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2006: Photos courtesy of and © Dick Coombes:
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Curlew Sandpiper, Tacumshin, Sept 2006
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Curlew Sandpiper, Tacumshin, Sept 2006
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Buff breasted Sandpiper, Tacumshin, Sept 2006
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Buff breasted Sandpiper, Tacumshin, Sept 2006
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Honey Buzzard near Sally Gap, 07/06/2006
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
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Night Heron - 1st year bird at a small pond near east end of Tacumshin
from 28th May 2006 - still present to at least 15th June.
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Little Tern - 98 pairs are nesting at Kilcoole this year (2006) - 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
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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
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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 2006 - normally quite secretive, but with patience you can stalk
them and sometimes get amazingly close views.
- Dick Coombes
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Hobby - one of two 1st year birds seen at the west end of Tacumshin on 27th May 2006. This one remained for several days,
giving excellent views as it caught dragonflies over a reedbed.
- Dick Coombes
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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
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Several Alpine Swift, three together on one occasion,
have been seen between Wicklow town and Bray Head
for the last 2 weeks, 20/04/2006 - Photos:Dick Coombes.
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All the Waxwing shots were taken on 05/04/2006
at Clanwilliam Court on the Grand Canal.
13 birds present. - Dick Coombes
more ..
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The Chiffchaff was taken on 04/04/2006 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
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The Iceland Gull (adult) was in Bray Harbour on 21/03/2006. At least one other (1st year) was
seen at Shanganagh end March. - Dick Coombes
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The Franklin's Gull (1st year) shots I took on 19/03/2006, 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 ..
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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 06/03/2006, at Black Hill, south of Rathnew. They were part of a huge gathering
of 130+ ! - Dick Coombes
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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 20/03/2006. - Dick Coombes
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