Ireland Minileague - June

The half time, mid-summer lull has resulted in no major shake-up in the Irish mini-league bar a change at the top of the points table where Niall Keogh’s Kilcoole patch overtakes Dave Suddaby’s Blacksod patch for first place by a matter of five points (but with a notable difference of 26 species between the two… a direct result of a higher number of rarities found out West, epitomised by Dave’s highest points per bird score in the Irish mini-league with 1.56 ppb ensuring a comfortable lead in that respect).

The O’Donnell brothers maintain their lead on the percentage tables, both of which are now well into the 90% bracket. Michael added eight new species since May, moving up one place on the points table but more significantly taking Eamonn’s first place title on the percentage table. 

The lack of rarities found by Irish PWC participants came as no great surprise give that June was relatively quiet across the country. The addition of Roseate Tern to several lists was evident, most notably at Julian Wylie’s Baltimore patch in Cork where it is no doubt a very good local and county bird. Other good local patch finds included Neal Warnock’s 2nd record of Pochard at Larne Lough and Niall Keogh’s 3rd record of Osprey at Kilcoole. 

For more news and pics from Irish local patches check out the Patch Birding Ireland blog.