Coliemore - 24th of March

After a slightly ambitious attempt last year, I went with a smaller patch for this year. My intent is to focus on seawatching from Coliemore, as well as picking up a migrant or two in Dylan's Park. Having got Sooty Shearwater and a few Skuas from here last year, the main targets are Black Tern, Sabine's Gull and with a little bit of luck hopefully a Long-tailed Skua or Grey Phalarope.

The Patch

Met Eireann had forecast some nice south-easterlies for Monday and (for once) they were right - winds averaging around F5 to 6, gusting up 30+ knots at times... and good amounts of rain. Unfortunately it proved to be a rather quiet afternoon:

-Fulmar..................(31 south)
-Gannet .................(1 north/18 south)
-Kittiwake .............(1 north/48 south)
-Guillemot ..............(7 south)
-Ra/Gu ..................(12 south)
-Black Guillemot ....(4 north)
-Oystercatcher .......(4 south)
-Turnstone ..............(1 south)
-Purple Sandpiper ..(4 south)

Also present but not counted were Common Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull. Birds on the islands included two more GBBG's, plus some Shags and Cormorants on Maiden Rock, with Lamb Island hosting 3 each of Herring and GBB Gull and 46 Cormorants/Shags. A Pied Wagtail fed around the viewpoint at Coliemore Harbour. That gives a total of 14 species so far. Hopefully things will pick up a bit with tyhe easterly winds expected over the weekend and into next week.

Seawatching Hours: 2
Total: 2