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.
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.
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.
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!
The black-necked grebe was still present on Kilkeran Lake today, along with a little egret and a greenshank.
A green-winged teal was on Kilkeran Lake today, along with a black-necked grebe - returning birds from last winter?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A brace of fieldfare at Long Strand this afternoon were new for the patch year list (135).
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.
A flock of 6 long-tailed tits and a little egret were at Long Strand this morning.
A drake pochard on Kilkeran Lake this afternoon was new for the patch year list (134). The two female scaup were still present there too. Elsewhere, a 2nd w laughing gull was reported at Inchydoney Strand this afternoon.
A chiffchaff at Long Strand this morning was possibly the last mig of the year? Two mediterranean gulls (2nd w & 1st w) were also at Long Strand this morning.
3 goldeneye on Kilkeran Lake this afternoon were new for the patch year list (133). An immature scaup was also present, along with 6 little egrets. Elsewhere, a glaucous gull was at Unionhall today.
Four mediterranean gulls (2 ads, 2nd w & 1st w) were at Long Strand this morning, with 2 little egrets and a greenshank on Kilkeran Lake.
A 1st w little gull and a 1st w glaucous gull were on Kilkeran Lake this morning. Also 3 little egrets there, 2 water rail and 2 greenshank. A flock of c.50 magpies at the Lighthouse was a good count. A male blackcap was at Long Strand this afternoon.
A 1st w mediterranean gull and a 1st w glaucous gull were at Long Strand this morning. The latter was new for the patch year list (132).
4 little egrets and 2 greenshank were at Long Strand this morning, and a 1st w mediterranean gull was at Rosscarbery.
1 chiffchaff and 1 swallow at Galley were the only migrants to be seen this morning. However the 3 chimney swifts at Courtmacsherry were ace!