tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81939027402942904822024-03-13T14:15:13.603+00:00Patch Birding IrelandThe Patchwork Challenge Irish Minileague Blognialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-36839585771740728232017-04-06T21:06:00.000+01:002017-04-06T22:53:40.128+01:00Larne Lough and Rathlin Island - March 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been typically dull around Larne Lough lately, the gulls are now settled on the islands for the summer, the terns are trickling back as a smattering of other spring migrants begin to put in an appearance. The first year tick of the month were some Lesser Redpolls on the Alders along the railway line at Curran Road on 4th, saving me the indignation of having to check garden feeders. My usual jaunt around Larne usually includes a seawatch from the leisure centre in the hope of a Fulmar - I can't understand how they are so difficult to see when they breed in numbers nearby. Eventually much squinting towards the Maidens paid off when 2 Common Scoter flew by on 4th. I will be on Manxie (and Fulmar) watch from now on.</div>
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The first Black-tailed Godwits arrived on 5th March, with numbers building to 15 on 18th before a flock of 40 appeared at the mouth of the Inver River on 23rd March - which isn't a regular site for this species. Numerous Snipe and the odd Jack Snipe were on the move during the month. The feral Greylags made their first appearance at Glynn on 12th, but unfortunately did not manage to persuade the long-staying Greenland White-front to join them - though there is time yet! Sandwich Terns were seen feeding off Sandy Bay and roosting at Glynn from 17th. A fairly standard return date. Chiffchaffs were in song along Bank Road on 26th, but my usual site for Wheatear has not produced the goods so far.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanderling with Dunlin, Sandy Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Snipe with Ballylumford Power Station in the background</td></tr>
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As time moved towards the end of the month my attention turned to Rathlin and I managed another visit on 25th March, which turned out to be rather productive. Things looked promising as I made by way up the hill at Church Valley, as numerous Goldcrests were flitting about above my head, easily totalling over 40 by the end of the day. The first Peregrines of the year were back at a regular breeding site, as were a couple of pairs of Twite. Near the East Light, as I checked around the cattle feeders for Chough, a large white blob entered my view. A rather tatty, but glorious Iceland Gull. Only my third patch record! Into Church Quarter and two Woodpigeons bombed overhead, charging about gormlessly as only they can, before nearly impaling themselves in a blackthorn. A classic early spring migrant on Rathlin and a most welcome year tick. Five Chiffchaffs were also noted.</div>
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A scan of the small sandy beach beside the harbour failed to produce any new waders for the year, so I decided to check a few Rock Pipits on the seawall for pink-wash. In return, a red-tail sprang onto the rocks beside me - the adrenaline rush began, was this finally it? Well, no... but a nice Black Redstart, just the second documented Island record and the first since 5th May 2013. I was delighted, but only managed distant record shots as getting any closer would have disturbed the seals and they put up with enough of this already. The south end of the patch produced the first Chough of the year and 2 Whimbrel at Doon Bay. A promising start to Spring!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gannet action from the ferry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over 40 of these on Rathlin on 25th March</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First butterfly of 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dappled light</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceland Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pair of Teal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Redstart</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Redstart (taken from the ferry on my way home!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Pipit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up Mipit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chough, Doon Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say my name</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish Hare</td></tr>
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<u>Larne Lough additions in March:</u> Lesser Redpoll, Common Scoter, Black-tailed Godwit, Greylag Goose, Sandwich Tern, Chiffchaff<br />
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<u>Rathlin Island additions in March (since last update):</u> Woodpigeon, Chough, Black Redstart, Chiffchaff, Iceland Gull, Blue Tit, Lesser Redpoll, Whimbrel, Peregrine, Twite, Coal Tit, Pheasant</div>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-62129016654273881682017-03-13T19:57:00.000+00:002017-03-13T19:57:48.750+00:00Rathlin Island - 11th March 2017<div style="text-align: justify;">
The first signs of spring were stirring, the weather set fair and feeling energetic, I found myself on the first ferry to Rathlin on Saturday. The crossing on flat calm seas was worth the effort alone with razorbills, kittiwakes, shags and guillemots galore. No sign of any white-wingers in the harbour, which have been regular there this winter, but large numbers of displaying eiders raised the spirits.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The soon to be retired Canna</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guillemot from the ferry</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male eider in the harbour</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diving duck</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All eyes on us</td></tr>
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It wasn't long before the first of many skylarks could be heard overhead, both singing and flying over. Other species present in notable numbers were goldcrests, pied wagtails and meadow pipits. At Mill Bay, the long-staying drake gadwall was keeping a low profile but yet again there were no divers offshore. Craigmacagan Lough boosted the year list with reed bunting, water rail and a patch record 3 (yes three) adult moorhens! The apparent imposter was not welcome, the regular male in murderous mood. A male pochard was with tufted ducks at Ally Lough, which were in fine voice - giving the eider a run for their money in the call of the day competition.</div>
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A slog around the small marsh at the south end of Ushet Lough produced 3 snipe but no miniature versions. Just a handful of breeding lapwing have returned, their numbers on the island dwindling fast. Common gulls and lesser black-backed gulls have returned in more pleasing numbers and a few auks and fulmars were already on cliff ledges near Rue Point. As I watched a group of hooded crows busying themselves in some seaweed, my second ever patch carrion crow flew over before being sheepish nearby. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tufted duck pair, Ushet Lough</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common gull, Ushet Lough</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lapwing, Ushet Lough</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheepish carrion crow</td></tr>
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<u>Additions to year list:</u> kittiwake, skylark, sparrowhawk, water rail, reed bunting, pochard, carrion crow, goldcrest, moorhen, lapwing, turnstone, black-headed gull, cormorant and lesser black-backed gull.</div>
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<u>Scores:</u> 61 species / 70 points / 51.9%</div>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-76778756555890631812017-03-04T18:11:00.001+00:002017-03-04T19:27:42.778+00:00February - Larne Lough<div style="text-align: justify;">
February is one of my favourite months for birding around Larne Lough as several thousand gulls arrive over the course of the month. The majority are birds returning to breed at RSPB Larne Lough Islands Reserve. This usually means there are a few scarcities to be found. By the end of the month many Eider, Red-breasted Mergansers, Great Crested Grebes and Goldeneyes also gather off Glynn for a spot of displaying. In general there are lots of birds to look at.</div>
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There are currently at least 11 Mediterranean Gulls in the lough (8 adults, including a metal-ringed bird and 3 second-years, including a ringed individual pictured below), which have been seen displaying and posturing at various locations. Their unique call is heard overhead more often than they are seen. Despite obsessive sifting through the gathering swarm of Common Gulls, there has been no sign of a Ring-billed Gull. Iceland Gulls have been seen regularly, involving 4 individuals (3 first winters and an adult) though none for longer than a few minutes. I will be on high alert for a Glaucous Gulls in the coming weeks. An adult Little Gull was seen along the Antrim Coast a few times following recent storms but frustratingly hasn't ventured onto the patch. The first returning Lesser Black-backed Gulls were back at the Inver River on 4th.</div>
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A great day was had on 18th tidying up some tricky species, with a Treecreeper along Glynn River and the patch Coot and a Water Rail (not recorded last year) at Glynn Lagoon. Whilst checking some alder trees in search of Redpolls, I was delighted to see a Kestrel hunting over Redlands industrial estate - I usually have to wait until autumn to see one of these. The following day, the first Peregrine of the year was seen at Glynn Station.</div>
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On the wader front, a Knot has been at Glynn throughout the month, as have a handful of Bar-tailed Godwits. At Sandy Bay excellent numbers of Dunlin, Turnstones and Ringed Plover have been joined by up to 6 Purple Sandpipers (a good site count) and a new for year Sanderling from 20th.</div>
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I made a rare pre-work visit to Sandy Bay during Storm Doris, as this coincided with high tide. There was a colossal flock of gulls at the entrance of the lough including four adult Med Gulls, but surprisingly nothing rarer. It was lashing and viewing conditions were extremely difficult, but I thought I heard the flight calls of Twite overhead and caught a split second view of a soaked finch on the deck. As there has been a flock of Linnets around the harbour all winter, I wanted a better look and made the idiotic decision to exit my car. Within 30 seconds, I was drenched and couldn't get back inside quick enough. A couple of days later, I managed to pin them down - a flock of six, including a colour-ringed bird from Kintyre. They allowed incredibly close approach; karma for my soaking perhaps.</div>
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<u>Additions in February:</u> Treecreeper, Coot, Kestrel, Twite, Water Rail, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Peregrine and Sanderling.</div>
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<u>Totals:</u> 90 species / 108 points / 66.7%</div>
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Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-76122034866032982872017-02-02T22:06:00.000+00:002017-02-02T22:37:49.131+00:00January - Larne Lough and Rathlin<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm going to try to do monthly blog posts this year, which on this occasion amounts to copying and pasting a few photos and providing a score update to the end of the month. In summary: a decent enough start to the year in Larne Lough with the first Waxwings for a couple of years and a last minute Iceland Gull on 31st. The most remarkable thing about this bird was its complete lack of interest in sliced pan - a first patch record of a white-winger buggering off at the sight of bread. Such scenes have not been seen in the borough since the Bonaparte's. The annual arrival of small gulls is well underway and will be checked closely over the next month for hubba-bubba pink legs. </div>
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My only trip to Rathlin of the month produced some good winter birds for the island. The long-staying drake Gadwall and a female Goldeneye at Craigmacagan Lough, a Knot with Redshank at Mill Bay and a lone Whooper Swan (which rarely land on the island) at Ushet Lough. There has been a dearth of divers along the East Antrim coast this winter, so I wasn't surprised when I failed to spot any off Rathlin despite favourable sea conditions. Sadly, it appears the female Pochard that has wintered at Ally Lough for the last few years has not returned. </div>
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<strong>Larne Lough</strong> - 82 species / 98 points / 60.5%</div>
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<u>Highlights</u> - Jack Snipe, Slavonian Grebe, Iceland Gull, Waxwing</div>
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<strong>Rathlin Island</strong> - single visit in January - 47 species / 55 points / 40.8%</div>
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<u>Highlights</u> - Goldeneye, Gadwall, Whooper Swan, Knot</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ushet Lough, Rathlin Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knot, Sandy Bay, Larne</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oystercatcher, Sandy Bay, Larne</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Med Gull, Sandy Bay, Larne</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Egret, Glynn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack Snipe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOwyv7HI8TCX2H8n0tFhyphenhyphenIbPLDGtzlQ3JHCDQUW9WooePZBMHJGF7vP7dUnQJJ9VhDmHscEWnJWJnVdQX_5xgA8x5Fa8VELg2Jp9UTiU61XUScMbC-O0gtoYh5_29T6rAkMh69D26WAVH/s1600/Knot1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOwyv7HI8TCX2H8n0tFhyphenhyphenIbPLDGtzlQ3JHCDQUW9WooePZBMHJGF7vP7dUnQJJ9VhDmHscEWnJWJnVdQX_5xgA8x5Fa8VELg2Jp9UTiU61XUScMbC-O0gtoYh5_29T6rAkMh69D26WAVH/s640/Knot1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knot - recorded on both patches in January, unheard of.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs7pA-FSQ58viXRW4U9WfardRfRxRnCmjHsoN13mDy9zQyAxx2fNJYSkQJlqygG5sjrdaHmIlrK8Na1C96v2wukngSlpbcEJ3zpdntcCSnN8ue_dlyQEqRP6yYwCE1EA-Ee7Q85aRZNTY/s1600/Song+Thrush.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs7pA-FSQ58viXRW4U9WfardRfRxRnCmjHsoN13mDy9zQyAxx2fNJYSkQJlqygG5sjrdaHmIlrK8Na1C96v2wukngSlpbcEJ3zpdntcCSnN8ue_dlyQEqRP6yYwCE1EA-Ee7Q85aRZNTY/s640/Song+Thrush.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song Thrush whilst looking for Waxwings</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3jtJOV1bxAsWzWiOfedbZuq_kaYigslDxJOYujfWsIMlC0oP9Twe0L1Y059qe4c1qlEVWwnXZGfhMbZaEfwUGHLcKRDTXld26Hly_hyvJUZmI2-Qx_Uw36GmKTDlDHpIzDTEeobivKMM/s1600/BHG2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3jtJOV1bxAsWzWiOfedbZuq_kaYigslDxJOYujfWsIMlC0oP9Twe0L1Y059qe4c1qlEVWwnXZGfhMbZaEfwUGHLcKRDTXld26Hly_hyvJUZmI2-Qx_Uw36GmKTDlDHpIzDTEeobivKMM/s640/BHG2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gull making a splash</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-wCBUlikpzWCBF0svgUOl82kuZUKswolZwQUUa-boY_JuESwTzcGSko20XP7K-iSpAshxhVft5yxwyNkws3A5CTPAO-AtbX8SKvZXkFRHH7LDXchntKSiTDDlpmX2xUl5W-ay-iCKds2/s1600/BHG4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-wCBUlikpzWCBF0svgUOl82kuZUKswolZwQUUa-boY_JuESwTzcGSko20XP7K-iSpAshxhVft5yxwyNkws3A5CTPAO-AtbX8SKvZXkFRHH7LDXchntKSiTDDlpmX2xUl5W-ay-iCKds2/s640/BHG4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-headed Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmuA14y_8HvYthZLaiOg04LMMydWmynloR_2nVLd3oFaPyYRZuE2TReZyJFYiTYcHzrkQayNCfJd-BmHNqNB-Ap5EIJ62c0qLivVospwhdHfZVv5CWCPs0NnhdTykEmaUMJxVRK-PTAmG/s1600/Collared+Dove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmuA14y_8HvYthZLaiOg04LMMydWmynloR_2nVLd3oFaPyYRZuE2TReZyJFYiTYcHzrkQayNCfJd-BmHNqNB-Ap5EIJ62c0qLivVospwhdHfZVv5CWCPs0NnhdTykEmaUMJxVRK-PTAmG/s640/Collared+Dove.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It posed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLKMzbxE3_5vPZYWM1YijdmwrLKOAknR4ZXpBWjvGVxLw72-3St-Dum96Kxef5-rSGe1T1j1ndMKsDCfY7tAvn2um2Jn5RCZ4hawlX9IXni35iEtc6zMhaWdKAWP07obqs0GD3MsIu037/s1600/Patch+Birding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLKMzbxE3_5vPZYWM1YijdmwrLKOAknR4ZXpBWjvGVxLw72-3St-Dum96Kxef5-rSGe1T1j1ndMKsDCfY7tAvn2um2Jn5RCZ4hawlX9IXni35iEtc6zMhaWdKAWP07obqs0GD3MsIu037/s640/Patch+Birding.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patch Birding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduh4V3gW1exM91rOtrUJhMdLPTQfX6x2TFOPsw-BzUqjijlF82jWC8sl2TmkcOgHcEc2U2l4iVIkDuOEIoEhSJfNEyd1iOcLQojvklt-8MLU5NCxIcqBsMRum5F0XZR40bTeKBIrWJ0Bt/s1600/Purple+Sand.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduh4V3gW1exM91rOtrUJhMdLPTQfX6x2TFOPsw-BzUqjijlF82jWC8sl2TmkcOgHcEc2U2l4iVIkDuOEIoEhSJfNEyd1iOcLQojvklt-8MLU5NCxIcqBsMRum5F0XZR40bTeKBIrWJ0Bt/s640/Purple+Sand.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Sandpiper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8R_OXwTaAUhDCOabZc6A1ECv7X1HNX5ZbI8dRdZpm0IGkzAOT3lDiE7jPGLHB0FG3P4mehUjyXpKP6SGZ3iJrX6SdACc9-CjEw1A2rp0Qve3jlrmCpY26pWbTBqHTll3-NE-gBbY-KgHU/s1600/Underwing2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8R_OXwTaAUhDCOabZc6A1ECv7X1HNX5ZbI8dRdZpm0IGkzAOT3lDiE7jPGLHB0FG3P4mehUjyXpKP6SGZ3iJrX6SdACc9-CjEw1A2rp0Qve3jlrmCpY26pWbTBqHTll3-NE-gBbY-KgHU/s640/Underwing2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underside</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWekPnlTmj-M9LrDBQMOS5923P1xixkH0PlmAsOVQy0LSTs9R_xN1YsEhESxZUWHL-teiyM2dbzZHC3Ce3X1TYgttLYz4TYP9MCjz8u1-8qsfTU2H9yadn_A2ceh9tyOvB4YHyg-3t9jF/s1600/Upperside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWekPnlTmj-M9LrDBQMOS5923P1xixkH0PlmAsOVQy0LSTs9R_xN1YsEhESxZUWHL-teiyM2dbzZHC3Ce3X1TYgttLYz4TYP9MCjz8u1-8qsfTU2H9yadn_A2ceh9tyOvB4YHyg-3t9jF/s640/Upperside.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upperside</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AGuVz_EO_MR4WkdxfYC3qA53x1idusJCnwuvM7_iueGKd1JB1tCVlhXQF6q6vL7TRn7ZPmz8yG5NZhyphenhyphenExoliMM1QVt35U_9eCGvW6obt4cDxNECMw58RP-N2uHInjV7lcVobfJUkszQx/s1600/Wave+rush.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AGuVz_EO_MR4WkdxfYC3qA53x1idusJCnwuvM7_iueGKd1JB1tCVlhXQF6q6vL7TRn7ZPmz8yG5NZhyphenhyphenExoliMM1QVt35U_9eCGvW6obt4cDxNECMw58RP-N2uHInjV7lcVobfJUkszQx/s640/Wave+rush.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wave runners</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRu2PCSuuk5T3kY23oeMcpsBq5TCnIkcdwxSsXjeBOpkw-7Df7oRXz1z4YcfR0BU3v_45WmvipY_OpqdI4vV-KPkse7mI8r5VUlszHOPzlixztz1QaChuwWc-To3nO9u_g9oRGvAVAz00z/s1600/Waxwing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRu2PCSuuk5T3kY23oeMcpsBq5TCnIkcdwxSsXjeBOpkw-7Df7oRXz1z4YcfR0BU3v_45WmvipY_OpqdI4vV-KPkse7mI8r5VUlszHOPzlixztz1QaChuwWc-To3nO9u_g9oRGvAVAz00z/s640/Waxwing.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waxwing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXG5LjiH-OY1XdkoatnmEGsIwxIf5FdKdY-_JCKACv_NoT1JM4sIv1jYSspfHrHYRqvbOfwRtq61TGEB3UTRsAeyDO3sYe06Wub2XM9rSsKwhUGDkUJkJmUA23XxHVFgW43W2J5Ng-6pr/s1600/IMG_5950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXG5LjiH-OY1XdkoatnmEGsIwxIf5FdKdY-_JCKACv_NoT1JM4sIv1jYSspfHrHYRqvbOfwRtq61TGEB3UTRsAeyDO3sYe06Wub2XM9rSsKwhUGDkUJkJmUA23XxHVFgW43W2J5Ng-6pr/s640/IMG_5950.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from the Rathlin Ferry</td></tr>
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Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-83378103152802680012017-01-20T15:48:00.000+00:002017-01-20T15:48:43.741+00:00Copeland Bird Observatory - Richard Donaghey<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After two very enjoyable years of taking part in the PWC on my home tramping ground of the Bann Estuary on the 'North Coast' I've decided to add an extra new patch to work in 2017... Copeland Bird Observatory. I first visited the Observatory in September 2012 and have been hooked ever since, probably in part due to seeing a Northern Ireland rarity on my first visit, a Common Rosefinch. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYt9U_t6miPNNi6INwF4e70A3hn8MS4is1kZcfqaOU2rb3eN73hsb7KTDN26qQ3P4agNJvrktsmryy5HsAKJyXhW_KIRYecg_3e_E8-Ny5auf9tgbGtsF_bXY4uLcqJv1nGbsKsyuseQ/s1600/Scarlet+RF+Copelands+%252808-09-2012%2529++%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYt9U_t6miPNNi6INwF4e70A3hn8MS4is1kZcfqaOU2rb3eN73hsb7KTDN26qQ3P4agNJvrktsmryy5HsAKJyXhW_KIRYecg_3e_E8-Ny5auf9tgbGtsF_bXY4uLcqJv1nGbsKsyuseQ/s640/Scarlet+RF+Copelands+%252808-09-2012%2529++%25284%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Common Rosefinch</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As many of you will be aware, the Copeland Islands lie in the Irish Sea off the County Down coast and are home to Northern Ireland's only bird observatory. The Copeland's consist of three islands, Big Copeland, Lighthouse Island and Mew Island. The focus of my attention will be Lighthouse Island, which, despite it's name, does not currently have a lighthouse (which is now on Mew Island) but it is home to Copeland Bird Observatory. Mew Island sits around 50 metres away across 'Copeland Sound' and can be well observed from around the Observatory buildings. To stretch the patch, I've included Big Copeland (increases it to 2km2), although I've yet to set foot on the island and most observations will be restricted to boat. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmpt0fFkZfVhdK6owZ5Zl1RN-oy1pr1bdogd5LUZUCqEQI3es0IXK59rAWLDt5UWIhHjyF53qUVA88yuGY_0ZeqHJMRIxTeoVtyDNoEHm6tdsNX5u0-3uz3i_jkpTRyL6THYWXd5j05Y/s1600/pastedImage.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmpt0fFkZfVhdK6owZ5Zl1RN-oy1pr1bdogd5LUZUCqEQI3es0IXK59rAWLDt5UWIhHjyF53qUVA88yuGY_0ZeqHJMRIxTeoVtyDNoEHm6tdsNX5u0-3uz3i_jkpTRyL6THYWXd5j05Y/s640/pastedImage.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn4ADGtA8cURcjYZVbzqvAGB6siKJcMsmg7EN02XfbtdngHwtMjOHHTh6axp5vOFe7H0Ac1fPCF-RbR5KClpp2E05SH8_pufdTW_D_kR1BUzEm2QVivyZYZq5QbCkKYBCgo41BI_af8w/s1600/pastedImage+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYn4ADGtA8cURcjYZVbzqvAGB6siKJcMsmg7EN02XfbtdngHwtMjOHHTh6axp5vOFe7H0Ac1fPCF-RbR5KClpp2E05SH8_pufdTW_D_kR1BUzEm2QVivyZYZq5QbCkKYBCgo41BI_af8w/s640/pastedImage+%25281%2529.png" width="640" /></a><br /><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Big Copeland below, Lighthouse Island top left and Mew Island top right</span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIMmIp6JHblOx9acydsDbDeL8GSnTrg5X3OtkI1lyLXHO8rFUJHwLDmaSwo4S5hdqfpyv1vEDXFpZKeEjGPQWxQea0l3pHU8OIjmxLsMgHcbkH8sHiJUC8ySI-7_oeJPcpAhkVYN_eEs/s1600/pastedImage+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIMmIp6JHblOx9acydsDbDeL8GSnTrg5X3OtkI1lyLXHO8rFUJHwLDmaSwo4S5hdqfpyv1vEDXFpZKeEjGPQWxQea0l3pHU8OIjmxLsMgHcbkH8sHiJUC8ySI-7_oeJPcpAhkVYN_eEs/s640/pastedImage+%25282%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I usually have four ringing/birding weekends on the island each year and the odd day trip if I can squeeze it in. My time therefore will be rather restricted to c10 days on the island, generally between April and October. This year I hope to get a few trips outside of this period to pick up a few of the wintering species to up the totals. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The islands are quite different from my regular patch, with a somewhat different range of birds including more seabirds etc. and I have recorded at least 10 species here which I have yet to tick off in the Bann Estuary. There have been over 200 species recorded at the Observatory during it's 60+ year history, so my current total of 93 needs quite a bit of improving. I have seen some nice species in the past few years include White-tailed Sea Eagle, Common Rosefinch, Ring Ouzel, Yellow-browed Warbler, Hen Harrier and Long-eared Owl although I would be just as pleased with a Blue Tit or a Dipper on the island.</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ring Ouzel</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am quite unlikely to top 100 species in a year but I should be relatively competitive in comparative scores, with a bit of effort, with targets to beat of 77 species (113 for Obs as a whole) last year and 66 in 2015. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The visitor season at Copeland Bird Observatory opens up in late March and runs through to the end of October, so I would encourage anyone interested to come and stay! </span></div>
nialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-58544382841191455942017-01-12T19:22:00.000+00:002017-01-12T19:37:56.335+00:00Larne Waxwings<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A recurring New Year's resolution of mine is to write more blog posts. What better excuse to kick things off than a flock of Waxwings? You spend two months meticulously checking all the berry bushes on patch then one day you head to the shops for a sausage roll and are confronted with a jangling noise from heaven as you open the car door. I look around, not many berries, but 13 punk silhouettes on bare branches. Branches that just so happen to have been included within the patch boundary four years ago. I even had my camera with me to take some quick shots. For that reason, I bought two sausage rolls and a chocolate brownie. I now have heartburn, but frankly who cares!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjECy-ei6a8pvSkmJAGenCSS6vY7LvA4hHqf3DGT8TRSyJ42au_NCyf23yU0ucngmxx8t12LIhYFARcfc-JcN80mmgP748OnkjmtllzSjR8vLpxuX9oiKKbHnQ7mTtHaRN_Kj7X_1lfVg/s1600/Wax1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjECy-ei6a8pvSkmJAGenCSS6vY7LvA4hHqf3DGT8TRSyJ42au_NCyf23yU0ucngmxx8t12LIhYFARcfc-JcN80mmgP748OnkjmtllzSjR8vLpxuX9oiKKbHnQ7mTtHaRN_Kj7X_1lfVg/s640/Wax1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl62YmKX65wBP-5oc7LSApocE30F0jxFf5y3Q5mCIDTMwAegJFz9906iLLk2KImQrDu_8g-_lkPwhs5zS-h2S2XW76xdcwU4oScCDSiGnCsakTeJXv_LQYX5hqH4L0leoJkjb5tyVi-DVA/s1600/Wax2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl62YmKX65wBP-5oc7LSApocE30F0jxFf5y3Q5mCIDTMwAegJFz9906iLLk2KImQrDu_8g-_lkPwhs5zS-h2S2XW76xdcwU4oScCDSiGnCsakTeJXv_LQYX5hqH4L0leoJkjb5tyVi-DVA/s640/Wax2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJC9lk0PBE6vapR9QwB7mkfgLMPPWEAMlRQzQOXzB4-xMIwxrzH3Ah0sxl-RIIsZeVvYzola1pTLsaNqqwN4ps17TwFwSNW6ApnvyM4GDLL9yiGW9NlCz_AaPHLgJ4SrEz9XtjDb8yOhw/s1600/Wax3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJC9lk0PBE6vapR9QwB7mkfgLMPPWEAMlRQzQOXzB4-xMIwxrzH3Ah0sxl-RIIsZeVvYzola1pTLsaNqqwN4ps17TwFwSNW6ApnvyM4GDLL9yiGW9NlCz_AaPHLgJ4SrEz9XtjDb8yOhw/s640/Wax3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42HFGh8qOdaSagUJkdjuGR_AaMV0rxXiXxqFa1VLl5-5mhYii4XWgDsLfQNKUunin_qmFdKXa1md3rJBTndLMig2d_SOTFuKnaH0FrdGPP68HePTaQvVF6Y5v_T3Dx8M7Zr38hM86b8sY/s1600/Wax4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42HFGh8qOdaSagUJkdjuGR_AaMV0rxXiXxqFa1VLl5-5mhYii4XWgDsLfQNKUunin_qmFdKXa1md3rJBTndLMig2d_SOTFuKnaH0FrdGPP68HePTaQvVF6Y5v_T3Dx8M7Zr38hM86b8sY/s640/Wax4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9d-eCRAuotnEeGJ-jF2PL4FG6PKdgUeWt9hAsNZoVXnBJ1dZeKBCLncm_Fh2vRvS6LSPb04IKljS57BeLC6Fxb1PP8n2fQW4hyphenhyphen8AWjn-BURgjK-XbYgLhVUz7zAklRDpAnqqLH9WGvKB/s1600/Wax5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9d-eCRAuotnEeGJ-jF2PL4FG6PKdgUeWt9hAsNZoVXnBJ1dZeKBCLncm_Fh2vRvS6LSPb04IKljS57BeLC6Fxb1PP8n2fQW4hyphenhyphen8AWjn-BURgjK-XbYgLhVUz7zAklRDpAnqqLH9WGvKB/s640/Wax5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then they were off...</td></tr>
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Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-17326149742083841962017-01-05T19:44:00.000+00:002017-01-05T20:11:47.635+00:00Highlights from Larne and Rathlin 2016<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was going to be the year I'd finally find that mega on Rathlin. In the end I only managed 10 visits to the Island, which is considerably less than my first year taking part in 2013, when I recorded 121 species over 30 visits. Looking back, I'm not sure how I managed it back then. Nevertheless, among the species recorded in 2016, were some absolute crackers. A close encounter with a White-tailed Eagle on a fine spring day will be forever etched in my memory. Setting off in hope of a glimpse, ending up floored in the heather looking straight to the heavens, listening to its wingbeats as it fended off ravens, hooded crows, buzzards and a peregrine, making each appear like a speck on the horizon. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Mk9v6uf979T2MpGXuuBc0YJbpJ1jXva54cZLJms4f0AB17mQIvHOMe4ocUGHBDks4gOmZRMIZrtkqfXn3V3triT6_inZaXeegutFdHsnt0hiNydEVcZDPxRHjNuIRZsMwfRWW9UM4Z-p/s1600/WTE15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Mk9v6uf979T2MpGXuuBc0YJbpJ1jXva54cZLJms4f0AB17mQIvHOMe4ocUGHBDks4gOmZRMIZrtkqfXn3V3triT6_inZaXeegutFdHsnt0hiNydEVcZDPxRHjNuIRZsMwfRWW9UM4Z-p/s640/WTE15.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-tailed Eagle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigynCkXNoyLK7lQRi1YMDHuJEwfrc4nuGdp70M_SowPINDp460xo65FIg4iRp8lQ7B02Uj4SqMaF-yh0RP04_LNWOlE2mUSUmo7niJs117j3tL7ll-05WUi3RlFdW7uKzNUALeMRbugaNy/s1600/WTE12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigynCkXNoyLK7lQRi1YMDHuJEwfrc4nuGdp70M_SowPINDp460xo65FIg4iRp8lQ7B02Uj4SqMaF-yh0RP04_LNWOlE2mUSUmo7niJs117j3tL7ll-05WUi3RlFdW7uKzNUALeMRbugaNy/s640/WTE12.JPG" width="498" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unringed and untamed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31gRi_6iDxi089EEPSfkSD8GQd8urdNIZILJZpEqdMEJjiYB4IesNLmeEWOJIzz1A3QubZcdQ7P_IeMY95uk-EAdkd3qKrizLN5bsw__DyMcdPgn7V9Oy6ube6i7LBjKGq1SWSL0mZ7kG/s1600/WTE16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi31gRi_6iDxi089EEPSfkSD8GQd8urdNIZILJZpEqdMEJjiYB4IesNLmeEWOJIzz1A3QubZcdQ7P_IeMY95uk-EAdkd3qKrizLN5bsw__DyMcdPgn7V9Oy6ube6i7LBjKGq1SWSL0mZ7kG/s640/WTE16.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruising the thermals above the north cliffs, with a Raven giving chase</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg56Ld9TaWUlvp0vgpb4EVb1sp0tPbZDmhWVWJiPZhGxbZ7RNtFgbfg7h_tmdJR2n_K4yeN_sdwXkaq6hBAHtyAZyhN-GXJ-t0JDQtkxnjLRBD3vBIfESVwzy3Uh0EHifs0MJuG3Tdx6D/s1600/WTE17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyg56Ld9TaWUlvp0vgpb4EVb1sp0tPbZDmhWVWJiPZhGxbZ7RNtFgbfg7h_tmdJR2n_K4yeN_sdwXkaq6hBAHtyAZyhN-GXJ-t0JDQtkxnjLRBD3vBIfESVwzy3Uh0EHifs0MJuG3Tdx6D/s640/WTE17.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WTE dwarfing Buzzard</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Other visits produced some decent birds like Whinchat, Cuckoo, Gadwall (rare on the Island), White-fronted Goose, Snow Bunting, Barnacle Goose, Hen Harrier and Twite. Plus some patchgold in the form of my first Mistle Thrush in eight years!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_JGNVPSf5wA8tqb6Mi77C3Uo0mIuc-X94Vv-F3ZLss7KoIqKzDSe7_2M5LjjotTKOqTk-IzkrJW21G-0H2kH5rnb-g1tHyvgKkwjnsmTxnOLcNc29cH7zp47Nsw4Kz-vB7FcIa5Tw9TC/s1600/Scoter6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_JGNVPSf5wA8tqb6Mi77C3Uo0mIuc-X94Vv-F3ZLss7KoIqKzDSe7_2M5LjjotTKOqTk-IzkrJW21G-0H2kH5rnb-g1tHyvgKkwjnsmTxnOLcNc29cH7zp47Nsw4Kz-vB7FcIa5Tw9TC/s640/Scoter6.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Scoter flying by Rue Point</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrgkT1uIW9BEGHeJZqcMj-uJcahaABwxqT881yLCDZHBHRAtvNDkdgu0DCfPZ0S4nS9sdeVIIm4X6BwTBAk8T5RHvk8Q27_XbGBlpRul2af3DsPB6NaLUxHe4rDrFY4_oWQST-pNaz7GF/s1600/Whinchat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRrgkT1uIW9BEGHeJZqcMj-uJcahaABwxqT881yLCDZHBHRAtvNDkdgu0DCfPZ0S4nS9sdeVIIm4X6BwTBAk8T5RHvk8Q27_XbGBlpRul2af3DsPB6NaLUxHe4rDrFY4_oWQST-pNaz7GF/s640/Whinchat.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Whinchat at Craigmacagan Lough</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The year ended on 96 species for 120 points and a pathetic comparative score of 82.8%. My comparative target for 2017 is 135 points which gives me some hope of reaching 100%. Someday that mega will fall. </div>
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As for Larne, it was gulls, gulls and more gulls. Here's a selection seen on patch this year.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJtDKV7Mcj6-zrMPSZSJmf1KxVsYZEArrV9MGJOvgAPdfZW7jq7PIO8Xgr8GrNf-JtRP_7Y05VlFCI83DgFl_VL8nvm9ZHgFVuv7VVf2tfADXaCdgl0HwDbd9Kkhv-lqFjrZPm046-u51/s1600/17+Nov.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJtDKV7Mcj6-zrMPSZSJmf1KxVsYZEArrV9MGJOvgAPdfZW7jq7PIO8Xgr8GrNf-JtRP_7Y05VlFCI83DgFl_VL8nvm9ZHgFVuv7VVf2tfADXaCdgl0HwDbd9Kkhv-lqFjrZPm046-u51/s640/17+Nov.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several Little Gulls appeared throughout the year around Larne Harbour </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DY_qKxP-G7jUs4ZI2WKbukrOjdmCAtMsPS7y2HBGflIEyloc_fEJuNF101aRCnBgODDicAJ3E77Rfsl32Pqm82k0SFiEe7hlyvJ8Tn1iv_UbZBEh0yoOzBQCMfuFpADiUrz-Qp9huzfK/s1600/Juv+bhg+2+July.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DY_qKxP-G7jUs4ZI2WKbukrOjdmCAtMsPS7y2HBGflIEyloc_fEJuNF101aRCnBgODDicAJ3E77Rfsl32Pqm82k0SFiEe7hlyvJ8Tn1iv_UbZBEh0yoOzBQCMfuFpADiUrz-Qp9huzfK/s640/Juv+bhg+2+July.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First fledged Black-headed Gull seen at Sandy Bay on 2nd July - over 5000 pairs bred this year</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_NXdYBu3m58anJJl78UTnsMDXdYNrtNoelsDMGCZvfle6vxbFqxf4ZWgWpRYw7ipiZE2-ov5ZYXjHcYaRUYdQWPNP0QlT_JVVohbIbYOpQaMEnxqD3R7Uz3FZsGlomwRAlZ7OOBIQ27F/s1600/Kum22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_NXdYBu3m58anJJl78UTnsMDXdYNrtNoelsDMGCZvfle6vxbFqxf4ZWgWpRYw7ipiZE2-ov5ZYXjHcYaRUYdQWPNP0QlT_JVVohbIbYOpQaMEnxqD3R7Uz3FZsGlomwRAlZ7OOBIQ27F/s640/Kum22.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Kumlien's Gull was first found off patch but eventually made its way to Glynn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZEqvgx-KE2AD4tWK-X6xPSfnqgFTS1fF_jr4JEvwlSypCOK-sCcXKuct_BrnYX988TdF3s6-GkG5EvQl9-R0Rmc2tmJVgwPNrStSZTPRaEg_s7EwjIoX2L0SAXt4RRdcAk3YkBniSoQj/s1600/Med+10+April.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZEqvgx-KE2AD4tWK-X6xPSfnqgFTS1fF_jr4JEvwlSypCOK-sCcXKuct_BrnYX988TdF3s6-GkG5EvQl9-R0Rmc2tmJVgwPNrStSZTPRaEg_s7EwjIoX2L0SAXt4RRdcAk3YkBniSoQj/s640/Med+10+April.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing views of Med Gull guaranteed</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXIZYxuhrgqYfbYOD6j6fSsKbQjpUWltrjuJvgs3fvRU8vspcubJL5mCX-SPoHJZDTvxQRXsYw9pCz64DFPnjZ1ExesjO-iYWeWiH7ibZKyr7TfRaQP12wQ_K1d0vgrPhyc6HpUh6E45I/s1600/Med+gull+30+Jan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXIZYxuhrgqYfbYOD6j6fSsKbQjpUWltrjuJvgs3fvRU8vspcubJL5mCX-SPoHJZDTvxQRXsYw9pCz64DFPnjZ1ExesjO-iYWeWiH7ibZKyr7TfRaQP12wQ_K1d0vgrPhyc6HpUh6E45I/s640/Med+gull+30+Jan.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing out from the crowd</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Several Iceland Gulls were seen but strangely I couldn't find a Glaucous Gull this year. Another six point larid was a Ring-billed Gull at Glynn Station on 28 February. There wasn't much else to shout about, but other decent birds seen included Goosander, Jack Snipe and a patchtick White-fronted Goose. A nice run of birds in November added my first ever patch Velvet Scoters, a flyover Skylark, a patch scarce Stonechat, a couple of Long-tailed Ducks and a Slavonian Grebe. The year ended on 121 species for 158 points and a comparative score of 96.3%. A decent enough effort.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have signed up both patches for 2017 and look forward to seeing what I can find. Here's a few other bits and pieces from around Larne.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiystPQAE7Rrt3fWeWUBRU0V3S4hlwGPiEOZz5pbuReDFwQXWdhhx9WAclQK2_7trnQtC_DKJsmb5GwfBjKfAEov3jkExcJYQIx99HCwfnc68nIA6Cg_V28kSKvU-uzm90AV14B4dmqzA-P/s1600/12+March.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiystPQAE7Rrt3fWeWUBRU0V3S4hlwGPiEOZz5pbuReDFwQXWdhhx9WAclQK2_7trnQtC_DKJsmb5GwfBjKfAEov3jkExcJYQIx99HCwfnc68nIA6Cg_V28kSKvU-uzm90AV14B4dmqzA-P/s640/12+March.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patchtick Greenland White-fronted Goose, Glynn, 12 March</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4sGJmqdSPfq_q9Q-PBOaXAs4rOQhLaFGlQEZb7uSmjGlu_g6awvCZYxy4PmlGBMp3EdD-jnx-WhFwpVHmXYQiKYGC4ATZwWiAbViwKIusohn3YkSj8SHAg7sFsAsQHf5YMIKcwCScHAz/s1600/22+March.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4sGJmqdSPfq_q9Q-PBOaXAs4rOQhLaFGlQEZb7uSmjGlu_g6awvCZYxy4PmlGBMp3EdD-jnx-WhFwpVHmXYQiKYGC4ATZwWiAbViwKIusohn3YkSj8SHAg7sFsAsQHf5YMIKcwCScHAz/s640/22+March.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Wagtail, Sandy Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_YYZTCj-BuQNu3FZe34JPxup2Gt5z6X5RoJDjYIza-RZeGo6_dvoHZiGzeVULdXO2cmbcdJ3DDW3TYaoeCMxlBpYWII9-6h9TqSnDwJlhzHBpL_jhcHqoGCnWca_vbnNkFBo_voPvq-a/s1600/22+May+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_YYZTCj-BuQNu3FZe34JPxup2Gt5z6X5RoJDjYIza-RZeGo6_dvoHZiGzeVULdXO2cmbcdJ3DDW3TYaoeCMxlBpYWII9-6h9TqSnDwJlhzHBpL_jhcHqoGCnWca_vbnNkFBo_voPvq-a/s640/22+May+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Martin, Glynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvudvsXs_Nkh4w2wl0-E-jaZDqvbMHDkbDM3OTlAveN5P4AzD40ubL8PSYOVIhoPBqaclecCbY4cvSpmSwk9FSf5F99xVDdwOEg-0CD7psYVxbRUky1tJzc9fJ9JsesCqrFu4JeoEBKBb_/s1600/22+May.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvudvsXs_Nkh4w2wl0-E-jaZDqvbMHDkbDM3OTlAveN5P4AzD40ubL8PSYOVIhoPBqaclecCbY4cvSpmSwk9FSf5F99xVDdwOEg-0CD7psYVxbRUky1tJzc9fJ9JsesCqrFu4JeoEBKBb_/s640/22+May.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common Tern, Glynn</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi_CX-pNaXxyKghzwHPXWTXhBwxkXuJ_mKxTut1VypJI3GKDO64CI0SVTnONLLW1d9aIcKT4ErgoUQx-iF3oRLasmMIu3OGM_zl0OewLQ7QvtfKxSIlcHy3SE_DJfW06I-WAXC2xGZ69W/s1600/BEST+EVER.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi_CX-pNaXxyKghzwHPXWTXhBwxkXuJ_mKxTut1VypJI3GKDO64CI0SVTnONLLW1d9aIcKT4ErgoUQx-iF3oRLasmMIu3OGM_zl0OewLQ7QvtfKxSIlcHy3SE_DJfW06I-WAXC2xGZ69W/s640/BEST+EVER.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knot, Sandy Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-9023983103831859012016-06-02T15:49:00.000+01:002016-06-02T15:49:58.313+01:00Patch Birding on the Bann Estuary by Richard Donaghey<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">I've been birding around the Bann Estuary for a few
years but it was only once I signed up for the Patchwork Challenge in 2015 that
I put in some proper effort. It's actually great encouragement to put in more
time, record full lists and look at everything, (sometimes with a second look)
where, in the past, I would maybe turn a blind eye to the likes of gulls. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzmMU76xR94QCl1Bzy5Pl4I1CHQ9NIO4q-PYWSytQ8UcKt4iDflXYi5PzWJ8ddG8qQnJYeSp7FHbH3zARBwBRmiy03r2r8pSGMxDh7J7SM4zUy74bIKTmrga6ONcauqoVgp8GDAoIdy8/s1600/The+Patch+location+Map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzmMU76xR94QCl1Bzy5Pl4I1CHQ9NIO4q-PYWSytQ8UcKt4iDflXYi5PzWJ8ddG8qQnJYeSp7FHbH3zARBwBRmiy03r2r8pSGMxDh7J7SM4zUy74bIKTmrga6ONcauqoVgp8GDAoIdy8/s640/The+Patch+location+Map.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Bann Estuary patch
in a broader context</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">The estuary is located on the north coast of Northern Ireland at the
mouth of the Lower Bann, wedged between the beaches at Castlerock and
Portstewart Strand. There is a pretty decent spread of habitats; predominately
sand dunes, beaches, mudflats and open sea but with a nice mix of reedbeds,
dense scrub and a small Ash Woodland. Most of my attention is focused on the
central estuary and scrub from my main ringing site on the
Portstewart side and the bird hide on the south bank. Some sites, such as the
difficult to access Ash Woodland at Kilcranny get one visit a year to tick
off a few species. You really get to know your patch the more you work it, so I
now know the only spots to find the likes of <b>House Martins </b>and <b>Tree
Sparrows</b> or the single pair of <b>Spotted Flycatchers</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Most of my observations are made while ringing at
Portstewart Strand and it is a great excuse to be on site pre-dawn. The nets
have also chipped in with two Northern Ireland rarities in the last two
years with <b>Lesser Whitethroat</b> and <b>Yellow-browed
Warbler</b>, which otherwise would have been missed. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTe4O7nmE_A1lzpKUA1cW3q9DVgVIvMXkHQkIDh1vIVtN2E3bREXwqVBIcee0VEQt82HjJHS7_nm_12Qm6GrDBXvIt2JC23FXM6T0lqbXskO8KZ6kR5H2Fnkc0Gq7M3WfIkpGIg9Dsvk/s1600/Annotated+Patch.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTe4O7nmE_A1lzpKUA1cW3q9DVgVIvMXkHQkIDh1vIVtN2E3bREXwqVBIcee0VEQt82HjJHS7_nm_12Qm6GrDBXvIt2JC23FXM6T0lqbXskO8KZ6kR5H2Fnkc0Gq7M3WfIkpGIg9Dsvk/s640/Annotated+Patch.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bann
Estuary patch map</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">As with many patches, common species can be quite a
challenge, so if I pick up <b>Coal Tit</b> or <b>Long-tailed Tit</b> I'm
rather pleased. Some obvious omissions from my list and from what I have
gathered from historic records are <b>Collared Dove, Dipper, Jay,
Treecreeper</b> and <b>Moorhen</b> - although I have seen
all five just outside the patch. <b>Coot</b> is another example,
with just one available recorded observation in over 60 years!</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From historic records and my own observations I have accumulated a total
of <b>220 species</b> for the site, with <b>127</b> sightings
of my own. As mentioned above I haven't found any records of some very
common species like <b>Dipper, Jay</b> and <b>Moorhen </b>but
I would suggest they have been seen many times. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are some nice species in the historic records
with <b>Alpine Swift, Avocet, Barred Warbler, Collared Pranticole,
Foster's Tern, King Eider, Nightjar, Richard's Pipit, Semipalmated Sandpiper,
Temminck's Stint</b> to name but a few. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yellow-browed Warbler from
October 2015</span></i><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">As for the 2016 challenge, I kicked off my visits in mid January and I
have had fairly consistent coverage with about 30 visits in some shape or form,
13 of those while ringing. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">January started pretty well with a
few good species to tick off early in the year with <b>Fieldfare, Little
Grebe, Merlin, Siskin </b>and <b>Turnstone,</b> which are
all fairly uncommon. I spent my first day Sea Watching at the
end of February and added <b>Razorbill, Guillemot, Black Guillemot,
Kittiwake</b> plus a patch tick </span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Red Throated Diver</span></b><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span><b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">Gadwall</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"> was another nice species
for the month. March was a bit of a slow burner with only six new species but
one was a <b>Great Crested Grebe</b>, which I had seen last year but
somehow overlooked it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">Spring kicked into gear on the 2nd of
April with the arrival of the first <b>Chiffchaff,
Greenshank, Sandwich Tern</b>, and <b>Wheatear</b> plus an <b>Iceland
Gull</b>. The final two days of the month added <b>Fulmar, Grasshopper
Warbler, House Martin, Sedge Warbler</b> and <b>Knot</b> (only
my second record). The 30th also brought a personal tick in the form of a
breeding plumage </span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Spotted Redshank</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">, although it had been found the day before. Surprisingly I didn't
get my first <b>Blackcap</b> until the 1st of May, with a <b>Cuckoo</b> on
the same day. The best day of the year on the patch was on the 22nd of May
when I picked up four new species for the year, including two patch ticks:<b> </b></span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Garganey </span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;">(drake), </span><b><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Scaup</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"> (female) plus a <b>Little
Egret</b> (only one sighting of 3 birds last year) and a female <b>Whitethroat</b> which
appeared in the nets. The final visit of May included a few hours trawling
through Kilcranny Wood and I picked up the usual <b>Spotted
Flycatchers</b> in the same spot, plus some <b>Long-tailed Tits</b> but
I still can't get myself a <b>Treecreeper</b>!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now we are at the start of June, I am
pretty pleased with my position, sitting only 7 species behind my species total
for last year. I am also now at the point where I reckon I have ticked off the
majority of the species I expect to get with the exception of <b>Common
Tern, Kingfisher</b> and <b>Water Rail</b>, so anything else will be
a bonus and you never know what they might be! The summer tends to
be pretty quiet on the estuary, plus I am heading off for three weeks in
June, so I don't really anticipate anything new until things get moving in
August. From there I can hopefully kick on and hit my 120 species goal plus a
good bird or two in the nets would be nice! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As an added bonus I have also picked
up five colour ringed birds so far this year with two <b>Sanderling</b> (Greenland
& Iceland) and three <b>Black-tailed Godwits</b> (Iceland
& two to be confirmed but look to be French and Portuguese). This
follows on from last year with a Scottish <b>Oystercatcher</b> and one
Icelandic and one French <b>Black-tailed Godwit</b>. There have also
been a number of metal ringed birds, particularly <b>Sandwich Terns</b> (probably
from Inch, Donegal) but I've not been able to read these. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;">Anyone wishing to visit the site or wanting
some information feel free to get in touch through the <b>Causeway Coast
Ringing Group Blog</b> - </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><a href="http://causewaycoastrg.blogspot.co.uk/"><span style="color: #015782; text-decoration: none;">http://causewaycoastrg.blogspot.co.uk/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also check out:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #015782; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0072c6; text-decoration: none;">http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.ie/</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="color: #015782; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #015782; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.ie/2016/05/coastal-ireland-minileague-april-2016.html" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #0072c6; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.ie/2016/05/coastal-ireland-minileague-april-2016.html</span></span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<a class="c_nobdr t_prs" href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.ie/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></a>nialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-34235424871415962016-01-19T09:02:00.000+00:002016-01-19T09:02:24.091+00:00#PWC2015 Ireland Minileague Results<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The <i>#PWC2015</i> Ireland Minileague results are out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I will post the final 2015 league tables on the right hand side of the blog here alongside the 2014 and 2013 scores for future reference in due course, but in the meantime head on over to the main <a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.ie/2016/01/ireland-minileague-december-2015.html">Patchwork Challenge blog (linked here)</a> to see how it all went down come the end of December in full detail.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkNGvInUMS-rD8aJosz88YgzqhagY1qk8Z4iPbva3JzWxv-ruIc70lTkrStShkGVeo2eCXtBCrC8KMwukGiZmbxkJi8IyeDW_gfHZBLxJgW864NXPme8E567G4_b4dxq558kpgYF46xQ/s1600/PWC2015+Ireland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkNGvInUMS-rD8aJosz88YgzqhagY1qk8Z4iPbva3JzWxv-ruIc70lTkrStShkGVeo2eCXtBCrC8KMwukGiZmbxkJi8IyeDW_gfHZBLxJgW864NXPme8E567G4_b4dxq558kpgYF46xQ/s640/PWC2015+Ireland.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Some of the rarity highlights from the 2015 Ireland Minileague</i></span></div>
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nialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-87595597458358535982016-01-15T20:48:00.001+00:002016-01-15T21:19:22.135+00:00Birding North of the Wall* – Larne Lough Review 2015<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">*</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My patch lies just north of the filming location used
in game of thrones for the wall and Castle Black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not go north of the wall, only bad things
happen there…</span></i></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL07g-ta-VKUx9L0f7a897ehoX_6d9I7b2q8PUBgV082tiWGPW-_80c_lZ4yw5YbA3qcT9PnL7K-gM0Sd4lqJyh26czOK9w2q53t9ZKi1oJX3vFkPWqe8JyaZKBTToSaQAPhmWk5xjWNcA/s1600/P1300795+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL07g-ta-VKUx9L0f7a897ehoX_6d9I7b2q8PUBgV082tiWGPW-_80c_lZ4yw5YbA3qcT9PnL7K-gM0Sd4lqJyh26czOK9w2q53t9ZKi1oJX3vFkPWqe8JyaZKBTToSaQAPhmWk5xjWNcA/s400/P1300795+%25282%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magheramourne Quarry, aka The Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was my second year competing
around my hometown of Larne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following
one of the best years for rarities I can remember in 2014 (see blog posts </span><a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/72-minutes.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
and </span><a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/purple-patch-larne-lough-update.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and year review </span><a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/a-tale-of-two-patches-larne-and-rathlin.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) was always going to be difficult, and so it
proved. In a change to my usual style of
annual review, I have decided to go down the tried and tested monthly summary
route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following covers the highs
and lows of the year:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JANUARY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As ever, much of the focus was on
gulls, producing 10 species during the month. In between throwing copious
amounts of pan loaf out the car window, I also managed to locate a few species
which can be tricky enough to find on patch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first of
these was a female <b>Pintail </b>at Glynn Station on 4<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> January,
no doubt one of the birds which had been present there for much of 2014.
A pair of <b>Gadwall </b>turned up on 3<sup>rd</sup> and lurked around the
lagoons into February. Four <b>Goosanders</b> (a male and 3 females) were
present off Glynn on 22<sup>nd</sup> January.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following
heavy snowfall in the hills, 2 <b>Jack Snipe</b> were flushed alongside 10
Common Snipe at Glynn rugby club lagoon. The first time I have seen 2
birds together on patch!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Several
species which were seldom recorded in 2014, if at all, also put in an
appearance. A flock of <b>Fieldfares</b> (not recorded in 2014) and <b>Redwings</b>
(single record in 2014) flew over while watching a <b>Dipper</b> singing along
the Inver River on 17<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>. A female <b>Stonechat</b> (single
record in 2014) was at Waterloo Bay at the very north tip of the patch on 7<sup>th</sup>
and after only a couple of sightings last year, <b>Treecreepers</b> were spotted
along Glynn River.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first
winter <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Iceland Gull</b> found in
December 2014, did the decent thing and lingered into the New Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A hopeful scan offshore from Sandy Bay on 31<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>st</sup>
in an attempt to year tick Fulmar produced a typically brutish adult <b>Glaucous
Gull</b> making its way north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small
numbers of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mediterranean Gulls</b> were
seen at their usual hangouts throughout the month.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoagEsNTtYByXCGY9QBwrZAVLIaybK0LHCR-nf0ODsDkvLPIiJBreF_H6C7NHU3ZQb6_-17cTELhoEK2EkeJ4p0hTmXNQdDZdxe58DEnECFNsXR_hylvwcULP-Ia54cB8pRWXNWVqlVdQK/s1600/IMG_1978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoagEsNTtYByXCGY9QBwrZAVLIaybK0LHCR-nf0ODsDkvLPIiJBreF_H6C7NHU3ZQb6_-17cTELhoEK2EkeJ4p0hTmXNQdDZdxe58DEnECFNsXR_hylvwcULP-Ia54cB8pRWXNWVqlVdQK/s400/IMG_1978.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceland Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FEBRUARY<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the
most interesting observations in February was a significant inland movement of <b>Skylarks</b>
(single record last year) over the patch on 15<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>. A fine clear
morning during an uneventful walk at Sandy Bay was enlivened by the sound of
Skylarks overhead. I could only hear most of them, but did manage to pick
up a few birds in the bins and watched them come in off the sea and head
straight inland – perhaps to their breeding grounds in the Antrim Hills.
I made my way to Glynn Station and here too Skylarks were making their way
inland. This time in small groups of up to 6 birds, with a few <b>Meadow
Pipits</b> and <b>Lesser Redpolls</b> thrown in for good measure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A new first
winter <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Iceland Gull </b>was found in the
harbour alongside the long-staying bird from January. The first returning <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lesser Black-backed Gulls</b> (none
over-wintered this year) appeared at the Inver River on 14<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> and adult
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mediterranean Gulls</b> returned to
their breeding grounds from 21<sup>st</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I resorted
to taking a chair to Glynn Station to aid my gull grilling capabilities.
With occasional flocks of 5000 gulls it can be time consuming to work through
each and every one in fine detail. So I check any large gull for white
heads or white tails or small gulls for black bills or pink legs… All
Common Gulls were checked for large bills and yellow eyes. In this
fashion, I was absolutely delighted to pick out an adult <b><span style="color: red;">Ring-billed Gull</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>on
28<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> February bathing at the mouth of the river. This was my
fourth patch record of this species, which is probably annual amongst the
hordes of Common Gulls, but very difficult to find.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Slavonian Grebe</b> was off Glynn Station
on 3<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>rd</sup>, a species which seems to be making something of a comeback
to the lough after several years’ absence. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MARCH</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As ever, this
month sees the first of the summer migrants arriving back on patch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first of these was a male <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wheatear</b> on waste ground at Curran
Point on 22<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lapwing was
seen displaying here a few times but thought better of it in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chiffchaffs</b>
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sandwich Terns</b> were back by the
28<sup>th</sup>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only other
noteworthy bird was a drake <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Scaup</b>
which appeared at Glynn Station on 22<sup>nd</sup>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">APRIL</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spring
migration was by now in full swing, with the following species first noted on
the dates given in brackets:</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Black-tailed
Godwit (7<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>), Blackcap (9<sup>th</sup>), Swallow (11<sup>th</sup>),
Willow Warbler (11<sup>th</sup>), Whimbrel (12<sup>th</sup>), Common Sandpiper
(19<sup>th</sup>), Common Tern (19<sup>th</sup>) and House Martin (26<sup>th</sup>)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amongst
these common migrants were a few less expected visitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None more so than my first ever patch <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ruff</b> on the 9<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> - with
godwits off Glynn Station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A patch
record count of 129 Black-tailed Godwits were tallied on 15<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pair of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shoveler</b> were found acting suspiciously at Glynn rugby club lagoon
on 3<sup>rd</sup> and a lone <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twite</b>
at Sandy Bay on 29<sup>th</sup> had been colour-ringed on the Mull of Kintyre.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kNEckq7bVOQP1y4JgqVema5Kq-riGkY_EoaeyHI1tPZFAAh0hS9hOnx1C5Ue5KMaoI1PB3-VWPaS9HGhCvVPp87DOARDrsIgOxDcyXZgCJy5tadg3czXeIumKUoCPPqY7AbGWJkRMJLM/s1600/P1290612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kNEckq7bVOQP1y4JgqVema5Kq-riGkY_EoaeyHI1tPZFAAh0hS9hOnx1C5Ue5KMaoI1PB3-VWPaS9HGhCvVPp87DOARDrsIgOxDcyXZgCJy5tadg3czXeIumKUoCPPqY7AbGWJkRMJLM/s400/P1290612.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pair of Shoveler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MAY</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Arctic Tern</b> was seen at Glynn on 2<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>nd</sup>
May, which is unusual for the patch as they don’t normally breed in the lough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The long-staying Iceland Gull was last seen
on the first of the month. An adult <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Little
Gull</b> was at Sandy Bay on 23<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sand Martins</b> can be tricky to
see on the patch, so it was pleasing to connect with a few migrating north past
Larne Promenade on 8<sup>th</sup>; <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sedge
Warblers</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Swifts</b> had returned
to traditional sites the same day.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also on the
8<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>, I managed to discover a breeding site for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whitethroat</b>, which I also found to have several pairs of Meadow
Pipits, though sadly no sign of any Stonechats (or shrikes) which is what I had
been hoping for.</span></span></span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4J_UBu_v8QQ7hpTh2IGMd7wOBxheHNvf6cvrZdg-dVTksbxMwTk53xUmg4WLv5Csb-3TfkBf3jcHGwgLIbAh276XaH3SyvFDyOg40VcOf9s5YnHcm2WsG42meO415Uvm3f6TlNWPW6nn/s1600/2B3A0876+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4J_UBu_v8QQ7hpTh2IGMd7wOBxheHNvf6cvrZdg-dVTksbxMwTk53xUmg4WLv5Csb-3TfkBf3jcHGwgLIbAh276XaH3SyvFDyOg40VcOf9s5YnHcm2WsG42meO415Uvm3f6TlNWPW6nn/s640/2B3A0876+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadow Pipit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JUNE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Unseasonal
gales were a feature of early summer and when they blew onshore I tried some
seawatching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This began to pay off on
the first day of the month when I finally connected with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Manx Shearwater</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fulmar</b>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind then tried playing tricks on me when
I picked up a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Storm Petrel </b>offshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not totally convinced by my initial sighting,
it was confirmed as a patch tick a few minutes later when another flew past the
north end of the promenade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things got
even more exciting on the 6<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> when a couple of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Arctic Skuas</b> lingered off Sandy Bay harassing terns and small
gulls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talking of small gulls, two or
three more Little Gulls were found around the patch during the month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a long wait, a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Roseate Tern</b> finally put in a brief appearance at Glynn Station on
17<sup>th</sup>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Away from
seabirds, the only other addition to the year list was a pair of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Spotted Flycatchers</b> along Glynn River
on 7<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JULY<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Predictably,
year ticks ground to halt but there was still plenty to keep me entertained,
particularly helping to keep tabs on progress on Larne Lough Islands RSPB Reserve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several sightings during the month at
Glynn, a pair of Arctic Terns were confirmed breeding on Swan Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first breeding attempt by this species in
many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For other nesting terns and
gulls, it was an excellent year, with high counts and productivity estimates
for species like Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich Tern and
Common Tern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single pair of Roseate
Terns bred and managed to hatch young.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-aZEHMskIkVtzsLgNShrMhndhcddMEWLNGbcay4F0_79odjCdFGTnBXFdcpggMIKc4Jz6QPKK8Hm1yEqLlFa4A0oF9wab1JSFFsG_u4Qk4sogn0MIOckGCDA3q4CJTFGKdiJgLLtpzhI/s1600/juv+cm+and+med+gulls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-aZEHMskIkVtzsLgNShrMhndhcddMEWLNGbcay4F0_79odjCdFGTnBXFdcpggMIKc4Jz6QPKK8Hm1yEqLlFa4A0oF9wab1JSFFsG_u4Qk4sogn0MIOckGCDA3q4CJTFGKdiJgLLtpzhI/s640/juv+cm+and+med+gulls.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juv Common Gulls (left) and Juv Med Gull (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ly2roHVUH9abjzX72CHpYjGYUDZJByE8A4gt9HlVndA9QQ9G2hHY3tZ0il1DC2CrWFixDIl5-bdaNuJqTM7JWklhyphenhyphenL4vixg3_JA_RITsJz_KTdODrCA-yja6YUagRnyvHBVp1KzPXi69/s1600/med+vs+bhg2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ly2roHVUH9abjzX72CHpYjGYUDZJByE8A4gt9HlVndA9QQ9G2hHY3tZ0il1DC2CrWFixDIl5-bdaNuJqTM7JWklhyphenhyphenL4vixg3_JA_RITsJz_KTdODrCA-yja6YUagRnyvHBVp1KzPXi69/s640/med+vs+bhg2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fledgling Black-headed and Med Gulls (near bird)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the
middle of the month a few early returning waders (no doubt failed breeders)
started to appear such as Lapwing, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Greenshank</b>,
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dunlin</b> and both godwit species
(including a breeding plumaged <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bar-wit)</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As part of
the first ever all Ireland survey of Mediterranean Gulls, I checked the roost
at Glynn Station on the evening of 27<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup> and was delighted to record
the presence of a colour-ringed first year bird and four fresh juveniles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White 3KNT had been ringed as a chick on </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kreupel Island in Holland on 27</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><sup>th</sup> June 2014, before
being re-sighted at Portrush in County Antrim on the 11<sup>th</sup> September the
same year.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">AUGUST</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In what was
an exceptional year for Little Gulls around the patch, another was off Glynn
Station on 1<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>st</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An adult
Roseate Tern and another Ruff were seen there on 4<sup>th</sup>, during my
second count of Mediterranean Gulls (2 juveniles and same colour-ringed bird
still present).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seawatching produced the
third Arctic Skua of the year on 15<sup>th</sup>.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">SEPTEMBER</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another
month went by without any additional species or highlights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only managed to log 46 species on Birdtrack
the whole month – I’ve no idea what I was doing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit the effort levels did begin to
wane, it’s hard to keep going when there is absolutely no hope of finding
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OCTOBER<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Whooper Swans</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> were seen arriving along the
coast from the middle of the month and numbers began to build at Glynn for the
winter. A Slavonian Grebe here on 25</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><sup>th</sup> was no doubt a returning
individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says a lot about birding
in east Antrim, when the first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Knot</b>
of the year wasn’t discovered until 29<sup>th</sup>.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NOVEMBER</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A #patchday bird
race organised for the weekend of the 7<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>/8<sup>th</sup> brought
much needed impetuous to proceedings and a full day in the field on 7<sup>th</sup>
produced 72 species including a Blackcap in the willows at the back of the
rugby club lagoon - a spot that might just produce a decent passerine someday. Three
Treecreepers in the hedge at the leisure centre were most unexpected and were watched
feeding away to the sound of dance music echoing from a spin class indoors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always up for a challenge, news of a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Common scoter</b> just north of the wall (another
game of thrones reference in an attempt to drum up readership) had me out early
morning on 14<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t
see any distant black puddings (local name for scoters) bobbing on the water
from Glynn Station, but a view of the lough from Magheramourne (off patch) told
me the bird was still present and that it should be visible from patch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did some calculations – in between a boat
and a large pink buoy just beyond the west edge of Blue Circle Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then back to Glynn Station, where it
was eventually year ticked from several kilometres away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all this effort it came as no surprise to
see one off Larne Promenade the following weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whilst searching
for scoter man, I discovered there were now two Slavonian Grebes off Glynn,
which became the first time I had seen more than one in the lough.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DECEMBER</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
species that took its time to show up was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Purple
Sandpiper</b>, which after being absent all of last winter, appeared at Sandy
Bay on 23rd and are still present as I write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A male Stonechat was in a garden there the same day – just my second of
the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The year finished in style
when a cracking adult Iceland Gull appeared in Larne Harbour and gave terrific
views before flying south never to be seen again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adult Iceland Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqANhHbW8foiUGtbjdf_HDrxaNpxeMqr8_pmeRbztRJiIoYgM5EXrajspG2P9q2exkHUq4XM0U_3Y55eiyUdhHEZOX5xWDpWgk6LHsCTHn6BOCjp6RMCKS3U6WOyN0IKeg0fVYZHPhJ_Rg/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqANhHbW8foiUGtbjdf_HDrxaNpxeMqr8_pmeRbztRJiIoYgM5EXrajspG2P9q2exkHUq4XM0U_3Y55eiyUdhHEZOX5xWDpWgk6LHsCTHn6BOCjp6RMCKS3U6WOyN0IKeg0fVYZHPhJ_Rg/s400/3.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonechat - just three records in two years!<br />
</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE DIPS /
OMISSIONS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The most
glaring species not recorded this year include <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reed Bunting</b> (none breeding at rugby club lagoon), <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Water Rail</b> (presumably present, but
never saw or heard one), <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Golden Plover</b>
(don’t do Larne) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kestrel</b> (one
was seen along Larne Promenade recently but not by me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other species that appeared on patch that I
failed to see included <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pink-footed Goose</b>
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Great White Egret</b> (see blog post
<a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/famous-last-words.html" target="_blank">here</a> about this debacle).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE TOTALS</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The year
ended on 126 species and 160 points for a comparative score of 95.2%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I entered 24 complete lists and 1638 records to
Birdtrack (I only do complete lists when I spend the whole day birding within
ID40, I don’t do sub-sites).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
conclusion, this year was painful at times but enjoyable none the less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My main aim for next year is to tick Daenerys
Targaryen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many points for a dragon?</span></div>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-15267756667210136762016-01-09T17:25:00.000+00:002016-01-09T17:27:42.229+00:002013 & 2014 Ireland Minileague results<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While we eagerly await the final scores and winners to be announced from the <i>#PWC2015</i> Ireland Minileague, let us have a quick look back on how things panned out during the first two years of Patchwork Challenge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back in 2013, those of us wishing to compete in the comparative minileague were asked to work out a comparative score for our patches for 2012 to compete against. PWC seemed to spur on a renewed sense of drive, focus and extra effort for many patch birders during Year 1 and as such, leading comparative scores were often way ahead of 100%. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The clear winner in 2013 with both a mega comparative score of 145% and leading points total of 343 was Owen Foley who patched from the mighty Ballycotton in Co. Cork. Most of the rest of us taking part in the comparative minileague did well, scoring over 100% also and for those fresh in that year, impressive totals were notched up on the points table.<br /><br />The stage was set for <i>#PWC2014</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a high standard set in 2013, comparative scores were always going to be tough to beat in 2014 yet nearly half of the comparative league contestants reached their target of 100% or more. Lots of effort, luck and determination! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The winner was Michael O'Donnell who scored an impressive 110% at his North Wexford patch of Kilmichael/Kilpatrick/Kilgorman yet Dave Suddaby was just a bird or two behind in second place at Blacksod, Co. Mayo with 109%. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dave topped the points minileague from his rarity-laden patch, a table ranking with which he has since become very familiar with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The results from the 2015 Ireland Minileague will be posted next week on the main <a href="http://patchworkchallenge.blogspot.ie/">Patchwork Challenge blog</a>. Stay tuned!...</span></div>
<br />nialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-45255526927940055482016-01-06T12:15:00.000+00:002016-02-24T16:53:54.864+00:00South Dublin Parks - 2015 Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In 2014 I signed up the trio of suburban parks near home here in Cabinteely as a site for Patchwork Challenge (PWC). Over the course of the year I recorded 64 species of bird between Kilbogget, Cabinteely & Clonkeen Parks (<a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.ie/p/south-dublin-parks.html">click here for maps</a>) including some great local birds like Cormorant, Light-bellied Brent Goose, Snipe, Lapwing, Kestrel & Reed Bunting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2015 saw me competing in the PWC comparative league with this South Dublin Parks patch and my main goal was to beat my 100% set in 2014 and get as close to 75 species as possible (not a huge list but harder than it sounds).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here's a how it all went...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Kilbogget Park</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The most productive of the three parks in terms of species diversity due to its mix of habitats, the most crucial of which for adding to the patch list is the wetland which in 2015 held 2 pairs of breeding Coot (fledging 6 young), 1 pair of breeding Little Grebe (fledging 2 young), 1 pair of breeding Grey Wagtail (at least 1 young fledged), large numbers of Moorhen, occasional Little Egrets, up to 18 wintering Teal, 3 <b>Water Rail</b> and a <b>Kingfisher</b>. A pair of <b>Tufted Ducks</b> hung around during the summer but didn't appear to breed. A juvenile Tufty here on 25th September was presumably a migrant. Other species using the wetland on passage included several patch ticks for me: a singing male <b><span style="color: red;">Reed Warbler</span></b> in the only stand of <i>Phragmites</i> found by local birder Hugh Delaney on 15th May, a <b>Common Sandpiper</b> on 20th May and a double whammy of <b>Sedge Warbler</b> & juvenile <b>Dipper</b> on 12th August. A female <b>Brambling</b> was seen with the finch flock in nearby trees on 9th December.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Common Sandpiper</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The other main attraction at Kilbogget is the gull and wader flocks on the amenity grasslands and sports pitches (best in wet weather when invertebrates are drawn to the surface). A great site to see <b>Mediterranean Gull</b> as their favoured day roosting site at Sandycove is only a few km away. Numbers of Meds at Kilbogget normally number 30 or so but a couple of very high counts included </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">72
on 25th September, </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">106 on 5</span><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;">th November, </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: red;"><b>173 on 7</b></span></span><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;"><span style="color: red;"><b>th November</b></span>, </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">129 on 18</span><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;">th November and </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">80 on 16</span><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;">th December. A winter record of Lesser Black-backed Gull on 12th January was notable but I didn't manage to see anything along the lines of the hoped for Iceland or Ring-billed Gulls and the only other waders I saw apart from the regular Oystercatches were 5 <b>Curlew</b> coming off the pitches early on the morning of 11th September. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 14.2667px;">Away from the wetland and pitches, its eyes to the sky in order to add new species to the parks year list. I'm becoming more and more convinced that Kilbogget is used as a migration route for birds moving north and south along the Dublin coast. If viewed from the air, taking a short cut from Dublin Bay to Killiney Bay in order to avoid having to go around the coast at Dalkey/Sorrento Point will bring you right over Kilbogget and the combination of fields and wetland sticking out in a sea of suburbia I think adds as further incentive for birds to travel along here. Looking for 'visible migration' in this sense ensured no shortage of Meadow Pipits, Siskin, Lesser Redpoll, Redwing etc. recorded passing overhead as well as 8 Fieldfare on 8th November and 3 <b>Skylark</b> on 26th November (patch tick). The undbouted 'viz-mig' highlight was a lone <b><span style="color: red;">Fulmar</span></b> drifting West overhead on 22nd May! Absolutely bizzare! What was this seabird doing 2km from the coast on a calm, bright day with no fog or strong winds to disorientate it? Total <i>#patchgold </i>moment.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Fulmar</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Cabinteely Park</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The old estate grounds at Cabinteely Park bring a nice stand of woodland and parklands to the mix. Most of your typical woodland species such as Treecreeper, Coal Tit & Sparrowhawk can be easily seen here. Highlights included a <b>Jay</b> in February, a <b>Woodcock</b> flushed from the undergrowth on 15th March, a <b>Carrion Crow</b> on 14th April, a pair of territorial and presumably breeding <b>Stock Doves</b> through the spring and summer and an amazing density of Blackcaps with at least 9 singing males in late May and fledged young seen there later in the summer. A couple of pairs of <b>Buzzards</b> now breed not far from the parks and they can often be seen soaring overhead. Winter thrush numbers were down due to mild conditions with the largest flock of Redwing I saw here being 15. A small pond was created in the park a few years ago and along with the existing stream it held peak counts of </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2
Mute Swans, 2 Teal, 31 Mallard, 2 Domestic Mallards, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Little Grebes, 13 Moorhen, 30+ Black-headed Gulls, 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 1 Grey Wagtail. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Beautiful Demoiselle at Cabinteely Park (left) / Yellow-bellied Slider at Kilbogget Park (right)</i></span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clonkeen Park</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The least diverse of the three sites in terms habitat and species but the amenity grasslands and open river added interest. Plenty of gulls foraging on the football pitches while the river held high counts of 4 Little Egrets and 6 Grey Wagtails. The scrub along the river is a regular site for wintering <b>Chiffchaff</b> and one was present there on 2nd January. The only other addition of note to the patch year list from here was a flyover Curlew on 29th July.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">By the years end I recorded a total of 73 species across the three parks culminating in 77 points and a comparative score of 113.23%. While doing this I also tallied 46 </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BirdTrack</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> complete lists & 1589 </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BirdTrack</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> records so all in all a successful year! The only species I'm aware of missing are Reed Bunting, Long-eared Owl, Light-bellied Brent Geese and nocturnal flyover Greenland White-fronted Geese (seen or heard by other local birders).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was rather impressed with certain aspects of biodiversity management undertaken by the <a href="http://www.dlrcoco.ie/">Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council</a> parks staff. Leaving dead wood lying or stacked up on the ground and removal of select non-native species of plant has given more of a 'natural' feel to the woodland in Cabinteely Park. Great to see large swathes of wildflower meadows and grasslands left uncut until autumn at Cabinteely & Kilbogget also. These supported plants like Lady's Smock & Common Spotted Orchid, butterflies such as Meadow Brown, Common Blue & Orange-tip and Common Green Grasshopper (all records of which submitted to the <a href="http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/">National Biodiversity Data Centre</a>). Simple practices like these can go a long way to enhancing the biodiversity</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> value of the parks. Looking forward to seeing how the newly established community orchard at Cabinteely Park comes along too. Thumbs up all round here.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvAPI3zohACOcE4NNzdDy_C2DFmAC3G3GLTpIOw5ilpu_UWBEVLuvcawGzb7RSHbsXtEu8fX0TrXgTsyIgs6EFISYBdewPBftJUeG_X0ZwhqW26DThmCwOVyt0SoQwoyYhOQyAGwA_B4/s1600/wildflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvAPI3zohACOcE4NNzdDy_C2DFmAC3G3GLTpIOw5ilpu_UWBEVLuvcawGzb7RSHbsXtEu8fX0TrXgTsyIgs6EFISYBdewPBftJUeG_X0ZwhqW26DThmCwOVyt0SoQwoyYhOQyAGwA_B4/s640/wildflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Less in the way of positive vegetation management at Clonkeen Park but nice to see some lush attenuation</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> ponds installed alongside the river which have brought in Emperor dragonfly and Moorhen not previously recorded in the park. Perhaps the council could see fit to get some wildflower meadows on the go here too? Plenty of space for it anyway.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The reconstruction work undertaken on the wetland in Kilbogget Park five years or so ago has dramatically increased the number of waterbirds both breeding and wintering at this site as well as providing rich feeding for migrant species. Originally just a narrow, shaded stream which held a Grey Heron and a handful of Mallards & Moorhens, the wetland now supports up to 200 waterbirds including breeding Coot, Little Grebe & Grey Wagtail plus wintering Teal, Water Rail, Little Egret & Kingfisher, has attracted migrants of note such as Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Jack Snipe, Scaup, Reed Warbler & Siberian Chiffchaff as well as being a great place to watch Swallows, Sand Martins & House Martins hawking for insects.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Coot</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I do feel however that the wetland is coming on a bit in terms of succession with some of the pools beginning to close over and easy access for ground predators onto the islands now making them unsuitable for breeding ducks and Moorhen. It could certainly do with some selective management in order to keep up its maximum potential for waterbirds whilst still functioning as a natural filter system for the river. Food for thought!</span></div>
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nialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-38114290401240192982015-10-27T20:09:00.000+00:002015-10-27T20:09:42.996+00:00Famous Last Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hoped these words wouldn’t ring
true, but at the back of my mind I knew I was up against it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than four months later and I am still
waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we slip into winter, allow
me to regale you with my recent patch birding highlights from Larne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first debacle took place in
early June, when an evening visit to Sandy Bay produce little to raise the
excitement levels except 2 geese seen flying north offshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having broken the window clamp for my trusty
in-car Bushnell Spacemaster many moons ago, the scope was duly thrown onto the
roof of the jeep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few squinted scans
added nothing to aid the identification, so I put them down as “probable
Greylags”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine my delight later that
evening when a cursory check of the nibirds blog revealed that a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bean Goose </b>and a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pink-footed Goose</b> (no less), were seen flying north from Portmuck
on Islandmagee shortly before my encounter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can you see the delight etched across my face? It hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure, I knew it was going to be a
good year when not a single <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Purple
Sandpiper</b> put in an appearance at Sandy Bay for the first time since I
started birding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, of course someone
else saw a couple there in May – that goes without saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still a chance of getting one before the end
of the year I suppose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Highlights since June have been
few and far between but include discovering a site with breeding Meadow Pipits
and Whitethroats, a couple of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Arctic
Skuas</b> chasing kittiwakes and terns offshore on 15 August and the occasional
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Little Gull</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My second ever patch <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ruff</b> appeared on 4 August during a Mediterranean Gull survey, but
it wasn’t even a year tick as I had discovered my first at the same location
this spring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite regular counts of over
100 small waders at Sandy Bay of late, nothing unusual has been noted amongst
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best being an occasional
Sanderling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So compared to last year I
am down Curlew Sandpiper, Knot and Grey Plover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This weekend started off in
promising fashion, but by its conclusion had turned into another patch birding
debacle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An early morning visit to Glynn
Station at high tide produced some decent sightings including the first
Goldeneye of the winter, 2 Whooper Swans and a presumed returning <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Slavonian Grebe</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ventured a few miles inland to see a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ring-necked Duck</b> at Lough Mourne and
was interrupted by the sound of geese flying over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least this time I had my proper scope with
me and was able to enjoy nice views of 15 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Greenland
White-fronted Geese</b> migrating over the lough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst doing so, I realised the direction they
were heading meant they had most likely flown down Larne Lough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why couldn’t they have flown over while I was
at Glynn?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I returned to Sandy Bay on the
dropping tide to check through the waders and returned home for lunch pointless
once more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as I was about to head
out the door to go back to Glynn, I received a text saying a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Great White Egret</b> was at Ballycarry
Bridge, just a couple of miles off patch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I headed straight for a look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whilst enjoying distant scope views of the bird I heard mention that it
had originally been found at Glynn Station that morning! Resisting the urge to
gouge my eye out with the scope, I replied, “fantastic”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shortly afterwards a flock of
geese appeared flying about in the distance - I picked out a Pink-footed Goose
among the 30 or so Greylags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet another
species that would be a patch year tick if it would do the decent thing and
actually appear on patch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having seen
enough of this bird I began scanning about to see what else was around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A juvenile Brent Goose lay stricken on the
mudflats, the result of an unfortunate collision with overhead power lines I
suspect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then, one of the other
birders present said something along the lines of, “I was so lucky to see that
Pink-foot at Glynn the other day”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
blow delivered like a power line across the chops. I could only stare back in
horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having informed all present of my
run of bad luck, they offered nothing but puzzled expressions in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bid them farewell and, ever the optimist,
headed back to Glynn Station where I fully expected to see a flock of
White-fronted Geese,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a Ring-necked Duck,
a Pink-footed Goose and the Great White Egret flying into roost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dream on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I looked at a manky hybrid
crow in the fading light and felt the first chill of winter on my face, I began
to wonder why I wasn’t at home watching the rugby like a normal human being.</span></div>
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Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-85966127839529510192015-06-02T20:15:00.000+01:002015-06-02T20:15:42.401+01:00No alarms and no surprises. Silent.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a while since I last
wrote an update about my patch birding exploits on either of my Larne Lough or Rathlin
patches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fear not, I am still putting in
as much time and effort this year but seem to be caught in a bit of birding
lull at the moment with very few <em>#patchgold</em> moments on either patch thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying that, I have still managed a few
<em>#fullfatpatchticks</em> on both patches to keep me going, although none of these
were unexpected species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What follows is an update on progress to the
end of May on Rathlin Island:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have made 7 day trips to Rathlin
so far this year starting with a mid-winter visit on 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Designed to pick up some of the more unusual
visitors to the island at this time of year, I was disappointed with highlights
of <strong>Pochard</strong> (usual returning female), Moorhen and Wigeon in a day total of 49
species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In previous years Common Scoter
and Long-tailed Duck have put in an appearance on early visits, but I’m still
awaiting either to appear this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps the most unusual sighting of the day was a single <strong>Puffin</strong> on the
sea below the East Light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A better day was had on 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
March when some early returning breeding species were back on patch including
<strong>Chough</strong>, <strong>Lapwing</strong> and <strong>Lesser Black-backed Gull</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bird of the day and perhaps the year so far was a <strong><span style="color: red;">Mute Swan</span></strong> which spent
the day drifting about the sea off Mill Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbelievably, this was my first
patch record in close to 8 years of regular visits!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A female <strong>Goldeneye</strong> was at Ushet Lough and a
Water Rail was seen galloping down a ditch in Church Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A high count of 110 <strong>Teal</strong> scattered around the
patch was also of note.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTazGAVOOjnbND5w5ltlZ8I2K4C2sUsNNiTYFoB3MzuLQ5k57xm3y0MPYvnBMXofP_h8iSjpMfsb_SvslSfl3TvHr1S5jE5ttDrcBnS2_5D7zQOF0CskF02FPmiBHBsxypI7eRnolx8Fzk/s1600/P1050328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTazGAVOOjnbND5w5ltlZ8I2K4C2sUsNNiTYFoB3MzuLQ5k57xm3y0MPYvnBMXofP_h8iSjpMfsb_SvslSfl3TvHr1S5jE5ttDrcBnS2_5D7zQOF0CskF02FPmiBHBsxypI7eRnolx8Fzk/s400/P1050328.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patch tick Mute Swan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first <strong>Chiffchaffs</strong> (3) of the
year were singing on 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> April as I disembarked the ferry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also managed to tick both <strong>Redwing</strong> and
<strong>Fieldfare</strong> during this visit, both of which are easily missed even if they
do occasionally appear in large numbers in autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three <strong>Jackdaws</strong> at the East Light were the
first I’ve seen on the island in a couple of years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spring migration had reached full
swing by 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> April when the first <strong>Swallows</strong>, <strong>Sand Martins</strong>, <strong>Willow
Warblers</strong>, <strong>Blackcaps </strong>and<strong> Wheatears</strong> (17) had returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also making a return to the island after their
winter absence were numerous finches including Lesser Redpoll, Linnet and
<strong>Twite</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to hear one of the
latter singing from what appears to be a regular song post in Church Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time of year is particular good for
Willow Warbler passage through the island, so a day count of 45+ was fairly
typical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also of note were 7 <strong>White
Wagtails</strong> and two pairs of <strong>Peregrines</strong> settling down to breed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vYWXJDzDE328OhPsciT4iPckeHviIB5hZo9_oqJJZrkEt3GpXkQ2O2e_X82eqCakC_SUo0fwb7dvg1YYGDqwnqbQ7ve_QLDb7-cM2zLG8IqI2osPsDhIJ5lxFb86lB6zXKkUzjFGsMPD/s1600/IMG_2623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vYWXJDzDE328OhPsciT4iPckeHviIB5hZo9_oqJJZrkEt3GpXkQ2O2e_X82eqCakC_SUo0fwb7dvg1YYGDqwnqbQ7ve_QLDb7-cM2zLG8IqI2osPsDhIJ5lxFb86lB6zXKkUzjFGsMPD/s400/IMG_2623.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Purple orchids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8a3aSUaesOosUS8YE1J3XZKyiP4R6vJ5918laoq4XCUoIhumKiwfrhFJFm-6HIkhW-CkbYFMkPc63CMw6gtWGG8YSlumoMkvpcn-jRQOMy6bGuxboL6_Xz7GBNuYR84hderStkH2dhF4/s1600/IMG_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8a3aSUaesOosUS8YE1J3XZKyiP4R6vJ5918laoq4XCUoIhumKiwfrhFJFm-6HIkhW-CkbYFMkPc63CMw6gtWGG8YSlumoMkvpcn-jRQOMy6bGuxboL6_Xz7GBNuYR84hderStkH2dhF4/s400/IMG_2643.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ushet Port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a great day on 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
May when no less than 13 year ticks were recorded in a whopping day total of 72
species! These included a reeling <strong>Grasshopper Warbler</strong> in Church Valley, where 3
<strong>Whitethroats</strong> and several <strong>Sedge Warblers</strong> were also new in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next up was a <span style="color: red;"><strong>Cuckoo</strong></span> along the track to the
Coastguards Station, giving great views until I fumbled in my bag for my camera!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the 150<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> species I have
recorded on Rathlin and very pleasing it was to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While scanning the sea from Coastguards, the
sky appeared to turn black as if under a cloud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This turned out to be due to a flock of 56 <strong>Hooded Crows</strong>, wheeling about
the skies between here and the East Light – migrants no doubt but from where?
As I walked towards the East Light I thought to myself there’s got to be a good
chance of a <strong><span style="color: red;">Carrion Crow</span></strong> being mixed in with that lot and sure enough a couple
of scans later one was picked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is a species I have always thought should be regular on Rathlin given their distribution
along the East Antrim Coast, yet this goes down as my 151<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> Rathlin
tick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another good bird for Rathlin was a
1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> summer <strong><span style="color: red;">Mediterranean Gull</span></strong> in Mill Bay, just my third patch
record following a couple last autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here’s a summary of species seen on the day and the numbers involved:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Chough 2, Cuckoo 1, Grasshopper
Warbler 1, Rook 1, Carrion Crow 1, Hooded Crow 56, Sedge Warbler 13, Wheatear
20, White Wagtail 6, Willow Warbler 45+, Blackcap 8, Dunlin 8, Grey Wagtail 1, Manx
Shearwater (several), Mediterranean Gull 1, Swift 1, Twite 2, Whitethroat 3,
Whimbrel 2 plus numerous hirundines.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My next visit on the 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
May was disappointing with a general feeling of there being not a lot around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even numbers of common migrants were very
low, just 18 Willow Warblers for example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The day was saved late afternoon at Ushet Lough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <strong>Common Gulls</strong> suddenly lifted and
apparently didn’t know what to do with themselves as a stunning pale adult
<span style="color: red;"><strong>Arctic Skua</strong></span> flew low across the lough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The skua did a few circuits of the lough before circling and gaining in
height before cruising about at high altitude above the cliffs for a few
minutes before vanishing into the distance. Magic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My final visit of the review
period was last Saturday, the 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I flushed what was presumably the same Cuckoo
close to the place I had seen one on 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of Redpolls were flying over and at least one in the “Lesser Whitethroat” thicket was a <strong><span style="color: red;">Mealy Redpoll</span></strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also new for the year was a <strong>Rock Dove</strong> near
the East Light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the lack of regular
sightings over the years, I think this species may be tittering on the brink of
extinction on this part of the island at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Talking of breeding birds, at least 3 pairs of Lapwing were guarding
chicks on the patch and I stumbled upon an <strong>Oystercatcher</strong> nest where I normally
sit for a seawatch and a cuppa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elsewhere,
counts of 15 Sedge Warblers and 12 Whitethroats were fairly typical for the
time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also of note was a feeding
flock of several hundred <strong>Manx Shearwaters</strong> between Rathlin and the Mull of Kintyre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A group of 15 <strong>Harbour Porpoise</strong> were seen below
the Coastguard Station. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fMaHL2Ny7rE_L5D-0Rzm4AugGaj8I5HJdH9GFknNFxVUh_tOrHiKEHwPiDphGARzU-ECsFphro-rZ5bLkfzufVk2dlkzfDosPvmlhyphenhyphendj2HitmcLXwWpkqHVYoqfS_nzSVWrn_OVy9W33/s1600/IMG_2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fMaHL2Ny7rE_L5D-0Rzm4AugGaj8I5HJdH9GFknNFxVUh_tOrHiKEHwPiDphGARzU-ECsFphro-rZ5bLkfzufVk2dlkzfDosPvmlhyphenhyphendj2HitmcLXwWpkqHVYoqfS_nzSVWrn_OVy9W33/s400/IMG_2743.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the Oystercatcher nest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So as the title of the post
suggests, this has been a fairly quiet spring on Rathlin, but there’s plenty of
time for things to improve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps I
should set up a new patch at the West end of the island next year - Red Kite,
Ring Ouzel and 2 Orcas so far this year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scores at the end of May are 94
species (3 down on last year), 111 points and a comparative score of <strong>74.2%<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">423 records and 7 lists have been
submitted to Birdtrack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I intend doing a similar roundup for
Larne Lough soon, so watch this space… In the meantime try singing this merry tune next time you're out birding.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-78712914952237361992015-04-05T17:46:00.003+01:002015-04-05T17:57:53.282+01:00PWC2015 at Kilcoole: January-March update<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a delayed start to the
patch birding New Year, I eventually made it down to the Kilcoole area on 11<sup>th</sup>
January for my first full day and was greeted instantly by a <i>#patchgold</i> <b><span style="color: red;">Dipper</span></b> along the Newcastle Sea Road
stream, the first I’ve seen here in about 10 years!! This single bird later
became part of a pair which moved extensively up and down the stream during February
but with no sign of them since I guess they have found a quieter spot upstream to
breed.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWsXyfDd-EdzM-HusVYQba9F6KpKeoLvUiQHYZPK_k0_S7YgbvOmRsHA-0BEqU_MoXB-u2uJE14pMbWM1q915u89wfm3euLFplQS_y-K4nmV_rOo0pZkDF6TXFzM0oEV3z5BJoeOMFH8/s1600/Dipper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWsXyfDd-EdzM-HusVYQba9F6KpKeoLvUiQHYZPK_k0_S7YgbvOmRsHA-0BEqU_MoXB-u2uJE14pMbWM1q915u89wfm3euLFplQS_y-K4nmV_rOo0pZkDF6TXFzM0oEV3z5BJoeOMFH8/s1600/Dipper.jpg" height="335" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Dipper</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other highlight of the year
so far in this area was the continued presence of <b><span style="color: red;">Tree Sparrows</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>around a farmyard along the sea road. A single bird was first
found here in March 2014 by Stephen McAvoy during the Wicklow County Bird Race which
was duly twitched soon after by myself as it was a most sought after patch
tick. Delighted to report that the Tree Sprog numbers at this site have risen
to a mighty 15 this year! Will keep an eye on them this Spring and hopefully
confirm breeding.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAWv8nFXVHEkpFp1TWY3urJIKqfS2ohuQOdAKOq3Vf-uBM0-0FxWcDsxoSC1T2fgqWbGfe6yRKceWStmbs8sOl17y_bATmI6iPUCIjpWD7G_w3UELBfJZ_mRMcXGvqyEdB9gbBw8mCUE/s1600/Tree+Sparrow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAWv8nFXVHEkpFp1TWY3urJIKqfS2ohuQOdAKOq3Vf-uBM0-0FxWcDsxoSC1T2fgqWbGfe6yRKceWStmbs8sOl17y_bATmI6iPUCIjpWD7G_w3UELBfJZ_mRMcXGvqyEdB9gbBw8mCUE/s1600/Tree+Sparrow.JPG" height="226" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tree Sparrow</span></i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not stopping there, the farmland around
Newcastle Sea Road was very productive this winter for other passerines adding
a single <b><span style="color: red;">Fieldfare</span></b>
and some <b>Redwing</b> on day one, both
good to get that soon on the scoresheet as they are highly unpredictable here.
I later ended up with a flock of 20 Fieldfare and 12 Redwing in the field just
inland of East Coast Nature Reserve (ECNR) in March. The stubble field beside the
entrance to Newcastle Airfield held a consistent flock of 60 <b>Reed Buntings</b>, 15 <b>Yellowhammers</b>, 40 <b>Linnets</b>,
15 <b>Greenfinches</b> and 30 <b>Meadow Pipits</b> throughout the winter
thanks to the planting and overwintering of game cover/crop. An impressive
flock of c.70 <b>Stock Doves</b> was present in stubble fields at Kilcoole on 6<sup>th</sup> February and it was
encouraging to see pairs present in suitable habitat on the patch later on in
the Spring also.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Both <b>Lesser Redpoll</b> and <b>Siskin</b>
have been thin on the ground along the east coast this winter and I’ve only had two
records of each from the patch (normally good numbers at ECNR). I once
considered <b>Grey Wagtail</b> a scarce
bird down here but have already amassed 10 records so far this year with a
regular bird on the wet mud/cattle dung pools near the entrance to ECNR. A male
<b>Blackcap</b> present on the feeders at
ECNR in late January was possibly the first ‘proper’ winter record I’ve had on
the patch. No sign of any Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the wood at ECNR during
my searches there (only <b>Treecreeper</b>
to add to the list) despite two sightings so far this year by other observers
but I was intrigued by the presence of a <b>hybrid
Carrion x Hooded Crow</b> near the usual Hoodie nest site there in mid-March.
Might have to keep an eye on that and see what shenanigans are going on locally
(and more importantly see if there are any pure Carrions to year tick!). The
first <b>Skylarks</b> in song were recorded
along the dunes at Kilcoole on 8<sup>th</sup> February during the Wicklow
County Bird Race.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Very pleased to see two soaring <b><span style="color: red;">Red Kites</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>off in the distance to the south of ECNR during a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/birdwatchwicklow">BirdWatchIreland Wicklow Branch</a> outing there on 24<sup>th</sup> January (only patch
ticked them back in September 2014). The overwintering 2<sup>nd</sup> calendar-year
female <b><span style="color: red;">Marsh
Harrier</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>was seen twice in January and
once in February. The first successful overwintering bird at this site to the
best of my knowledge (have had records of them into November before but not
thereafter). A single ringtail <b>Hen
Harrier</b> showed well in front of the main hide at ECNR on 6<sup>th</sup>
February, presumably the same bird most often reported down towards Broad Lough
during the winter. Displaying <b>Sparrowhawks</b>
were present at their traditional breeding site through March and it was a case
of <b>Buzzards </b>aplenty with the highest
single count relating to nine soaring over farmland and hills inland of the
patch on 21<sup>st</sup> March. No more than one <b>Kestrel</b> was seen on the patch in a given day, continuing their drop
in numbers here since the severe run of winter storms in January 2014. An adult
and a 2<sup>nd</sup> calendar-year <b>Peregrine</b>
were keeping the waders and wildfowl of the marsh on their toes through February
and March.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seawatching was pretty quiet but
recording <b>Gannet</b>, <b>Fulmar</b>, <b>Kittiwake</b> and <b>Black Guillemot</b> from the get go in
January was good, especially for Black Guillemots as it took me until April to
find them last year! The undoubted highlight was a <b><span style="color: red;">Great Skua (Bonxie)</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>flying north out to sea from Kilcoole train station
platform on 11<sup>th</sup> January. It was quite distant but actively chasing
Kittiwakes. My first winter record on the patch. Numbers of <b>Red-throated Divers</b>, <b>Shags</b> and auks sitting/feeding offshore
have been below average, but a southbound movement of 1,250 <b>Guillemots</b> in three hours on 28<sup>th</sup> January was notable. A
<b>Great Northern Diver</b> offshore from
Newcastle on 16<sup>th</sup> March was most welcome as I thought I was going to
go the first winter half of the year without seeing one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flood levels on the marsh were
pretty low through much of the winter resulting in reduced numbers of certain
species like <b>Teal</b>, <b>Lapwing</b>, <b>Golden Plover</b> and <b>Black-tailed
Godwits</b>. The <b>Light-bellied Brent
Goose </b>flock, which peaks in March, was only half its normal size also, but
I still managed to get a <b><span style="color: red;">Dark-bellied Brent Goose</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>out
of them, just about keeping up its annual status here. The presence of leftover
potatoes in the field inland of Webb’s lagoon provided rich feeding for the <b>Icelandic Greylag Geese</b> and <b>Whooper Swans</b> throughout the winter
which was fantastic to see. A real benefit to them with such a rich source of
food along with grazing, fresh water and roost sites all in close proximity
(highlighted by the fact that the Whooper flock rose to 89, the highest here in
years). Both the <b><span style="color: red;">Barnacle Goose</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>and feral <b>Canada Goose</b> from 2014 stayed on through
the New Year and onto the 2015 list as well as several<b> Greenshank</b>, a<b> Tufted Duck</b>,
a<b> Coot</b> and a female <b><span style="color: red;">Pintail</span></b>.
The <b>Shoveler</b> flock on the wet
grassland flashes at ECNR reached an all-time high of 81 (hopefully it won’t be
long before a nice male Blue-winged Teal joins them!). A couple of trips down
to look for birds grounded in Webb’s lagoon during heavy rain and strong winds
paid dividends in the form of a 2<sup>nd</sup> calendar-year male <b><span style="color: red;">Red-breasted
Merganser</span></b>, a 3<sup>rd</sup> calendar-year <b>Little Gull</b> and a single <b><span style="color: red;">Grey Plover</span></b>.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lFbDPf5hiNNcaIcuRSUn7l8E-kjHs4p8VvqdA19kAzM_9vjUulDTGSLyi5YH5TyF9b_nBcsUpCynwSyQYv07-u6lBvWooeNLEEVLm62k4MKL2k_qn1nluu7451THaEKXk-yfw3YGT8M/s1600/3cy+Little+Gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lFbDPf5hiNNcaIcuRSUn7l8E-kjHs4p8VvqdA19kAzM_9vjUulDTGSLyi5YH5TyF9b_nBcsUpCynwSyQYv07-u6lBvWooeNLEEVLm62k4MKL2k_qn1nluu7451THaEKXk-yfw3YGT8M/s1600/3cy+Little+Gull.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3cy Little Gull</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyptmenSlJPk5HXAI5gu_EkGMxvYq8bTN95tYPIR9stWr1iGhQ_xbw68owcfoqa_TwPU0mEXdeILTTMTRNsD9K4FmwWVPg5VYbIhS9JoodGWPgRTgCcPjvSSLz6kf04QULPywgEGU3smA/s1600/Dark+Neb+Whooper+Swan+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyptmenSlJPk5HXAI5gu_EkGMxvYq8bTN95tYPIR9stWr1iGhQ_xbw68owcfoqa_TwPU0mEXdeILTTMTRNsD9K4FmwWVPg5VYbIhS9JoodGWPgRTgCcPjvSSLz6kf04QULPywgEGU3smA/s1600/Dark+Neb+Whooper+Swan+(2).JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">Returning adult 'Dark Neb' Whooper Swan (centre). More info</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"> </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web/Display/sighting/63347/Whooper_Swan.html">here</a>.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoau81lzikIod5oaevBP3V8wy2WHfcbo5ejGnp_CkDcTfk21ynuoiEokuMuaX-9oBwLQCmy12t-SvuNMpmhMIm787wVvWPdhbgBR9Ni1h_j_nGdYYh4ko2ux5kWCOCwuCI6zGSo1uKLlk/s1600/Oyc_PJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoau81lzikIod5oaevBP3V8wy2WHfcbo5ejGnp_CkDcTfk21ynuoiEokuMuaX-9oBwLQCmy12t-SvuNMpmhMIm787wVvWPdhbgBR9Ni1h_j_nGdYYh4ko2ux5kWCOCwuCI6zGSo1uKLlk/s1600/Oyc_PJ.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Colour-ringed Oystercatcher 'PJ' from the <a href="http://dublinbaybirds.blogspot.co.uk/">Dublin Bay Birds Project</a> <br />(ringed at Merrion Gates, Sandymount Strand in Nov 2014)</span></i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As was the case across much of
Ireland, migrants were slow to get going in March with my first at Kilcoole relating
to <b>Lesser Black-backed Gulls</b> moving
north along the coast (peak count of 99 on 16<sup>th</sup> March) followed up
by two <b>Chiffchaffs</b> in the wood at
ECNR. Finished off the month of March with an enjoyable joint BirdWatch Ireland
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/birdwatchwicklow">Wicklow</a> and <a href="http://www.dublinbirding.ie/">Dublin Tolka Branch</a> outing to Kilcoole on Saturday 21<sup>st</sup> where
we scored our target Spring migrants in the form of a <b>Sandwich Tern</b> day roosting in Webb’s field (species #100) alongside
a 3<sup>rd</sup> calendar-year <b>Mediterranean
Gull</b> and a female <b>Wheatear </b>on
the beach. A great end to the first quarter of the year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQknNde50fMg1qLAKwUOpjPTHZZMcrCTqi16kJCQoRCVwsOupqy31mMj4A3v9xIMVOxDVVgXn9aXn3hQkijlZvruPkDh_TWxAxL_jd7-rBDGPIDqWjb1Z0v_Bn_qWW_a67oJ-fAIQmXU/s1600/BWI+Branch+Outing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQknNde50fMg1qLAKwUOpjPTHZZMcrCTqi16kJCQoRCVwsOupqy31mMj4A3v9xIMVOxDVVgXn9aXn3hQkijlZvruPkDh_TWxAxL_jd7-rBDGPIDqWjb1Z0v_Bn_qWW_a67oJ-fAIQmXU/s1600/BWI+Branch+Outing.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">BirdWatch Ireland branch outing to Kilcoole</span></i></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Kilcoole PWC2015 Stats (January-March):</b> 102 species, 122 points,
60.69%, 18 <i>BirdTrack</i> lists and 1,020 <i>BirdTrack</i> records submitted.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Table 1.</b> Summary counts of waterbirds at Kilcoole, Newcastle and
Blackditch East Coast Nature Reserve, September 2014 - March 2015. <u>Notes:</u>
Species in <i>italics</i> have yet to be
recorded during PWC2015. Some <i>I-WeBS</i>
counts from other observers likely to be higher than my own for certain species
(e.g. Golden Plover) so figures given here don’t represent actual maximum
totals for the site. Totals for regularly occurring gull species (BH, CM, HG and GB) relate
to birds on the marsh only and don’t include those on passage/offshore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Species<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peak
Count<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peak
Month(s)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mute Swan</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">31</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whooper Swan</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">89</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February-March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greenland White-fronted Goose<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Icelandic Greylag Goose</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">272</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Canada Goose (feral)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November-January</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barnacle Goose</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November-March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dark-bellied Brent Goose</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Light-bellied Brent Goose</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">c.550</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shelduck</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wigeon</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">849</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teal</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">397</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mallard</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">107</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pintail</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October-March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shoveler</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">81</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tufted Duck</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Common Scoter</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10 (on passage)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red-breasted Merganser</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 (on passage)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red-throated Diver</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">83</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great Northern Diver</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November-December</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cormorant</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">26</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Shag</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">44</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little Egret</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grey Heron</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">36</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little Grebe</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great Crested Grebe<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Water Rail</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">December</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moorhen</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coot</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oystercatcher</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Golden Plover</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">320</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grey Plover</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lapwing</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">347</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ringed Plover</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curlew</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">119</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black-tailed Godwit</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">192</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bar-tailed Godwit<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turnstone</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dunlin</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">55</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">September</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Green Sandpiper<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greenshank</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">February-March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Redshank</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">49</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jack Snipe<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snipe</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sandwich Tern</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23 (on passage)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black-headed Gull</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">425</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little Gull</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mediterranean Gull</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October & March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Common Gull</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">72</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">December</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lesser Black-backed Gull</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">99 (on passage)</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Herring Gull</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yellow-legged Gull<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1
(on passage)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Great Black-backed Gull</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 92.15pt;" valign="top" width="123"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5</span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 120.5pt;" valign="top" width="161"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 176.95pt;" valign="top" width="236"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Total<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 212.65pt;" valign="top" width="284"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3,931</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
nialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-91067492207223158662015-01-07T21:10:00.000+00:002015-01-07T21:10:33.313+00:00A tale of two patches - Larne and Rathlin review 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was my second year taking
part in the Patchwork Challenge on Rathlin Island and as I enjoyed it so much
last year, I decided to enter a second patch – the north end of Larne Lough, to
try and resurrect my appetite for birding around my home town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from trips to the Bridges of Ross, Tory
Island and Portugal, I did very little birding outside my patch boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fact supported by plotting my Birdtrack
records for the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As well as
competing against around 340 other patches across the UK and Ireland, I was
also keen to see which of my own patches would come out on top.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJ1LULb5Ui5SirCwZ-hLxEwO02Lp14OtxJbHIhbXGSsdeWTt4JoB65BydQGggIOuL8-8mhcp75VFBd6pvz9l5whMLAzuS7x9UmaeoCDL-khtJWM1hyphenhyphenM0Mfbi3sPFHOZDOsS3TZh9j1lQy/s1600/IMG_1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJ1LULb5Ui5SirCwZ-hLxEwO02Lp14OtxJbHIhbXGSsdeWTt4JoB65BydQGggIOuL8-8mhcp75VFBd6pvz9l5whMLAzuS7x9UmaeoCDL-khtJWM1hyphenhyphenM0Mfbi3sPFHOZDOsS3TZh9j1lQy/s1600/IMG_1525.JPG" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sedentary birding, via Birdtrack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of you may have read
recently about plans to have an ‘island mini-league’ in 2015 to include rarity
hot spots which receive large falls in spring and autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, this rules out Rathlin! You see,
both my patches occupy somewhat of a migration dead zone prone to autumnal
bypasses most years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, for me
this is exactly what makes patch birding so addictive; that new patch tick, a
patch gold bird, heaven forbid a local rarity – all come at such a cost that I
don’t mind not getting more than 2 points for most of them! The joy comes from
what they mean to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I managed 121 species for 151
points on Rathlin in 2014 (you can read a review of the year <a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/a-month-of-sundays-on-rathlin-review.html" target="_blank">here</a>), so I had a
comparative score to aim at this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My target for the Larne patch was 120 species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s how I got on:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Larne Lough Highlights<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first highlight of the year
came in the form of a most unexpected patch tick, following a phone call about
a <strong><span style="color: red;">Crane</span></strong> seen flying south along the Antrim coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A full 72 minutes later I intercepted it
attempting to land at Glynn Station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can read more about my ‘Mourinho antics’ <a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/72-minutes.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This has to go down as one of my finest moments in birding.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjB5SKECuinim65idCWB2wTIAlj9ho7ucOdA6w9q6ZAeCsq05s80dc4GFzCyyQu5lNHPQWoeVZg1-5aaozlp7vQh-Gd4ROF6Jv8iatebVIDK8hTjtO3p5mFhHeYjJjsXjoBXrwlIxHQr/s1600/crane2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXjB5SKECuinim65idCWB2wTIAlj9ho7ucOdA6w9q6ZAeCsq05s80dc4GFzCyyQu5lNHPQWoeVZg1-5aaozlp7vQh-Gd4ROF6Jv8iatebVIDK8hTjtO3p5mFhHeYjJjsXjoBXrwlIxHQr/s1600/crane2.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah yes, that'll be the Crane!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In what was a poor year for
white-winged gulls in Northern Ireland, finding a couple of <strong><span style="color: red;">Kumlien’s Gulls</span></strong> in
the spring was noteworthy, considering these were just about the only records
of this fine (sub) species recorded anywhere in NI this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I had to wait until mid-December to
see an ‘ordinary’ <strong>Iceland Gull</strong> after dipping one earlier in the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also a great year for <strong>Little Gull</strong>
sightings on patch, with at least 4 different birds seen during the year.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaOfm1Cm9TzBMKU474N3WnEsTm8L1L3iDAe9w7jDIYt3osjW48SyMkhmhkPrK_ta2QYmdagyZY10jewxVEdty4WBVg0mHgW_6cBq3LvJaCPm4RzkJ8O0j3mRw78zJ1qfFhAJcULE24CFw/s1600/Iceland6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaOfm1Cm9TzBMKU474N3WnEsTm8L1L3iDAe9w7jDIYt3osjW48SyMkhmhkPrK_ta2QYmdagyZY10jewxVEdty4WBVg0mHgW_6cBq3LvJaCPm4RzkJ8O0j3mRw78zJ1qfFhAJcULE24CFw/s1600/Iceland6.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceland Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoPUq0q3Y6u5rEOjq6srxeZZ-ZCaQF5QCMvPujmDqNabc0UKwTlyCAkhGPJQLYpOmusPJ9MuwIoCeiVR7T4dxgJ5s5w48yBD-9nVKPeWF59hQrmFPfBotkW9NtAmsxFrHsRqq9KbAbgJ-/s1600/Little+Gull.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoPUq0q3Y6u5rEOjq6srxeZZ-ZCaQF5QCMvPujmDqNabc0UKwTlyCAkhGPJQLYpOmusPJ9MuwIoCeiVR7T4dxgJ5s5w48yBD-9nVKPeWF59hQrmFPfBotkW9NtAmsxFrHsRqq9KbAbgJ-/s1600/Little+Gull.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Gull</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H0RXK3KO1VC9u_n-tZTG_I9Mmi2vS4WJd3mpy8NDkYNjlbG1zQWR4PYx-Mjz4abPUERxcrt8-RJmty-TVL2KA5Jj3GknEQ1kKF_Z1hyphenhyphenmPOBw73bKiOT3w2xyzwf_eZWG4K2ZO7OcBjga/s1600/kum1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H0RXK3KO1VC9u_n-tZTG_I9Mmi2vS4WJd3mpy8NDkYNjlbG1zQWR4PYx-Mjz4abPUERxcrt8-RJmty-TVL2KA5Jj3GknEQ1kKF_Z1hyphenhyphenmPOBw73bKiOT3w2xyzwf_eZWG4K2ZO7OcBjga/s1600/kum1.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kumlien's Gull</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The events of the 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
April will live long in the memory, when no less than three patch ticks were
watched side by side at Glynn Station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
<strong><span style="color: red;">Glossy Ibis</span></strong> had been loitering around the south end of the lough for a few
weeks, tantalisingly outside the patch boundary – it was only a matter of time
before it appeared at Glynn I thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During
the first week of April it was reported at Glynn on a few occasions by other
birders, but despite numerous searches I just could not see it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived at Glynn Station on 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
April for another look and was rewarded by close up views of a male <strong>Pintail</strong>,
shortly followed by finding a <strong>Slavonian Grebe</strong> – in full breeding plumage no
less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As more local birders arrived to
see these, someone uttered the immortal words “isn’t that the Glossy Ibis
standing at the point”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed it was
and I still wonder to this day how it got there without being noticed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All three of these species were patch ticks
and I blogged about the experience <a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/purple-patch-larne-lough-update.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkataagZa9P6yNXGiZ2Pu7X8sIBRaTkhhcUVhc4GSq3Zx9ktxchvxw8hsWYWliEFvZX7Lq4S38HoTzI8Lw-UhVm22S6Ml2ojBT-g6dxgHShAVAleISUs0TSQ6WBNe6DctRw0_CQKujRNd_/s1600/Slav2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkataagZa9P6yNXGiZ2Pu7X8sIBRaTkhhcUVhc4GSq3Zx9ktxchvxw8hsWYWliEFvZX7Lq4S38HoTzI8Lw-UhVm22S6Ml2ojBT-g6dxgHShAVAleISUs0TSQ6WBNe6DctRw0_CQKujRNd_/s1600/Slav2.jpg" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following this unprecedented
start to the year, things went quiet, very quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My hopes were eventually lifted by the sight
of a pair of <strong>Roseate Terns</strong> in full display mode off Glynn Station on 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">n the site guide I wrote (see
<a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/p/larne-lough.html" target="_blank">here</a>) at the beginning of the year, I mentioned Larne being good for “Gank,
Gulls and Goosanders” and this year has done little to change my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, were it not for the lack of
alliteration, I could also now add <strong>ducks</strong> to that list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An amazing 13 species were recorded, all seen
from the same spot at Glynn Station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These included patch scarce <strong>Scaup</strong>, <strong>Long-tailed Duck</strong> and <strong>Common Scoter</strong>. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To complete the story – it was
indeed another good year for <strong>Goosanders</strong> with several birds making an appearance
during the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another thing I discovered through
patch birding around Larne was that it made me aware of a number of glaring
omissions from my patch list, owing to a complete lack of ever looking for them
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may be surprised to learn
that Water Rail, Bonxie and Sand Martin were all patch ticks this year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other noteworthy sightings were second patch records
of <strong>Curlew Sandpiper</strong> (24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> September, Sandy Bay) and <strong>Jack Snipe</strong> (15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
November, Glynn Rugby Club Lagoon).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The most glaring species not seen
this year were Fieldfare and Whitethroat, while Pink-footed Goose, Greenland
White-fronted Goose, Ruff and Spotted Redshank (missed by about 2 minutes) were
seen by others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The year ended with totals of 129
species or 168 points, 2028 records and 33 lists were added to Birdtrack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A total of 7 species were added to my overall
patch list, which now stands at 154 species.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzQEfvRjlamFEd5gKppWxrlmJlUlUO7-93e-ZqYKADDvu17qiYFcoE1H2Oqkhm49c_UnKFOMiguKPDJ0pAAp5RXS2dMI3tpofPn9Xk41zHlqFm26f9Q8ZqT17i87MPWj1QVu_VGu6g6wk/s1600/Sp+accum+Larne+2014.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzQEfvRjlamFEd5gKppWxrlmJlUlUO7-93e-ZqYKADDvu17qiYFcoE1H2Oqkhm49c_UnKFOMiguKPDJ0pAAp5RXS2dMI3tpofPn9Xk41zHlqFm26f9Q8ZqT17i87MPWj1QVu_VGu6g6wk/s1600/Sp+accum+Larne+2014.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Larne species accumulation via Birdtrack</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rathlin Island Highlights<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I spent a total of 25 days on the
island this year (compared to 30 last year) and I did not manage any visits
during June or July due to survey commitments at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, I managed to add a further 8
patch ticks during 2014, including some great birds.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first good day of the year
came on 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> April when my second patch record of <strong><span style="color: red;">Golden Eagle</span></strong>, was
backed up by full (fat) patch ticks of <strong>Whinchat</strong> and Gadwall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May I was stopped in
my tracks by a call I was not familiar with and after a series of rubbish
views, I managed to work out it was some sort of Sylvia warbler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recorded the call on my iPhone and emailed
it to Niall Keogh just in case it was anything mental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niall got back to me to say it was a <strong><span style="color: red;">Lesser
Whitethroat</span></strong> and I returned that afternoon when the bird eventually came into
full view (for about 5 seconds).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just my
second patch record of this species (in exactly the same place as the first!)
and it was good to become familiar with the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another measly point in the bag!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big story of the year came
from the now infamous <strong><span style="color: red;">Corncrake</span></strong> which turned up in mid-May only to be disturbed
by a visiting helicopter (full story <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/steppingupnorthernireland/archive/2014/06/17/calling-corncrake-falls-silent-on-rathlin.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I heard the bird on 24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May, but by the
next day it had vanished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During one of
these visits it dawned on me that I had seen or heard all the species
illustrated on the RSPB information panel on the same day; for the very first
time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was not a lot to shout
about during September barring my first patch Bar-tailed Godwit on 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
and four <strong>Pink-footed Geese</strong> at Ushet Lough on 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> which were nice to
add to the year list after somehow missing them last year.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My now customary early October
trip once again delivered in spades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><strong>Mediterranean Gull</strong>, <strong>Little Gull</strong> and <strong>Sooty Shearwater</strong> were all patch
ticks thanks to being on the island in half decent seawatching conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I will remember the trip for my time
spent in the company of a juvenile <strong>Brent Goose</strong> – which fed around my feet as I
sat eating lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a profound
experience as I was most likely the first human it had ever encountered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The late autumn period served up
another two patch ticks in the form of a <strong><span style="color: red;">Tree Pipit</span></strong> on 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> October
and a <strong>Short-eared owl</strong> on 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pipit was particularly pleasing as
judging by numerous old records from the island, it appeared I was failing
miserably in my attempts to connect with this species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another measly point!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The year ended on 114 species or
146 point leaving my comparative score tantalisingly close to last year’s mark
on 96.7%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A total of 1165 records and 19
lists were added to Birdtrack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
overall island list now stands at 148 species, a total that has increased by 19
in just two years of increased effort thanks to the patchwork challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3cd-nTV7UWnp26_XatVFCOhaxIGjgB1S2Q7Vl1qFZ9z-OMxpuAwd5Ijt4jFbsdJTWoIj6ToqkFwMwOFTyZ-Xjymzy1w5YBQ2MTWPoz6aMerRCPmIZ3nGf1BPrPSwRh4wtVZ7HAM9djzU/s1600/Sp+accum+Rathlin+2014.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3cd-nTV7UWnp26_XatVFCOhaxIGjgB1S2Q7Vl1qFZ9z-OMxpuAwd5Ijt4jFbsdJTWoIj6ToqkFwMwOFTyZ-Xjymzy1w5YBQ2MTWPoz6aMerRCPmIZ3nGf1BPrPSwRh4wtVZ7HAM9djzU/s1600/Sp+accum+Rathlin+2014.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rathlin species accumulation via Birdtrack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my own private mini-league I
was amazed that Larne came out on top, though I suspect Rathlin would well and
truly trounce Larne if I spent more time there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Out of interest, I worked out that the combined scores for both my
patches was 149 species or 199 points. Perhaps County Antrim isn’t such a
migration dead zone after all.</span></div>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-81298164342227857932014-12-15T20:12:00.000+00:002014-12-15T20:22:44.481+00:00Fun and Games in Larne<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If my last update from the Larne
Lough patch seems a long time ago, that’s because it was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read it <a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/spring-roundup-larne-lough.html" target="_blank">here</a> – and since that post
not a lot has been happening, a year tick every now and again, with little in
the way of quality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My struggles are highlighted by
the fact that my first year tick since 23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> June were some <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sand Martins</b> (117) in a mixed flock of
hirundines feeding over Glynn rugby club lagoon on 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never knowingly seen this species
around Larne before, so I was more than happy to see them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From early July I kept a look out
for passage waders, which eventually produced a few year ticks - a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Knot</b> (118) on 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> August
and a juvenile <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Curlew
Sandpiper</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(119) on 24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
September were new for the year, the latter only my second ever patch
record!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elsewhere, peak counts of 25
Greenshank (22/9), 32 Snipe (15/11) and 88 Lapwing (6/12) were notable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Jack Snipe</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(120)
was found at Glynn on 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> November, which became my first record of
this species on the patch for almost 5 years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I managed to successfully twitch an unexpected <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grey Plover</b> at Sandy Bay (121) early morning on 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
November - they are normally seen in small numbers off Glynn Station much
earlier in the autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whimbrel</b> is currently wintering around
Glynn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not all good news on the
wader front as I managed to miss out on Spotted Redshank and Ruff. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYbq2LeevIhTdyEY4YkmvganhUvCltFHZ0D_qXIZ_mqNvPcQxn0P0_pOZgtWSsP3mPhbId1DcQEoJIlj2xC-I-88gw1oaN6Gi4R72Pcr8QyotWG_IYw0oo3tU__-ZKEjjEnBdV8UH0PrV/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYbq2LeevIhTdyEY4YkmvganhUvCltFHZ0D_qXIZ_mqNvPcQxn0P0_pOZgtWSsP3mPhbId1DcQEoJIlj2xC-I-88gw1oaN6Gi4R72Pcr8QyotWG_IYw0oo3tU__-ZKEjjEnBdV8UH0PrV/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" height="287" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauSNo-H6Yvm7UWSWKH-iTGdcnukmCG6ye0O9YYKautkRZzQeQ9IRx9i8UsqbsBiDNuzojh7n_IjczBLhSQphxoR9gqBtPRhleR7Fo3v8zWSn4Tt0Ec4mlGP33xvDnwxL0sk6MBSXDXmjy/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauSNo-H6Yvm7UWSWKH-iTGdcnukmCG6ye0O9YYKautkRZzQeQ9IRx9i8UsqbsBiDNuzojh7n_IjczBLhSQphxoR9gqBtPRhleR7Fo3v8zWSn4Tt0Ec4mlGP33xvDnwxL0sk6MBSXDXmjy/s1600/3.JPG" height="276" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Curlew Sandpiper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ytdck7UdfAbRh9X1U8CGDnqPUai7BzjLkmQ5BUwAVvGYREFmCxAZPTL5mHjbLKcg4RZtAlLNAgydGMq6FNZ78uqhVLaziaAonth6IQSVW901a5PhADcxjfwBJy83yxYuX5PME_HHbLe1/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ytdck7UdfAbRh9X1U8CGDnqPUai7BzjLkmQ5BUwAVvGYREFmCxAZPTL5mHjbLKcg4RZtAlLNAgydGMq6FNZ78uqhVLaziaAonth6IQSVW901a5PhADcxjfwBJy83yxYuX5PME_HHbLe1/s1600/4.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redshank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seawatching was also a struggle, but
with (extreme) perseverance produced some year ticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Arctic Terns</b> (122) of the year were seen from a short seawatch on
24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> September.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This species
occasionally appears at Glynn Station during spring, but all I saw here this
year were a handful of ‘red-billed’ Common Terns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some decent onshore winds on 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
October had me in the shelters in Chaine Park for first light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the bewildered glances of some
locals, this proved to be an excellent decision as several <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whooper Swans</b> (123) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Common
Scoters</b> (124) were seen as was my first ever patch <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bonxie</b> (125)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To finish
things off nicely for the day, the first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kestrel</b>
(126) of the year was seen above the coast road.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a great year for
ducks on the patch and the autumn period once again threw up the occasionally
oddity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three Common Scoter were off
Glynn Station on 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> October – no doubt some of the birds seen on
the seawatch the previous day. A female <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shoveler</b>
was present on 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> July and the first returning <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goldeneye</b> was back on the early date of
4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A male <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Scaup</b>
was present off the station on 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> September, with 2 there on 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The interesting run of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pintail </b>records continued, following the on/off appearance of a
male (in various states of moult) throughout the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eclipse male was seen on 29<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
October, followed by an adult male and 2 female types which have been omnipresent
since 15<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the past few months Larne
Lough has once again proved itself as one of the best sites in Ireland to see <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goosander</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eclipse male was present off Glynn Station
on 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> September (local breeder?), followed by an adult male there
on 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> November (same bird?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Two females were seen late evening on 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> December followed
by a high count of 4 females the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The adult male at least is still lurking around the lough somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of my best finds of the autumn was a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Slavonian Grebe</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>seen distantly from Glynn Station on 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>
November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder is it the same bird
seen here this spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever its
provenance, it looks set to spend the winter on the lough – the first bird for
many years to do so.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok7EEBXpBl5FXDLeVC18ASTD3tOmsnm8NhTr3nsofcSlk9MwkXo34HBB820b9lVFBeKchfCOo4UwdinqdNKbE4cAtfYnBEAIFW7FmRGMJ5QQX3qqC24Yr_yMYk83shJqIqs5eF1kgun-K/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgok7EEBXpBl5FXDLeVC18ASTD3tOmsnm8NhTr3nsofcSlk9MwkXo34HBB820b9lVFBeKchfCOo4UwdinqdNKbE4cAtfYnBEAIFW7FmRGMJ5QQX3qqC24Yr_yMYk83shJqIqs5eF1kgun-K/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" height="315" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eclipse male Goosander</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_bwG3ZE3SNne3nMBZCTUxIPSn1_SA0B6bWjlMlQg30ekUOITS_k1gl2GNht8vptLOsWE2VqoWvMEPMwraFFQJrV-E7oKnt3dC3fLhS-ey59r1CM0VbZROVfzy41A53YWYKkvhKLmMfQQ/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_bwG3ZE3SNne3nMBZCTUxIPSn1_SA0B6bWjlMlQg30ekUOITS_k1gl2GNht8vptLOsWE2VqoWvMEPMwraFFQJrV-E7oKnt3dC3fLhS-ey59r1CM0VbZROVfzy41A53YWYKkvhKLmMfQQ/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Goosanders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has also been a good year on patch
for <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Little Gulls</span></b>,
I managed to find my 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> bird this year on 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> September
at Sandy Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mediterranean Gulls</b> are present on the patch all year round, though
it appears only two birds are overwintering this year – an adult and a 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>
winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best seen at the mouth of the
Inver River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most exciting recent
development has been the regular sighting of two <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Sandwich Terns</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>around the mouth of the lough, an adult and 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked them up feeding well
offshore on 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> November during a seawatch, associating with
hundreds of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kittiwakes</b> and small
gulls which gather to feed on sprat in and around the Maidens at this time of
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That evening they appeared on the
rocks at Sandy Bay and have been observed here occasionally ever since.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are the first wintering records for
Northern Ireland away from County Down.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAhbniqXXSiiizs7Na0p9AW8Df4VS3T-ShOKsf-ZYS1r8asydz0WJGT-HuIRZuKYYkvYMoG5A4bERELSIm5uxh1owasPwfNAJjWTljC1u31HINdHLZUjvP5FNCrjxF1O8szw4A36n7q8C/s1600/Med2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAhbniqXXSiiizs7Na0p9AW8Df4VS3T-ShOKsf-ZYS1r8asydz0WJGT-HuIRZuKYYkvYMoG5A4bERELSIm5uxh1owasPwfNAJjWTljC1u31HINdHLZUjvP5FNCrjxF1O8szw4A36n7q8C/s1600/Med2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Med Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOGU0lmxZjkcN8Kc2zYVgoqbNLoEA8itEzuaDiZ8K7Q0alsZ37IisSv7isx-uGr5Mv3zSqVLz6zDwmKL7J_OlK7Lwr3OxwQPtC122uFlHr8ElWLsrdhmwWa2a16Ej8fvtXahMMjno0dn0/s1600/P1270121+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOGU0lmxZjkcN8Kc2zYVgoqbNLoEA8itEzuaDiZ8K7Q0alsZ37IisSv7isx-uGr5Mv3zSqVLz6zDwmKL7J_OlK7Lwr3OxwQPtC122uFlHr8ElWLsrdhmwWa2a16Ej8fvtXahMMjno0dn0/s1600/P1270121+(2).JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was much fun and games on
13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> December when, whilst scanning offshore from Glynn Station, I
picked up a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">white-winged gull</b> flying
across the mouth of the harbour towards Islandmagee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it looked set to cruise around distantly
above Ballylumford power station, I decided to drive around to see if I could
get better views.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite it being
possible to throw a stone from Larne Harbour on one side of Larne Lough to
Ballylumford on the other, it takes a good 20 minutes to drive from Glynn round
to the north tip of Islandmagee and when I arrived there was no sign of the
bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It eventually appeared flying
around above the docks on the other side of the lough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched it through the scope as it landed
on one of the harbour floodlights beside a Herring Gull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Views were atrocious but the outline of the
bird and its size compared to the Herring Gull suggested it was an <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Iceland Gull</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(127).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it
was back in the car for the half hour drive back to Larne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sign from the harbour gates at Sandy Bay
or the road out to Curran Point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then just
as I was about head home, it appeared over the car and flew towards the ferry
terminal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sod it I thought and followed
it in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I explained myself to
security, I could see the bird feeding in the wake of a docking ferry and
moments later found myself being escorted (surprisingly not off the premises)
down to a gateway beside the ramp for a better view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So there I was standing in the near dark
watching an Iceland Gull in Larne Harbour as passengers flooded past me in
their cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this for a lousy 2
points!</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFMsr68t2aCBZGn-koseZRvZIS7CtxgF-2vYoFpt0KQwUxoA-J6i8VY9CDiFtlJH2Rygp04KoQSGQmI_dqFEBtDSxGwVJ8hBV3iGb3hsfh8JiTs3wzvuba-JfO1gYRbyE541zHgxVUUrt/s1600/Iceland3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFMsr68t2aCBZGn-koseZRvZIS7CtxgF-2vYoFpt0KQwUxoA-J6i8VY9CDiFtlJH2Rygp04KoQSGQmI_dqFEBtDSxGwVJ8hBV3iGb3hsfh8JiTs3wzvuba-JfO1gYRbyE541zHgxVUUrt/s1600/Iceland3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WMA1MsVAx9C6pmfCSLec0R99rvmOJkFYAwPIuoU2fp7SBgAdS7n0kGpJU8iIUY8zHFvSuxEMroSDM0T1OzNJD5o5b_myENl8V4bkPrHT-D3KxVA2z8hJenL9s1DD3dw4Wsl5C9uFnbPF/s1600/Iceland4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WMA1MsVAx9C6pmfCSLec0R99rvmOJkFYAwPIuoU2fp7SBgAdS7n0kGpJU8iIUY8zHFvSuxEMroSDM0T1OzNJD5o5b_myENl8V4bkPrHT-D3KxVA2z8hJenL9s1DD3dw4Wsl5C9uFnbPF/s1600/Iceland4.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iceland Gull</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next morning, it took a loaf
of Kingsmill to finally pin the bird down as a 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> winter Iceland
Gull and obtain some decent shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
only other year tick since my last update was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lesser Redpoll</b> (128) but the less said about this the better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the year drawing to a close, there might
still be time for one or two additional species, but as it stands scores are <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">128 species</b> or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">166 points</b>.</span></div>
</div>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-10440316095349925062014-11-13T19:38:00.000+00:002014-11-13T19:49:44.119+00:00Rathlin Island Autumn Highlights<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since my last update from
Rathlin, I have spent a total of 9 days on the island, adding a further 14
species to my year list. The fact that 5 of these were my first patch records
was encouraging, though sadly another autumn goes by without troubling the multiplier
effect column on the patch birding score sheet.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfyUvE7udZweUdUGcQmzgs5yaLeZDNCA_P6jSMtbjSqJtW0tV_62nvtin_aN4LPEItJzdYgakSA3K56QkWwldXK3db2PeiOrt_QIDsI77m5dSS7JzuTbyOQyTTaWHk7p25CPaTveHzQJs/s1600/IMG_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfyUvE7udZweUdUGcQmzgs5yaLeZDNCA_P6jSMtbjSqJtW0tV_62nvtin_aN4LPEItJzdYgakSA3K56QkWwldXK3db2PeiOrt_QIDsI77m5dSS7JzuTbyOQyTTaWHk7p25CPaTveHzQJs/s400/IMG_1154.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On your bike...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With little of note in the
gardens on 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> September, I spent a bit of time between Ushet Lough
and Rue Point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Checking through the 60
or so Greylag here finally produced 4 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pink-footed
Geese</b> (100) resting on the lough - a species I somehow failed to see last
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mass of seabirds were feeding in
large groups off Rue Point, including some Manx Shearwaters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, a couple of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Arctic Skuas</b> (101) were seen in hot pursuit of Kittiwakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Arctic
Terns</b> (102) stood out amongst the hoards of dip feeding gulls and were a
surprise addition to the year list having failed to encounter any around the
patch for a few years now (through a lack of seawatching).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elsewhere, 4 Swallows were feeding over the
harbour and 12 Twite were feeding in one of their favourite spots at the base
of the East Pier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once back in
Ballycastle, I located single first winter and second winter Mediterranean
Gulls around the harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will reveal
the reason for mentioning this later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stayed on the island for four
days in early October recording a total of 83 species, including 8 further year
ticks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Weather conditions were fairly decent,
except for an almighty storm coming in from the Atlantic during the 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th </span></sup>and
overnight on the 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
resulted in strong SE winds and produced some decent birds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A seawatch from the East Light on
the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> looked like a complete waste of time, until I connected with
a lone <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Sooty
Shearwater</span></b> (103) heading east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A long awaited patch tick!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
this, I renewed my efforts and single Arctic Skuas and Great Northern Divers
soon flew west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scanned the birds at
the base of the cliffs with my bins and picked out a “white-winged gull with a
red bill”, which I eventually locked onto through the scope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out to be a 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> winter<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;"> Mediterranean Gull
</span></b>(104) – another patch tick!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Twite flock in Church Bay had
now increased to 15 and the Ushet Lough to Rue Point area again produced some
decent birds; none more so than a male <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hen
Harrier</b> seen hunting along the far side of the lough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also in the area were 5 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chough</b>, a male Grey Wagtail and a tame juvenile Brent Goose feeding
close to the South Light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it was having
its fill of grass, I thought it rude not to join it for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other notable sightings on the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
were 80 Goldfinches, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Wheatear, 22 Snipe and 8 Goldcrest.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vJ3qN7fBLm1lHCcHvPHy-87f4ywthMbKPzknv43PiP2cqriDaJjdHG3xKw_bJqS7Y0Uuh8hPblY-I2X8o9MUYDL1Ema6_Mow64Df1mHIVM8XU8NS0Lq7-pBnKZN87lMtvQNXQeOa1ADS/s1600/Brent.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vJ3qN7fBLm1lHCcHvPHy-87f4ywthMbKPzknv43PiP2cqriDaJjdHG3xKw_bJqS7Y0Uuh8hPblY-I2X8o9MUYDL1Ema6_Mow64Df1mHIVM8XU8NS0Lq7-pBnKZN87lMtvQNXQeOa1ADS/s400/Brent.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwl6Al3rjhA_8B_hzokJ-Y0OmnoXdnPXZKUlmyu0vFCX4P9OcVeF9rjZmVFuhVJWJOHz0wRTd2vkZzVZoVGccV3xV_zwPWiVgkt7uT5DlhIQdeUhRAf18mkMQvrVmF-gGjCnX6EraQyz3/s1600/P1040793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwl6Al3rjhA_8B_hzokJ-Y0OmnoXdnPXZKUlmyu0vFCX4P9OcVeF9rjZmVFuhVJWJOHz0wRTd2vkZzVZoVGccV3xV_zwPWiVgkt7uT5DlhIQdeUhRAf18mkMQvrVmF-gGjCnX6EraQyz3/s400/P1040793.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a care in the World</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I began the following morning
with a 2.5 hour seawatch from the East Light, which produced 55 Manx
Shearwaters, 5 Arctic Skuas, 1 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pomarine
Skua</b> (105), 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Common Scoter, 10 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Barnacle Geese</b> (106), 6 Whooper Swans, 3 Puffins, 2 Red-throated
Diver (107), 1 Great Northern Diver and a patch tick <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Little Gull</span></b> (108).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of which were very pleasing, especially
the Little Gull – a nice juvenile tagging along with a flock of
Kittiwakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had I thought to put on some
extra layers I would have stayed longer, but I headed off to get warmed
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a lot else was seen the rest of
the day as the storm moved in, though 3 Kestrels and a few Reed Buntings may
have been new arrivals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a rare departure outside the
patch boundaries, I made my way to the west end of the island early the next
morning which only served to remind me why I don’t normally go there. Saying
that, there are some great looking spots that are well worth checking,
especially the last gardens before the lighthouse – which had about 75
Chaffinches and a dozen thrushes in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdRxwpcYUHJKS1XVDl_ADQaODCdhONZVPg-T3_s_-it83YrdPgryWLlQmDd7eCaVCrYKc2hYrj9A7WbWalcT-9NAuExS43g1dir6f-5ODM94_J1iE2DZwK3x3H8js663n3dJDdFjOZ51o/s1600/IMG_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdRxwpcYUHJKS1XVDl_ADQaODCdhONZVPg-T3_s_-it83YrdPgryWLlQmDd7eCaVCrYKc2hYrj9A7WbWalcT-9NAuExS43g1dir6f-5ODM94_J1iE2DZwK3x3H8js663n3dJDdFjOZ51o/s400/IMG_1177.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeble cottage at the west end and yes I did check those nettles for Lancy...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once safely back in more familiar
surroundings, the most obvious impact of the overnight storm was that some 2000
Kittiwakes and 250 Black-headed Gulls had been forced close to shore between
the West Pier and Mill Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I set up the
scope outside the hostel and began grilling the flock (for a Sab’s) and managed
to pick out two <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mediterranean Gulls</b>
– a first and second winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then
realised that not only was the second winter probably the same bird I had seen
on 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> but both were likely the same birds I had seen in Ballycastle
Harbour on 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> September.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After lunch, the winds died down
and the sun came out, so I set off for a circuit of the gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There had been an obvious arrival of
migrants, with Blackbirds and Song Thrushes most prominent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The east end gardens held 2 Chiffchaffs, 2
Blackcaps, 18 Goldcrests and several flocks of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Golden Plover</b> (109) flew south overhead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three Swallows were at Ushet Lough and I
watched a young Merlin fly straight out to sea at Rue Point – migration in
action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final day of the trip (7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
October) was spent thoroughly checking all the usual spots for passerine
migrants. A couple of Redwings were amongst decent counts of 47 Blackbirds and
28 Song Thrushes and the Goldcrest tally had increased to 28.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ditch to the south-east of Ushet Lough
(which I have earmarked for a Barred Warbler) held 2 Blackcaps and a
Chiffchaff. The only place I had yet to check was the lane at Ballycarry Pool
and I’m glad I did because a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Garden
Warbler</b> (110) was found sunning itself there! The very strong light made it
look scarily pale at first but as I moved slightly closer it began moving
around giving me a good look at its (sadly unmarked) under-tail coverts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in just two years of coverage I’ve had
Mealy Redpoll, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Garden Warbler and Whinchat in
this 100m stretch of hedge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not bad for
starters.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHxtFAES2GCEJnjhJOgwsm_CLs1Gd6FXCyMTFPNcnsyLQxvZTPZLPPXrdU60yj1S3-VCGUaRPfIaBP_X6b9pi01KWSNxUCGQuCxAVhft6iSCAS17fJ-950rfJCAtgdIqHFd5Rm_kxgJXe/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHxtFAES2GCEJnjhJOgwsm_CLs1Gd6FXCyMTFPNcnsyLQxvZTPZLPPXrdU60yj1S3-VCGUaRPfIaBP_X6b9pi01KWSNxUCGQuCxAVhft6iSCAS17fJ-950rfJCAtgdIqHFd5Rm_kxgJXe/s400/IMG_1209.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Mill Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m struggling to find any
highlights worth mentioning from my visit on 13<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> October, a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fieldfare</b> (111) flying over
Craigmacagan Lough was new for the year and a Pomarine Skua off Rue Point were about
the best I could manage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Twite flock
had increased to 20 birds and a Wheatear was at Mill Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a much better day on 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
October, which began with a trek up to the Coastguards Hut in search of rare
buntings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I failed in this regard but
did manage to locate a patch tick <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Tree Pipit</span></b> (112) which flew over calling before
landing briefly on an old stone wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The grounds of the East Light held a Grey Wagtail and a Lapwing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also a good day for flyover Whooper
Swans; a total of 47 birds were seen passing through during the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than 30 Redwing were present, most of
which were in the hedge at Ballycarry Pool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A group of 3 Barnacle Geese were in much the same spot as the friendly
Brent Goose a few weeks ago and it was good to see that all 5 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chough</b> were still on the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I returned to the ferry via Mill Bay and
spotted an Arctic Tern roosting on the rocks, which became the first tern of
any species, I’ve actually seen land on Rathlin!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHUfAsKCRNlSizIOCzoQcm-UQmpFaDRiIaDr-6Jv4iyTj1CXZRZNW26IZ41gbCU8sw_ldMPpxLsmPEDxqrA0KWTjaMmSszY4DOiSDz0UTtJCF2HlZbNPR0Vqux4LlgAdj4TgUxgHP8hI1/s1600/IMG_1173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHUfAsKCRNlSizIOCzoQcm-UQmpFaDRiIaDr-6Jv4iyTj1CXZRZNW26IZ41gbCU8sw_ldMPpxLsmPEDxqrA0KWTjaMmSszY4DOiSDz0UTtJCF2HlZbNPR0Vqux4LlgAdj4TgUxgHP8hI1/s400/IMG_1173.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a break at Coastguards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKYHvaj_MFNXkY-50fUkusiOAjDKNAQOc2V4GOrACP3AvolppiADAArNnxJeSquracJE8INnLuirPf6coT_Ov5lHinwlSwNYGJhlTZFj4ewsQcsCFoRM6MCaohnB9jyj-WQFRVewk0IoN/s1600/Barnacles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKYHvaj_MFNXkY-50fUkusiOAjDKNAQOc2V4GOrACP3AvolppiADAArNnxJeSquracJE8INnLuirPf6coT_Ov5lHinwlSwNYGJhlTZFj4ewsQcsCFoRM6MCaohnB9jyj-WQFRVewk0IoN/s400/Barnacles.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barnacle Geese at Rue Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn’t make it over again until
1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> November, which was a particularly depressing day on patch owing
to strong southerly winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still it was
nice to see the female <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pochard</b> back
at Ally Lough for another winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two
Whooper Swans were at Ushet Lough and a late Wheatear at the East Light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My next visit on 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
November was one of those days you felt something good might appear at any
moment – a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goldeneye</b> at
Craigmacagan, a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Long-tailed Duck</b> at
Rue Point and a pair of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Red-breasted
Mergansers</b> in the harbour (doubling my previous high count for this
species!) were all decent birds for Rathlin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The distinctly Scandinavian vibe continued with counts of 39 Blackbirds,
36 Robins and numerous Wrens and Stonechats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I sat in Church Bay eating lunch I noticed half a dozen hooded crows
appearing to dive bomb something in the distance – I thought no more of it
until 10 minutes later, when I could hear lots of pipits calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked up to see a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Short-eared</span></b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Owl</span></b> (113) cruising along the road
above the harbour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the apparent
recent influx in eastern England, this species was well and
truly on my radar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it’s not
often these hoped for species fall into place, the Desert Wheatear I had
thought about the night before certainly didn’t!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brought my patch life list to 149
species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what will be next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scores – 113 species, 144 points
or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">95.36%</b></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceIDXlQrE-9bx7eUc6G5nyasM1baN8ZjkqNGbL0eqG2204H08kD_FSmyVPjvIv7hcXBiUobG0hfLJ7MF16zltwNyR3WJ0oW5J1LxHKYcXs0NyNfledNS4wgdjRHDa2sBBY3eZmY70WADy/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceIDXlQrE-9bx7eUc6G5nyasM1baN8ZjkqNGbL0eqG2204H08kD_FSmyVPjvIv7hcXBiUobG0hfLJ7MF16zltwNyR3WJ0oW5J1LxHKYcXs0NyNfledNS4wgdjRHDa2sBBY3eZmY70WADy/s320/IMG_1201.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linnet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFXeEbV8d3pnafWmGO3V2zBmCNNNRVkHFzBl2YpgItGoqvWpoto-Mufd2-KShAwBoxusD_J2liTloTwUdLCw1pZhfIChZCNhClz1nB5Dzt6DAY30BGJKc5EhDhgoD1erDEsXbl0RTkKAH/s1600/P1040837+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFXeEbV8d3pnafWmGO3V2zBmCNNNRVkHFzBl2YpgItGoqvWpoto-Mufd2-KShAwBoxusD_J2liTloTwUdLCw1pZhfIChZCNhClz1nB5Dzt6DAY30BGJKc5EhDhgoD1erDEsXbl0RTkKAH/s320/P1040837+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My thoughts exactly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-30793813652629954092014-09-08T20:03:00.000+01:002014-09-08T20:03:51.776+01:00Rathlin Update<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s been a while since my last
update from Rathlin, owing to a lack of visits during the past few months due
to work commitments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite not
visiting at all in June or July, I have managed to add 5 species to the year
list in the 5 visits I have managed since my last update.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first of these was on 11<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th
</span></sup>May which started off with the second <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grey Wagtail</b> of the spring singing from trees above the small
stream In Church Valley. Bird of the day however, was a singing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Lesser Whitethroat </span></b>(95)
above Church Bay – only the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> island record and the first since 18<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
October 2009.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interestingly, this bird
was skulking in the same dense thicket as I saw the last one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This area has also hosted Garden Warbler in
the recent past and regularly gets good numbers of Blackcaps and
Whitethroats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looks a good bet for a
Barred Warbler one day I reckon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a sound recording of the
bird taken on my iPhone:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/156670062&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also new for the year were 3 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mealy Redpolls</b> (96) buzzing around the
same area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There seems to be a pattern
emerging for these on patch, with birds seen annually in late spring, no doubt
en route to breeding grounds much further north. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elsewhere around the patch were:
1 Chiffchaff, 2 Chough, 12 Sedge Warbler, 6 Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail, 1
Wigeon, 10 Whitethroat and 23 Willow Warblers.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PttLVOUxlXNXbIAVk-Q2q8B8iJkpBrIWHP1444PNHvs-KZP1GCfV4L0gOyQOYTbGJpdKVMQULf_AafkPSO8OzamD29-YkTM5JJ1ymGyLqhJux48Bnsqf3-Dy5jL3omWTLpC0xGKV8bqk/s1600/IMG_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PttLVOUxlXNXbIAVk-Q2q8B8iJkpBrIWHP1444PNHvs-KZP1GCfV4L0gOyQOYTbGJpdKVMQULf_AafkPSO8OzamD29-YkTM5JJ1ymGyLqhJux48Bnsqf3-Dy5jL3omWTLpC0xGKV8bqk/s1600/IMG_0560.JPG" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For a few weeks in late May this year the answer was yes for all 6 species</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Saturday the 24<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May
produced a good day total of 66 species, which included my first ever Rathlin <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Corncrake </span></b>(97).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat on a nearby wall listening to its call
as I ate lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could even hear it
from the bar! (Or so I’m told). </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Mealy Redpoll was still doing
the rounds in Church Valley and a good variety of other migrants and breeding
species were noted, but included no further year ticks: 2 Chough, 1 Chiffchaff,
2 Blackcap, 1 Dunlin, 1 Goldcrest, 12 Lesser Redpoll, 15 Sedge Warbler, 5
Wheatear, 9 Whitethroat and 25 Willow Warblers were the best of the rest. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was also pleased to see that the
patch <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lapwing</b> nested in a single
colony this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the 7 pairs
present were guarding young during this visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Corncrake was still present
and singing away on 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> May, but as many of you will know, it
wasn’t seen or heard of after this date thanks to a private helicopter landing
in its preferred field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read
more about this story <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/steppingupnorthernireland/archive/2014/06/17/calling-corncrake-falls-silent-on-rathlin.aspx" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: blue;">here</span></strong></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good numbers
of common migrants were still on the move with day totals of 10 Sedge Warbler,
2 Blackcap, 12 Whitethroat and 21 Willow Warblers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6K0Pv5DI2OZ-h90y8UBRPLSvTnfM6EhbMBKJaN4TptitTW0HuJfmOsaRhriHTeb2VUG7GPce-4Hsl63j-ntaez7BVEU22L-z1yIWPuLQ_KcfLcOzO1dbgyPjCHkVZLDII5sUnBnMvi7y/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6K0Pv5DI2OZ-h90y8UBRPLSvTnfM6EhbMBKJaN4TptitTW0HuJfmOsaRhriHTeb2VUG7GPce-4Hsl63j-ntaez7BVEU22L-z1yIWPuLQ_KcfLcOzO1dbgyPjCHkVZLDII5sUnBnMvi7y/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAZctgKVSrWqpyxVPDYzKv4CHdYYU8QxYaHcWjBPo-NUyRlk6xCNX74fi0YtnVlD0g3YegjSiBsLteYa79sP9gg10nV_BkfQt-iP4SxIPfQhGglgT66XtE_WrHLu1x740szw2t9S76dcF/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAZctgKVSrWqpyxVPDYzKv4CHdYYU8QxYaHcWjBPo-NUyRlk6xCNX74fi0YtnVlD0g3YegjSiBsLteYa79sP9gg10nV_BkfQt-iP4SxIPfQhGglgT66XtE_WrHLu1x740szw2t9S76dcF/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of images from the Maritime Festival in late May</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My next visit wasn’t until 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
August, when the only new bird for the year was a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kestrel</b> (98).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other early
autumn migrants included over 100 House Martins above Church Bay and a flock of
over 250 birds behind Mill Bay which included 100+ Linnets, 20 Lesser Redpolls,
many Meadow Pipits and at least 2 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twite</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My latest visit took place on 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
September when I recorded my 144<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> patch species in the form of a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Bar-tailed Godwit </span></b>(99)
in Mill Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A high count of 17 Dunlin here
had me on high alert for a Curlew Sand or Little Stint, but sadly not this
time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple of White Wagtails were scant
consolation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As there was a decent northerly
breeze blowing, I spent some time around the Coastguard’s Hut hoping for a
Lapland Bunting or Golden Plover on land, or some Brent Geese or a skua at
sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the best on offer was a flock
of 12 Snipe flying overhead, a few Skylarks on land and a handful of Manx Shearwaters
offshore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elsewhere, good numbers of
Swallows and House Martins were resting up on wires or feeding around the West
Pier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gardens here had a few
Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several
Blackcaps were in the “Lesser Whitethroat” thicket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In other news, the pair of Chough
successfully fledged 3 young and the Great Skua pair were also successful this
year. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though somehow the latter have
evaded my year list thus far!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pair of Whinchats
were also confirmed breeding in the middle section of the island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also received news of a Red Kite which I
missed earlier in the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Scores – 99 species, 123 points or 81.5%<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By this stage last year I was on
112 species, so I’d better hope for an improved late autumn period this year to
make up for it.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-53049105428563743422014-07-14T17:10:00.001+01:002014-08-10T22:11:20.303+01:00April, May & June at Kilcoole<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Time to play catch up seeing
as it’s been a while since I last blogged on progress at the Kilcoole patch.
Here’s a rundown of how the Spring went…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">APRIL<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The floodgates certainly
opened with a flurry of (expected) migrants totalling 21 new patch
year ticks that month alone. An increase in effort to make up for lost time in
March certainly helped also. Friday 11<sup>th</sup> saw seven species added
during a nice wee fall with 5 Chiffchaff, 13 <b>Blackcap (species #98)</b>, 24 <b>Willow
Warbler (99)</b>, 10 <b>Swallow (100)</b>,
7 <b>Wheatear (101)</b>, finally connecting
with <b>Black Guillemot (102)</b>, 9 <b>Sandwich Tern (103)</b> and a <b>Sand Martin (104)</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wednesday 16<sup>th</sup>
added <b>Sedge Warbler (105)</b> and a
female/immature type <b><span style="color: red;">Marsh Harrier (106)</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>at Blackditch East Coast Nature Reserve plus a <b>Whimbrel (107)</b> at
Kilcoole to the list.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtkR3FgXjACYgo9c0viwCtIBCwAQ6-Z4adz90JsiUY3R8HiOVZWJvmkGPxgUY7yM2UW3Yr6SG1JCDYQY439GYzJvoT1LrIzqCY-fN74yJTKD85q5OAbdF4zeMSXxk_XdNPzbUbFuEo5I/s1600/DSCN4764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtkR3FgXjACYgo9c0viwCtIBCwAQ6-Z4adz90JsiUY3R8HiOVZWJvmkGPxgUY7yM2UW3Yr6SG1JCDYQY439GYzJvoT1LrIzqCY-fN74yJTKD85q5OAbdF4zeMSXxk_XdNPzbUbFuEo5I/s1600/DSCN4764.JPG" height="342" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2y1yOJqjnn17ZVP-KjTummNEewtOwQznJnjtdt4GfMg1Q75jZOX3I6DcQfLdDwojCyEX66VFve2Orc-VTRHjIOR7P3V4rfzx3mwreihwiASBe7Obmte08noDqRWxxFfbqg6AoLyqtYU/s1600/DSCN4745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2y1yOJqjnn17ZVP-KjTummNEewtOwQznJnjtdt4GfMg1Q75jZOX3I6DcQfLdDwojCyEX66VFve2Orc-VTRHjIOR7P3V4rfzx3mwreihwiASBe7Obmte08noDqRWxxFfbqg6AoLyqtYU/s1600/DSCN4745.JPG" height="290" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Marsh Harrier at ECNR. Another female/immature type was seen at Kilcoole on 17th June.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the most unexpected
finds of year so far came on Monday 21<sup>st</sup> whilst trundling about in
the birchwood at ECNR failing to locate any Woodcock. In the thick of the wood
I could hear a goose calling overhead which sound like a high pitched
White-front. I dashed about looking for a gap in the canopy and just about
jammed in on getting a good view of the bird flying North… a <b><span style="color: red;">Pink-footed Goose!
(108)</span></b>. Some seawatching from Newcastle added a <b>Common Tern (109)</b>, 21 <b>Manx
Shearwaters (110)</b> and a dark phase <b>Arctic
Skua (111)</b> with a single <b>Common
Sandpiper (112)</b> later on at Kilcoole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day saw 7 <b>House Martins (113)</b> and three singing
male <b>Reed Warblers (114)</b> at
Ballygannon along with 2 <b>Little Terns (115)</b>
and the first migrating trio of <b>Sanderling
(116)</b> at Kilcoole. A striking white-headed Cormorant day roosting at Newcastle that afternoon was confirmed as being a fine example of a <b><span style="color: red;">sinensis (Continental) Cormorant</span></b> by Killian Mullarney (thanks for getting the protractor out!). My first record of this taxa on patch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2K83HGQpz_UP1PZwbzK6dd5WGh40LQhj6bo3ny-_KJJ6-W1Rz9VMSF_lBwUH4VvTawiWn9dJcYxavjS2GxeOskjLfPuLcghSSU6Q5M1HR-DLSuTbqGfPSnPg2-hu6RB3v8jl5AOeFB4/s1600/sinensis-type_Cormorant_Kilcoole-Newcastle_22Apr2014(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2K83HGQpz_UP1PZwbzK6dd5WGh40LQhj6bo3ny-_KJJ6-W1Rz9VMSF_lBwUH4VvTawiWn9dJcYxavjS2GxeOskjLfPuLcghSSU6Q5M1HR-DLSuTbqGfPSnPg2-hu6RB3v8jl5AOeFB4/s1600/sinensis-type_Cormorant_Kilcoole-Newcastle_22Apr2014(2).JPG" height="400" width="353" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1XdDzVjzxdv412Z990wB9egcVUsVP-q0miLOQZIZAOIGq-TMcXyYtgIRBryGd5NCZf65vWk5nZQuCSGeVbPRFgf0M0APrGSLWQHLT28RkXSDSD5yfMuKFnbJsapzU4JJIiBVC6WuhHU/s1600/sinensis-type_Cormorant_Kilcoole-Newcastle_22Apr2014(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1XdDzVjzxdv412Z990wB9egcVUsVP-q0miLOQZIZAOIGq-TMcXyYtgIRBryGd5NCZf65vWk5nZQuCSGeVbPRFgf0M0APrGSLWQHLT28RkXSDSD5yfMuKFnbJsapzU4JJIiBVC6WuhHU/s1600/sinensis-type_Cormorant_Kilcoole-Newcastle_22Apr2014(3).JPG" height="400" width="368" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">sinensis Cormorant</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCTgFQ4XodnXw7sbN8GcYqaeGRAuvUghXHFeWP0gxIvUvsvfM5AacTXNHIroXGx1_cd03teEqN-e7DCvO5EFt2OJ48-Ea_0OdcJerU7A-pqfhajZcB0feeG156qxhskEtuxBY1uYPMSE/s1600/DSCN4752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCTgFQ4XodnXw7sbN8GcYqaeGRAuvUghXHFeWP0gxIvUvsvfM5AacTXNHIroXGx1_cd03teEqN-e7DCvO5EFt2OJ48-Ea_0OdcJerU7A-pqfhajZcB0feeG156qxhskEtuxBY1uYPMSE/s1600/DSCN4752.JPG" height="246" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Spring Golden Plover flocks in Webb's field looking well. No repeat of last years AGP unfortunately.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final year ticks of the
month came on 26<sup>th</sup> when doing some pre-Little Tern conservation
project scoping of the beach with warden Andrew Power. The weather was
horrendous and it was no great surprise that it pushed a superb group of 11 <b>Arctic Terns (117)</b> up along the beach.
Once the rain cleared a stonking male <b><span style="color: red;">Whinchat (118)</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>popped
up on the fence around the wardens camp in Webb’s field. Only my second patch
record after getting the <a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/autumnal-august.html">first here last August</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yEZi6pdU04xokFwmAIFb_bjvSCsvEN8VX4x7R-mRKwjdh0XQvkeBmbVeHT7joPviwInB_7NmJhebhW3qMclnhvX8EoXRsz8JJREDUoh4X5F-juCVKvedU_3v13q4YQ-uHmFmpoyxbPY/s1600/DSCN4806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yEZi6pdU04xokFwmAIFb_bjvSCsvEN8VX4x7R-mRKwjdh0XQvkeBmbVeHT7joPviwInB_7NmJhebhW3qMclnhvX8EoXRsz8JJREDUoh4X5F-juCVKvedU_3v13q4YQ-uHmFmpoyxbPY/s1600/DSCN4806.JPG" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">#patchgold Whinchat</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>April dips (birds seen by
others):</u> Ruff and Garganey at Kilcoole and a Mandarin Duck at ECNR
(although perhaps not so worried about that last one!).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MAY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most of May was spent out of
the country surveying in Scotland or offshore on the <a href="http://www.birdguides.com/webzine/article.asp?a=4423">R.V. <i>Celtic Voyager</i></a> and as such only managed five visits. Certainly
missed out on my best chance for some high scoring rarities as May is
definitely the best month on patch for picking up on these. Saying that, still
got three year ticks so not a complete loss: the first <b>Swifts</b> <b>(119) </b>of the year
and a flyover <b><span style="color: red;">Yellow
Wagtail (120)</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>on 4<sup>th</sup>
followed up by a 2<sup>nd</sup> calendar year <b>Bar-tailed</b> <b>Godwit (121) </b>in
Webb’s field on 6<sup>th</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>May dips (birds seen by
others):</u> a flyover Spoonbill and a Curlew Sandpiper at Kilcoole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JUNE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A total of ten days volunteering
with the <a href="http://littleternconservation.blogspot.co.uk/">Little Tern conservation project </a>during June culminated in no less
than nine patch year ticks. Wednesday 4<sup>th</sup> got the scoring rhythm
back in action with a <b>Puffin (122)</b>
flying North during an early morning seawatch followed up by my third patch
record of an <b><span style="color: red;">OSPREY
(123)</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>which<span style="color: red;"> </span>drifted
South overhead between 10:35-10:50 and then to top the day off, a <b>Kingfisher (124)</b> on the channel
alongside Webb’s field later that evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyY4BXJMPkg_JdXZHTxn3kQq5OlhgvOatYmTVYY3dL9uFBXMw6v-YGKbjcO8ZbpuKxPrLaDJrHjShzA_jdakpw_Offg4lwJBmjsF_zXDEq2Ij_IQI-I4tMYlt6C9L6E_B15Nr__HOoX4/s1600/DSCN4961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyY4BXJMPkg_JdXZHTxn3kQq5OlhgvOatYmTVYY3dL9uFBXMw6v-YGKbjcO8ZbpuKxPrLaDJrHjShzA_jdakpw_Offg4lwJBmjsF_zXDEq2Ij_IQI-I4tMYlt6C9L6E_B15Nr__HOoX4/s1600/DSCN4961.JPG" height="317" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJLtYShmK3WfNcAr3RQoyHWanCmRvl-I36S937sHI-GwoVPtLoYki8zOlF1JJAmxY4qVhoDtqIU9-F-4LZRQ7Es9Sg9Dt0l-NbLe6SN6dmlmz-cA_t_nDWH2XyS0PkeZN42wdatXAVfk/s1600/DSCN4962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJLtYShmK3WfNcAr3RQoyHWanCmRvl-I36S937sHI-GwoVPtLoYki8zOlF1JJAmxY4qVhoDtqIU9-F-4LZRQ7Es9Sg9Dt0l-NbLe6SN6dmlmz-cA_t_nDWH2XyS0PkeZN42wdatXAVfk/s1600/DSCN4962.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">#patchgold Osprey<br /></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Blackditch East Coast Nature
Reserve produced the goods with a reeling <b>Grasshopper
Warbler (125)</b> in the fen on 15<sup>th</sup> and a triple whammy on 18<sup>th</sup>
thanks to an early morning start for a <a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/surveys/ces">CES session</a> where a <b>Spotted Flycatcher</b> <b>(126)</b>
was seen in the wood and a female <b>Cuckoo
(127)</b> followed swiftly by a male <b>Whitethroat
(128)</b> on the walk back along the coastal path afterwards. Later that
evening I racked up the fourth patch year tick of the day with a cracking <b>Storm Petrel (129)</b> feeding very close
in from The Breaches at 21:35. The next morning added <b>Roseate Tern (130)</b> to the list with a single adult flying North and
a most welcome 2<sup>nd</sup> calendar-year <b>Knot (131)</b> which dropped into The Breaches that afternoon. A fine
couple of days!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpN-yFbUkIRmGBnOko1xB7kBa93DbA28fowNLs6Lr5lHSGfrEZVugCqUCKKPgS1t6QmXcQgt5j-pJrswmC88_E-Isli6i5aVrq5meGEdrU3Ds4ZemudbWRjLJmtRUahILOvGz4TWjRCU/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpN-yFbUkIRmGBnOko1xB7kBa93DbA28fowNLs6Lr5lHSGfrEZVugCqUCKKPgS1t6QmXcQgt5j-pJrswmC88_E-Isli6i5aVrq5meGEdrU3Ds4ZemudbWRjLJmtRUahILOvGz4TWjRCU/s1600/IMG_2061.JPG" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Reed Warbler caught & ringed at CES. One of eight recorded that day between Newcastle & ECNR. A good year for them on patch.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBVONrwCgqseuOYJqnFfBGn1q66QJfnPd6DsyaYaipvzeEbN6syCODsQuFH94ir-aPlVhUQ0yabtp2DnE4zx6QhPaZqkHnLwgClURnm6r9ymABvCl9cOPiLjINR089rwhSVh90CVrZgI/s1600/DSCN5001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBVONrwCgqseuOYJqnFfBGn1q66QJfnPd6DsyaYaipvzeEbN6syCODsQuFH94ir-aPlVhUQ0yabtp2DnE4zx6QhPaZqkHnLwgClURnm6r9ymABvCl9cOPiLjINR089rwhSVh90CVrZgI/s1600/DSCN5001.JPG" height="288" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">2cy Knot in The Breaches<br /></span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The big dip in June came on
Sunday 22<sup>nd</sup> when I was awoken by a flurry of texts and missed calls whilst in bed, suffering from the aftermath of social ‘engagements’ with some <i><a href="http://www.robertburns.org.uk/Assets/Poems_Songs/tamoshanter.htm">drouthy cronies</a></i> in Dublin city centre. A fine 2<sup>nd</sup>
calendar-year Laughing Gull nailed by local birder Cian Cardiff put in a brief
appearance at The Breaches and was long gone by the time I got my act together
and made it down that evening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A Red Kite seen by Justin
Ivory just outside the patch near Newcastle in late June gives hope that I will
be adding it to the list soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">June was also a particularly
good month for other general wildlife sightings in the area with some
highlights as follows: <b>Hummingbird
Hawkmoth</b>, Poplar Hawkmoth, Small Elephant Hawkmoth, Garden Tiger, Buff-tip,
Six Spot Burnet, Early Bumblebee, <b>Cryptic
Wood White</b>, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Hairy Hawker, <b>Emperor</b>, Four-spotted Chaser, Common Darter, Variable Damselfly,
Harbour Porpoise, <b>Otter</b>, Leisler’s
Bat, Soprano Pipistrelle and <b>Barrel
Jellyfish</b> (40 of which washed up in The Breaches on 16<sup>th</sup>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Cryptic Wood White at ECNR</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegaD3bbLIc4UkrtPOwgBDsK_EcnzVc8q52B7qvv2A9AJvMin6XBExdyCGMOK6Vd2__dKoU8-qGP5iDMQMgWX67FyWlpVYkM8i9W-cvjianwLGmwDJyrdep02zrovym2kHFF_H_-Prd4k/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegaD3bbLIc4UkrtPOwgBDsK_EcnzVc8q52B7qvv2A9AJvMin6XBExdyCGMOK6Vd2__dKoU8-qGP5iDMQMgWX67FyWlpVYkM8i9W-cvjianwLGmwDJyrdep02zrovym2kHFF_H_-Prd4k/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" height="400" width="367" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hairy Hawker at ECNR</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafJBtMFNIwVe1g25TvTEdOS0KUx0etS2jb32EAuZcpku3QFfcwEhIMUV1F2UbME9SxEHYKr0flLrt0v0HvBYBUCcLleXQ-lxjPuCRKMqerd_5PRloeiiWlunxqxChNzjqQt032b0Po4A/s1600/barrel+jellyfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafJBtMFNIwVe1g25TvTEdOS0KUx0etS2jb32EAuZcpku3QFfcwEhIMUV1F2UbME9SxEHYKr0flLrt0v0HvBYBUCcLleXQ-lxjPuCRKMqerd_5PRloeiiWlunxqxChNzjqQt032b0Po4A/s1600/barrel+jellyfish.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Barrel Jellyfish in The Breaches (pic by Anne-Lise Gerard)</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So a PWC 2014 half time half
score of 131 species & 169 points (83.25%) compares rather well with 136
species & 176 points by the end of June 2013 considering the amount of on
site effort missed out on as a result of not working the Little Tern project as a full time warden.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a few pics from my time spent volunteering with the Little Tern wardens so far this summer. Weather has generally been great and the chicks are certainly responding to it!</span></div>
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nialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-63315065894349650792014-07-06T14:49:00.000+01:002014-07-06T14:56:24.738+01:00Spring roundup – Larne Lough<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was inevitable that the great run
of rarities during the early part of the year would dry up, nevertheless 14
species have been added around the patch since my last update. This has
included three more species of duck, but little in the way of surprises or high
scorers. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first <strong>Swallows</strong> had made it
back by 12 April, <strong>House Martins</strong> returned by 22 April and the first <strong>Swifts</strong> of
the year were seen on 3 May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again
Sand Martins failed to make an appearance on the patch, not that this was
surprising considering I’ve never seen one in Larne!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best find of the past couple
of months was the second <span style="color: red;"><strong>Kumlien’s Gull</strong></span> in as many weeks to put in a brief appearance
at the Inver River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rather nice 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
winter bird was found loafing around there at low tide on 13 April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This put me in the unusual position of trying
to turn what was a fairly classic Kumlien’s into an Iceland Gull, having dipped
on the latter species earlier in the year.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLUTWJ4hNioEKLvdFP0iGBThcJo9Uh7ZEcGbK3J1qV_19SF9mFuVNdSCk7RuhiQhdQAzLtX78i8yn5GXSCQTz0yxtBX8m9jR99qBQW3gReeGbw5xFJG2QFJnoA5cUaBD99J8E1WswLAN_/s1600/kum4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLUTWJ4hNioEKLvdFP0iGBThcJo9Uh7ZEcGbK3J1qV_19SF9mFuVNdSCk7RuhiQhdQAzLtX78i8yn5GXSCQTz0yxtBX8m9jR99qBQW3gReeGbw5xFJG2QFJnoA5cUaBD99J8E1WswLAN_/s1600/kum4.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1st winter Kumlien's Gull, Inver River</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m not sure if it’s always the
case, or it’s thanks to my increased efforts this year, but I have been amazed
at the number of ducks that have put in an appearance at Glynn Station thus far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pair of <strong>Gadwall</strong> were found on 16 April and
were joined for a few weeks by two moulting males.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In between times the male Pintail appeared
again, then went missing for a month only to reappear last week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This made me wonder whether they might
actually be breeding in the private lagoon at Glynn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next up on the duck front were a pair of <strong>Scaup</strong>
found bobbing around distantly off the station on 26 April. A check of my
records showed these were only my second ever on patch, following a female at
the same location in February 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
most recent addition to the year list, was also a second patch record in the
form of 5 <strong>Pochard</strong> at Glynn Station on the unusual date of 23 June! That’s 11
species of duck seen this year from Glynn Station!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTtCHbwx4QZeW8ORFr5r5GBIm12sSoRKpV0PLUbQyJAd_Tlti10yswXsqw-e-f4Z3g8lVXPb9WSlm250pyrRjtdSLtXra80wc8ZP0DgOdFVtVXQ2la9FgLg-2R1wjrWWbtLSusCd7_I5t/s1600/Scaup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTtCHbwx4QZeW8ORFr5r5GBIm12sSoRKpV0PLUbQyJAd_Tlti10yswXsqw-e-f4Z3g8lVXPb9WSlm250pyrRjtdSLtXra80wc8ZP0DgOdFVtVXQ2la9FgLg-2R1wjrWWbtLSusCd7_I5t/s1600/Scaup.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXklhP6Juo63K8ywZUrxfBsMSg9O0IWWt15ra20lqkXFX2TsxF5t07enJ8Ucp0qLG_MT4AEuGA3Yb8s_m-mS1MCbm02T_UYGi6wZE1cbf6zuBRVBTeUAPvdsTpaq6wCd2v5QgEkcEaYsMV/s1600/Pochard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXklhP6Juo63K8ywZUrxfBsMSg9O0IWWt15ra20lqkXFX2TsxF5t07enJ8Ucp0qLG_MT4AEuGA3Yb8s_m-mS1MCbm02T_UYGi6wZE1cbf6zuBRVBTeUAPvdsTpaq6wCd2v5QgEkcEaYsMV/s1600/Pochard2.jpg" height="356" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gadwall, Scaup and Pochard all put in an appearance at Glynn Station</span><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elsewhere, I mopped up a few
other spring migrants – a <strong>Common Sandpiper</strong> was at Sandy Bay on 17 April, <strong>Common
Terns</strong> were arriving back to breed by 21 April and <strong>Sedge Warblers</strong> (maybe only 2
pairs on patch) were at Glynn from 30 April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A distant feeding flock of <strong>Manx Shearwaters</strong> were seen from Sandy Bay on
23 April and the odd bird can be seen gliding by at sea most days at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No doubt en route to or from the Copeland
Islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nice summer plumaged
<strong>Sanderling</strong> was new for the year at Sandy Bay on 5 May, but no sign of something
more extravagant like a Curlew Sandpiper.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Following several failed attempts
to see one of the <strong>Spotted Flycatchers</strong> that usually appear on patch around
mid-May, a pair were finally seen on 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> when they were observed collecting
nest material along Glynn River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
beginning to think my prediction that <strong>Reed Buntings</strong> were likely to be
encountered at Glynn Lagoon was going to fall flat on its face until a nice
male was heard singing in the small reed bed there on 26 April.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXyKZV9_muUV0Bh_ds4Dc_ZEtqr2jox0YIRbnsOjUqrsDVb8r-vOaWnDc3xaA0eMdkeQj6FxGgwIJgvArVKmJZXrJ5i3ohFunkxdBrSmpj8YUjEfEVZvpy5W3xc1joFNJw2aXa-s80Mpu/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXyKZV9_muUV0Bh_ds4Dc_ZEtqr2jox0YIRbnsOjUqrsDVb8r-vOaWnDc3xaA0eMdkeQj6FxGgwIJgvArVKmJZXrJ5i3ohFunkxdBrSmpj8YUjEfEVZvpy5W3xc1joFNJw2aXa-s80Mpu/s1600/photo.JPG" height="318" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer Sanderling and Dunlin, Sandy Bay</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYlb5B3cx3P7Y45wGBhocAh8CcnLtqtpU5I7m-QXwyv-jVT76w6fY0qweVrAtVfvmr0hVJ22hIdQ0962t0d0lrOV3DicUDXX_yHW3NozaksxYazOxa7EDKsK2ne-C4hI-sulnb9BFxN7C/s1600/Spotted+fly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYlb5B3cx3P7Y45wGBhocAh8CcnLtqtpU5I7m-QXwyv-jVT76w6fY0qweVrAtVfvmr0hVJ22hIdQ0962t0d0lrOV3DicUDXX_yHW3NozaksxYazOxa7EDKsK2ne-C4hI-sulnb9BFxN7C/s1600/Spotted+fly.JPG" height="400" width="357" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spotted Flycatcher, Glynn River</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The undoubted highlight of the
late spring period was watching a pair of <strong><span style="color: red;">Roseate Terns</span></strong> courting off Glynn
Station on 14 June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great to
welcome back what are normally Northern Ireland’s only breeding pair of this graceful
seabird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s hope they manage to
fledge young this year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This patch birding malarkey fairly
gets under your skin – I have even made a late evening venture in search of calling
Long-eared Owl chicks but all I managed to find was a courting pair of
different kind!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most recently I managed
to dip a Spotted Redshank, which becomes the second species I’ve missed on
patch this year along with Iceland Gull.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So all in all, not a bad few
months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thoughts turn now to seawatching
and keeping my eye on wader passage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
optimist in me thinks of large shearwaters and yank waders, but more realistic
targets are Common Scoter, Bonxie and Knot… </span></div>
<div align="justify" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Current score – 116 species or 148 points</span></div>
</span><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
</span>Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-26245886614952048342014-05-03T21:29:00.000+01:002014-05-03T21:29:34.705+01:00Rathlin Island - April Update<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During April I managed four day
trips to Rathlin Island and as was the case last spring, a nice trickle of
migrants put in an appearance, which included 2 patch ticks, a great selection
of raptors and no less than 25 year ticks! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the first visit on 5 April, I
spent some time hanging around the Coastguards Hut/Ballyconagan area in search
of raptors which soon paid dividends when a female <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Hen Harrier</span></b><span style="color: red;"> </span>(69)
put on a show before flying high over the north cliffs being mobbed by
Ravens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Male <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Merlin</b> (70) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sparrowhawks</b>
(71) also put in appearances, as did a Peregrine and several Buzzards!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also in this area were at least 3 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Twite</b> (72), including a singing male
and several chipping Snipe, some of which were flushed by the hunting harrier. I’ve
always liked the look of this area, you could just see something like a Gyr Falcon
sitting on a post here one day… but for now I’m more than happy to have caught
up with what was only my 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup> patch record of Hen Harrier; a species
I managed to dip last year.</span></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elsewhere, a noticeable arrival
of finches had taken place with several small flocks of Goldfinches and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Linnets</b> (73) bombing around the
patch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gardens and hedges produced a
small number of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Willow Warblers </b>(74)
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Goldcrests</b> (75) and a single <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Redwing</b> by the pub.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only other year tick of the day was a
single <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Swallow</b> (76) over the “walled
garden” above Church Bay.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Totals, 5 April:</u></b> 75+Goldfinch, 9 Goldcrest, 4 Chiffchaff, 12
Willow Warbler, 1 Hen Harrier, 3 Twite, 2 Chough, 14 Linnet, 1 Redwing, 1 Merlin,
3 Wheatear, 1 Swallow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next visit on 18 April, was
one of those days which keeps me coming back to Rathlin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As ever, my first stop of the day was to the
West Pier, where bobbing about amongst the seals, were 3 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Common Sandpipers</b> (77).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
in Church Valley, one sallow bush had about 15 Willow Warblers in it! Elsewhere
in the valley were 2 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blackcaps</b> (78),
numerous Wheatears and 3 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lesser Redpolls</b>
(79). During the walk towards the East Light, a flock of about 10 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Brent Geese</b> (80) were seen heading west
out at sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way down to the
top of the cliffs behind the lighthouse wall and took up position for a
seawatch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Streams of Gannets and large
auks were moving west and Black-headed Gulls and Kittiwakes were milling around
and feeding at the base of the cliffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually a few <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Manx Shearwaters
</b>(81) were seen, but there was no sign of the hoped for Puffins.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4awFSigOxyiGU6Vr5kU8yCwx-1H66V-FZetgIFCj-4jDsdTNW8mspLHQDKOkxcH3Cj3iAni-fAE_DF0i6AG-bQHhYcMTWkvKeDG0vN9w2mRWIEw9tiMO-6oL09f-7p2d0Rk-Bgj4zcpUO/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4awFSigOxyiGU6Vr5kU8yCwx-1H66V-FZetgIFCj-4jDsdTNW8mspLHQDKOkxcH3Cj3iAni-fAE_DF0i6AG-bQHhYcMTWkvKeDG0vN9w2mRWIEw9tiMO-6oL09f-7p2d0Rk-Bgj4zcpUO/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower section of Church Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNLdKQypZw1UPoPaqOLnRv9zSdPU4LtSOcjomgCmtMg5fI7hBhsjflKU1lfLPfP1n2BsqdfwX_0Ig9bRLf6HctmyHtNFbCkwjYumzhud4dQ-MItOAAkGk09HYW1AZxUbOB_tryC1787tW/s1600/P1260276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNLdKQypZw1UPoPaqOLnRv9zSdPU4LtSOcjomgCmtMg5fI7hBhsjflKU1lfLPfP1n2BsqdfwX_0Ig9bRLf6HctmyHtNFbCkwjYumzhud4dQ-MItOAAkGk09HYW1AZxUbOB_tryC1787tW/s1600/P1260276.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Willow Warbler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfn0kAw4XfaQ0-MwBSzVScWreoPS9noiBExYoiuYHUU0KpN-YPT6vbZ41CaY9Qu6zG55c00CZMKojhdWQeAe9HgekeMpL8dbkhYFdIO8UiCcdNk75bMbo6ZH-Zee4CsAt4jDxLBuvm3woO/s1600/Wheatear1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfn0kAw4XfaQ0-MwBSzVScWreoPS9noiBExYoiuYHUU0KpN-YPT6vbZ41CaY9Qu6zG55c00CZMKojhdWQeAe9HgekeMpL8dbkhYFdIO8UiCcdNk75bMbo6ZH-Zee4CsAt4jDxLBuvm3woO/s1600/Wheatear1.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wheatear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was about to head back down the
track towards the east end gardens, when something made me head over to scan
the sea through the gully just to the west of the lighthouse compound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I arrived at the fence, an
enormous shape flushed from a ledge on the cliff face just yards below me, I
watch as it made several lumbering wing beats and dropped in height, before
rising up to eye level, turning left and cruising along the top of the cliffs
in side on profile - a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">GOLDEN EAGLE </span></b>(82)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made it to be a sub-adult as it had a few remnants of white in its
upper tail feathers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is my 2<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>
patch record, following a near adult seen on 15 April, 2012. Unfortunately, a
full-pelt steeplechase along the cliff tops failed to produce any further sign of
the bird, so I didn’t manage any photos of this one. Or indeed see any Puffins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a nice vantage point
overlooking the east end gardens, where I stood in a bit of a daze for a while
and made some half-hearted attempts to scan the gardens, when a Stonechat
popped up onto the fence ahead of me, I didn’t even put the bins on it until it
flew off showing a white rump! It stopped briefly on the fence at the other
side of the field – a cracking male <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Whinchat</span></b> (83), a patch tick no less! It was in
exactly the same field I saw a Yellow Wagtail last spring. </span></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Z7bIBR9m6Vth7UqiZOuzGYch1h4fbLUu91oXXUV_YQQVN6oiD1kyElqPuUwn97NiFBoInO-N84Xp5gZ_AA9izM5blujGhVSKdkON8Hm1Fr9dHdOBai2PMIhcbzLMlF1xBDbhT4XOdb6/s1600/Whinchat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Z7bIBR9m6Vth7UqiZOuzGYch1h4fbLUu91oXXUV_YQQVN6oiD1kyElqPuUwn97NiFBoInO-N84Xp5gZ_AA9izM5blujGhVSKdkON8Hm1Fr9dHdOBai2PMIhcbzLMlF1xBDbhT4XOdb6/s1600/Whinchat1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4NnOK9rswsmXoDqXd2dGBp6DyXhrfz7SyNxBWlXXJ61_HZ50mW1D7CxY7b7dsXn00ihBfDxdP1MffFiYNr2p-ODY5fbBOWWOK3BmdSQAACJhnVPgyAd3j-usaV0o_pjKaCo_edvWeJjl/s1600/Whinchat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4NnOK9rswsmXoDqXd2dGBp6DyXhrfz7SyNxBWlXXJ61_HZ50mW1D7CxY7b7dsXn00ihBfDxdP1MffFiYNr2p-ODY5fbBOWWOK3BmdSQAACJhnVPgyAd3j-usaV0o_pjKaCo_edvWeJjl/s1600/Whinchat2.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whinchat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My day got even better when the
rapidly drying out Ballycarry Pool, finally produced a “different” duck in the
form of a drake <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Gadwall</span></b>
(84) alongside a female Wigeon and 6 Teal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was the second patch tick of the day and shows there is hope yet to
find what I’d really like to see here (e.g. Garganey or Green-winged Teal).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Elsewhere, the first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">White Wagtails</b> of the year were seen in
Mill Bay and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">House Martins</b> (85) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sand Martins</b> (86) were new in at Ushet
Lough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Totals, 18 April:</u></b> 10 Brent Geese, 4 Chiffchaff, 70+ Willow
Warbler, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Chough, 23 Linnet, 25 Goldfinch, 3 Lesser
Redpoll, 1 Merlin, 25+ Swallow, 40+ Wheatear, 5 Manx Shearwater, 1 Golden
Eagle, 1 Whinchat, 2 Blackcap, 1 Gadwall, 1 Wigeon, 3 White Wagtail, 3 House
Martin, 5 Sand Martin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was joined on my next visit on
20 April by my father and things got off to a bright start, with 2 Twite
feeding in Ballycastle Harbour before the ferry across.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once on the island, things were lively enough
in Church Valley, with a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Woodpigeon</b>
(87) bolting out of the trees and the first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sedge Warbler</b> (88) of the year bursting into song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Migrant numbers elsewhere were much lower than
on the last visit and the day was eventually saved by a nice male <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grey Wagtail</b> (89) feeding in a mound of
manure at the back of Mill Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day ended
with a few pints in the bar.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzu-NG9scLWSBQUkR9GTt3LLDGuw1cmmDEIqUW5ZVrUjJbSLmeidPRAORq8ZyT38TgBQtljbzVLVrRpLHKdYR6_mPjgsmRDnyUXLG7JZU28DJhh7WWYs4TE-3Zz15QhFXCSJiqYVyWc_k/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzu-NG9scLWSBQUkR9GTt3LLDGuw1cmmDEIqUW5ZVrUjJbSLmeidPRAORq8ZyT38TgBQtljbzVLVrRpLHKdYR6_mPjgsmRDnyUXLG7JZU28DJhh7WWYs4TE-3Zz15QhFXCSJiqYVyWc_k/s1600/IMG_0398.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Purple Orchid</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfMacVeZt_bgcwxoddObrZyVO6bvS2K_6W2yWQ0Fw7kn_K6Z9gbw83FPnvd0SgfvFdCRrvU8XIFAA8ltBdCMDlFYGaTH5ZHxCB704qILqbhmBeyM6-A8CZpfhTvH38bs4LRe-oqzhsONQ/s1600/Sparrow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfMacVeZt_bgcwxoddObrZyVO6bvS2K_6W2yWQ0Fw7kn_K6Z9gbw83FPnvd0SgfvFdCRrvU8XIFAA8ltBdCMDlFYGaTH5ZHxCB704qILqbhmBeyM6-A8CZpfhTvH38bs4LRe-oqzhsONQ/s1600/Sparrow3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House Sparrow nesting above the pub door!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Totals, 20 April</u></b><u> (North half only):</u> 30+ Willow
Warbler, 4 Common Sandpiper, 1 Chough, 1 Woodpigeon, 4 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Sedge
Warbler, 15 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 10+ Swallow, 3 White Wagtail, 1
Grey Wagtail<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was back to full patch birding
mode on 27 April, which started with a memorable ferry crossing in flat calm
conditions through hundreds of Kittiwakes, Guillemots and Razorbills and the
occasional Puffin or Manx Shearwater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Puffins</b> (90) were officially
added to the year list later that day from Ushet Port.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Church Valley was again full of
phyllosc warblers and it wasn’t long before a reeling <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Grasshopper Warbler </b>(91) and 2 singing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whitethroats</b> (92) were seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Redpolls have been much less prevalent this spring, with virtually all
records being of flyover birds, but a group of 7 Lesser Redpolls were seen here
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Numbers of Sedge Warblers and
White Wagtails were also up to 13 and 9 respectively this visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again, waders are
conspicuous on the year list by their near absence, so it was great to finally
add <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dunlin</b> (93) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whimbrel</b> (94) for the year at Mill
Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A flock of 30 or more Rock Pipits
feeding in a field here were noteworthy and no doubt would have contained a littoralis
or two if it weren’t for them all being heavily back lit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All was it should be down at
Ushet Lough, with breeding Common Gulls, Lapwings and Oystercatchers on
territory and making a right din. Sand Martins look like using the same
breeding site as last year in the cliffs at Doon Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small group of pines at the south end of
the lake held a very dull acredula type Willow Warbler. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_2rzk30Btco0In88UtuV4YWQCmEWpUo7W2MvmClyGbUwEaf7bygc3lDfsiv4w9gx4zMb9GsIghWsUikKIISk_FRJIup4wGD8OLgzasAd1md-rM04KYt0eXkV1b0dQ8bxBidWiuc6cdZK/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_2rzk30Btco0In88UtuV4YWQCmEWpUo7W2MvmClyGbUwEaf7bygc3lDfsiv4w9gx4zMb9GsIghWsUikKIISk_FRJIup4wGD8OLgzasAd1md-rM04KYt0eXkV1b0dQ8bxBidWiuc6cdZK/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" height="252" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ushet Lough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Totals, 27 April:</u></b><u> </u>2 Chiffchaff, 38 Willow Warbler,
11+ Swallow, 13 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1
Merlin, 1 Whimbrel, 20 Wheatear, 1 House Martin, 2 Chough, 3 Dunlin, 9 White
wagtail, 10+ Sand Martin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the month ends on 94 species
(1 more than at this stage last year), 116 points or 76.8%</span></div>
Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-36486656174078977032014-04-07T20:45:00.000+01:002014-04-07T20:45:27.995+01:00Purple Patch – Larne Lough update<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life ‘Post-Crane’ around the
Larne patch has been predictably dull, with just the occasional oddity turning
up and a slow trickle of migrants arriving through March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in the past week or so, things have
really livened up, with some birds actually troubling the bonus points column
on the score sheet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my last update
in early February, I have made more visits to Glynn Station and Sandy Bay than
I care to remember and have had no end of trouble trying to find certain
‘common’ species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, somehow it all
seems worthwhile when the patch serves up birding gems like <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Kumlien’s Gull</span></b>
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Glossy Ibis</span></b>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only addition to the year
list in February following the Crane was a drake <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Shoveler</b>, found loitering off Glynn Station with Wigeon on 22<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>,
which I’m treating as a patch tick – although I do have a vague recollection of
seeing two females at Glynn many moons ago, but don’t seem to have noted it
down anywhere.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There has been no shortage of
gulls to check through during the past month or two, with a major arrival occurring
in mid-February and numbers generally building since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a rough count of all the gulls visible
from Glynn Station on 20<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> February and tallied 1200 Black-headed
Gulls, 800 Common Gulls, 300 Herring Gulls, 25+ Great Black-backed Gulls, 5 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mediterranean Gulls</b> and 3 Lesser
Black-backed Gulls. A grand total of over 2300 gulls, but this figure could
easily have been doubled had all the gulls in the north end of the lough been
counted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paying close attention to the
gulls also revealed the spring arrival of Med Gulls, with at least 12 birds
being seen on at least one occasion (8 x adults, 2 x 2nd sum & 2 x 1<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
sum) around the patch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By mid-March several
adults could be seen displaying off Glynn Station and most will hopefully stay
to breed on the nearby islands, which are currently heaving with gulls and
terns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No further year ticks were seen
until 9<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> March when I finally caught up with a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kingfisher</b> at Glynn Station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Later that day, on my first foray to Curran Point of the year I managed
two more with 15+ apparently fresh in <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Meadow
Pipits</b> and a female <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stonechat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>On my second visit here on 17<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
March, a nice male <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wheatear</b> was present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This site definitely seems capable of attracting
passerine migrants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other early spring migrants were
picked up around the patch on predictable March dates – <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Black-tailed Godwits </b>on 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>, the first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chiffchaff</b> singing at Bank Road on 16<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>,
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sandwich Terns</b> off Glynn Station on
29<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> and a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blackcap</b> at
Glynn Lagoon on 30<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Whimbrel</b> seen and heard off Glynn
on 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> March had most likely wintered there.</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></o:p> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Little Egret</b> and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Water Rail</b>
proved surprisingly difficult to get onto the year list. The former was not
encountered at until 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> March and an early morning stake out of
the private lagoon at Glynn was required for the latter the following day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">March is normally one of the best
months of the year in Larne Lough, as in addition to the mass arrival of gulls,
there is also a nice build-up of ducks, geese and waders and this year proved
to be no exception. Peak counts from Glynn Station included: 120 Brent Geese,
145 Redshank, 6 Greenshank, 100+ Curlew, 129 Eider, 63 Goldeneye and 58
Red-breasted Merganser. As well as occasional Red-throated and Great Northern
Divers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was beginning to think the most
unusual gull sighting of the winter was going to be an adult <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Kittiwake</b> seen roosting off Glynn
Station on 19<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> March, but an evening trip to the local garage on 31<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup>
soon changed that idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving home
along the harbour highway, I noticed a nice collection of gulls loafing at the
Inver River mouth at high tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled
onto the hard shoulder and was scanning the flock with my bins, when I was
stopped in my tracks by a most welcome tail pattern! I focussed in on the bird –
an adult <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Kumlien’s
Gull</span></b>, but something wasn’t quite right, it was at the dark end of
things for Kumlien’s, appeared rather chunky and most strikingly appeared to
have an all dark bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that moment I
realised I had no scope with me, so after a quick dash home, I was soon back
viewing the bird from the Bank Road side of the lough as it drifted further
away on the outgoing tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed
good views and took some shots through the scope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eye was also dark (ok for adult Kumlien’s),
the breast and neck heavily marked/streaked and the bill did have some blotches
of yellow on it, suggesting it may have been stained or caked in mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later that night, once confirmed as a Kumlien’s
by various other gull enthusiasts, I updated my patch score sheet to discover
it was worth a whopping 6 points!</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I arrived home from a work visit
to England late on 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> April to discover that the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Glossy Ibis</span></b>
first seen outside the patch boundary in January had been seen off Glynn Station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously this necessitated a 7am visit the
next morning before work, but there was no sign, although the first <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Willow Warbler</b> of the year was in full
song at the station.</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My next visit to Glynn Station on
the evening of 6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> April, will live long in the memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived to find a couple of local birders
casually chatting about a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Pintail</b> –
I raised my bins and right at the mouth of the river was a stunning drake,
which I quickly told them (not that they cared much) was the first time I had
ever seen this species in the lough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shortly afterwards, the original patch birder himself - Cameron Moore
arrived to get some shots of the bird. He then told me he had seen the Glossy
Ibis there that morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst enjoying
views of the Pintail a small grebe popped up into my field of view.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got onto it through the scope and stopped
Cameron mid-sentence and said you might want to take a look at this grebe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A smart <span style="color: red;">Slavonian
Grebe</span> almost in full summer plumage was feeding just yards away from the
Pintail!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was as good as a patch
tick, as my only previous record was of a dubious long range bird several years
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen summer plumaged Slav’s
in Strangford and Lough Foyle before, but never at such close range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An absolute belter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I ventured off to view the
private lagoon from the main road, hoping to finally see the Glossy Ibis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After half an hour searching there was no
sign, but I did manage to year tick <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Coot</b>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I returned to the platform at Glynn to find
that another couple of birders had arrived to see the grebe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As all present stood taking in views of the
grebe and Pintail, local birder Brian shouted out “hold on, isn’t that the Ibis
just off the point?” Err hell yea it is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Appearing as if from nowhere, the Glossy Ibis was now standing within
feet of the feeding Pintail and Slav Grebe… </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having birded around Larne for
many years, this sort of thing just does not happen here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever next I asked Cameron, “Pelicans” he
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All this action leaves me on <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">102 species</b> or <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">131 points</b> for the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90xNIUzgFED6d-DCURp2d1_cFtZ0Q0kRzjZli0FHTk3_g-31CK6e3HWxjNtO04O3IEXQ9h3LCISIbWXpWvJaFAWPu_2mjgVHhUcbCd0ty4xKMR3EeRvlAWW_bctXVHJ9j0-ibKbDlijsH/s1600/Larne+twitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90xNIUzgFED6d-DCURp2d1_cFtZ0Q0kRzjZli0FHTk3_g-31CK6e3HWxjNtO04O3IEXQ9h3LCISIbWXpWvJaFAWPu_2mjgVHhUcbCd0ty4xKMR3EeRvlAWW_bctXVHJ9j0-ibKbDlijsH/s1600/Larne+twitch.jpg" height="277" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shirley Dunlop, Gerard McGeehan, Cameron Moore and Brian enjoying all the goings on at Glynn last night...</td></tr>
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Neal Warnockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058900098319433438noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-18700711159599863532014-04-05T17:41:00.003+01:002014-04-05T17:41:42.562+01:00100 !!!It has been a struggle but today I hit 100 species with two WILLOW WARBLERS and two distant MANX SHEARWATERS. My points total is only 121 which shows that rarities are practically non-existent on my patch, so far at least.<br />
Apart from picking up a few migrants the species of note in the last couple of weeks were, WHOOPER SWAN (4), WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE (30+), GREYLAG GOOSE (3) and most surprisingly TUFTED DUCK (1) seen flying into the Common Scoter flock. <br />
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Eamonn<br />
Species 100, Points 121, Comparative 82.31%Bobolinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06985956640940944828noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8193902740294290482.post-89130175038088635492014-03-30T22:25:00.000+01:002014-03-30T22:32:54.248+01:00Not so Mad March<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a quick update. Only managed a couple of visits to Kilcoole during March since my last post on the <a href="http://patchbirdingireland.blogspot.com/2014/03/tree-sprog-delight-some-dodgy-geese.html">Tree Sparrow patch ticking bonanza</a> so nothing major to report on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The brent flock finally produced an adult <i>bernicla</i> on 8th March, the first <b>Dark-bellied Brent</b> I've seen there all winter (normally one regular bird about most years). Otherwise, a nice ringtail <b>Hen Harrier</b> was the only other species of note that day.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Adult Dark-bellied Brent Goose</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back down again on 15th March with the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bwikildare?ref=br_tf">BirdWatch Ireland Kildare Branch</a>. An enthusiastic gang of 30 or so participants enjoyed nice views of singing <b>Skylarks</b>, displaying <b>Lapwing</b>, hovering male <b>Kestrel</b>, five soaring <b>Buzzards</b>, a super flock of c.180 <b>Golden Plover</b> (some developing nice black underparts) and plenty of <b>Light-bellied Brent Geese</b>, <b>Greylag Geese </b>& <b>Whooper Swans</b>. Also scored my first migrant of the year during the outing, a <b>Chiffchaff (97)</b> singing quietly away in the Sea Buckthorn. No sign of any of the hoped for Wheatears on the day but it was good to meet up with and chat general patch nonsense(!) with fellow PWC participant, Michael O'Donnell.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Kildare Branch outing <span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; line-height: 18.200000762939453px; text-align: left;">© </span>Caroline McDonald</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have been offshore this past week, seabird surveying on board the <i>R.V. Celtic Explorer</i> during the annual <a href="http://scientistsatsea.blogspot.com/2014/03/blue-whiting-acoustic-survey-2014.html">Blue Whiting Acoustic Survey</a> but will be back on patch come mid-April to clean up on Spring migrants (hopefully!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until then... 97 species, 123 points, 60.59% comparative score, 790 <i>BirdTrack</i> records & 15 complete lists.</span></div>
nialltkeoghhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09475701632759901401noreply@blogger.com0