The
Eagle has landed! - sorry we couldn't resist it!
Sunday 28 March 2010
Small flock of Siskins at Glendalough today. AR
Phoaaah! Kerry for the holidays but Wicklow
was the place to be today! Thanks to Neil O Reilly for this photo
Saturday 27 March 2010
2 Redpolls in Sandyford today. First Dublin Wheatear on
the Bull - see John's photo on our Home page!.
Redpoll at Sandyford. Coilin Mac Lochlainn
26 March 2010
Reports of a female White-tailed
Eagle ( with wing tag F) present
for the past few days near Wicklow town. see http://www.goldeneagle.ie/news.
Keep an eye out for this magnifcent creature - worth a trip to Wicklow if
you are not all in Sligo this weekend!
A Willow Warbler & a
singing Chiffchaff were along the stream at Clonkeen Park,
Deansgrange. A singing Willow Warbler, a pair of Sparrowhawks, 5
Treecreepers, a Raven & a Red Squirrel were at Killiney Hill. At
UCD Belfield, a pair of Stock Doves were near the arboretum whilst 15
Tufted Ducks are still present on the lake, where the resident pair of
Mute Swans are currently building a nest. NTK
At Tollymore Forest ,Co Down 1
Buzzard. 2 Red Kites one of which was not wing tagged. Also a pair of Mandarin
ducks on the river at Newcastle.PC 2 Little Gulls at Swords today. PK 2
Sandwich Terns at Blackrock. KG Hill of Allen, Co. Kildare - 6
Buzzards in group courtship display high over the hill. SO'B
Treecreeper at Botanic Gardens. Dermot Mc Cabe
25 March 2010
At Kill equestrian centre adjacent to the Hartwell River, Kill, Co.
Kildare 1 Chiffchaff in song and one Dipper on the river.
First Swallow in Greystones this evening. BM
24 March, 2010 - welcome
back Rob!
One Siskin in Sandyford. CMacL2 1st winter Mediterranean Gulls at the base of the west pier
Dunlaoghaire. The Black Redstart was at the
base of the east pier, a Sandwich Tern flew south through
Scotsman's bay and the Red- necked Grebe was
showing distantly between the Stena terminal and the marina - nice
summer plumage. RV
At Cabinteely Park this
morning, a Little Egret, a Grey Wagtail and a singing Chiffchaff
were along the stream whilst 4 Treecreepers, a Sparrowhawk, a
Siskin & 5 Lesser Redpolls were the best in the wood. At Kilbogget
Park a singing Chiffhaff, a pair of Bullfinches & a Grey Wagtail were
the best of the passerines whilst 10 Mediterranean Gulls were on
the football picthes [2 adults, 4 3rd cal-years & 4 2nd cal-years].
NTK
23 February, 2010
At Killiney Hill, a Sparrowhawk & 3 Treecreepers were in
the wood, a Peregrine flew overhead and a Red Squirrel
showed well again in the usual spot. A monedula-type "Eastern"
Jackdaw was along the N11 at Loughlinstown, by the Commons Road exit
at 11:05. A Sparrowhawk & a flock of 30+ Goldfinches were at
Shanganagh Park. NTK
22 February, 2010
At Blackrock Park, a Sparrowhawk & a Swallow flew overhead,
a Chiffchaff was heard singing, 4 Little Grebes, a pair of Tufted
Ducks & 2 Light-bellied Brent Geese were on the pond and a Little
Egret was in "The Blackpool". Two Treecreepers & a
single Redwing were the best at Deer Park. NTK
Alpine Swift
at Brendan's school (St Joseph's CBS Termonfeckin rd Drogheda) today.
Well done Brendan!
Sunday 21 February, 2010
On a class outing with Eric in Wicklow 1 male Crossbill, 1
Peregrine Falcon, about 8 Buzzards and about 6 Red
Kites. Also a male Crossbill was in full song. PC
2 female Bramblings and
a small influx of Siskins in Bray today. OM
A Blackbird fledged in Temple
Bar today but was still taking food from both parents. Is this early for
Blackbirds?
Crossbill, Wicklow. Philip Clancy
Saturday 20 February, 2010 -
Tolka Branch Outing today
15 Tolka Branch birders enjoyed Spring sunshine in Kilcoole today but with
northerly winds had no luck on the migrant front.
A single Chiffchaff at Kilcoole with another at Blackditch was the
migrant total on a day when the highlight was two Stock Doves seen
on the grassy field south of the Kilcoole reserve. No Stonechats
observed between Kilcoole Station and the Breaches. Victims of the cold
spell? DMcC
Chiffchaff at Blackditch. Brendan Shields
17 March - Happy St
Patricks day
At Cabinteely Park this
morning, 4 Treecreepers, a Sparrowhawk & a pair of Stock
Doves were in the wood whilst a Chiffchaff & 2 Little Egrets
were along the stream. Seven Mediterranean Gulls [3 adults, a 3rd
cal-year & 3 2nd cal-years], c.30 Linnets, 18 Oystercatchers &
7 Teal were the best at Kilbogget Park. Another Chiffchaff was
at Clonkeen Park feeding in the trees along the river, with a Sparrowhawk
& 2-3 Grey Wagtails also present. NTK
2 Buzzards with obvious
size difference soaring over Strawberry Beds being mobbed by a gang of
Jackdaws. Pair of Kestrels circling and calling for c15minutes also
over Strawberry Beds. 19 Redwings in top of a tree in Phoenix
park quietly singing among themselves.CE
Pair of Great Crested
Grebes in breeding plumage at Donnabate seen from the Martello tower.
Also one Great Northern Diver. MK 2 Buzzards & a
Kestrel over the dump at Rogerstown. Also, a Stoat crossing
Turvey avenue coming from the allotments side at 11:30am today.AR
Dipper on the Dodder. Tom Gregan
16 March, 2010
An adult Ring-billed Gull in breeding plumage
was on Blackrock Park pond at 09:00 this morning. It was perched on the
dead tree on the island, calling & displaying to a nearby Common Gull.
The small section of estuarine stream between the park & Booterstown
DART Station, colloquially known as “The Black Pool” held c.100
Black-tailed Godwits, 20 Teal, 2 Greenshank & a Little Egret. At
Blackrock College, c.160 Light-bellied Brent Geese were feeding on
the pitches at 09:30. A Treecreeper was the best at Deer Park,
Mount Merrion and a Buzzard flew NW over Johnstown Road, near
Cabinteely at 16:30. NTK
15 March 2010
A pair of Carrion Crows flew in off the sea at Killiney Bay at
12:50 and proceeded to fly directly North over Dalkey Hill. A confiding Red
Squirrel was seen in the Scots Pine stand uphill from the coffee
shop/main gates at Killiney Hill park. NTK 6 Yellowhammers and 2 Skylarks
at Darrdistown cemetry, 1 Buzzard over
Silloige Golf Course at M50 Ballymun roundabout.MK
Sunday 14 March, 2010
7 Yellowhammers in Edenderry this morning. LB 1 Buzzard today
in the Strawberry Beds. CE
Saturday 13 March, 2010
News from the IWeBS on the Bull this morning 1
Green-winged Teal north of the Causeway and over 900
Black-tailed Godwits a higher than usual number - presumed to be
migrating birds on a stopover making their way north. All the Wigeon and
Shoveler have cleared out. TD,GP
1 Buzzard perched at the side
of the Naas dual carrigeway at exit 5. One more Buzzard over the Red Cow
being mobbed by corvids. Small flock ( 50) Redwing and Fireldfare in Corcagh
Park.LB
One of 3 Buzzards at Blanchardstown on 1 March.
Ciaran Walsh
12 March, 2010
Male Eider and female Black Redstart at Red Island today. Eider
feeding in the tidal flow off between the
south side of Colt Island and Red Island. The Black Redstart between the
Springers and steps down to South Strand.
Also a male Black Redstart last week at Barnageeragh.SP
A Stock Dove, 2 monedula-type "Eastern" Jackdaws & 18
flyover Light-bellied Brent Geese were all seen at UCD Belfield this
morning. A flyover Little Egret, c.50 Redwing & an adult summer
plumaged Mediterranean Gull were at Deer Park, Mount Merrion. A pair
of Little Grebes and a Blackcap were the best at Blackrock
Park. NTK
11 March, 2010
21 Tufted Ducks at the lake, UCD Belfield. NTK
10 March, 2010
Today one distant Buzzard soaring high over the Strawberry Beds. 30
Redwings in the Phoenix Park, 10 of which were engaged in
conversational subsong in the top of a tree.CE
9 March, 2010
Barn Owl crossing M7 at 11pm, 1 mile SW of Dublin/Kildare border. SOB
Surveying the local parks today produced some interesting sightings. A pair
of Jays showed extremely well in the stand of Monterey Pines on
Killiney Hill at 08:30 this morning. A Red Squirrel was also
present nearby. At Clonkeen Park, Deansgrange, a Chiffchaff was
seen feeding in the trees along the river just north of Meadowvale Tennis
Club. At Kilbogget Park, 3 Golden Plover & a male Reed Bunting were
notable whilst 7 Mediterranean Gulls on the football pitches were
comprised of two 2nd cal-years & 5 summer plumaged adults,
some of which were displaying & calling to each other. At Cabinteely
Park, 2 Stock Doves in the wood were a nice surprise and a good
local record. NTK
Ballymunbirdwatch anyone?! Chiffchaff
singing and showing well in a small wooded area beside the old flats
in Ballymun today at 3.30pm.at the flats on Balbutcher lane - there
is a wooded area in front of the flats along the road. MK
8 March, 2010
At Kilcoole, an adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose
was the highlight of the morning, present with c.500-550 Light-bellied
Brent Geese feeding in Webb's field. Also present on the marsh were 270
Greylag Geese (incl. an orange neck-banded bird indicating wild,
Icelandic origins), 3 Shoveler, 115 Golden Plover, 2 Little Egrets, 7
Black-tailed Godwits, a Greenshank and several Water Rail
calling in Ballygannon reedbed. Some Bullfinches, Goldcrests &
Long-tailed Tits were all seen around the car park/Sea Road area. 2
Buzzards were seen soaring distantly, inland from the Breaches and
several singing Skylarks in the dunes heralded the start of Spring.
NTK & NK 26 Mediterranean Gulls at Sandycove today, and Black
Redstart at base of East Pier,Dun Laoghaire.CMacL
7 March, 2010
Buzzard at Santry demense this morning. Small flock of Redwing still
in the area. MK
Saturday 6 March, 2010
Red-necked Grebe in DunLaoghaire now showing signs of breeeding
plumage ( see below). SC Peregrine Falcon on the Central Bank this
morning, 40 Redwing in song still in Trinity College in the trees
and on the playing pitches.LB
Photo . Shay Connolly
3 March 2010
Red-
necked Grebe is still at Dun Laoghaire harbour. Also present were 5
Great Crested Grebes going to summer plumage, 2 Razorbills, 2 Guillemots, a
male and female Red- breasted Merganser and 1 Shag. The Black
Redstart is also still present at the base of the east pier.IS
2 March, 2010
3 Buzzards directly over Dolly Heffernans pub in Blanchardstown.CW Black
Guillemot under Butt Bridge today. MH 2 male Blackcaps singing
in Dartmouth Square, Ranelagh on 3 March 2010. MC
1 March, 2010
2 female and 1 male Blackcaps coming to apples and cake in Phibsboro.CE
Black Guillemot under Butt Bridge. MH
Sunday 28 February, 2010
Perigrine Falcon on the Central Bank, Dame Street from early morning. 42
Redwings on the pitches in front of the Pav at Trinity College also
this morning.LB 5 Red Kites, near
Avoca Wicklow . SC
Red Kite, Wicklow. Shay Connolly
Saturday 27 February, 2010
Black Redstart still Balbriggan Harbour.
Also 24 Purple Sandpipers at Martello, Balbriggan ( one of which
was colour ringed). The Blue-winged Teal is
still on the Bull south of the Causeway. Eastern type Jackdaw also
on the Bull at dusk south of the the Causeway with a flock of
Jackdaws. AK Female Blackcap in
Drimnagh. SMcN
25 February, 2010
After a long absence a Peregrine Falcon was once again on the
east side of the Central Bank at dawn today. LB
Sunday 21 February, 2010
One
Velvet Scoter
off Gormanston flying north, 1 Black Redstart at
Balbriggan Harbour this evening. AK 103 Greylag Geese, 23 Whooper Swans, 32 Curlew and
1 Brent Goose
at Three Castles, Manor Kilbride, Co. Wicklow ths morning. LO'B
Lovely Twite seen in Sligo by John Fox on 17
February
Saturday 20 February, 2010 - Tolka
Branch outing today
The whole day was subzero and very foggy until late afternoon.
Highlights were:
Black Redstart -
Dundalk Docks
Greylag Goose- Dundalk Docks, probably a feral bird.
Velvet Scoter -
Salterstown.
Yellowhammer -
near Lurgangreen and Clogherhead.
Brian Mc Donnell's excellent
photos from the Tolka trip at Clogerhead today. Two of our
favourites in typical pose -Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting
Water Pipit , Kingfisher and
Ruff at Swords Estuary. GF 8 Black Guillemots at the Poolbeg
some moulting into breeding plumage ( see below) SC 1 Short-Eared
Owl 1.5 miles North of Sallins, Co. Kildare, in scrub adjacent to
Grand Canal.SO'B
Black Guillemot - moulting. Shay Connolly
19 February, 2010
1 Male and 1 female Blackcap at Kilcross, Sandyford CMacL
Male Blackcap. Coilin MacLoughlin
16 February, 2010
Beautiful sunny morning in Dublin with the Red-necked
Grebe still showing well at the end of the east Pier in Dun
Laoghaire. . A Black Redstart also at the
base of the east Pier on the seaward side. 12 Black Guillemots at
the base of the South Wall at Poolbeg some already in breeding plumage.
LB
14 February, 2010 - Happy
Valentines day!
1 Brent Goose was with 111 Greylag Geese at Three Castles, Manor
Kilbride, Co. Wicklow. LO'B This Sparrrowhawk was in Rosemary's
garden in Ballyfermot. Also Buzzard visiting a Rachels Santry garden in the past
week.
13 February, 2010
Crane
at Ballycon Bog Co. Offaly. John Fox
12 February, 2010
Red Arches park at Baldoyle was taken over by the Brent ringers on
Thursday and Friday. See Siobhan's excellent description on her blog at http://drimnaghbirdwatch.
wordpress.com/. Between 11.30 and 13.00 the Red-necked
Grebe was showing well in Dun Laoghaire harbour near the west pier,
both in the inner and outer harbour and a Black
Redstart was present in the usual spot near the east pier.CE
11 February, 2010
150+ Greenfinches flew out from a roost on the Luas side of at
Stephens Green just after dawn this morning. LB
10 February , 2010
1 ringed Mediterranean Gull at Ballymun, 100 Redwing, 50 Curlew on the Starlights GAA
Pitch Collinstown Rd at the back of the Airport.MK
9 February, 2010
The male Chaffinch showing some characteristics similar to the
North African race africana was present near the entrance to Dublin
Zoo at 13:05. It was showing well, although briefly, with the Chaffinches
in the trees along the green metal fence opposite the entrance to the
Garda Headquarters. A pale phase Buzzard flew over, heading NW,
being mobbed by corvids. A Kestrel & lots of Redwing were also
present. NTK
Red-necked Grebe still at Dunlaoghaire. Mark
Carmody
Sunday 7 February, 2010
10 Yellowhammer, 1 Tree Sparrow, 4 Reed Bunting, 50 Redpoll, 50 Goldfinch,
100+ Chaffinch, off the Belgard Rd Tallaght heading towards Newlands
Cross. SK On the Bull Island - Oystercatcher (423), Little Egret (2),
Red-breasted Merganser (22), Great Crested Grebe (12), Blue-winged
Teal (1). At Dun Laoighaire Harbour - Red-necked
Grebe (1), Great Northern Diver (4), Mediterranean Gull (12),
Purple Sandpiper (9).MC
Saturday 6 February, 2110
12 Great Northern Divers of the Cardy Rocks at Bremore, Balbriggan. AK
5 February, 2010
2 Siskins in the Alders at the Car Park by Nassau Street in Trinity at
lunchtime A bright sunny Spring day in Dublin!LB
4 February, 2010
A flock of about 20
Siskins are feeding on the Alders at the car park next to the Samuel
Beckett Theatre in Trinity College. Also present were some Chaffinch, Goldinch
and Greenfinch.IS
1 February, 2010
100 Redwing
on the playing
pitches in Trinity. A couple of Mistle and Song Thrush’s were also
present.IS
8 Yellowhammers seen feeding on fresh grass seed in Daristown
cemetary on the old airport road this morning. Also 4 Comorants on the pond in Santry Demense..MK