THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS  and ADVISERS DURING   November 2010...

 Robin Adams, Rhona Byrne, Mark Carmody, Philip Clancy, Shay Connolly, Joe Curtis, Eric Dempsey, Rosemary Doyle, John Fox, Donal Glackin, 
Mir & Michael Harris, Michael Keating, Aidan Kelly, Seán Kelly, Niall T. Keogh, Stephen Lawlor, Stephen McAvoy, Dermot McCabe, 
Cóilín MacLochlainn, Siobhan McNamara, Cian Merne, Oscar Merne, Francois Mullan, 
Breandán Ó Braoin, Adrian Rooney, Brendan Sheils, Robert Smith, Jimmy Smyth, Rachel Smyth, Robert Wall

The named authors hold the copyright for all photographs published on this website. 
Authors permission must be sought for copying, publishing or reproduction for any purpose other than for personal archives.

 
 



29 November 2010
Travelling on coast road this morning at 07:30 approximately 2,000 - 2,500 Brent Geese feeding at the waters edge (2 hours after high water) between Blue Lagoon Texaco garage and wooden bridge.RS&JS

Phoenix Park: 2 Jays.DG 

Glasnevin Garden: 30+ Goldfinches and single Siskin feeding today at 2.30.RW


28 November 2010

Scotsmans Bay, SandycoveMediterranean Gull
(Adult Male winter) and a Purple Sandpiper (Adult Male winter). SL

Purple Sandpiper (Adult Male, winter) at Sandycove (Photo by Stephen Lawlor)


Mediterranean Gull (Adult Male winter) at Sandycove (Photo by Stephen Lawlor)



Out on the Bull.. freezing but gorgeous:  2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Greenshank, plenty of Wigeon, Teal and Shoveller.  Hundreds of Knot and Golden Plover and of course thousands of Brent Geese.  Plus all the other usual suspects.  All of the birds look good and didn't have any difficulty accessing food despite the ice and snow.M&MH

If the snow is preventing you visiting the usual birding haunts, just look out your window...

In a Naul garden, County Dublin today...1 Mistle Thrush, 30+ Chaffinch, 3 male Blackcap (see 3 photos below of the winter visitors).JC

Mistle Thrush eating Cordyline seed, Naul (Photo by Joe Curtis)


One of over 20 Chaffinch, Naul (Photo by Joe Curtis)


One of 3 Male Blackcap, Naul (Photo by Joe Curtis)


Drogheda garden:  6 Redpolls, 12 Goldfinch, 7 Linnets, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Greenfinch and lots of House Sparrows, Starlings, Blue Tits and Robins and Dunnocks all feeding throughout the day on the feeders.  1 Meadow Pipit,1 Pied Wagtail in garden and a Female Merlin in the field behind my house.BS
Redpoll (one of 6 in garden) (Photo by Brendan Sheils)

27 November 2010

It has been a great day for garden visitors:

  • Surprise Meadow Pipit in my back garden in Ballymun this morning.  The last time it visited the garden was the 19th December last year, so nearly the same time.MK

  • In garden today: 2 Bramblings feeding alongside the Greenfinch and Chaffinch, plus two Goldfinches.FM

  • Flock of about 15 Linnets feeding on Pyracantha bush in Mulhuddart garden.AR

  • Grey Wagtail checking out his reflection in back door window in small Ballyfermot garden.RD 

  • A vision in Killester:  A Woodcock few out from under our Witch Hazel tree in garden today.MH

Elsewhere...

At Rogerstown hide: 1 Whopper Swan, 1 Ruff, Spotted Redshank, dozens of Teal and Wigeon very few Brent Geese, pair of Reed Bunting, no finches about.RS

Greenshank at Swords (Photo by Eric Dempsey)





26 November 2010
Brambling in Sandyford garden today.CMcL
A female Sparrowhawk over Harcourt Road at 3:30pm this afternoon.AR

I saw this Mediterranean Gull on Nov 13 2010 at Sandycove. It was flagged in Pas-de-Calais, France, in 2008
Mediterranean Gull at Sandycove (Photo by Stephen Lawlor)




25 November 2010
Sanderlings at Carna Harbour, Co. Wexford:  See photo below.   The ringed bird was ringed in Iceland in Spring 2009, seen again in Iceland on migration this Spring and is now spending its second Winter in Carna Harbour, Co. Wexford.CM

Sanderlings at Carna Harbour, County Wexford (Photo by Cian Merne)



A brilliant new park has been opened in Poppintree Ballymun since May.  It has a new pond and flood plain areas. This morning 2 Redshank were present on the pond edge and a single Oystercatcher on the flood plain.  Also present were Mallards, Moorhen, 2 Mute Swan, Coots, 1 Grey Heron, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gulls, Lesser black-backed Gulls, Great black-backed Gulls, Common Gull and our usual woodland species.  This park is well worth a visit if your in the area.MK

Treecreeper near Ballynafagh Lake, County Kildare (Photo by Stephen Lawlor)

23 November 2010
Present in Kilbogget Park, Cabinteely on Tuesday were: 1 Scaup (pic of first-winter attached),  28 Mediterranean Gulls, 64 Oystercatchers, 1 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine.SMcE

Scaup at Kilbogget Park (Photo by Stephen McEvoy)

22 November 2010
A nice flock of 20+ Greenfinches at the back of Homebase in Santry demense today. This is the first time I've seen Greenfinches in this area since before the snowy weather last Christmas! MK

The 1st cal-year Scaup was present for its 7th day at Kilbogget Park, Cabinteely along with a Kingfisher, 65 Oystercatchers & 36 Mediterranean Gulls (28 adults, 3 2nd cal-years & 5 1st cal-years). NTK

21 November 2010
A good day for raptors in Santry Demense this morning: 2 Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Kestrel; also 10 Fieldfare and 12 Redwing.MK

20 November 2010
Tolka Trip to Northern Ireland: a party of 26 birders headed up north for the day. Although it was dull and cold, a most enjoyable day was had.
Mir&Michael started off in Loughbrickland Lake and saw Scaup, plenty of Snipe, Little Grebe, Pochard, Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing, Mallard, Cormorant, Blackcap, Mute Swan, Coot, Moorhen and Herring Gull.

They joined the rest of us at Corbet Lough for the great viewing of the Ferruginous Duck (see photo below) and Whooper Swans.  Also present were Mute Swans, Coot, Pheasant, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull and House Sparrows.

When then mosied on to Oxford Island where we saw a few Goldeneye, Ruddy Duck, Pochard, Cormorant, on the Lough.  Amongst the surrounding vegetation we saw Goldcrest, Buzzard, plenty of Long-tailed Tits and Bluetits. The shy retiring Jay was spotted despite its hiding away!! Other birds seen at Oxford Island include Reed Bunting, Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Grey Heron, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and Grey Wagtail.

After refreshments we drove to Belfast Lough where we saw Eider, Red-breasted Mergansers, Great-crested Grebe, Mediterranean Gull, Black Gulliemot, Great  Black-backed Gull, Redshank, Curlew; Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher,  Bar-tailed Godwit, Knot, Common Scoter, Shellduck and Common Gull. Moving further along the Lough we found Greylag Geese, Dunlin, Gadwell, Shoveller, Ring Plover, Linnet and Kingfisher.

We dropped into the RSPB wildlife reserve at Belfast Lough before returning home and had unobstructed views of a roosting Snipe.  

While heading out on the trip the following were seen. Rook, Magpie, Wood pigeon, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Hooded Crow, Pied Wagtail, Starling, Blackbird, House Sparrow and Meadow Pippit.MH&RD

Ferruginous Duck and Coot at Corbet Lough, Banbridge, Co. Down (Photo by John Fox)

The Blue-winged Teal still at Bull Island, south of the Causeway. Pair of Gadwall here too. Another pair of Gadwall at Knock Lake.
Immature Long-tailed Duck at Malahide, at the mouth of the outer estuary, near the Grand Hotel.AK

Sparrowhaw seen at westernmost hide in Newcastle(Blackditch), Co.Wicklow (Photo by Stephen Lawlor)

 

19 November 2010
At Kilbogget Park, Cabinteely, the 1st cal-year Scaup was still present (first seen on Monday 15th). A Kingfisher, 9 Mediterranean Gulls (8 adults & a 2nd cal-year) & 62 Oystercatchers were also seen. NTK

Friday 19th November seems to have been the perfect day for "reflective" photography at Broadmeadow & Swords Estuary as seen from the following photos from John Fox and Joe Curtis...

Red-breasted Merganser at Swords Estuary (Photo by John Fox)

Red-breasted Mergansers displaying at Broadmeadow (Photo by Joe Curtis)

Great-crested Grebe at Broadmeadow (Photo by Joe Curtis)

Black-headed Gull at Broadmeadow (Photo by Joe Curtis)


16 November 2010
Male and Female Bearded Reedlings at Lingstown, County Wexford (Photo by Eric Dempsey)

At Kilbogget Park, Cabinteely this morning, a 1st cal-year Scaup, a 1st cal-year male Wigeon, 2 drake Teal, 60 Mallard, a Kingfisher, 5 Little Grebes, 13 Moorhen, a Grey Wagtail & a Grey Heron were present on the re-profiled section of the Deansgrange river which flows through the park. 6 adult Mediterranean Gulls & 49 Oystercatchers were also seen on the football pitches out from Seapoint Rugby Club. NTK

Kestrel at Bull Island (Photo by Eric Doggett)


Kestrel at Bull Island (Photo by Eric Doggett)

15 November 2010
Today at Lingstown County Wexford we had 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Hen Harriers, a Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus hudsonius), Merlin and Kestrel and stunning views of 4 Bearded Reedlings (2 male and 2 female). PC

Bearded Reedling Lingstown, County Wexford (Photo by Philip Clancy)


Four Bearded Reedlings Lingstown, County Wexford (Photo by Philip Clancy)

14 November 2010
Birding along The Murrough today between Six Mile Point & Kilcoole produced a total of 64 species. A flock of c.120 Greylag Geese, a Barnacle Goose, c.35 Whooper Swans & c.100 Black-tailed Godwits were seen in the back fields between Newcastle Airfield & The Breaches. A female Scaup & 2 Gadwall were in Stringer's channel whilst a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Greenshank & 12 Light-bellied Brent Geese were in The Breaches. 2 ringtail Hen Harriers (incl. a wing-tagged bird, possibly from Wales), a Merlin, a Buzzard & a Kestrel were seen throughout. A male Snow Bunting gave excellent views feeding on the path & on the beach alongside Webb's field. Nearby, an adult Little Gull was seen hawking insects over the Buckthorn bushes. Good numbers of Red-throated Divers were present offshore along with a Great-crested Grebe (a good bird locally). Four Otters were also seen at Kilcoole. A video of the Snow Bunting can be found here.  NTK&SK

Snow Bunting at Kilcoole (Photo by Stephen Lawlor)


Today at Rogerstown: 1 Kestrel, 2 Buzzards, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Goldeneye, 5 Greylag Geese, 1 Female Blackcap, large flocks of Linnet and Goldfinch. All of the common waterfowl and wader species present in good numbers.CM

A Buzzard circled over Kinvara Rd. at lunchtime with an escort of 12 Hooded Crows and Jackdaws.DMcC

Along the Strawberry Beds today were 2 separate Buzzards;   in St. Catherine's Park in Lucan a Buzzard, a Jay, a Greenfinch & a male Bullfinch;  and a Sparrowhawk over Mulhuddart.AR

Bull Island: Usual suspects including 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Great-crested Grebe at the wooden bridge.  There was a Juvenile Black Redstart flitting around the gutters of the houses on the wooden bridge also.M&MH

Black Redstart at the wooden bridge (Photo by Siobhan McNamara)

13 November 2010
Kilcoole:  one Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus hudsonius) -
this find was the third documented C.C.Hudsonius for Europe.SL

Northern Harrier c.c. hudsonius at Kilcoole (Photo by Stephen Lawlor)



Swords Estuary: 100's of Great-crested Grebes, large flock of Goldeneye, couple of pairs of Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Snipe, 7 Greenshank, Lapwing, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and the usual other suspects.  Also,  the park beside Parkvale in Baldoyle had a HUGE flock of feeding Black-tailed Godwit and a handful of Brent Geese.RB

Three Snow Buntings present on the beach between Seapoint and Baltray.  Also feeding on the beach were several Stonechats, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Wagtails.BS

Linnet at Mulhuddart (Photo by Adrian Rooney)

11 November 2010
Bull Island:  1 Greenshank.JF

Greenshank at Bull Island (Photo by John Fox)

10 November 2010
A Woodcock flew into our back garden in Raheny on the 10th November waddled around for a while and flew off again.BOB
One Semipalmated Sandpiper in Ballycotton, Co. Cork.MC

 Semipalmated Sandpiper at Ballycotton (Photo by Mark Carmody)

7 November 2010
Rogerstown Estuary:  Amazing sight of approx 40 Goldfinch bathing in puddles near old allotments on the road down to south hide.  2 Buzzards in the fields to the left of south hide, one later resting on top of a tree. Around 200 Greylag Geese in estuary.RS&JS

A pair of Brambling in a Dun Laoghaire garden today.RA

On the North Bull, the Blue-winged Teal was north of the causeway. Also the Garganey was still present north of
the causeway (record shot attached). A pair of Gadwall were south of the causeway. A Short-eared Owl flew north over Sutton being mobbed by Crows. At Portmarnock the Black-necked Grebe was about 700m south of the Martello off the strand. Also present offshore were c. 200 Great-crested Grebes and 80 Red-throated Divers.AK


In a Glasnevin garden at 2.30pm:  6 Goldfinches feeding -  attracting a Sparrowhawk - leaving 5 Goldfinches.RW


A Kestrel hovering over Ballycoolin Ind Est.   At Rogerstown (north hide): 1 Buzzard & a female type MerlinKestrel hovering over N1 at Lusk exit.
Buzzard perched in a tree on the M50 just north of Swords Estuary.AR

Cruisetown Louth:  3 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel,1 Merlin all hunting in one field at 10am this morning.  Great Views of Buzzards and Kestrel hunting and catching voles in field.  No Hen Harriers, but there is some birds present in the fields over the past few weeks. And there is a female Merlin up on Clogherhead which allows great views at the moment.(Recieved this info from Dunleer Photo Club).   Lots of Skylark, Linnets and winter Thrushes and 2 Reed Buntings present in the Stubble fields.BS

Buzzard at Cruisetown (Photo by Brendan Sheils)

6 November 2010
Kilcoole: 1 Kingfisher showing brilliantly on a post for at least ten minutes.  1 Short-eared Owl near car park - being mobbed by rooks.FM
 
Wicklow: 11 Red Kites at Redcross area today - 2 Buzzards with them.SC

Red Kite at Wicklow (Photo by Shay Connolly)

5 November 2010
Buzzard perched on street light at exit 15 on the M50 Cornelscourt at 10am & 1pm.  Peregrine being mobbed by Crows over N11 at Newcastle/Newtown Mount Kennedy exit.  Female Kestrel hunting at Five Mile Point.  26 Whooper Swans in Webb's field.  No sign of any Merlin or Short-eared Owl.AR
 

3 November 2010
Total of 61 Mediterranean Gulls at Scotsman's Bay, Sandycove today, including four with colour bands from France and Germany.OM

Late Wheatear at Bray Harbour on 30th October.OM 

1 November 2010
Today at Rogerstown outer estuary there were 200 Brent Geese, 1 Spotted Redshank, 300 Golden Plover, 1 Merlin, 2 Buzzard and a good few winter Thrushes.PC


A Buzzard being chased by a Crow at 5:15pm in semi darkness over Chesterfield Avenue in Phoenix Park this evening.AR 


 
 


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