
Sedge Warbler juvenile at Belle Lake

BELLE LAKE: 2 Reed Warblers, 11 Sedge Warblers & a Blackcap ringed (all juveniles), 2 Water Rail calling (PMW).