INISHOWEN RAPTOR STUDY GROUP
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The following report compiled by our club rehabilitator Martin Moloney, is our annual submission to the Irish Raptor Study Group to which we are affiliated .
2006 REPORT
GOLDEN EAGLE
There were a number of reported sightings during the year. There is always an air of expectancy now when our group members are in the hills that one of these magnificent raptors might be seen at any time. The public here appear to have a great interest in the eagles also as members are frequently asked how the birds are doing.
BUZZARD
The Buzzard population is maintaining its stronghold in Inishowen with birds being seen in most suitable habitats of the peninsula on a regular basis. There were 6 nests found this breeding season but this small number in no way reflects the actual number of nests here. Three of the nests were in Sitka spruce trees, 2 in oaks while the other was on a sea cliff. Prey items found were: Song Thrush (2), Mouse (2), Rabbit (1), Blackbird (1), Rat (1), Magpie (1), Woodpigeon (1), Feral Pigeon (1), Rook (1) and most surprising of all a goldfinch. The remains of a feral pigeon were found at the foot of a tree below one of the nests and one of the pigeon’s legs with a ring attached was also discovered. Cannibalism was found to have occurred at 2 of the nests. Clutches of 3, 2 and 2 eggs were found at 3 of the nests a mean clutch size of 2.33. Seven young birds were raised from 4 of these sites giving an average of 1.75. Pairs of buzzards were seen in quite a few other sites around the peninsula. For the 5th year in succession, the pair used the sea cliff site in north Inishowen. There was cause for concern among group members when 3 buzzards were found dead this year by members of the public. Two of them had been shot while the cause of death was unknown for the other. Another bird was found in a distressed state adjacent to the border with signs of poisoning possibly by alpha chlorose. This bird was rescued by an observant member of the public and was later released back to the wild after re-habilitation. The poisoning is also a cause for concern to the group.
HEN HARRIER.
No nests found but quite a few sightings of the birds especially females/young birds in the autumn. One was seen at Inch Lake on 09/09/06 and this bird has been seen there a few times since. There were 9 sightings in total of these birds during the year in Inishowen.
There were 13 nests found and this has been the highest total yet discovered. Of these, 6 were in Sitka Spruce, 2 in Oak, 2 in Alder, 2 in Birch and 1 in a Holly tree. One nest was built out from the main trunk of an old Sitka spruce tree which is unusual for these birds as they usually build close to the tree trunk. Mean clutch size was 4 eggs. In one nest containing 6 eggs 4 of them hatched. In another nest a clutch of 3 eggs failed to hatch. The cause of this was unknown. Eight nests were re-visited and 28 young were found an average of 3.5 per nest. One nest was approx. 30-40 yards from a buzzard’s nest. As noted in recent breeding seasons, song thrush was the most preferred of all prey items found. Could the song thrush be one of our most common birds or are they (for some reason) just easy pickings for the sparrowhawks? These birds’ remains were found at 9 of the nests found this season. Other prey seen at plucking posts was: Blackbird (5), Chaffinch (3), Dunnock (2), Wren (2), Greenfinch (2), Woodpigeon (1), Swallow (1) and Blue Tit (1).
MERLIN
No nests found but birds seen on quite a few occasions on group outings.
There were 4 nests found but just 1 of these was accessible. It was on a small ledge of a mountain crag and contained a large clutch of 6 eggs. Prey items found in the vicinity of the nest were: Meadow Pipit, Song Thrush, Chaffinch and 1 unidentified passerine. At one of the other sites, 4 young were seen on the wing near the end of the breeding season.
PEREGRINE
Three nests were found and a clutch of 4 eggs was seen in one of them. When the sites were re-visited there were 3, 2 and 4 fledged young observed on the wing. Prey items found were: Feral Pigeon, Raven and Chough. It was noted that while no concentrated search was made for peregrine sites this season, quite a few of those which were visited drew a blank with no birds seen in the area. This was a worrying trend. During the year there had been reports of peregrines being shot at nest sites in N. Ireland. Could this also be the case here? There was also a report of rock climbers close to a site in north Inishowen. Our group feels that this practice should not occur close to peregrine sites during the nesting season.
LONG EARED OWL
One nest was found and this was approx. 70’ up in a Sitka spruce tree near the edge of a forest. One large chick was in the nest which was flat and quite small. One of the parents was in the vicinity of the nest on both occasions the site was visited. After the breeding season members of our group were informed of other sites of breeding LEOS in Inishowen, and it appears they are doing relatively well on the peninsula.
BARN OWL
No nests found but a few recorded sightings.
RED KITE
One reported sighting of this beautiful raptor on 01/11/06 on a hillside in the middle of the peninsula.
MARSH HARRIER
A marsh harrier was observed for 30 minutes by group members at Inch Lake on 09/09/06. The bird had green tags attached and turned out to be one of 14 released in Tayside in Scotland. Greg Clarke a friend of one of our members took an excellent photograph of the bird over the reeds. One of these birds was seen by members in 2004 and hopefully this is a sign of regular visits by them in forthcoming years.
REHABILITATORS REPORT
Club rehabilitator Martin Moloney took in 13 injured raptors during the year. These were: 3 Buzzards, 1 Peregrine, 4 Kestrels, 3 Sparrowhawks and 2 Merlin. Two of these birds died and 3 others were put down. The other 8 birds were released back into their home territories. The latest of these a little female merlin was released at Inch Levels and a few minutes after release was seen chasing a skylark just narrowly missing it.
THREATS TO OUR RAPTORS……
As discussed above, shooting, poisoning and rock climbing can be serious threats to our raptors. Hunting with hounds or other dogs in spring/summer (causing disturbance) can also be a threat to raptors. There is however one more thing which can be a cause for grave concern relating to our precious birds of prey and that is the practice of nest shooting by often well meaning hunting people. This way of ridding the countryside of what used to be called ‘vermin’ i.e. magpies and grey crows in particular still goes on here in Inishowen and probably on the rest of the island. People who carry out this practice of nest shooting may or may not be aware that they might be shooting tree nesting birds of prey such as Sparrowhawks, Merlin (which have taken to using conifer trees here), Kestrels (at times) and Long Eared Owls. Long Eared Owls appear to begin nesting quite early in the season according to our records. The last 3 mentioned birds above use old crows’ nests quite a lot. All of these birds are vulnerable to nest shooters. If we are fortunate enough to have red kites back in Ireland in the near future will their nests also suffer? We in the Inishowen group feel that the N.A.R.G.C. should be contacted regarding this issue. How many raptors are we losing each year to this practice of nest shooting?
The Following report was received to day from Ronan and Orla Mc Laughlin, who live in Cobh , Co Cork. Ronan who is from Malin Head and was up on a five day break and recorded the following bird activity
1. Bird watching
from the 23rd to the 27th October produced the following.
Daily arrivals of up to 52 Golden Plover with
a large flock of 150 at Malin Hall.
Daily arrivals of Lapwing the biggest flock
@250 Malin Hall.
Peak count of 390 Barnacle Geese, Malin Head
on the 25th. Flock of 150 seen arriving from over the sea 24th October.
At least 2,000 Redwing moved through during
the period. Fieldfares in smaller numbers
Possible Northern Bullfinch on the 25th watch
out for an invasion...
5 species of bird of prey, Hen Harrier x 1 ,
Buzzard x 2, Merlin x 4, peregrine x 2 and kestrel x 4.
White wagtails numerous with flocks of up to
30, and good movements of pied wags
40 ringed plover and 2 sanderling arrived from
over the sea on 27th followed closely by 2 tufted duck
Pink footed goose x 1 27th October
Common Scoter x 3 24th October
Greenland white fronts x 10 from over the sea
24th October
Hybrid Carrion Crow 23rd October
Total of 88 Whooper swans seen largest flock
31 arrived 24th October.
Red Breasted Merganser x 4 Trawbrega.
Interesting passerines included 1 x female Blackcap and 1 x Tree Sparrow, However Snow/Lapland Buntings are scarce, but there did not seem to be much movement in the passerine department. (apart from wagtails) Probably a bit late in the month anyway. Though largest flock of Eider was only 28 was a bit small. One of the days 26th was virtually a right off NW gale 8 and bloody cold. .
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