April 2008 Sightings
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| April 2008 (for previous months, see the Archived Sightings page) |
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| 30th April 2008 Drumcliff |
Newly fledged young Dippers were taking short flights along the rapids downstream of the bridge at Drumcliff (M. Casey). | |||||||||
| 30th April 2008 Inishcrone |
5 White Wagtails, 2 Great Northern Divers (one in summer plumage) and 3 Whimbrel were at Inishcrone (J. Donnelly via W. Stringer) | |||||||||
| LEITRIM SIGHTINGS 29th April 2008 Killavoggy, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim |
23 Crossbills were seen in forestry on Drumkeeran side of Killavoggy - Grid Reference G872 233 (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 27th April 2008 Sligo Harbour |
Iceland Gull in harbour (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 26th April 2008 - 2nd May 2008 Quay St Car Park |
A Common Sandpiper has been frequenting the shore by the boat slip on and off this week (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| LEITRIM SIGHTINGS 29th April 2008 Killavoggy, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim |
23 Crossbills were seen in forestry on Drumkeeran side of Killavoggy - Grid Reference G872 233 (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 28th April 2008 Trawalua |
19 Wheatears were in the sand dunes, and 40 Sanderling were on the strand (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy). | |||||||||
| 28th April 2008 Ballyconnell |
Approximately 15 Whimbrel were in the fields behind the beach (M. Casey). | |||||||||
| 28th April 2008 Lissadell |
A very large brown bird with a 5-foot wingspan flew north over the Goose Field at Lissadell today, with a slow steady wing beat. The observer did not notice any other specific markings. This sighting was at approximately 5.30pm. (J. Garvey via D. Feeney). Eagle or Buzzard?......well worth keeping an eye on the sky around Sligo these days! | |||||||||
| 27th April 2008 Lough Arrow (Ballinafad shore) |
During a walk along Lough Arrow in the Ballinafad area on Sunday morning, a nice variety of birds was encountered, including 2 Sedge Warblers, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 5-6 Blackcaps and 1 Cuckoo (M. Bell). | |||||||||
| 26th April 2008 Strandhill |
A Common Swift (Sligo's first reported Swift of 2008) and a summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver were at Strandhill on Saturday (P. Keogh). | |||||||||
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| 24th April 2008 Raghly |
54 Whimbrels, 5 male White Wagtails and a female (maybe more), 3 Great Northern Divers in summer plumage (D. Cotton, J. Dunleavy). | |||||||||
| 24th April 2008 Ballysadare Bay |
Total of approximately 60 Whimbrel seen (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 22nd April 2008 Raghly/Ballyconnell |
Plenty of Wheatears
around today: c. 4 at Raghly Harbour, three more at the short beach by
the causeway, and plenty in the fields between Raghley and Ballyconnell
Beach. At least 30 Whimbrel & 8 White Wagtails were around Raghly, some 20 Whimbrels & 5 White Wagtails were at Ballyconnell Beach. Hirundines are now common with House Martins beginning to appear in numbers (c.30 today). Sand Martins prospecting at the cliff colony at Ballyconnell Beach - about 10-15 burrows being dug (D. Skehan). |
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| 21st April 2008 BARNACLE GOOSE NEWS |
- The Sligo Barnacle flock seem to have departed for Greenland on Wednesday 16th April this year (M. Crowley). - Five male Barnacle Geese were satellite tagged on Inishkea, off Co. Mayo, this spring, and it will be interesting to follow their progress (D. Cabot via M. Enright).
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| 21st April 2008 Tully Beg,
Ballygawley |
A Cuckoo was heard calling at Tully Beg, Ballygawley this morning (S. Conboy via S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 21st April 2008 Cummeen Strand, Sligo Bay |
320 Brent were on Cummeen Strand this morning (compared with just 40 seen from Gibraltar yesterday) - clearly they are moving north for migration (M. Enright). | |||||||||
| 21st April 2008 Inishmurray |
Two male Eiders were in the natural harbour on Inishmurray today. The females were probably incubating eggs on the island, as Inishmurray is an important breeding site for this species (C. Davis). | |||||||||
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| 20th April 2008 Ladies' Brae, Coolaney |
A Common Buzzard was seen on the northern slopes of the Ox Mountains beside the first bridge on Ladies Brae drive (M. Breen, D. Hagen, F. Carroll). | |||||||||
| 20th April 2008 Mullaghmore |
Nine Great Northern Divers were at Mermaids Cove Mullaghmore, and was seen near Classiebawn Castle (M. Breen, D. Hagen, F. Carroll). | |||||||||
| 20th April 2008 Lough Easkey |
At least five Common Sandpipers were at Lough Easkey (M. Casey). | |||||||||
| 20th April 2008 Tanrego, Beltra |
The BirdWatch Sligo outing to Tanrego saw/heard Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Bullfinch and many other woodland species. On the shore there were 28 Whimbrel, while a flock of 51 passed overhead. Redshank, Greenshank, Brent and Long-tailed Duck also seen (Outing leaders M. Keane & T. Hunter). | |||||||||
| 20th April 2008 Raghly |
A first-winter Iceland Gull was in a ploughed field just before the causeway, two Sandwich Terns and a summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver were just off the short beach and five or six White Wagtails were on the beach, as well as up to eight Rock Pipits (M. Casey). | |||||||||
| 19th April 2008 Raghly |
At least 20 Wheatears
were in the sandy fields just after the turn-off from Raghly to
Ballyconnell. About 4/5 Hares were in the same field. At least two White Wagtails were at Raghly beach (D. Skehan). |
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| 19th April 2008 Ballyconnell |
A Great Northern Diver in full summer plumage was seen just off the beach on the rising tide (S. Feeney) | |||||||||
| 19th April 2008 Raghly |
Large numbers of Wheatears present (D. Skehan). Three Iceland Gulls were seen off the short beach in the late evening, at high tide - all very white/bleached individuals (S. Feeney) | |||||||||
| 19th April 2008 Cartron |
3 Iceland Gulls seen (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 19th April 2008 Mailcoach Road, Sligo Town |
A large wing-tagged eagle, showing features of White-tailed Eagle,
flew along the route of Mailcoach Road in Sligo town just before 6pm.
The bird was being very heavily mobbed by crows and it flew south
to the end of Mailcoach Road, circled and flew east in the direction of
Lough Gill. The bird had a yellow wing-tag on the left wing, no
detail seen on the other wing-tag, it was flying very low over the town
(maybe 20-30 feet above the roof-tops), but appeared to be healthy and
in good condition (P. Keogh). This report and the Golden Eagle reports below are as received - it seems likely that they may refer to the same bird. Regardless, it seems that there were at least one eagle flying around Sligo on Saturday 19th April......... and just possibly two! A good number of people must have seen the Sligo town bird - any further sightings/descriptions, and especially photos/video in any size or format, very welcome at sightings@sligobirding.com |
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| 19th April 2008 Bundoran Road Sligo |
On Saturday evening at around 5.30pm an eagle, probably a Golden Eagle
from the Donegal re-introduction project was seen at "Berties Pitch
& Putt" on the Bundoran Rd. The eagle was being mobbed by a large
number of crows as it headed out towards Sligo Bay. But this didn't
seem to affect the eagle, as it was in no rush and seem to be taking
its time. The bird was really striking for its very large size (J. Browne). |
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| 19th April 2008 Lissadell |
A wing-tagged Golden Eagle from the Donegal re-introduction project was reported near Lissadell today. This was a first year Golden eagle, as it had a blue wing tag on the left wing and yellow on the right wing (B. Haslam via E. Dempsey, L O'Toole). | |||||||||
| 18th April 2008 Raghly |
24 Whimbrel, one Glaucous Gull and three Great Northern Divers were present. Good numbers of Linnet also seen (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 17th April 2008 Drumcliff Estuary |
A Little Egret was at Drumcliff Estuary at the back of Yeat's Tavern, as well as two Greenshank (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
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| 17th April 2008 Raghly |
14 Whimbrel, one Curlew and a summer-plumaged Black-tailed Godwit were on the beach to the east of the causeway. There was clear evidence of migration with Willow Warblers/Chiffchaffs feeding in the thickets along the track to Raghley Harbour. A summer plumaged Red-throated Diver was feeding off-shore. At least four White Wagtails were present, feeding on the narrow strip of shore left exposed at high tide. A first-winter Iceland Gull was at the same spot (D. Skehan). See photos above | |||||||||
| 17th April 2008 Maugherow |
Near the beach there were at least six Wheatears in the fields around the handball alley. Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap were singing from the thickets in this area (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
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| 17th April 2008 Ballyconnell |
One Whimbrel was with a group of 5 Curlews (M. Casey). | |||||||||
| 16th April 2008 Raghly |
A flock of 12 Whimbrel was at Raghly Strand, as well as a total of five White Wagtails (four in the pasture field and one on strand) (D. Cotton, J. Dunleavy). | |||||||||
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| 14th April 2008 Strandhill |
A group of about 30 Whooper Swans were seen flying over Strandhill Beach Sligo Monday April 14th at about 9pm flying in a north-westerly direction (V. Flannery). | |||||||||
| LEITRIM SIGHTINGS 14th April 2008 Glencar, Co. Leitrim |
Two Whooper Swans
were grazing in the field between the Glencar Waterfall car park and
Glencar Lake - probably late stragglers (C. McElhinney). A group of about 27 Whooper Swans wintered at Lough Nahoo, Mullagh, Dromahair, arriving about October 24th. Most left around the last week in March. Three remain since on Lough Nahoo (V. Flannery). If these Whoopers have indeed delayed their migration to Iceland, it may have been a wise decision - see the fates of two satellite-tagged Whoopers above. |
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| 14th April 2008 Ballyconnell |
A female Stonechat was seen carrying food to nestlings (M. Casey). | |||||||||
| 14th April 2008 Raghly |
At least 6 White Wagtails were on the beach north of the causeway (M. Casey). | |||||||||
| 13th-14th April 2008 Townaghbrack, Monasteraden |
A Cuckoo was heard calling on both mornings, and seen well on the 14th as it perched on a heating oil tank in a rural garden (M. O'Donoghue). | |||||||||
| CETACEAN NEWS 13th April 2008 Streedagh |
A Long-finned Pilot Whale was washed up on the back strand at Streedagh (N. Mugan, D. Cotton). | |||||||||
| 13th April 2008 Raghly |
Iceland Gull seen flying west at dusk (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 13th April 2008 Benbulbin |
27 Chough were in fields at the base of Benbulbin, beside the track. Red Grouse droppings were found at the summit (N. Mugan) | |||||||||
| 12th April 2008 Streedagh |
One White Wagtail seen (N. Mugan). | |||||||||
| 12th April 2008 Yellow Strand |
98 Light-bellied Brent were on the beach, at least four of which were colour-ringed (D. Cotton, J. Dunleavy). | |||||||||
| 12th April 2008 Ballyconnell/ Ballintemple |
At least 1,000 Barnacle Geese were spread over several fields, among which were the Richardson's Cackling Goose and the Pink-footed Goose (M. Casey). | |||||||||
| 12th April 2008 Ballyconnell Strand |
12 Light-bellied Brent present, of which four were colour-ringed (M. Bell). | |||||||||
| 11th April 2008 Lissadell |
Four Swallows were seen over the pond in the Goose Field at Lissadell today (M. Crowley). | |||||||||
| 11th April 2008 King's Mountain |
A flock of 100 Meadow Pipits seen, presumably on migration (N. Mugan). | |||||||||
| 11th April 2008 Glencar Valley |
A large bird of prey showing some features of Goshawk was seen briefly but disappeared from view before it could be conclusively identified - this was in the area between Glencar Lake and Drumcliff village (N. Mugan). Please keep an eye out for this bird if in the area. | |||||||||
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| 11th April 2008 Knocklane |
A Twite was seen in song at the end of the road leading to the Yellow Strand (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 11th April 2008 Raghly |
At least 5 White Wagtails were among a flock of 10-15 Pied Wagtails on the beach at Raghly (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 10th
April 2008 Knocklane/ Ballyconnell |
2 Glaucous Gulls and 2 Wheatears were at Knocklane and approximately 40 Great Black-backed Gulls were feeding on the very decomposed remains of a small whale on the beach at Ballyconnell (N. Mugan). | |||||||||
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| 10th April 2008 Benbulben/ King's Mountain |
A skein of 30 Greenland White-fronted Geese flew north at a considerable height, just off the "nose" of Benbulben. Three Redwings and a Swallow were also seen (N. Mugan). | |||||||||
| 9th April 2008 Lissadell |
Chiffchaff heard singing (J. Dunleavy). | |||||||||
| 9th April 2008 Benbulben/ King's Mountain |
A Willow Warbler and a Wheatear were seen this morning during Chough survey work (N. Mugan). | |||||||||
| 9th April 2008 Maugherow |
2 Swallows were at Ellens Pub, Maugherow (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 9th April 2008 Drumcliff |
A Little Egret was on the estuary behind Davis's Pub in Drumcliff this evening (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 9th April 2008 Ballyconnell |
A Whimbrel and at least 4 Wheatear were at Ballyconnell Beach (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 9th April 2008 Sligo Harbour |
A single first-winter Iceland Gull was in the harbour all day (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 9th April 2008 JFK Parade, Sligo Town |
3 Sand Martins were at JFK Parade (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 9th April 2008 Benbulben |
Two Skylarks seen while on a trek across Benbulbin from Glencar to the Barytes Mines. They were soaring slightly but not singing (L & F. Lynch). | |||||||||
| 8th April 2008 Raghly |
A small group of Sand Martins seen at Raghly (M. Crowley). | |||||||||
| 7th
April 2008 Cartron Sewage Outfall, Sligo Outfall |
Three first-winter Iceland Gulls (S. Feeney) and a first winter Glaucous Gull (M. Casey) were at Cartron Sewage Outfall today. | |||||||||
| 7th April 2008 Cartron Sewage Outfall, Sligo Harbour |
First-winter Iceland
Gull and first-winter Glaucous
Gull at Cartron Sewage outfall (D. Skehan, S. Feeney).
Also an adult Ring-billed Gull (S. Feeney) |
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| 7th April 2008 Sligo-ringed Brent resighted in Donegal |
The sightings histories of eight ringed Light-bellied Brent, whose rings were read by Dermot Breen in Donegal (including two birds ringed on Enniscrone Golf Course, Co. Sligo and resighted at Ballyness Bay, Co. Donegal), are in a Microsoft Word document here. | |||||||||
| 7th April 2008 The Inishes Ballysadare Bay |
8 Whooper Swans were resting and preening on the strand western side of The Inishes, Ballisodare, movingeast towards the apartments at the old fish tanks as the tide came in (T. Hunter). | |||||||||
| 7th April 2008 Delayed migrants? |
Warbler arrival appears to be quite slow/late this year. Hazelwood had no Willow Warblers, Blackcaps or Chiffchaffs during a 2.5hr observation on 6th April 2008. No Willow Warblers or Chiffchaffs were observed in the hedgerows around the Inishes, Breeogue or Ballisodare on the 6th/7th April 2008 (T. Hunter). | |||||||||
| 6th April 2008 Ballyconnell Strand |
Good numbers of Great Black-backed Gulls and a second-winter Iceland Gull were at an unidentified whale carcass on the strand (P. Keogh)..........no Ivory Gull seen yet unfortunately! | |||||||||
| 6th April 2008 Carney |
A Willow Warbler was at Carney (M. Crowley). | |||||||||
| 6th April 2008 Drumcliff Bay |
2 Sandwich Terns at Lissadell Strand (P. Keogh). | |||||||||
| LEITRIM NEWS 6th April 2008 Parkes Castle, Lough Gill |
Swallow numbers at Parkes Castle have built up to approximately 30 (P. Keogh). | |||||||||
| 5th
April 2008 Union Wood (Ballygawley end) |
Four Chiffchaffs, one Blackcap and one Willow Warbler were heard during a walk this morning (M. Bell). The warblers have started to arrive, these are the first reported in Sligo in 2008. | |||||||||
| 5th
April 2008 Cartron Sewage Outfall, Sligo Harbour |
One first-winter Glaucous Gull and one first-winter Iceland Gull were at the Cartron Sewage Outfall (P. Keogh) | |||||||||
| 3rd April 2008 Garvoge River Sligo Town |
Several Swallows seen over the Garvoge River in Sligo town (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 3rd April 2008 Sligo Harbour |
One first-winter Iceland Gull (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 3rd April 2008 Drumcliff |
One Swallow - this is Sligo's first reported Swallow of 2008 (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 3rd April 2008 Ballyconnell Strand |
55 Brent off Ballyconnell Strand (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
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| 3rd
April 2008 Ballintemple |
First winter Iceland Gull (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 3rd April 2008 Raghly Harbour |
First-winter Glaucous and Iceland Gulls present (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 3rd April 2008 Sligo Town |
A pair of Ravens was soaring over the east side of the town on both days (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
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| 2nd April 2008 Rosses Point |
A first-winter Iceland Gull was observed flying from the direction of Sligo town towards Raghly (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 2nd April 2008 Raghly Harbour |
A small party of 8 Eider were at the mouth of the harbour, a bigger flock of c. 50 were further offshore and at least 10-15 Great Northern Divers were within binocular range off-shore (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 2nd April 2008 Cartron |
3 Iceland Gulls, one of which may have been the 2nd winter (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| 2nd April 2008 Drumcliff Estuary |
4 Long-Tailed Duck & 1 Red-throated Diver were close to shore at the inlet before Carney village (D. Skehan). | |||||||||
| LEITRIM
NEWS 2nd April 2008 Parke's Castle, Lough Gill |
Approximately 15 Swallows present (P. Keogh). | |||||||||
| 2nd
April 2008 Lough Arrow |
A male Ring-necked Duck was in Andresna Bay and a female was in Brick Bay, both on the north-eastern shore of Lough Arrow. It is possible that one or both are birds seen previously this year on Lough Arrow or nearby Lough Bó (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 1st
April 2008 Mullaghmore/ Mermaid's Cove |
Six Whooper
Swans were grazing in the fields of Classiebawn estate,
near Cliffoney soccer pitch. 4 Great
Northern Divers and 2 Red-throated
Divers were off Mullaghmore. Off Mermaids Cove were 60+ Common Scoter, 20+ Eider and a single
adult Gannet (S. Feeney). |
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| LEITRIM
NEWS 1st April 2008 Parke's Castle, Lough Gill |
One Swallow seen (P. Keogh). | |||||||||
