February 2008 Sightings
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| January 2008 <<< | Back to Archive | >>> March 2008 |
| 29th February 2008 Bunduff, Mullaghmore |
Male Goosander at Bunduff (R. Sheppard). | |||||||||
| 29th February 2008 Sligo Town |
Two juvenile Iceland Gulls were in Sligo town late afternoon, and an immature Peregrine Falcon spectacularly took a Black-headed Gull from mid-air (R. Bonser, J. Hunter, G. Howard and B. Wright). | |||||||||
| 29th February 2008 Ballintemple |
The pale Richardson's Canada Goose was still at Ballintemple, with a Pink-footed Goose also amongst the Barnacle Goose flock (R. Bonser, J. Hunter, G. Howard and B. Wright). | |||||||||
| 29th February 2008 Mullaghmore |
14 Whooper Swans were at Mullaghmore (R. Bonser, J. Hunter, G. Howard and B. Wright). | |||||||||
| 26th February 2008 Ballyconnell |
There was a flock of 20+ Eider well out in Ballyconnell Bay, another of 30+ at Cullmore and a smaller flock off Cloonagh beach (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 26th February 2008 Ballintemple |
A very large Barnacle flock, possibly the full flock, was at Ballintemple, spread out over several fields. The pale Richardson's Cackling Goose was with them (the one with the throat stripe) but didn't see the Pink-footed Goose, also at Ballintemple was a third-winter Iceland Gull, feeding close to cattle. Also in Ballintemple, there was a large mixed finch flock, mostly Linnet with some Goldfinches (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 26th February 2008 Raghly |
The Dark-bellied Brent (adult) was with a group of Light-bellied Brent on Raghly strand (S. Feeney, D. Skehan). A flock of 200+ Common Scoter was noted a good distance off Raghly in the direction of the Lower Rosses, also good numbers of Great Northern and Red-throated Divers in the bay (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
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| 24th February 2008 Sligo Harbour |
Two female Pintails were in Sligo Harbour, in the area ath Cartron Point where the Cartron channel meets the main channel (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 23rd February 2008 Sligo Cathedral |
Peregrine sightings have once again been reported on the belfry tower and in the vicinity of Sligo Cathedral
in recent weeks, e.g. see entries for 3rd and 10th February below.
Special permission and access was obtained to inspect the top
levels of the tower for evidence of Peregrine Falcon activity on
Staurday afternoon 23rd February, before the beginning of the 2008
breeding season. Despite years of intermittent sightings, and
much speculation, it was immediately clear that Peregrines have never
nested there - indeed there is no suitable ledge or recess that would
hold a nest. There was, however, some fairly fresh prey remains, and it seems
that Peregrines use the Cathedral belfry as a "plucking
post", and as an occasional roost rather than as a breeding site. Some photos of the prey remains recovered are here - not for the squeamish! Also some Peregrine's eye views of Sligo from the tower on a wet afternoon. Any help with identifying the prey remains would be appreciated. The site would seem ideal for a nestsite partnership project like the one on Derby Cathedral in England - see the Derby Peregrine website here. |
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| 23rd February 2008 Ballintemple |
2000 Barnacle Geese at Ballintemple, along with one Richardson's Cackling Goose (M. Bell). | |||||||||
| 23rd February 2008 Quay St Car Park, Sligo Town. |
There were three Iceland Gulls (two 1st-winter and one 2nd-winter), by the Quay St. parking area in Sligo (M. Bell). | |||||||||
| 23rd February 2008 Lissananny More, Ballymote. |
A further 60 Whooper Swans (M. Creegan). | |||||||||
| 23rd February 2008 Lissananny More, Ballymote. |
60 Whooper Swans (M. Creegan). | |||||||||
| 23rd February 2008 Raghly |
Good numbers of waders were seen along the Strand at Raghly including 300+ Bar-tailed Godwit and 300+ Knot. A male Merlin was seen nearby (M. Bell). | |||||||||
| 22nd February 2008 Rinnbaun Bay, Lough Arrow |
The Lesser Scaup was seen at Rinnbaun Bay (E. Dempsey, M. Bell). | |||||||||
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| 21st February 2008 FERMANAGH NEWS |
A Red-crested Pochard has been found on Lough Barry, near Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh (B. Robson). | |||||||||
| 21st February 2008 Half-moon Bay, Hazelwood |
A first-winter Mediterranean Gull was with Black-headed Gulls, which wwere being fed bread at the picnic area in Half-moon Bay (S. Feeney). At least the third Mediterranean Gull seen in Sligo this winter, and the first immature bird. | |||||||||
| 20th February 2008 Drum, Ballygawley |
A ring-tail (juvenile/female) Hen Harrier was seen as it flew over farmland, circled, and flew off in the same general direction, from north to south (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
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| 18th February 2008 Knocknarea |
24 Chough were seen on Knocknarea on Monday evening 18th February (F. Farrell). Fiona Farrell writes: As I am trying to track and follow Chough movements around Sligo Leitrim, please let me know if you spot groups of them, either through posting on this website, or contacting me on my mobile (086 0533700). |
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| 19th February 2008 Drumfin, Castlebaldwin |
A Barn Owl was seen briefly in the lights of a car travelling along the main Dublin Road (M. Enright). | |||||||||
| 19th February 2008 Lough Bó |
Adult male Ring-necked Duck
seen on Lough Bo this afternoon with Tufted Ducks (may or may not be the Muck
Island bird from Lough Arrow on small lake, about a mile
north-east of Arrow - some plumage differences are evident) (S. Feeney) See photos of both birds here. |
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| 18th February 2008 Set of Lough Gara/ South Sligo sightings received |
We would like to acknowledge the receipt of a set of records from South Sligo (mostly wildfowl counts from the area around Lough Gara), compiled this winter by Michael Creegan of Ballymote. In the age of mobile phones, computers and digital video, there is something special about opening an envelope from the postman and receiving a meticulously compiled set of hand-written records with grid references. These records have been posted on the site under the relevant dates - 25/10/07, 18/11/07, 16/12/07, 13/1/08, 20/1/08, 10/2/08. Thanks Michael! | |||||||||
| 18th
February 2008 Sligo Harbour |
Two Iceland Gulls, an adult Ring-billed Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull were seen in the harbour area today (B. Robson). | |||||||||
| 18th
February 2008 Lissadell |
The Richardson's Cackling Goose was with the Barnacle geese at Lissadell, as well as the Pink-footed goose, 17 Shovelers and 2 Pintails (B. Robson). | |||||||||
| 17th February 2008 Lomcloon, Monasteraden (Lough Gara) |
240 Wigeon and 7 Great Crested Grebes (M. Creegan). | |||||||||
| 17th
February 2008 Rinnbaun Bay, Lough Arrow |
The immature male Lesser Scaup gave
good views again today in Rinnbaun Bay (S. Feeney, D. Breen). New
photos and video of this bird have been uploaded here. |
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| 16th
February 2008 Old Boathouse, Doorly Park, Sligo Town |
One Mediterranean Gull was on the Garvoge River upstream of Sligo Town. It appears to be same bird as seen at Cartron in Sligo Harbour on the 12th & 13th (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 16th
February 2008 Sligo Harbour |
Two Iceland Gulls were seen (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 16th
February 2008 Ballisodare Bay |
An scattered flock of at least 500 Common Scoter was on the sea west of Portavaud (Surf Scoters not observed), but many of the birds were at extreme distance), and there were good numbers of Great Northern Divers and Red-throated Divers in Sligo Bay, in ideal calm viewing conditions (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 16th
February 2008 Rinnbaun Bay, Lough Arrow |
The immature Lesser Scaup drake was again seen on Lough Arrow. The bird was with about six Tufted Ducks in the reedbeds to the right of the pier, along the edge of the wooded shoreline (M. Casey). | |||||||||
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| 15th February 2008 Ballyconnell/ Ballintemple |
The dark Richardson's Cackling Goose was at Ballintemple. The Barnacle Geese seemed to be split into at least 3 groups with 500+ at Lissadell, 300+ at Knocklane and 1000+ at Ballintemple. A pale/bleached first-winter Iceland Gull was feeding in the field next to the one with the geese. There were 40ish Eider at Cullumore/Trawbane (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
| 15th February 2008 Lissadell |
The Pink-footed Goose was with the Barnacles at Lissadell, and there were also 18 Shoveler and a pair of Pintail on the pond (S. Feeney). | |||||||||
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| 14th
February 2008 Enniscrone Golf Club, Inishcrone |
The
Irish Brent Goose Research Group (IBGRG) organised a cannon netting
operation at Enniscrone Golf Club today which resulted in 151 Light-bellied Brent Geese
being caught in a single firing of the cannon-nets - a record catch for
the group. Hopefully these birds will provide many years of
ring-reading for birdwatchers on their migratory flyway, in Ireland,
Iceland, Greenland, and the high arctic tundra of Canada. One
Icelandic-ringed bird was caught with today's catch. The
IBGRG
deeply appreciate the assistance of BirdWatch Sligo members, the
staff and volunteers of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in
Northern Ireland, and the
National Parks and WildlifeConservation Rangers, for the reconnaisance
work which led to todays extraordinary catch, and for their assistance
with the handling and processing of the birds caught (K. Colhoun, K. Mackie, G.
McElwaine). Work begins immediately tomorrow morning on monitoring these ringed birds - for example, determining which of them are members of the same family groups - work which will be underpinned by the DNA fingerprinting of blood samples taken on the day from individual geese. The birds were also sampled for Avian Influenza as part of the Irish Department of Agriculture's Avian Influenza surveillance programme for all Avian Influenza strains including the highly virulent H5N1 strain.
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| CETACEAN NEWS 13th February 2008 Streedagh Beach |
An unidentified whale carcass was found on Streedagh Beach today. It is approximately 5m long - not yet positively identified (M. Crowley, via G. Scott). | |||||||||
| 13th
February 2008 Cartron Sewage Outfall, Sligo Harbour |
Three Iceland Gulls, a Mediterranean Gull and a metal-ringed Herring Gull were at the Cartron sewage outfall (S. Feeney) | |||||||||
| 12th February 2008 Drumfin, Castlebaldwin |
A Barn Owl was seen at dusk near Drumfin (B. Flynn, via M. Enright). | |||||||||
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12th
February 2008
Cartron Sewage Outfall, Sligo
Harbour
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An adult Mediterranean Gull and the dark first-winter Iceland Gull were at the Cartron sewage outfall at lunchtime (S. Feeney, M. Casey). | |||||||||
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