Tipperary Branch

Recent Branch News

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Reports received: 

Monday, 28th  April:
Kevin Collins reports sighting of a Swift near Lisronagh, Clonmel this morning

Sunday, 27th April:
Green-winged Teal at Ashton's Callow

Friday, 25th April:
Tom Chadwick sighted a Blue-winged Teal at Pat Reddens Lake (near Nenagh)

Saturday, 19th April:

Two gargany drake still at Cabragh Wetlands (see attached photograph from Kevin Collins). 

Also one marsh harrier  

Monday, 14th April:
Kevin Collins reports a single House Martin at Lisronagh and Willow Warblers at Rathcoole, Fethard.
Pat Brennan reports sightings of Gargany at Cabragh Wetlands.

Friday, 4th April:
Blackcap singing at Kilsheelan Wood, near Clonmel.  Also at St Patrick's Well, Clonmel, on Saturday,5th April.

Wednesday, 2nd April, 2008:
Two swallows seen at Ballingarane, Clonmel, this morning.

Sunday, 16th March, 2008:
Micheal Cowming reports sighting a Black Redstart at Knocklofty, Clonmel, this morning.
Frank O'Duffy reports sighting a Sand Martin at Lough Eorna, Nenagh, this morning.

Recent Events

BirdTrack update - 18 April 2008

Whilst the unseasonably cool spring weather is making it feel more like early March than mid April, spring migrants are still arriving. Most of the expected species have trickled in, in small numbers but we are still awaiting some of the big movements to happen. If the wind turns south or southeast and lightens, the south coast headlands should see large numbers of hirundines and warblers passing through.

The first Black Terns (in UK) have already been reported and the next week should see more of these turning up around the country. A few Swifts, the latter part of the month should see these arrive in numbers, along with the first Spotted Flycatchers.

House Martin numbers should start to build up during the next week and some of those lucky enough to have them nesting on their houses may well see their welcome return. Now is also a good time to listen out for the first Cuckoo in your area, as one bird has already been seen as far north as Argyll.

15th April 2008:  John Feehan attracted an audience of over fifty at Roscrea for his fascinating talk on the Wildlife of Peatlands.

2nd March 2008:  The coach trip to Dungarven had to be cancelled due to lack of support.

11th March 2008:  The stormiest weather of the winter resulted in a very poor attendance at the talk on Red Kite Reintroduction to Ireland at Clonmel.  Our thanks to Damien Clarke who drove all the way from Wicklow to give this highly interesting talk.

17th February 2008:  Good, sunny if cold weather and almost perfect water-level favoured our outing to Ashton's Callow on this Sunday.  There was a great array of species from waders such as flocks of Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings and Golden Plover, Greenland White-front Geese, Whooper and Mute Swans and large parties of all the normal wintering duck species.  A solitary Kingfisher also did us the favour of a fast fly-past.  A most rewarding afternoon for the ten or so attendees.

13th January 2008:  There was a good attendance at Cabragh Wetlands where, as in the rest of the country, the water level was very high.  Unfortunately not many species were to be seen nearby although some were lucky enough to have close views of a Water Rail.  Long-tailed Tits, Robins, Chaffinches, Blackbirds, Blue and Great Tits as well as Stonechats and large flocks of Lapwings also featured.

7th November 2007:  At the Excel Centre, Tipperary town, Jim Wilson showed a fascinating film he has made on recent ringing and tracking of Black-tailed Godwits in their breeding grounds in Iceland and after their dispersal to wintering grounds. Following the film he conducted an highly interesting question and answer session.