County Mayo: Corncrake Weekend

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Naturetrek 26-30 May 2006 Report compiled by Dave Suddaby Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford

1 Naturetrek May 2006 Report compiled by Dave Suddaby Naturetrek Cheriton Mill Cheriton Alresford Hampshire SO24 0NG England T: +44 (0) F: +44 (0) E: W:

2 County Mayo: Corncrake Weekend Tour leaders Dave Suddaby Tour participants: Edward Mayer Mandy Mayer Peter Bryant Penny Chambers Cicely Dewe Rema Jenkins Dave Lewis Marilyn Lewis Day 1 Friday 26th May The Ryanair flight from Stansted arrived on time at Knock Airport with Edward, Mandy, Peter and Penny on board. At Knock we met with Cicely and Rema. With 6 participants now together we left Knock airport behind at 4.45 pm and drove west with the weather attempting to improve. Our drive took us along the edge of the Atlantic coastline and views of the geomorphologic islets within Clew Bay. Our first stop was a leg stretch at Mallaranny Pier, although with light drizzle and a cool wind it was brisk walk where we had our first views of Common Terns, Ringed Plovers and newly fledged Pied Wagtails. We then continued making our way to the hotel, driving along the inner coastline of Blacksod Bay and over the blanket bog areas at the base of the Nephin Beg mountain range. Little of note was seen apart from a Sparrowhawk thermaling with the improving weather. Arriving at our hotel - Teach Iorrais - at 7.45 pm we checked into the comfortable, modern hotel that was our base for the next few days. Here we met the other 2 group members, Dave and Marilyn, and settled down to the superb evening meal and the attentive staff which set the tone that was maintained throughout our stay. After the meal and the sampling of various wines and beers we retired for the evening. Day 2 Saturday 27th May The day dawned wet, however this soon improved with a moderate south-westerly breeze and extensive sunny periods. Our destination today was the Mullet Peninsula exploring the machair grasslands, golden sand beaches and sheltered bays and inlets. Our first stop was on the way to Annagh Head. Stopping at an abandoned cottage and a short walk along the roadside proved extremely fruitful with a Corncrake singing intermittently from the garden of the next cottage. However before reaching the garden, 4 full tailed adult Long-tailed Skuas drifted low over our heads, on a flight path to their breeding grounds in the high Arctic. Superb! Arriving at the gate to the cottage the Corncrake continued to sing in short burst and with patience and a little persuasion the bird was singing in the open amongst the meadow buttercups, giving all magnificent views of these rare and secretive birds. Brilliant! Whilst watching the Corncrake, a small group of summer plumaged Turnstones flew low overhead calling. Fulfilled and smiles all round, we moved onto Annagh Head. On arrival we were greeted by a basking Irish Hare, Stonechats and Wheatears chacking amongst the rocks, Rock Pipits scurrying amongst the pink sea thrift and Common Sandpipers in the stream whilst the sky seemed to be full of Skylarks singing, a feature noted throughout the tour. A walk around the headland in the breezy conditions 2 Naturetrek July 06 1

3 Great Northern Divers were noted flying bye, along with a few distinctive black & white summer plumaged Black Guillemots, Gannets, Fulmars, Manx Shearwaters, Kittiwakes and a few Arctic & Sandwich Terns were passing close bye. Tracking back towards Annagh Marsh we stopped at Annagh beach for a short walk out onto the edge of the marsh which provided our first views of singing male Reed Buntings and Sedge Warblers, however on the marsh Lapwings were evident and the next target bird, displaying Dunlin were soon being watched at close range amongst the cotton grass and marsh orchids. Very satisfied with the morning s experience we made tracks for lunch at the south end of the peninsula driving past golden sand beaches, sheltered bays and inlets. At our lunch destination - Ionad Deirhile (Eachleam Heritage Centre) - we had a warm Irish welcome and learnt about the heritage of the peninsula, its people and its offshore islands (our destination for the morning). Following lunch we continued our exploration of the peninsula. First passing through the townships of Fallmore and Surgeview where we saw some of the localised population of Tree Sparrow. Along the sandy beach scurrying Sanderlings were resplendent in their summer plumage and Black Guillemots were in the bay. We then turned and headed in a northerly direction along the Atlantic coastline towards Cross Point. In the breezy conditions, little new was seen apart from a newly emerged group of Shelduck ducklings bobbing around in the choppy sea. Continuing on, a quick check of a few other sites found feeding Choughs and at Termoncarragh Lake Little Grebes but little else in the heat haze. We then headed for the north end of the peninsula. On arrival at Glenlara, Erris Head we quickly located Twite but they proved elusive to all, however Rock Doves performed for all. Time was passing quickly, so we turned and made tracks back towards the hotel. Our last stop was a short walk over looking Trawmore Bay, but the increasing wind made viewing difficult. So, after a very satisfying day we headed back to the hotel, arriving at 7 pm. Back at the hotel as the group gelled together over more excellent food we decided to try for Corncrake after the evening meal which meant that some didn t get to bed too early. The inclement weather resulted in no Corncrakes; however compensation was in reeling Grasshopper Warbler. Back at the hotel at midnight it was time for bed. Day 3 Sunday 28th May The day dawned grey, but quickly turned to a sunny breezy day which meant sun-burnt smiling faces. Our main destination was to venture out to the low lying machair islands of the Inishkeas, once home to a thriving community until the drowning of the men folk in But first, a visit to Termoncarragh Lake proved fruitful with several Irish Hares and, the hoped for, feeding Otter. We then headed south down the Peninsula to the pier at Blacksod, en route seeing Oystercatchers, Ringed Plover and a few Curlew along the shore-lines and collecting our picnic lunch. Our boat, Dorolee and skipper John Lavelle, was waiting for us at the pier and with all aboard at am we set course for Inishkea South. The crossing was choppy, as tide and wind met but we arrived safely an hour later. Once ashore, we set up shop on the edge of the deserted village over looking the bay with breeding Little, Arctic & Sandwich Terns, Ringed Plovers, Oystercatchers and Common Sandpipers. Before lunch, we checked 2 Naturetrek July 06

4 the sheltered beaches and found a nice array of summer plumaged waders with pride of place being taken by a superb Grey Plover amongst several Dunlins, Sanderlings and Turnstones, and an Otter swimming close bye. Just offshore summer plumaged Great Northern Divers entertained before we settled down and consumed our picnic lunch whilst basking in the sun. All refreshed, we set off for a walk around the island. On our way to the cliff edge we passed bye a small marsh with breeding Lapwings, Redshank and Snipe. At the cliff edge we had close and entertaining views of breeding Fulmars and Black Guillemots, before descending down the hill passed a breeding Herring, Lesser & Greater Black-backed Gull colony most of these harassing passing Ravens to a sheltered bay home to bull Atlantic Grey Seals and breeding Little & Arctic Terns. Close bye displaying summer plumaged Dunlin and Common Sandpipers alarmed as we passed through their territories. At 4.30 pm we were all aboard for our return journey to Blacksod having enjoyed another fulfilling day. The return journey was much smoother with the wind and tide behind us, but no fins were seen. Back on dry land welcomed refreshments, in the form of tea and cream scones, was provided at Ionad Deirhile. Arriving back at the hotel at 8 pm we settled down to more excellent food, after which we decided to try again to see Corncrake. Leaving the hotel we were soon aware of the changing weather conditions which turned to wet and windy and resulted in a quiet night for Corncrakes. Day 4 Monday 29th May Our last full day was spent exploring along the north coastline of Mayo. With a brisk cold north-westerly wind blowing we left the hotel at 8.45 am and headed for Carrowmore Lake. Stopping several times to view over the lake we had soon seen several Red-breasted Mergansers, Common Sandpipers along the edge, Redpolls, Stonechats, Reed Buntings and more Irish Hares in the fields. Moving on we stopped to scan over Broad Haven bay, but with the windy conditions meant very choppy seas and therefore no success in finding any fins, compensation was in the form of a Great Northern Diver. So we moved on driving slowly along the length of Sruwaddacon Bay although little of note was seen. So we moved onto the Céide Fields Visitor Centre. Here we had time to explore and learn about the oldest known field systems in the world (over five and a half millennia old) in the award winning visitor centre before having lunch in the café. After lunch it was time to move onto the windswept, cliff-bound headland of Downpatrick Head with close views of breeding Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Razorbills and Guillemots and Choughs along the cliff top, whilst offshore amongst the feeding seabirds (including diving Gannets) Puffins and Manx Shearwaters passed bye, along with a Leach s Petrel, which gave frustrating views, and an Arctic Skua which performed better for all. After watching the antics of the seabird city for a couple of hours we made tracks for home, arriving back at the hotel 6.30 pm. Back at the hotel and with the wind decreasing, we made plans for our final excursion into the night after another excellent evening meal. Unfortunately Corncrakes were quiet however with the background songs of Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers, drumming and chipping Snipe put on an excellent display with at least 8 birds in the air above our heads. Back at the hotel at midnight it was time for bed to prepare for the drive back to the airport in the morning. Naturetrek July 06 3

5 Day 5 Tuesday 30th May After breakfast, with calmer sunnier conditions, we checked out of the hotel and headed for the rugged mountain landscape of the Nephin Beg range. Driving into the atmospheric landscape we quickly started to see and hear a different variety of birds. Stopping at some of the large lakes, amongst constantly hearing and seeing Common Sandpipers, we found Grey Wagtails, and in the broad-leaf woodlands birds such as Mistle Thrushes, Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Chaffinches were evident. Our picnic lunch stop was within the pine forest next to a flowing stream, where we also saw the yellowish looking Irish Coal Tits and Siskins. Continuing our drive to the airport, we soon stopped again to watch a Cuckoo being harassed by some of the local Meadow Pipits, which was also being watched by an Irish Hare! It was then out of the mountains and heading for the shores of Lough Conn and Lough Cullin. Here we said our good-byes to Dave and Marilyn, but not before watching Common Sandpipers, Grey Wagtails and a Sparrowhawk. Continuing on, we arrived at Knock Airport at 3.30 pm, in good time to check-in for the Stansted flight and fond farewells. I hope you enjoyed your trip I certainly enjoyed leading and meeting you all. The final total of bird species seen by the group was a respectable 94. A great few days with some memorable moments and a lot of old fashioned Irish craic hopefully I ll see you again somewhere! 4 Naturetrek July 06

6 Species lists Birds May 2006 Species Great Northern Diver (Gavia immer) 3 5 Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) 2 1 Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) p p p P Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) Leach s Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) 1 Gannet (Morus bassanus) p Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) 6 p p p Heron (Ardea cinerea) Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) p 20 8 Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) 11 2 Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) 2 Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) 30 2 Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) 1 1 Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) 1 Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) 1 Corncrake (Crex crex) 1 Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) p 2 Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) 1 Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) 8 12 Sanderling (Calidris alba) Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) 1 2 Curlew (Numenius arquata) 2 2 Redshank (Tringa totanus) 1 Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) 9 4 Arctic Skua (Stercorarius parasiticus) 1 Long-tailed Skua (Stercorarius longicaudus) 4 Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) Common Gull (Larus canus) p p p p P Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) p p p p P Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) p p p p P Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) p p p p P Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) 1 40 p 12 Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) 50 Guillemot (Uria aalge) p Razorbill (Alca torda) 6 p Naturetrek July 06 5

7 Black Guillemot (Cepphus grille) Puffin (Fratercula arctica) 20 Rock Dove (Columba livia) Wood Pigeon (Columba palumbus) p P Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) p 2 6 Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) 1 1 Sky Lark (Alauda arvensis) p p p P Sand Martin (Riparia riparia) 6 12 p p P Swallow (Hirundo rustica) 40 p p p P House Martin (Delichon urbica) Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) p p p p P Rock Pipit (Anthus petrosus) p p p Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba) p p p p P Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) p p p p P Dunnock (Prunella modularis) p p p p P Robin (Erithacus rubecula) p p p p P Stonechat (Saxicola torquata) p p p P Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) p p p p P Blackbird (Turdus merula) p p p p P Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) p 6 p p P Mistle Thrush (Turdus viscivorus) 5 Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia) 1 2 Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) 10 Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) P Goldcrest (Regulus regulus) 1 15 Coal Tit (Parus a hibernicus) 12 Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) p p p p P Great Tit (Parus major) p P Magpie (Pica pica) p p p p P Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) p p p p P Rook (Corvus frugilegus) 6 P Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) p p p p P Raven (Corvus corax) Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) p p p p P House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) p p p p P Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) 2 Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) p p 6 12 P Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) p P Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) 2 6 Siskin (Carduelis spinus) 10 Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) p p p p P Twite (Carduelis flavirostris) 4 Lesser Redpoll (Carduelis cabaret) 4 4 Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) 1 2 Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) 6 p p p P DAILY TOTAL GRAND TOTAL Naturetrek July 06

8 Mammals May 2006 Species Irish Hare (Lepus timidus) Grey Seal (Halichoerus gripus) p p p Fox (Vulpes vulpes) 1 Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) p Otter (Lutra lutra) 2 Naturetrek July 06 7

Meenbog Windfarm EIAR Co. Donegal. Birds Technical Appendix 7.1

Meenbog Windfarm EIAR Co. Donegal Birds Technical Appendix 7.1 Appendix 7.1 Contents Table 1: Target Species... 3 Table 2: All Species Recorded... 4 2 Table 1: Target Species Species Latin Name Rationale