Cork Birding

Signs of life...

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:59:00 +0000

Just making a post to notify all three of you who check this blog out that I am just resting it, it has not been terminated or anything so final, and I reserve the right to post here as and when I see fit...watch this space?

A big day attempt, and a finds tick

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:04:00 +0000

Well, it continues to be a relatively slow spring, with the recent poor weather not helping, especially as the winds have often been from a northerly direction, as seems so often to be the case in recent years. That said, an attempt at a county day list record on Saturday last (25th), with Paul Moore, Dennis O'Sullivan and Ger Walsh, still managed to produce some decent birds, with the most enjoyable for me being a self-found 2nd cal year Hobby at Pilmore, which was a finds tick. Given the initially distant views, and less than ideal light at times, I must admit that the initial ID was somewhat of a team effort, though the true identification became more apparent as the bird got slightly closer. Regrettably, it never really gave great views, and we eventually lost it as a speck high to the west...where it went next, nobody knows.
Also of note were two (presumably) different Little Terns, with the bird found by Paul at Lough Aderra being at a most surprising location! We could almost have expected Whiskered there before Little, given then recent events in Britain.
Suffice it to say that, given rain until 12.30, and then wind for the rest of the day, coupled with the likelihood that many species genuinely were not available, we decided to pack it in at 7.45pm, on a score of 99 species, due to the fact that the previous year's total of 105 was probably beyond us at that stage. Typically, 4 Grasshopper Warblers were at Knockadoon Head the next day: we had had none.

Spring..all it's cracked up to be?

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:30:00 +0000

Hello again,
It really is most difficult to come up with reasons for updating this blog: as it is, I am only doing so as it has been so long since the last update.
So, yet again, spring seems to be frustrating, at least so far, with most of the best birds in the county (what few rarities that there are) not hanging around for people to see (Honey-buzzard would have been an Irish tick, Gyr would have been a county tick),elusive (that Great White Egret in the Fota area) or distant (though I did catch up with a fine 1st-summer male Subalpine Warbler on Mizen Head on Saturday last...I would show you all my pics of it, but they are a bit too poor even to put on here, to be honest). Also, as per usual in spring, I can't seem to find a rarity for love nor money, though, to be fair, it will probably be May before the odds swing around enough to favour even a slight chance of most of us finding much, Dan Ballard excepted (I don't think that he's had a spring without a few rarities since he moved to Mizen).
As a result, and being the kind of person who overanalyses things at times, I do find myself wondering just what I am doing wrong in spring? Sure, I am not getting out as often as I would like this year, and, even when I do get out, it is often noon or later before I get anywhere, and that would go a long way to explaining my poor return to date this year, but then I remind myself that, in years past, I often got out for 2-3 days a week, and still couldn't find much then. In fact, when one excludes my Alpine Swifts, which were in Cork city, and, as such, pure fluke, I have only found one spring rarity in a 'typical' location, that being a Golden Oriole at Knockadoon on 4th May 2003 (my spring finds are so few that I can even recall the date of that bird!!).
Indeed, it does seem that, even more so than in autumn, it is a small few birders who find almost all of the rarities in spring in Ireland, and, while some of them live at promising locations, others do not, and it really does beggar belief as to why this should be? I mean, I am at least as well able to identify what I see as the next man, but somehow seem to fail persistently when it comes to finding anything.
(I could also point out, of course, that, for a large part of the time every spring, I am taking part in 'worthy' birding such as harrier surveys etc, and now with the Atlas also, which would mean that I was less likely to find stuff than birders who purely go out for their own enjoyment, with no thought for the greater good, but that would be uncharitable of me, so I won't...)
I suppose I could just start heading out more often locally, even if Cork city affords little chance of finding top notch rarities...Red-rumped Swallow is surely possible at the Lough...?

Some food for thought

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:21:00 +0000

Hi all,
Well, despite not having many birds to write about (though I plan on writing a short bird-related update after this), I have been wrestling with the notion of whether or not I should start posting some personal thoughts and, if I am lucky, insights on here. There is a large part of me that would regard this as somewhat self-indulgent, but, seeing as how even blogging per se could be viewed this way, I shall allow myself, from time to time, to actually make my musings available over the net.
So, yesterday, while in town, I read the latest issue of Birdwatch magazine (there's rarely anything in there to merit buying the thing, especially when I am already subscribed to two journals), and turned keenly to the Punkbirders' column, as I had seen this described as being 'strongly opinionated' (but, then, since when were the Punks afraid to offer an opinion on their own site?). Basically, as I understood it, this piece seemed to suggest that the days of the single-observer rarity being accepted are, if not quite over, then certainly numbered.
Now, I have an odd kind of position where this debate is concerned: since I spent many years without a camera, I did tend to feel somewhat apprehensive about what I too perceived as the relentless rise of the image as king, to the detriment of field notes. However, it is unclear as to how much my thoughts were influenced by my own innate technophobe ways, or (legitimate) fears of becoming almost 'obselete' in my adherence to the old ways.
In early 2007, I finally gave in to the digital revolution, and purchased a reasonably 'inexpensive' compact camera. Just over two years later, I must admit to still not having fully reconciled the sometimes divergent urges to study a given bird closely, and to obtain pics of said bird, and I do tend to wonder if I am taking in as much fine detail as before when trying to snatch a few frantic pics. That said, I must also admit that, if used judiciously and appropriately, a digital camera can be a great extra weapon in the would-be rarity finder/ID enthusiast's arsenal, but, and I may be raging against the incoming tide here, I think there is still a place for field notes also, even if only to fill in the gaps in any photographic evidence.
Sure, I appreciate that field notes, perhaps, are more prone to being subjective than all but the worst quality pics (interpretations of which can vary widely and alarmingly, as can be seen in some mystery bird competitions), and it would take a complete Luddite to deny the value of a series of shots of some bird or other (this was ever the case, however, even back in the days of analogue cameras and Richard Mills popping down to photograph the latest rarity...that 1974 Solitary Sandpiper can obviously be seen not to have been a misidentified Green even to those of us without access to the submitted description), but, sometimes, a given bird can show well, yet not reveal all of its plumage marks in front of the cameras (if an observer, say, is limited to digiscoping, it may not be possible to obtain shots showing the spread wing in flight...see my shots of the 2007 Collared Pratincole, for example, none of which show this, and, were they pics taken by me of a similar self-found bird, I would need recourse to field notes to fully exclude Black-winged or Oriental were I to make a formal submission), and there's also the potential benefits of noting calls (though these are always hard to transcribe, and are perhaps best dealt with by recording them, but that's another can of worms...), possibly significant behaviour etc.
So, by all means let us welcome the opportunity to be able to obtain very useful shots of birds without having to carry around a large amount of extra gear (many do lug this around, and they get damn good shots too, but that option isn't attractive to everyone, be it for financial reasons, a desire to be reasonably unhindered when in the field or such like), but, I would suggest, especially if 2-3 people are present, let's not forget to look closely also, while striving to remain as objective as possible, questioning one's assumptions and playing devil's advocate from time to time: Why isn't this a Herring Gull? Is that call really all that different from 'x'?
For those of us who choose to submit our finds to a committee, I still think that there would be grounds for accepting a really rare bird from a single observer, but possibly not unless the quality of the submission is faultless, pointing out exactly how all the alternatives were ruled out, and the caution that was employed in the field and after the event. As an occasional lone observer myself, I certainly wouldn't let fears of rejection spoil the enjoyment if I found, say, Ireland's first Red-flanked Bluetail and was unable to get shots, but, if I found something like a 1st-w Slaty-backed Gull, I would possibly not feel as confident that it may gain acceptance...
Of course, after all of the above, mistakes will still be made...it's an unavoidable part of the human condition...but I believe that they can be minimised with a little caution and by trying to keep a cool head where possible.
(Bet I mess up really badly in the next month or so now, after sticking my neck on the chopping board here!)

Ten years on...

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:44:00 +0000

A few recent pics, and news of a county first

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:33:00 +0000

Ballybrannigan does it again!

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:30:00 +0000

Some recent gull pics

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Gull pics from Bantry 6th Jan 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:46:00 +0000

1st-w male Green-winged Teal Shanagarry 16th November 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:37:00 +0000

It's all gone quiet over here...

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 19:58:00 +0000

...though, oddly, I have had three finds ticks since my last post, having managed a female-type Ring-necked Duck and female-type Goosander at Lough Gill (on a rare out-of-county trip on 27th October), and a flyover Richard's Pipit at Ballycotton on Wednesday last (5th).
In fact, while the American passerine migrants have, as one would expect, probably stopped for the autumn, we've actually had more eastern migrants in Ireland so far this month than during all of last month: not that there's been many, but, as well as that pipit, the last week has seen a late Red-breasted Flycatcher at Galley Head and a brief Little Bunting on Cape Clear. Nowhere near the amazing arrival of Bluetails etc in Britain, sure, but a sign that we may get another good passerine yet this year...?

This is not America...

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:50:00 +0000

1st-w White-throated Sparrow, Cape Clear 12th October 2008

Philadelphia Vireo, Loop Head 13th October 2008

Another ' 80s retro' twitch: Scarlet Tanager at Garinish

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:56:00 +0000

Little Blue Heron

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:52:00 +0000

Belated pics of a finds tick

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:50:00 +0000

Some dirty low-down twitching action...

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:33:00 +0000

I wonder what these people were looking at...?

This, for one... (pic courtesy of Sean Cronin, the advantages of proper equipment)

And this, on the same puddle (pic taken by my trusty Samsung NV3, which then proceeded to die on me
due to the battery not having been charged for a while, meaning that I got no waterthrush pics)

Bridges over troubled waters...

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:12:00 +0000

Hi all,
Well, due in part to the relatively poor seawatching season down here in Cork (except for a chosen few), and in part as I have yet to see F**'s P***** (or F**'s/D******/Z***'s, as we should call them, though I have a few choice names of my own for the species complex), I readily accepted the offer of a few days at the Bridges of Ross from 24th-26th August with Phil Davis and Ger Walsh. If nothing else, there would be the opportunity to see lots of interesting seabirds, wouldn't there...?
As it happened, the first day was relatively quiet, with only a few Arctic Skuas, 2 Balearics etc of note, and nothing much passing most of the time. There was also some excitement, and a share of controversy in some quarters, due to this being claimed by people further along from us...we never saw anything resembling the species, unfortunately.
The next day brought stronger winds and less comfortable conditions, with frequent rain, but, despite this, I prefer to think that the reason that we were joined in our usual spot by some of the 'great and good' of the British scene was down to them hoping that some of our street cred would rub off on them by proximity to us. Of course, this still didn't mean that we saw much, more or less the same species as on 24th and in low numbers for the most part.
Our plan on 26th was to stay until lunchtime unless it picked up, though the fact that, at one stage, it was just the three of us, some Scottish birder called Jason and the (in)famous McKinney who were on site should give some idea of just how exciting it was: would have served the absentees right had we struck it very lucky, but this wasn't to be. News, however, at 11am dictated that we left a little earlier than planned...
TO BE CONTINUED

An unexpected call prompted a diversion to Pilmore...

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:45:00 +0000

Yellow-legged Gull

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:58:00 +0000

Hi all,
An evening visit to Youghal tip on 24th with Graham Clarke yielded the first good bird for ages, in the shape of a 4th cal Yellow-legged Gull (some poor record shots were obtained, the bird being a bit too distant for my photographic set-up), with a 3rd cal Med Gull also being of note here. I had seen 20+ Meds at Whitegate on Sat last (19th), so things are starting to move alright.

A surprise at Mallow

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:37:00 +0000

Hi all,
No pics, but a rather unsuccessful attempt to see a Little Ringed Plover at Mallow Sugar Lagoons yesterday, which was found there the day before, was enlivened no end by a most unexpected Osprey, seen on two occasions within an hour, at really close range the second time. Probably the first one that I've seen in Ireland since 2001, amazingly!
1 Green Sandpiper was the 'best of the rest'.

What I did during my holidays...

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Sat, 24 May 2008 17:01:00 +0000

2nd cal Spoonbill Great Island 10th April 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:48:00 +0000

2nd cal year Spoonbill Great Island 10th April 2008. Note such obvious signs of immaturity as the markedly pale (pinkish) bill, lack of any obvious crest (in April) and, just about visible, the extensive dark on some of the outer primaries (with quite a lot on P10). Also, the shaft to the innermost tertial was dark, though I am not aware of the significance or otherwise of this as an ageing feature.

Buff-bellied Pipit Redbarn 27th Feb 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:40:00 +0000

Buff-bellied Pipit Redbarn 11th Feb 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:39:00 +0000

Southern France 24th-25th January 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Harry) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:08:00 +0000