FriendsofSheskinmoreBirdSpeciesList

KeyResident o

Breeding visitor xInfrequent visitor v

Common name Scientific Name J F M A M J J A S O N D Last seen, if before 2015 Notes

Mute Swan Cygnus olor o o o o o o o o Resident, breeding. Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus o o o o o o o Wintering. Small numbers are regular on Sheskinmore Lough.Snow Goose Anser caerulescens 2013 Rare winter vagrant. White-fronted Goose (Greenland) Anser albifrons flavirostris o o o o o o o Wintering. From 2010 to 2015 between 21 and 32 wintered annually. Numbers

were formerly higher.Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus v 2010 Unusual winter migrant.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis. o o o o o o 2014Wintering. Over-winters annually or almost annually in small numbers. The origins of these birds are unknown. Some look noticeably smaller than typical feral Canada Geese.

Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis o o o o o o 2014 Wintering. Now not often seen feeding on the reserve, more often flying over.

Brent Goose (Light-bellied) Branta bernicla hrota o o o o o o 2014Wintering. Over-winters at Ballinreavy Strand where 45 were counted in March 2005. This species seems tamer and more aproachable than white-fronts or barnacles.

Shelduck Tadorna tadorna o o o o o o o o o 2013 Shelducks may be resident but seem strangely scarce during the nesting season. Status on site is unknown.

Wigeon Anas penelope o o o o Wintering. Often in small flocks on Sheskinmore Lough or feeding on grassland at eastern side of Ballinreavy Strand.

Teal Anas crecca o o o o o o o o o Wintering. Up to 50 are regular on Sheskinmore Lough and they are also found in smaller numbers on the dune slack pools.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, breeding. Wintering flocks rarely exceed 30 birds.Tufted Duck Athya fuligula v v 2013 Unusual winter visitor to the lough

Eider Somateria mollissima o o o o o o Wintering. Large dense flocks gather on Loughros More Bay, just off Carrickalahagh headland.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra o o 2011 Wintering. Often in flocks off Carrickalahagh usually interspersed with the eiders but in smaller numbers.

Goldeneye Bucephala clangula v 2014 Unusual winter migrant to Sheskinmore Lough.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident at Ballinreavy Strand, possibly breeding on the south side of the estuary. Up to 20 seen in winter.

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 2011 Gun club released birds in the cereal plotPheasant Phasianus colchicus o o o o Most audible and visible in the summer around McGlincheys

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata o o o o o o o o o o 2010 Wintering. Regular on the estuary off Ballinreavy Strand. They have been heard calling which is apparently rare on their wintering grounds.

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer o o o o o Wintering. Regular on the estuary off Ballinreavy Strand.Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis o o o o o o o o Resident. Regular on Sheskinmore Lough, probably breeding.

Gannet Morus bassanus o o o o o o o Summer migrant, non-breeding. Visitor to the estuary south of the reserve. Often seen off Carrickalahagh headland.

Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo o o o o o o o o o Regular visitor to Sheskinmore Lough.Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, non-breeding.

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, possibly breeding. Herons are often seen hunting off the rocks at Ballinreavy Strand and at Sheskinmore Lough.

Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 2012 Unusual visitor from reintroduced population at Glenveagh. Other unconfirmed sightings since then

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus v v 2008 Rare spring and autumn passage migrant. The individual seen hunting over the Sheskinmore reedbed in June 2008 was a juvenile or a female

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus o o o o o o oWintering. They are seen on the reserve from late August and females are much more regular than males. They may roost in the wet scrub at the reedbed.Irregular sightings in recent years

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus o o o o o o o o o o o o

Resident, possibly breeding in the woods to the north of Sheskinmore Lough. Males and females are seen throughout the year. They often harass the large flocks of juvenile starlings that gather at the reserve from late summer. In winter, they are attracted by seed-eating passerines at the wild-bird cover by Kiltoorish Lough.

Buzzard Buteo buteo o o o o o o o o o o o o

Resident, possibly breeding. Up to three are regular over the reserve. In 2001 one was seen with a recently killed young rabbit. Two forms of object-play have been recorded in the buzzards at Sheskinmore and an individual was also once seen bathing in Sheskinmore Lough. See here https://sheskinmore.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/playful-buzzards/

Osprey Pandion haliaetus v 2012 Unusual spring and autumn passage migrant.

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus

Resident, breeds in some years. Males and females are seen throughout the year. Family groups are sometimes seen over the reserve in late summer. Individuals have roosted in the rocky crevices on Mullyvea hill. In the past they probably nested in the ravens' nest at Tramore/Carrickalahagh; in the early 2000s kestrels were certainly regularly recorded at the nest in the breeding season.

Merlin Falco columbarius o o o o o o o o 2010 Wintering. They have been seen in aerial pursuit of skylarks and meadow pipits and perched on fenceposts on the machair.

Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus v 2002 Very rare vagrant. A white morph was seen in 2002.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus v v v v v v v v v v v vIrregular visitor but seen throughout the year. In August 2003 an obviously inexperienced dispersing juvenile was on the beach at Ballinreavy; indicating that they breed in the local area.

Water Rail Rallus aquaticus o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, probably breeding. Regularly heard at the reedbeds around Sheskinmore Lough.

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus o o o o o o o o o o o o 2011Resident, probably breeding. The moorhens in the dune pools are very shy. When humans pass by they sometimes duck underwater and hold position with just their bills visible above the surface.

Coot Fulica atra o 2004 Irregular visitor to Sheskinmore Lough.

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, possibly breeding. Small flocks of up to 150 are regular on Tramore and at the western tip of Carrickalahagh.

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula o o o o o o o o o o o oResident, breeding. Ringed plovers nest at Tramore and at the eastern side of Ballinreavy Strand. Outside the breeding season they are seen in small flocks, often with sanderlings and dunlins.

Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria o o o o o o o o o o Wintering. While some overwinter, golden plovers also clearly pass through on spring and autumn migration. Highest tally was 120 in October 2005.

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, breeding. With the erection of the electric anti-predator fence at the machair breeding numbers might be expected to increase.

Knot Calidris canutus o o 2005 Wintering. Present on Ballinreavy Strand in small numbers.

Sanderling Calidris alba o o o o o o o o o Wintering. Up to 100 are regular on Tramore and Ballinreavy from August - April.

Dunlin Calidris alpina o o o o o o o o o o oResident? Recorded from late July to early May, often in mixed flocks with ringed plovers and sanderlings but usually in smaller numbers. Formerly bred on the machair.

Snipe Gallinago gallinago o o o o o o o o o o o oResident, breeding. Snipe nest on the machair and the lapwing anti-predator fence may benefit them too. They can be heard doing their aerial "drumming" displays into late summer.

Woodcock Scolopax rusticola o o Wintering. Over-winters in small numbers in the woods to the north of Sheskinmore Lough and on the lower slopes of Mullyvea hill.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa v v 2005 Irregular visitor to Ballinreavy Strand.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica v v 2014 Possibly over-winters in small numbers but otherwise an irregular visitor to Ballinreavy Strand.

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Common name Scientific Name J F M A M J J A S O N D Last seen, if before 2015 Notes

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus v 2002 Spring and autumn passage migrant.Curlew Numenius arquata o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, non-breeding. Present all-year on the coastal fringes of the reserve.Greenshank Tringa nebularia o Spring and autumn passage migrant.

Redshank Tringa totanus v v v v 2008 Probably an irregular visitor in small numbers throughout the year. Formerly bred on the machair.

Turnstone Arenaria interpres o o o o o o o o o 2014 Wintering. From Aug - April small flocks gather with oystercatchers at the western tip of Carrickalahagh and on the rocks at Ballinreavy.

Great Skua Stercorarius skua ? Rare winter visitor.

Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus v 2012 Rare spring and autumn passage migrant. Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla ? Irregular visitor. Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, non-breeding. Common Gull Larus canus o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, non-breeding. Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, non-breeding.

Herring Gull Larus argentatus o o o o o o o o o o o o

Resident, non-breeding. As with the other gulls they are often seen soaring along the front of the dunes at Ballinreavy Strand moving between loafing, roosting and feeding sites. Their flight appears leisurely in the updrafts from the dunes. Mixed flocks of gulls gather to loaf, bathe and play at the eastern side of Ballinreavy Strand.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, non-breeding.Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis o o o o o 2007 Summer migrant, non-breeding. Often seen and heard at Ballinreavy Strand.Common Tern Sterna hirundo o o o o o 2004 Summer migrant, non-breeding.Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea o o o o o 2005 Summer migrant, non-breeding.Guillemot Uria aalge o o o o o 2007 Summer migrant, non-breeding. Regular off-shore at Carrickalahagh.Razorbill Alca torda o o o o o 2005 Summer migrant, non-breeding. Regular off-shore at Carrickalahagh.

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle o o o o o 2012 Summer migrant, non-breeding. Small numbers are regular in the waters of the estuary off Ballinreavy Strand.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus o o o o o o o o o o o o Resident, probably breeding.Cuckoo Cuculus canorus x x x x Summer migrant, probably breeding. Juveniles have been seen on the reserve.Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus ?Swift Apus apus o o o Summer migrant, non-breeding.Kingfisher Alcedo atthis o 2007 A kingfisher was on the rocks at Carrickalahagh in July 2007.

Skylark Alauda arvensis o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015Resident, breeding. Small numbers are present throughout the year but in spring their song and display flight is obiquitous over the dune-grassland and machair.

Sand Martin Riparia riparia x x x x x 2010 Summer migrant, breeding. They nest in small colonies in sand banks in the dunes.

Swallow Hirundo rustica x x x x x 2015 Summer migrant, breeding. Formerly nested in an old shed at Sandfield and have also nested in the bird hides in the past.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Common on the dune-grassland and machair. As with skylark, their song-flight is obvious in spring.

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Common around the rocky stretches of shoreline.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrellii o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Pairs and juveniles are often seen at Tramore Caravan Site.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Dunnock Prunella modularis o o o o o o o o o o o o 2005 Resident, breeding.

Robin Erithacus rubecula o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015Resident, breeding. Present in the woods and scrub but also more incongruously at Tramore Caravan Site and sometimes along the shore at Carrickalahagh.

Stonechat Saxicola rubicola o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Common across the reserve in scattered scrub and bracken. Nine pairs were counted in 2007 but this was an underestimate.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe o o o o o o 2015 Summer migrant, breeding. They probably nest in the stone walls on the machair, males have certainly been heard singing there.

Blackbird Turdus merula o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Song Thrush Turdus philomelos o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, probably breeding.Redwing Turdus iliacus o o o o o o 2015 Wintering.Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, probably breeding.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia x x x x x 2007 Summer migrant, breeding. Most often heard singing from scattered scrub along the slopes at Mullyvea.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus x x x x x 2012 Summer migrant, breeding. Common around Sheskinmore Lough and at suitable dune slack pools where there are rushes and reeds.

Whitethroat Sylvia communis x x x x x 2015 Summer migrant, breeding. Most regular in low scrub at Mullyvea and north of Sheskinmore Lough.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus x x x x x 2015 Summer migrant, breeding. Nests on the ground by patches of scrub and bracken.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus v 2005 Status unknown. One seen in the scrub in March 2005 may have been passing through.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus o 2015 Probably resident and breeding.Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Great Tit Parus major o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. In October 2008 it was recorded at Tramore Caravan Site..

Jay Garrulus glandarius o 2015

Probably resident. Jays were not recorded in west Donegal during the 2007-11 Bird Atlas. One was first recorded at Sheskinmore on a trail camera in the woods in January 2015. See here https://sheskinmore.wordpress.com/2015/03/08/trail-camera-videos/

Magpie Pica pica o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding.

Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015Resident. Choughs have been observed copulating at Carrickalahagh but they probably don't breed on site. Fourteen in August 2013 was a high recent count. Numbers increase in winter.

Jackdaw Corvus monedula o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, possibly breeding.Rook Corvus frugilegus o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, non-breeding. Hooded Crow Corvus cornix o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding.

Raven Corvus corax o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015

Resident, breeding. Ravens have nested at Tramore/Carrickalahagh since at least 2004. They are seen on site throughout the year and often indulge in aerobatics. In 2014 the pair fledged at least three young. See here https://sheskinmore.wordpress.com/2014/09/17/ravens-at-tramore/

Starling Sturnus vulgaris o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, probably breeding. Large flocks of juveniles gather on the reserve from late summer and gradually moult into their first-winter plumage.

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis o o o o o o o o o o o o 2013 Resident, breeding.

Linnet Carduelis cannabina o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding. Winter flocks gather at the wild-bird crop by the road at Kiltoorish Lough.

Twite Carduelis flavirostris o o o o o o o o o 2014 Wintering. Twite often gather with linnets at the wild-bird crop.Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret 2015Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula o o o o o o o o o o o o 2004 Resident, probably breeding.

Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis o o 2008 Occasionally wintering. Possibly present most years in small numbers at Tramore and Ballinreavy Strand.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus o o o o o o o o o o o o 2015 Resident, breeding.

Sketches by Christine Bonner

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