THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS and ADVISERS DURING MARCH 2008
Lorraine Benson, Shay Connolly, Eric Dempsey, Dathi De Brun, Hugh Delaney, Jim Dowdall, John Fox, Gerald Frank, Eugene Furling, Kieran Grace, Mir Harris, Michael harris, Noel Keogh, Niall T Keogh , Aidan Kelly, Paul Lynch, Coilin Mac Loughlin, Declan Manley, Bill Quinn, Heather Quinn, Oscar Merne, Dermot O Mahoney, Adrian Rooney, Moray Souter, Rob Vaughan, Ger White
Red Kite above and left, Arklow.
Buzzard, Arklow. John Fox2 April, 2008
One Willow Warbler in Bray today. OM 1 1st-winter Iceland Gull flew over west pier, Dun Laoghaire at midday, also 1 female Wheatear and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull present.HD
1 April, 2008
Buzzard over Whitehall today. MH
Peanutcatcher, Clontarf. Eugene Furlong31 March, 2008
Along the Dodder today, 3 pairs of Dippers at 'traditional' sites between Firhouse and and Terenure. Another single was seen close to Terenure bridge, 2 singing Chiffchaffs at Dodder valley park and another in Bushy park, with several Blackcaps singing along the whole stretch. 1 Kingfisher in Bushy on the woodland pond closest to Rathfarnham shopping centre. Some Otter droppings were along a rocky stretch in Dodder valley park also.RV At the West Pier late this morning 4 Whooper Swans flew north and landed on the sea off Shelly Beach,Poolbeg. Also on the pier were 2 male Wheatears. A Sandwich Tern was roosting off Booterstown this evening.NK.Sunday 30 March, 2008
Peregrine Falcon was seen for over 4 hours this afternoon on a top ledge of the Central Bank in Dame St. LB Not surprising this bird spends so much time in town - 50% of the urban Peregrine diet is Pigeon although they do like some nice migrant thrushes like Redwing in season!( British Birds, February 2008).At Baltray Beach were a single Merlin and a Kestrel, 3 Sandwich Terns and good numbers of Sanderling, Knot, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Brent and Cormorants. Several Gannets, Common Scoter and a single Great Crested Grebe were seen out to sea. At Cruisetown Beach were a large flock of Golden Plover (1000+) well into breeding plumage, good numbers of Brent, Oystercatcher, Sanderling and a single immature Iceland Gull . JF
Can you identify the waders in this photo? If not email us and we will let you know!
Saturday, 29 March, 2008
S. Dublin Bay (Irishtown-Williamstown) four Sandwich Terns loafing on the beach near Merrion Gates, and a first winter Iceland Gull on the spit nearby. Total of 1,440 waterbirds along this stretch -- mainly 277 Brents, 458 Oystercatchers, 64 Curlews, 215 Redshanks, 138 Black-tailed Godwits, 146 Black-headed Gulls, 98 Common Gulls. OM
Cruisetown Beach Iceland Gull. John Fox28 March, 2008
A Swallow was seen at Garristown today. JD White-winged gull ( Glaucous/Iceland) seen over Tymon Park flying towards Ballymount Industrial estate.RV Chiffchaff in Bray. OM
Today at Tymon Park, Pochard above and Redpoll (m) below. John Fox27 March, 2008
A first Dublin Chiffchaff of the season was heard singing in Kilbogget Park this morning. NTK At the Newry River and Dundalk Bay on Wednesday 26th March, two Chiffchaffs singing in the woods along the Newry River. At Lurgangreen (north end) there were 487 Greylags on the saltmarsh, with 205 Brents, c.14 Pink-feet and at least 2 Greenland White-fronts. Also 905 Black-tailed Godwits roosting at high tide.OMEaster Monday, 24 March 2008
No sign of any Sandwich terns but there was a male Wheatear at the rocks by The Breaches. Nice lot of waterbirds -- 33 species, as follows:- Red-throated Diver 2, Little Grebe 6, Little Egret 1, Grey Heron 2, Cormorant 8, Shag 1, Mute Swan 17, Whooper Swan 26, Greylag 180, Pink-foot 1, Greenland White-front 1, Dark-bellied Brent 1, Pale-bellied Brent 704, Shelduck 7, Mallard 5, Teal 56, Wigeon 64, Shoveler 8, Moorhen 2, Coot 2, Oystercatcher 3, Ringed Plover 22, Golden Plover 410, Lapwing 22, Dunlin 1, Snipe 1, Redshank 16, Turnstone 8, Black-headed Gull 18, Common Gull 3, Lesser Black-back 1, Herring Gull 6, Great Black-back 3.Easter Sunday 23 March, 2008
Cold , windy but sunny Easter Sunday morning with the Black Redstart still at Balscadden, Howth. HQ. At Poolbeg outfall at 10 am, close by the South Wall there was an adult winter plumaged Red-throated Diver while at the Shelly Banks 270 Sanderlings ran along the high tide line. A Little Grebe was under the Ha'penny Bridge at 2 pm today. LB A Pink -footed Goose was with the Brent flock at Bremore after a long absence. 3 first winter Iceland Gulls at Cruisetown Strand, Clogher Head.AK
Rathfarnham Dippers. Shay Connolly
Saturday 22 March, 2008
4 Eider Ducks off Skerries ( 3 M 1 F). Curlew Sandpiper and a Ruff at Swords. Glaucous Gull still at Balbrgiggan also an immature Iceland Gull and a Sandwich Tern was also seen from Aidan's apartment. AK Iceland Gull in Bray Harbour at 11.15 hrs.OM female Blackcap this morning in Killester. MH All that singing on 2 March paid off with the Rathfarnham Dippers on nesting mode! See photos above. SC
Bird numbers down quite a bit in Irishtown-Williamstown, S. Dublin Bay, this morning: 1,195 in total, mainly 188 Brents, 313 Oystercatchers, 169 Redshanks, 115 Black-tailed Godwits, 258 Common Gulls.OMAt Kilcoole this morning 10 brave Tolka Branchers saw one Wheatear and one Swallow , over 300 Golden Plover in breeding plumage, one dark bellied Brent goose. and one Pink- footed Goose amongst the Brent.MH
2 pairs of Peregrine, 8 Kestrel, 1 female Sparrowhawk & a couple of Raven in
the Glenmalure valley & surrounding area yesterday.AR
Blackcap.Killester. Michael Harris
Friday 21 March, 2008
At Rogerstown today there was 1 Peregrine 1 Male Sparrowhawk A pair of Kestrels 5 Little Egrets Still plenty of Bramblings amongst flocks of Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Linnets & Goldfinches . AR These large finch gatherings may be preparing for migration back east to their breeding grounds elsewhere in Europe. Black Redstart and a male Wheatear at Balscadden, Howth.AK20 March, 2008
At Swords estuary this moring there was a Curlew Sandpiper and a Ruff with the Dunlin.DOM1st winter Glaucous Gull in front of Clontarf Baths on the Clontarf road this evening .HD 41 Bramblings at Rogerstown today.PL
19 March, 2008
At Kilcoole this morning there was a male Wheatear on the beach and 2 Sand Martins over the marsh.NK.11 Goosanders were at Upper Lake Glendalough this morning. 8 females, 2 ad. males and a 1st. winter male. A Green-winged Teal was at Kilcoole this evening. Red Grouse at Sallygap today, see record shot below. AK A sub-adult Mediterranean Gull at Narrow Water on the Newry River, and also a Little Egret there. They're continuing the northern spread. At the saltmarsh at Lurgangreen (N.) on the way back there were 268 Greylags, 465 Brents, and c.5 Pink-footed Geese.OM
18 March, 2008
Delighted to report that a Wheatear was seen on the North Bull today near St Anne's Golf Club and even better we have today's bird in full colour from John Fox! There were over 800 Brent as well. Black Redstart at Balscadden in the usual place. JF
Happy St Patricks Day !
Emerald Toucanet, Costa Rica. Bill QuinnMonday 17 March, 2008
Adult summer Mediterranean Gull seen today at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. C Mac L. The Glaucous Gull was still at Balbriggan.AKSunday 16 March, 2008
Among 42 species of bird at Kilcoole were 3 Dark Bellied Brent with a flock of 784 Light Bellied, an Iceland Gull was roosting with a small group of Herring Gulls and a single Pink Footed Goose was feeding with 208 Greylag.MS 4 handsome male Bramblings at Rogerstown in the late afternoon sunshine. LBSaturday 15 March, 2008
On Lambay Island there was a Wheatear, a Chiffchaff, three Swallows and a Sand Martin arriving and some Fieldfares and Redwings departing. Also 315 Brents and 60 Greylags, five wintering Whimbrels -- and one rarity, an immature Sabine's Gull: very ususual on the east coast, and in spring. Also four Long-eared Owls. OM14 March, 2008
The Glaucous Gull was still waiting for opening time at the Marble Arch at 7.30 this morning!! RV13 March, 2008
Over 18,000 waterbirds still at Dundalk Bay -- mainly Brents (573), Shelduck (144), Wigeon (394), Teal (389), Oystercatcher (2529), Golden Plover (3150), Knot (6111), Dunlin (435), Black-tailed Godwit (1390), Bar-tailed Godwit (1073), Curlew (268), Redshank (1119), Black-headed Gull (345). Also three Ruffs on the Castletown River at Dundalk. OM
At Dunany-Cloger Head the main interest was 133 Brents, 275 Common Scoters, and one first winter Iceland Gull. OMAt 7.30 this morning there was a Ist winter Glaucous Gull in front of the Marble Arch pub along the canal.RV Obviously did not know that the early houses are on the quays! The 100 or so Black-headed Gulls which normally frequent the quays area have disappeared this week presumably to their breeding grounds in the midlands or further afield? The city centre Peregrine Falcon has been seen all week on the Central Bank. LB
9 March, 2008
Two Little Egrets flying and a male Kestrel in the trees near the visitor centre in Tymon Park .GW8 March, 2008
At the Poolbeg outflow a female Gadwall was an unusual find with the Wigeon. An adult Ring- billed Gull was also here. NK Peregrine Falcon on the east side of the Central Bank, Dame St this afternoon. LB7 March, 2008
A 1st w type Iceland Gull out from Blackrock Baths area. A female Pintail was with the regular few Wigeon at the Poolbeg outflow. NK .2 Grey Wagtails on the tracks near the water tower at Connolly Station and 8 Tufted ducks on the Royal Canal at Ossary Road. MH
Long-tailed Tit in the Quinn's garden Howth today. Bill Quinn6 March, 2008
3 Buzzards flew over at Johnstown, near Cabinteely, heading S-SE this morning. They came in from the Dun Laoghaire direction and most likely would have ended up at Shankill/Bray if they continued on the same course. NK NTK
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Scotsman's Bay. NK
Bullfinch, Rogerstown. Dave Dillon5 March, 2008
A Sandmartin was seen at Booterstown today. KG 12 Pink-footed Geese, adults and first-winter a little separate from the 235+ Greylags and c.200 Brents at Lurgan Green. OM4 March, 2008
At Kilcoole this morning 3 Iceland Gulls flew north. All 1st year type birds,1 over BWI Reserve and 2 together at sea. Also a male White Wagtail with a few Pied Wagtails in Webb's field.NK Lapland Bunting with Sky Larks at Lotherstown but please note - the stubble field has been ploughed recently making it very difficult to get good views. 5 Snow Bunting, 4 male and 1female on the beach at Baltray in the southern corner of the beach. They were near the low wall to the north side of the River Boyne close to the grass at the top of the beach.JF3 March, 2008
Single Little Egret this morning in Tolka Valley Park in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15.ARSunday 2 March, 2008
A Siskin ringed in Denmark was controlled at the ringing station in Edenderry today.DM Redpoll and a male Blackcap took a wash in Heather's birdbath in Howth. HQ pair of Dippers were seen at Rathfarnham shopping centre - under the bridge. The singing male with nesting on his mind no doubt!! RV A pair of Buzzards were soaring together over the Crinken Church area of Shankill early in the morning. NTKSaturday 1 March, 2008
The new Dublin Swallow over James Terrace, Malahide is being faithful to that area.DdeB 2 Buzzards over Damastown, Mulhuddart . AR Glaucous Gull and male Black Redstart at Balbriggan. AK29 February, 2008
A fine adult Mediterranean Gull was on the playing pitch beside the bus terminus at UCD early this morning.LB Redpoll on the peanut feeder in Howth garden. HQ ( a bird friendly prize winning garden of course!!)
Golden Plover at Swords today. John Fox28 February 2008
Two Buzzards seen yesterday at Newbridge House (photo one individual below).JF
27 February, 2008
A lovely spring day in Dublin and at least one lucky birder was out while the rest of us were at work!!!. One Twite was seen with Linnets and 7 Lapland Buntings were at north-east end of the field at Lowtherstown. At least 3 Yellowhammers were singing in the area with over 40 Tree Sparrows on the track down. 1 adult Peregrine chased a Redshank into the water and then caught it as it tried to take off again! Large numbers of Common Scoter were close in. A Water Pipit was under the M50 bridge on the north side of the estuary at Swords while a Ruff was on the south side. 5 Brambling at Rogerstown together with a pair of Bullfinches showing well and another 10 Yellowhammers. No sign of the Black Redstart or Glaucous Gull at Balbriggan but 1 Great Northern Diver was close in at Skerries. Rob Vaughan had a very good day today!! One Swallow does not a summer make .... But there was one hawking flies over the town of Malahide at 17.00 hrs! Also at Swords Estuary 940 Brents, 210 Black-tailed and 110 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1645 Golden Plovers, 185 Redshanks, 580 Black-headed Gulls, 17 fine adult Lesser Black-backs, 85 Dunlin, 41 Knot, etc.
Up at Lurgan Green in the morning were 390 Greylags feeding on the saltmarsh -- possibly with a few Pink-feet and Greenland White-fronts -- but long range into sun glare made it difficult to be sure.OM
Grey Wagtail, Balscadden. Bill Quinn
Sunday 24 February, 2008
Little Egret at Tymon Park on Limekiln Road and still reported present up to 26 February. Rob's Mom.( Mrs Vaughan). A few Tolka Branchers ventured to Co Fermanagh today and were very pleased to see the spectacularly colourful male Red Crested Pochard at Lough Barry which was reported on BINS. One Waxwing was reported in a north facing garden in Churchtown, Dublin 14. VMc C
Iceland Gull, Bullock Harbour. John Fox
Adult Mediterranean Gull, Sandycove. Eric Dempsey
.jpg)
ArchivesJanuary,February2008
November,December2007
September,October2007
July, August 2007
May, June 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007 and Earlier