County Galway Birding (local patch) (1 Viewer)

[Dermot Breen]

Rob Holloway another ranger out here saw the bird on Tuesday and had it going to roost that night. I've searched for it yesterday morning and evening and again this morning but haven't managed to the track it down. The weather here in the last week has been very rough so that may be having an effect on its normal routine. I will keep looking and put out any positive news as always.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak has been picked up again today. Was going to go today myself but opted out after it wasn't seen again all day yesterday and with the forecasted weather today.:C

Dermot

 

[Dermot Breen]

Only just after getting news that the bird was seen yet again yesterday evening in the bay on the eastern side. Don't know how I missed it?

Dermot

 

[birdsgalway]

Dermot

If you look at the attached Google aerial and the vast amount of water in Ballynakill Habour/Barnaderg Bay it is amazing it is still around and must be hauled up in some inlet and out of sight for most of the week.

 

[Dermot Breen]

Tom,

Big area for sure. I checked the whole bay on the south side all the way out the where the islands are at the very mouth of Ballynakill. There were a 2 little islets that I couldn't get into so ya never know. Will make a point of checking the the roost tonight (only found out where it was yesterday).
Predictions for the next description job in Galway for the long weekend anyone? I'll go for either White-rumped Sandpiper or Yank duck (getting into that mode already).
Did up trip list for Inishmore for Sept and Oct and between all of us out there we had at least 112 species including 9 description birds, amazing total when you consider its an island (again a big one at that).

Anyone out there keeping a County Galway list (of their own that is) btw.?


Dermot

 

[Peter Phillips]

Predictions for the next description job in Galway for the long weekend anyone? I'll go for either White-rumped Sandpiper or Yank duck (getting into that mode already).

Yellow-rumped Warbler or Arctic Redpoll..depending on which way the wind blows...

Dermot which is the best wind direction on the Galway Islands for falls of migrants? Its giving it west to north west for the 3 days I am there (mon-wed).

It looks like the heron fecked off to Wales. I am not getting off to the best of starts..............:C

 

[Paul Troake]

With these winds, I think an albatross should be blown up this way, and there must be a blue-headed vireo lingering somewhere in the county! Back in the real world though, about time we had American golden plover.
I've been checking the waders on the Claddagh fields for white-rumps, but no joy yet. It's a great spot at high tide, especially when the weather's a bit rough (and there was a right gale ripping across there a couple of days ago). In the last few days the wader roost there has held up to 260 oystercatchers, 210 ringed plovers, 10 knot, 50 dunlin, 185 bar-wits and 90 redshank. Also had a petrel offshore yesterday, though not seen well enough to identify, as was also the case with another off Ballynahowen a few days ago. Leach's are more likely this late in the season I guess. I'll be out seawatching if the wind gos SW/W later on, and if it stops raining....

Troakie

 

[Dermot Breen]

I'm hearing now that the Little Blue Heron in Wales has been present for the last two weeks so probably not the Galway bird afterall? Haven't seen any shots of it yet and there hasn't been any sign of it today either. The place must be thronged with twitchers.

Dermot

 

[Brosnabirder]

Out at Ballynahown this afternoon.
Two Leach's passed flying west. They were really struggling in the wind Also one GN Diver on the sea. Bit quiet.

 

[Dermot Breen]

Tom

You spent 2 hours sitting out there in that weather - are ye right in the head!
Still rough enough here today. 2 colour ringed Ringed Plovers and usual colour ringed Sanderling at Omey Strand and c.200 Goldies down at Slyne today. Don't think tomorrow's to much better.

Dermot

 

[Paul Troake]

Did a half hour seawatch this morning just west of Mutton Island and had at least four storm petrels, possibly 8, generally moving west though not in a hurry to go anywhere. Later, in 1.5 hours off Barna, had 2 more going west plus 2 grey phalaropes also heading west. Otherwise pretty quiet - small nos. of guillies moving west, outnumbering razorbills for a change, plus a handful of kittiwakes.

Troakie

 

[Brosnabirder]

Tom

You spent 2 hours sitting out there in that weather - are ye right in the head!
Still rough enough here today. 2 colour ringed Ringed Plovers and usual colour ringed Sanderling at Omey Strand and c.200 Goldies down at Slyne today. Don't think tomorrow's to much better.

Dermot

I watched from the car Dermot. That plus some contortions with the scope and careful parking kept me dry enough.
Also one unidentified petrel there on Saturday too far out to id.

Curraghline this evening, one male Hen Harrier. Not quite full adult. 2nd cal year most probably but tough to say for sure in poor light.

 

[birdsgalway]

County List
208 Brambling Peter Philips Inishbofin 27.10.08

Did not put my head outside the door on Saturday. Kudos to you Tom for the effort it was one God awful day. The water levels on the Corrib are as bad as I have seen for this time of year. Alot of the fields flooded on the Curraghline.

Went to Rusheen yesterday and Nimmo's to Mutton Island today all the usual supects. Sandwich Terns and Wheatear still around.

Common Gull darvic ringed 221Y at Waterside

 

[AOD]

Dermot,
Counted 212 on my Galway list and managed to miss 24 county ticks this year alone! Wonder has anyone reached 250? Would be a good total for a such a passerine wasteland.

 

[Dermot Breen]

On 209 for the county myself (152 I think for the year here). I wonder if Tim keeps a county list? Like most birders based on the west coast he's bound to be missing alot of the scarcer passerines. Can't see anyone having over 250 at the moment though could be possible if you lived out on Inishmore for the next 40 years or so!
There seems to be alot of controversy over the Welsh LBH
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=125963

Dermot

 

[birdsgalway]

My life list is my county list which has not hit 200 yet. When it does hit the 200 I will let ye know.B all round when that day arrives. With the state the economy is in I think I will have time on my hands to make the 200 sooner rather then later.:C

 

[Peter Phillips]

Inishbofin

Just back from a couple of days on Inishbofin. Very nice Island to work. The sheep and cows keep the bracken back and most of the good migrant cover is on the southern end of the island.

It was quiet enough with 1 female Brambling on both days with 200 Redwing 1 Blackcap and a 3 Chiffchaff on day one with the Brambling 50 Redwing 2 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff on day 2. A few Meadow Pipits knocking around also.

This garden pictured below was by far the best. It had most the seed eaters in it.It also had the Blackcap and 2 of the chiffers.
No Goldcrests present which was a surprise and only one Chaffinch.
According to the locals,AMCG has been persuading some of them to plant a few more trees. It seems to be working with a half acre plot of Alder,Willow and Birch recenty planted near this garden.

Glad I could add at least one species to the ever growing Galway year list

 

[birdsgalway]

Grey Phalarope found to day by Paul Troake at Nimmo's pier today giving very close views down to less then 3 meters. Got the text message about 1.30. As in most case like this no camera or bins as the motor was in the garage.:C
But great to get such stunning views and bins were not need.:t:
Check out Michael Davis' photos
http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web?task=Display&sighting_id=6251

 

[Dermot Breen]

Aonghus and myself had a nice adult Black-throated Diver in Greatmans Bay, Carraroe today moulting from summer into winter plumage. I thought they were still a description bird outside Galway and Donegal Bay but after looking at the Appendix 2 list of rarities they are no longer an offical rarity anywhere now.
Weather to be resonable this weekend, thank ****. The recent weather has been God awful.

Dermot

 

[Pariah]

Its not too late dermot!Your feckin island could still produce something good in easterlies!

Owen

 

[Paul Troake]

Highlight from Rusheen Bay today was a Buzzard up on Gentian Hill, first seen at 1120 briefly in flight a couple of times before it settled out of view amongst the scrub. About 40 crows mobbed it madly when it was in flight, though only a few remained when it eventually reappeared at 1200 and headed west towards Barna Woods (twitched by Tim!). Very similar circumstances to my sighting of one there in similar weather last November - the crows also drew my attention to that one before it headed towards Barna Woods.
Also a twite flew over, 25 brent geese & 2 egrets.

Phalarope still at Nimmos today (per Tom Cuffe). Otter there two days ago (did I mention that Tom? )

Troakie