Yellow-browed Warbler

I was in Dungarvan early this morning with my colleague Shane Cully. We managed to get into Springfield before too many walkers got out with their dogs. We caught up with the Yellow-browed Warbler that was found here a few weeks back by local birder Fran O'Connell.  The bird was hanging out with a Common Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest and spent much of his time singing and moving actively along a small stream.

Male Yellow-browed Warbler at Dungarvan John N Murphy

Black-necked Grebes

I was back in Dungarvan yesterday on a wet wand windy day. Once my work was completed, I travelled across the bay to the Gold Coast, and on to Ballynacourty Pier in search of Slavonian Grebe for my year list.  The Slav did not appear, but the two Black-necked Grebes that I saw a week ago, were still present, and came in close to the shore to take shelter from the strong south easterlies.

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Black-necked Grebes at Ballynacourty Pier John N Murphy

Spotted Sandpiper

I was in Dungarvan County Waterford today and before I left to come home to Clare, I stopped off at the Brickey River, on the main road from Dungarvan to Cork, As I pulled the car up close to the small wetland off the main road I observed this Spotted Sandpiper washing in a small creek. The bird vanished for a short while before returning to the creek and began feeding out in the open mud flats.  I believe this is the fourth county record for Waterford of this rare North American wader.

 

 

 

 Spotted Sandpiper 2CY at Dungarvan John N Murphy

Yellow-legged Gull

This adult Yellow-legged Gull Larus argentatus michahellis seems to have taken up residency in Dungarvan Ton over the last year. Anytime I visit he is always along the same stretch of seafront near the Pitch & Putt course.

Yellow-legged Gull John N Murphy

Waterford Birds

I took a couple of hours off work this afternoon to travel down to Dungarvan and Brownstown Head in Waterford with Paidi Culllinan to look for the Woodchat Shrike at Brownstown Head and two Spoonbills and Cattle Egrets at Dungarvan.  We managed to catch up with all three species.  The shrike was showing well at Brownstown as it caught Beetles and other small insects along the gorse hedgerows near the gully.  Two Spoonbills were close to the west side of Dungarvan Bay late in the afternoon flying around as the tide rose.  The Cattle Egrets were also in the same area as the Spoonbills sitting about in trees close to the shore.  Here are a few shots.

 

Woodchat Shrike at Brownstown Head John N Murphy

 

Spoonbills at Dungarvan © John N Murphy

Waders

While in Dungarvan in mid September I came across many godwits, including some colour ringed birds in the middle of the town.

 Bar-tailed Godwit, Dungarvan © John N Murphy

Colour ringed Black-tailed Godwits, Dungarvan © John N Murphy

Common Seal

I was back in Waterford again yesterday Saturday 17th December 2011 to look for more birds.  While searching Dungarvan bay along the Gold Coast I came across this young Common Seal out sunbathing on a sand bar.  He was not too worried about people and passing cars along the roadside, not a worry in the world did he have.