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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 9h

Todays highlights; Merlin, Hen Harrier, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a late moving Sand Martin. Also a flurry Swallows (24) & a flock of 9 Common Buzzards. A Coal Tit, Irish ssp hibernicus, was an addiction to this year's species ringed (see photo).

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 9d

Brilliant thanks

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 9d

I think that was a foreign 'control' Paul, originally ringed outside Britain & Ireland as a Reed Warbler but re-identified as Marsh when re-trapped here. Some good knowledge coming in it seems one was ringed elsewhere in Ireland in 1991.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks Harry, my contact said he was fairly sure, as the other one was a foreign 'control'.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 9d

Yesterday morning's Marsh Warbler was relocated singing in Cotter's garden during the afternoon. Apparently this is the first one ever ringed in Ireland.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 16d

Highlights of a PM pelagic trip for our residential bird course attendees were Sooty Shearwater, 10 Storm Petrels, Pomarine Skua, 2 Bonxie, Arctic Tern & Grey Phalarope but the show stoppers were 2 Humpback Whale with a supporting cast of 2 Minke Whale & 100+ Common Dolphin. Photos Humpback Whale.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 17d

Visiting Copeland bird observatory warden Adam Ringland was delighted to ring one of two adult Choughs that surprisingly ventured into our mist nets this morning.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 19d

birdwatchireland.ie/announcing-t...

Announcing the Steve Wing Memorial Bursary - BirdWatch Ireland

Steve Wing (1957 – 2024) Today we remember our dear colleague and friend, Steve Wing, long-serving Wildlife Officer at BirdWatch Ireland’s Cape Clear Bird Observatory, who passed away on 19th...

birdwatchireland.ie

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · 21d

A Common Crane briefly visited the east end of the island & the search to find it produced a rarity for Ireland; a Honey Buzzard in off the sea headed along the east coast. Few grounded migrants today but still a couple of Spotted and a single Pied Flycatcher at Cotter's garden. Photo today's HB

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Sep 5

2 Sabine's Gulls offshore were the pick of the bird records today. The moth trap held the first Pink-barred Sallow of the autumn.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Sep 2

The calm after storm brought an influx of passerine migrants today, particularly Robins and Willow Warblers, 35 House Martins at the lake, Common Sandpiper and 7 Grey Wagtails 4 of which were ringed including the juvenile shown here.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Aug 31

Briefly!

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Aug 30

Irish biology students staying at the observatory this weekend were keen to take part in a sea-watch this afternoon. Over 4 hours some 12,000 Manx Shearwaters, 1200 Cory's, 80 Great, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 1 Pomarine Skua were recorded.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Aug 19

Flycatchers again featured in the ringing, today 3 Pied & 1 Spotted, also a locally rare & very recently fledged Bullfinch (see image) suggesting evidence of this species breeding on Cape for the first time in many years. Balearic Shearwater & Common Scoter were recorded during an early seawatch.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Aug 18

Today's highlights were 2 Tree Pipits, 5 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Spotted Flycatchers and a Greenshank amongst an influx of more common migrant birds across the island. Images, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers amongst the ringing this morning.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Aug 12

Our first autumn movement of Swallows and a few Sand Martin's through the island today with gathered flocks reported from several locations, some 220 on power lines at the lake this evening.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Aug 10

This morning our first pelagic out of Cape this year, wind SSW, a little choppy & sporadic mist but fabulous views of all our target species. Totals; Sooty Shearwater 4, Corys 7, Great 6, Storm Petrel 80+, Wilson's Petrel 12, Arctic Tern 3.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Jul 25

Petrel ringing into the early hours, always a wonderful experience. Photo (JH).

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Jul 20

Our third 'Wildlife Course ' of the year this weekend included moth trapping, guided walks, presentations & Storm Petrel ringing. Amongst a wide variety of species we recorded was this 3ft long European Eel present in North Harbour on Friday afternoon; video by course participant Alicia Bertrand.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Jul 18

A bumper day for butterflies, good numbers of Wall Brown, Dark Green Fritillary & Painted Lady. A Lesser Clouded Knot horn was the pick of the moth trap. Today's highlight was a 3ft long European Eel in North Harbour, a rare treat to see this critically endangered species. Photo Painted Lady (JH).

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Jul 11

Flying the flag for Bird Observatories this weekend at the Global bird Fair, promoting our research and facilities ( especially Cape Clear & Ireland!). Also giving a presentation on Sunday 1530hrs in the ' Curlew ' tent. Come and see us at the stand.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Jul 8

CES No.7 this morning & recently fledged Sedge Warblers dominating proceedings. The OBS moth trap contained a 1st for the island; Ochreous Pearl. Brown veined Wainscot & Blue bordered Carpet were new for year. As I packed up the ringing nets a Dark Green Fritillary showed unusually well, see photo.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Jul 3

A fair increase in Manx Shearwaters this morning in Roaring Water Bay with around 700 birds present along with a Minke Whale, and some 30 Common Dolphins including several calves. The OBS moth trap produced our first Garden Tiger moths of the year. Photo JH.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Jul 2

The Bird Observatory teamed up with NPWS staff today to carry out the Lesser black-backed Gull chick colour ringing program.

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Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO) @ccbowarden.bsky.social · Jun 23

Several fields are laden with Orchids, Irish Marsh, Heath Spotted and Common Spotted, well over a thousand plants across the island.

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