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Saturday, December 31, 2005

here we go!

 


The 2006 patch year list got off to a flier (49) with the green-winged teal and black-necked grebe still present on Kilkeran Lake this morning, and a 1st w glaucous gull over Long Strand this afternoon. Nothing much else out of the ordinary around Galley, with 2 great northern divers and 2 fieldfares the only other species of note.

hogmanay

 


The green-winged teal was seen on Kilkeran Lake again today, and a merlin was seen near Long Strand. The lesser yellowlegs was still at White's Marsh at high tide this afternoon. 


 


The 2005 patch list finished on 136, with Fea's Petrel, Woodchat Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Hoopoe and Wryneck the best highlights.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

poaching bam

 


oot with mr c in East Cork for a bit of a change, since I'm soooooooooooooo far ahead in the year list challenge. Highlights were 5 ring-billed gulls; 1 at Cuskinny, another in Cork City, 2 at Atlantic Pond and 1 at Blackrock Castle. No sign of any rare american gulls but the tide wasn't great. Up to 20 common scoter off Aghada pier and 3 mediterranean gulls at Rostellen.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Christmas eve at Galley

 


A first winter glaucous gull and the green-winged teal were at Kilkeran Lake today. A short-eared owl was seen on a seawatch off Galley Head this afternoon. Merry Christmas to all de birders out dere!

Monday, December 19, 2005

kilkeran

 


The black-necked grebe was still present on Kilkeran Lake today, along with a little egret and a greenshank.

Friday, December 16, 2005

winter returns?

 


A green-winged teal was on Kilkeran Lake today, along with a black-necked grebe - returning birds from last winter?

Thursday, December 15, 2005

west cork update

 


The lesser yellowlegs was still at White's Marsh today, and a whooper swan flew over Clogheen Marsh.  A juvenile brent goose was at Rosscarbery, with a 1st winter glaucous gull and a black redstart at Owenahincha.  No sign of the two smithsonianus herring gulls at Red Strand, first found on 4th December.

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

king of da heap

 


A kingfisher at Long Strand this morning was new for the patch year list (136) and shurely secures 1st place in de year list challenge. Amayzing views of 3 otters there too.

Monday, December 12, 2005

monday seawatch

 


Seawatching off Galley Head today produced 2 sooty shearwaters, a bonxie, a glaucous gull and a minke whale.  A grey phalarope was seen off Unionhall, from one of the whale-watching boats - four fin whales were seen today.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

lesser legs still around

 


The long-staying lesser yellowlegs was seen again today at White's Marsh.  A winter plumage curlew sandpiper was at Timoleague this morning, along with 2 ring-billed gulls and several meditteranean gulls.


 


Seawatching off Galley Head today produced around 20 late manx shearwaters and a bonxie, as well as fin whales near the Stags, off Toe Head.

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

fin-tastic!

 


Two fin whales were feeding off Rosscarbery Bay this lunchtime, visible from Long Strand (and more importantly from the kitchen window!) The two female scaup were still on Kilkeran lake today.

Monday, December 5, 2005

last year tick?

 


A brace of fieldfare at Long Strand this afternoon were new for the patch year list (135).

Sunday, December 4, 2005

dirk diggler

 


Dirk Bay had c.12 long-tailed tits, 20 siskins and a chiffchaff this morning. The 2 female scaup were on Kilkeran Lake again this afternoon. A 1st winter and a juvenile smithsonianus herring gull were at Red Strand today.