Winter Gulls and Scarce Visitors

Adult Herring Gull by Fran O'Connell

On February 4^th, local birder Arlo Jacques discovered an adult little gull at the Tramore Boating Lake. This was the eleventh different species of gull to be recorded on this small lake in 2014.

                  

So what is the status of gulls this winter in Waterford ?

Let us first deal with the most commonly found species in winter in the county. Herring, greater black-backed, lesser black-backed, common and black-headed are all numerous and widespread during wintertime. When food resources, mainly fish, are readily available numbers of each species can be very large. Greater black-backed gulls are the largest gull occurring in our waters, followed by herring gulls and the slightly smaller lesser black-backed gull. Common gull is smaller again and black-headed gull is the smallest of this group.

Adult Winter Common Gull by Bernie Sheridan

Correctly identifying gulls can be a challenge at any time. Adult gulls have a summer and a winter plumage, but are easily sorted. However large gulls take up to four years to fully mature, and ageing gulls takes experience. Herring, greater black-backed and lesser black-backed are four year gulls. This is where matters get complex. These gulls have different plumages as juveniles, first winters, first summers, second winters, second summers, third winters, third summers, fourth winters, fourth summer/adults. Now combine this with various different races of herring gull and the results can be bewildering.

Adult Great Black-Backed Gull by Fran O'Connell

Common and black-headed-gulls take a mere two years to reach maturity.  Both have distinctive plumages as juveniles, first winters, first summers and second winters before reaching adulthood.

Adult Winter Black-Headed Gull by Fran O'Connell

Now that we have that lot sorted out we can attempt to find some of the rarer species which overwinter in Waterford. Throughout the coastal areas of Ireland there has been an unprecedented influx of ‘northern’ gulls this winter. The two species involved are glaucous gulls and Iceland gulls. Both are four year gulls but are distinguished from our regular gulls by the complete lack of black colouration on their bodies and wings. Glaucous gull is large, approaching greater black-backed in size and noticeably bigger than herring gull. Iceland is usually smaller than herring gull and looks more elongated. Both species have been observed in Waterford this winter at Ardmore, Whiting Bay, Ferrypoint, Helvick, Dungarvan, Tramore, Dunmore East and Cheekpoint. Again the individuals range from first winters through to adults.

Adult Winter Lesser Black-Backed Gull by Fran O'Conell

Amongst the Iceland gulls were a number of kumliens gulls, a distinct subspecies. These can be differentiated from Iceland gulls by varying amounts of darker colouration on the tips of their flight feathers. The first occurrences of kumliens gull in Waterford were noted at Helvick Head during January this year.   

Adult Glaucous Gull by John Power

Mediterranean gulls were once a rare visitor to Ireland. In recent years they have become established as a breeding species in this country. Mediterranean gulls are regularly seen at Whiting Bay, Ardmore, Dungarvan Harbour and Tramore.

Yellow-legged gulls are very similar to herring gulls in appearance but are now treated as a separate species. Adults are best distinguished from the herring gull by their slightly darker backs and yellow legs. Kinsalbeg and Dungarvan are good for this species although in very small numbers.

Adult Iceland Gull by John Power

Kittiwake (named for its call) is a pelagic species rarely coming to land other than to breed. The breeding colony at Dunmore East is justifiably famous for its easy accessibility to human observers. In winter kittiwakes come close inshore during winter storms. Little gulls are our smallest and daintiest gull usually encountered in Waterford during or immediately after storms. Helvick Head, Ballynagaul and Tramore are notable for this species.

Adult Winter Kumlien's Gull by Richard Zamora

Ring-billed gull is a North American species which is annual in Ireland albeit in small numbers. An adult ring-billed gull has turned up every winter for a number of years at the Tramore Boating Lake. It is often very easy to observe allowing an approach down to a couple of meters in the car park.

Kittiwake by Andrew Malcolm

In addition to the above, five other species of gull, as follows, have been recorded in Waterford. Caspian gull, as its name suggests, is an Eastern European/Central Asian species. Ivory gull is an Arctic specialist usually found scavenging on dead whales, seals and dolphins. Bonaparte’s gull is a North American species named after the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte. American herring gull is the North American equivalent of our herring gull but now recognised as a separate species. Sabine’s gull is an August – October passage migrant named after Edward Sabine, a scientist aboard John Ross’s 1818 expedition to search for the North West Passage.

Adult Winter Ring-billed Gull by Bernie Sheridan

Interestingly two other species of gull have been named after personalities associated with the search for the North West passage - Ross’s gull after the aforementioned John Ross and Franklin’s gull after John Franklin. To date neither of these two species has been recorded in Waterford.

In total, excluding sub-species, 17 full species of gull have been recorded, to date, in county Waterford.

 

Whales and Dolphins by Andrew Malcolm and John Power

Fluking Humpback Whale by Andrew Malcolm

It might well come as a surprise to many people that Ireland is one of the best places
in Europe to go whale watching. Furthermore, here in county Waterford we are
doubly blessed in that the second largest animal ever to have lived on the planet is
regularly to be encountered not too far off our coastline. At up to 22m in length the fin
whale is only surpassed in size by the blue whale, and visits our inshore waters to feed
on the herring that gather here in huge shoals during the winter months. This explains
the old name given to them by fishermen of ‘herring hogs’

Fin Whale by Andrew Malcolm

For several years these behemoths of the sea have been recorded from November
until March feeding due south of Ram Head at Ardmore, where due to the distance
offshore of up to 15km they could only be viewed with quality watching gear.
However, in more recent years these animals have been spotted feeding very close
inshore from Ballyvoyle Head to Dunmore East. On one occasion they came in so
close to the cliffs under Tankardstown that they could be heard breathing (no need for
any type of watching gear that time!) Remarkably these animals were less than 1 km
offshore in water only 11m deep, so they were more or less ‘paddling’!

Goldfinch Mule by Fran O'Connell

How do you spot a fin whale? Well, as they are of course mammals, they have to
come to the surface to breathe and when they exhale, the 6m high ‘blow’ of water
vapour is quite a tell-tale indicator of its presence. Usually they have a sequence of up
to 10 breaths at the surface with a gap of 10-15 seconds between them before they
dive again. They can then stay underwater for anything up to 9 minutes. Sea birds will often gather around where a whale is feeding in much the same way that they will
follow a trawler, picking up scraps from the whales feast, so if you see a lot of birds

Spoonbill by Andrew Malcolm

in a concentrated spot then that could well be a good place to keep an eye on. These
birds will often also follow the large groups of common dolphins that are also to be
found at this time of year joining in the bonanza of food. These pods of dolphins can
often be widely spread out and include several hundred animals.

Humpback whales are increasingly being seen at this time of year off the Waterford/
Wexford coast. The most charismatic of the whale species to be found off our shores,
they are the only whales that will ‘fluke’, that is lift their tail out of the water when
they dive. The markings under their tail is unique to each individual animal, rather
like a fingerprint is to us, and is used as a cataloguing method to help identify animals
that might return again to our shores or elsewhere in the North Atlantic.


For more information or to report a sighting of a whale, dolphin or porpoise visit

Waxwing Male & Female by Colum Flynn

www.iwdg.ie

If you are interested in a trip out from Dunmore East contact Martin Colfer at
www.charterangling.ie


LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS

The regularly over-wintering spoonbill has returned to Dungarvan for a further winter

Waxwing Male & Female by Colum Flynn

and can be seen from the Cunnigar or Western Bay – best looked for at high tide. Up
to 15 crossbills have taken up residence on the Ballinacourty golf club most easily
seen immediately behind the pier. Three female long-tailed ducks (old squaw in

American parlance) are between the Lookout and the Cunnigar. A hybrid/mule finch
has been showing up at various feeders in Dungarvan. A female surf scoter (north
American duck) is present off the Lookout.
A major influx of waxwings is taking place in both Britain and Ireland. The name

Brambling by Mick Cowming

is derived from the colouration on their feathers reminiscent of coloured wax.
This feature combined with an obvious large crest on their crown makes them
unmistakeable. These beautiful birds feed on berries and can be encountered almost
anywhere even in small urban gardens. Another bird being seen this winter is the
brambling – an irruptive finch. Please report any sightings of either species.

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates and submission
of records. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to
japwatntr@gmail.com

Feeding Birds In Your Garden

Goldfinch by Fran O'Connell

As winter draws in the days are shortening and the weather is getting colder. This diminishes the feeding opportunities for birds in two respects. Firstly, the amount of food available reduces as winter progresses. Secondly, with the reduced daylight hours the actual time available for feeding is more limited. The colder weather also uses up a bird’s energy resources more quickly making feeding and availability of food so much more important. Thus by providing safe regular food householders can make a real difference to the well being of our feathered friends. Indeed, in severe cold weather conditions feeding can make the difference between their survival or otherwise.

By attracting birds into our gardens it also gives us the chance to observe them at close quarters from the comfort of our homes. Thus the opportunity presents itself to observe various species feeding together and to compare their various plumages. Watching their antics, squabbles and different feeding strategies leads to endless enjoyment and even a little serious study. The photographer should also have many good chances for an excellent shot.

Siskin by Andrew Malcolm

LIKELY SPECIES

Birdwatch Ireland has been conducting a winter garden bird survey for a number of years. The results for the 2011 winter (ranked as gardens most frequently visited) was as follows:

1 Robin	9   Goldfinch	17 Pied wagtail	25 Long-tailed tit
2 Blackbird	10   Coal tit	18 Wood pigeon	26 Lesser redpoll
3 Blue tit	11   House sparrow	19 Collared dove	27 Bullfinch
4 Chaffinch	12   Greenfinch	20 Hooded crow	28 Sparrow hawk
5 Great tit	13   Dunnock	21 Blackcap	29 Fieldfare
6 Magpie	14   Wren	22 Redwing	30 Feral pigeon
7 Starling	15   Jackdaw	23 Mistle thrush	31 Goldcrest
8 Song thrush	16   Rook	24 Siskin	32 Brambling

Obviously not all of these species will occur in every garden but the majority may do so over the course of the winter.

Birdwatch Ireland conducts their survey each winter and for those interested in participating this winter details are on their web site as are results of previous surveys.

FOOD

Great Tit by Liam Cahill

Birds may be fed a wide range of foodstuffs. Among the most popular (from the birds perspective) are peanuts, nyjer seed and sunflower seed. These are high in energy and oil and will readily attract a variety of species including siskins, redpoll and goldfinch. The disadvantage of these is their cost. In recent years they have increased massively in price and consideration should be given to less costly alternatives. These include flaked maize, flaked barley and rolled oats along with commercially prepared wild birdseed. Fat balls are very attractive to a variety of species along with being very nutritious. They can be purchased or prepared at home. Apples (windfalls) are very popular with thrushes and blackbirds and readily attract blackcaps. Raisins, cake and boiled rice are also very acceptable.

In cold weather naturally occurring water freezes. Birds still need to drink and a supply of unfrozen water may prove a lifesaver. Remember to make fresh water available during cold spells.

Blackbird by Fran O'Connell

EQUIPMENT

Bird feeders are a very efficient method of feeding smaller birds and conserving peanuts and expensive seed such as nyjer and sunflower. Bird tables are an attractive way of presenting food and observing the action. A note of caution – equipment needs to be regularly cleaned and sterilised to prevent the spread of disease. Some species will not use feeders or bird tables so it is necessary to spread some food directly on to the ground.

RECENT SIGHTINGS AND NEWS

The recent highlight was the discovery by Colum Flynn of a Blyth’s reed warbler at Helvick. This is the first record for Waterford. Unfortunately the bird proved extremely difficult to see while calling continuously from cover.

Other birds of note seen included yellow-browed warbler, osprey and redstart while minke and fin whales, common dolphin and common (harbour) seals were present along the coast. Thrushes, ducks, geese, swans, and divers are now returning here for the winter.

Lesser Redpoll by Liam Cahill

Check out www.waterfordbirds.com for local wildlife updates. If you have any questions or comments, please email them to japwatntr@gmail.com