Late September Seatrack Update

The last Seatrack Target Weekend (17th/18th Sept) coincided nicely with a mass movement of Sabine's Gulls, Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skuas & Sooty Shearwaters along the west coast, particularly from The Bridges of Ross & Dursey Island. A smattering of scarcities were still recorded from vantage points along the North, South & East coast however, with a late Cory's Shearwater from Wicklow Head topping the bill.

The next Seatrack survey takes places this weekend 1st/2nd Oct. We're now moving away from the traditional seawatching period but given the right conditions, good numbers of skuas & Leach's Petrels can be expected along with an increase in the number of auks, seaduck & divers. Saying that, the forecast for the weekend looks rather settled so the draw of checking gardens & bushes on headlands might take precedence over seawatching for some! If you're interested in taking part in a Seatrack survey then e-mail Niall Keogh at seatrack@birdwatchireland.ie

Location: Fanad Head, Co. Donegal

Date: 18th September 2011

Time: 08:10-10:10

Weather: F5-6 N-NW, dry with good visibility.

Observer(s): Chris Ingram.

Balearic Shearwater: 1 W

Sooty Shearwater: 1 W

Manx Shearwater: 15 W

Leach's Petrel: 2 W

Great Skua (Bonxie): 5 W

Great Northern Diver: 6 W & 1 E

Fulmar: 13 W

Kittiwake: 3 W

Razorbill: 68 W

Auk sp: 99 W

Location: Brownstown Head, Co. Waterford.
Date: 18th September 2011
Time: 07:55-09:55 & 10:00-11:00
Weather: 4-5 NW, vis excellent to moderate, occasional drizzle.
Observer(s): Jonathan Bulfin & Paul Walsh.


Balearic Shearwater: 3 W
Manx Shearwater: 1 E, 2 W
Gannet: 220 E & 405 W
Common Scoter: 4 E & 8 W
Wigeon: 6 W
Dunlin: 27 E
Great Skua: 1 W
Arctic Skua: 2 W
Kittiwake: 5 E & 85 W
Sandwich Tern: 38 E & 183 W
Arctic Tern: 3 W
Common/Arctic Tern: 2 E & 22 W
Razorbill: 14 W
Guillemot: 4 W
Large auk sp: 2 E & 98 W


Manx almost outnumbered by Balearics! - including 2 very pale-below birds.
Dozens of Swallows also passing W over sea.