Larne Lough and Rathlin Island - March 2017

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.

 

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.

Sanderling with Dunlin, Sandy Bay

Jack Snipe with Ballylumford Power Station in the background

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.

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!

 

 

Gannet action from the ferry

Over 40 of these on Rathlin on 25th March

First butterfly of 2017

Dappled light

Iceland Gull

Pair of Teal

Black Redstart

Black Redstart (taken from the ferry on my way home!)

Meadow Pipit

Close up Mipit

Chough, Doon Bay

Say my name



Irish Hare

Larne Lough additions in March: Lesser Redpoll, Common Scoter, Black-tailed Godwit, Greylag Goose, Sandwich Tern, Chiffchaff

 

Rathlin Island additions in March (since last update): Woodpigeon, Chough, Black Redstart, Chiffchaff, Iceland Gull, Blue Tit, Lesser Redpoll, Whimbrel, Peregrine, Twite, Coal Tit, Pheasant

A new start on Rathlin - Visit 10

As it had been more than a fortnight since my last visit to the patch, I was concerned that I might have missed out on a few of the commoner summer migrants.  I needn’t have worried though, as I managed to pick up no less than 8 year ticks on Sunday 5 May, including a long overdue first island record!

On the ferry across I spotted a fishing boat that was attracting a few large gulls, so I decided to have a check for any skuas and sure enough a Great Skua was in tow.  The bird must have been about 4 miles off Rathlin, but this didn’t stop me trying to see it from dry land.  Unfortunately, I’ll have to leave to off the list for now, as I couldn’t see the boat from Rathlin never mind the skua!

Regular blog readers may recall a few posts ago I mentioned that the West Pier area was bound to attract a Black Redstart someday.  I was watching a few White Wagtails feeding amongst the fresh seaweed at the base of the pier, when a bird popped up onto a rock – a Black Redstart! (94). A new species for the island list, which now stands at 190. I think I will throw in a few more predictions in future posts!

 

 

Patch Mega!

A Sandwich Tern then screeched by the pier and a Light-bellied Brent Goose here was presumably the same bird first seen on 15 April.  I made my way uphill and saw several flowering Early Purple Orchids by the Church (in an area I always think looks good for an autumn Ovenbird...).

Early Purple Orchid

As I entered the upper section of Church Valley, I could hear a Sedge Warbler (95) in song soon to be joined by a second.  Next into song was one of 3 Whitethroats (96) in the area and then a Grasshopper Warbler (97) began reeling in the background. This area also held a few Wheatears and 10+ Willow Warblers.

As I made my way along the high road towards the east end two Rock Doves (98) flew over giving good views as they headed towards the north cliffs and a Sparrowhawk looked destined for its own check of Church Valley.  Nothing new was seen around the east end gardens or cattle fields, but Sedge Warblers seemed to be everywhere.

Ballycarry Pool is now almost dry and had attracted the Brent Goose over for a feed.  It was interesting to note that two pairs of Teal were still present.  The shoreline between Church Bay and Mill Bay proved more productive with two summer plumaged Dunlin (99) and 5 Whimbrel (100) in attendance alongside further Wheatears and White Wagtails.

I had already scanned Ushet Lough and made my way to the marsh at its south end, before I heard Black-tailed Godwits (101) calling from nearby.  I finally managed to spot 12 cracking summer plumaged Icelandic race birds feeding along the west shoreline.  Only the second time I’ve recorded this species on the island.

I seawatched from Ushet Port for half an hour, seeing several Manx Shearwaters moving east and 10 Whimbrel moving south.

A great number and variety of migrants were on the island today and the final tallies for the patch were:

4 Chiffchaff, 28 Willow Warbler, 1 Sandwich Tern, 25 Wheatears (mostly now Greenland birds), 1 Black Redstart, 1 Brent Goose, 12 White Wagtail, 13 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 20+ Swallow, 1 House Martin, 8+ Sand Martin, 2 Dunlin, 15 Whimbrel, 12 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Common Sandpiper.

If only I could find a Moorhen!

Score now 101 species, 126 points or 99.21%