#donegalbirding
Harlequin and Pacific Diver both at Trá na gCloch this afternoon. First time to see the duck in a while and it’s now looking especially lovely. I was pleasantly surprised at how apparent the fine structural differences were between Pacific and Black-throated diver. Also very obvious
#donegalbirding
And an article in the recent Birdwatch Ireland magazine Wings (members only) on the damage done to waterbird populations by out-of-control shellfish farming on the Co. Donegal side of Lough Foyle here
birdwatchireland.ie/publications...
#donegalbirding
There’s useful material in the recent NPWS report on the national and international significance of Lough Swilly here
www.npws.ie/sites/defaul...
#donegalbirding
Please use the short window of public consultation that is available to object to this destructive plan. More to follow.
assets.gov.ie/static/docum...
#donegalbirding
Plans have been submitted for a large oyster farm development in Lough Swilly, a Special Protection Area of international importance.
www.donegallive.ie/news/letterk...
#donegalbirding
A Pacific Diver has joined the Harlequin in residence at Trá na gCloch, just beyond Magheraroarty, if you need any further motivation to go there.
#donegalbirding
Seems it paid a visit 18 months ago.
#donegalbirding
An immature wing-tagged white-tailed eagle has turned up in the county (again). Let’s hope it can play its part in the re-establishing of this magnificent species in Ireland with no interference from people or wind turbines.
#donegalbirding
Super picture for comparing our usual Greenland with Russian subspecies.
#donegalbirding
A nice side by side comparison shot of a Greenland White front and one of the Russian White fronts.
Will these ever be split I wonder?
#donegalbirding
A couple of Russian white-fronted geese at Burt, courtesy of @delboydonegal.bsky.social
#donegalbirding
After what has so far been a quiet start to 2026 in the county, a yellow-legged gull turned up at St John’s Point yesterday.
#donegalbirding
A quiet weekend of iWebs surveying at Blanket Nook. Missed a big flock of c. 200 pink-footed geese which were found later in the day by @delboydonegal.bsky.social but the Taiga Bean geese seem to have gone.
#donegalbirding
As predicted on this thread but a few hours ago, @delboydonegal.bsky.social has hit the ground running in 2026 with a singing #chiffchaff at Burnfoot F93 KN7X.
#donegalbirding
Congratulations to @delboydonegal.bsky.social on identifying a remarkable 205 species in the county in 2025 and writing up a fascinating account of his birding year. It’s the morning of New Year’s Day 2026 and I bet he’s already clocked up a few for this year. Go to it Derek!
#donegalbirding
Impressive level of commitment. And expensive.
#donegalbirding
I bumped into a French chap on the 16th who had a fear of flying, so he had travelled by car from Normandy via Rosslare to see the bird!
#donegalbirding
Is this the furthest anyone has travelled to twitch the Magheraroarty Harlequin Duck (which is now showing its very smart male plumage, as the recent video by @delboydonegal.bsky.social shows)? Congratulations @helsinkibirder.bsky.social
#donegalbirding
That’s fantastic, Derek. A return trip out there is called for.
#donegalbirding
The Harlequin is looking better by the week. This was it on Dec 16th. The same day had 2 Cackling Geese and a Ring-necked Duck at Dunfanaghy new lake.
#donegalbirding
Those Taiga Bean Geese in the fields behind Blanket Nook are keeping me awake at night.
#donegalbirding
Nothing of note at Blanket Nook today but lots of goldeneye; always beautiful.
#donegalbirding
After many hours wasted/spent (delete as appropriate) seeking the long-staying bittern at Inch, I finally saw it this morning, courtesy of Mrs H, who located it on a couple of brief flights among the reeds. Only the third modern era record for the county.
#donegalbirding
www.bto.org/sites/defaul...
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And some doubts about whether there are two birds. Nobody seems to have seen both at exactly the same time.
#donegalbirding
After a recent spat on the county WhatsApp group about what you might describe as ‘birding ethics’ I searched on line with the following results. If you’re unsure I think the highly-respected British Trust for Ornithology is a good starting point.
duckduckgo.com?q=birdwatchi...
#donegalbirding
A report this morning that the two bitterns are still in residence at Inch.
I completed the Swainson's and Grey-cheeked Thrush illustration over the weekend. It was really enjoyable to work on these 2 subtle American vagrants that I was lucky to see earlier this Autumn close to home. #donegalbirding
#donegalbirding
The other goodies were American Golden Plover (new or same bird? Can’t tell), Lesser Yellowlegs (probably the bird @miceal.bsky.social had a few days back but wasn’t sure enough to post - be more confident!), Great Egret and Hen Harrier. Barn Owl and LEO in the evening.
