May 2008 Sightings
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| May 2008 <<< | Back to Archive | >>> July 2008 |
| May 2008 |
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| 29th May 2008 Streedagh |
A great variety of common species at Streedagh today: Ringed Plovers (including one with a chick and one sitting on a nest), Gannets, Fulmar, Guillemot, Kestrel (which was hunting over the dunes and successfully caught something), Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Shags, Cormorants, Oystercatchers, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks, Wagtails, Mallard, Swallows, Hooded Crow, Wren, Robin, Blackbirds, Starlings (C. McElhinney). | ||||||||||
| 29th
May 2008 Ballysadare Bay |
A very large bird of prey has been seen in the Ballysadare Bay area in recent weeks (D. Lawlor via T. Hunter). Further reports, and especially images/video very welcome via the 'Report Sightings' button at the top of the page. | ||||||||||
| 28th May 2008 Raghly |
A Corncrake
was heard briefly at Raghly Point (via
T. Gordon, BWI Corncrake Fieldworker for Connacht).
All Corncrakes seem to have gone quiet - hopefully a sign
that the females are incubating broods. |
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| 28th May 2008 Update on Eagle sighting |
An eagle seen in the Ox Mountains on the 24th of
May has been re-identified as a juvenile White-tailed
Eagle from the Co. Kerry release scheme on the basis of
its wing-tags (L.
O'Toole, T. Hunter, T. Roderick). Please continue to submit any sightings of large birds of prey seen in Co. Sligo. |
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| 28th May 2008 Lough Arrow |
On a boat trip on Lough Arrow this afternoon, we saw three Common Scoter (2 male, 1 female) near Muck Island. Elsewhere around the lough there were at least 5 Red-breasted Merganser and one Dipper (M. Bell, G. Norris). | ||||||||||
| 27th May 2008 Ox Mountains |
Red Grouse droppings seen at a number of sites, one family party consisting of a female Red Grouse and her brood of chicks was seen, but there was no evidence of breeding Twite in an area surveyed near Lough Talt (C. Benson). | ||||||||||
| 27th May 2008 Mullaghmore |
A family group of 6 Ravens was seen engaging in aerobatic manouevres near Classiebawn Castle, Mullaghmore (M. Casey). | ||||||||||
| 27th May 2008 Sligo Fulmars in decline? |
The number of breeding Fulmar pairs at traditional breeding colonies in Sligo appears to be quite low this year. This species may be in decline as fish stocks in the ocean shrink, and human fishing activities follow suit D. Cotton). Records of observations of breeding Fulmar numbers would be welcomed - please e-mail any such records you may have to the branch. Historical counts at traditional sites such as Knocklane, Mullaghmore and Aughris Head would be particularly welcome as baseline data. | ||||||||||
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| 26th May 2008 White-tailed Eagle in Co. Derry |
A confirmed recent sighting (wing tags read in enhanced photos) of a White-tailed Sea Eagle in Co. Derry proved to be a bird from the Kerry-based re-introduction scheme. This record tends to support Paul Keogh's report of a possible wing-tagged White-tailed Sea Eagle which he observed flying over Sligo town on 19th April 2008, i.e. the same day the the wing-tagged Golden Eagle was seen at Lissadell (L. O'Toole). | ||||||||||
| 22nd May 2008 Oyster Island, Sligo Harbour. |
At least 2 and maybe 3 Corncrakes calling clearly from Oyster Island just opposite Austies in Rosses Point. Heard this evening Thursday May 22nd, 10pm (P. Burke via G. Scott). | ||||||||||
| 22nd May 2008 Hazelwood. |
A Red Squirrel crosssed the road approx 100 metres
on the Sligo side of the turn-off to Hazelwood (D. Skehan). |
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| 23rd May 2008 Bridge St/Riverside, Sligo Town. |
The Glaucous Gull is still at Toffs as of lunchtime today 23rd May 2008 (D. Skehan). | ||||||||||
| 23rd May 2008 Markievicz Road, Sligo Town. |
A pair of Sandwich Terns came up the Garvoge River as far as the Glasshouse Hotel but did not cross the bridge (D. Skehan). | ||||||||||
| 24th May 2008 Ox Mountains. |
A wing-tagged White-tailed Eagle (from the Kerry Re-Introduction Project) was seen 1 km west of Lough Aghree in the Ox Mountains in Co. Sligo (T. Hunter, T. Roderick). | ||||||||||
| 24th May 2008 Lower Rosses/Ballinphunta. |
Came across the skeletal remains of a bird in the dunes at the Lower Rosses/Ballinphunta. It was tagged with the following 2 ring tags: GB 07 F 22941 and 15 (L. Lynch). An interesting find - the layout of numbers and letters are very suggestive of a ringed UK racing pigeon | ||||||||||
| 25th May 2008 Strandhill. |
A report has just been received of a Hoopoe seen and photographed in a garden in Strandhill about two weeks ago. Unfortunately it has not been seen since (J. Cox). | ||||||||||
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| 19th
May 2008 Carrownagleragh, Coolaney |
A Corncrake has been reported in a 5-acre silage meadow at Carrownagleragh, north-west of the Collooney-Tubbercurry Road. The bird has been singing from midnight onwards each night. (via T. Gordon). | ||||||||||
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| 18th May 2008 Easky |
A flock of 139 Common Gulls was roosting on the rocks east of the castle at Easky - seems like a high count for this time of the year (M. Casey). | ||||||||||
| 18th May 2008 Ox Mountains (near Lough Easkey) |
A Peregrine Falcon was hunting over the bog and forestry (M. Casey). | ||||||||||
| 15th
May 2008 NEWS FROM GREENLAND First Inishkea Barnacles arrive |
The Barnacle Geese that were satellite-tagged on Iniskea Islands, off The Mullet in Co. Mayo, have made landfall in Greenland. You can follow the progress of the birds by going to http://www.wwt.org.uk/research/tracking/maps2.asp and then selecting"Greenland Barnacle Goose" from the first drop-down menu and "Spring 2008" from the second one. Hovering over the data points on each trace gives details on speed etc (D. Cabot). | ||||||||||
| 15th
May 2008 Dromore West |
4 Crossbills were seen in a coniferous copse south of the Sligo-Ballina road just west of Dromore West while surveying for the Countryside Birds Survey. Cuckoo. and Sedge Warbler also noted (T. Hunter). | ||||||||||
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| 13th
May 2008 Streedagh |
Little Egret at Streedagh, being harassed by gulls (K. Murray). | ||||||||||
| 13th
May 2008 Lough Gill |
A Cuckoo was heard, from the direction of Stony Point at 5.00pm today. A Great Crested Grebe in breeding plumage was at Tobernalt Bay, Lough Gill (D. Feeney). | ||||||||||
| 12th
May 2008 near Coolaney |
A Common Whitethroat was seen and heard on the Coillte forest track, near the picnic area on the Beltra to Coolaney mountain road. It was about 50m down this gravel track on the right hand side among brambles etc...There were at least 5 Willow Warblers in this area as well as other common song birds such as Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird and Wrens and Mistle Thrush (C. McElhinney). | ||||||||||
| 12th May 2008 Corncrake Press Release |
A summary of
the 2008 Corncrake season to date is here. |
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| 12th
May 2008 Lough Arrow |
A bird showing features of Velvet Scoter flew from Ballindoon towards Ballinafad on Lough Arrow (via D. Cotton). | ||||||||||
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| 12th May 2008 RING READING NEWS |
A report from the BTO revealed that a Common Gull whose metal ring was read at the old Boathouse in Doorly Park in February had been ringed as a nestling on a lake in Scotland (Lough Etive in Strathclyde) (S. Feeney). This record fits with the general pattern where most Common Gulls wintering in Sligo come from breeding colonies in the northern half of the UK. With patience, metal rings on gulls can normally be read with a telescope, as they are normally reasonably approachable (especially if you have a little bread!) | ||||||||||
| 12th May 2008 Lough Easky |
At Easky Lough I saw a single Common Sandpiper. Had good numbers of Wheatear and Skylark during the day (M. Bell) | ||||||||||
| 12th May 2008 Aughris |
At Aughris there was one Whimbrel, along with displaying Lapwing and an agitated Ringed Plover (M. Bell). | ||||||||||
| 12th May 2008 Ladies' Brae, Ox Mountains |
At Ladies' Brae in
the Ox Mts. I heard a Red
Grouse calling. I also saw or heard Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge
Warbler, Cuckoo, Siskin and Lesser Redpoll in
the same area (M. Bell).. |
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| 11th May 2008 Rathscanlon, Tubbercurry |
A Common
Buzzard flew from the direction of the Ox Mountains, and
continued south-east (M.
Casey) . |
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| 10th May 2008 The Inishes, Ballysadare Bay |
13 Brent still present at the Inishes. Whimbrel are still very plentiful - the most common calling bird on the Inishes (T. Hunter). | ||||||||||
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Corncrakes in Sligo Corncrakes are clearly this weeks headline bird in Sligo. In 2007 it seemed likely that at least some of the calling birds reported from Coney Island (1 reported), Oyster Island (2 reported) and Raghly Point had bred. This year, it is difficult to determine how many birds are on the small islands and adjacent mainland at the mouth of Sligo Bay, but it is clear that this small area is becoming a stronghold for the tiny breeding population of Corncrakes that hangs on against the odds in the north-west. It is hoped that whole-hearted co-operation by land-owners (which includes delayed mowing, and centre-out mowing patterns) will help to sustain this glimmer of hope for the species in Sligo. The generous and whole-hearted co-operation of farmers on Coney, Oyster Islands and at Raghly Point has yielded remarkable results this year, and is a credit to all concerned. Please notify any sightings to the BirdWatch Ireland Corncrake Warden (Tim Gordon), either directly or via this site. Tim liaises with the land-owners concerned and maintains records of Corncrakes in Connacht. Phone Tim at the number on the left, or e-mail him by clicking here. |
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| Corncrakes
in Connacht "A slow start to the season, with the first arrivals 22nd April on Gola, 23rd at Carn House, Belmullet and 24th on Inishturbot, then a bit of a fall last weekend, with 5 or 6 reported on Turbot (to be confirmed), and up to 5 heard at Aghany, near Roonagh. Things have got a bit quieter since then, with two at the East End, Inishbofin, and 7 or 8 in Erris. In Sligo, one returned to Coney Island on Monday 5th, but may not have been heard here since, while there are now at least three on or around Oyster Island, with reports of up to 2 in a meadow and nearby rough grassland near the Sligo Golf Club and one also heard on Tommy’s Island (the spit opposite Oyster Island). Last year there were just 3 in Sligo with a previous highest recent total of 5, so its looking encouraging. The hotline for reporting Corncrakes in Sligo is 095 44941, or via the BirdWatch Sligo website" Tim Gordon, Corncrake Fieldworker for Connacht, BirdWatch Ireland 10th May 2008 Learn more about the plight of the Corncrake here. |
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| 9th May 2008 Rosses Point & Oyster Island |
Two Corncrakes on Oyster Island and one on the mainland opposite Oyster Island lighthouse (M. Mullen via T. Gordon). | ||||||||||
| 8th
May 2008 Coney Island |
A semi-albino fox was seen scavenging along the shore of Coney Island (via G. Scott) | ||||||||||
| 8th
May 2008 Ballygawley |
12 Whimbrel flew over in the evening (S. Feeney). | ||||||||||
| 8th
May 2008 Lough Lumman, Ballygawley |
A Common Sandpiper was at Lough Lumman (T. Hunter). | ||||||||||
| 7th May 2008 Rosses Point & Oyster Island |
Two Corncrakes on the mainland near Rosses Point Golf Club and one at the ruin on Oyster Island at the same time (M. Mullen via T. Gordon). | ||||||||||
| 7th/8th May 2008 Tommy's Island, Oyster Island & Rosses Point |
We have heard two – possibly three - separate Corncrakes on “Tommy’s Island” (54.18.18N 08.33.04W) and on Oyster Island heard from Rosses Point on Tuesday and Wednesday evening of this week (F. McElhone). | ||||||||||
| 6th/7th
May 2008 Rosses Point & Oyster Island |
During the last two nights (6th&7th May)
there have been three Corncrakes
in
the Rosses Point area: One on Oyster island as last year. In
addition one was calling from the small spit of land adjacent to the
start of the promenade (beyond the grounded boat). A third has been
calling the last two nights from the uncultivated fields that are on
the north side of the scenic walk about 300m along the walk from the
pier end (K. Grimes). It may be that these are some of the birds reported earlier from Coney/Oyster Island, ie that the same birds are moving around between a number of sites before settling on a territory - any further records welcome. |
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| 7th
May 2008 Gleniff |
Female Hen Harrier seen at end of valley (J. Kavanagh). | ||||||||||
| 7th May 2008 Union Place, Sligo Town |
Heard Cuckoo today 9th of May in the gardens behind Union Place. I have never heard a Cuckoo here before (R. Gillanders). An unusual urban record for Sligo. | ||||||||||
| 6th May 2008 Oyster Island, Sligo Harbour |
Heard Corncrake calling about 10 o'clock Tuesday night, 8th of May. Even though it was dark I would think it was near the old ruin with the "For Sale" sign (R. Gillanders). | ||||||||||
| 5th
May 2008 Sliabh More, near Benbulbin |
A pair of Grouse were on Benbulbin close to Sliabh More (T. Hunter). | ||||||||||
| 4th/5th
May 2008 Oyster Island, Sligo Harbour |
There were at least two Corncrakes on Oyster Island at about midnight on the 4th/5th. One was calling from the old ruin that has the "For Sale" sign on it and the other was calling from somewhere near the lighthouse (C. Davis). | ||||||||||
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| 4th May 2008 Beltra |
2 Cuckoos were heard calling to each other near Beltra (C. Davis) | ||||||||||
| 4th May 2008 Sligo Town |
About 8 Swifts seen over Sligo Town, at the junction of the Sligo by-pass and John St (C. Davis, T. Hunter) | ||||||||||
| 4th May 2008 Coney Island, Sligo Harbour |
A Corncrake was heard on Coney Island, near the main road from the strand (C. Davis). | ||||||||||
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| 3rd
May 2008 Gleniff Valley |
Linnet,
Kestrel, Meadow Pipit, Wheatear and Hooded Crow
(carrying food) seen today (K.
Murray). A selection from Kevin's collection of photos taken in Gleniff today is posted here. |
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| 2nd May 2008 Oyster Island Sligo Harbour |
Corncrake heard at night (J. Carter). | ||||||||||
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| 2nd
May 2008 Sligo Harbour |
6 Black-tailed Godwits in full summer plumage were in the harbour (S. Feeney) | ||||||||||
| 2nd May 2008 Maugherow |
Grasshopper
Warbler present near Maugherow Church (D. Skehan). |
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| 1st
May 2008 Culleenamore, Strandhill |
Grasshopper Warbler singing at Culleenamore (T. Hunter). | ||||||||||
