The Irish Birding List

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Recent Postings from
The Irish Birding List

Updated on Friday, February 3 at 03:25 PM EST
The most recently received Mail is at the top.

3 Feb Re: Wood Duck update [Jim Dowdall ]
3 Feb Re: Wood Duck update [Paul Moore ]
3 Feb Re: Wood Duck update [Paul Moore ]
3 Feb Re: Wood Duck update [Lee G R Evans ]
3 Feb Wood Duck update [ ]
3 Feb Re: BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT makes it 456 species for 2011 [Colin Conroy ]
3 Feb buzzard again [Eamonn O'Donnell ]
2 Feb BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT makes it 456 species for 2011 [Lee G R Evans ]
2 Feb Re: B t thrush [Lee G R Evans ]
2 Feb Re: B t thrush [Edward Carty ]
2 Feb Re: B t thrush [Eamonn O'Donnell ]
2 Feb Re: B t thrush [Edward Carty ]
2 Feb Re: B t thrush [Paul Moore ]
2 Feb Re: B t thrush [Edward Carty ]
2 Feb Re: B t thrush [Hugh Delaney ]
2 Feb B t thrush [Mark Shorten ]
1 Feb Re: Larophobes look away...Blog about Gulls! [Owen Foley ]
31 Jan Larophobes look away...Blog about Gulls! [Mark Carmody ]
30 Jan Re: Abnormally plumaged birds ["Casey, Micheal" ]
30 Jan Re: Abnormally plumaged birds [Michael O'Clery ]
30 Jan Re: Abnormal plumaged birds [Andrew Kelly ]
29 Jan Re: Bean Geese [philip clancy ]
28 Jan Re: Abnormal plumaged birds [Peter Phillips ]
27 Jan Re: wood duck [Andrew Crory ]
27 Jan Re: wood duck [Andrew Crory ]
27 Jan Re: wood duck [Lee G R Evans ]
27 Jan Re: wood duck [Lee G R Evans ]
27 Jan Re: wood duck [Andrew Crory ]
27 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Mícheál Casey ]
27 Jan Re: wood duck [Dermot McCabe ]
27 Jan wood duck [Andrew Crory ]
27 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [ ]
27 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Derekbrennan20 ]
26 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Lee G R Evans ]
26 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Killian Mullarney ]
26 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Mícheál Casey ]
26 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Lee G R Evans ]
26 Jan thayeri-kumlieni-glaucoides [Seamus Enright ]
26 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Mícheál Casey ]
26 Jan Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Dave Allen ]
26 Jan Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal [Mícheál Casey ]
26 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Tom Gittings ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Owen Foley ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Paul Moore ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [cbr ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Mark Carmody ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Peter Phillips ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [cbr ]
25 Jan Wintering Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese in Britain and Ireland [Lee G R Evans ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [JAMES RIPPEY ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [philip clancy ]
25 Jan Fwd: Bean Geese [Paul & Andrea Kelly ]
25 Jan Bean Geese [philip clancy ]
25 Jan Re: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre [Owen Foley ]
25 Jan Re: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre [Michael O'Clery ]
25 Jan Re: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre [Mark Shorten ]
25 Jan Re: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre [Owen Foley ]
25 Jan New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre [Michael O'Clery ]
25 Jan Fingal branch annual pub quiz [Paul Lynch ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Seán Ronayne ]
25 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Seán Ronayne ]
24 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Craig Nash ]
24 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Dave Allen ]
24 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Mike O'Keeffe ]
24 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Dave Allen ]
24 Jan Re: Tree Sparrows [Mike O'Keeffe ]
24 Jan Tree Sparrows [John Gallagher ]
24 Jan Re: That Buzzard? [Michael O Donnell ]
24 Jan Re: That Buzzard? [Owen Foley ]
23 Jan Arctic gull latest addition [Lee G R Evans ]
23 Jan Re: Ross's and Pochard [Derek Brennan ]
23 Jan Re: That Buzzard? [Eamonn O'Donnell ]
23 Jan Re: That Buzzard? [cbr ]
23 Jan That Buzzard? [Eamonn O'Donnell ]
23 Jan Re: Elements of Ecology needed [Eamonn O'Donnell ]
23 Jan Re: Elements of Ecology needed ["Fitzharris, Jim" ]

Subject: Re: Wood Duck update
From: Jim Dowdall <jfmdowdall AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 20:15:37 +0000

-----Hi Paul You really need to get out of Cork more often I will try to arrange a few trips for you to Tory this autumn Cheers Jim Original Message ----- From: Paul Moore To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Sent: Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:22:29 -0000 (GMT) Subject: Re: Wood Duck update Getting confused in my Donegal islands, foreign parts dont ya know, so any Snowy Owls or Semipalmated Plovers in the collection!? Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "michealjcasey AT gmail.com" To: Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 4:06 PM Subject: Wood Duck update > Fair play to Killian - his caution on the Arranmore Wood Duck has been > well & truly vindicated. The finder, Philip McCauley, rang me today to say > that the bird has been claimed by an Arranmore islander who bought a pair > of Wood Ducks recently, and whose male had escaped. The birds are in fact > pinioned. > > I am much obliged to Philip for the update, which will allay any > regrets/doubts among people who wisely decided against travelling for it. > > Have a good weekend. > > MÃcheÃ¡l > >
Subject: Re: Wood Duck update
From: Paul Moore <Paulmoore01 AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:22:29 -0000

Getting confused in my Donegal islands, foreign parts dont ya know, so any Snowy Owls or Semipalmated Plovers in the collection!? Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "michealjcasey AT gmail.com" To: Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 4:06 PM Subject: Wood Duck update > Fair play to Killian - his caution on the Arranmore Wood Duck has been > well & truly vindicated. The finder, Philip McCauley, rang me today to say > that the bird has been claimed by an Arranmore islander who bought a pair > of Wood Ducks recently, and whose male had escaped. The birds are in fact > pinioned. > > I am much obliged to Philip for the update, which will allay any > regrets/doubts among people who wisely decided against travelling for it. > > Have a good weekend. > > MÃcheÃ¡l > >
Subject: Re: Wood Duck update
From: Paul Moore <Paulmoore01 AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:07:15 -0000

Micheal anything else in his collection? Pechora Pipit ? Paddyfield Warbler? Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "michealjcasey AT gmail.com" To: Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 4:06 PM Subject: Wood Duck update > Fair play to Killian - his caution on the Arranmore Wood Duck has been > well & truly vindicated. The finder, Philip McCauley, rang me today to say > that the bird has been claimed by an Arranmore islander who bought a pair > of Wood Ducks recently, and whose male had escaped. The birds are in fact > pinioned. > > I am much obliged to Philip for the update, which will allay any > regrets/doubts among people who wisely decided against travelling for it. > > Have a good weekend. > > MÃcheÃ¡l > >
Subject: Re: Wood Duck update
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:13:36 -0500

Yes, I take my hat off to Killian, I would never have bargained that particular Wood Duck being a duffer. Just goes to show.......... Best wishes Lee
Subject: Wood Duck update
From: michealjcasey AT gmail.com <michealjcasey@GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 16:06:22 +0000

Fair play to Killian - his caution on the Arranmore Wood Duck has been well & truly vindicated. The finder, Philip McCauley, rang me today to say that the bird has been claimed by an Arranmore islander who bought a pair of Wood Ducks recently, and whose male had escaped. The birds are in fact pinioned. I am much obliged to Philip for the update, which will allay any regrets/doubts among people who wisely decided against travelling for it. Have a good weekend. MÃcheÃ¡l
Subject: Re: BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT makes it 456 species for 2011
From: Colin Conroy <colintheconroy AT YAHOO.CO.UK>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 09:13:25 +0000

Thanks Lee, can you remind us again what the record was before 2011? Thanks Colin ________________________________ From: Lee G R Evans To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Sent: Thursday, 2 February 2012, 20:47 Subject: BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT makes it 456 species for 2011 Last year's incredible record annual tally just keeps on rising with news of Heatherlea's BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT in Burghead Harbour, Moray, on 17 November - see more photographs here on Mike Weedon's blog : _http://weedworld.blogspot.com/2012/02/brunnichs-guillemot-easily-overlooked.html_ (http://weedworld.blogspot.com/2012/02/brunnichs-guillemot-easily-overlooked.html) This revises the total for the year to 456 species Good Birding Always Lee Evans
Subject: buzzard again
From: Eamonn O'Donnell <bobolink300 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2012 08:36:37 +0000

Morning all, Can somebody please tell me where the RL Buzzard was last seen and how to get there? Thanks, Eamonn
Subject: BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT makes it 456 species for 2011
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:47:17 -0500

Last year's incredible record annual tally just keeps on rising with news of Heatherlea's BRUNNICH'S GUILLEMOT in Burghead Harbour, Moray, on 17 November - see more photographs here on Mike Weedon's blog : _http://weedworld.blogspot.com/2012/02/brunnichs-guillemot-easily-overlooked.html_ (http://weedworld.blogspot.com/2012/02/brunnichs-guillemot-easily-overlooked.html) This revises the total for the year to 456 species Good Birding Always Lee Evans
Subject: Re: B t thrush
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 15:34:46 -0500

Hi Ed I have no less than 70 BLACK-THROATED THRUSHES on file for the UK, including a record 6 birds in 2005. It is an annual vagrant in recent years although in saying that, I don't have a confirmed record yet for 2011 Very best wishes Lee
Subject: Re: B t thrush
From: Edward Carty <vireoed AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:53:51 +0000

Found a few old Birding World issues 2day with reference 2 Dark throated Thrush, I think it was '96 & that bird was the 38th for UK, no idea what the current total is...... All the Kerry bird got on Birdguides was an exclamation mark.....! Ed On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Eamonn O'Donnell wrote: > I see it doesn't even warrant a red star on the Surfbirds map !! I've spent > hours looking through Redwing flocks in West Cork in the last few weeks > looking for one of these ! > > Eamonn > > On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 2:08 PM, Edward Carty wrote: > >> Mangerton is the general location but the bird was near Stoompa (650 >> metres) & requires 6-7 hr round hike in v difficult conditions. >> The bird flew down the gully & not seen again so there is no point in >> climbing up for it I wud think as it's more likely in some garden nearer >> Killarney with Thrush flock.....! >> I hope 2 visit Killarney over the next day or 2 in vain hope of relocating >> it around Muckross House / Gardens, I passed on the news 2 a few birders in >> the area........ Ed >> >> On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Paul Moore wrote: >> > Ed >> > Any other details you can give us ie age or sex of the bird, is he >> looking for it again, what is meant by untwitchable as people seem to climb >> Mangerton throughout the year. >> > thanks >> > Paul >> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Edward Carty" >> > To: >> > Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 1:39 PM >> > Subject: Re: B t thrush >> > >> > >> >> Yes indeed, Peters 3rd Irish record & in a completely unexpected >> location, >> >> we can only hope that it turns up near Kilarney in a more accessible >> >> site......Ed >> >> >> >> On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Hugh Delaney >> wrote: >> >>> >> >>> Yes, his third having found Franklin's gull and Green Heron before, >> >>> H >> >>> >> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >> >>> From: "Mark Shorten" >> >>> To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE >> >>> Sent: Thursday, 2 February, 2012 12:43:42 PM >> >>> Subject: B t thrush >> >>> >> >>> Hi, >> >>> Any info on the Black throated Thrush in Kerry yesterday? Is that Peter >> >> >> >> McDermot's 3rd first Irish? >> >>> >> >>> Mark >> >>> >> >> >> >> >> > >> >
Subject: Re: B t thrush
From: Eamonn O'Donnell <bobolink300 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 19:32:18 +0000

I see it doesn't even warrant a red star on the Surfbirds map !! I've spent hours looking through Redwing flocks in West Cork in the last few weeks looking for one of these ! Eamonn On Thu, Feb 2, 2012 at 2:08 PM, Edward Carty wrote: > Mangerton is the general location but the bird was near Stoompa (650 > metres) & requires 6-7 hr round hike in v difficult conditions. > The bird flew down the gully & not seen again so there is no point in > climbing up for it I wud think as it's more likely in some garden nearer > Killarney with Thrush flock.....! > I hope 2 visit Killarney over the next day or 2 in vain hope of relocating > it around Muckross House / Gardens, I passed on the news 2 a few birders in > the area........ Ed > > On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Paul Moore wrote: > > Ed > > Any other details you can give us ie age or sex of the bird, is he > looking for it again, what is meant by untwitchable as people seem to climb > Mangerton throughout the year. > > thanks > > Paul > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Edward Carty" > > To: > > Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 1:39 PM > > Subject: Re: B t thrush > > > > > >> Yes indeed, Peters 3rd Irish record & in a completely unexpected > location, > >> we can only hope that it turns up near Kilarney in a more accessible > >> site......Ed > >> > >> On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Hugh Delaney > wrote: > >>> > >>> Yes, his third having found Franklin's gull and Green Heron before, > >>> H > >>> > >>> ----- Original Message ----- > >>> From: "Mark Shorten" > >>> To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > >>> Sent: Thursday, 2 February, 2012 12:43:42 PM > >>> Subject: B t thrush > >>> > >>> Hi, > >>> Any info on the Black throated Thrush in Kerry yesterday? Is that Peter > >> > >> McDermot's 3rd first Irish? > >>> > >>> Mark > >>> > >> > >> > > >
Subject: Re: B t thrush
From: Edward Carty <vireoed AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:08:33 +0000

Mangerton is the general location but the bird was near Stoompa (650 metres) & requires 6-7 hr round hike in v difficult conditions. The bird flew down the gully & not seen again so there is no point in climbing up for it I wud think as it's more likely in some garden nearer Killarney with Thrush flock.....! I hope 2 visit Killarney over the next day or 2 in vain hope of relocating it around Muckross House / Gardens, I passed on the news 2 a few birders in the area........ Ed On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Paul Moore wrote: > Ed > Any other details you can give us ie age or sex of the bird, is he looking for it again, what is meant by untwitchable as people seem to climb Mangerton throughout the year. > thanks > Paul > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Edward Carty" > To: > Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 1:39 PM > Subject: Re: B t thrush > > >> Yes indeed, Peters 3rd Irish record & in a completely unexpected location, >> we can only hope that it turns up near Kilarney in a more accessible >> site......Ed >> >> On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Hugh Delaney wrote: >>> >>> Yes, his third having found Franklin's gull and Green Heron before, >>> H >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Mark Shorten" >>> To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE >>> Sent: Thursday, 2 February, 2012 12:43:42 PM >>> Subject: B t thrush >>> >>> Hi, >>> Any info on the Black throated Thrush in Kerry yesterday? Is that Peter >> >> McDermot's 3rd first Irish? >>> >>> Mark >>> >> >> >
Subject: Re: B t thrush
From: Paul Moore <Paulmoore01 AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:49:32 -0000

Ed Any other details you can give us ie age or sex of the bird, is he looking for it again, what is meant by untwitchable as people seem to climb Mangerton throughout the year. thanks Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "Edward Carty" To: Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2012 1:39 PM Subject: Re: B t thrush > Yes indeed, Peters 3rd Irish record & in a completely unexpected location, > we can only hope that it turns up near Kilarney in a more accessible > site......Ed > > On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Hugh Delaney > wrote: >> Yes, his third having found Franklin's gull and Green Heron before, >> H >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Mark Shorten" >> To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE >> Sent: Thursday, 2 February, 2012 12:43:42 PM >> Subject: B t thrush >> >> Hi, >> Any info on the Black throated Thrush in Kerry yesterday? Is that Peter > McDermot's 3rd first Irish? >> >> Mark >> > >
Subject: Re: B t thrush
From: Edward Carty <vireoed AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:39:54 +0000

Yes indeed, Peters 3rd Irish record & in a completely unexpected location, we can only hope that it turns up near Kilarney in a more accessible site......Ed On Thursday, February 2, 2012, Hugh Delaney wrote: > Yes, his third having found Franklin's gull and Green Heron before, > H > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mark Shorten" > To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > Sent: Thursday, 2 February, 2012 12:43:42 PM > Subject: B t thrush > > Hi, > Any info on the Black throated Thrush in Kerry yesterday? Is that Peter McDermot's 3rd first Irish? > > Mark >
Subject: Re: B t thrush
From: Hugh Delaney <hughdelaney AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:25:03 +0000

Yes, his third having found Franklin's gull and Green Heron before, H ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Shorten" To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Sent: Thursday, 2 February, 2012 12:43:42 PM Subject: B t thrush Hi, Any info on the Black throated Thrush in Kerry yesterday? Is that Peter McDermot's 3rd first Irish? Mark
Subject: B t thrush
From: Mark Shorten <mshorten AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 2012 12:43:42 +0000

Hi, Any info on the Black throated Thrush in Kerry yesterday? Is that Peter McDermot's 3rd first Irish? Mark
Subject: Re: Larophobes look away...Blog about Gulls!
From: Owen Foley <pariah.owen AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:29:02 +0000

And another good one carmo. Some very sick, gull obsessed people out there! ;) http://larusology.blogspot.com/ Owen On Tue, Jan 31, 2012 at 2:52 PM, Mark Carmody wrote: > For anyone interested in Gulls, Chris Gibbons in the UK has some superb and > educational blog posts on the recent influx of "White-wingers". > > http://chrisgibbins-gullsbirds.blogspot.com/ > > Best Regards, > > Mark > > -- > *Websites*: www.markcarmodyphotography.com and > http://flickr.com/photos/drcarmo/ > *Publications:* > Shorebirds of Ireland with Jim Wilson > http://www.nhbs.com/shorebirds_of_ireland_tefno_163578.html > Freshwater birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson ( > > http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Freshwater-Birds-Ireland-Jim-Wilson/9781848891326 > ) > -- In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. - Douglas Adams
Subject: Larophobes look away...Blog about Gulls!
From: Mark Carmody <dr.carmo AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:52:52 +0000

For anyone interested in Gulls, Chris Gibbons in the UK has some superb and educational blog posts on the recent influx of "White-wingers". http://chrisgibbins-gullsbirds.blogspot.com/ Best Regards, Mark -- *Websites*: www.markcarmodyphotography.com and http://flickr.com/photos/drcarmo/ *Publications:* Shorebirds of Ireland with Jim Wilson http://www.nhbs.com/shorebirds_of_ireland_tefno_163578.html Freshwater birds of Ireland with Jim Wilson ( http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/Freshwater-Birds-Ireland-Jim-Wilson/9781848891326)
Subject: Re: Abnormally plumaged birds
From: "Casey, Micheal" <Micheal.Casey AT AGRICULTURE.GOV.IE>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:50:55 +0000

Remarkably similar to one that was in Sligo in 2004 and 2005 (which also only had pigment in the wing tips and the bill): http://www.sligobirding.com/December2004.html MÃcheÃ¡l -----Original Message----- From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of Michael O'Clery Sent: 30 January 2012 15:23 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: Re: Abnormally plumaged birds A very striking leucistic Bar-tailed Godwit has been on the beaches north of Castlegregory all this winter. See here for details http://kerrybirding.blogspot.com/2012/01/leucistic-bar-tailed-godwit.html Regards, Michael O'Clery On 30 Jan 2012, at 12:16, Andrew Kelly wrote: > Came across a Leucistic Chaffinch over Christmas (well I presume that's what it is) > You can see it at: > http://akellyphoto.com/html/recent.htm > > Andrew Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine The information contained in this email and in any attachments is confidential and is designated solely for the attention and use of the intended recipient(s). This information may be subject to legal and professional privilege. If you are not an intended recipient of this email, you must not use, disclose, copy, distribute or retain this message or any part of it. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete all copies of this email from your computer system(s). An Roinn TalmhaÃochta, Bia agus Mara TÃ¡ an t-eolais san rÃomhphost seo, agus in aon ceanglÃ¡in leis, faoi phribhlÃ©id agus faoi rÃºn agus le h-aghaigh an seolaÃ amhÃ¡in. Dâ€™fhÃ©adfadh Ã¡bhar an seoladh seo bheith faoi phribhlÃ©id profisiÃºnta nÃ³ dlÃthiÃºil. Mura tusa an seolaÃ a bhÃ beartaithe leis an rÃomhphost seo a fhÃ¡il, tÃ¡ cosc air, nÃ³ aon chuid de, a ÃºsÃ¡id, a chÃ³ipeÃ¡l, nÃ³ a scaoileadh. MÃ¡ thÃ¡inig sÃ© chugat de bharr dearmad, tÃ©igh i dteagmhÃ¡il leis an seoltÃ³ir agus scrios an t-Ã¡bhar Ã³ do rÃomhaire le do thoil.
Subject: Re: Abnormally plumaged birds
From: Michael O'Clery <michaeloclery AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:22:53 +0000

A very striking leucistic Bar-tailed Godwit has been on the beaches north of Castlegregory all this winter. See here for details http://kerrybirding.blogspot.com/2012/01/leucistic-bar-tailed-godwit.html Regards, Michael O'Clery On 30 Jan 2012, at 12:16, Andrew Kelly wrote: > Came across a Leucistic Chaffinch over Christmas (well I presume that's what it is) > You can see it at: > http://akellyphoto.com/html/recent.htm > > Andrew
Subject: Re: Abnormal plumaged birds
From: Andrew Kelly <andrew_kelly_home AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:16:21 +0000

Came across a Leucistic Chaffinch over Christmas (well I presume that's what it is) You can see it at: http://akellyphoto.com/html/recent.htm Andrew > Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:07:55 +0000 > From: pmphillips AT EIRCOM.NET > Subject: Re: Abnormal plumaged birds > To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > > Interesting pictures of british birds with abnormal plumages. Check out the > Blue Tit at the bottom and the yellow vented Great spotted Woodpecker. > > http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/plumage/gallery
Subject: Re: Bean Geese
From: philip clancy <pclancy75 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:45:09 +0000

Hi all Thank you Lee for such an informative answer, i had thought that that both subspecies were fairly common in Britain but it seems not. You raise an interesting point Paul. I have often wondered how top birders of the past would compare to the best of today. Today's birders do have a huge advantage in being able to view and compare photographs at there leisure as apposed to sketches and memory. I wonder did the likes of Pallids and Norther Harriers turn up in years gone by only to be miss identified. Still would be if it was left to me. Interesting. Thanks Phil On Wed, Jan 25, 2012 at 5:01 PM, Paul & Andrea Kelly < paulandreakelly AT eircom.net> wrote: > Hi Phil, > > A different way of thinking could be, what if more than less of previous > Irish/Northern Ireland Bean geese were Tundra rather than Taiga? > In recent years we have cameras and better knowledge of both species/races > and I personally suspect this is the case. > Although some birds are very difficult to separate and best left alone. > Your observation is correct of course and I gather all birds this winter > are considered Tundra. > > Just a thought. > > Paul. > > Hi All > Just a quick question regarding Bean Geese. Looking in nearly all my field > guides it states that Taiga from north Europe are by far the more lightly > subspecies to be encountered in Ireland. However looking at records over > the past few years and especially this year Tundra seems to be far more > common. Is this a new trend and are there any Taiga around at the moment. > Thanks > Phil > > > -- > Paul & Andrea Kelly. > Email: irishbirdimages AT gmail.com > Web: http://www.irishbirdimages.com >
Subject: Re: Abnormal plumaged birds
From: Peter Phillips <pmphillips AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:07:55 +0000

Interesting pictures of british birds with abnormal plumages. Check out the Blue Tit at the bottom and the yellow vented Great spotted Woodpecker. http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/gbw/about/background/projects/plumage/gallery
Subject: Re: wood duck
From: Andrew Crory <andrew.crory AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:31:54 +0000

Does anyone have specific directions for the Blessington Basin Smew - I'll be down there with a net. Willing to pay 15 euros per pair. You can keep the hooded mergs for yourself A On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 8:28 PM, Andrew Crory wrote: > So there's a market for them! I might start myself! > > A > > > On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 6:37 PM, Lee G R Evans wrote: > >> Andrew >> >> Captive Smews are relatively expensive but are surprisingly easy to breed >> in captivity - in the UK they are currently being offered at £195 per pair >> with the odd drake going cheap at £85 >> >> Hooded Mergansers are ridiculously cheap - some as low as just £25 each'. >> Compare that to Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck easily fetching £750 >> per >> pair >> >> Best wishes >> >> Lee >> > >
Subject: Re: wood duck
From: Andrew Crory <andrew.crory AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:28:21 +0000

So there's a market for them! I might start myself! A On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 6:37 PM, Lee G R Evans wrote: > Andrew > > Captive Smews are relatively expensive but are surprisingly easy to breed > in captivity - in the UK they are currently being offered at £195 per pair > with the odd drake going cheap at £85 > > Hooded Mergansers are ridiculously cheap - some as low as just £25 each'. > Compare that to Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck easily fetching £750 per > pair > > Best wishes > > Lee >
Subject: Re: wood duck
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:37:51 -0500

Andrew Captive Smews are relatively expensive but are surprisingly easy to breed in captivity - in the UK they are currently being offered at £195 per pair with the odd drake going cheap at £85 Hooded Mergansers are ridiculously cheap - some as low as just £25 each'. Compare that to Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck easily fetching £750 per pair Best wishes Lee
Subject: Re: wood duck
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:31:11 -0500

Andrew/Dermot Duff ducks generally have a habit and history of being particularly approachable and tame and for staying long periods of time at one or two locations. There are countless examples of this in the UK - an assortment of Red-breasted Geese, Cackling Canada Geese, Bahama Pintails, Falcated Duck, Hooded Mergansers and Wood Ducks. Although non-naturalised Mandarin Ducks have been known to make exceptional movements (eg, ringed individuals migrating from London to Shetland to Norway), I am not aware of similar movements involving escaped Wood Ducks. The location of this Donegal drake does not seem to be in line with that of a duff bird, unless of course there is an unknown private collection nearby. I do not have any copies of any Donegal Bird Reports but I would be interested to see a list of known escaped wildfowl from this region of Ireland Of course, species such as Wood Duck and Hooded Merganser are particularly abundant in captivity and both very easy to breed. However, despite this, numbers recorded in a free-flying state are relative, with rarely more than 1 or 2 escaped Hooded Mergansers per year and a stable population of just 36 escaped/non-naturalised Wood Ducks in Britain What's the situation today? I have heard nothing about the bird today. Surely somebody bothered to have a look ! Best wishes Lee
Subject: Re: wood duck
From: Andrew Crory <andrew.crory AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:00:36 +0000

not sure about the hoodie but I think the smew would be around the same price. Surprisingly, mandarins will cost £45 for a pair. A On Fri, Jan 27, 2012 at 5:24 PM, Dermot McCabe wrote: > I was curious about availability of these exotic ducks, after all the > goodies in Blessington St Basin. Andrew, do you know if the NI birdsellers > will supply Hooded Mergansers or Smews? > There are too many Mandarins around at the moment to imagine anyone is > forking out fifty pounds a bird for them. > Incidentally, re the Basin, I heard last week that the person who had been > releasing ducks there has died recently. No more details yet, Dublin City > Council Parks Dept. know nothing about the affair. > Dermot. > On 27 January 2012 10:12, Andrew Crory wrote: > > > A male Wood Duck will cost you around £50, a guy in my home town of > > newcastle co. down is selling them...and in > > dromore....and kilkeel......and ballynahinch! > > > > Andrew > > >
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Mícheál Casey <michealjcasey AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:40:31 +0000

Hi all, Curiosity got the better of me & I rang the finder, Philip McCauley. The Arranmore Wood Duck was not seen today. For what it's worth, the finder was also of the opinion from previous observation that the bird could not use one wing. He will have another look for it on Sunday (he is away tomorrow), but he says there is a lot of cover along the shore where it has been seen and it has disappeared before for days. Will update if I hear more. Mícheál On 27 Jan 2012, at 01:02, michealjcasey AT gmail.com wrote: > Quite true Killian this could well prove to be farmyard fowl but an offshore island would be rather odd place for a pinioned exotic bird to show up. > And Lee the Ring-necked duck influx was on Inis Mór in the Aran Islands (confusing but important to go to the right one!). > I can't get to it anyway, so no vested interest here - just keen to get the word out with the weekend coming up. People can make up their own minds about travelling a long way on what is clearly a gamble on several levels. > > Mícheál > > ----- Reply message ----- > From: "Killian Mullarney" > To: > Subject: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal > Date: Thu, Jan 26, 2012 11:39 pm > > > Steady on there folks! OK, perhaps it is a genuine vagrant that has > sustained a wing injury after it arrived here, but in the circumstances, > shouldn't the mention of "Injured wing" and "can't fly" arouse a little > more suspicion?! Might the 'injury' actually be due to an unfortunate bit > of pinioning? > > I appreciate your efforts not to "lead the jury" Micheál, but I wouldn't be > getting too excited about this yet, especially as it hasn't even been > established that the bird is unringed. Some of you will remember an > erstwhile great candidate for a genuine vagrant Hooded Merganser that was > discovered on a small lake in west Cork/Kerry some years ago; on account of > its wariness, the location and the time of year it was considered by > many to have had impeccable credentials.... until a sharp-eyed Aidan Kelly > noticed that it was wearing a green plastic ring! > > If the bird is trapped, and it is established that it is unringed and the > injury has nothing to do with it having been pinioned, a sample or two of > feather should be taken for isotope analysis. This should be a small > cutting from a primary or secondary feather (which will more than likely > have been grown last summer/autumn) rather than a random body feather, > which could have been more recently moulted in. > > Cheers, > > Killian > > 2012/1/26 Mícheál Casey > > > I have seen no photos yet Lee, but I suggested that they be taken. No > > mention of rings either but I don't think he got too close. > > > > And I have asked for feathers if any are shed, following Dave's suggestion. > > > > Collections could be in anyone's garden anywhere, but certainly nothing in > > the public domain around here that I have heard of. There has been a tame > > Wood Duck in the river in Enniskillen town centre in recent years, but too > > fond of sliced pan to go anywhere like Arranmore I suspect. > > > > Who knows, but as you say a good chance its wild. > > > > Mícheál > > > > > > > > On 26 Jan 2012, at 21:44, Lee G R Evans wrote: > > > > > Michael > > > > > > Are there any photographs of the bird at all? Seems like an excellent > > > candidate for a natural vagrant or are there any lurking private > > collections out > > > that way > > > > > > All the very best > > > > > > Lee > >
Subject: Re: wood duck
From: Dermot McCabe <dermot.mccabe AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:24:10 +0000

I was curious about availability of these exotic ducks, after all the goodies in Blessington St Basin. Andrew, do you know if the NI birdsellers will supply Hooded Mergansers or Smews? There are too many Mandarins around at the moment to imagine anyone is forking out fifty pounds a bird for them. Incidentally, re the Basin, I heard last week that the person who had been releasing ducks there has died recently. No more details yet, Dublin City Council Parks Dept. know nothing about the affair. Dermot. On 27 January 2012 10:12, Andrew Crory wrote: > A male Wood Duck will cost you around £50, a guy in my home town of > newcastle co. down is selling them...and in > dromore....and kilkeel......and ballynahinch! > > Andrew >
Subject: wood duck
From: Andrew Crory <andrew.crory AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:12:11 +0000

A male Wood Duck will cost you around £50, a guy in my home town of newcastle co. down is selling them...and in dromore....and kilkeel......and ballynahinch! Andrew
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: michealjcasey AT gmail.com <michealjcasey@GMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:03:00 +0000

Quite true Killian this could well prove to be farmyard fowl but an offshore island would be rather odd place for a pinioned exotic bird to show up. And Lee the Ring-necked duck influx was on Inis MÃ³r in the Aran Islands (confusing but important to go to the right one!). I can't get to it anyway, so no vested interest here - just keen to get the word out with the weekend coming up. People can make up their own minds about travelling a long way on what is clearly a gamble on several levels. MÃcheÃ¡l ----- Reply message ----- From: "Killian Mullarney" To: Subject: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal Date: Thu, Jan 26, 2012 11:39 pm Steady on there folks! OK, perhaps it is a genuine vagrant that has sustained a wing injury after it arrived here, but in the circumstances, shouldn't the mention of "Injured wing" and "can't fly" arouse a little more suspicion?! Might the 'injury' actually be due to an unfortunate bit of pinioning? I appreciate your efforts not to "lead the jury" MicheÃ¡l, but I wouldn't be getting too excited about this yet, especially as it hasn't even been established that the bird is unringed. Some of you will remember an erstwhile great candidate for a genuine vagrant Hooded Merganser that was discovered on a small lake in west Cork/Kerry some years ago; on account of its wariness, the location and the time of year it was considered by many to have had impeccable credentials.... until a sharp-eyed Aidan Kelly noticed that it was wearing a green plastic ring! If the bird is trapped, and it is established that it is unringed and the injury has nothing to do with it having been pinioned, a sample or two of feather should be taken for isotope analysis. This should be a small cutting from a primary or secondary feather (which will more than likely have been grown last summer/autumn) rather than a random body feather, which could have been more recently moulted in. Cheers, Killian 2012/1/26 MÃcheÃ¡l Casey > I have seen no photos yet Lee, but I suggested that they be taken. No > mention of rings either but I don't think he got too close. > > And I have asked for feathers if any are shed, following Dave's suggestion. > > Collections could be in anyone's garden anywhere, but certainly nothing in > the public domain around here that I have heard of. There has been a tame > Wood Duck in the river in Enniskillen town centre in recent years, but too > fond of sliced pan to go anywhere like Arranmore I suspect. > > Who knows, but as you say a good chance its wild. > > MÃcheÃ¡l > > > > On 26 Jan 2012, at 21:44, Lee G R Evans wrote: > > > Michael > > > > Are there any photographs of the bird at all? Seems like an excellent > > candidate for a natural vagrant or are there any lurking private > collections out > > that way > > > > All the very best > > > > Lee >
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Derekbrennan20 <derekbrennan20 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:59:16 +0000

Think Inishmore (Galway) had the large flock of Ring-necks. And as far as I can recall, Donegal had few Semi-p's during the influx. Derek. Sent from my iPhone On 26 Jan 2012, at 23:59, Lee G R Evans wrote: > Killian > > Wasn't it established that there was a sizeable collection of > waterbirds at > Fota collection and that, contrary to what was believed at the time > (and > certainly misunderstood by me), private collections and captive > ornamental > wildfowl are rather more common in Ireland than was formerly > recognised. > > Whilst I share your enthusiasm for reproach in circumstances such as > this, > I also believe that we shouldn't allow this one unfortunate episode > with > the green-and white ringed Hooded Merganser tar any subsequent > feelings about > further possible vagrant wildfowl on our shores. I seem to remember a > certain Irish Bufflehead coming in for a lot of flack not long > after that bird > was found. The vagrancy of North American Wood Ducks has been very > much > under-estimated in my view, particularly when one considers their > long-distance migrations and the massive population increases the > species has > undertaken in the past 40 years - it SHOULD be turning up more > frequently as a > vagrant - and recent records in Iceland, the Azores and on a number > of North > Atlantic islands has certainly hinted at this. > > Yes, this very well could be a pinioned drake from a nearby back > garden but > I doubt it. Didn't Arranmore Island see one of the largest flocks of > Ring-necked Ducks ever recorded in Ireland and wasn't this one of > the regions > that shared in a spectacular invasion of Semipalmated Sandpipers. > Never > before have I heard of so many Kumlien's Gulls on this side of the > Atlantic - if > only a single Wood Duck had crossed the Atlantic in such an > Atlantic storm > dominated winter, I would be astonished. Anyway, looking forward to > the > outcome............ > > Very best wishes > > Lee >
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:59:47 -0500

Killian Wasn't it established that there was a sizeable collection of waterbirds at Fota collection and that, contrary to what was believed at the time (and certainly misunderstood by me), private collections and captive ornamental wildfowl are rather more common in Ireland than was formerly recognised. Whilst I share your enthusiasm for reproach in circumstances such as this, I also believe that we shouldn't allow this one unfortunate episode with the green-and white ringed Hooded Merganser tar any subsequent feelings about further possible vagrant wildfowl on our shores. I seem to remember a certain Irish Bufflehead coming in for a lot of flack not long after that bird was found. The vagrancy of North American Wood Ducks has been very much under-estimated in my view, particularly when one considers their long-distance migrations and the massive population increases the species has undertaken in the past 40 years - it SHOULD be turning up more frequently as a vagrant - and recent records in Iceland, the Azores and on a number of North Atlantic islands has certainly hinted at this. Yes, this very well could be a pinioned drake from a nearby back garden but I doubt it. Didn't Arranmore Island see one of the largest flocks of Ring-necked Ducks ever recorded in Ireland and wasn't this one of the regions that shared in a spectacular invasion of Semipalmated Sandpipers. Never before have I heard of so many Kumlien's Gulls on this side of the Atlantic - if only a single Wood Duck had crossed the Atlantic in such an Atlantic storm dominated winter, I would be astonished. Anyway, looking forward to the outcome............ Very best wishes Lee
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Killian Mullarney <ktmullarney AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:39:34 +0000

Steady on there folks! OK, perhaps it is a genuine vagrant that has sustained a wing injury after it arrived here, but in the circumstances, shouldn't the mention of "Injured wing" and "can't fly" arouse a little more suspicion?! Might the 'injury' actually be due to an unfortunate bit of pinioning? I appreciate your efforts not to "lead the jury" Micheál, but I wouldn't be getting too excited about this yet, especially as it hasn't even been established that the bird is unringed. Some of you will remember an erstwhile great candidate for a genuine vagrant Hooded Merganser that was discovered on a small lake in west Cork/Kerry some years ago; on account of its wariness, the location and the time of year it was considered by many to have had impeccable credentials.... until a sharp-eyed Aidan Kelly noticed that it was wearing a green plastic ring! If the bird is trapped, and it is established that it is unringed and the injury has nothing to do with it having been pinioned, a sample or two of feather should be taken for isotope analysis. This should be a small cutting from a primary or secondary feather (which will more than likely have been grown last summer/autumn) rather than a random body feather, which could have been more recently moulted in. Cheers, Killian 2012/1/26 Mícheál Casey > I have seen no photos yet Lee, but I suggested that they be taken. No > mention of rings either but I don't think he got too close. > > And I have asked for feathers if any are shed, following Dave's suggestion. > > Collections could be in anyone's garden anywhere, but certainly nothing in > the public domain around here that I have heard of. There has been a tame > Wood Duck in the river in Enniskillen town centre in recent years, but too > fond of sliced pan to go anywhere like Arranmore I suspect. > > Who knows, but as you say a good chance its wild. > > Mícheál > > > > On 26 Jan 2012, at 21:44, Lee G R Evans wrote: > > > Michael > > > > Are there any photographs of the bird at all? Seems like an excellent > > candidate for a natural vagrant or are there any lurking private > collections out > > that way > > > > All the very best > > > > Lee >
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Mícheál Casey <michealjcasey AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:23:01 +0000

I have seen no photos yet Lee, but I suggested that they be taken. No mention of rings either but I don't think he got too close. And I have asked for feathers if any are shed, following Dave's suggestion. Collections could be in anyone's garden anywhere, but certainly nothing in the public domain around here that I have heard of. There has been a tame Wood Duck in the river in Enniskillen town centre in recent years, but too fond of sliced pan to go anywhere like Arranmore I suspect. Who knows, but as you say a good chance its wild. Mícheál On 26 Jan 2012, at 21:44, Lee G R Evans wrote: > Michael > > Are there any photographs of the bird at all? Seems like an excellent > candidate for a natural vagrant or are there any lurking private collections out > that way > > All the very best > > Lee
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:44:08 -0500

Michael Are there any photographs of the bird at all? Seems like an excellent candidate for a natural vagrant or are there any lurking private collections out that way All the very best Lee
Subject: thayeri-kumlieni-glaucoides
From: Seamus Enright <seamusenright06 AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:59:23 -0000

Hi all for those interested check out the discussion about thayeri-kumlieni-glaucoides and their calssification using a scale on Frontiers of Identification at http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/FRID.html Rgs Seamus
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Mícheál Casey <michealjcasey AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:44:18 +0000

Thanks Dave. I wasn't trying to lead the jury either way but the location alone argues for a vagrant. Great idea re the feathers, will pass it on. Mícheál On 26 Jan 2012, at 18:02, Dave Allen wrote: > Sounds convincing! If you can get an "old" feather off the bird there are > labs who can do isotope analysis to determine where it has come from - > obviously this doesn't work if it has been living in Ireland for a full > moult cycle (or longer!) feathers would have to have been produced in > country of origin - again assuming it's not local! > > > Dave > > -----Original Message----- > From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of > Mícheál Casey > Sent: 26 January 2012 17:13 > To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > Subject: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal > > Just heard this, thought it may be of interest to the list. > > An injured male American Wood Duck has been seen near the RNLI Lifeboat > Station, Pollawaddy, Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal since last Friday. > Injured wing. Not really approachable, but can't fly, spents a lot of time > out of sight in a rushy area along the shore. Finder may make an attempt to > catch it in the next day or two to take it into care & seek medical/rehab > assistance for the injury, but the bird seems very lively (apart from > inability to fly). No visible evidence of injury/wound looks otherwise > healthy. Seen today & yesterday. > > Two ferries operate from Burtonport several times a day apparently. > > Mícheál
Subject: Re: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Dave Allen <rosefinch90 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:02:08 +0000

Sounds convincing! If you can get an "old" feather off the bird there are labs who can do isotope analysis to determine where it has come from - obviously this doesn't work if it has been living in Ireland for a full moult cycle (or longer!) feathers would have to have been produced in country of origin - again assuming it's not local! Dave -----Original Message----- From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of Mícheál Casey Sent: 26 January 2012 17:13 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal Just heard this, thought it may be of interest to the list. An injured male American Wood Duck has been seen near the RNLI Lifeboat Station, Pollawaddy, Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal since last Friday. Injured wing. Not really approachable, but can't fly, spents a lot of time out of sight in a rushy area along the shore. Finder may make an attempt to catch it in the next day or two to take it into care & seek medical/rehab assistance for the injury, but the bird seems very lively (apart from inability to fly). No visible evidence of injury/wound looks otherwise healthy. Seen today & yesterday. Two ferries operate from Burtonport several times a day apparently. Mícheál
Subject: Injured Wood Duck on Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal
From: Mícheál Casey <michealjcasey AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:13:19 +0000

Just heard this, thought it may be of interest to the list. An injured male American Wood Duck has been seen near the RNLI Lifeboat Station, Pollawaddy, Arranmore Island, Co. Donegal since last Friday. Injured wing. Not really approachable, but can't fly, spents a lot of time out of sight in a rushy area along the shore. Finder may make an attempt to catch it in the next day or two to take it into care & seek medical/rehab assistance for the injury, but the bird seems very lively (apart from inability to fly). No visible evidence of injury/wound looks otherwise healthy. Seen today & yesterday. Two ferries operate from Burtonport several times a day apparently. Mícheál
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Tom Gittings <tgittings AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:25:45 +0000

According to the CBC results, House Sparrows are increasing in Ireland. Between 1998 and 2008, there was a statistically significant increase of 2.72% per year, which means that a population of 100 birds in 1998 would have increased to 130 birds by 2008. In the eastern region, the annual increase was 4.91%, so 100 birds in 1998 would have increased to 161 birds by 2008. see: Crowe, O., Coombes, R.H., Lysaght, L., O’Brien, C., Choudhury, K.R., Walsh, A.J., Wilson, J.H. & O’Halloran, J. (2010) Population trends of widespread breeding birds in the Republic of Ireland 1998–2008. Bird Study, 57, 267-280. House Sparrow is on the amber list of Birds of Conservation Concern, but this is due to its European status, not national trends. Of course, there may be anomalous localised declines but seems unlikely that these would explain widespread Tree Sparrow increases Tom Gittings On Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:07:31 +0000, Peter Phillips wrote: >The crop you refer to is Maize. Its the same plant that you get corn on the >cob. > >I have noticed a lack of passerines feeding in the crop residue once it has >been harvested. The tall and dense foliage may prevent weeds germinating, >or it could be simply that its sprayed after the crop has been removed and >this prevents weeds from sprouting up. ( The crop however has been a >benefit to swallows which regularly roost in the crop from mid august to >the end of september and during migration.) > > I have a small colony of Tree Sparrow in my garden at Ardee, County Louth. >It started with six birds coming for bird food about eight years ago and >has built up to 30 this year. I did a fair bit of atlas work over the last >few years and found them fairly frequently almost exclusively near old stone >farm buildings and human habitation. They take readily to nest boxes so it >would be worth putting some up if you have them near the garden. >Possibly the provision of food in gardens might be one explaination for the >increase in the population along with the decrease of House Sparrow which >might have an effect on numbers (see extract below). However this would hold >true in Britain as well where the species has decreased....Disease might >also play a role... >Anyway its good to see some good news for a change with numbers increasing. > >Extract from the Migration Atlas > >In Britain and Ireland, the Tree Sparrow is largely a bird of farmland, but >eastward across Eurasia , it becomes more a bird of built up areas so that >in the far east, where the House Sparrow is absent, it is a prominent urban >species, equally at home in towns or villages. > >Although the median distance moved by birds recovered dead is less than 1Km >movements of greater than 20Km do occur. Movements...are more pronounced >during the autumn and winter. While most Tree Sparows of the British and >Irish population shows a general southerly dispersal..they are less sedentry >than House Sparrows. 23% of Tree Sparrows movements between the breeding >season and non-breeding season are greater than 20Km compared to just 3% for >House Sparrow. > >There have been seven recoveries of British and Irish ringed birds on the >continent and a further seven of birds ringed on the continent and recovered >in Britain. There have been four exchanges of birds between Britain and >Ireland. These movements occured during a period when the British population >was high, suggesting that the movements could have been a response to >population pressure(or possibly reflect increased ringing of Tree Sparrows >during this period). >It is perhaps relevent that the recolonisation of Ireland, where the Tree >Sparrow was thought to have become extinct in 1959, was coincident with a >population explosion in Britain. > >Within Britain and Ireland, Tree Sparrows colonies can appear and disappear >rapidly, suggesting that dispersive movements may enable the species to >respond to changing conditions. >In Britain Tree Sparrow numbers fell by 87% between 1972 and 1996 and was >red listed as a bird of high national conservation concern. > >Peter
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Owen Foley <pariah.owen AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:25:54 +0000

When I first moved to Cork I was told that Tree Sparrows were rare here. However, 9 years later I have realised that they are actually very regular, especially on headlands in autumn. This autumn they were easily found on Knockadoon, Ballycotton (Phil's back passage), Power Head etc. Other spots are the magic garden on kinsale, The derelict farm at Ballymacrown and the back of Crookhaven village. Owen On Wed, Jan 25, 2012 at 10:10 PM, Paul Moore wrote: > Maize is grown as animal fodder in Ireland and has quite large grains > which may explain the lack of passerines on the stubble.Crows love the > stubble and > indeed so do Cranes, apparently it's the favourite food of Cranes on > migration. The flock in Midleton last year fed on Maize grains virtually > exclusively even ignoring barley seed which had been scattered in the field. > Paul > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Phillips" > > To: > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 9:07 PM > Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > > > The crop you refer to is Maize. Its the same plant that you get corn on the > cob. > > I have noticed a lack of passerines feeding in the crop residue once it has > been harvested. The tall and dense foliage may prevent weeds germinating, > or it could be simply that its sprayed after the crop has been removed and > this prevents weeds from sprouting up. ( The crop however has been a > benefit to swallows which regularly roost in the crop from mid august to > the end of september and during migration.) > > I have a small colony of Tree Sparrow in my garden at Ardee, County Louth. > It started with six birds coming for bird food about eight years ago and > has built up to 30 this year. I did a fair bit of atlas work over the last > few years and found them fairly frequently almost exclusively near old > stone > farm buildings and human habitation. They take readily to nest boxes so it > would be worth putting some up if you have them near the garden. > Possibly the provision of food in gardens might be one explaination for the > increase in the population along with the decrease of House Sparrow which > might have an effect on numbers (see extract below). However this would > hold > true in Britain as well where the species has decreased....Disease might > also play a role... > Anyway its good to see some good news for a change with numbers increasing. > > Extract from the Migration Atlas > > In Britain and Ireland, the Tree Sparrow is largely a bird of farmland, but > eastward across Eurasia , it becomes more a bird of built up areas so that > in the far east, where the House Sparrow is absent, it is a prominent urban > species, equally at home in towns or villages. > > Although the median distance moved by birds recovered dead is less than 1Km > movements of greater than 20Km do occur. Movements...are more pronounced > during the autumn and winter. While most Tree Sparows of the British and > Irish population shows a general southerly dispersal..they are less > sedentry > than House Sparrows. 23% of Tree Sparrows movements between the breeding > season and non-breeding season are greater than 20Km compared to just 3% > for > House Sparrow. > > There have been seven recoveries of British and Irish ringed birds on the > continent and a further seven of birds ringed on the continent and > recovered > in Britain. There have been four exchanges of birds between Britain and > Ireland. These movements occured during a period when the British > population > was high, suggesting that the movements could have been a response to > population pressure(or possibly reflect increased ringing of Tree Sparrows > during this period). > It is perhaps relevent that the recolonisation of Ireland, where the Tree > Sparrow was thought to have become extinct in 1959, was coincident with a > population explosion in Britain. > > Within Britain and Ireland, Tree Sparrows colonies can appear and disappear > rapidly, suggesting that dispersive movements may enable the species to > respond to changing conditions. > In Britain Tree Sparrow numbers fell by 87% between 1972 and 1996 and was > red listed as a bird of high national conservation concern. > > Peter > -- In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. - Douglas Adams
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Paul Moore <Paulmoore01 AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:10:40 -0000

Maize is grown as animal fodder in Ireland and has quite large grains which may explain the lack of passerines on the stubble.Crows love the stubble and indeed so do Cranes, apparently it's the favourite food of Cranes on migration. The flock in Midleton last year fed on Maize grains virtually exclusively even ignoring barley seed which had been scattered in the field. Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Phillips" To: Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 9:07 PM Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows The crop you refer to is Maize. Its the same plant that you get corn on the cob. I have noticed a lack of passerines feeding in the crop residue once it has been harvested. The tall and dense foliage may prevent weeds germinating, or it could be simply that its sprayed after the crop has been removed and this prevents weeds from sprouting up. ( The crop however has been a benefit to swallows which regularly roost in the crop from mid august to the end of september and during migration.) I have a small colony of Tree Sparrow in my garden at Ardee, County Louth. It started with six birds coming for bird food about eight years ago and has built up to 30 this year. I did a fair bit of atlas work over the last few years and found them fairly frequently almost exclusively near old stone farm buildings and human habitation. They take readily to nest boxes so it would be worth putting some up if you have them near the garden. Possibly the provision of food in gardens might be one explaination for the increase in the population along with the decrease of House Sparrow which might have an effect on numbers (see extract below). However this would hold true in Britain as well where the species has decreased....Disease might also play a role... Anyway its good to see some good news for a change with numbers increasing. Extract from the Migration Atlas In Britain and Ireland, the Tree Sparrow is largely a bird of farmland, but eastward across Eurasia , it becomes more a bird of built up areas so that in the far east, where the House Sparrow is absent, it is a prominent urban species, equally at home in towns or villages. Although the median distance moved by birds recovered dead is less than 1Km movements of greater than 20Km do occur. Movements...are more pronounced during the autumn and winter. While most Tree Sparows of the British and Irish population shows a general southerly dispersal..they are less sedentry than House Sparrows. 23% of Tree Sparrows movements between the breeding season and non-breeding season are greater than 20Km compared to just 3% for House Sparrow. There have been seven recoveries of British and Irish ringed birds on the continent and a further seven of birds ringed on the continent and recovered in Britain. There have been four exchanges of birds between Britain and Ireland. These movements occured during a period when the British population was high, suggesting that the movements could have been a response to population pressure(or possibly reflect increased ringing of Tree Sparrows during this period). It is perhaps relevent that the recolonisation of Ireland, where the Tree Sparrow was thought to have become extinct in 1959, was coincident with a population explosion in Britain. Within Britain and Ireland, Tree Sparrows colonies can appear and disappear rapidly, suggesting that dispersive movements may enable the species to respond to changing conditions. In Britain Tree Sparrow numbers fell by 87% between 1972 and 1996 and was red listed as a bird of high national conservation concern. Peter
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: cbr <cbr AT CORKECOLOGY.NET>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:33:58 -0000

I remember tree sparrows being everywhere in Bangkok when we were there in 2000 - exactly like Osaka - very strange to see! Col ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Carmody" To: Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 9:29 PM Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows When I lived in Osaka, Japan, the commonest bird in the city was Feral Pigeon and Tree Sparrows. The sparrows were always found around outdoor areas of cafes and restaurants feeding on scraps from tables. They were equally common in suburban areas. It was fantastic to see a flock of 70+ Tree Sparrows on the farmland near the outskirts of Balbriggan in Co. Dublin just before Christmas. The biggest flock I've ever seen in Ireland. Hopefully they will expand. The second record for Great Island in Cork was seen during the recent Great Island Bird Race. I also thought I heard one at Saleen near Midelton during November. I haven't seen a Tree Sparrow in Cork since the Last remaining colony on the Old Head of Kinsale disappeared. Best Regards Mark Sent from my iPhone www.flickr.com/photos/drcarmo www.markcarmodyphotography.com On 25 Jan 2012, at 21:07, Peter Phillips wrote: > The crop you refer to is Maize. Its the same plant that you get corn on > the > cob. > > I have noticed a lack of passerines feeding in the crop residue once it > has > been harvested. The tall and dense foliage may prevent weeds germinating, > or it could be simply that its sprayed after the crop has been removed and > this prevents weeds from sprouting up. ( The crop however has been a > benefit to swallows which regularly roost in the crop from mid august to > the end of september and during migration.) > > I have a small colony of Tree Sparrow in my garden at Ardee, County Louth. > It started with six birds coming for bird food about eight years ago and > has built up to 30 this year. I did a fair bit of atlas work over the last > few years and found them fairly frequently almost exclusively near old > stone > farm buildings and human habitation. They take readily to nest boxes so it > would be worth putting some up if you have them near the garden. > Possibly the provision of food in gardens might be one explaination for > the > increase in the population along with the decrease of House Sparrow which > might have an effect on numbers (see extract below). However this would > hold > true in Britain as well where the species has decreased....Disease might > also play a role... > Anyway its good to see some good news for a change with numbers > increasing. > > Extract from the Migration Atlas > > In Britain and Ireland, the Tree Sparrow is largely a bird of farmland, > but > eastward across Eurasia , it becomes more a bird of built up areas so that > in the far east, where the House Sparrow is absent, it is a prominent > urban > species, equally at home in towns or villages. > > Although the median distance moved by birds recovered dead is less than > 1Km > movements of greater than 20Km do occur. Movements...are more pronounced > during the autumn and winter. While most Tree Sparows of the British and > Irish population shows a general southerly dispersal..they are less > sedentry > than House Sparrows. 23% of Tree Sparrows movements between the breeding > season and non-breeding season are greater than 20Km compared to just 3% > for > House Sparrow. > > There have been seven recoveries of British and Irish ringed birds on the > continent and a further seven of birds ringed on the continent and > recovered > in Britain. There have been four exchanges of birds between Britain and > Ireland. These movements occured during a period when the British > population > was high, suggesting that the movements could have been a response to > population pressure(or possibly reflect increased ringing of Tree Sparrows > during this period). > It is perhaps relevent that the recolonisation of Ireland, where the Tree > Sparrow was thought to have become extinct in 1959, was coincident with a > population explosion in Britain. > > Within Britain and Ireland, Tree Sparrows colonies can appear and > disappear > rapidly, suggesting that dispersive movements may enable the species to > respond to changing conditions. > In Britain Tree Sparrow numbers fell by 87% between 1972 and 1996 and was > red listed as a bird of high national conservation concern. > > Peter
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Mark Carmody <dr.carmo AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:29:35 +0000

When I lived in Osaka, Japan, the commonest bird in the city was Feral Pigeon and Tree Sparrows. The sparrows were always found around outdoor areas of cafes and restaurants feeding on scraps from tables. They were equally common in suburban areas. It was fantastic to see a flock of 70+ Tree Sparrows on the farmland near the outskirts of Balbriggan in Co. Dublin just before Christmas. The biggest flock I've ever seen in Ireland. Hopefully they will expand. The second record for Great Island in Cork was seen during the recent Great Island Bird Race. I also thought I heard one at Saleen near Midelton during November. I haven't seen a Tree Sparrow in Cork since the Last remaining colony on the Old Head of Kinsale disappeared. Best Regards Mark Sent from my iPhone www.flickr.com/photos/drcarmo www.markcarmodyphotography.com On 25 Jan 2012, at 21:07, Peter Phillips wrote: > The crop you refer to is Maize. Its the same plant that you get corn on the > cob. > > I have noticed a lack of passerines feeding in the crop residue once it has > been harvested. The tall and dense foliage may prevent weeds germinating, > or it could be simply that its sprayed after the crop has been removed and > this prevents weeds from sprouting up. ( The crop however has been a > benefit to swallows which regularly roost in the crop from mid august to > the end of september and during migration.) > > I have a small colony of Tree Sparrow in my garden at Ardee, County Louth. > It started with six birds coming for bird food about eight years ago and > has built up to 30 this year. I did a fair bit of atlas work over the last > few years and found them fairly frequently almost exclusively near old stone > farm buildings and human habitation. They take readily to nest boxes so it > would be worth putting some up if you have them near the garden. > Possibly the provision of food in gardens might be one explaination for the > increase in the population along with the decrease of House Sparrow which > might have an effect on numbers (see extract below). However this would hold > true in Britain as well where the species has decreased....Disease might > also play a role... > Anyway its good to see some good news for a change with numbers increasing. > > Extract from the Migration Atlas > > In Britain and Ireland, the Tree Sparrow is largely a bird of farmland, but > eastward across Eurasia , it becomes more a bird of built up areas so that > in the far east, where the House Sparrow is absent, it is a prominent urban > species, equally at home in towns or villages. > > Although the median distance moved by birds recovered dead is less than 1Km > movements of greater than 20Km do occur. Movements...are more pronounced > during the autumn and winter. While most Tree Sparows of the British and > Irish population shows a general southerly dispersal..they are less sedentry > than House Sparrows. 23% of Tree Sparrows movements between the breeding > season and non-breeding season are greater than 20Km compared to just 3% for > House Sparrow. > > There have been seven recoveries of British and Irish ringed birds on the > continent and a further seven of birds ringed on the continent and recovered > in Britain. There have been four exchanges of birds between Britain and > Ireland. These movements occured during a period when the British population > was high, suggesting that the movements could have been a response to > population pressure(or possibly reflect increased ringing of Tree Sparrows > during this period). > It is perhaps relevent that the recolonisation of Ireland, where the Tree > Sparrow was thought to have become extinct in 1959, was coincident with a > population explosion in Britain. > > Within Britain and Ireland, Tree Sparrows colonies can appear and disappear > rapidly, suggesting that dispersive movements may enable the species to > respond to changing conditions. > In Britain Tree Sparrow numbers fell by 87% between 1972 and 1996 and was > red listed as a bird of high national conservation concern. > > Peter
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Peter Phillips <pmphillips AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:07:31 +0000

The crop you refer to is Maize. Its the same plant that you get corn on the cob. I have noticed a lack of passerines feeding in the crop residue once it has been harvested. The tall and dense foliage may prevent weeds germinating, or it could be simply that its sprayed after the crop has been removed and this prevents weeds from sprouting up. ( The crop however has been a benefit to swallows which regularly roost in the crop from mid august to the end of september and during migration.) I have a small colony of Tree Sparrow in my garden at Ardee, County Louth. It started with six birds coming for bird food about eight years ago and has built up to 30 this year. I did a fair bit of atlas work over the last few years and found them fairly frequently almost exclusively near old stone farm buildings and human habitation. They take readily to nest boxes so it would be worth putting some up if you have them near the garden. Possibly the provision of food in gardens might be one explaination for the increase in the population along with the decrease of House Sparrow which might have an effect on numbers (see extract below). However this would hold true in Britain as well where the species has decreased....Disease might also play a role... Anyway its good to see some good news for a change with numbers increasing. Extract from the Migration Atlas In Britain and Ireland, the Tree Sparrow is largely a bird of farmland, but eastward across Eurasia , it becomes more a bird of built up areas so that in the far east, where the House Sparrow is absent, it is a prominent urban species, equally at home in towns or villages. Although the median distance moved by birds recovered dead is less than 1Km movements of greater than 20Km do occur. Movements...are more pronounced during the autumn and winter. While most Tree Sparows of the British and Irish population shows a general southerly dispersal..they are less sedentry than House Sparrows. 23% of Tree Sparrows movements between the breeding season and non-breeding season are greater than 20Km compared to just 3% for House Sparrow. There have been seven recoveries of British and Irish ringed birds on the continent and a further seven of birds ringed on the continent and recovered in Britain. There have been four exchanges of birds between Britain and Ireland. These movements occured during a period when the British population was high, suggesting that the movements could have been a response to population pressure(or possibly reflect increased ringing of Tree Sparrows during this period). It is perhaps relevent that the recolonisation of Ireland, where the Tree Sparrow was thought to have become extinct in 1959, was coincident with a population explosion in Britain. Within Britain and Ireland, Tree Sparrows colonies can appear and disappear rapidly, suggesting that dispersive movements may enable the species to respond to changing conditions. In Britain Tree Sparrow numbers fell by 87% between 1972 and 1996 and was red listed as a bird of high national conservation concern. Peter
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: cbr <cbr AT CORKECOLOGY.NET>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:40:50 -0000

Could be maize? Quite a bit of it growing around Clonakilty area - no tree sparrows tho! Col ----- Original Message ----- From: "JAMES RIPPEY" To: Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 6:21 PM Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > This very tall crop (does it grow very dense) sounds like Sweet Corn > (mostly used as animal fodder rather than for human consumption in > Ireland, etc, I believe). Were the Tree Sparrows seen near water such as a > river, etc? (They are said to be usually found near rtivers, lakes or the > coast. > > IAN RIPPEY 25.1.2012 > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "philip clancy" > To: > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 5:08 PM > Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > > > Hi All > I used to think that Tree Sparrows were mostly confined to coastal > counties > but i started spending allot of time in Carlow about six years ago. To my > surprise i had Tree Sparrows coming to feeders within a few weeks. Numbers > built on the farm to around 100 birds two years ago. I thought this was > due > to the fact that sugar beat had been replaced by wheat crops in Carlow. > Lately there is another new crop trend, it looks like corn on the cob and > grows very tall. It is used as cattle fodder for the winter but since this > has become popular around where i am the number of T Sparrows and > Yellowhammer have fallen. There maybe no connection at all but its > interesting. > Phil > > 2012/1/25 Seán > >> Sorry, that should read: >> >> I saw that news article briefly. I'm not sure where the birds featured >> were, but, >> they were ringing them with darvics. >> >> Seán >> >
Subject: Wintering Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese in Britain and Ireland
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:31:19 -0500

Phil Taiga Bean Geese are very rare in Britain and Ireland and at the moment, occur in two wintering groups - one of 104 in the Yare Valley in Norfolk and another 267 in Clyde in the Slamannan Valley (Forth District). They are primarily grazing geese and prefer extensive grass meadows adjoining quiet river valleys... Tundra Bean Geese are an increasing bird of the far eastern tundra forests which winter in considerable numbers in The Netherlands and Germany. They are more of an arable farmland bird and also visit gravel pits and water bodies, and often accompany Mute Swan flocks. We had a massive influx of them here in Britain in October/November and many are still with us, including individual flocks of over 65 birds. They are widespread with quite a few also reaching Ireland. Tundra Beans are more akin to Pink-footed Goose in appearance and structure whereas Taiga Beans are hefty-sized and more comparable to Greylags. Taiga Beans are extensively orange in the bill and longer-billed and paler necked, whilst Tundra Beans are noticeably smaller, shorter-necked, darker overall, shorter, stumpier-billed and variable in the amount of orange in the bill. Most vagrant Beans relate to this species in Britain and Ireland, although occasionally the odd flock of Taigas may stray from wintering grounds in Holland (in harsh weather) Taiga Beans have traditionally departed Britain in the last week of January, staging their return to Sweden and western Russia by stopping in The Netherlands for a week or two. Tundra Beans tend to linger much longer, not returning to Europe until late March or April I do not have any records of definite Irish Taiga Beans for 2012 All the very best Lee
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: JAMES RIPPEY <jimrippey AT TISCALI.CO.UK>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:21:41 -0000

This very tall crop (does it grow very dense) sounds like Sweet Corn (mostly used as animal fodder rather than for human consumption in Ireland, etc, I believe). Were the Tree Sparrows seen near water such as a river, etc? (They are said to be usually found near rtivers, lakes or the coast. IAN RIPPEY 25.1.2012 ----- Original Message ----- From: "philip clancy" To: Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 5:08 PM Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows Hi All I used to think that Tree Sparrows were mostly confined to coastal counties but i started spending allot of time in Carlow about six years ago. To my surprise i had Tree Sparrows coming to feeders within a few weeks. Numbers built on the farm to around 100 birds two years ago. I thought this was due to the fact that sugar beat had been replaced by wheat crops in Carlow. Lately there is another new crop trend, it looks like corn on the cob and grows very tall. It is used as cattle fodder for the winter but since this has become popular around where i am the number of T Sparrows and Yellowhammer have fallen. There maybe no connection at all but its interesting. Phil 2012/1/25 Seán > Sorry, that should read: > > I saw that news article briefly. I'm not sure where the birds featured > were, but, > they were ringing them with darvics. > > Seán >
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: philip clancy <pclancy75 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:08:30 +0000

Hi All I used to think that Tree Sparrows were mostly confined to coastal counties but i started spending allot of time in Carlow about six years ago. To my surprise i had Tree Sparrows coming to feeders within a few weeks. Numbers built on the farm to around 100 birds two years ago. I thought this was due to the fact that sugar beat had been replaced by wheat crops in Carlow. Lately there is another new crop trend, it looks like corn on the cob and grows very tall. It is used as cattle fodder for the winter but since this has become popular around where i am the number of T Sparrows and Yellowhammer have fallen. There maybe no connection at all but its interesting. Phil 2012/1/25 Seán > Sorry, that should read: > > I saw that news article briefly. I'm not sure where the birds featured > were, but, > they were ringing them with darvics. > > Seán >
Subject: Fwd: Bean Geese
From: Paul & Andrea Kelly <paulandreakelly AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:01:37 +0000

Hi Phil, A different way of thinking could be, what if more than less of previous Irish/Northern Ireland Bean geese were Tundra rather than Taiga? In recent years we have cameras and better knowledge of both species/races and I personally suspect this is the case. Although some birds are very difficult to separate and best left alone. Your observation is correct of course and I gather all birds this winter are considered Tundra. Just a thought. Paul. Hi All Just a quick question regarding Bean Geese. Looking in nearly all my field guides it states that Taiga from north Europe are by far the more lightly subspecies to be encountered in Ireland. However looking at records over the past few years and especially this year Tundra seems to be far more common. Is this a new trend and are there any Taiga around at the moment. Thanks Phil -- Paul & Andrea Kelly. Email: irishbirdimages AT gmail.com Web: http://www.irishbirdimages.com
Subject: Bean Geese
From: philip clancy <pclancy75 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:38:22 +0000

Hi All Just a quick question regarding Bean Geese. Looking in nearly all my field guides it states that Taiga from north Europe are by far the more lightly subspecies to be encountered in Ireland. However looking at records over the past few years and especially this year Tundra seems to be far more common. Is this a new trend and are there any Taiga around at the moment. Thanks Phil
Subject: Re: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre
From: Owen Foley <pariah.owen AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:52:33 +0000

Excellent stuff. It looks to have great potential, not only for improving access to these areas, but new habitat for a broader range of species. It is probably an easy prediction to make that it will pay dividends with good birds sooner rather than later. Owen On Wed, Jan 25, 2012 at 12:52 PM, Michael O'Clery wrote: > Hi Owen > Its location is about a kilometre further to the east of Blennerville > windmill, with the main entrance to it across the road from the Aquadome. > From what I hear, most of the Centre is to be free to access, though there > is to be an entrance charge for the viewing tower and the nature elements, > but as yet, I don't know if this includes charging for access to the west > side - the wetland area to the west of the railway track. The two main > ponds have been largely excavated, though there had been a small pool there > previously, but the wetland and saltmarsh areas did have some channels and > mudflat already there, but it looks to me that they have dug out additional > channels and scrapes. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust were involved with > that aspect of the construction. Either way, none of that area was readily > accessible to birdwatchers in the past. > Regards, Michael > - > On 25 Jan 2012, at 12:14, Owen Foley wrote: > > > Hi Michael, > > > > This looks like a great development, but I am having a hard time placing > > where it is going to be from the map. > > Is this the area to the west of the windmill? Are all this various ponds, > > lakes and wetlands already existent or will they be artificially created? > > (Cant say I have seen such features when I have been in the area). > > > > Will the site be open access or paid entry? > > > > Owen > -- In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. - Douglas Adams
Subject: Re: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre
From: Michael O'Clery <michaeloclery AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:52:56 +0000

Hi Owen Its location is about a kilometre further to the east of Blennerville windmill, with the main entrance to it across the road from the Aquadome. From what I hear, most of the Centre is to be free to access, though there is to be an entrance charge for the viewing tower and the nature elements, but as yet, I don't know if this includes charging for access to the west side - the wetland area to the west of the railway track. The two main ponds have been largely excavated, though there had been a small pool there previously, but the wetland and saltmarsh areas did have some channels and mudflat already there, but it looks to me that they have dug out additional channels and scrapes. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust were involved with that aspect of the construction. Either way, none of that area was readily accessible to birdwatchers in the past. Regards, Michael - On 25 Jan 2012, at 12:14, Owen Foley wrote: > Hi Michael, > > This looks like a great development, but I am having a hard time placing > where it is going to be from the map. > Is this the area to the west of the windmill? Are all this various ponds, > lakes and wetlands already existent or will they be artificially created? > (Cant say I have seen such features when I have been in the area). > > Will the site be open access or paid entry? > > Owen
Subject: Re: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre
From: Mark Shorten <mshorten AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:52:56 +0000

Owen, I think is to the east, closer to Tralee. Mark On 25 Jan 2012, at 12:05 p.m., Michael O'Clery wrote: > Hi all, > The following link might be of interest... http://www.tralee.ie/wetlandsjobs.htm especially the first link on the page, a downloadable PDF, 'Overview of the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre.' It shows what this 4.5 million euro project should look like when it opens this March. A much larger area is involved than I had thought, but with electric safari boats and 'Learn to fish' pools, I guess it remains to be seen how much of value the site will be to the hardcore birder. The hide at the west end should (hopefully) be overlooking a fair bit of Blennerville mudflat and might prove to be the new rarity hotspot. Incidentally, there are a number of jobs going at the Centre (see the above link) but you'd need to get your skates on... applications need to be in by 4.30pm tomorrow (Thursday). > All the best, > Michael O'Clery
Subject: Re: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre
From: Owen Foley <pariah.owen AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:14:58 +0000

Hi Michael, This looks like a great development, but I am having a hard time placing where it is going to be from the map. Is this the area to the west of the windmill? Are all this various ponds, lakes and wetlands already existent or will they be artificially created? (Cant say I have seen such features when I have been in the area). Will the site be open access or paid entry? Owen On Wed, Jan 25, 2012 at 12:05 PM, Michael O'Clery wrote: > Hi all, > The following link might be of interest... > http://www.tralee.ie/wetlandsjobs.htm especially the first link on the > page, a downloadable PDF, 'Overview of the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre.' It > shows what this 4.5 million euro project should look like when it opens > this March. A much larger area is involved than I had thought, but with > electric safari boats and 'Learn to fish' pools, I guess it remains to be > seen how much of value the site will be to the hardcore birder. The hide at > the west end should (hopefully) be overlooking a fair bit of Blennerville > mudflat and might prove to be the new rarity hotspot. Incidentally, there > are a number of jobs going at the Centre (see the above link) but you'd > need to get your skates on... applications need to be in by 4.30pm tomorrow > (Thursday). > All the best, > Michael O'Clery -- In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. - Douglas Adams
Subject: New Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre
From: Michael O'Clery <michaeloclery AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:05:54 +0000

Hi all, The following link might be of interest... http://www.tralee.ie/wetlandsjobs.htm especially the first link on the page, a downloadable PDF, 'Overview of the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre.' It shows what this 4.5 million euro project should look like when it opens this March. A much larger area is involved than I had thought, but with electric safari boats and 'Learn to fish' pools, I guess it remains to be seen how much of value the site will be to the hardcore birder. The hide at the west end should (hopefully) be overlooking a fair bit of Blennerville mudflat and might prove to be the new rarity hotspot. Incidentally, there are a number of jobs going at the Centre (see the above link) but you'd need to get your skates on... applications need to be in by 4.30pm tomorrow (Thursday). All the best, Michael O'Clery
Subject: Fingal branch annual pub quiz
From: Paul Lynch <paulllynch AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:27:58 +0000

**Hi All ** We look forward to your company next Friday night at Skerries Rugby Club for our annual fund raising event. This year, Noel Smith will be the MC so expect a fun night with a mix of music, general knowledge and the odd wildlife question. All welcome, please support.**** ** Friday 27th AT 8:30pm, €10 per head/tables of 4. All proceeds going towards funding bird conservation in Fingal. If attendance at our recent talks is anything to go by, come early to guarantee a good seat!**** ** ** See you then.**** ** ** ** Regards Paul
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Seán Ronayne <ronayne88 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:20:34 +0000

Sorry, that should read: I saw that news article briefly. I'm not sure where the birds featured were, but, they were ringing them with darvics. Seán
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Seán Ronayne <ronayne88 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:18:48 +0000

Saw that news article briefly. I'm not sure where the birds feature were, but they were ringing them darvics. Seán
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Craig Nash <pluvius AT MAC.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:10:38 +0000

Well if anyone wants to Colour ring mine I have 20-30 coming to my feeders most days in Co.down they would be welcome. On 24 Jan 2012, at 23:04, Dave Allen wrote: > Interesting stuff - I haven't checked much info but am aware of a lot of > local GB ringing and colour ringing projects. Lots of winter adults and > pulli ringed but remarkably few recoveries - especially of the wintering > birds. > > This was lifted from an article - > > When population levels were higher, there were a few reported exchanges > between the UK and countries on the other side of the North Sea. Far fewer > are caught and ringed these days and there has been less evidence of > international travel. There are regular movements of birds along the coast, > for instance at Spurn Bird Observatory but, as Tree Sparrows living in other > parts of Europe are equally unlikely to migrate, these are probably British > birds. Looking at the summary of ringing information for 2009, on the > ringing section of the BTO website, I see that there were five movements of > over 100 km and that four of these had a Humberside connection > > The mention of coastal route movements is interesting - thinking of Mullet > birds again and birds I have seen in Co Down over the years. Colour > rininging might help provide some clues but only if these birds end up in > well watched areas - such as a sacrificial crop field somewhere on a nature > reserve! > > Dave > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of Mike > O'Keeffe > Sent: 24 January 2012 20:40 > To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > > Dave, > > I dont have the answers but for what its worth I suspect in Kerry at least > there probably hasnt been much recruitment from elsewhere in the country or > further afield. Its a very local and thinly distributed population in North > Kerry with its core probably still in the Ardfert area. I suspect > personally it has expanded its range from within. Those familiar with the > north Kerry route from Ballyheigue/Ardfert and back east from Kerry Head > through Causeway to Ballyduff and Lixnaw will know this as a flat, almost > treeless landscape. Its hard to imagine how a population of Tree Sparrows > would survive, let alone expand eastward. Yet there they are. House > Sparrows remain one of the commonest birds in this landscape also. > > Isolated as it is from the larger Irish population this may be as good a > place as any to try and answer the question of what is going on. > > Regards > > Mike > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Dave Allen" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 4:00 PM > Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > > >> Good points re the land use issues which will certainly satisfy the >> species' >> ecological requirements but where do these colonisers originate from? >> >> I think Summers-Smith hypothesised a long-term cyclical population dynamic >> in GBI with immigration the key factor in population boosts. But with GB >> population in trouble where are they coming from? >> >> They are known to make regular short movements but apparently also prone >> to >> irruption so in theory there will also be immigration into Ireland... from >> somewhere! I am sure we have all seen small flocks of tree sparrows in out >> of the way places around the coast. Seen good vis mig invloving the >> species >> on The Mullet of all places - could be local movers but from where to >> where? >> or from much further afield.. >> >> Years ago I remember being at Flamborough (Desert Warbler twitch) years >> ago >> and being amazed at the number of tree sprogs around - actually witnessed >> small parties arriving from offshore.. >> >> Dave >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of >> Mike >> O'Keeffe >> Sent: 24 January 2012 13:58 >> To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE >> Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows >> >> Hi, >> >> Tree Sparrows have been gradually expanding in North Kerry from the >> Ardfert/Causeway directly eastward over the last couple of decades and are >> nearly at Listowel these days. I for one cant wait to see what that study >> reveals but a theory I have is the expansion may have been brought about >> by >> a combination of increased variety of land use and roving of males further >> afield looking for nest sites as so many old buildings have been knocked. >> >> Regards >> >> Mike >> >> PS - dont feed the narcissistic troll! >> >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "John Gallagher" >> To: >> Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 12:31 PM >> Subject: Tree Sparrows >> >> >>> Item on RTE nine o'clock news yesterday about Tree Sparrows increasing >>> in >>> Ireland despite being in decline almost everywhere else. Apparantly their >>> range is growing here. >>> >>> Was not aware of this but excellent news.
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Dave Allen <rosefinch90 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:04:01 +0000

Interesting stuff - I haven't checked much info but am aware of a lot of local GB ringing and colour ringing projects. Lots of winter adults and pulli ringed but remarkably few recoveries - especially of the wintering birds. This was lifted from an article - When population levels were higher, there were a few reported exchanges between the UK and countries on the other side of the North Sea. Far fewer are caught and ringed these days and there has been less evidence of international travel. There are regular movements of birds along the coast, for instance at Spurn Bird Observatory but, as Tree Sparrows living in other parts of Europe are equally unlikely to migrate, these are probably British birds. Looking at the summary of ringing information for 2009, on the ringing section of the BTO website, I see that there were five movements of over 100 km and that four of these had a Humberside connection The mention of coastal route movements is interesting - thinking of Mullet birds again and birds I have seen in Co Down over the years. Colour rininging might help provide some clues but only if these birds end up in well watched areas - such as a sacrificial crop field somewhere on a nature reserve! Dave -----Original Message----- From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of Mike O'Keeffe Sent: 24 January 2012 20:40 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows Dave, I dont have the answers but for what its worth I suspect in Kerry at least there probably hasnt been much recruitment from elsewhere in the country or further afield. Its a very local and thinly distributed population in North Kerry with its core probably still in the Ardfert area. I suspect personally it has expanded its range from within. Those familiar with the north Kerry route from Ballyheigue/Ardfert and back east from Kerry Head through Causeway to Ballyduff and Lixnaw will know this as a flat, almost treeless landscape. Its hard to imagine how a population of Tree Sparrows would survive, let alone expand eastward. Yet there they are. House Sparrows remain one of the commonest birds in this landscape also. Isolated as it is from the larger Irish population this may be as good a place as any to try and answer the question of what is going on. Regards Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Allen" To: Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 4:00 PM Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > Good points re the land use issues which will certainly satisfy the > species' > ecological requirements but where do these colonisers originate from? > > I think Summers-Smith hypothesised a long-term cyclical population dynamic > in GBI with immigration the key factor in population boosts. But with GB > population in trouble where are they coming from? > > They are known to make regular short movements but apparently also prone > to > irruption so in theory there will also be immigration into Ireland... from > somewhere! I am sure we have all seen small flocks of tree sparrows in out > of the way places around the coast. Seen good vis mig invloving the > species > on The Mullet of all places - could be local movers but from where to > where? > or from much further afield.. > > Years ago I remember being at Flamborough (Desert Warbler twitch) years > ago > and being amazed at the number of tree sprogs around - actually witnessed > small parties arriving from offshore.. > > Dave > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of > Mike > O'Keeffe > Sent: 24 January 2012 13:58 > To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > > Hi, > > Tree Sparrows have been gradually expanding in North Kerry from the > Ardfert/Causeway directly eastward over the last couple of decades and are > nearly at Listowel these days. I for one cant wait to see what that study > reveals but a theory I have is the expansion may have been brought about > by > a combination of increased variety of land use and roving of males further > afield looking for nest sites as so many old buildings have been knocked. > > Regards > > Mike > > PS - dont feed the narcissistic troll! > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Gallagher" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 12:31 PM > Subject: Tree Sparrows > > >> Item on RTE nine o'clock news yesterday about Tree Sparrows increasing >> in >> Ireland despite being in decline almost everywhere else. Apparantly their >> range is growing here. >> >> Was not aware of this but excellent news.
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Mike O'Keeffe <okeeffeml AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:39:49 -0000

Dave, I dont have the answers but for what its worth I suspect in Kerry at least there probably hasnt been much recruitment from elsewhere in the country or further afield. Its a very local and thinly distributed population in North Kerry with its core probably still in the Ardfert area. I suspect personally it has expanded its range from within. Those familiar with the north Kerry route from Ballyheigue/Ardfert and back east from Kerry Head through Causeway to Ballyduff and Lixnaw will know this as a flat, almost treeless landscape. Its hard to imagine how a population of Tree Sparrows would survive, let alone expand eastward. Yet there they are. House Sparrows remain one of the commonest birds in this landscape also. Isolated as it is from the larger Irish population this may be as good a place as any to try and answer the question of what is going on. Regards Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Allen" To: Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 4:00 PM Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > Good points re the land use issues which will certainly satisfy the > species' > ecological requirements but where do these colonisers originate from? > > I think Summers-Smith hypothesised a long-term cyclical population dynamic > in GBI with immigration the key factor in population boosts. But with GB > population in trouble where are they coming from? > > They are known to make regular short movements but apparently also prone > to > irruption so in theory there will also be immigration into Ireland... from > somewhere! I am sure we have all seen small flocks of tree sparrows in out > of the way places around the coast. Seen good vis mig invloving the > species > on The Mullet of all places - could be local movers but from where to > where? > or from much further afield.. > > Years ago I remember being at Flamborough (Desert Warbler twitch) years > ago > and being amazed at the number of tree sprogs around - actually witnessed > small parties arriving from offshore.. > > Dave > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of > Mike > O'Keeffe > Sent: 24 January 2012 13:58 > To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows > > Hi, > > Tree Sparrows have been gradually expanding in North Kerry from the > Ardfert/Causeway directly eastward over the last couple of decades and are > nearly at Listowel these days. I for one cant wait to see what that study > reveals but a theory I have is the expansion may have been brought about > by > a combination of increased variety of land use and roving of males further > afield looking for nest sites as so many old buildings have been knocked. > > Regards > > Mike > > PS - dont feed the narcissistic troll! > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Gallagher" > To: > Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 12:31 PM > Subject: Tree Sparrows > > >> Item on RTE nine o'clock news yesterday about Tree Sparrows increasing >> in >> Ireland despite being in decline almost everywhere else. Apparantly their >> range is growing here. >> >> Was not aware of this but excellent news.
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Dave Allen <rosefinch90 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:53 +0000

Good points re the land use issues which will certainly satisfy the species' ecological requirements but where do these colonisers originate from? I think Summers-Smith hypothesised a long-term cyclical population dynamic in GBI with immigration the key factor in population boosts. But with GB population in trouble where are they coming from? They are known to make regular short movements but apparently also prone to irruption so in theory there will also be immigration into Ireland... from somewhere! I am sure we have all seen small flocks of tree sparrows in out of the way places around the coast. Seen good vis mig invloving the species on The Mullet of all places - could be local movers but from where to where? or from much further afield.. Years ago I remember being at Flamborough (Desert Warbler twitch) years ago and being amazed at the number of tree sprogs around - actually witnessed small parties arriving from offshore.. Dave -----Original Message----- From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of Mike O'Keeffe Sent: 24 January 2012 13:58 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows Hi, Tree Sparrows have been gradually expanding in North Kerry from the Ardfert/Causeway directly eastward over the last couple of decades and are nearly at Listowel these days. I for one cant wait to see what that study reveals but a theory I have is the expansion may have been brought about by a combination of increased variety of land use and roving of males further afield looking for nest sites as so many old buildings have been knocked. Regards Mike PS - dont feed the narcissistic troll! ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Gallagher" To: Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 12:31 PM Subject: Tree Sparrows > Item on RTE nine o'clock news yesterday about Tree Sparrows increasing in > Ireland despite being in decline almost everywhere else. Apparantly their > range is growing here. > > Was not aware of this but excellent news.
Subject: Re: Tree Sparrows
From: Mike O'Keeffe <okeeffeml AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:57:34 -0000

Hi, Tree Sparrows have been gradually expanding in North Kerry from the Ardfert/Causeway directly eastward over the last couple of decades and are nearly at Listowel these days. I for one cant wait to see what that study reveals but a theory I have is the expansion may have been brought about by a combination of increased variety of land use and roving of males further afield looking for nest sites as so many old buildings have been knocked. Regards Mike PS - dont feed the narcissistic troll! ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Gallagher" To: Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 12:31 PM Subject: Tree Sparrows > Item on RTE nine o'clock news yesterday about Tree Sparrows increasing in > Ireland despite being in decline almost everywhere else. Apparantly their > range is growing here. > > Was not aware of this but excellent news.
Subject: Tree Sparrows
From: John Gallagher <galjohn AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:31:55 +0000

Item on RTE nine o'clock news yesterday about Tree Sparrows increasing in Ireland despite being in decline almost everywhere else. Apparantly their range is growing here. Was not aware of this but excellent news.
Subject: Re: That Buzzard?
From: Michael O Donnell <micealodonnell AT EIRCOM.NET>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:14:52 +0000

Owen, Could you explain this please? Michael. On 24 Jan 2012, at 10:09, Owen Foley wrote: Slurp Slurp Slurp..... Owen On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 6:08 PM, Eamonn O'Donnell wrote: > Thanks very much Colin. > If AGK struggles to see it the rest of us mere mortals don't stand a chance > !! > > Eamonn > > On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 3:11 PM, cbr wrote: > >> Hi Eamonn >> >> I had a look for the rough leg late yesterday pm and met Aiden Kelly >> there. He spent 6 hours there on last sat and saw it for 5 minutes, and >> spent an hour or so yesterday am, and 2 hours yesterday pm looking but no >> sign. As far as I know, it wasn't seen yesterday. Rumour has it that the >> area of the stubble field at Gelnroa Farm is a good place to look early >> morning/late pm but that the bird can go wandering even up as far as the >> main road during the day. Mind you, Aiden also said that last week folk >> thought it was roosting up near the main road somewhere so who knows! I'd >> say your best bet would be to get there for 1st light, and be prepared to >> spend all day! It seemed to be reported every day last week pretty much > so >> with a bit of luck you'd get it. I guess as most folk have probably seen > it >> by now, reports of the bird may start to get scarcer. >> >> Good luck, >> Colin >> >> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eamonn O'Donnell" < >> bobolink300 AT GMAIL.COM> >> To: >> Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:40 PM >> Subject: That Buzzard? >> >> >> >> Hi all, >>> Does anybody know if the Rough-legged Buzzard was seen yesterday/today? >>> Has >>> it any bad habits like going missing for most of the day? >>> >>> Thanks, Eamonn >>> >>> > -- In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. - Douglas Adams
Subject: Re: That Buzzard?
From: Owen Foley <pariah.owen AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:09:26 +0000

Slurp Slurp Slurp..... Owen On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 6:08 PM, Eamonn O'Donnell wrote: > Thanks very much Colin. > If AGK struggles to see it the rest of us mere mortals don't stand a chance > !! > > Eamonn > > On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 3:11 PM, cbr wrote: > > > Hi Eamonn > > > > I had a look for the rough leg late yesterday pm and met Aiden Kelly > > there. He spent 6 hours there on last sat and saw it for 5 minutes, and > > spent an hour or so yesterday am, and 2 hours yesterday pm looking but no > > sign. As far as I know, it wasn't seen yesterday. Rumour has it that the > > area of the stubble field at Gelnroa Farm is a good place to look early > > morning/late pm but that the bird can go wandering even up as far as the > > main road during the day. Mind you, Aiden also said that last week folk > > thought it was roosting up near the main road somewhere so who knows! I'd > > say your best bet would be to get there for 1st light, and be prepared to > > spend all day! It seemed to be reported every day last week pretty much > so > > with a bit of luck you'd get it. I guess as most folk have probably seen > it > > by now, reports of the bird may start to get scarcer. > > > > Good luck, > > Colin > > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eamonn O'Donnell" < > > bobolink300 AT GMAIL.COM> > > To: > > Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:40 PM > > Subject: That Buzzard? > > > > > > > > Hi all, > >> Does anybody know if the Rough-legged Buzzard was seen yesterday/today? > >> Has > >> it any bad habits like going missing for most of the day? > >> > >> Thanks, Eamonn > >> > >> > -- In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. - Douglas Adams
Subject: Arctic gull latest addition
From: Lee G R Evans <LGREUK400 AT AOL.COM>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:05:07 -0500

An adult winter-plumaged ROSS'S GULL in Ardglass Harbour, County Down, represents the 251st species to be recorded in Britain and Ireland combined this year. This comes on top of one of the largest influxes of Kumlien's and Iceland Gulls ever known in the region, including no less than 83 individuals in Stornoway Harbour on Lewis (Outer Hebrides) alone Best wishes Lee Evans
Subject: Re: Ross's and Pochard
From: Derek Brennan <derekbrennan20 AT HOTMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:24:50 +0000

Thanks for the info folks. Went for it today and got great views off the sea wall. As Colin suggests, the bird left the harbour area in the morning, returning shortly after noon.Now, if only that Richard's had made an appearance... Thanks,Derek. > Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:24:02 +0000 > From: cbr AT CORKECOLOGY.NET > Subject: Re: Ross's and Pochard > To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > > Hi Derek > > Prob too late for you, the following might be useful for anyone else going. > The last three days the bird has only started to show well from about 11.00 > onwards - on both sat & sun it was seen around 9.30 ish but on both days > disappeared again - certainly yesterday it flew in & out very quickly around > 9.30 and just totally vanished. It seems to head out to sea, as I got on it > coming in again about 11.15 yesterday, and it flew in towards the harbour > from miles out, and then remained flying around outside the harbour wall and > entrance till at least 12.00 when we left. Cracking bird - hope its not as > windy as it was yesterday! > > Good luck, > Colin > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Keith Bennett" > To: > Sent: Sunday, January 22, 2012 9:01 PM > Subject: Re: Ross's and Pochard > > > > Derek, > > > > Stand up on the outer harbour wall - there are two places where you can > > get up, both work, the one at the end of the wall is probably best. Then > > watch everything coming in. It seems to hang around in the entrance for > > periods, moving in and out, but then disappears off to sea for periods. > > Flies mostly at about the height of the wall, or lower, dipping down to > > pick off the sea surface, occasionally higher, especially when moving back > > out to sea. > > > > As for the provenance of the r-c pochard - whatever it is, somewhere > > warmer than the provenance of the Ross's. > > > > Cheers, > > > > keith > > > > On 22 Jan 2012, at 20:10, Derek Brennan wrote: > > > >> Hi folks, will probabobly go for the Ross's tomorrow. From what I can > >> determine, it's a case of focusing on the harbour entrance?Are any > >> behavoural patterns beginning to emerge? Also, any opinion as to the > >> provenance of the Red-Crested Pochard at Oxford Island? Cheers,Derek. > > > > Keith Bennett > > > > 2D Coulters Hill > > Kircubbin > > NEWTOWNARDS > > BT22 1DS > >
Subject: Re: That Buzzard?
From: Eamonn O'Donnell <bobolink300 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:08:41 +0000

Thanks very much Colin. If AGK struggles to see it the rest of us mere mortals don't stand a chance !! Eamonn On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 3:11 PM, cbr wrote: > Hi Eamonn > > I had a look for the rough leg late yesterday pm and met Aiden Kelly > there. He spent 6 hours there on last sat and saw it for 5 minutes, and > spent an hour or so yesterday am, and 2 hours yesterday pm looking but no > sign. As far as I know, it wasn't seen yesterday. Rumour has it that the > area of the stubble field at Gelnroa Farm is a good place to look early > morning/late pm but that the bird can go wandering even up as far as the > main road during the day. Mind you, Aiden also said that last week folk > thought it was roosting up near the main road somewhere so who knows! I'd > say your best bet would be to get there for 1st light, and be prepared to > spend all day! It seemed to be reported every day last week pretty much so > with a bit of luck you'd get it. I guess as most folk have probably seen it > by now, reports of the bird may start to get scarcer. > > Good luck, > Colin > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eamonn O'Donnell" < > bobolink300 AT GMAIL.COM> > To: > Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:40 PM > Subject: That Buzzard? > > > > Hi all, >> Does anybody know if the Rough-legged Buzzard was seen yesterday/today? >> Has >> it any bad habits like going missing for most of the day? >> >> Thanks, Eamonn >> >>
Subject: Re: That Buzzard?
From: cbr <cbr AT CORKECOLOGY.NET>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:11:57 -0000

Hi Eamonn I had a look for the rough leg late yesterday pm and met Aiden Kelly there. He spent 6 hours there on last sat and saw it for 5 minutes, and spent an hour or so yesterday am, and 2 hours yesterday pm looking but no sign. As far as I know, it wasn't seen yesterday. Rumour has it that the area of the stubble field at Gelnroa Farm is a good place to look early morning/late pm but that the bird can go wandering even up as far as the main road during the day. Mind you, Aiden also said that last week folk thought it was roosting up near the main road somewhere so who knows! I'd say your best bet would be to get there for 1st light, and be prepared to spend all day! It seemed to be reported every day last week pretty much so with a bit of luck you'd get it. I guess as most folk have probably seen it by now, reports of the bird may start to get scarcer. Good luck, Colin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eamonn O'Donnell" To: Sent: Monday, January 23, 2012 2:40 PM Subject: That Buzzard? > Hi all, > Does anybody know if the Rough-legged Buzzard was seen yesterday/today? > Has > it any bad habits like going missing for most of the day? > > Thanks, Eamonn >
Subject: That Buzzard?
From: Eamonn O'Donnell <bobolink300 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:40:17 +0000

Hi all, Does anybody know if the Rough-legged Buzzard was seen yesterday/today? Has it any bad habits like going missing for most of the day? Thanks, Eamonn
Subject: Re: Elements of Ecology needed
From: Eamonn O'Donnell <bobolink300 AT GMAIL.COM>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:30:18 +0000

I'm sorted. Thanks to Alan. Eamonn On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 11:13 AM, Fitzharris, Jim < Jim.Fitzharris AT smurfitkappa.com> wrote: > Not a full of surprises as you, me ould flower! > > Sorry, I do not have this book - have never heard of it I'm afraid. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of > Eamonn O'Donnell > Sent: 23 January 2012 10:52 > To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE > Subject: Elements of Ecology needed > > Hello all, > This may be a long shot but ye are full of surprises so here goes. > Does anybody out there have a copy of Elements of Ecology (Smith+Smith), > Edition 6, 7 or 8, that they would like to sell at a reasonable price? > > Please contact me privately ; bobolink300 AT gmail.com > > Thank you. > Eamonn > > > > ******************************************************************************** > This email and any files transmitted with it may be confidential and > intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they > are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify > the sender. > > ******************************************************************************** > Smurfit Kappa Group plc. Registered in Ireland No. 433527. > Registered office: Beech Hill, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4. >
Subject: Re: Elements of Ecology needed
From: "Fitzharris, Jim" <Jim.Fitzharris AT SMURFITKAPPA.COM>
Date: Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:13:30 +0000

Not a full of surprises as you, me ould flower! Sorry, I do not have this book - have never heard of it I'm afraid. -----Original Message----- From: Irish Bird Network [mailto:IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE] On Behalf Of Eamonn O'Donnell Sent: 23 January 2012 10:52 To: IBN-L AT LISTSERV.HEANET.IE Subject: Elements of Ecology needed Hello all, This may be a long shot but ye are full of surprises so here goes. Does anybody out there have a copy of Elements of Ecology (Smith+Smith), Edition 6, 7 or 8, that they would like to sell at a reasonable price? Please contact me privately ; bobolink300 AT gmail.com Thank you. Eamonn ******************************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it may be confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. ******************************************************************************** Smurfit Kappa Group plc. Registered in Ireland No. 433527. Registered office: Beech Hill, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4.

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