October 2009 Sightings

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Image © Mícheál Casey 2009

26th October 2009:

A large Canada-type Goose (left) and a smaller, darker Cackling-type Goose (right) (possibly the returning presumed Richardson's Cackling Goose seen in winter 2007/2008) were with the newly arrived Barnacle Goose flock at Lissadell.

MigrantWatch - recording the last summer migrants seen/heard in the region in 2008.

Cuckoo	3rd August 2009 - a juvenile at Kellystown, Ballysadare Bay (Declan Skehan)
Swift	27th August 2009 - six over Sligo Town Centre (Declan Skehan)
Swallow	14th October 2009 - one over Oakfield Park, Sligo (Declan Skehan)
Sand Martin	???????????
House Martin	5th October 2009 - two flying over Markievicz House (Conor McElhinney)

Good news on Sligo's Corncrakes

The final tally of Corncrakes in Sligo in 2009 was a minimum of six calling males, representing the most confirmed in the county since the Corncrake conservation project began, in 1994.

More details, and a round-up of this year's Corncrake season in the rest of the west are here.

Nature Learn - expert education on ecology and nature for schools and groups

A new nature education service has set up business in Ballymote, Co. Sligo run by Sligo BWI member and regular contributor to this website, Michael Bell. Nature Learn will primarily be focusing on primary schools throughout the region but Michael is also available for talks, guided field trips etc. for other groups as well. If you know of a primary school that may wish to avail of this service please contact Michael.

A scan of Nature Learn's brochure can be downloaded from this site - Page 1 Page 2

Andalucía Trip Report

A report of a recent birding trip to Andalucía by a group of Birdwatch Ireland volunteers is here

Ring-reading update

A partial reading of the ring number of a Cormorant photographed at Lough Gill by Declan Skehan on 10th April 2009 was enough to confirm it was ringed as a chick on the Saltee Islands off Co. Wexford on 28th May 2007. Mark Grantham searched the British Trust for Ornithology database and found that although only part of the number (...45942) was visible in the photo, the only other possible ring of this size with the same 5-digit combination in it's unique number was used by the British Antarctic Survey!

Thanks to Declan Skehan for the high-resolution photo and to Mark Grantham of the BTO for the patient detective work.

The original photos of the bird are about three-quarter way down the April 2009 Gallery page.

	BIRDWATCH MAYO EVENT The Barn Owl Research Project An illustrated talk by John Lusby Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology, (opposite Travellers Friend/Royal Theatre) Old Westport Road, Castlebar Wednesday 7th October 2009 at 7.30pm Room will be signposted from main lobby
	Guided Birdwatching Tours of Galway available If you are visiting Galway city or county and want an expert guide to get the most out of your visit, contact Tom Cuffe for a memorable guided tour to the birds and birding sites of Galway. Click here for contact details.


Date	Species	Photo	Number	Site	Observer	Remarks
31 October 2009	Cackling Goose		1	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe & Sean Geraty
31 October 2009	Canada Goose		1	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe & Sean Geraty
31 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		2,000	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe & Sean Geraty	The geese were quite close to the hide, but flushed when disturbed (by an overflying Grey Heron of all things!). The Barnacles always seem very nervous early in the winter, but become more confiding as the season progresses - presumably a result of hunting of the geese on migration before they get to Ireland.
31 October 2009	Peregrine Falcon		1	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe & Sean Geraty
30 October 2009	Sparrowhawk		1	Near Doonally, Sligo	Francis Gonley	Seen plucking a Magpie it had just killed
30 October 2009	Cackling Goose		1	Ballintemple, Ballyconnell	Séamus Feeney	Staying with Cackling Goose, with Barnacle flock
30 October 2009	Canada Goose		1	Ballintemple, Ballyconnell	Séamus Feeney	Staying with Canada Goose, with Barnacle flock
30 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		1,000	Ballintemple, Ballyconnell	Séamus Feeney	In fields behind Yellow Strand
30 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		550	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Don Cotton, Séamus Feeney	Also 1 Shoveler, small numbers of Mallard, Teal on pond
28 October 2009	Lesser Black-backed Gull		3-4	Sligo Harbour	Declan Skehan	All juvenile/first winter birds. Quite unusual for these migratory gulls to stay so late in the year. the same pattern is evident at Nimmo's Pier in Galway where 19 Lesser Black-backed Gulls are still present, well beyond their normal departure date (Michael Davis).
28 October 2009	Fieldfare		100s	Rahaberna, Sligo	Don Cotton	Flock after flock passed over in a southerly direction for 1.5 hours
28 October 2009	Redwing		100s	Rahaberna, Sligo	Don Cotton	Flock after flock passed over in a southerly direction for 1.5 hours
27 October 2009	Greenfinch		1	Ballinamona, Calry, Sligo	Darragh Feeney	This young male Greenfinch was found dead in a cattle shed. It had been noticed by the finder on the day before, as it appeared weak/dull. The bird was ringed with a closed ring, indicating that it is a captive-bred bird (an escaped cage bird). Preliminary post mortem results from Sligo Regional Vet Lab indicated that death was due to starvation. The Greenfinch may not have coped well the transition from captivity to life in the wild, despite being a native Irish species.
27 October 2009	Pied Wagtail		95	Carraroe Retail Park, Pearse Rd, Sligo	Conor McElhinney	Appeared to be a pre-roost gathering
27 October 2009	Brambling		1	Curry, Killargue, Dromahair	Bernie Feeney	Among a flock of Chaffinches at a garden bird table
27 October 2009	Whooper Swan		17	Streamstown, Ballysadare	Séamus Feeney	All adult
26 October 2009	Common Eider		3	Mullaghmore Head, Mullaghmore	Joe Geraty, Liam O'Reilly	One male and two females on the Classiebawn side of the headland.
26 October 2009	Whooper Swan		29	Raghly	Declan Feeney	Flew over towards Knocknarea in groups of 23 and 6.
26 October 2009	Little Grebe		23	Lough Colgagh, Calry	Séamus Feeney
26 October 2009	Whooper Swan		7	Lough Colgagh, Calry	Séamus Feeney	All adult
26 October 2009	Canada/Cackling Goose		2	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe Geraty, Liam O'Reilly, Séamus Feeney, Martin Enright, Mícheál Casey	Both birds still present, as seen yesterday. The smaller darker bird was showing definite features of the darker of the two Richardson's Cackling Geese seen at this site two winters ago. The larger bird was definitely not one seen at this site in the recent past, and looked similar to one of the large Canada Goose races, showing features that may be consistent with Todd's Canada Goose (Branta canadensis interior).
26 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		1,000	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe Geraty, Liam O'Reilly, Séamus Feeney, Martin Enright, Mícheál Casey	First report of Barnacles at Lissadell this autumn
26 October 2009	Peregrine Falcon		3	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe Geraty, Liam O'Reilly, Séamus Feeney, Martin Enright, Mícheál Casey	Three different birds present during the morning, two on fences, one on the ground behind the pond (looking from the hide)
26 October 2009	Kestrel		1	Streedagh	Joe Geraty, Liam O'Reilly	First report of Barnacles at Lissadell this autumn
26 October 2009	Chough		3	Streedagh	Joe Geraty, Liam O'Reilly	First report of Barnacles at Lissadell this autumn
26 October 2009	Wheatear		1	Trawgar Strand, Streedagh	Don Cotton	Very dark, russet-coloured, Greenland type
25 October 2009	Canada/Cackling Goose		2	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe Geraty, Liam O'Reilly	Seen with the Barnacles in the Goose Field on the first day Barnacles have been reported there this autumn. One was small and dark (approx Barnacle - sized or a little smaller), the other was larger than a Barnacle Goose and pale. Seen well from the hide - between the hide and the pond.
25 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		780+	Over Ballygilgan Strand, Lissadell	Ryan Wilson-Parr	En route to roost on Inishmurray - 780 birds counted in a photo that did not encompass the full flock in flight.
25 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		c. 500	"Goose Field", Ballygilgan Nature Reserve, Lissadell	Joe Geraty, Liam O'Reilly	First report of Barnacles at Lissadell this autumn

25 October 2009	Light-bellied Brent		117	Ballygilgan Strand, Lissadell	Ryan Wilson-Parr
25 October 2009	Sabine's Gull		2	Mullaghmore Head	Joe Geraty	During a short sea-watch at the Head in moderate westerlies - good numbers of Kittiwakes, incl. juveniles also seen
25 October 2009	Great Skua		1	Mullaghmore Head	Joe Geraty	During a short sea-watch
23 October 2009	Kingfisher		2	Old Fish Ponds, Tanrego, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney
23 October 2009	Whooper Swan		29	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney	5 of these at the Fish Ponds
23 October 2009	Redshank		64	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney
23 October 2009	Light-bellied Brent Goose		174	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney
23 October 2009	Greenshank		26	Tanrego, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney	Outside the sea wall at the fish ponds.
23 October 2009	Golden Plover		66	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney	Viewed from the car parking area.
23 October 2009	Redshank		64	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney	Viewed from the car parking area.
23 October 2009	Oystercatcher		148	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney	Viewed from the car parking area.
23 October 2009	Curlew		111	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney	Viewed from the car parking area.
23 October 2009	Sanderling		185	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney	Viewed from the car parking area.
23 October 2009	Bar-tailed Godwit		69	Streamstown, Ballysadare Bay	Séamus Feeney	Viewed from the car parking area.
23 October 2009	Whooper Swan		29	Lough Colgagh	Mícheál Casey
23 October 2009	Whooper Swan		11	Dublin Road, Collooney	Conor McElhinney
23 October 2009	Hen Harrier		1	Ballyconnell	Don Cotton	Female
22 October 2009	Grey Wagtail		9	Lissadell	Jean Dunleavy	Seen together at a pre-roost gathering
20 October 2009	Common Eider		102	Mermaid's Cove, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy	High count for this site
20 October 2009	Whooper Swan		29	Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy	On front (north-western) lake
19 October 2009	Grey Wagtail		2	Cloghermore, Calry	Michael D. Casey	A pair have taken up residence at a garden pond - showing the value of developing wildlife-friendly features in gardens.
18 October 2009	Whooper Swan		8	Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Frances Farrell	On front (north-western) lake
18 October 2009	Redwings		?	Sligo Town	Declan Skehan	The calls of large numbers of migrating Redwings have been audible for the past three nights
17 October 2009	Whooper Swan		1	Ballyconnell	Declan Feeney	One flew low over Ballyconnell
17 October 2009	Kestrel		2	Knocklane, Ballyconnell	Declan Feeney	One I observed two Kestrels on the south (Yellow Strand) side of Knocklane, being harrassed by Hooded Crows. When the crows departed, one of the birds made a good (but unsuccessful) attempt to grab a rabbit grazing on the hillside. Unusual to see two hunting so close together - perhaps one or both were juveniles.
17 October 2009	Great Northern Diver		1	Streedagh Estuary	Declan Feeney	Also good numbers of a range of waders seen
17 October 2009	Red-breasted Merganser		4	Streedagh Estuary	Declan Feeney
17 October 2009	Golden Plover		150	Lissadell	Michael Bell	On shore near Goose Field
17 October 2009	Redwing		c. 50	Near Streedagh	Michael Bell	Seen flying over main road
17 October 2009	Common Buzzard		1	St Angela's College, Cloghermore, Calry	Michael D. Casey	Circled 2 or 3 times, looked about 2-3 times the size of the Hooded Crows that were mobbing it.
15 October 2009	Pied Wagtail		100+	Sligo Institute of Technology, Ballinode, Sligo	Mícheál Casey	Seen going to roost behind college
15 October 2009	Redwing		15	Drumduff North/Aughriman, near Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim	Frances Farrell	Seen flying over
14 October 2009	Redwing		4	Drumkeelan Beg/Aughriman, near Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim	Frances Farrell
14 October 2009	Redwing		1	Hazelwood Road, Sligo	Don Cotton	At least one present in a flock of thrushes in a roadside garden
14 October 2009	Bar-tailed Godwit		60	Gibraltar Point, Cummeen Strand	Robin Burnhams
14 October 2009	Light-bellied Brent		200 approx	Gibraltar Point, Cummeen Strand	Robin Burnhams
14 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		1	Front Lake, Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Séamus Feeney	Resting on the margin of the lake, took off & flew north
14 October 2009	Greater Scaup		3	Main Lake, Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Séamus Feeney
14 October 2009	Chough		19	Mullaghmore West, Mullaghmore	Séamus Feeney	On pasture, near the soccer pitches
14 October 2009	Kingfisher		1	Garravogue River, John F. Kennedy Parade	Declan Skehan	Flew up river, under bridge
13 October 2009	Sparrowhawk		1	Summerhill Roundabout, Sligo Inner Relief Rd	Conor McElhinney	Flew across dual carriageway from east to west - same bird as below?
13 October 2009	Sparrowhawk		1	Adelaide Car Park, Sligo town centre	Conor McElhinney	Flew out of lleylandi tree at rear of car park.
11 October 2009	Sanderling		360	Yellow Strand, Ballyconnell	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy	Very high count.
11 October 2009	Light-bellied Brent		193	The Inishes, Ballysadare Bay	Martin Enright
11 October 2009	Light-bellied Brent		412	Cummeen Strand, Sligo Harbour	Martin Enright	The Brent appear to have had a disastrous breeding season - only 2 juveniles seen to date this autumn.
10 October 2009	White-tailed Eagle		1	Classiebawn Estate, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy	Now six weeks at this site. Satellite tracking of this eagle's journey from Kerry indicates he arrived at Bunduff Bridge at 1pm on the 22nd August 2009, moving down near Classiebawn castle an hour later. A summary of the satellite tracking history of "Male Star" (and the other eagles) can be seen on the Golden Eagle Trust website - just click on the 'Maps and GPS Tracking' button on the left of the page.
09 October 2009	Sparrowhawk		1	Easkey Village	Robin Burnhams	Brushed past myself & my wife in the garden as it chased a Collared Dove.
09 October 2009	Redwing		?	Rathscanlon, Tobercurry	Mícheál Casey	Heard, late afternoon
08 October 2009	Peregrine Falcon		1	Sligo Institute of Technology	Don Cotton	Large bird, quite high
07 October 2009	Little Egret		1	Coolbeg, Drumcliff Bay	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy
07 October 2009	Lesser Black-backed Gull		6	Quay St Car Park, Sligo Harbour	Mícheál Casey	All juvenile/first winter - a conservative count. Two birds seen earlier at Riverside may or may not be among the six at Quay St. Seems late for this site.
05 October 2009	Grey Plover		1	Inishnagor, Streedagh	Ryan Wilson-Parr	Also 4 Red-breasted Mergansers at Inishnagor, 2 Golden Plover at Black Rock, 5 Sanderling at Back Strand, also good numbers of Dunlin on south-east banks of Inishnagor.
04 October 2009	Light-bellied Brent		370	Gibraltar, Cummeen Strand	Martin Enright
04 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		3	Ballyconnell Strand	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy	Flew past. These two records are the first reports of Barnacle Goose in Sligo in autumn 2009.
04 October 2009	Barnacle Goose		71	Knocklane, Ballyconnell	Declan Feeney	Flew over towards the fields behind Yellow Strand
04 October 2009	Sparrowhawk		1	Ballyconnell Marsh, Ballyconnell	Declan Feeney	A female. 3 Common Snipe also seen.
04 October 2009	Sandwich Tern		3	Mullaghmore Bay, Mulllaghmore	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy	Seen from Bunduff Strand
04 October 2009	Sanderling		128	Bunduff Strand, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy	This count is above the threshold to designate a site as one of national significance for this species.
04 October 2009	Black-tailed Godwit		7	Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy
04 October 2009	Wigeon		3	Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy
04 October 2009	Whooper Swan		23	Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton & Jean Dunleavy	The ringed bird was read as K5C. Update 7/10/09 - this bird was ringed as a cygnet at the Wildfowl & Wildfowl Trust, Martin Mere, Lancashire, England and has been re-sighted there a number of times since then. This is the first sighting of K5C away from that site.
03 October 2009	Peregrine Falcon		1	Culleenamore, Strandhill	Michael D.Casey	Seen above sand dunes at the entrance to Ballysadare Bay (north shore of the bay). Flying low & headed across road towards Dromard.
01 October 2009	Whooper Swan		15	Rahaberna	Patsy McElhinney via Conor McElhinney	Included 16 Whooper Swans flew over in an off-centred 'V' at mid-day, honking loudly. They were flying north, presumably a local movement of freshly arrived migrants. They were being led by a smaller swan, possibly a juvenile.
01 October 2009	Northern Shoveler		2	Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton	A pair.
01 October 2009	Whooper Swan		22	Bunduff Lough, Mullaghmore	Don Cotton	Included one ringed female
01 October 2009	Whooper Swan		15	Institute of Technology, Sligo	Don Cotton	15 flew past, quite low
01 October 2009	Red-throated Diver		5	Second Beach, Rosses Point	David Gunne	At 11am today (Oct 1st) I spotted five Red- throated Divers off the second beach at Rosses Point. They were in summer plumage. On the return walk approx 20 mins later I could only find two of them.