Coastal Ireland Minileague - July 2016

No change in the rankings at the top of the Coastal Ireland Comparative Minileague by the end of July where Noel Keogh continues his run in first pace with a comfortable lead from South Dublin Bay on 106.5%, Roseate Tern his latest addition.

Eleanor Keane in second also added Roseate Tern to her patch year list which now stands at 94.6% along the Killiney Hill to Dun Laoghaire coastline. Also well into the 90% bracket is Richard Donaghey in third who managed some #patchgold by finally nailing Moorhen for the Bann Estuary patch list, flushed from reeds at one of the local ringing sites (see the Causeway Coast Ringing Group blog for more).

Tacumshin continued to provide the megas since the last update and while he missed out on Greater Sand Plover and Pacific Golden Plover, Noel Keogh still managed to catch up with the Western Sandpiper and White-rumped Sandpiper found there during the month. Western Sand is a new addition to the overall PWC list since it began in 2013! This leaves Noel well ahead in the Coastal Ireland Points Minileague with 210 points from 146 species.

Christopher O'Sullivan added Little Ringed Plover, Mediterranean Gull and European Storm-petrel at Clonakilty/Inchydoney which sees him climb from sixth to fourth place there. This site will no doubt do very well as the autumn progresses.

Cathal Forkan had a good run in North Galway Bay with new additions including a fine breeding plumage Spotted Redshank, adult Mediterranean Gull, two Little Gulls, three Little Terns and a Great Skua. Continuing with the theme of good patch waders, Derek Polley recorded Wood Sandpiper at RSPB Belfast Harbour and a Curlew Sandpiper was an excellent addition to Julian Wyllie's year list at Baltimore.

Arctic Skua and Tree Sparrow awaited Tom Moore at Kilmore Quay while Keith Adams found three Long-eared Owls at Dunhill ecopark/Annestown/Boatstrand in Co. Waterford.

Spotted Redshank © Cathal Forkan