DEREK CHARLES
Well-known member
I believe that you will have another Autumn/Winter migrant in the shape of a certain Mr.Breen!
Derek
Derek
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County Galway Birding (local patch) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter birdsgalway
- Start date
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Just spent a half hour scanning the field at Nimmo's. With that amount of gulls it almost looks like winter. Gulls of note were Mediterranean Gull and the leuistic Black-headed Gull.
Chris has update the Galway sightings page http://www.birdwatchgalway.org/sightings.htm
With the possibility of Mediterranean Gulls breeding in SOUTH Galway
"4 (2 Ad., 2nd Sum. & Juv.) Mediterranean Gull, south Co. Galway (Pat Lonergan, Michael Davis & Aonghus O'Donaill)."
Troakie I assume you have finished your stint in Mayo, If so, good to have you scanning Galway again.
John the last Little Egret I seen was about two months ago at Rusheen. Tim Griffin had it there about 2 weeks ago.
Chris has update the Galway sightings page http://www.birdwatchgalway.org/sightings.htm
With the possibility of Mediterranean Gulls breeding in SOUTH Galway
"4 (2 Ad., 2nd Sum. & Juv.) Mediterranean Gull, south Co. Galway (Pat Lonergan, Michael Davis & Aonghus O'Donaill)."
Troakie I assume you have finished your stint in Mayo, If so, good to have you scanning Galway again.
John the last Little Egret I seen was about two months ago at Rusheen. Tim Griffin had it there about 2 weeks ago.
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birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Went for my usual walk from Nimmo's to Mutton Island Causeway this evening. Which have not done for a few weeks.
33 Ringed Plover
1 Dunlin
2 Turnstone
1 Wimbrel
2 Wheatear
1 Sandwich Tern
Photo of Mediterrean Gull taken this morning, also uploaded a video clip.
http://www.birdforum.tv/members/action/viewvideo/746/Mediterranean_Gull/
Both taken with Sony HDR-SR12E camcorder+scopetronic maxview 40 + Nikon 82ED
33 Ringed Plover
1 Dunlin
2 Turnstone
1 Wimbrel
2 Wheatear
1 Sandwich Tern
Photo of Mediterrean Gull taken this morning, also uploaded a video clip.
http://www.birdforum.tv/members/action/viewvideo/746/Mediterranean_Gull/
Both taken with Sony HDR-SR12E camcorder+scopetronic maxview 40 + Nikon 82ED
Attachments
John Carey
Well-known member
I did the section between Tranleur and Tawin yesterday evening . Nothing too hectic about. Lots of Curlew, Redshank , Greenshank and all the usual Gulls. A few Dunlin and 1 Barwit.
Towards Tawin itself, I picked up my first Little Egret in weeks.
The area at Middle Third is proving a great place to birdwatch. You don't really have to leave the car and there is lots of area to cover.
Is it better to visit these areas on an incoming tide or after a low tide? Does it make any significant difference?
Towards Tawin itself, I picked up my first Little Egret in weeks.
The area at Middle Third is proving a great place to birdwatch. You don't really have to leave the car and there is lots of area to cover.
Is it better to visit these areas on an incoming tide or after a low tide? Does it make any significant difference?
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Glossy Ibis was found yesterday on the River Fergus Co. Clare.
http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web?task=BasicBirdSightingSearch
John I would usual try to use the incoming tide as the birds follow the water line and therefore they will be getting closer as apposed to the alternative where they would be moving away with the water line.
http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web?task=BasicBirdSightingSearch
John I would usual try to use the incoming tide as the birds follow the water line and therefore they will be getting closer as apposed to the alternative where they would be moving away with the water line.
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Few shots from Anglingham and Coarsefield 'Bird on the wire theme'
Only bird of note today was a Carrion Crow at Coarsefield , also there was an exceptionally large numbers of Swallows at Anglingham.
For anyone about to stock up with bird feed, I went to Gaughans Garden Center on the Headford Road and purchased 25kg sack of peanuts €40, 25kg Black Sunflower seed €32 and 25kg mix seed €20. Should keep the feeders going for a while and is good value compared to what is available in town.
Only bird of note today was a Carrion Crow at Coarsefield , also there was an exceptionally large numbers of Swallows at Anglingham.
For anyone about to stock up with bird feed, I went to Gaughans Garden Center on the Headford Road and purchased 25kg sack of peanuts €40, 25kg Black Sunflower seed €32 and 25kg mix seed €20. Should keep the feeders going for a while and is good value compared to what is available in town.
Attachments
John Carey
Well-known member
Nice Photos Tom...Love the Theme.
Carrion crow is a good sighting in these parts.
Are you sure all that seed is for the birds? The way grain prices are going I may need to come up with recipes to utilize some of that stuff!
Noticed large numbers of swallows begining to gather around sligo at the weekend......gearing up to leave the recesssion behind them to head off to the political stability of southern africa. Who would be a swallow?
Carrion crow is a good sighting in these parts.
Are you sure all that seed is for the birds? The way grain prices are going I may need to come up with recipes to utilize some of that stuff!
Noticed large numbers of swallows begining to gather around sligo at the weekend......gearing up to leave the recesssion behind them to head off to the political stability of southern africa. Who would be a swallow?
John Carey
Well-known member
Just had a quick look at nimmos and south park area by the causeway. Tide was well out. Good numbers of birds. Lots of ringed plover, a few redshank and curlew and at least 1 dunlin. Family of meadow pipits and 1 juv stonechat by the causeway.
All the usual gulls in good numbers too.
Token a$%3hole with dogs also present.
All the usual gulls in good numbers too.
Token a$%3hole with dogs also present.
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
John you missed the Ring-billed gull this evening on the slipway. Tim Griffin rang me this morning to say it was on the playing field.
As far as the seed is concerned their is no warning notice to say
'not for human consumption'.
Pic of Carrion Crow also attached.
As far as the seed is concerned their is no warning notice to say
'not for human consumption'.
Pic of Carrion Crow also attached.
Attachments
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Uploaded video clip of Ring-billed Gull at Nimmo's this evening
http://www.birdforum.tv/members/action/viewvideo/752/Ring_billed_Gull/
http://www.birdforum.tv/members/action/viewvideo/752/Ring_billed_Gull/
John
Its funny you should make reference to the galoot with the dogs. Several years ago
on nimmos pier we got a mouthfull of abuse from a fella just because we asked him to control his dog, which included threats of harm, the fact as a local He could do what he wanted and as non locals we should just clear off.
Maybe you met this fella also
Its funny you should make reference to the galoot with the dogs. Several years ago
on nimmos pier we got a mouthfull of abuse from a fella just because we asked him to control his dog, which included threats of harm, the fact as a local He could do what he wanted and as non locals we should just clear off.
Maybe you met this fella also
John Carey
Well-known member
My lap of nimmos last night was a very quick one. When the tide is very far out there is so much ground to cover that I prob missed all sorts. Might go again this evening and pick up the ring billed. Am sure he is here fo rthe winter.
You get used to dogs at nimmos. Sometimes I wish the scope had a cross-hair :t:
You get used to dogs at nimmos. Sometimes I wish the scope had a cross-hair :t:
It’s time we had a bit of controversy to liven up this thread so here goes.
The canine species inhabits this planet and has as much right to it’s use and enjoyment as the human species – Nimmo’s pier / Claddagh area included. Just because we have reached the top of the evolutionary tree does not morally entitle us to impose unreasonable restrictions on other species. Advocating a ban on dogs in the Nimmo / Claddagh area just because they interfere with birdwatchers is just as illogical as dog owners advocating a ban on birdwatchers because birdwatchers deny them the free use of the area.
When it suits me I will walk my dogs in Nimmo / Claddagh area and I will not confine them to a lead. Fortunately, I have access to areas unregulated and unspoilt by humans. Many dog owners living in Galway city do not have such access and rely on Nimmo / Claddagh area to exercise their dogs. Here’s a proposal. Given the already excessive restrictions placed on dogs and their owners, why not allocate one area of Galway city entirely to them. Nimmo / Claddagh area would suit ideally. I propose all human kind except dogs and their owners be banned from this area. Why not - It’s just as logical as the other way around.
I will concede that many dog owners are idiots and many, perhaps even the majority, haven’t the first clue that a dog is a pack animal and should be treated and trained differently than a human. It’s far easier to train a dog to behave than a child. Most owners are just too lazy to do so.
In anticipation of somebody bringing up the hoary old dog pooh argument: Ask yourself what do humans do with their pooh. Out of sight, out of mind and as long as we don’t step in we don’t care where it goes. The people of Galway solved this problem by flushing their untreated excrement into Galway bay for years and continue to flush it into Lough Corrib. Surely we have lost the right to complain about how another species deals with its excrement.
The canine species inhabits this planet and has as much right to it’s use and enjoyment as the human species – Nimmo’s pier / Claddagh area included. Just because we have reached the top of the evolutionary tree does not morally entitle us to impose unreasonable restrictions on other species. Advocating a ban on dogs in the Nimmo / Claddagh area just because they interfere with birdwatchers is just as illogical as dog owners advocating a ban on birdwatchers because birdwatchers deny them the free use of the area.
When it suits me I will walk my dogs in Nimmo / Claddagh area and I will not confine them to a lead. Fortunately, I have access to areas unregulated and unspoilt by humans. Many dog owners living in Galway city do not have such access and rely on Nimmo / Claddagh area to exercise their dogs. Here’s a proposal. Given the already excessive restrictions placed on dogs and their owners, why not allocate one area of Galway city entirely to them. Nimmo / Claddagh area would suit ideally. I propose all human kind except dogs and their owners be banned from this area. Why not - It’s just as logical as the other way around.
I will concede that many dog owners are idiots and many, perhaps even the majority, haven’t the first clue that a dog is a pack animal and should be treated and trained differently than a human. It’s far easier to train a dog to behave than a child. Most owners are just too lazy to do so.
In anticipation of somebody bringing up the hoary old dog pooh argument: Ask yourself what do humans do with their pooh. Out of sight, out of mind and as long as we don’t step in we don’t care where it goes. The people of Galway solved this problem by flushing their untreated excrement into Galway bay for years and continue to flush it into Lough Corrib. Surely we have lost the right to complain about how another species deals with its excrement.
John Carey
Well-known member
Thank goodness for some debate finally!
I can see both sides of the dog situation at Nimmos and South Park. There are few places for responsible people to walk their animals in Galway-many owners kept their pets locked up in yards etc. (Another debate).
Many of the dog owners at South Park are sensitive to the wildlife and keep animals at heel. The sign of a disciplined dog. A few allow their dogs to run rampant and there is little we can do but complain to ourselves. The sorry fact of it all is that Nimmos is an urban birding area and a very good one. The presence of people and dogs is part and parcel of it and we all have to just bear that in mind.
I can understand that if I was an non birder and someone told me to control my dogI might throw a wobbler as I have as much right to be there as the birds. But to say we a have a moral duty to allow our animals to be free is a double edged sword. The birds also have a right to be there, and our domestic animals are breed for work sport etc and should therefore have their pack instinct kept in check by proper training.
Great can of worms open now so lets all have a say!
Mr. Power, thank you. A dog lover who is also a birder...watch out - someone will class you as a hybrid!
I can see both sides of the dog situation at Nimmos and South Park. There are few places for responsible people to walk their animals in Galway-many owners kept their pets locked up in yards etc. (Another debate).
Many of the dog owners at South Park are sensitive to the wildlife and keep animals at heel. The sign of a disciplined dog. A few allow their dogs to run rampant and there is little we can do but complain to ourselves. The sorry fact of it all is that Nimmos is an urban birding area and a very good one. The presence of people and dogs is part and parcel of it and we all have to just bear that in mind.
I can understand that if I was an non birder and someone told me to control my dogI might throw a wobbler as I have as much right to be there as the birds. But to say we a have a moral duty to allow our animals to be free is a double edged sword. The birds also have a right to be there, and our domestic animals are breed for work sport etc and should therefore have their pack instinct kept in check by proper training.
Great can of worms open now so lets all have a say!
Mr. Power, thank you. A dog lover who is also a birder...watch out - someone will class you as a hybrid!
Pariah
Stealth Birder
*Brendan sees some pigeons*
*Brenda throws a cat*
Facts are facts boys.
Your dog should be on a lead. This is for safety and disturbance reasons.
You should clean up after your dog. This is for health reasons.
The law.
"Under new litter laws (section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997) it is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place. This means the owner/person in charge of the dog is required under this law to remove dog faeces and dispose of it in a suitable, sanitary manner. You can make a complaint to the District Court under the litter laws against an owner or someone in charge of a dog who allows that dog to foul public places and who fails to act responsibly. Before you do this, you must first inform the dog owner of your intention by completing a special form available from the Dog Control Unit of your local authority. "
The following breeds and any crosses thereof must be restrained and muzzled when walking.
American Pit Bull Terrier
English Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Bull Mastiff
Dobermann Pinscher
German Shepherd (Alsatian)
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Japanese Akita
Japanese Tosa
Bandog
Local authorities can place bye-laws on areas demanding all dogs be on a lead, or impose times that dogs should be on a lead.
Failure to adheare to these laws can result in on the spot fines and, if failing to pay, court appearances and heftier fines.
If your dog isnt on a lead..it can wander off. Bite someone....or leave an nice present where you dont see it. Someone steps in that. Some kid falls in in that.
Walk your dog on a leash.
Owen
*Brenda throws a cat*
Facts are facts boys.
Your dog should be on a lead. This is for safety and disturbance reasons.
You should clean up after your dog. This is for health reasons.
The law.
"Under new litter laws (section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997) it is an offence to allow a dog under your control to foul a public place. This means the owner/person in charge of the dog is required under this law to remove dog faeces and dispose of it in a suitable, sanitary manner. You can make a complaint to the District Court under the litter laws against an owner or someone in charge of a dog who allows that dog to foul public places and who fails to act responsibly. Before you do this, you must first inform the dog owner of your intention by completing a special form available from the Dog Control Unit of your local authority. "
The following breeds and any crosses thereof must be restrained and muzzled when walking.
American Pit Bull Terrier
English Bull Terrier
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Bull Mastiff
Dobermann Pinscher
German Shepherd (Alsatian)
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Japanese Akita
Japanese Tosa
Bandog
Local authorities can place bye-laws on areas demanding all dogs be on a lead, or impose times that dogs should be on a lead.
Failure to adheare to these laws can result in on the spot fines and, if failing to pay, court appearances and heftier fines.
If your dog isnt on a lead..it can wander off. Bite someone....or leave an nice present where you dont see it. Someone steps in that. Some kid falls in in that.
Walk your dog on a leash.
Owen
John Carey
Well-known member
Laws are not worth the sh1t if they are not enforced. (forgive the intended pun)
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Just to let ye know three eminent birder whose advice I value let me know that the Carrion Crow is in fact a Juvenile Rook. I am still on that learning curve.
As far as the dog debate is concerned there is no debate. Dogs in public place must be on a lead and the owners must clean up after them, it is not complicated, it is easy and does not upset or annoy anyone. If your out in the wilds let them of within reason of course you wouldn't want to disturb a nest site. Dogs need a good run around. I have 4 dogs and I apply that simple basic rule to myself.
There is another basic rule in life 'DO NO HARM'.
As far as the dog debate is concerned there is no debate. Dogs in public place must be on a lead and the owners must clean up after them, it is not complicated, it is easy and does not upset or annoy anyone. If your out in the wilds let them of within reason of course you wouldn't want to disturb a nest site. Dogs need a good run around. I have 4 dogs and I apply that simple basic rule to myself.
There is another basic rule in life 'DO NO HARM'.
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John Carey
Well-known member
Tom,
you are forgiven for the carrion crow, from the photo it could easily pass as one. (Also forgiven for being a dog owner!)
Good amount of waders at Rusheen last evening. Greenshank 14, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Riged Plover, 1 Whimbrel and Little Egret all present. A good number of Barwits too. Certainly a place that we should keep an eye on in the next few weeks.
One Dog plus owner also there-but well behaved..............
you are forgiven for the carrion crow, from the photo it could easily pass as one. (Also forgiven for being a dog owner!)
Good amount of waders at Rusheen last evening. Greenshank 14, Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Riged Plover, 1 Whimbrel and Little Egret all present. A good number of Barwits too. Certainly a place that we should keep an eye on in the next few weeks.
One Dog plus owner also there-but well behaved..............
