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BirdWatch Sligo

 

 

RingBilledGull
 

Image  © Declan Skehan 2012

22nd April 2012: Ring-billed Gull at Doorly Park

BirdWatch Sligo Dawn Chorus Event 2012

Inishfree, Ballintogher, Co. Sligo


Sunday 20th May 2012 6.00AM

Trevor Hunter will lead a Dawn Chorus Outing to Inishfree
Meet Carraroe Church Car park at 5.20am.
Car Pooling available from Carraroe Church.

Groups to reconvene at Inishfree /Cullentra at 5.50AM
If driving directly to site from take the R287 from Collooney/ Dromahair on South Side of Lough Gill
Close to Ballintogher take signposted side road to Cullentra Wood / Isle of Inishfree.
Follow signs on this twisty road for 3.6km to a parking area.
This is a great spot for Cuckoos, Common Sandpipers and watch out for Deer on the Road
Martin Ruane of Coillte will also talk about the Oakwood and the Millennium Forest

 

 

Wildlife Weekend 8th - 10th June 2012

Butterflies....Bees....Birds....Moths....Bats

with Rob Wheeldon of www.ecoaudit.ie

A weekend workshop at Ardtermon Castle - for details and a poster, click here.

 

Peregrine

Peregrine Falcon Breeding Sites:

Your observations wanted for breeding study:

Please submit any current or historical records you have for Peregrine Falcon nest sites in Sligo as part of a study of breeding Peregrines in the north-west, for a National Parks and Wildlife Service nest recording and ringing project.

All records will be kept confidential, and you will get feedback on the 2012 outcome of any sites you report. It is hoped that the project will include the ringing of chicks - this will be done by a trained ringer who also has specific climbing/abseiling training for the role. In all aspects of this study, the birds' welfare will be paramount.

Peregrines appear to be doing well in Sligo, and generally in Ireland. However there are continuing threats from human persecution, including in some cases the theft of eggs/young from nests, hence the need for confidentiality about breeding sites.

Please pass this request on to friends who are hill-walkers, climbers, anglers, or anyone else whose outdoor pursuits may bring them into close contact with typical Peregrine breeding habitat - cliffs, crags and quarries. Breeding has been confirmed at a number of traditional sites so far this year, but there may well be new ones given the increase in numbers seen over the past couple of decades

Please send any Peregrine nest site records to sightings@sligobirding.com - obviously these will not be published on the website, or anywhere else.


Image  © Mícheál Casey 2008
Newly fledged juvenile Peregrine Falcon pictured in the Partry Mountains, Co. Mayo
Willow Warbler

Bird Weekend at Benwiskin Centre:

An illustrated talk "Birds of North Sligo" will be presented by Michael Bell of BirdWatch Sligo at the Benwiskin Centre on Friday, 11th May at 8 pm. Michael will talk about the interesting birdlife present throughout the year in the area, including the Gleniff Horseshoe, Glencar, Bunduff and Mullaghmore.

The next morning there will be a field trip beginning at 9 am at the Barytes Mill Site at Gleniff to look and listen for birds in the adjacent woodlands.

Weather permitting this will be followed by a hike around Gleniff to observe birds of the open country. For more information contact Michael at 085 175 1000

Blackcap 20th May 2012
Dawn Chorus Walk, Mote Park, Roscommon:

Michael Bell will lead a dawn chorus walk at Mote Park, Roscommon beginning at 4.30 a.m. on behalf of the BWI Roscommon Branch. For more info. contact Michael at 085 175 1000
Peacock

25/26th May 2012

WILDLIFE OF SOUTH SLIGO WEEKEND:

Come discover the flora and fauna of the Ballymote area with Michael Bell of Nature Learn at a beautiful country estate in Newpark, Ballymote, Co. Sligo.

Friday, 25th May, 7.45pm: Illustrated presentation on the natural history of the surrounding area.
Saturday, 26th May, 9am: Examination of moth trap followed by nature walk through neighboring gardens, woods, lakeside and fields.

Numbers are limited so booking is essential.

Suggested voluntary contribution: €3 per adult, children free.

For more information phone Michael 085 175 1000 or Rosemary 086 337 5741.

Live high-resolution web camera on Bald Eagle nest in Decorah, Iowa, USA

This camera is the best quality video feed we have seen from a nest camera.

Live stream videos at Ustream
 
 

Recent Sligo Sightings

All reports are posted as reported by contributors, without confirmation.


Please send any sightings of interest to sightings@sligobirding.com

Red text is used to signify records of particular significance for Co. Sligo

 

Date
Species
Photo Number Site Observer Remarks

17 May 2012

Whooper Swan   1 Lough Gill,
Co. Leitrim

Séamus Feeney & Chris Benson

At Black Point Between Parkes Castle and Sriff Bay, inCo. Leitrim.
16 May 2012 Hen Harrier Photo 1 West Cavan

Ryan Wilson-Parr

Male Hen Harrier in potential breeding area

16 May 2012

Corncrake   1 Rosses Point

Mark Keane

Calling from field behind Elsinore Lodge - please listen from the road, and do not enter the field or otherwise disturb the bird
15 May 2012 Common Crossbill Photo c. 6 Lough Annagh,
Greaghnafarna,
Co. Leitrim

John Foss

Included an adult and juvenile
15 May 2012 Whimbrel Photo 1 Lough Annagh,
Greaghnafarna,
Co. Leitrim

John Foss

 

15 May 2012

Hen Harrier   1 Cloonacleigha,
Ballymote

Michael Bell

Ringtail (female/juvenile)
13 May 2012 Common Sandpiper   2 Kilmore,
Dromahair

Trevor Hunter

 
13 May 2012 Whitethroat   1 Dromahair

Trevor Hunter

 
13 May 2012 Common Sandpiper   2 Cullentra/Inishfree,
Lough Gill

Trevor Hunter

 
13 May 2012 Cuckoo   1 Cullentra/Inishfree,
Lough Gill

Trevor Hunter

 
13 May 2012 Treecreeper   2 Tanrego,
Ballysadare Bay

Trevor Hunter

 
13 May 2012 Otter   1 Tanrego,
Ballysadare Bay

Trevor Hunter

 
12 May 2012 Dipper Photo 1 Hyde Bridge,
Sligo Town

Michael D Casey

Sighted a Dipper at Hyde Bridge on Saturday 12th May 2012 at around 4.20pm. It was being quite vocal at a grey heron. I wonder if it has a nest nearby?
12 May 2012 Grey Wagtail Photo 1 Hyde Bridge,
Sligo Town

Michael D Casey

 
12 May 2012 Feral Goat Photo 41 Ox Mountains

Mícheál Casey

A large flock
12 May 2012 Raven Photo 3 Ox Mountains

Mícheál Casey

Adult Ravens harrying a Peregrine Falcon that threatened a grounded chick (young bird seems to have left a nest on the cliff overhead prematurely)
12 May 2012 Swift Photo 4 Rathscanlan,
Tobercurry

Mícheál Casey

At least 3 went to roost in nestboxes
11 May 2012 Garden Warbler Photo 3 Lough Erne,
Co. Fermanagh

Brad Robson

 
11 May 2012 House Martin   1 Cloghan,
Rossinver

Beatrice MacDonald

 
11 May 2012 Swift   1 Rathscanlan,
Tobercurry

Mícheál Casey

Went to roost in nestbox
09 May 2012 Common Crossbill Photo 2 Lough Annagh,
Greaghnafarna,
Co. Leitrim

John Foss

 
09 May 2012 Whimbrel Photo 4 Lough Allen,
Co. Leitrim

Frances and David Farrell

Saw 4 Whimbrel on May 6th in the north eastern part of Lough Allen; 3 in Rossmore, one on a rocky island.

Frances and David Farrell, LoughAllenBasin.com

06 May 2012 Swift   2 Near Summerhill,
Sligo

Conor McElhinney

 
13 May 2012 Wheatear   2 The Inishes,
Ballysadare Bay

Trevor Hunter

First sighting of Wheatears here this year (Regular breeding spot)
07 May 2012 Common Tern   2 Rosses Point Road,
Sligo

Michael Bell

 
06 May 2012 Sedge Warbler   13

Ballyconnell Bog

Don Cotton

 
06 May 2012 Wheatear   13

Ballyconnell Beach

Don Cotton

 
06 May 2012 Whimbrel   4 Inishcrone Mervyn Gawley  
06 May 2012 Common Scoter   400 Inishcrone Mervyn Gawley Flying towards Kilcummin 8pm
06 May 2012 Common Sandpiper Photo 2 Lough Annagh,
Greaghnafarna,
Co. Leitrim

John Foss

Flying north-east
06 May 2012 Pine Marten   1 Doonally,
Calry

Mícheál Casey

Killed by car on main road
06 May 2012 Common Scoter   15 Lough Arrow Chris Benson 3 pairs, 7 single males. Survey for NPWS.
06 May 2012 Stonechat Photo 4+ Fermoyle,
Calry

Mícheál Casey

Pair feeding fledged young
06 May 2012 Common Crossbill   1+ Largan,
near Lough Talt,
Ox Mountains

Mícheál Casey

Female seen, others heard calling
06 May 2012 House Martin   1 Rosses Point

Conor McElhinney

First Sligo report of 2012.
06 May 2012 Common Sandpiper   1 Lough Easky,
Ox Mountains

Mícheál Casey

 
06 May 2012 Common Sandpiper   2 Lough Talt,
Ox Mountains

Mícheál Casey

 
06 May 2012 Cuckoo   1 Largan,
near Lough Talt,
Ox Mountains

Mícheál Casey

 
06 May 2012 Cuckoo   1 Rathscanlan,
Tobercurry

Mícheál Casey

 
06 May 2012 Grasshopper Warbler   1

Carraun,
Tobercurry

Don Cotton

 
06 May 2012 Cuckoo   2

Carraun,
Tobercurry

Don Cotton

Male & female - exceptionally close views
06 May 2012 Wheatear   3

Carraun,
Tobercurry

Don Cotton

2 male, 1 female - holding territory
06 May 2012 Whitethroat   1

Carraun,
Tobercurry

Don Cotton

 
06 May 2012 Cuckoo   1 Drimina,
Tobercurry

Mícheál Casey

 
06 May 2012 Cuckoo   1 Knocknasheeogue,
Tobercurry

Don Cotton

 
05 May 2012 Whimbrel   20 Ballineden/Ballyconnell Don Cotton  
05 May 2012 Lesser Black-backed Gull   77 Ballineden,
Ballinfull

Don Cotton

Field being rotovated
05 May 2012 White Wagtail   6 Yellow Strand Don Cotton  
05 May 2012 White Wagtail   4 Ballyconnell Beach Don Cotton  
05 May 2012 Corncrake   1 Rosses Point Barbara McInerney

First Sligo report of 2012.

05 May 2012 Greylag Goose Photo 3 Lough Annagh,
Greaghnafarna,
Co. Leitrim

John Foss

Flying north-east
04 May 2012 Hen Harrier   13 Cloonagh Beach,
Ballyconnell
Don Cotton Ringtail, seen from c. 1 km away
04 May 2012 Sanderling   126 Lissadell Strand

Don Cotton

Roosting
04 May 2012 Whimbrel   32 Drum,
Ballygawley
Seamus Feeney  
04 May 2012 Whimbrel   85 Kellystown,
Ballysadare Bay
Declan Skehan  
04 May 2012 Swift   2 Coen's Lough,
Carraroe,
Sligo
Declan Skehan  
04 May 2012 Great Northern Diver   2 Easky Robin Burnhams In full summer plumage
02 May 2012 Whimbrel   9 Streedagh Don Cotton  
02 May 2012 White Wagtail   13 Streedagh Don Cotton  
02 May 2012 Common Scoter   4 Kingsborough Shore,
Lough Arrow
Don Cotton 3 males and a female
02 May 2012 Cuckoo   1 Lough Nasool,
Ballinphull
Don Cotton  
02 May 2012 Cuckoo   1 Rossmore,
Riverstown
Conor McElhinney My work colleague Sinead Galvin told me she heard a Cuckoo on Wednesday 2nd of May in Rossmore near Riverstown. She also told me her mother heard a Cuckoo 2 weeks earlier around the 20th April in Aughoo near Sooey.
02 May 2012 Grasshopper Warbler   1 Beltra

Conor McElhinney

Reeling this evening around 930pm in a field opposite my house in Beltra
02 May 2012 Grasshopper Warbler   1 Rathscanlan,
Tobercurry

Mícheál Casey

Reeling in a field along the old railway line
01 May 2012 Treecreeper   3+ near Manorhamilton,
Co. Leitrim

David McNicholas

Two adults provisioning chicks in a nest built in a crevice in the wall of an old building
             
 
   
Other sources of bird news if you are visiting Sligo:

Other sources of information on bird sightings in County Sligo:

- Joe Doolan's Irish bird news website:  www.irishbirding.com

- The Irish page on Birdforum: www.birdforum.net

Please continue to report Sligo sightings as usual to this site, and rarities can also be notified to Joe Doolan on 087 234 7296 by email to sightings@irishbirding.com

 
   
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