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.



Saturday, June 27, 2015

BLACKWATER VALLEY: Red-legged Partridge at Newport East, Otter at Clashmore Broads (JAP, BS).
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Mediterranean Gull flew past at Lisselan, up to 200 Curlew on Backstrand (MC).

Friday, June 26, 2015



Thursday, June 25, 2015

ARDMORE:  21 Whimbrel (very late or very early?)  on Curragh strand, Mediterranean Gull '666' in Ardmore Harbour (ADM).

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Male Hen Harrier (MC).
HELVICK HEAD: 30 Common Scoter flying W past boat very close to shore at 11:40 (FO'C).

Sunday, June 21, 2015

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Cuckoo calling, male Hen Harrier & 20+ Ravens (JAP, BS).

Saturday, June 20, 2015

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS: Adult or near-adult WHITE-TAILED EAGLE (NR) & 3 Hen Harriers (pair & ringtail at separate locations) (MC).

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS: Small Heath butterflies common along with small numbers of Green Hairstreaks (JAP, BS).

KNOCKADERRY RESERVOIR: Emperor dragonfly, an early(?) Meadow Brown & 3-4 Cryptic Wood Whites (").

Friday, June 19, 2015

Nr DUNHILL: Long-eared Owl fledgling again tonight (JF).

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Nr DUNHILL: 2 Long-eared Owls (chick/fledgling still with some down & adult carrying prey) (JF).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Male & female Wigeon & a Stock Dove at Lisselan (AJ).

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Nr DUNHILL: Long-eared Owl fledgling calling & flying between trees, 22:40 (JF).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Reed Warbler & drake Wigeon at Lisselan (MC).
BALLYSCANLON LAKE: Reed Warbler in song at western end of lake (MC).
CASTLETOWN FEN: Cuckoo again (JF).
RAM HEAD: 145 occupied Kittiwake nests in study plots (>95% of whole colony), a 16% increase from June 2014; also 10 Painted Lady butterflies & a Bordered Straw (scarce migrant moth) (PMW).

Saturday, June 13, 2015

CASTLETOWN FEN: 2
Cuckoos (1 visible, 1 calling), also a Water Rail calling (JF).
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Drake Tufted Duck at Lisselan (AJ).
Nr WHITING BAY: Small party of Tree Sparrows including 2 juveniles usual area near west end of Whiting Bay, also 2 Stock Doves in the same area (BS, JAP).

BALLYVOYLE: 2 Spotted Flycatchers actively feeding just above Ballyvoyle bridge (").

FENOR BOG: 6 Cryptic Wood White butterflies (").

VARIOUS: Pristine Painted Lady butterflies at various coastal locations (").
TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: GLOSSY IBIS at Clohernagh (EAMacL), Reed Warbler at Lisselan (CF, DW).

CASTLETOWN: 2 Cuckoos (1 at fen, 1 between fen & airport) & a Spotted Flycatcher (CF, DW).

CARRIGAVANTRY: 17 Crossbills nr water treatment plant (DW, CF).

Friday, June 12, 2015

COMERAGH MOUNTAINS:  Cuckoo seen above Kilclooney Wood, 08:00 (NR).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: Reed Warbler & Cuckoo at Lisselan again (AJ).
BALLYSCANLON LAKE:  Reed Warbler in song (EAMacL).

CARRIGAVANTRY:  Crossbill but no sign of Hobby up to 0830 (PA).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Reed Warbler again present at 07:30 (JF).


Thursday, June 11, 2015

CARRIGAVRANTRY:  HOBBY again today, flying W at 06:30 (JF) & also present in afternoon (DS).

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  2 Cuckoos at Glenafallia (NR).

CASTLETOWN FEN:  Cuckoo calling (JF, PA).

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND:  Female wigeon species on main pond at Lisselan, male Wigeon flew past over seawall, also a Cuckoo (AJ); Reed Warbler in song at Lisselan, at small reed bed at beginnign of sea wall, also a Cuckoo calling (MC).

BUNMAHON:  Cuckoo around the large pines by Bunmahon bridge (DW).
Nr CARRIGNAGOUR (N of Lismore): Cuckoo heard (ADM).

Wednesday, June 10, 2015



Monday, June 08, 2015

Nr DUNHILL: Long-eared Owl chicks calling at two locations (MDe).

Saturday, June 06, 2015

ANNESTOWN: PECTORAL SANDPIPER inside bridge, by river just below pink house (JAP, BS). 

Friday, June 05, 2015

KILMURRIN: Male RED-FOOTED FALCON (FO'C, BS, JAP) - only 2nd Co Waterford record.

KNOCKMEALDOWN MOUNTAINS:  Male Hen Harrier (NR).


Thursday, June 04, 2015

TRAMORE BACKSTRAND: GLOSSY IBIS at Lisselan (dog-walker per AJ).

CARRIGAVRANTRY: HOBBY at 13:25 (AJ), still present up to 18:15 at least (MC, JF).

BALLYSCANLON: Yellowhammer (AJ).

Wednesday, June 03, 2015



Tuesday, June 02, 2015

HELVICK HEAD:  Storm Petrel (EAMacL) - first report of year for Co Waterford.


Monday, June 01, 2015

CLONEA BAY:  Yellow Wagtail still present at Ballinard beach (CF).

HELVICK HEAD:   Great Skua seen from layby at SW side of Helvick (EB).

BLACKWATER VALLEY:  2 Yellowhammer at Villierstown cross on way to quay (").


Sunday, May 31, 2015

CLONEA BAY:  Yellow Wagtail at Ballinard beach (MC).