Donegal Sightings

Accommodation at Inch:

Modern four-bedroom property to rent in Burnfoot, Co. Donegal near the bird/wildlife sanctuary at Inch Lake. Very reasonable rate and I would consider small groups, singles or couples for periods of a weekend/ week/ fortnight.

Linda McGrory,
InishowenNews.com,
Moville,
Co Donegal.
Tel: 074 93 81088
Web: www.InishowenNews.com

Occasional sightings from adjacent counties are reported to the Sligo website. Any Donegal sightings reported are to be found on this page.

Note:
All sightings listed below are as received and are unconfirmed.

You can email your 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 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.

2009 Donegal Sightings

16th February 2009
Sheskinmore Lough

At Sheskinmore Lough near Rossbeg: 18 Golden Plover, 40 Greenland White Fronted Geese,
30 Chough`s (F. Carroll, M. Breen, D. Hagen).

16th February 2009
Killybegs

At Killybegs today a min of 20 Iceland Gulls and 13 Glaucous Gulls although I suspect as many as 30 Icelands could have been present. An adult Kumliens Gull was last weeks pale eyed bird, no sign of the dark eyed individual (D. Charles).

16th February 2009
Lough Easke,
near Harvey's Point

Great Northern Diver seen (F. Carroll, M. Breen, D. Hagen).

16th February 2009
near Laghy,
Co. Donegal

At Carrickwest, near Laghy Co Donegal (IG 93113 - 73707), two Little Egrets were seen which flew off together . Approx 1 mile away as crow flies, two Little Egrets, almost certainly the same birds were seen at (IG 93027-76112) Birds were making running dives and extending necks at one another. Possible courtship? (F. Carroll, M. Breen, D. Hagen).

13th February 2009
Lough Eske,
Donegal

A Golden Eagle was observed soaring and landing on the slopes of the Bluestack Mountains to the north-west of Lough Eske, Donegal. The eagle was mobbed repeatedly by a Peregrine Falcon (D. McAtamney).

Image © Marius Breen 2008

12th January 2009: Greenland White-fronted Geese at Sheskinmore Lough today

Images © Derek Charles 2008

15th January 2009: 1st winter Iceland Gull (lower picture) and 2nd/3rd winter Iceland Gull (upper picture) at Killy begs

Images © Derek Charles 2008

15th January 2009: Adult Kumliens Gull (different individual) at Killybegs today

Images © Derek Charles 2008

15th January 2009: First-winter Glaucous Gull at Killybegs today

Images © Derek Charles 2008

15th January 2009: Adult Kumliens Gull at Killybegs today

8th February 2009
Mulroy Bay/Fanad

A Black-throated Diver was at the mouth of Mulroy Bay and 4 Iceland Gull on Fanad. About 35 Long-tailed Duck also there. (W. Farrelly, D. Charles).

8th February 2009
Lough Fern

A Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Fern, along with a Goosander (W. Farrelly, D. Charles).

7th February 2009
Killybegs

One adult Kumlien's Gull (possibly a returning bird), c. 15 Iceland Gulls, 7 Glaucous Gulls (D. Breen)
Second adult Kumliens Gull seen (D. Charles)

7th February 2009
Greencastle

4 first-winter, one second-winter, and one fourth-winter Iceland Gulls, one first-winter Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid, ten Waxwings (D. Breen)

7th February 2009
Inch Island Lake

8 Ruff present (D. Breen)

2nd February 2009
Drumnasharragh,
Ballyshannon

A possible Great Grey Shrike has been present in the Ballyshannon area of Co. Donegal for the past week. The bird has been seen fairly regularly on trees and on stone walls in and around the townland of Drumnasharragh (IG925662). The bird was described as somewhat crow-like, although smaller than a Magpie, with a grey back and black wings with white stripes. The observer and her husband consulted a field guide and believe that a Great Grey Shrike is the closest match (K. Burns).

Directions:
Travel north from Ballyshannon for 2-3 miles, pass straight through Cavangarden Cross (where there are signs for Connacht Gold Creamery, the Breesy Centre, and Lough Columcille, stay on main road, taking the next by-road to the right, towards the Seamless Aluminium Co. On this by-road, keep right at the first fork (by-road swings left), going left when you reach a crossroads - all sightings of the bird have been along these roadsides before and after the crossroads, within a distance of a mile or so.

31st January 2009
Killybegs

At least 12 Iceland Gulls and 8 Glaucous Gulls were at Killybegs today (D. Charles)

12th January 2009
Killybegs

2 Chough and 1 Great Northern Diver seen in the Drumanoo area of Killybegs today (M. Murrin)

12th January 2009
Killybegs

8 Iceland Gulls and 2-3 first-winter Glaucous Gulls at Killybegs today (D. Charles)

12th January 2009: Glaucous Gulls at Killybegs today

12th January 2009: This 'argentatus' Herring Gull was at Killybegs today