July 2015 - BLHGU 27H0 Returns

30th July

Today in Sean Walsh Park, the Black Headed Gull 27H0 returned.  This is the first CR Black Headed Gull seen in the park this summer.  This is really exciting. It is the 3rd year in a row.  It shows how faithful is is to it's wintering ground.  It was seen at it's natal colony in England so it probably bred.  However it was not bird of the day - see below.

Black Headed Gull 27H0 returns for 3rd summer

But, bird of the day goes to my first CR Med Gull recorded in Sean Walsh Park.  I occasionally see med gulls in the park, but this is the first with a coloured ring!  I did see it last week end down on the coast but Sean Walsh Park is 16km inland from there.

CR Ringed Mediterranean Gull 2X3A.  A first for Sean Walsh Park

29th July

At last my first ringed Black Headed Gull of the summer.  While looking for Mediterranean Gull roosting at the Bull Island, I spotted a White ring some distance away on a BLHGU.  Despite the wind, rain and failing light, the photo was just legible.  My first German Project BLHGU. Some small doubt on the last number.  Many thanks to Sönke Martens for his quick reply.

26th July

Great Black Backed Gull 1VU turned up in Sandyford Industrial Estate today!  I had spent a wet day catching up on Mute Swan pairs to ascertain Cygnet survival.  I had diverted to Sandyford Industrial Estate to count Mediterranean Gulls (11 recorded) and spotted the Great Black Backed, among the Herring and Lesser Black-backed perched on the buildings.

Great Black backed Gull - My first sighting of 1VU in 2015.

25th July

More CR Mediterranean Gulls!  The Black Headed Gulls are back in but no rings recorded all week.  So Sandycove again to read Med Gulls.  Got excited to see a ringed Juvenile, but it was only ringed on Wednesday!  Seven Coloured rings recorded out of 51 present and 3 were new to me but they may all have been ringed in the last week!

20th July

Sandycove again today and 5 coloured rings again!  653 is French and there is a new chip on the Darvic.  This is my first sighting of this Mediterranean Gull this season.

Adult Mediterranean Gull at Sandycove, Still in Summer Plumage.

2X5A is a 1st year Mediterranean Gull.  It was ringed in Dublin Last year.  I am looking forward to finding out if it was seen on the continent over the breeding season

First Calendar Year Mediterranean Gull

2X0J received it's yellow ring in Dublin, but it was ringed in the Netherlands as a Juvenile

Both Adult Mediterranean Gulls but 2X0J is nearly in Winter Plumage

But BIRD OF THE DAY goes to this Great Black backed Gull at Bullock Harbour.  I don't know whether it was lethargic or so sure of its self it couldn't be bothered moving, but I photographed it's metal ring from 3m away from both sides.  HT85358.  This is one of the old style rings with only an address - from the days before the www!!!

Great Black backed Gull HT85358

19th July

Mediterranean Gulls at Sandycove proved a successful ring reading option, with 5 coloured rings.

2X3J, another new to me Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gull 2XA4, ringed in Dublin 

Mediterranean Gull E147.  Getting on, now about 8 years old!

Mediterranean Gull from Hungary

Mediterranean Gull with French Ring

Back from a week in Kerry where I looked at a lot of Gulls and saw no rings.  However I contented myself by watching Chough and Raven and other birds which I don't see often.

Chough on Valentia Island

7th July

Bullock harbour:  Great Black Backed Gull 1VV was there tonight.  I had noted that on July 4th that it was the first trip to Bullock that I hadn't seen it for nearly 2 years.  It is great to see an individual bird go through the various juvenile plumage changes and I have put earlier photos in to show the changes

5th July

Lots of Mediterranean Gulls this morning and 6 coloured rings.  What a difference a day makes!

This adult from Belguim has been discussed in emails as the third letter on one side looks like an L and on the other side it looks like an E!

It's always interesting to see the same bird each year and receive the updated life history as where it has been seen since.  2X0J was ringed in Dublin as an adult in 2012.  Now the life history has sightings from its continental breeding colony as well as sightings on its migration.  It has arrived a couple of weeks earlier this year

This French Mediterranean Gull is now a first year but it was around last year as a Juvenile.

As I noted yesterday the Juveniles Med Gulls have started to arrive

4th July

In the afternoon I went to Sandycove where the Mediterranean Gulls roost.  Usually there are a few coloured rings to read but of the 30 birds there was only 1 with a darvic.  Saw my first Mediterranean Juvenile of the year.

Mediterranean Gull 2X7A

Howth Harbour: A wonderful trip this morning, my boys played football and I watched the gulls. There was a notable increase in Great Black Backed Gull adults.  I read 15 coloured rings all from Irelands Eye - an Island that is visible from the pier.

Herring Gull 0HR.  This was my first 2015 sighting of this Herring Gull.

Herring Gull 0HR

 There were a few 2009 birds like this Great Black backed Gull 2CR

Great Black Backed Gull 2CR

 Great Black Backed Gull 1JR turned out to be my bird of the day as it turned up 12Km away in the afterenoon!

Great Black Backed Gull 1JR, 

 2012 Great Black Backed - 3rd year 1TN

Bullock Harbour - I visited this site in the afternoon and surprised to see 1JR again, it was at Howth this morning.  There were only 2 Coloured rings recorded.  This is my first trip in a year that I didn't record 1VV at this location!

1st July

The first Black Headed Gull Juvenile arrived in Sean Walsh Park today.  There has been a steady increase of 1st year, 2nd year and adults arriving during the last week.  No rings to date.

I have noted the two distinct colours of Lesser Black Backed Gulls and have started improving my id skills by trying to work our which is which.  One is also carrying a metal ring so my interest is heightened.  This one is the paler variety graellsii which also has a spot on p9.

June - Mediterranean Gulls arrive.

June 27th

Mediterranean Gulls start to arrive in last week of June into Dublin.  There are just over 50 arrived so far.  There was only one Great Black Backed with a Darvic at Bullock Harbour so I went to Sandycove to read the first wave of Mediterranean Gulls arriving.

Great Black backed 1VV is a regular at Bullock Harbour.

RX59 is a new Mediterranean Gull to me!

RJN5 - another new to me Mediterranean Gull.  This French Bird was seen in Dublin last year by others.

This Hungarian 1st Year may have overwintered in Dublin.

Mediterranean Gull 2XA9,  Another new to me!

Great fun today but I wished I had brought a tripod as the birds were quite far out.

June 22nd

The number of Black Headed Gulls is starting to rise in the local parks.  In Sean Walsh Park there were 12 last Friday, but all 1st Cy non breeders.  Today the first adult returned, probably a failed breeder.  As the mute Swan Project is drawing to a close, I look forward to the return of the Black Headed Gulls from all around Europe.

June 7th

Bray Harbour this morning to read the non breeding Swans rings.  Only 1 non breeding swan with a ring read due to so many dogs on the beach not on leads.  However the Scottish Herring Gull O[A:B97] is still present.

Herring gull with well worn feathers.

June 6th

Bullock Harbour is always good for a few coloured rings.  Lots of Great Black Backed Gulls and 3 coloured rings.  Nothing unusual, but always worth checking.

June 4th

At lunch today in Sean Walsh Park I was delighted with this observation of an Isle of Man ring.  At this time of year there are very few foreign ringed birds about.

Isle of Man T3YA in Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght.

June 2nd

The Great Black Backed Gulls continue to be fascinating to observe and 14 Darvic rings read this morning.

Great Black Backed Gull 2KE

Mute Swan Nesting Census June 30th

Number of Nests in Survey Area that have produced Cygnets to date = 38

DAILY UPDATES

30/06/2015

The nesting survey is still on going!  There is a pair in Sean Walsh Park who have only now decided to build a nest and start sitting on it!  We are therefore at least 35 days away from being able to conclude the census for 2015!

Blessington Village: Received a report of the Cygnets first being sighted last week. They were observed on Wednesday 24th some distance from the pond they nested in.  Not sure where they were heading but I was unable to locate them today.  Thank you to Jamie O'Toole for finding this nest and subsequent reports.  Jamie is the youngest reporter on this project but his assistance has been greatly appreciated. #38

Blessington - Cygnets on the move - Photo by Jamie O'Toole

25/06/2015

Most of my time now is going back to locations and checking Cygnet numbers to see how the cygnets are faring.  The good weather must be a help this year.  I am also reading the metal rings I failed to read during the nesting phase.

The Swans at Ballycragh Firhouse

The female Swan ring.  Ringed 2009 as a 2 year old.

21/06/2015

Grand Canal Basin: Received a report and photo from Shane Diffily that the pair in the Grand Canal Basin have a cygnet with them.  A big thanks for this to Shane and also to Sean Hogan and Jim Duffy who have sent me reports on the nest progress from the Dart! The nest was only visible from the Dart! It would be unusual for a pair to bring a cygnet into another swans territory so it is more than probable that this is the pair that nested at this location.  #37

Grand Canal Basin.  Photo by Shane Diffily

20/06/2015

Booterstown Marsh: Received a report from Aileen Prole of a pair of swans with 5 Cygnets in Booterstown Marsh!  There have been no swans at this location up to this report.  They are probably the nesting pair from Blackrock Park.  The male of this pair is ringed and this will enable confirmation of this in the coming days or weeks. It is close to a 1Km overland journey! #36

Citywest Business Park:  7 Cygnets today.  Delighted, as this is a location I have visited frequently
#35

Citywest Business Park.  7 Cygnets observed today.  (1 is hiding in the shot)

Tolka Valley Park, Finglas: The nest at this location was found by Vincent Hall.  Today there was a lone cygnet with the 2 Adults.  The cygnet looked about 2 weeks old. #34

Tolka Valley Park, Finglas.  Just 1 cygnet!

Broombridge: This nest on the Royal Canal was located by Darren O'Connell.  It took a while for me to locate the family (1.5km from the nest site) but another proven breeding pair and 3 cygnets was worth the walk. #33

Broombridge, Royal Canal.

Castleknock, Royal Canal: At Castleknock Train Station the nest has produced cygnets.  This was another of the nests found by Darren O'Connell.  There were 5 this morning and they were at least a week old. #32

16/06/2015

Lakeside Newbridge:  I didn't update the blog after an email from Brendan Kavanagh stating that there were 5 Cygnets at this location on June 6th.  Apologies for the oversite but the database was updated!  #31

10/06/2015

Druids Heath Golf Club:  Angela Mason again has sent a report from this location.  Two pairs of Mute Swans present but only one successful pair and 4 cygnets.  #30

09/06/2015

Druids Glen Golf Club:  Angela Mason has sent a report and photos of not one but two Swan Pairs with Cygnets at Druids Glen Golf Club!  This is excellent news. A big thanks also to the Druids Glen Golf Club who kindly allowed her access.  #28 + #29

Swan and 3 Cygnets in Druids Glen.  Photo by Angela Mason

Swans and 5 Cygnets in Druids Glen.  Photo by Angela Mason

08/04/2015

Kilcoole Golf Club:  Angela Mason has sent a report and photograph from Kilcoole Golf Club, a site that wasn't identified as a likely location!  The proud Green Keeper brought her down to show her the Swans and three Cygnets.  #27

Kilcoole Golf Club.  Photo by Angela Mason

04/06/2015

Skerries:  I got third hand information from the most northerly point of the Survey area, Skerries. There are apparently 8 Cygnets at Skerries Mill.  This may become successful hatching number 26 when I get the report directly from Ita Martin. #26

02/06/2015

Marley Park:  Many thanks to Ann Dillon for reporting 2 Cygnets in Marley Park for the first time in years.  #25

Marley Park - Two cygnets photographed by Ann Dillon

Broadmeadows Swords: Great news this morning as I observed 2 Cygnets on one of the nests.  Only 2 cygnets visible, but the Pen was still on the nest so the possibility of more.  This successful hatching is especially welcome following an incident earlier where the NPWS had to be called. Special thanks to the birdwatchers and the NPWS who have kept a close eye on the area and all have now been rewarded with cygnets at this communal nesting location.  #24

Broadmeadows.  Two cygnets visible!

01/06/2015

Grand Canal, Bluebell:  I could see cygnets under the pen but I had to wait nearly half an hour till she took them on to the water.  7 Cygnets. #23

Bluebell, Dublin.  7 Cygnets this morning!

30/05/2015

Kilcoole: Report by Susan Doyle from the Little Tern Colony that there is a pair on the south Lagoon with 3 Cygnets.  All reports are gratefully received.  #22

27/05/2015

Hermatigae Golf Club:  Report of 4 Cygnets on the Island by the 2nd Green on May 20th.  Thanks to Paul Kerr for the report.  #21

26/05/2015

Luttrelstown Golf Course: Many thanks to Paul Kerr he has reported 2 Cygnets at this location.  Another small clutch, but another breeding pair confirmed. #20

Naas Ponds.  Another nest has hatched and 8 more Cygnets reported by Brendan Kavanagh. #19

Athgarvan Bridge, River Liffey, Kildare.  Pair with 6 Cygnets at the weir!  Thank you Brendan Kavanagh again. #18

Fr Collins Park or Clongriffen Park in Dublin 13.  Fantastic to get a report that this nest produced 6 Cygnets earlier this month.  Many thanks to Tom Carroll for the report and photo below. #17

Photo by Tom Carroll of Cygnets in Fr Collins Park

25/05/2015

Tymon Park.  The last nest in my local park produced 5 Cygnets at the lake near the Spa Well.  #16

Tymon Park, the lake near the Spawell today.

Peoples Garden, Phoenix Park.  Two cygnets observed on the back of the Pen today!  A small clutch, but another confirmed breeding pair nevertheless.  My thanks to Sean Geraty for the sighting. #15.

24/05/2015

Ard Clough, Grand Canal, Co Kildare.  I arrived to review this nest to find a small group of walkers who had been watching this wonder of nature from the tow path.  They had just finished hatching when I arrived.  All 9 eggs hatched successfully.  Thanks to Tom McCormck to informing me of this nest.  #14

Cygnets First Swim at Ard Clough.

St Stephens Green.  A late report that there were 4 Cygnets last Wednesday 20th of May.  Thanks to Sean Geraty for this information. #13

23/05/2015

Blanchardstown IT this morning the pair were on the lake with 3 young Cygnets.  I was expecting more.  But a quick look at the nest at the other end of the lake revealed 4 unhatched eggs. #12

Blanchardstown IT.  23/05/2015

22/05/2015

Received a report from Sean Geraty, that a Ringed female and 7 Cygnets on the Liffey at Huston Station.  Delighted to receive reports like this.   This could be the ones from the War Memorial Park just up stream or from a different nest, so no change to the total - as yet!  Some of the swans move once they have hatched and this is starting to become an issue with calculating cygnet survival.  We are looking at colour ringing breeding pairs in order to keep track of the different families.

21/05/2015 - Cygnet Rescue

Tymon Park, Limekiln, Middle Lake.  There were 4 new Cygnets!  I went over to check the other cygnets hatched on May 4th and there were still 7.  On the way back there were only 3 Cygnets!  I went looking for No. 4 and found it.  It had been washed over a waterfall and abandoned.  I picked it up and returned it to where it had come from.  Eventually it was chased by the male back to the others. A happy ending! #11

War Memorial Garden, Island Bridge. Also received today was Sean Kingstons report of his first nest to produce Cygnets.  Seven Cygnets at the War Memorial Garden on the Liffey. #10

20/05/2015

Royal Canal.  Ashtown Railway Station.  Vincent Hall has reported the first Cygnets on the North side of Dublin.  3 Visible with with the Pen on the nest. #9

17/05/2015

Corkage Park, Wild Fowl Lakes.  After watching this nest for 4 weeks I found the pen standing on an empty nest.  I had never seen eggs, so I don't know what, if anything happened.

16/05/2015

Corkagh Park, Fisheries Lake.  6 Cygnets!  On my last 2 visits I have been unable to observe the nest as the vegetation on the Island had hidden it completely. #8

Corkagh Park, Fishing lake.  6 Cygnets today.

15/05/2015

Jigginstown, Ploopluck, Naas.  9 Cygnets!  Largest clutch to date.  Thanks to Margaret Sinanan for the report. #7

14/05/2015

Ballycragh Park, Firhouse. 7 Cygnets.  I was there yesterday and thought things were moving along. She was very alert and today Cygnets!  Female ringed, but couldn't read it. #6

Ballycragh, Firhouse, Dublin 24

12/05/2015

Tymon Park, Tymon North.  3 Cygnets.  Why only 3?  They usually have 8. I first thought there were only 2 cygnets, but then another fluffy head appeared on Mummy Swans back! (Mummy Swan is not a technical term the correct word is a Pen!) #5

Tymon Park, Tymon North.

11/05/2015

On Friday 8th, the UCD pair produced 4 cygnets.  Thank you to Des Higgins for his report.  His observation that there are 2/3 eggs left un-hatched in the nest is also noteworthy. #4

10/05/2015

Arklow Ponds.  8 cygnets reported by both Angela Mason and Aileen Prole.  This clutch doesn't appear in the totals as they are just outside the geographic area but the clutch size will be used in the average size calculations.  It is not unusual for the Swans ringed in Arklow to appear at Bray Harbour.

Cygnets at Arklow Ponds - Photo kindly sent by Angela Mason.

07/05/2015  More Cygnets

Tymon Park, Lime Kiln big lake.  There were 7 cygnets today.  My first nest to produce.  Apparently born 4th May #3
Charlesland Golf Club. 6 Cygnets reported.  Born 2nd May - Thank you Derek Crampton. #2

04/05/2015  First Cygnets

Congratulations to Brendan Kavanagh who was first to report 8 Cygnets on May 4th at the Three Ponds in Naas. #1

Back Ground to the project.

Those who are familiar with my blogging know that for a few years I have also been recording Mute Swan ring numbers and their movements.  This year I am co-coordinating a Mute Swan Nesting Census with the ringing group I joined, the Irish Midland Ringing Group. It is 25 years since a comprehensive study on Mute Swans was conducted in the Greater Dublin area, so we have data to compare.   The survey area is all of Dublin, North Wicklow (Broadlough to Dublin) and East Kildare.

We have been locating nesting pairs over the last few months and even after the first cygnets have now appeared we have observed nest building.  We are using the reporting of Cygnets as confirmation of breeding.  We are seeking the assistance of the public in reporting the location of probable nesting Swans and the first sightings of Cygnets as confirmation of breeding.  The survey process is totally unobtrusive:  We simply want to know where there are Mute Swans nesting, if they produce cygnets and if so when and how many.  Approaching nests is not required, viewing from a safe distance with binoculars or a telescope is sufficient.

Tymon Park, Lime Kiln, Big Lake Swan with 7 Cygnets on May 7th

One element we are interested in is if the number of nests has increased.  There does appear to be lots of suitable ponds that were not there 25 years ago.

The team of volunteer observers have already being sending reports on nesting locations.  We are looking at 40 - 50 probable nests.  So if you have seen swans nesting or see cygnets in the greater Dublin Area please email your sightings to grprole”at”eircom.net 

There are still lots of possible nesting sites that I haven't had reports from.