January 2009 Sightings
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Little Gull
Image  ©  John McEvoy 2009
30th January 2009:

This Treecreeper was seen in Doorly Park
30th January 2009
Ballysadare Bay		 A first-winter Glaucous Gull was at Ballysadare Bay (S. Feeney).
30th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 The bleached first-winter Glaucous Gull was at Quay St, and the first-winter Little Gull was at the Cartron sewage outfall.  There was a first winter Glaucous Gull at Gibraltar Point (S. Feeney).
Little Gull
Image  ©  Declan Skehan 2009
29th January 2009:

Little Gull, Sligo Harbour

Further images of this gull and others from the current influx are on a separate January 2009 Gulls Page
Otter
Image  ©  Declan Skehan 2009
29th January 2009:

The Otter was seen again in the Garvoge River, Sligo Twon

No apologies for publishing a second Otter photo this week on a bird-watching website - this photo is simply irresistible!  The presence of species like Otter and Kingfishers in the Garvoge river in the heart of Sligo town is a great advertisement for the quality of water in the ecosystem - even though it can look quite murky!

Sligo's new waste treatment plant at Finisklin is being commissioned and the sewage outfalls are being closed on a phased basis as the new system takes over, starting this week with the one across the road from the Connacht Gold store.  While the gull-watchers among us may miss these "hotspots", this development is a huge step forward for the health of the harbour's ecosystem.
Informal Local Greenfinch Survey:

Greenfinches are familiar visitors to bird tables and feeders in Ireland.  Have you noticed any changes in numbers in your garden this winter?  Please e-mail your experience and your location to the website, results will be summarised early next month.  

Firm data (e.g. counts from participants in the BirdWatch Ireland Garden Bird Survey) would be especially helpful but not essential.
29th January 2009
Ballysadare Bay		 A first-winter Glaucous Gull was at Ballysadare Bay, possibly the bird that has been seen a few times at Collooney (M. Bell).
29th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 The first-winter Little Gull made another brief appearance at Cartron sewage outfall (D. Skehan).  The first-winter Glaucous Gull (the one with very worn and bleached plumage (was at roosting along the Garvoge at Markievicz road opposite Quay St (M. Casey)
28th January 2009
Gull Page Updated
Gull Photos from Sligo Harbour:
For reasons of space, the wealth of photos of gulls taken this month's storm-driven gull influx in Sligo Harbour are on a separate January 2009 Gulls Page - click here to view.  Further contributions are welcome.

Caution -  there are a lot of images of gulls on the linked page, which may be very slow to load unless you have a fast connection.
28th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 There were three male and two female Red Breasted Mergansers in the tidal channel at low tide as well as one immature Great Northern Diver (J. McEvoy).
28th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 The King Eiders were again seen poorly - very distant.  A pair of Long-tailed Ducks were also seen (G. Scott)
Image  ©  John McEvoy 2009
Image  ©  John McEvoy 2009 Image  ©  Gerard Scott 2009
25th January 2009:

A first-winter Great Northern Diver (top) and two male Red-breasted Merganser (bottom left) were in Sligo Harbour.

A pair of Long-tailed Ducks were in Drumcliff Bay at Lower Rosses (bottom right)
Click on image to see larger version
27th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 There was a first-winter and a second-winter Glaucous Gull , and a male Gadwall at the Cartron sewage outfall , an adult Mediterranean Gull and the first-winter Little Gull spent some time there before flying up to preen on an outcrop in the channel behind "Top Parts", two first-winter Iceland Gulls were around the deepwater quay area, also in this area was a male Red Breasted Merganser, and a Little Grebe.  A first-winter Glaucous Gull and up to two first-winter Iceland Gulls were at Quay St.  The adult Glaucous Gull was at Cartron Marsh - behind the bus (S. Feeney, D. Cotton, J. McEvoy, M. Casey).  It is likely that some birds were counted twice (seen by more than one observer.  An otter was seen in the river at the construction site behind the Glasshouse Hotel (D. Skehan), and it, or another otter was seen below Hughes Bridge (D. Cotton).
Image  ©  Declan Skehan 2009
Male Snow Bunting
Image  ©  Fiona Farrell 2009
26th January 2009: A male Snow Bunting seen on Arroo mountain and an Otter seen in the Garvoge River in the middle of Sligo town.
26th January 2009
Fermanagh News		 A male Smew was at Drumgay Lough near Enniskillen.  The White-tailed Sea Eagle was again seen on Lough Erne on the 24th.  Very large number of Tufted Ducks  - largest ever seen on Lough Erne, apparently gorging on Zebra Mussels  (F. Carroll, M. Breen).  
26th January 2009
Arroo Mountain,
Rossinver,
Co. Leitrim		 A male Snow Bunting was seen on Arroo mountain (F. Farrell).  
26th January 2009
Collooney		 Three first winter Iceland Gulls were at Cartron sewage outfall at 1.15pm (D. Cotton).  Three first-winter Iceland Gulls were seen flying up the Garvoge River towards Doorly Park at the same time (P. Keogh) - possibly the same birds? A second-winter Iceland Gull was at Cartron Bay (D. Cotton).  A first-winter Iceland Gull and a first-winter Glaucous Gull showed well at Quay St over lunch time (D. Skehan, M. Casey).  
Images  ©  Declan Skehan 2009 
25th January 2009: Adult Glaucous Gull in Sligo Harbour

Further images from the current gull influx are on a separate January 2009 Gulls Page - click here to view.

Caution -  there are a lot of images of gulls on the linked page, which may be very slow to load unless you have a fast connection.

Click on image to see larger version

Images  ©  Kevin Murray 2009 
25th January 2009: Fulmar on cliff at Kilkilloge, Mullaghmore, and Whooper Swan family on pasture near the soccer pitch, also at Mullaghmore

Click on image to see larger version
25th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 The King Eiders were again seen well at Lissadell, closer inshore than seen previously (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy)
25th January 2009
Cartron		 A single Waxwing was along the Rosses Point Road just before Cartron Heights (D. Skehan).  
25th January 2009
Lough Colgagh		 The Aythya sp female, showing some features of Lesser Scaup, possibly a hybrid, was again present, still giving very distant views (P. Keogh)
25th January 2009
Coney Island,
Sligo harbour		 A first-winter Glaucous Gull was seen on Coney Island, where a pair of Peregrine Falcons made a determined effort to catch a Lapwing.  A Kestrel flew over during the chase (T. Hunter).
25th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 Three Glaucous Gulls were in the harbour - including a first winter and adult at Quay Street.  The second-winter  bird at the Cartron outfall was begging for food from the adult at one stage! The Ring-billed Gull was also seen at Quay St and a single distant 1st/second winter Iceland Gull was at Cartron Marsh (M. Bell, D. Skehan).  Eight Scaup were also seen in the harbour (M. Bell).  A Kingfisher was seen on a couple of occasions between Cartron and Quay St. (D. Skehan)
25th January 2009
Cummeen Strand		 A first-winter Glaucous Gull was at Cummeen Strand, where a hunting Peregrine Falcon was disturbing large flocks of Knot, Dunlin and Bar-tailed Godwits (M. Bell)
25th January 2009
Collooney		 The immature Glaucous Gull was again seen in the flooded field between the dual carriageway and the Owenmore RIver at Collooney (M. Bell).  
Image  ©  John McEvoy 2009 
24th January 2009: Lesser Redpoll, Doorly Park
24th January 2009
Bunduff Lakes,
Mullaghmore		 The Goosander was seen again (Anon via Don Cotton)
24th January 2009
Doorly Park		 3 Goldeneye, 2 Goldcrest, and 2 Redpolls were with a flock of Siskins (J. McEvoy)
24th January 2009
Streedagh		 6 Grey Plovers were at Streedagh Point (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy)
24th January 2009
Ballyconnell area		 A female Hen Harrier was seen at Ballyconnell.   5 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Greylags were in the fields behind Yellow Strand (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy)
24th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 The adult Glaucous Gull and second-winter Iceland Gull were at the sewage outflow and a first-winter Glaucous Gull was below Hughes Bridge (N4).  A first-winter Iceland Gull was at Cartron Marsh (M. Bell)    
24th January 2009
Doorly Park,
Sligo Town		 The Mediterranean Gull was at Doorly Park (M. Bell)

Glaucous Gull
Image  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009 
23rd January 2009: Gulls galore in Sligo today
This first-winter Glaucous Gull remained calm amid the chaos of the lunchtime feeding frenzy at Quay St.

A total of nine species of gulls were seen in Sligo town & harbour today - the rest of the photos have been  posted on a separate Gulls Page - click here to view.
(caution - lots of images - the linked page may be slow to load unless you have a fast connection).

Click on image to see larger version
23rd January 2009
Collooney		 A first-winter Glaucous Gull was again seen in the flooded field between the dual carriageway and the Owenmore RIver at Collooney (S. Feeney)
23rd January 2009
Doorly Park		 The adult Mediterranean Gull was with the Black-headed and Common Gull roost at Doorly Park (S. Feeney).  
23rd January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 A first winter Little Gull, presumably the individual seen earlier in the week was seen at Cartron sewage outfall.  Three first-winter Iceland Gulls were in Sligo Harbour, a second-winter and two first-winters.  Three Glaucous Gulls were in the harbour area - a first-winter with very worn plumage was at Quay St car park, a second-winter was at the Cartron outfall, and a pristine adult moved between the Deepwater Quay area and Cartron Marsh, where it roosted behind the bus stop with Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls on the rising tide at lunchtime (S. Feeney, D. Skehan, M. Casey).  An adult Ring-billed Gull was on the roof of Gary's Cycles at Quay St car park (S. Feeney)

A remarkable total of nine gull species were seen in and around Sligo today.  There has been a very noticeable increase in the size of the high tide gull roosts around the harbour since the recent storm, especially Herrring Gull numbers.
Glaucous Gull
Image  ©  Declan Skehan 2009 
22nd January 2009: First winter Glaucous Gull at Quay St Car Park

Click on image to see larger version
22nd January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 Ten Waxwings flew over Stephen St car park at lunch time, in the direction of Doorly Park (D. Skehan)
22nd January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 The King Eiders were well at Lissadell (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy)
22nd January 2009
Collooney		 A first-winter Glaucous Gull was seen in a flooded field at Collooney (S. Feeney)
22nd January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 Three Iceland Gulls, a first winter Glaucous Gull, and a Ring-billed Gull were at Quay St car park at lunch time (D. Skehan)

21st January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 The King Eiders were at their usual spot in Drumcliff Bay at Lissadell (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy).  They are still being shadowed by 2 Great Black-backed Gulls - which can be a great aid to finding them in poor viewing conditions.  
21st January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 A first-winter Iceland Gull (new to the harbour area) was seen at Quay St car park (D. Skehan), while the long-staying second-winter Iceland Gull was at Cartron Marsh (behind the bus stop) at lunch time (M. Casey)  
21st January 2009
Doorly Park		 The adult Mediterranean Gull was with the Black-headed and Common Gull roost at Doorly Park (M. Casey).  

Little Gull
Image  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009 
19th January 2009: First-winter Little Gull pictured at the Cartron sewage outlet, Sligo Harbour.  
19th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 A first-winter Little Gull was feeding at the Cartron sewage outlet (S. Feeney, D. Cotton, M. Casey).  A Kingfisher (S. Feeney) and a first-winter Iceland Gull (D. Cotton) also seen.  
19th January 2009
Lough Colgagh		 The hybrid Ring-necked x Tufted Duck was present, also the Aythya sp female, showing some features of Lesser Scaup, possibly a hybrid, that has been seen at Lough Anelteen in recent days, gave distant views, as it fed actively with Tufted Ducks at the west end of the lake (furthest from viewing pints.  13 Whooper Swans, including a family party of two adults and four young were also noted on lakeside pasture near the graveyard (D. Cotton, M. Casey)
19th January 2009
Cashelgarron		 A Little Egret flew across the main Sligo-Bundoran Road (N15) at Cashelgarron (S. Feeney).  
Goosander Goosander
Images  ©  Séamus Feeney 2009 
19th January 2009: Male Goosander pictured on the front lake at Bunduff, Mullaghmore, today
19th January 2009
Mullaghmore		 The male Goosander was on the front lake at Bunduff.  There were 8 Long-tailed Ducks, a first-winter Iceland Gull and 270 Common Eider at Mermaid's Cove  (S. Feeney).  
Great Northern Diver
Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull Great Black-backed Gull
Images  ©  Marius Breen 2009 
18th January 2009: The Great Northern Diver (top) surfaced at Mullaghmore with a large Flounder it had caught, only to be robbed by a first-winter Herring Gull, which was in turn robbed by a Great Black-backed Gull (bottom
 left), which was robbed by another Great Black-backed Gull (bottom right)....which ate the fish!

(F. Carroll, M. Breen, D. Hagen)
18th January 2009
Doorly Park		 A first-winter Iceland Gull was seen at Doorly Park  (M.Enright).  
18th January 2009
Lissadell shore,
Drumcliff Bay		 The King Eiders were seen poorly (in adverse conditions - wind and waves and poor light), with 2 Great Black-backed Gulls following them (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy).
18th January 2009
Lough Colgagh		 An adult male hybrid Ring-necked x Tufted Duck was seen with Tufted Ducks at Lough Colgagh today, probably the same bird seen by Paul Keogh at this site a week ago  (S. Feeney).  
18th January 2009
Mullaghmore		 At Bunduff there was a male Goosander on the front lake, possibly the same bird as seen at this site last year at about the same time.  An all white gull, with pointed wings like a black-headed gull, and small in size, was seen flying away from us over the large lake.  Shining white against the dark grey clouds.  This was presumably an adult Little Gull but not seen well enough to rule out Ross's Gull.   A large flock of Eider and a few Long-tailed Duck were at Mermaid's Cove (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy).
17th - 18th January 2009
Lough Anelteen,
Calry		 A duck showing features of a female Lesser Scaup, but not seen well enough for a definitive ID was found on Lough Anelteen late on the 17th (P. Keogh) and re-sighted on the 18th (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy).  In the flock of 32 Tufted Duck there was a female Tufted Duck with a white blaze and another bird with a white blaze but a rounded head shape and a slightly paler back.  Lesser Scaup female is a definite possibility but a hybrid Tufted Duck could not be ruled out with distant views in windy conditions (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy).  No claim is being made for the ID of this bird - this is being posted to alert anyone in the area that there is a duck on Lough Anelteen worth checking out.  Lough Anelteen is a small lake about 1 km east of Lough Colgagh, and about the same distance north of Lough Gill.
16th January 2009
Andresna Bay,
Lough Arrow		 A Kingfisher was at Andresna bay, Lough Arrow today (S. Feeney).  
16th January 2009
Portavaud,
Dromard		 2 Little Egrets were at Portavaud today (S. Feeney).  
16th January 2009
Bundoran Road,
Sligo Town		 A flock of approx 10 Waxwings was seen in the housing estate opposite the Topaz filling station on the Bundoran Road (D. Skehan).  
16th January 2009
Rathcormack area		 A flock of Waxwings has been seen in recent weeks along the road between Cregg House and Rathcormack village (B. Gallagher via M. Enright).  
16th January 2009
Roscommon News		 200 Linnets with a few Greenfinches mixed in were seen in an area of cereal farms near Lecarrow.  A Sparrowhawk passed by flushing a lot of small birds from the area.  There were a couple of Buzzards in the area as well.  I also saw a Merlin a few miles north of Roscommon town. (M. Bell).  
16th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 Both King Eiders still present at the mouth of the Drumcliff channel, just west of the Lissadell shellfish farm  (P. Keogh).  
15th January 2009
Drumcliff		 A Little Egret flew across the main Bundoran road then flew south-west, landing in fields south of the village (M. Casey).  
15th January 2009
Glasshouse Hotel,
Swan Point,
Sligo Town		 Adult Ring-billed Gull seen (P. Keogh).  
15th January 2009
Ballymote-Boyle Road		 Today a Merlin was seen flying close to Ballymote along the Boyle Rd.  Yesterday morning just before dawn a Woodcock was seen in my car headlights flushing off the Ballymote to Boyle road just before I crossed the Co. Roscommon boundary (M. Bell).  
Gadwall
Image  ©  Mícheál Casey 2009 
14th January 2009: Long-staying male Gadwall seen with Mallard in Sligo Harbour.  A single male Gadwall has been seen at this site for at least three winters, presumably the same bird - Gadwall is an uncommon duck in this area.
14th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 Male Gadwall seen opposite Cartron sewage outfall (M. Casey).  
14th January 2009
Aghacurreen,
Ballaghaderreen		 10 Crossbills seen again in the townland of Aghacurreen near Ballaghaderreen (P. Glencross via M. Bell).
12th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 Both of the King Eiders were seen in Drumcliff Bayin the channel between Lissadell and the Lower Rosses sand spit at low tide.  The birds were quite close inshore, near the shellfish farming zone.  The Black-headed Gull has been replaced by an equally parasitic Herring Gull.  At the Goose field the Pink-footed and Greylag Geese were with a mixed flock of Brent and Barnacle Geese, also present good numbers of Teal and Wigeon. (S. Feeney).  
12th January 2009
Raghly		 Off Raghly in Drumcliffe Bay were 23 Long-tailed Ducks, 18 Great Northern Divers, 7 Red-throated Divers, 1 female Scaup and good numbers of Common Scoter (S. Feeney).  
12th January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 First-winter Iceland Gull, adult Mediterannean Gull, male Gadwall, all in the vicinity of the Cartron outfall (S. Feeney).  
12th January 2009
Ballinfull		 12 Tree Sparrows were seen at feeders in a rural garden (S. Feeney).  
12th January 2009
Ballintemple		 At Ballintemple 4 Pink-footed Geese were seen with about 70% of the Barnacle flock (S. Feeney).  
12th January 2009
Mermaid's Cove,
Mullaghmore		 At Mermaids Cove were 8 Long-tailed Ducks, 130 Common Scoter and 250 Eider (S. Feeney).  
12th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 45 Whooper Swans were grazing in a field near Ballymote along the Castlebaldwin Rd.  I have been seeing these birds here for a couple of weeks and it is the same field that they used last year.  There was also a single Greylag Goose with them today (M. Bell).  
12th January 2009
Crozon Estate,
Sligo Town		 12 Waxwings were feeding on Cotoneaster bushes in a private garden (S. Feeney).  
11th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 Both of the King Eiders were seen in Drumcliff Bay at the usual spot in the channel between Lissadell and the Lower Rosses sand spit (P. Keogh).  
11th January 2009
Lough Colgagh,
Calry		 An adult Ring-necked Duck was seen near dusk.  In the fading light it was not possible to rule out the possibility that this bird is a hybrid, possibly even the assumed Ring-necked x Tufted Duck hybrid seen at this lake last winter (P. Keogh).  
11th January 2009
Bunduff Lakes,
Mullaghmore		 A male Goosander was at Bunduff, possibly the bird seen departing from the lake on the 4th January 2008 (P. Keogh).  
11th January 2009
iWEBS Survey Update		 "During a sometimes wet and windy IWeBS count the Kingfisher's flash of blue was a welcome sight, just below Drumcliffe Bridge" (M. Enright).  

Eleven volunteers gave up their lie-in and late brunch for the pleasures of counting the birds of Sligo's three bays in the blustery winds and squally showers of a Sunday morning in early January.  They were rewarded with good numbers of common species such as Dunlin, Sanderling, Knot, Bar-tailed Godwits and Brent, and the satisfaction of a job well done.  Some of the aerial displays of large flocks of waders in the gusty winds provided a memorable spectacle, as did the sight of Oystercatchers and Curlews leaning sideways at 45 degrees into the wind to keep upright on the mudflats!  Conditions were actually an awful lot better outdoors than they looked from indoors, as the temperatures were relatively mild for the time of year, and the birds tended to be concentrated in the most sheltery parts of the bays.  Sincere thanks to all who turned out and made a success of an unpromising day  (T. Hunter).
Waxwings
Waxwing
Starling Starling
Images  ©  Declan Skehan 2009 
January 2009: Urban birds in Sligo this winter - Waxwings at Ballydoogan (top two images) and Starlings at Oakfield Park (bottom row)

Click on image for larger version
9th January 2009
Stephen Street,
Sligo Town		 An adult Mediterranean Gull was roosting on the roof of the Barton Smith Building (G. Keegan).  
9th January 2009
Doorly Park		 A second-winter Iceland Gull was at Doorly Park (G. Keegan).  
9th January 2009
Edenreagh,
Cliffoney		 3 Waxwings at the usual site beside Island View Stables  (G. Keegan).  
Mallard on ice
Ring-billed Gull Bullfinch
Long-tailed Tit
Images  ©  John Mc Evoy 2009 
9th January 2009: Mallard on ice at Doorly Park (top), Ring-billed Gull at Quay St (middle left), male Bullfinch (middle right) and Long-tailed Tit (bottom), also at Doorly Park

Click on image for larger version
9th January 2009
Ballintemple		 The main Barnacle Goose flock was on pasture in the Ballintemple area (S. Geraty).  
9th January 2009
Drumcliff River,
Drumcliff		 There was a Kingfisher at the upper pool, just below the bridge, it flew upriver under the bridge, and a second one in the lower pool, at the bend of the river which hovered a couple of times but didn't dive.  There was a Little Egret also, at the bend of the river 200m or so down from the bridge (S. Feeney).  
9th January 2009
St Mary's GAA Park,
Ballydoogan		 13 Waxwings gave excellent views (G. Keegan).  
9th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 The two immature King Eiders were seen in the morning (S. Geraty) and again in the afternoon (S. Feeney) (T. Hunter) in the main tidal channel in Drumcliff Bay, near Lissadell. Only the female was seen later in the afternoon (S. Geraty).  Viewing can be difficult from the Lissadell (northern) side of Drumcliff Bay in strong sunshine as the birds are very strongly backlit, but the only alternative is a long trek to end of the sand spit at the Lower Rosses on the southern side.

At the Goose Field there were 4 male and 5 female Red-breasted Mergansers along the shore, while on  the grass at the Reserve there were about 60 Barnacle geese as well as some Shovelers on the pond and a large flock of Wigeon on the grass bordering the pond (B. MacDonald).  There were large numbers of Redwings and Fieldfares in the Goose Field in the afternoon (S. Geraty).
8th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 The two King Eiders were present again today near the mouth of Drumcliff Bay, just west of the Goose Field at Lissadell (P. Keogh).  
7th January 2009
Doorly Park,
Sligo Town		 Siskin, Goldcrest, Long Tailed Tit, Reed Bunting, Redpolls seen, also three Red Squirrels were seen foraging (J. McEvoy).  
7th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 The King Eiders were not seen today despite a fairly thorough search of Drumcliff Bay.  Viewing conditions were good although slightly choppy.  The Pink-footed and the Greylag Goose were with the Barnacle flock in the Goose Field (S. Feeney).  The best time for seeing the King Eiders has been during the latter part of the falling tide, which is in the hours of darkness on both tides at the moment.  
6th January 2009
Ballintemple		 1,530 Barnacle Geese seen on pasture in the Ballintemple area; when added to the Lissadell count (below) this count gives a total of at least 3,630 Barnacle Geese in the area (M.Enright).  This is the most complete count of the Barnacle flock so far this winter
6th January 2009
Ballygilgan Nature Reserve,
Lissadell		 2,100 Barnacle Geese, 5 Pink-footed Geese, 1 Greylag Goose, 64 Brent, good numbers of Wigeon,Teal and the regular waders on the pasture and around the pond (M. Enright).  
6th January 2009
Quay St car park,
Sligo Harbour		 Adult Mediterranean Gull seen at Doorly Park  (S. Feeney) 
6th January 2009
Lough Croan,
Co. Roscommon		 Today at Lough Croan in Co. Roscommon I had the following counts:
27 Greenland White-fronted Geese, 45 Whooper Swans, 15 Pintail, 350 Teal, 30 Shovelers, 150 Wigeon.  There were probably more birds as the whole Lough is not visible from the road (M. Bell).
5th January 2009
Inishcrone		 1 Black Brant was seen amongst a large flock of c. 750 Light-bellied Brent grazing on pasture c. 1 km south-west of Enniscrone Golf Club.  This flock included c. 60 ringed geese, many of which were ringed on the nearby Golf Course in February 2008 (M. Enright) 
5th January 2009
West Sligo coast		 At Derk Road, Dromard there were 63 Brent and a flock of 58 Curlew flew over, There were good numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover in the fields, not really accessible for counts. At the "Long Rock" (1km. east of Aughris pier) there were 600 Golden Plover on the rocks offshore. A single Raven flew over Trawee Strand and there were 4 Ravens at Polnadivva. There was 17 Purple Sandpipers at Pollnagat point, east of Easky and 16 Purple Sandpipers at Toberavideen Point, west of Easky.  Good numbers of common waders all along the coast, but only one Great Northern Diver seen    (S. Feeney, W. Woodrow) 
5th January 2009
Aghacurreen,
Ballaghaderreen		 8 Crossbills seen in the townland of Aghacurreen near Ballaghaderreen,  where 10 were seen on 30th December 2008 (P. Glencross via M. Bell).
5th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 Both the male and female King Eiders were in the main channel between the Lower Rosses sand spit and the shellfish farm at Lissadell   (P. Keogh, D. Skehan).  The Pink-footed and the Greylag Goose were with the Barnacle flock in the Goose Field (P. Keogh).

All images received of the King Eiders can be seen on a separate page HERE
First-winter male King Eider First-winter female King Eider
King Eiders, Lissadell Female King Eider with Great Black-backed Gull
Images  ©  Gavin Thomas 2009 
4th January 2009: Photos above of the King Eiders at Lissadell submitted by visiting UK birder Gavin Thomas, who had a productive weekend in the north-west (see sightings below).  The birds are never far apart, and are shadowed by a Great Black-backed Gull which regularly robs them of their catches.

 Further pictures of these birds can be seen on a separate page HERE
4th January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 Both King Eiders showed well from about 10.30 am, although at distance and in poor light.  The consensus among those who saw the birds is that both are first-winter birds.  They fed actively in the main channel between the shellfish farm at Lissadell and the long spit extending into Drumcliff Bay from the Lower Rosses.   They were very successful at catching their prey (mainly crabs, some starfish), but were persistently harrassed and robbed by a Great Black-backed Gull which was getting two of every three prey items brought to the surface by the ducks at times.  The birds at times were loosely associated with a small flock of Red-breasted Mergansers.  The birds would have given better views from the Lower Rosses spit for much of the day (long walk involved!).

 A single Long-tailed Duck, a Great Crested Grebe and numerous Black Guillemots, Great Northern and Red-throated Divers were also seen in the bay (P. Keogh, S. Feeney, J. Donalson, D. Breen, D. Charles, G. Thomas, N. Raftery, M. Enright, M. Bell, M. Casey).  A Peregrine Falcon flew over towards Grange (D. Charles).  An adult Gannet was fishing at the mouth of the bay - near Raghly (M. Casey).
4th January 2009
Bundoran		 A Black-throated Diver was seen off the Pier in Bundoran (J. Donaldson) 
4th January 2009
"Island View Stables",
Cliffoney		 One Waxwing still present  (J. Donaldson) 
Waxwing, Strandhill, 4th January 2008 Waxwing, Strandhill, 4th January 2008
Images  ©  Dermot Breen 2009 
4th January 2009: Waxwings photographed by Dermot Breen at Strandhill today.

Click on an image to see a larger version
4th January 2009
"The Maples" estate,
and vicinity of the Spar supermarket ,
Strandhill Village		 Between 9 and 13 Waxwings were moving between tall trees and Cotoneaster sp. bushes in a private garden at different times during the day  (P. Keogh, J. Donaldson, D. Breen, S. Feeney) 
4th January 2009
Mullaghmore		 The adult male Goosander was seen well on the marshy lake at Bunduff, to the left of the Mullaghmore Road, but flew from the area, heading north towards Bundoran, and was not seen subsequently  (J. Donaldson, S. Feeney).  At Mermaids Cove there were 125 Common Scoter, 7 Eider, 4 Long-tailed Duck (two males and two females), a single Purple Sandpiper.  A first-winter Gannet was working the area for a while and plunged dived once  (S. Feeney) 
3rd January 2009
Ballintemple,
Maugherow		 Four Pink-footed Geese were grazing with the Barnacle flock  (G. Thomas) - presumably the same four birds that were seen at Lissadell on the 28th December  2008.
Ring-billed Gull

Image ©  Gavin Thomas 2009
3rd January 2009: Ring-billed Gull at Quay St
3rd January 2009
Rinnbaun Bay/Ballinafad Bay
Lough Arrow		 No sign of the Lesser Scaup at its usual haunts on Lough Arrow - only about 50 Tufted Duck in that area of the Lough   (G. Thomas) 
3rd January 2009
Quay St car park,
Sligo Harbour		 Adult Ring-billed Gull showing very well at Quay Street car park, in Sligo Town, coming to bread  (G. Thomas) 
3rd January 2009
Murvagh Beach,
Ballintra,
Co. Donegal		 4 White-fronted Geese flew north then south calling over Murvagh Beach, Ballintra, Co. Donegal. Also 9 Crossbills were flying & calling over the pine trees there. Plenty of Common Scoter on the sea   (G. Thomas) 
Female King Eider King Eiders
King Eider King Eiders

Images © Paul Keogh 2008 (ex lower right © Mícheál Casey 2008)
3rd January 2009:
Record shots, taken in poor light, of the adult female (top left) and first-winter male King Eiders found in Drumcliff Bay at Lissadell, Co. Sligo by Paul Keogh today.  
 
Some poor quality video footage of these birds can be seen here.

Better images and/or video footage of these birds, in any size or format, would be most welcome - please submit them to sightings@sligobirding.com
3rd January 2009
Lissadell,
Drumcliff Bay		 Two King Eiders were found in Drumcliff Bay this afternoon, a first-winter male and an adult female.  The birds were found in the area of the shellfish farm which operates on the northern shore of the bay, about 500m west of the Lissadell Goose Field (P. Keogh). The birds were feeding fairly actively (apparently on small crabs), showed well despite some harrassment by a Great Black-backed Gull.  They remained in the area from the time they were found (1.50pm) until nightfall, gradually drifting west in the bay (P. Keogh, S. Feeney, D. Skehan, N. Raftery, D. Feeney, M.Casey).

King Eider are rare vagrants in Ireland.  There have only been 14 published records of King Eider in Ireland, and none to date in Co. Sligo - congratulations to Paul Keogh on a great find!

Also at Lissadell, the Pink-footed Goose and the Greylag Goose were again seen with the Barnacle flock of about 400 geese.  The geese were flushed at nightfall by the Coastguard helicopter which did a low pass over the field (S. Feeney, N. Raftery, D. Feeney, M.Casey).
3rd January 2009
Sligo Harbour		 The second-winter Iceland Gull and adult Ring-billed Gull were seen from Quay Street car park today  (D. Skehan) 
3rd January 2009
Strandhill Village		 13 Waxwings were seen in the housing estate behind the supermarket at Strandhill today  (R. Jordan via M. Enright) 
3rd January 2009
Hazelwood		 Male and female Stonechats seen perching on a field boundary   (B. MacDonald) 
3rd January 2009
Bunduff Lakes,
Mullaghmore		 9 Whooper Swans were on the margin of the marsh pond on the left hand side of the Cliffoney to Mullaghmore road. They were preening and resting. This is in addition to the “resident“ Whooper who lives all year round with the male and female Mute Swans on this piece of water  (B. MacDonald) 
3rd January 2009
Island View Stables,
Edenreagh,
Cliffoney		 Between one and three Waxwings were present at Island View Stables, Cliffoney today (D. Skehan) (K. Murray).
Magpie with prey (Blackbird)

Image ©  Kevin Murray 2008
2nd January 2009:
This Magpie was seen chasing down and killing a juvenile Blackbird at Edenreagh, Cliffoney today, which it carried off and ate.  
 
2nd January 2009
Oakfield Park,
Sligo Town		 2 Waxwings were seen in an urban garden (D. Skehan) 
2nd January 2009
Ballygilgan Nature Reserve,
Lissadell		 One Pink-footed Goose and one Greylag Goose were with the Barnacle flock at Lissadell (S. Feeney) 
2nd January 2009
Island View Stables,
Edenreagh,
Cliffoney		 A single Waxwing was seen at the entrance to Island View Stables, near Cliffoney  (S. Feeney) (J. Donaldson).
Waxwings

Image ©  Gerard Scott 2008
1st January 2009:
Waxwings photographed at Edenreagh, along the main Sligo-Bundoran Road between Grange and Cliffoney, today.  
 
1st January 2009
Appeal for Brent sightings		 Observations and counts of Brent flocks would be welcome as much dispersal of the geese has taken place and the International Brent Goose Survey takes place on Jan 10th/11th 2009  (M. Enright).

Please submit an estimate of any groups you see to sightings @sligobirding.com
1st January 2009
Snowy Owl found
in Foxford Co. Mayo		 An injured immature Snowy Owl has been taken into care across the county boundary, near Foxford, in Co. Mayo - remember to carefully check out any 'white fertiliser bags' you see on bogs/mountains!

Update - unfortunately this bird had to be put down after the injury was assessed - report here.
1st January 2009
Mermaid's Cove,
Mullaghmore,
Cliffoney		 The adult male Goosander was seen again at Bunduff.  Two Velvet Scoters and seven Long-tailed Ducks were at Mermaid's Cove (P. Keogh).
1st January 2009
Lough Skean		 A male Hen Harrier flew over Lough Skean today.  No sign of the Long-tailed Ducks (poor viewing conditions)  (S. Feeney).
1st January 2009
Collooney Road,
Ballymote		 A Peregrine Falcon flew flew across the  main Ballymote - Collooney Road near the pig farm (S. Feeney).
1st January 2009
Annagh Bay,
Lough Gill		 Two pairs of Goldeneye were seen in Annagh Bay on Lough Gill. I've seen them from time to time over the winter, they move between Annagh Bay and the Rock House shore, probably depending on the weather and how the wind is blowing. (B. MacDonald).
1st January 2009
Edenreagh,
Cliffoney		 At least eleven Waxwings were feeding on berries around the eantrance to Island View Stables, just off the main Sligo-Bundoran Road (G. Scott).
31st December 2008
Rinnbaun Bay,
Lough Arrow		 The male Lesser Scaup was seen again in Rinnbaun Bay (J. Donaldson).
31st December 2008
Lough Skean		 Two Greater Scaup were seen at Lough Skean (J. Donaldson).

For previous sightings, go to the Archived Sightings page
Note:  
All sightings listed above are as received and are unconfirmed. Birds highlighted in red & bold are of particular interest for County Sligo. For consistency, and to follow long-established convention, where place-names have more than one spelling (e.g. Tobercurry/Tubbercurry, Ballisodare/Ballysadare, Enniscrone/Inishcrone), the form used in the Ordnance Survey maps, underlined in these examples, is the one used here.

Please report any interesting Sligo bird sightings (including early or late migrants, rare or scarce birds, unusual numbers or behaviour etc.) by e-mailing us or by clicking the button below.

Digital photos taken of birds in Co. Sligo are particularly welcome for inclusion in our sightings pages and gallery, please e-mail them to the same address, sightings@sligobirding.com in any size or format.