170 - Sooty Shearwater, Baile na hAbhainn, yesterday. Thousands of Manx Shearwaters off Baile na hAbhainn yesterday and a single Sooty and two Bonxies in with them. Another Sooty there this morning along with 3 Arctic Skuas incl. a very close adult dark phase bird, a single Bonxie, numerous Storm Petrels, Arctic, Common & Sandwich terns and an ever present stream of Manxies. All birds were close, the strong W/SW winds pushing them close to the northern shore of the bay as fly out to sea.
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County Galway Birding (local patch) (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter birdsgalway
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John Carey
Well-known member
Hello All,
Was just adding a few roving records to the birdatlas when I thought of checking out how many squares are covered in Galway. Having met Dermot Breen for the first time (lifer) at the weekend he mentioned that Galway was poorly covered.
Thats an understatement.
Galway is in a shocking state for coverage. We are now begining a renaissance in Galway birding, so lets get some credit for it. If everyone form Galway who views this forum would take one one square then happy days.......sure your gonna be out flipping birding anyhow, so do a quick count!
We have 8 10km squares with min coverage done in Galway. Only about 120 or so to go.
Credit where its due, and lets try to be an example to everyone. Its a bit like intercounty football or hurling and I want us to at least get to the semis...even if by the back door!
Was just adding a few roving records to the birdatlas when I thought of checking out how many squares are covered in Galway. Having met Dermot Breen for the first time (lifer) at the weekend he mentioned that Galway was poorly covered.
Thats an understatement.
Galway is in a shocking state for coverage. We are now begining a renaissance in Galway birding, so lets get some credit for it. If everyone form Galway who views this forum would take one one square then happy days.......sure your gonna be out flipping birding anyhow, so do a quick count!
We have 8 10km squares with min coverage done in Galway. Only about 120 or so to go.
Credit where its due, and lets try to be an example to everyone. Its a bit like intercounty football or hurling and I want us to at least get to the semis...even if by the back door!
Dermot Breen
Well-known member
I've added a good few roving records this month but I can't review them on the site as normal. I can see them on a google Map but can't actually get any further details e.g. what else has been seen in the 10km square. Is August outside of there offical summer and winter season I wonder?
Dermot
Dermot
Paul Troake
troakiebloky
Hi Dermot. The atlas summer season ended on 31 July, so anything submitted for August will be recorded in Birdtrack but not the atlas. I think any late breeding activity can still be entered though. The winter season begins on 1 November.
John, I agree coverage is poor for the county and would add that the atlas fieldwork I've done has been very enjoyable and has got me out exploring those hidden corners of the county where no birders normally venture. Last winter I discoverd turloughs with otter, plentiful wildfowl and waders, rivers with green sandpipers, teal & snipe, raised bogs with grouse, harriers & merlin... It's a great way of putting birding towards the most important assessment of the changing status of Ireland's birds which helps guide their conservation. The website is so easy to use and people can take on as little or as much as they like.
Had a look at Rusheen yesterday - loads of manxies offshore - over 1500 in c.45 mins, a few noisy young razorbills on the sea, 3 little egrets, 2 whimbrel, 4 knot and over 100 each of ringed plover and dunlin. Three stormies off Claddagh in the evening (one very close in), still lots of manxies out there & adult med gull on the rocks.
Troakie
John Carey
Well-known member
Yes Paul,
Thats my finding also. The atlas serves two great purposes. It povides us with an invaluable insight into our Birds, and all our other wildlife too. When you get into it you can turn up the most stunning botanical observations as well as wild animals too.
But the second point is also important. It provides novices like me a real challenge. When you are out there on your own its up to you to try to get the id on something and because you are on a count, you see all the regular birds so often that they become imprinted-making it easier to spot the newer species in your repatoire.
The secret to birding is simple...practice. Last october I started and spent 2 days trying to id curlew......now, I can normally tell a curlew from a rock pigeon!
Thats my finding also. The atlas serves two great purposes. It povides us with an invaluable insight into our Birds, and all our other wildlife too. When you get into it you can turn up the most stunning botanical observations as well as wild animals too.
But the second point is also important. It provides novices like me a real challenge. When you are out there on your own its up to you to try to get the id on something and because you are on a count, you see all the regular birds so often that they become imprinted-making it easier to spot the newer species in your repatoire.
The secret to birding is simple...practice. Last october I started and spent 2 days trying to id curlew......now, I can normally tell a curlew from a rock pigeon!
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Disappointing that the pelagic is canceled tomorrow. 12 good souls and not one able to steady the the water. The novena's for good weather must be for another day. Hopefully in the next few weeks we will get out there.
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171 Pomarine Skua Brother in law got a diatant shot of one off the Aran Ferry during the week. Pity about the pelagic today but what can you do with this weather! Plan for now is to watch the weather forecast and if weather looks good for an afternoon/evening run we give the boatman a few days heads up and then head out from Cleggan as planned.
172 Great White Egret Bird distant and foraging along the edge of the reedbed on the eastern shore of the Corrib at Baranny - the same area the White-tailed Eagle was hunting over a few months back - from 11.20 - 12.20 this morning. Best viewed from road looking down on reedbed above Angliham. Bird was eventually lost to view dropping into the reeds.
John Carey
Well-known member
Nice one of the Great Egret. I think they have changed the name to Great Egret from Great White Egret...don't quote me on that, I don't really care too much, the latin is more important.
A crap day on all fronts last saturday. No Pelagic so went to the coast. Off Ballynahowen decent numbers of Manx, a few Fulmar close in and a Juv. Kittewake. Lots off Razorbill with young. The young were half the size, and got the old heart racing for a minute when I spotted one seemingly on its own.....no such luck, the adult bobbed into view and left us with a lesson learned.
One looper in a Galway Hooker....don't the Coastguards have enough concern besides daft sailors in storm force gales?
maybe he was trying to find a sooty amonst the Manx! :eek!:
A crap day on all fronts last saturday. No Pelagic so went to the coast. Off Ballynahowen decent numbers of Manx, a few Fulmar close in and a Juv. Kittewake. Lots off Razorbill with young. The young were half the size, and got the old heart racing for a minute when I spotted one seemingly on its own.....no such luck, the adult bobbed into view and left us with a lesson learned.
One looper in a Galway Hooker....don't the Coastguards have enough concern besides daft sailors in storm force gales?
maybe he was trying to find a sooty amonst the Manx! :eek!:
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Aonghus nice find with the Great White Egret and seeing it again this evening county list is moving on nicely.
Photo of the Sanderling below which was a Little Stint for awhile on Saturday.:eek!:
Gannet was flying over the Causeway this evening and the best Rusheen had to offer today was the scenery between the showers.
And John never mind the two loopers on the shore looking at him.
Of to Inishbofin in the morning.
Photo of the Sanderling below which was a Little Stint for awhile on Saturday.:eek!:
Gannet was flying over the Causeway this evening and the best Rusheen had to offer today was the scenery between the showers.
And John never mind the two loopers on the shore looking at him.
Of to Inishbofin in the morning.
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John Carey
Well-known member
Aod. I may be able to make it. Have appointment at 2.30 but could shoot out to cleggen after. Could be there for 4.30 or is that too late?
Dermot Breen
Well-known member
Weather looks very promising for tomorrow, fingers crossed. Weekend doesn't look so good though.
I had a juvenile Whinchat at Lehanagh Lough which is north of Recess on Tuesday. Very scarce even rare out here so much so that it was a county tick for one particular high county lister! I'd imagine the bird didn't come too far so hopefully there are still a few pairs left in west Galway. I had one bird out on Inishmore last October but that bird could have come from anywhere.
No sign of the Great White Egret yesterday but Aonghus and myself did have a juvenile male Hen Harrier there. Good to see some juveniles survived the dismal summer.
Dermot
I had a juvenile Whinchat at Lehanagh Lough which is north of Recess on Tuesday. Very scarce even rare out here so much so that it was a county tick for one particular high county lister! I'd imagine the bird didn't come too far so hopefully there are still a few pairs left in west Galway. I had one bird out on Inishmore last October but that bird could have come from anywhere.
No sign of the Great White Egret yesterday but Aonghus and myself did have a juvenile male Hen Harrier there. Good to see some juveniles survived the dismal summer.
Dermot
birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Back from a couple of days on Inis Bó Finne. Fulmar the highlight of the trip with 29 species seen. Although my heart skipped a beat at the possibility of an Aquatic Warbler in the reeds at Loch Bó Finne but more then likely a Sedge Warbler. I’m blaming the intense sunshine. The crown strip appeared very prominent amongst the Sedge Warblers. As in most case like this as I was lowering the bins to get the camera, that was the last I seen of the bird as it went deeper in the reeds.
Spent an hour sea watching, two dark specks on the horizon was the sum total, I would see more at Silver Strand on a bad day. One Fulmar on the trip out to the island. Talking to one of the skippers on the island, there is a pelagic trip on Sunday with about 30 mainly from across the water. Would be interesting to get a report of their trip.
The pints of plain went down a treat in Murrays after the walk and carrying the gear
Spent an hour sea watching, two dark specks on the horizon was the sum total, I would see more at Silver Strand on a bad day. One Fulmar on the trip out to the island. Talking to one of the skippers on the island, there is a pelagic trip on Sunday with about 30 mainly from across the water. Would be interesting to get a report of their trip.
The pints of plain went down a treat in Murrays after the walk and carrying the gear
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Pluvius
Well-known member
Went on Anthony McGeehan's Pelagic from Inishboffin today. It was mainly made up of volunteers from RSPB reserve Belfast Harbour. Eric Dempsey and some of his friends and a group of four Dutch birders.
It was rough!!!!
Last night on way to Island we saw Blue Fulmar
We saw Bonxie, Great Shearwaters, Fulmars, Sooty Shearwaters, Storm Petrels and a Wilson's Petrel. I was sick three times as were a quite a few others.
I dont think I have ever taken photos in such difficult conditions. Of at least 300 I am happy with less than ten!!
It was rough!!!!
Last night on way to Island we saw Blue Fulmar
We saw Bonxie, Great Shearwaters, Fulmars, Sooty Shearwaters, Storm Petrels and a Wilson's Petrel. I was sick three times as were a quite a few others.
I dont think I have ever taken photos in such difficult conditions. Of at least 300 I am happy with less than ten!!
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birdsgalway
Tom Cuffe
Thanks Craig for the report on the Inishbofin pelagic. You might have been green around the gills on the trip I was a little green with envy with your sightings and as always your photos.
County List
173 Great Shearwater
174 Wilson's Petrel
At Baile na hAbhainn this morning with Aonghus and Tom Chadwick, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 20 Storm Petrel, 8 Arctic Skua and a Pomarine Skua seen by AOD before I got there. Sooty was a tick for me.
At Nimmo's Pier on Saturday the Mediterranean Gull and the Ring-billed Gull were in the playing fields along with the leuestic Black Headed Gull.
On Friday stop of at the Glenamaddy Turlough and was amazed at the amount of bird life there. 6 Golden Plover in with over 200 Lapwing, 40 Great Crested Grebe, 45 Little Grebe, 20 Tufted Duck, 60 Curlew, 15 Grey Heron. If anyone is passing in that direction would be worth a quick scan in the coming months.
County List
173 Great Shearwater
174 Wilson's Petrel
At Baile na hAbhainn this morning with Aonghus and Tom Chadwick, 3 Sooty Shearwater, 20 Storm Petrel, 8 Arctic Skua and a Pomarine Skua seen by AOD before I got there. Sooty was a tick for me.
At Nimmo's Pier on Saturday the Mediterranean Gull and the Ring-billed Gull were in the playing fields along with the leuestic Black Headed Gull.
On Friday stop of at the Glenamaddy Turlough and was amazed at the amount of bird life there. 6 Golden Plover in with over 200 Lapwing, 40 Great Crested Grebe, 45 Little Grebe, 20 Tufted Duck, 60 Curlew, 15 Grey Heron. If anyone is passing in that direction would be worth a quick scan in the coming months.
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John Carey
Well-known member
Hello All,
PC and I were around Traught on Sunday. 5 egret on the way in at the lagoon. Good numbers of turnstone, a few dunlim. 3 common Sandpiper, Black Gullimot, Razorbill and manxies, Gannet and Fulmar way out. Great weather but few birds.
PC and I were around Traught on Sunday. 5 egret on the way in at the lagoon. Good numbers of turnstone, a few dunlim. 3 common Sandpiper, Black Gullimot, Razorbill and manxies, Gannet and Fulmar way out. Great weather but few birds.
