County Galway Birding (local patch) (1 Viewer)

[Brosnabirder]

Hi Neil,
Newcastle is in on the western side of the city and is the area where the University is located. Look at the western boundary of the Uni and you should see Newcastle road. Inchagoill road (where the Waxwings have been seen) is about a hundred yards west of Newcastle road.
Have a good trip

 

[neillsgonebirdin]

Thanks for the Waxwing locations, does anyone have any recent news on the Greenland Redpolls at Clifden, thought we may take a look around that area while on our travels,

Cheers Neill.

24 hours to goB

 

[Dermot Breen]

Neill

I had a flock of 30 redpoll spp. at Clifden 2 weeks back. That count of Greenland Redpolls would be a record count for the country. Only 3-4 records for the county. Still an official rarity here.
The first-winter and third-winter Kumlien's were again beside Clifden Quay today, together at one stage.
Had a first-winter Glaucous at Lettergesh while doing a Bird Atlas square. Had an adult bird in another square I was doing down at Rinvyle Point last week. Seems to be a good winter for them. They are quite partial to a bit of dead seal.

Dermot

 

[Pariah]

Arent we all?

Wheres the ivory dermo?

Owen

 

[Dermot Breen]

and the Ross's and the Glaucous-winged and the Slaty-backed, etc.
I've been asking myself that question for the last two months. If its not going to happen in the next week or two it ain't going to happen this winter at all.

Dermot

 

[birdsgalway]

County List 2009

135 Red-necked Grebe (Brendan Dunne Salthill)

A few shots attached during a half an hour at longwalk and Nimmo's this morning at low tide.

Waxwings appear to have moved on.

 

[dan pointon]

Thanks for the Waxwing locations, does anyone have any recent news on the Greenland Redpolls at Clifden, thought we may take a look around that area while on our travels,

Cheers Neill.

24 hours to goB

How did you get on Neill?

 

[Brosnabirder]

Today at Traught, 1 Slavonian Grebe. Fairly close in at the toilet block end of the strand. Still can't believe there wasn't one on last years county list.
Also 1 1st winter Little Gull.
Had a quick look over Rahasane on my way back. 3 Ruff and 1 Greylag with the GWF flock (45) were about the best. Massive numbers of waders and ducks. Falling water levels have exposed a large area of muddy ground.

Not in Galway but anyway, 2 Chough and 3 Glaucous Gulls yesterday south of Louisburgh. The Choughs were near White Strand and the Gulls near Lough Roonah.

 

[birdsgalway]

County List 2009

136 Slavonian Grebe (Tom Chadwick Traught 16.02.09)
137 Ruff (Tom Chadwick Rahasane 16.02.09)

Check out Paul Kelly's excellant shot of the Red-necked Grebe at Salthill
http://www.irishbirdimages.com/index.html

 

[John Carey]

Hello all,

At Rahasane the weekend, and as Tom said, the water levels are excellent and begining to expose lots of muddy and grassy areas. Thousands of Birds present.

That one Greylag was haning out with the GWF's and the only diving ducks were 4 tufted with one Pochard in tow prob due to the lower water level.
Great to see lots of Redshank there too along with circa 80 curlew and one greenshank.
11 Little egret in total (not beating the record which I think is 14 but close!)
Plovers galore, Blackwits and all the usual ducks too. A savage number of Pintail and Shoveler for Rahasane around.

2 muppets on horses completed the day....so my advice-head out there soon!

:t:

 

[Sean Nixon]

Nimmo's Pier/Galway Bay 16/17 Feb

Another excellent trip to Galway city on Monday and tuesday. Highlights were:

ad Kumlien's Gull, around the docks and small fishing boats on Monday, but not seen at all yesterday
1 Glaucous Gull
4 Iceland Gull
1 Ring-billed Gull
4 Sandwich Tern
1 ad Little Gull
Black Guillemot
Razorbill
40+ Pale-bellied Brent Goose

A quick trip to Rossaveal on Monday, produced:
1 Glaucous Gull
2 Iceland Gull

Sean Nixon

 

[birdsgalway]

News
8 Waxwings reported in the carpark at GMIT yesterday.

 

[Dermot Breen]

Atlantic White-sided Dolphin @ Omey

Found this poor old lady at Omey Strand today while doing I-WeBS. Only a day or two dead. The gulls had already gone to work on her on the other side (I have her turned over in these shots). The species is normally found in very deep water. I have yet to see a live cetacean in Connemara!

Dermot

 

[birchall]

Quote

"8 Waxwings reported in the carpark at GMIT yesterday."

Just my luck to be away when they are seen.
Parking is appaling at GMIT. If going to see, the best times are:

before 9.30am
between 12.30 & 1.45pm
after 4.00pm

How do I insert a quote or quote message in reply?

 

[Pariah]

Dermo,

Put a fan beside it blowing the scent out to sea!

Owen

 

[Brosnabirder]

Quote


How do I insert a quote or quote message in reply?

Brendan
Click on quote at the bottom of the post you want to quote from.
You can edit it by deleting the part of the post you don't want to quote.
Tom

 

[birchall]

Tom,
Thanks for that.

Forgot to mention next week is rag week in GMIT, so parking should not be a problem - if waxwings are still around.

 

[John Carey]

Nice find with the dolphin Dermot. Should be good weekend for Birding weather wise.

 

[birdsgalway]

News
Adult American Herring Gull and Adult Kumlien's Gull seen today by derek Charles at Nimmo's this morning.

 

[DEREK CHARLES]

Hello Tom,
The AHG was found by Dan Pointon et al. I will post some dodgy pics of it later. The Kumliens performed excellently all day but numbers of other white winged gulls was below average.

Derek