Leitrim Sightings 

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Occasional sightings from adjacent counties are reported to this site and are to be found in these pages.

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 and digital video clips 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.


Leitrim Sightings 2008
Donegal Sightings
Sligo Sightings
Date
Species
Photo Number Site Observer Remarks

24 November 2009

Long-tailed Duck


1

Lough Doon,
Dromahair,
Co. Leitrim

Fiona Farrell

Adult female in winter plumage.

Long-tailed Ducks are relatively unusual at inland sites. The species has been recorded at this particular site just three times before - a pair was seen here c. 1999 (Séamus Feeney); 1 juvenile/female was seen on 17th November 1999 (Don Cotton) and at nearby Lough Colgagh, two females were present on 18th March 1992 (Don Cotton).

24 November 2009

White-tailed Eagle


1

Co. Leitrim

Satellite data via Allan Mee

The White-tailed Eagle, 'Male L', which travelled to Scotland during the autumn is on his way back! Satellite date placed him at Lisnabrack, to the north of Benbo mountain, Co. Leitrim yesterday afternoon!

Follow his progress here.

23 November 2009

Golden Eagle


1

Near Lurganboy,
Manorhamilton,
Co. Leitrim

Max Brosi

The satellite-tagged young male, Conall, was seen well as he fed on the carcass of an adult fox in a large roadside field on the edge of Lurganboy village. He obviously knows how to make himself popular in sheep farming country!

Satellite data from his GPS tag shows that he returned to Glencar on Saturday 21/11/09 - see our 'Conall' page

15 November 2009

Golden Eagle


1

near Carrigeencor Lough,
Co. Leitrim

Satellite Data via Lorcan O'Toole of the Golden Eagle Trust.

Conall the satellite-tagged Golden Eagle continues his southerly route - he roosted near Carrigeencor Lake, near Dromahair last night. There is surely a good chance he will be seen as he moves into more populated areas. Where next - The Ox Mountains?

13 November 2009

Golden Eagle


1

Glencar Lough,
Co. Leitrim

Satellite Data via Lorcan O'Toole of the Golden Eagle Trust.

Conall moved south from Lough Melvin yesterday and roosted overnight on King's Mountain. His movement patter so far has trended to the south, he may continue once the weather improves. In the meantime, any sightings at Glencar would be welcome. Further updates will be posted as they are received.

See satellite traces on the Conall page

11 November 2009

Golden Eagle


1

Lough Melvin,
Co. Leitrim

 

 

Oonagh & Joe Kavanagh

Seen crossing the lake at the western side of Lough Melvin, near Kinlough, being mobbed by a dozen crows.
The observer notes:
Eagle flew westwards along the northern shore of Lough Melvin and then veered south avoiding the town of Kinlough, labouring against the south east wind, heading to the Dartry mountains. He flew low at approx 30m altitude was being mobbed by a dozen crows. As he banked to gain height I caught a glimpse of a red wing tag on starboard wing. He looked quite dark without a golden sheen. There was a barely noticeable light patch on his tail base. His head looked large enough and the wings looked broad enough for me to believe that this was a juvenile White Tailed Eagle. However the red wing tag matches that of Conall the newly fledged Donegal born Golden Eagle, who was satellite tracked to Castle Caldwell on the western shore of Lough Erne on Nov 8th.

Satellite data fromthe Golden Eagle Project confirms that this is the satellite tagged juvenile bird 'Conall' from the Donegal Re-Introduction Project - see his remarkable story here.
This bird is part of the first generation of Golden Eagles hatched in the wild in Ireland for over a hundred years, one of two successfully hatched & fledged by a pair of re-introduced Golden Eagles in Donegal last summer.

1 November 2009 Common Buzzard
1 3 km west of
Carrick-on -Shannon,
Co. Leitrim
Declan Feeney
27 October 2009 Brambling
1 Curry,
Killargue,
Dromahair
Bernie Feeney Among a flock of Chaffinches at a garden bird table
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
9 August 2009 Swift 1 South of Cleighanroe,
eastern side of Lough Allen,
Co. Leitrim
Frances Farrell Seen over fields
9 June  2009 Spotted Flycatcher
1 near Dromahair, Co. Leitrim Paul Keogh
17 May  2009 Golden Eagle
1 Rossmore, Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim
Frances Farrell Location was at Rossmore, between Dowra and Drumkeerin, on the northern shore of Lough Allen, Co. Leitrim. The bird flew off eventually eastwards towards Dowra (possibly to Playbank mountain?) about 4.00pm. 
4 May  2009 Whimbrel
87+ Lough Melvin, Co. Leitrim
Michael Stinson Separate flocks of 35+, 36 and 16 respectively
3 May  2009 Whimbrel
72+ Lough Melvin, Co. Leitrim
Michael Stinson In groups of 8, 7 and 2 respectively, with one much large flock of 55+
26 April 2009 Long-eared Owl
1
Dromahair, Co. Leitrim Paul Keogh Seen at night
22 April 2009 Cuckoo
1
near Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim Frances Farrell   
20 April 2009 Whooper Swan
2
Lough Melvin, Co. Leitrim Brian Hallett via Séamus Feeney
3 April 2009 Waxwing 7
Leitrim Village,
Co. Leitrim
Declan Skehan Flew off north
18th March 2009 Martin sp. 3 Organic Centre,
Rossinver,
Co. Leitrim
Seán Callagy Either House Martin or Sand Martin, probably Sand Martin, only seen in silhouette
17th March 2009 Whooper Swan 15 Sheenun,
Rossinver,
Co. Leitrim
Seán Callagy Seen flying almost directly north in V-shaped formation, perhaps towards Bunduff/Mullaghmore, or indeed on migration to Iceland
17th March 2009 White-fronted Goose 14 Lough Allen,
Co. Leitrim
Frances Lucy Seen in flight over the lake
14th March 2009 Common Buzzard 1 Boleyboy,
Manorhamilton,
Co. Leitrim
Fiona Farrell Seen at Boleyboy, 3km NW of Manorhamilton on the afternoon of Sunday the 15th of March
26th January 2009
Arroo Mountain,
Rossinver,
Co. Leitrim
A male Snow Bunting was seen on Arroo mountain (F. Farrell).  
18th November 2008
Dromahair,
Co. Leitrim
One Brambling was with about 70 Redwings just outside Dromahaire today  (P. Keogh).
9th November 2008
Dromahair,
Co. Leitrim
Two Bramblings were in my garden today (P. Keogh).
28th October 2008
Dromahair,
Co. Leitrim
7 Whooper Swans flew over Dromahair this morning (P. Keogh).
21st September 2008
Benbo Mountain,
Manorhamilton,
Co. Leitrim
A female Merlin was seen near the top of Benbo mountain today (P. Keogh).
30th August 2008
Manorhamilton,
Co. Leitrim
A Greenshank was heard calling as it flew over our house at night in Manorhamilton, on the night of the 30th August (R. Wheeldon via F. Farrell).
21st August 2008
Lough Melvin
An Osprey was seen on Lough Melvin today (K. Curtis).  The observer watched it catch a trout and remarked that the bird had a better day's fishing than he did!
17th August 2008
Drumshanbo,
Co. Leitrim
26 Swifts were seen flying as a group over Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim (Frances Farrell)
Chough
Chough
Images ©  Noah Lipham 2008 
15th June 2008:  Two Choughs photographed on Ben Bulben today (one from each of the two pairs seen).
Click on image above to see larger version.



15th June 2008
Glencar Valley,
Co. Leitrim
A pair of Chough were seen today on the cliff face just above the large forested area at Glencar in Co. Leitrim.  They flew into a crevice in the high cliffs, presumably visiting a nest site (M. Bell), while a second pair were also showimg interest in a possible nest site further along the mountain (N. Lipham, J. Vangeldt).
 
10th June 2008
Farrell's Bay,
Lough Melvin,
Kinlough
Three Goldeneye were present today - eight were seen at this site earlier in the week (B. Hallett).   Normally only a winter visitor to western Europe, Goldeney have bred in Scotland.
9th June 2008
Lough Melvin,
Kinlough
A Peregrine Falcon was seen flying over the lake (S. Feeney).
5th May 2008
Dromahair
Spotted Flycatcher seen (P. Keogh).
Female Crossbill Juvenile Crossbill
Images ©  Mícheál Casey (left) and Seamus Feeney (right) 2008
4th May 2008:  Two of three Crossbills seen on Scots Pines in a large mature forestry plantation at Killavoggy, Dromahair, Co. Leitrim on Sunday afternoon.  The bird on the left is a female and the one on the right is a juvenile (a male was also present).  Crossbills are well known for breeding very early.  This forest is a very reliable site for this species, which have been seen four times in four visits in recent weeks
Click on image above for a larger image.
4th May 2008
Killavoggy,
Dromahair
3 Crossbills - a male a female and a juvenile seen in Scots Pines (S. Feeney, M. Casey).
26th April 2008
Dooloughan Lough, Keshcarrigan
Black-headed Gull colony with 198 adults (D. Cotton & J. Dunleavy).
29th April 2008
Killavoggy,
Dromahair
23 Crossbills seen in forestry on Drumkeeran side of Killavoggy - Grid Reference G872 233 (S. Feeney).
26th April 2008
Dromahair
Very large bird of prey seen near Dromahair, at least Common Buzzard-sized.  Swifts also seen (D. Skehan).
24th April 2008
Killavoggy,
Dromahair
2 Crossbills were still present in the general area where they were seen on the 22nd, now at Grid reference G863 240 (S. Feeney).
22nd April 2008
Killavoggy,
Dronahair
3 Crossbills were at Killavoggy, Co. Leitrim, in spruce forest (Grid Ref - G864 246) (F. Farrell)
21st April 2008
Drumshanbo
The Cuckoo was heard calling near Drumshanbo, Co. leitrim today - first Leitrim report of 2008 (F. Farrell).
19th April 2008
Kinlough
Blackcap singing in a rural garden near Kinlough (J. Kavanagh).
16th April 2008
Lough Nahoo,
Mullagh,
Dromahair
A group of about 27 Whooper Swans wintered at Lough Nahoo, Mullagh, Dromahair, arriving about October 24th. Most left around the last week in March. Three remain since on Lough Nahoo
30th March 2008
Kinlough
1 Chiffchaff was singing at Kinlough, and 4 House Martins were seen flying over the village (J. Kavanagh).
19th March 2008
Manorhamilton
One Swallow was seen over the Owenmore River crossing near Manorhamilton (N. Warnock, A Crory).  2008's first Swallow in the north-west!
9th March 2008
Dromahair
1 Brambling (P. Keogh).
3rd March 2008
Dromahair
Two Bramblings seen (P. Keogh)
10th February 2008
Lough Errill
At Lough Erril, 80+ Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, c.35 Goldeneye and 4 Whooper Swans were seen with 2 Water Rail heard calling here also. The Goldeneye were displaying and a pair of Great Crested Grebes were seen "dancing" (N.T. Keogh, E. O'Flynn).
10th February 2008
Cloonfinnan Lough
No sign of the male Blue-winged Teal at Cloonfinnan Lough. There was 100+ Mute Swans, 5 Whooper Swans, 50+ Tufted Duck and 23 Pochard present(N.T. Keogh, E. O'Flynn)
Blue-winged Teal
Image © Paul Keogh 2008
19th January 2008:  
Paul Keogh obtained this distant record shot of the Coolfinnan Blue-winged Teal under near impossible conditions of light, weather, distance, and obstruction by reeds.
19th January 2008
Coolfinnan Lough,
Mohill
Blue-winged Teal still present at Cloonfinnan Lough (P. Keogh).  This site can be hard to find - see location map here.
12th January 2008
Coolfinnan Lough,
Mohill
Blue-winged Teal (per J. Coveney).
CAVAN NEWS:
26th November 2007
Kilgariff Townland,
Dowra,
Co. Cavan
5 Greenland White-fronted Geese were seen along the shoreline (S. de Jong).
22nd November 2007
Tullycorka Commonage,
Drumkeeran
The characteristic droppings of Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus) were found (S. de Jong).
21st November 2007
Drummans Island,
 Lough Allen
21/11/2007 –  9 Greenland White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons flavirostris) were seen on the island and on the peninsula connecting it to the mainland (S. de Jong).
28th October 2007
Townlands of
Lecarrow and Gubb,
Spencer Harbour, Drumkeeran,
Co. Leitrim.
19 Greenland White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons flavirostris)  were seen flying in a south-easterly direction at around 2.30pm (S. de Jong).
23rd October 2007
Townlands of
Lecarrow and Gubb,
Spencer Harbour, Drumkeeran,
Co. Leitrim.
14 Greenland White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons flavirostris) were seen flying in a south-easterly direction at around 5.30pm (S. de Jong).
Red Kite
Image © Mícheál Casey 2007
24th September 2007
Dromahair
A Red Kite released in Co. Wicklow as part of the re-introduction scheme and subsequently found poisoned near Dromahair, Co Leitrim  a few weeks ago was saved by the quick thinking of a Co Leitrim farmer.
 

See full details here
21st September 2007
Lough Allen

Two Common/Arctic Terns seen (J. Davies via D. Cotton).
19th September 2007
South of Drumshanbo

Red Kite seen near Kinlough - the bird seemed to have some broken tail feathers (B. Birtwhistle via D. Cotton).
1st September 2007
South of Drumshanbo

A Skua sp. (probably Arctic Skua) was seen (via D. Cotton).
Sparrowhawk
Image © Michael Burke 2007
13th August 2007: This young Sparrowhawk was found and photographed by Michael Burke in his rural garden on the shore of Lough Rynn, near Mohill, Co. Leitrim, and appeared reluctant to move.  As the photo shows, it was in excellent condition, and Michael reports that it flew off normally after about five minutes.  The behaviour described may have been an example of the "freeze" reaction that young wild birds often adopt when they feel threatened.