Spring Migrants

Squidvicious

Apologies if this has been touched on in any other threads but I thought it might be of interest to start a dedicated thread to report sightings of all migrants. I've seen none so far, though I'm sure somebody has seen some swallows etc by now. Personally, I'm looking forward to the first chiff-chaffs. I generally date their arrival to Patrick's Day or thereabouts so I hope to hear my first one this weekend. They're generally the first migrants that I see and hear. An early sign of summer(or spring at least) and a sign that all is well with the world when these birds arrive again!

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

A nice live tracking of cuckoo here -
http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking

Seems they are still sub sahara!

Squidvicious

Johnny Jolly Raffle wrote: »

A nice live tracking of cuckoo here -
http://www.bto.org/science/migration/tracking-studies/cuckoo-tracking

Seems they are still sub sahara!

That is a pretty impressive site! Haven't heard a cuckoo around here since the late 80's so I don't hold out much hope this year. Still, nice to be able to keep tabs on them.

Woodville56

Squidvicious wrote: »

Apologies if this has been touched on in any other threads but I thought it might be of interest to start a dedicated thread to report sightings of all migrants!

Good idea ! Was thinking same myself ! Chiffchaff usually the first summer migrant on my patch also but had a St Patrick's Day Sand Martin here in the midlands a few years ago- I see some recorded down south already on Irishbirding, also some wheatears on south coast !
Really looking forward to hearing that first chiffchaff calling any day now !!

Woodville56

First Sand Martins spotted this morning on my local lake here in the midlands !

Desmo

Saw Wheatears and Chiffhaffs in Wexford last weekend. It was nice and sunny. I hope they survive the next few days.

Squidvicious

Heard my first chiff-chaff this morning. I would imagine that this cool weather must be delaying the arrival of some of our migrant birds.

Woodville56

Squidvicious wrote: »

Heard my first chiff-chaff this morning. I would imagine that this cool weather must be delaying the arrival of some of our migrant birds.

Haven't heard one yet although from Irishbirding website they appear to be fairly widespread by now ? Maybe my hearing's goin or perhaps they're just not here in big enough numbers yet ?

Desmo

I think they are here in very small numbers so far; they are widespread but just the first few to make it through. I have not heard any but have seen 2 or 3.

Woodville56

Midlands alive with singing Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers this morning ! And a flock of about 20 House Martins overhead ! My summer resident swallows haven't appeared yet though

Birdnuts

Chiffcaff and Willow Warbler by the Lake here over the last few days. Common Sandpiper last week and a noticable movement of Ringed Plovers too. No Sandmartins yet though

cambasque

the cuckoo arrived in s w france mid march, so they will be up north soon !

Woodville56

Heard my first Blackcaps of the season today here in the midlands. I know a few hang around over the winter in some areas but haven't seen or heard them here since Autumn 2013. Great sounds of summer in the woods this morning, although damp and misty, Chiffchaffs and the Blackcaps in full voice alongside 'the locals' - Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and the wonderful Wren !

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

cambasque wrote: »

the cuckoo arrived in s w france mid march, so they will be up north soon !

The BTO tracked birds are still in Africa. It is usually the end of the first week in May before we see them here. I'm afraid there is at least a month to go yet.

I usually record swallows here around the first week in April but not a sign of anything yet. The current air flows should help though. Here's hoping!

baaba maal

First swallow (for me) in Kildare!

stevensi

Woke up to the sounds of Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Blackcaps calling out the back of my place this morning. There were none there yesterday so must have been a mini fall overnight. I had about 10 different birds on a single tree at one stage calling. I live close to Dublin City center so it was lovely to hear them calling over the sound of cars and buses...

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Just back from fishing the river beside the house where, while listening to our first Chiffchaff's of the year, through the mist came a mixed flick of Swallows and House Martins.
We don't usually have both arriving together but I'll take it when it comes.

Birdnuts

Sand Martins have arrived:)

Woodville56

Johnny Jolly Raffle wrote: »

Just back from fishing the river beside the house where, while listening to our first Chiffchaff's of the year, through the mist came a mixed flick of Swallows and House Martins.
We don't usually have both arriving together but I'll take it when it comes.

As a matter of interest do swallows, martins etc migrate by night ? Hoping to have my swallows back any morning now !

weisses

Saw the first Swallow here




Bring on Summer

Zoo4m8

Swallow over the house just now..( North Wicklow)

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Woodville56 wrote: »

As a matter of interest do swallows, martins etc migrate by night ? Hoping to have my swallows back any morning now !

While many migrating birds fly at night, swallows do not. I'm not sure about martins as I've never looked in too that.

cambasque

Johnny Jolly Raffle wrote: »

The BTO tracked birds are still in Africa. It is usually the end of the first week in May before we see them here. I'm afraid there is at least a month to go yet.

they used to come around april 1st, but the last 3 years it has been around Patrick's day.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

cambasque wrote: »

Johnny Jolly Raffle wrote: »

The BTO tracked birds are still in Africa. It is usually the end of the first week in May before we see them here. I'm afraid there is at least a month to go yet.

they used to come around april 1st, but the last 3 years it has been around Patrick's day.

I'm sorry to disagree with you but the earliest confirmed cuckoos most years are late April. There are no records as early as mid March in the past 3 years.The Irish Bird Report mentions one at Cape Clear on the 4th April 1969 but states clearly that the observer is not named nor the record confirmed.

Woodville56

At last ! First swallow of the season on my local patch appeared this afternoon !
Previous years (local patch) first sightings ;
2013 - 13th April
2012 - 28th March
2011 - 3rd April
2010 - 2nd April

Chiffchaff
2014 - 31st March
2013 - 12th April
2012 - 25th March
2011 - 22nd March
2010 - 26th March

Blackcap
2014 - 2nd April
2013 - 16th April
2012 - 2nd April
2011 - 7th April
2010 - 17th April

Birdnuts

Meant to say I had my first Swallow last Friday

OpenYourEyes

Had my first Swallow in Roscommon on Thursday, and first Chiffchaff yesterday!

Squidvicious

I think I heard my first Blackcap this morning.

OpenYourEyes

My first look at Lough Ree in a few weeks - plenty of Sand Martins over the water! Three pairs of Great Crested Grebes and pairs of Little Grebes and Tufted Duck too, as well as nesting Coots - a real springtime atmosphere down there!

On the topic of birds that migrate in spring - the local flock of Greenland White-fronted Geese is still hanging around, but should be departing soon!

Bsal

I saw my first swallow today at the Boot Inn pub near Dublin airport

Judgement Day

Saw my first Swallow in Enniscorthy yesterday.

whyulittle

Spotted my first Sand Martins over the river in town today.

Birdnuts

Was visiting a friend who lives on a barge at Hazelhatch. The shrubby around the canal was absolutely hopping with Blackcaps

Mabel

House Martins off Portmarnock yesterday and a few Swallows last week.

Very low numbers of both though - 3-5 birds

OpenYourEyes

Redshank and Oystercatcher back on Lough Ree as of yesterday. This is the first time in ages I've been around Roscommon at this time of year, so it's great to get a full picture of the changing of the seasons and changover from winter to breeding birds

Mabel

Didn't see any Brent Geese today in Baldoyle Estuary - wonder have they finally all gone now. Good numbers of Wheatears in the stubble fields nearby too

jmkennedyie

Mabel wrote: »

Didn't see any Brent Geese today in Baldoyle Estuary - wonder have they finally all gone now. Good numbers of Wheatears in the stubble fields nearby too

Still a few dozen on Ireland's eye and Dollymount bridge today

Pie Man

Had a pair of sand martin's back down by the river there today. Did a bit of cleaning up of the bank where they breed for the first time last year, removing over hanging grass etc.

Woodville56

Happy days ! My "resident " swallows have returned over the weekend, just in time for the sunshine today . They're twittering away on the telephone wires outside the window as I write ! I expect to see them checking out the old nest site in the shed any time now ! Wonder are they some of last year's broods or older adults returning ?

OldRio

First pair of Swallows in Leitrim.
Great to see.

downwesht

Swallows in Skibbereen today!

Tiercel Dave

Cuckoo has arrived in E Galway. Heard one this morning about 6am amid the chorus. Dave
Incidentally earliest I have heard one is 4th April about 10 yrs ago!

whyulittle

My first real outing today got me my first Swallows of the year!

Willow Warblers all over the place, Orange Tip & Peacock butterflies out, Kestrel & Buzzard, and a close encounter with a Jay!

Not a bad walk at all.

marlin vs

Say my first Swallow this morning Waterford City.

Woodville56

whyulittle wrote: »

My first real outing today got me my first Swallows of the year!

Willow Warblers all over the place, Orange Tip & Peacock butterflies out, Kestrel & Buzzard, and a close encounter with a Jay!

Not a bad walk at all.

Local woodland choc a bloc with Blackcap in past few days as well ! Seems like a repeat of last year - they're everywhere. Years ago they were something of a rarity in these parts !

Capercaille

Corncrake back. One is calling 3km from the farm.

Birdnuts

Cuckoo down on my place in the west this morning

whyulittle

Capercaille wrote: »

Corncrake back. One is calling 3km from the farm.

I paid a visit today to where the Athlone one was last year, but it's all still flattened down after the floods.

Woodville56

whyulittle wrote: »

I paid a visit today to where the Athlone one was last year, but it's all still flattened down after the floods.

Keep us in the loop on the Athlone site, wouldn't mind a 'careful not to disturb' visit if it shows again this year !
Have you been to Lough Boora lately - hoping to head there soon for the partridges !

Birdnuts

Grasshopper warbler this morning along with the Cuckoo again

whyulittle

Woodville56 wrote: »

Keep us in the loop on the Athlone site, wouldn't mind a 'careful not to disturb' visit if it shows again this year !
Have you been to Lough Boora lately - hoping to head there soon for the partridges !

Haven't been to Boora lately, but I just had a look at the blog records and I've seen them about plenty of times in Aprils past.