IRISH BIRD NEWS - December 2004

Ferruginous Duck - Craigavon, Co. Armagh. © Stephen Foster

Short-billed Dowitcher - Bull Island, Co. Dublin. © Eugene Archer

Great Northern Diver - Killybegs, Co. Donegal. © Pat Lonergan

WED 1 DEC - 60 Waxwings at Ormeau Bank, Belfast (Antrim), 8 Waxwings in Sligo town (Sligo), Garganey at Ross Castle (Kerry) and 3 Surf Scoter in Brandon Bay (Kerry)

THU 2 DEC - 50+ Waxwings at Cabinteely Park, 2 at Chapelizod (Dublin), 5 Waxwings at Ballytivnan, Sligo (Sligo), Black Redstart at Kilmore Quay (Wexford)

FRI 3 DEC - 90 Waxwings at Cabinteely Park (Dublin), 20 Waxwings at Ballytivnan, Sligo town (Sligo), 4 Waxwings at Southways estate, Dungarvan (Waterford), Black Redstart at Cobh (Cork)

SAT 4 DEC - 116 Waxwings at Cabinteely Park (Dublin), 28 Waxwings at Cunningham Road, Antrim , 11 on the Shore Road and 30 at Belvoir Close, Belfast (Antrim), 60+ Waxwings were at Letterkenny (Donegal), 4 Waxwings at Southways estate, Dungarvan (Waterford), Green-winged Teals at the North Slob (Wexford), and at Bell Harbour (Clare), House Martin, Swallow and 2 Slavonian Grebes at Rosslare (Wexford), 25 Little Gulls at Nimmo's Pier (Galway), 5 Long-tailed Ducks at Salterstown (Louth)

SUN 5 DEC - A male Lesser Scaup was found at the Lee Reservoirs near Dooniskey (Cork) along with a Ring-necked Duck and 2 Goosanders, 2 Ring-necked Ducks were at Ballyallia Lake near Ennis (Clare), Forster's Tern near Portaferry (Down), 170+ Waxwings at Cabinteely Park (Dublin), 4 Waxwings at Southways estate, Dungarvan (Waterford), 200+ Waxwings at Ravenshill, 100 at Belvoir Close and 13 at Dunmurray golf course, Belfast (Antrim), 5 Waxwings at Bangor (Down), Iceland Gull at Killybegs (Donegal), Long-tailed Duck off Sutton (Dublin), Black Redstart on Dursey Island (Cork)

MON 6 DEC - 120+ Waxwings at Cabinteely (Dublin), 80 Waxwings at Dunmurray golf course, Belfast (Antrim), 1 Waxwing in Dungarvan (Waterford), Goosander at the Lee Reservoirs near Dooniskey (Cork) but no sign of the Lesser Scaup or Ring-necked Duck there today, Black Redstart in Cork City (Cork)

TUE 7 DEC - A Little Stint was seen at Tacumshin (Wexford), 130 Waxwings at Kerrymount in Cabinteely (Dublin), Green-winged Teal at Kilcoole (Wicklow), 7 Long-tailed Ducks off Murlough (Down), Chiffchaff at Ashford (Wicklow)

WED 8 DEC - 100+ Waxwings still in the Kerrymount area of Cabinteely (Dublin) while 12 Mediterranean Gulls were seen at nearby Kilboggan Park, 3 Surf and 7 Velvet Scoter off Fermoyle in Brandon Bay (Kerry), a Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Donabate (Dublin), Chiffchaff at UCC (Cork), 2 Ring-biled Gulls were at Nimmo's Pier (Galway)

THU 9 DEC - A Forster's Tern was seen at Skerries (Dublin), 5 Waxwings at St. Edward's school, Sligo town (Sligo), 100+ Waxwings at Cabinteely (Dublin), 2 Iceland and 1 Glaucous Gull at Culmore dump (Derry)

FRI 10 DEC - Ferruginous Duck at Coole Lough, Gort (Galway), Forster's Tern at Skerries and American Wigeon at Rogerstown (Dublin), 150 Waxwings at Cunningham Way, Antrim (Antrim), Ring-billed, Iceland, 7 Little Gulls and 5 Sandwich Terns off Nimmo's Pier (Galway), Iceland Gull at Rosheen and Iceland Gull and 2 Little Egrets at Rossaveal (Galway)

SAT 11 DEC - Ferruginous Duck at Coole Lough, Gort (Galway), 2 Ring-necked Ducks at Ballyallia Lough (Clare), 175 Waxwings at Kerrymount / Cabinteely (Dublin), 16 Waxwings in Sligo town (Sligo), 300 Waxwings at Cunningham Way, Antrim, c.100 Waxwings at J5 on the M2 near Belfast (Antrim), Glaucous Gull at Whitehouse lagoon and Ring-billed Gull at Belfast Lough RSPB (Antrim), Glaucous Gull at Skerries and Ring-billed Gull at the Bull Island NNR (Dublin), 2 Ring-billed, a Glaucous and 10 Little Gulls at Nimmo's Pier (Galway), 3 Short-eared Owls between Kilcoole and Newcastle (Wicklow), 2 Slavonian Grebes at Aghada (Cork)

SUN 12 DEC - 1W American Herring Gull at Cobh (Cork), Ferruginous Duck and Ring-necked Duck at Coole Lough, Gort (Galway), c.230 Waxwings at Kerrymount / Cabinteely (Dublin), 12 Waxwings were at Ardglass (Down) with a Glaucous Gull in the harbour nearby, Forster's Tern at Skerries (Dublin), 2 Red-necked Grebes and 2 Slavonian Grebes were in Sandy Bay at Castlegregory (Kerry), a Yellow-legged Gull was at Rossleague (Cork) Slavonian Grebe at Salterstown (Louth)

MON 13 DEC - Ferruginous Duck at Craigavon lakes (Armagh), Ferruginous Duck at Coole Lough, Gort (Galway) with a female Ring-necked Duck also there, 320 Waxwings at Kerrymount / Cabinteely (Dublin), 70 Waxwings in Sligo town (Sligo), Forster’s Tern at Skerries (Dublin), Glaucous Gull at Lough Neagh (Armagh), Green-winged Teal and Ring-billed Gull at Smerwick (Kerry)

TUE 14 DEC - Ferruginous Duck at Craigavon (Armagh), Forster’s Tern at Skerries and American Wigeon at Rogerstown (Dublin)

WED 15 DEC - Surf Scoter off Fermoyle in Brandon Bay (Kerry), 4 Waxwings at the Southways Estate, Dungarvan (Waterford), Iceland Gull at the West Pier, Dun Laoghaire (Dublin)

THU 16 DEC - 3 Avocets were discovered at Tacumshin (Wexford), Ferruginous Duck at Craigavon (Armagh), Ferruginous Duck and Ring-necked Duck at Coole Lough (Galway), Long-tailed Skua, Balearic Shearwater, 4 Great Skuas, 3 Little Auks, 3,500 Fulmars, 18,000 Kittiwakes and 15,000 auks off Brandon Head (Kerry), Snow Goose at the North Slob (Wexford),12 Waxwings at Sligo town (Sligo), 7 Waxwings on Rogerstown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire (Dublin) and a Turtle Dove was seen at Midleton (Cork)

FRI 17 DEC - 3 Avocets at Tacumshin (Wexford), Glaucous Gull off Brandon Pier (Kerry), 2W American Herring Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway)

SAT 18 DEC - Ferruginous Duck at Craigavon lakes, male Smew at Oxford Island NR (Armagh), 160 Waxwings at Doagh (Antrim), 50 Waxwings in Belfast (Antrim), 1 Waxwing in Sligo town (Sligo), American Wigeon at Rogerstown (Dublin), Ring-billed Gull at the Bull Island NNR (Dublin), Dark-bellied Brent Goose and Short-eared Owl at Kilcoole (Wicklow)

SUN 19 DEC - 3 Avocets, 25 Bewick’s Swans and a Spotted Redshank at Tacumshin (Wexford), Ferruginous Duck and Ring-necked Duck at Coole Lough (Galway), Ring-necked Duck near Macroom (Cork), Ferruginous Duck at Craigavon (Armagh), 2 Iceland and 1 Glaucous Gull at Dargan Bay (Antrim), 80+ Waxwings at Doagh (Antrim), 3 Waxwings at Bangor (Down), 150 Waxwings at Kerrymount / Cabinteely (Dublin), a very late Swallow was noted at Skibbereen and a Turtle Dove was at Midleton (Cork), 15 Black-throated Divers were off Finvarra (Galway), 2 Snow Buntings were at Salterstown (Louth), Goosander at Ballyneety (Waterford), 3 Whimbrel at Rogerstown (Dublin)

MON 20 DEC - Water Pipit at Kilmeaden (Waterford), 3 Glaucous, 1 Iceland and 1 Yellow-legged Gull at Culmore Dump (Derry), 300 Waxwing at Enniskillen (Fermanagh), 33 Waxwings at Cabinteely (Dublin)

TUE 21 DEC - 300 Waxwing still at Enniskillen (Fermanagh), 4 Iceland Gulls at Belfast North Foreshore Dump (Antrim), Ferruginous Duck and Smew at Craigavon (Armagh), 4 Little Auks off Larne (Antrim), American Herring Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway)

WED 22 DEC - Forster’s Tern at Skerries (Dublin), only 30 Waxwings seen at Enniskillen (Fermanagh), 30 Waxwings at Antrim and 15 at Shane’s Castle (Antrim), 4 Glaucous and 1 Iceland Gull plus 4 Sandwich Terns at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway), Water Pipit at Kilmeaden (Waterford)

THU 23 DEC - The Short-billed Dowitcher was seen again at the Bull Island NNR (Dublin), 4 Glaucous, 2 Iceland, a Mediterranean and a Yellow-legged Gull were noted at Culmore Dump (Derry), Glaucous and Iceland Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway), 130 Waxwings at Enniskillen (Fermanagh

FRI 24 DEC - Ferruginous Duck and male Smew at Craigavon Balancing Lakes (Armagh), Forster’s Tern at Skerries (Dublin), Glaucous and Iceland Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway), Iceland and Ring-billed Gull at Whitehouse lagoon, Belfast (Antrim), Green-winged Teal at Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough (Antrim), 50+ Waxwings in Belfast and 40+ at Antrim (Antrim), 80+ Waxwings at Enniskillen (Fermanagh)

SAT 25 DEC - 1W American Herring Gull and 2 Ring-billed Gulls at Cobh (Cork), 2W American Herring, Glaucous, Iceland and Ring-billed Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway), Iceland Gull at Whitehouse lagoon, Belfast (Antrim), 3 Waxwings were seen at The Dublin Road in Dundalk (Louth), Black Redstart at the West Pier, Dun Laoghaire (Dublin) 

SUN 26 DEC - The Short-billed Dowitcher was seen at the Bull Island NNR (Dublin), Forster’s Tern at Skerries (Dublin), Ferruginous Duck and Smew at Craigavon (Armagh), Green-winged Teal at Lough Beg (Derry), Ring-billed Gulls at Cork City (Cork), at Tralee (Kerry) and at Portrush (Antrim), Glaucous Gulls at Portrush and at Whitehouse lagoons (Antrim), American Herring, Glaucous, Iceland and Ring-billed Gulls at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway), 30 Waxwings near Enniskillen airport (Fermanagh) and 10 Waxwings at Ballymena (Antrim), Goosander at Ballyneety, Dungarvan (Waterford)

MON 27 DEC - The Short-billed Dowitcher was seen again at the Bull Island NNR (Dublin), Ferruginous Duck and Smew at Craigavon (Armagh), 2W American Herring Gull, Glaucous, Iceland and Ring-billed Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway), 2 Ring-billed Gulls were at Sandymount (Dublin), 2 Ring-billed also at Rosscarbery, 1 Ring-billed at Kinsale harbour and an Iceland Gull was at Courtmacsherry (Cork), Ring-billed at Carrickfergus and Iceland Gull at Larne harbour (Antrim),4 Waxwings off Ballygall Road (Dublin), 26 Waxwings were at Enniskillen (Fermanagh) and 150 Waxwings were at Newry (Down), Long-tailed Duck and Whimbrel at Tarbert (Kerry)

TUE 28 DEC - Ferruginous Duck and Smew at Craigavon (Armagh), 120 Waxwings at Greenbank Industrial Estate, Newry (Down), 50 Waxwings at North Street, Belfast (Antrim), 4 Chiffchaffs at Seabank (Louth), Black-throated Diver at Ballyvaughan (Clare), Ring-billed, Iceland and 8 Mediterranean Gulls at Cobh (Cork)

WED 29 DEC - Short-billed Dowitcher at the Bull Island NNR (Dublin), a Little Ringed Plover was an excellent find at Ballycotton (Cork) where a Ring-billed Gull was also present, Forster’s Tern at Strangford Lough (Down), drake Smew at Ballysadare Bay (Sligo), 97 Waxwings at Dundalk harbour (Louth), Snow Goose and 9 Barnacle Geese at the North Slob (Wexford), Iceland Gull in Sligo town (Sligo), Iceland and Glaucous Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway), Ring-billed Gull at Sandymount (Dublin)

THU 30 DEC - Short-billed Dowitcher at Bull Island NNR (Dublin), 3 Avocets at Tacumshin (Wexford), Ferruginous Duck and Ring-necked Duck at Coole Lough (Galway), Ring-necked Duck also at Ballyallia Lake (Clare), 7 Iceland Gulls were noted at Enniskillen Dump and Lough Acrussel (Fermanagh), Green-winged Teal and Iceland Gull at Larne Lough (Antrim), 160 Waxwings at Dundalk harbour (Louth), Goosander at Ballyneety (Waterford), 2 Iceland, 1 Glaucous and 1 Ring-billed Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway)

FRI 31 DEC - Short-billed Dowitcher at Bull Island NNR (Dublin), Black Duck at Keele Lough, Achill (Mayo), Ferruginous Duck and female Ring-necked Duck at Coole Lough (Galway), 2 drake Ring-necked Ducks at Doogan Lough (Mayo), 3 Avocets at Tacumshin (Wexford), 210 Waxwing near the M2 in Belfast (Antrim), 40 Waxwings at Enniskillen (Fermanagh), 150 Waxwings at Soldier’s Point and 5 on the Dublin Road, Dundalk (Louth), 19 Waxwings at Gorey (Wexford), 3 Waxwings at Ballina (Mayo), 1 Waxwing at Kilrea (Derry), Green-winged Teal at Ballycarry Bridge on Larne Lough (Antrim), Green-winged Teal at Bell Harbour (Clare), 2W American Herring Gull, 4 Glaucous, 2 Iceland and 1 Ring-billed Gull at Nimmo’s Pier (Galway)

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