County Galway Birding (local patch) (8 Viewers)

[birchall]

The woods around Coole Park just north of Gort is the best place I know in Galway for jays.

 

[Colin Conroy]

Re Jays - I've seen a couple since I've been here (nearly three weeks) - one in the woods around Merlin Park Hospital, and one somewhere on the way back from Lough Kip to Galway city (but I can't remember exactly where - I think it was on that small road that leads right to (and from) Lough Kip). My impression (and I'm happy to be corrected by birders who've been here longer than 3 weeks) is that they are there in suitable habitat but not particularly abundant. They like oak trees - are there many oaks in Galway?

 

[Martin Ryan]

There were a few goldeneye on Kiltullagh Lough and Glenamaddy Lough about a week ago.

Regards

 

[nialltkeogh]

Thanks for the Jay info guys.

All the best,
Niall

 

[carmojp]

Thanks for that info on the Goldeneye Martin.

 

[Colin Conroy]

Hi everyone,
I've just seen on Irish Birding that the Pacific Diver is back in Clare (Ballyvaughan bay, west of Finvarra Point). I know most of you will have seen it last year but if anyone is going down there from Galway and has a space in the car, I'd be very grateful to come along (and pay for petrol).
Cheers
Colin

 

[Dermot Breen]

Some pics of the two Goosanders from 6th January.

Dermot

 

[Dermot Breen]

111 Smew, 2 redheads, Loughrea, 29th Jan (J.N.Murphy, B.Finnegan).
112 Buzzard, Streamstown, Clifden, (J.Brittain).
113 Pheasant (?)
114 Golden Plover (?)
115 Whimbrel, 2, Barnaderg Bay.
116 Mediterranean Gull, 2 adults, Mannin Bay.
117 Long-tailed Tit (?)
118 Chough

Dermot

 

[Colin Conroy]

I can't believe no-one's added Long-tailed Tit before now, but I couldn't see it on the list either.
How unusual is it to get Whimbrel in the middle of winter here?

 

[Dermot Breen]

Hi Colin

I'm sure plenty of people have seen Long-tailed Tits this year but its just not been added to the list.
Whimbrel are rare during the winter here in Galway. There's been a single bird wintering in Barnaderg Bay in the same area the Little Blue Heron. Its returned for three winters at least. I was surprised to find a second bird with it during the week. I checked to make sure they were just of the nominate race, you never know.
A mother and calf Common Dolphin stranded less than a mile away on Tuesday morning. The calf didn't make it unfortunately. The stranding site was horrendous with thick mud, the kind of stuff the Royal Marine Commandos would train recruits in.

Dermot

 

[Paul Troake]

Year list 119 Black-throated Diver, Traught Beach today.

Also, the Forster's Tern on the beach at Doorus Pier, alongside 6 Sani Terns and 2 adult Med Gulls. Thank goodness for places to go car-birding on days like this!

Troakie

 

[birdsgalway]

American Herring Gull put in an appearance this morning at the Docks and Nimmo's Pier after a long absence. This return by the AHG coincided with Birdwatch Galway's monthly outing on the pier which had a good turn out and everyone got to see the bird.


120 American Herring Gull 5 Feb 2011 Galway Docks

 

[Paul Troake]

Hi Tom

Did you see any seabird activity off Claddagh yesterday? I was hoping the strong winds of the previous couple of days may have blown in a few kittis and auks at least, but nothing evident off Aughinish/Doorus, though may be they tend to end up on the Galway side of the bay.

Troakie

 

[birdsgalway]

Hi Troakie

Very little activity this side of the bay even after the storm. Nice to see the Forster's Tern true to form and heads for Doorus when its a little windy.

 

[Dermot Breen]

121 White-fronted Goose, 55, Belclare Turlough.
122 Green-winged Teal, male, Belclare Turlough.

Dermot

 

[AOD]

123 White-tailed Sea Eagle, Inchagoill Island, Lough Corrib, Sunday last 6/02/2011.

 

[AOD]

124Long-eared Owl. Two pairs near Moycullen displaying and calling last night and a single bird flying past the car on the way home! Night of the Long-eared Owls!!

 

[aythya_hybrid]

Hi all.
Was in Galway briefly on Friday for work related purposes and made my first visit to Nimmo's and Claddadgh. Alas, dipped the AHG and the forster's but was more than happy with the two ring-billed gulls and great northern divers, best views I've ever had of the latter species. Also had 1 1st-w Med Gull and a wierd looking, very large and seemingly slightly oiled 1st-w gull. Almost certainly a herring but have attached a pic.

all the best,
Jonathan

 

[Dermot Breen]

Looks like a Herring alright Jonathan. I saw another oiled bird there yesterday.

I see someone was out on Inishmore Bird Atlasing. All squares out there now in the red. Where have all the Chough disappeared to though? One recorded in one of the four 10km squares.

Don't think Fulmar has been added yet to the yearlist. Birds back at the colony at Rinvyle Head. They only seem to be missing from the breeding colonys for three months max. Ravens starting to get a move on now at the moment also.

125 Fulmar

 

[Dermot Breen]

126 Glaucous Gull
127 Iceland Gull

Finally some white-wings in Galway. 3rd winter Glaucous and 3rd winter Iceland Gull at Rossaveel today. Also a 1st winter as of yet unidentified gull species, possible Glaucous/Herring, extreme argentatus, Kumlien's/Thayer's, take your pick.

Dermot