South Dublin Branch What's About

March 2008 Over Dalkey, a Red Kite seen on 20-21/03 and again 27/03. Probably one of the Wicklow birds but no tags seen: M. Ryan At Kilcoole, 22 Whooper Swan, 811 Brent and 87 Greylag Geese: M. Souter 07/03. February 2008 1 Mediterranean Gull Dun Laoghaire, 13/02. John Coveney IBN-L 1 Carrion Crow Bull Island, 12/02. John Coveney IBN-L Some records from John Coveney on IBN-L 11/02: 1 Ring-billed Gull Crumlin Hosp, 05/02 1 Red-necked Grebe Poolbeg, 05/02 2 Waxwing Grosvener Rd, Rathmines, 05/02 20 Little Gull Shanganagh, 04/02 1 Carrion Crow Shanganagh, 04/02 2 Chiffchaff wintering on the stream behind SuperValu, Deansgrange. Some records from John Coveney on IBN-L 03/02: A flock of 200 Pink-footed Geese at Malahide on 3 Feb was notable: 1 Glaucous Gull, Balbriggan Harbour 03/02 Max 200 Pink-footed Goose, Malahide Estuary 03/02 5 Brambling, Rogerstown 03/02 1 Spotted Redshank, Rogerstown 03/02 4 Little Gull, Swords Estuary 03/02 January 2008 Some records from John Coveney on IBN-L Sunday 27/01: 1 Glaucous Gull Braemore, Ballbriggan 2 Chiffchaff Supervalu, Deansgrange 1 Chiffchaff Balscadden, Howth 1 Black Redstart Balscadden, Howth 18 Mediterranean Gull Sandycove 1 first winter Yellow-legged Gull Sandymount Strand 1 Slavonian Grebe Sandymount Strand 12 Mediterranean Gull Sandymount Strand 2 Ring-billed Gull Sandymount Strand 30 Brambling Windgates, Greystones 1 Green-winged Teal Kilcoole BWI Reserve On the Poolbeg Pier, two Purple Sandpiper with a Red throated Diver to the south, 27/01 December 2007 Two Purple Sandpiper beyond the Half Moon on the Poolbeg pier, 30/12 Large numbers of Brent (>780) gathering in the evenings on the high tide at Sandymount Strand south of Sean Moore Park, 16/12 Water Rail, Booterstown Marsh, 08/12 November 2007 - by Hugh Delaney Off the South wall Dublin Bay 2 female Long-tailed Duck are wintering, formally a common enough species to be seen off the West Pier Dun Laoghaire, the inner Port area is now the main chance for the species. At the North Bull a female Blue-winged Teal (North America) has returned to winter, view from causeway looking north, it often associates with the Shoveler there. Also on the Bull on the strand 2 Snow Bunting have occasionally been seen in recent weeks. A Green-winged Teal is also present with the duck. It's been a good winter so far for Short-eared Owl, up to 4 birds have been seen close to Newcastle in Wicklow. (One was struck and killed by a train recently). The birds frequent rough ground close to the airstrip just north of Newcastle (Six-mile-point), the best viewing during the day is probably in late afternoon. At Rogerstown in north Dublin up to 10 Brambling have been seen while at Skerries a Black Redstart is present (below the Martello Tower); this species has been scarce enough of late on the southside. Closer to home at least 2 Kingfisher are in Booterstown Marsh, they are best viewed by scanning the Black pool (Willianstown Creek) which is the water body just south of the Booterstown station itself. - from FlightLines December 2007 October 2007 From the IWeBs count: At Poolbeg 7 Sandwitch Tern and 11 Black Guillemot. From Sandymount ~30 Merganser. 13/10 MS, BG A Blyth's Reed Warbler was positively identified on Mizen Head. A first for Ireland. 10/10 Brent count at Merrion Gates: 201 in total of which 85 were juveniles. 06/10 BG May 2007 A male Montagu's Harrier was seen a short while ago at Blackditch Reserve, Wicklow. It's not certain if the bird is hanging around in the area, or was just passing through: Aidan G Kelly 14/05 @ 14:00hrs (IBN-L) Local Bird News - Hugh Delaney FlightLines, May 2007 At Kilcoole a male Yellow Wagtail has been seen in the last week, look into the second field south from the carpark. Further south at the breaches the first Little Terns have appeared, back for another breeding season, although the bulk have yet to arrive. Swifts have returned earlier than usual this year with small numbers already around, another sign of Global warming? In Dublin Bay good numbers of Sandwich Tern have been seen in the last few days. For best views go to Sandymount Strand in the evening, with a high tide some should be visible from Merrion Gates. Watch out here also for some of our more usually drabber looking waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit and Sanderling now in very attractive summer plumage. Two Little Egrets continue to be seen in Booterstown Marsh, a recent very successful colonizer it's not beyond the bounds that they are breeding somewhere nearby! - Hugh Delaney Sandwich Terns also to be seen feeding in Killiney Bay, visible from Dalkey hill and Vico Road. Apparently Sand Martins back breeding in sandy cliffs at Shankill. - M. Ryan. April 2007 Local Bird News - Hugh Delaney FlightLines, April 2007 Summer migrants are beginning to arrive, though not in any great numbers just yet (possibly due to some recent inclement weather in Biscay and on the continent), however Wheatear have been seen at Kilcoole and Dun Laoghaire and Sand Martins have been seen in reasonable numbers, mainly in Wicklow. A single Swallow was seen on March 31st at Kilcoole. Several Chiffchaffs have been heard in song at Killiney Hill. Sandwich Terns are passing through Dublin Bay now, birds present most days at Sandymount. An adult Kumlien's Gull has been at various locations in south Dublin Bay, most recently at Blackrock. A first-winter Iceland Gull continues to frequent Bullock harbour. At Webbs Field, Kilcoole, (just south of BWI Reserve) a drake Garganey has been present for the last week. At Booterstown Manrsh a Little Egret is on show (replete with plumes) and a small flock of Black-tailed Godwit are present. March 2007 Local Bird News - Hugh Delaney, from FlightLines 06.02.2007 Recent stormy weather has produced big numbers of gulls at the East pier Dun laoghaire, the highlights being an adult Little Gull and an adult Ring-billed Gull, up to 45 Mediterranean Gulls are also in the area and are transforming into gorgeous summer plumage, a not-to-be-missed spectacle! An adult Iceland Gull was seen at Shanganagh outflow on 27th february with a 1st-winter at Bullock harbour on 3rd of March. At Rogerstown 2 Pink-footed Geese continue to be seen and a Slavonian Grebe is present at Swords. At Deansgrange 2 Chiffchaff continue to overwinter. Breeding birds are about to set forth with gusto, already I've seen Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, and Long-tailed Tit nest-building. Booterstown Marsh has 3 Little Egret and at low tide attracts good numbers of Knot and Black-tailed Godwit into feed, a Spotted Redshank was seen there on 26th February. Spring Migrants The sighting of your first spring migrant is a major yearly highlight for birders and already the first harbingers have arrived (a Sand Martin in Cork on March 3rd and a Sandwich Tern at Killiney on 1st March) but where can you expect to see your first migrant on the east coast? The Wheatear is amongst the earliest migrants with the birds usually seen well before St Patrick's Day; favoured locations to see birds just arrived are rocky areas on the coast such as those at Six-mile-point in Co Wicklow or even the West Pier in Dun Laoghaire. Swallows and Martins can appear just about anywhere, but early in the season often gravitate to water courses or wetland areas because some insect life can be found there. They often also follow the coast and favoured places to see your first are Shanganagh for example; sometimes you can pick out your first Swallow struggling against an offshore wind coming directly in off the sea, a sight to raise a toast to! It's still mind boggling to comprehend just what these birds are capable of. The warblers generally appear somewhat later with Chiffchaff being one of the first to arrive in numbers. By early April Willow Warblers can suddenly appear in really big numbers, and it is not unusual to wake in the morning to one giving a blast of song even in a suburban garden as it passes through! There is nothing quite like witnessing the spring fever in these migrants so get out there and enjoy it! - Hugh Delaney, from FlightLines 06.02.2007 February 2007 Local Bird News - Hugh Delaney, from FlightLines 06.02.2007 In Dun Laoghaire harbour three Great Northern Divers continue to give great views around the mouth of the harbour. At Dalkey quarry a pair of Peregrines are beginning to regularly frequent the cliffs, the male being most often in attendance, they can be seen ripping along the coast often enough too along Sandycove, their favoured feeding grounds being the Sandymount strand area. An Iceland gull was seen at Bray harbour last week and is likely to be still in the area. At Sandycove up to 35 Mediterranean Gulls can be seen near the baths area. A fantastic sight, it is undoubtedly the 'Med gull' capital of Ireland! Along the stream behind Supervalu at Deansgrange a Chiffchaff is wintering. Along the same stream Kingfisher, Grey wagtail and the new phenomenon of suburban Little Egrets can be seen! Personally I've noticed this winter Blackcap are scarcer, though most people I know feeding birds are still getting them attending birdtables. A reflection again of this rather mild winter is a total dearth of Black Redstart with Fieldfare, Redwing, Siskin and Redpoll being thin on the ground. At North Bull Island a female Blue-winged Teal is still present near the causeway. A Spotted Redshank and a near-resident Carrion crow can be also seen at the causeway. At Rogerstown a Green-winged Teal and two Pink-footed Geese are present. Swords estuary continues to hold a Slavonian Grebe and a Long-tailed Duck in an area near the yacht club on the inner estuary. A Great Northern Diver at the mouth of the Liffey, Poolbeg, 04/02. A Water Rail at Booterstown Marsh for the IWeBS count, 03/02. December 2006 A flock of 15-20 Waxwing at Jurys/American Embassy, Ballsbridge: Hugh Delaney 13/12 (IBN-L) October 2006 .. whilst in Wexford, the adult white morph Snow Goose continues with Greenland White-fronted Geese and 6 Pink-footed Geese at the North Slob: from Lee Evans (IBN-L) 27/10. Some countrywide records for late September/early October: from Dick Coombes. Canada Warbler - one at Kilbaha, Loop Head, Co Clare from 8th to at least 11th October. This is the first Irish record and the only European record other than one in Iceland in 1973. At the same site on Loop Head, a Common Rosefinch, Red-breasted Flycatcher and Red-eyed Vireo on 8th Oct . Another Red-eyed Vireo on The Mullet, first week Oct. Hoopoe - at least 8 present in the country at the end of September, including one at Cahore, Co Wexford and one at Broad Lough, Co Wicklow, present from 26th Sept to 1st Oct. Blackpoll Warbler, Dursey Is, Co Cork on 10th Oct. Little Bunting, Dursey Is, Co Cork on 11th Oct. Subalpine Warbler, Cape Clear Is, Co Cork on 10th Oct. Snowy Owl, female at south end of The Mullet, Co Mayo end Sept and into Oct. Kilcoole 8/10/06: 2 male Gadwall in Stringer's Channels and a juvenile Grey Plover in Webb's Field: from Niall Keogh. A Snow Bunting on the Poolbeg pier 07/10: Sean Hogan. Kilcoole 2/10/06: 1 juvenile Spotted Redshank, 1 juvenile Little Stint, 4 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers, a Peregrine, a Merlin and an adult winter Meditteranean Gull in Webb's Field. 15 Shoveler and 1 male Gadwall in Stringer's Channels: from Niall Keogh. Red-necked Phalarope at Kilcoole 1st - 4th Oct: Dick Coombes September 2006 Broadlough 29/09/06: Hoopoe in the gravel-pit. 25 Little Egrets, 1 Kingfisher, 1 juvenile Hen Harrier and an immature Shag at the north end. 1 Great-Northern Diver offshore from Killoughter: from Niall Keogh. Curlew Sandpiper, Tacumshin, Co Wexford. September is the best time to see these passage migrants at estuaries and marshes all around our coast - usually only in small numbers - Dick Coombes. A juvenile Woodchat Shrike on Hook Head, Wexford 23/09, but relocated by Liam Ryan on 25/09 a short distance down "Lark Lane": Killian Mullarney 25/09 (IBN-L) Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Tacumshin, Co Wexford. Recorded at several sites in September, including one at Kilcoole and six together at Tacumshin - Dick Coombes. Kilcoole 24/09/06: 25 Wheatears + 1 'Greenland' Wheatear. 6 Pale-bellied Brent Geese flew south. 2 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers on the beach. 5 juvenile Little Stints on the beach and in Webb's Field. 7 Little Egrets. 1 Tufted Duck in Stringer's Channels: from Niall Keogh. A juvenile Black-winged Stilt at Tacumshin 22/09 and then at Our Lady's Island 23/09. A juvenile Semipalmated Sandpiper at The Cull 22/09. An adult White-rumped Sandpiper, 6 juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers and a Tawny Pipit at Tacumshin 21/09. A Pectoral Sandpiper at Rogerstown 21/09: from Lee Evans (IBN-L). June 2006 A Honey Buzzard near Coronation Plantation ... headed north over Sally Gap, 07/06 Dick Coombes (IBN-L). I had this bird on one of my CBS squares near Sally Gap in the Wicklow mountains on 7th June. A major surprise, as this area of bog usually only produces Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and perhaps the odd Reed Bunting or Stonechat. Only equipped with binoculars (the scope was two miles away!) and getting only frustratingly distant views of this bird, as it flopped around in the heather, it took a while to finally identify. Though I could make out most of the important features on it (esp the small head, long neck and long tail), it was only when it eventually soared off into the morning sky that it showed the characteristic barred underwing and undertail of Honey Buzzard. There have only been about 12 records in Ireland since 1950 - this bird was possibly heading for Scotland, where small numbers breed. It must have landed in the mountains during the fine weather the previous day, overnighted there and was now heading further north. (I had to run some distance to get the camera, which I'd left in my rucksack further down the slope - hence the poor, distant shot!). - Dick Coombes A female Marsh Harrier hunting near Knock Lake 03/06 and a male Hobby over Killiney Hill and the coast 06/06, Jim Lawlor (IBN-L). A Night Heron found 28/05 at Tacumshin is still showing (at sunrise & dusk) at the small pool beside the ruined castle. Eric Dempsey (IBN-L) 01/06. Night Heron - 1st year bird at a small pond near east end of Tacumshin from 28th May - still present to at least 15th June. - Dick Coombes Little Tern - 98 pairs are nesting at Kilcoole this year - they are being wardened by BirdWatch Ireland and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Walk to the Breaches and they are easily viewed from the path along the beach. - Dick Coombes Wood Warbler - a rare breeder. Four or five males were in song in woodland in Co Wicklow from mid-May into June. A welcome change after a number of lean years when almost none made it to our shores. Your only chance of locating them is by its two-part song - a clicking rattle, followed by "Tew-tew-tew-tew...". - Dick Coombes Grasshopper Warbler - the bulk of these birds arrived during April. They will continue singing into July, often at night - a distinctive "fisherman's reel" sound, usually in damp areas. This one was on one of my CBS squares in Mayo on 2nd June - normally quite secretive, but with patience you can stalk them and sometimes get amazingly close views. - Dick Coombes May 2006 Hobby - one of two 1st year birds seen at the west end of Tacumshin on 27th May. This one remained for several days, giving excellent views as it caught dragonflies over a reedbed. - Dick Coombes Reed Warbler - several pairs have established themselves in coastal parts of Co Wicklow - this bird was in Kilcoole at the end of May. - Dick Coombes At least 20 Crossbills on the Roundwood - Sally Gap road at the eastern end of the Coillte plantation where extensive clear-felling has taken place, 01/05. April 2006 Several Alpine Swift, three together on one occasion, have been seen between Wicklow town and Bray Head for the last 2 weeks, 20/04 - Photos:Dick Coombes. No reports of the Great Spotted Woodpecker at Evora Park, Howth since 07/04. All the Waxwing shots were taken on 05/04 at Clanwilliam Court on the Grand Canal. 13 birds present. - Dick Coombes more .. 15 Waxwings still showing well over lunch-hour today along the canal at Clanwilliam Place, Dublin, Aidan Kelly (IBN-L) 04.04 The Chiffchaff was taken on 04/04 on Carnsore Pt - there was a big influx of Willow Warblers and Chiffers around the 1st and 2nd of the month. Kilcoole is a good place to see them. - Dick Coombes An Alpine Swift over Belfast Lough (02.04) and over Dungarvan and the North Slobs, 03.04 (IBN-L) March 2006 The Iceland Gull (adult) was in Bray Harbour on 21/03. At least one other (1st year) was seen at Shanganagh end March. - Dick Coombes The Franklin's Gull (1st year) shots I took on 19/03, just north of Wicklow Harbour. First for the county. It was present there from 18/03 to 20/03, but turned up a week later at Kilcoole for a few days and then at Greystones on 2nd and 3rd April. - Dick Coombes more .. It's been a good winter/spring for Crossbills - I had 40 at Ballinastoe Wood, nr Roundwood on 05/03. The (not very good) shot of 7 in a tree was taken 06/03, at Black Hill, south of Rathnew. They were part of a huge gathering of 130+ ! - Dick Coombes A 1st winter Franklin's Gull at Kilcoole Marsh, Brian Haslam (IBN-L) 28.03 A Pallid Swift on Bray Promenade late on 27.03 and early 28.03, Steve Wing (IBN-L) There were good numbers of Little Gulls along the Wicklow coast during SE winds in mid March e.g., on 13th there were 200 at Wicklow Harbour, 50 at Greystones and 84 at Bray. This is a 1st year at Wicklow on 20/03. - Dick Coombes The Great Spotted Woodpecker still showing along the old tramline at Evora Park, Howth 11.03. Still OK 31.03 20 Waxwings in the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Eric Dempsey (IBN-L) 09.03 The first Swallow has been reported at Dundalk today, Eric Dempsey (IBN-L) 06.03 A Snowy Owl in County Westmeath - present for at least two weeks at Clonboggy Bog near Athlone, Lee Evans (IBN-L) 06.03 A Black Brant on the North Slob, Wexford (BINS) 05.03 A 1st year Night Heron was found just south of Enniscorthy, Wexford (BINS) 03.03 February 2006 34 Waxwings on Terenure Rd North, at the 'Evergreen Hall' sports grounds in the trees at the carpark. Victor Caschera via Sean Farrell (IBN-L) 23.02.06 December 2005 Several Brambing in large mixed flocks of Greenfinch and Chaffinch at the BWI reserve at Blackditch, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow 11.12.05 A Pink footed Goose accompanying two Canada Geese at Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow 11.12.05 From Michael Ryan FlightLines the monthly newsletter of the South Dublin Branch .. Various reports are coming in about a very entertaining Raven which is regularly seen on the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire. A friend saw the bird perching on a heavy duty hose which was left rolled up on the pier by workmen involved in the new resurfacing work. He described the bird unravelling the coiled hose and dropping it over the side into the water. Another day he saw a girl hand feeding the raven at the base of the pier. She told him she regularly feeds it and the bird hops up to her almost demanding food. A little further south, between the pier and the old baths a Black Redstart has been seen regularly in the last few weeks. A regular visitor in past winters the little microclimate in the comer of this area and the seaweed deposits provide lots of insects for this bird. Little Egrets are becoming a regular sightings on our IWEBs counts especially in Booterstown Marsh and Williamstown Creek. Booterstown Marsh is also a good spot for seeing Greenshank which are regular winter visitors there as well as big groups of roosting Black tailed Godwit, Redshank (over 400 regularly), Knot, Dunlin, Grey Herons. Snipe can also be seen on the small 'island' and if you're lucky you might see a Kingfisher flashing along the channel. November 2005 A male Barrow's Goldeneye at Quaile Pondage, Co Down, 20/11 onward. The Blue-winged Teal still at the Bull + 6 Waxwing at Shankill, 20/11. A Great Spotted Woodpecker at Howth, 12/11, All: www.irishbirding.com 1 x Yellow-fronted Canary, Shankill 15.11.05 1 x Great Northern Diver in Webs field (flooded) Kilcoole 6.11.05 1 x Gadwall at the Breaches 6.11.05 1 x Snow Bunting at the Breaches, Kilcoole 16.10.05 - from Stephen McAvoy White-billed Diver at Ballbrigan 6-8/11/2005, www.irishbirding.com October 2005 Keep an ear open for Redwings this month. Often heard flying in at night from early October on, particularly on mild misty nights when the birds, flying in from Northern Europe in huge flocks, call each other in a high pitched 'tseep' sound. This is a contact call to keep track of each other in bad visibility. Redwings are members of the Thrush family who breed in Scandinavia and Northern Europe then migrate south at night in autumn to Ireland and southern Europe where they will spend the winter. Often seen in big flocks on fields and football pitches and also found feeding on berries in gardens. For some peculiar reason they're often first heard on the night of the 12th October. Another winter thrush starting to arrive is the Fieldfare, larger then the redwing with greyer back and without the redwing's pale stripe over the eye. September 2005 A Great Spotted Woodpecker at Killoughter, Co. Wicklow, 04-05/09, (IBN-L). Large numbers of gulls with Common, Arctic and Roseate Terns at the Autumn evening roost at Sandymount/Merrion, including hundreds of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 05/09. August 2005 A Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Kilcoole, 31/08 (IBN-L). Juvenile Kestrel on the roof of a car near Mt. Leinster Photo:Greg Tisdall Two Little Stint and 3 Curlew Sandpiper at Bull Island, 28/08. An Osprey at Rogerstown 14-21/08. Also an American Golden Plover on 21/08 and a Lesser Yellowlegs on 16/08. A Great White Egret and two Black Terns off Skerries 16/08 with a Sooty Tern present 15/08. Irish Birding June 2005 A "Marsh Warbler" at Kilcoole, reported on IBN-L, subsequently "re-identified" as a Reed Warbler? Singing at the southern end of the Birdwatch Ireland Reserve, viewable from the railway track, 27/06 (IBN-L). Kilcoole .. Little Tern update May 2005 A Great white Egret, previously seen at Wicklow Town, re-located just north of Broad Lough at Killoughter, 15/05, Eric Dempsey (IBN-L) April 2005 Sparrowhawk on a kill in a front garden in Drumcondra. Photo:Joseph O'Brien 21.04.05 More Waxwings .. ~30 Waxwing on the Grand Canal at Clanwilliam Place (side of the Schoolhouse Hotel) 13/04 BG Had 20 approx Waxwings in Dartmouth Square at 2pm today, 13/04 Niall Rooney. Short-billed Dowitcher at Booterstown Marsh A very rare American wader has spent the past couple of weeks at Booterstown Marsh. Known as a Short-billed Dowitcher, it is a little smaller than a Redshank and looks somewhat like a cross between a godwit and a Snipe, though with bright yellow legs. Very difficult to separate from the closely related, and ever so slightly more common, Long-billed Dowitcher (naturally, bill length is no real help at all), there have only been a handful of previous records of this species in Europe. It is presumed that this individual is the same as the bird that has spent the winter hanging about on Bull Island, where it proved rather difficult to locate. Now that it has moved to Booterstown, however, it is much easier to spot – why not drop down yourself and have a look before it moves on to mudflats new? - Niall Hatch The Dowitcher was still giving excellent views at Booterstown, Sat 09/04, BG. March 2005 Waxwings at East Point Business Park At East Point Business Park ~200 Waxwings, 19/03, BG. A Wheatear at Poolbeg, 19/03, BG. Flock of Waxwings in Kilenarden, Tallaght, 03/03, Paul Moore. February 2005 Still large numbers of Waxwing about; 50 on the Royal Canal banks at Phibsboro, 21/02, Eddie Madden, IBN-L and 20 at Maretimo Gardens, Blackrock, 18/02, Mary Meagher. A Blackbird feeding a fledgling in Sandymount, 20/02 - optimistic? - maybe, but spring can't be far. January 2005 3 x Glaucous Gulls at Dun Laoghaire, 1 x Iceland Gull at Bullock Harbour, 28/01, www.irishbirding.com Hundreds of Waxwings about this winter with large flocks in Cabinteely/Stillorgan and Blanchardstown. These are proably breaking up into smaller groups scattered across the city. Blackcap were noticeably scarce on the east coast before Christmas but they are making up for it now. I usually have a few in the garden at Sandymount by November but this year it was mid-January before they arrived. A dozen or so Purple Sandpiper at the Med Gull site at Sandycove. One solitary Purple Sand at the Poolbeg Lighthouse 23/01. December 2004 Three Avocets at Tacumshin's forgotten corner, 16/12, Sean Farrell, IBN-L At Kilcoole, 55 Whooper Swan, a dark-bellied Brent, 05/12 BG. Two Short-eared Owls reported from the airstrip at Newcastle, Co. Wicklow. At Seapoint 12 Purple Sandpiper, 05/12 60-70 Waxwing in Cabinteely Park, 03/12, Michael Ryan. November 2004 An Osprey at Broadlough & Green-wimged Teal at Kilcoole. Waxwings at Wheatfield Estate, Bray and at Blackrock - 15/11 A Water Pipit at Rogerstown. Two Snow Buntings at Kilcoole. Slavonian Grebe and a Velvet Scoter at Curracloe - 14/11 Waxwing at Cabinteely - 13/11 Snow Bunting and five Whimbrel on Lambay - 12/11 www.irishbirding.com October 2004 A Hobby flying past Wicklow Harbour and 50+ Little Gulls off Wicklow Head and 4 at Arklow. 15 Swallows over Arklow - Christian Osthoff 25/10 (IBN-L) A Red-backed Shrike juv, at the north end of the alder marsh, Bull Island. Also, a Grasshopper Warbler - Joseph Doolan 04/10 (IBN-L) September 2004 A Pectoral Sandpiper at Rogerstown, 27/09 A Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper at Bull Island, 26/09 (IrishBirding.com) An Osprey at north Broadlough 17/09 (BINS) A Kingfisher moving back to winter quarters on the Dodder at Landsdown Road, 13/09 Late staying Swift at Kilcoole - Eugene Archer 12/09 (IBN-L) Three Little Egret for the branch outing 12/09 An Osprey at Rogerstown since late August - Liam Feeney 14/09 (IBN-L) Three Black Tern at Sandymount, 05/09 A Little Stint and a Curlew Sandpiper at Booterstown Marsh, 05/09 Eight Little Egret at Bull Island, 05/09 A Puffin on the Skelligs. Photo:Terry Flanagan Report on the Red Kite in Co. Louth by Niall Hatch 03/2003 Report on the Thayer's Gull at Killybegs by Niall Hatch 02/2003 Report on the Elegant Tern in Co. Kerry by Niall Hatch 10/2002 Check for recent reports at Birds of Ireland News Service (BINS), 46 Claremont Court, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, Ireland:- Republic of Ireland - Hotline: 1550 111 700 Summary: 1550 111 701 To report news: (+353 1)/ 01 - 830 7364 Northern Ireland/UK - Hotline: 0901 063 0600 Birds of Ireland News Service www.birdsireland.com