Cape Clear Bird Observatory (CCBO)
@ccbowarden.bsky.social
Monitoring, researching and recording bird migration & the wildlife of Cape Clear. Part of Birdwatch Ireland, the largest independent conservation organisation in Ireland. CCBO is an accredited member of the Bird Observatories Council.
A Merlin was amongst the ringing this morning, the first ringed here in over 20yrs. We have recorded up 3 individuals about the island almost daily for several weeks now, looks like a good year for them.
October 29, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Merlin was amongst the ringing this morning, the first ringed here in over 20yrs. We have recorded up 3 individuals about the island almost daily for several weeks now, looks like a good year for them.
October thus far, records include Black browed Albatross, Hobby, Jack Snipe, Grey Phalarope, Sabines Gull, Pomarine Skua, Wryneck, Tawny Pipit, Common Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Yellow browed, Pallas's, & Radde's warbler, Crossbill, Rosefinch, Ortolan & Rustic Bunting. Photo today's Pallas's.
October 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
October thus far, records include Black browed Albatross, Hobby, Jack Snipe, Grey Phalarope, Sabines Gull, Pomarine Skua, Wryneck, Tawny Pipit, Common Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Yellow browed, Pallas's, & Radde's warbler, Crossbill, Rosefinch, Ortolan & Rustic Bunting. Photo today's Pallas's.
Fewer migrants today against yesterday, no sign of the Rustic Bunting. This morning a Common Rosefinch was ringed at Michael Vincent's garden, in the afternoon a Wryneck was found and photographed by David O' Connor at central bog. Also today, Merlin, Garden Warbler and Common Crossbill.
October 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Fewer migrants today against yesterday, no sign of the Rustic Bunting. This morning a Common Rosefinch was ringed at Michael Vincent's garden, in the afternoon a Wryneck was found and photographed by David O' Connor at central bog. Also today, Merlin, Garden Warbler and Common Crossbill.
Todays highlights; Merlin, Hen Harrier, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a late moving Sand Martin. Also a flurry Swallows (24) & a flock of 9 Common Buzzards. A Coal Tit, Irish ssp hibernicus, was an addiction to this year's species ringed (see photo).
October 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Todays highlights; Merlin, Hen Harrier, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, a late moving Sand Martin. Also a flurry Swallows (24) & a flock of 9 Common Buzzards. A Coal Tit, Irish ssp hibernicus, was an addiction to this year's species ringed (see photo).
Yesterday morning's Marsh Warbler was relocated singing in Cotter's garden during the afternoon. Apparently this is the first one ever ringed in Ireland.
September 29, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Yesterday morning's Marsh Warbler was relocated singing in Cotter's garden during the afternoon. Apparently this is the first one ever ringed in Ireland.
Highlights of a PM pelagic trip for our residential bird course attendees were Sooty Shearwater, 10 Storm Petrels, Pomarine Skua, 2 Bonxie, Arctic Tern & Grey Phalarope but the show stoppers were 2 Humpback Whale with a supporting cast of 2 Minke Whale & 100+ Common Dolphin. Photos Humpback Whale.
September 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Highlights of a PM pelagic trip for our residential bird course attendees were Sooty Shearwater, 10 Storm Petrels, Pomarine Skua, 2 Bonxie, Arctic Tern & Grey Phalarope but the show stoppers were 2 Humpback Whale with a supporting cast of 2 Minke Whale & 100+ Common Dolphin. Photos Humpback Whale.
Visiting Copeland bird observatory warden Adam Ringland was delighted to ring one of two adult Choughs that surprisingly ventured into our mist nets this morning.
September 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Visiting Copeland bird observatory warden Adam Ringland was delighted to ring one of two adult Choughs that surprisingly ventured into our mist nets this morning.
A Common Crane briefly visited the east end of the island & the search to find it produced a rarity for Ireland; a Honey Buzzard in off the sea headed along the east coast. Few grounded migrants today but still a couple of Spotted and a single Pied Flycatcher at Cotter's garden. Photo today's HB
September 17, 2025 at 8:53 PM
A Common Crane briefly visited the east end of the island & the search to find it produced a rarity for Ireland; a Honey Buzzard in off the sea headed along the east coast. Few grounded migrants today but still a couple of Spotted and a single Pied Flycatcher at Cotter's garden. Photo today's HB
2 Sabine's Gulls offshore were the pick of the bird records today. The moth trap held the first Pink-barred Sallow of the autumn.
September 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
2 Sabine's Gulls offshore were the pick of the bird records today. The moth trap held the first Pink-barred Sallow of the autumn.
The calm after storm brought an influx of passerine migrants today, particularly Robins and Willow Warblers, 35 House Martins at the lake, Common Sandpiper and 7 Grey Wagtails 4 of which were ringed including the juvenile shown here.
September 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
The calm after storm brought an influx of passerine migrants today, particularly Robins and Willow Warblers, 35 House Martins at the lake, Common Sandpiper and 7 Grey Wagtails 4 of which were ringed including the juvenile shown here.
Irish biology students staying at the observatory this weekend were keen to take part in a sea-watch this afternoon. Over 4 hours some 12,000 Manx Shearwaters, 1200 Cory's, 80 Great, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 1 Pomarine Skua were recorded.
August 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Irish biology students staying at the observatory this weekend were keen to take part in a sea-watch this afternoon. Over 4 hours some 12,000 Manx Shearwaters, 1200 Cory's, 80 Great, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 1 Pomarine Skua were recorded.
Flycatchers again featured in the ringing, today 3 Pied & 1 Spotted, also a locally rare & very recently fledged Bullfinch (see image) suggesting evidence of this species breeding on Cape for the first time in many years. Balearic Shearwater & Common Scoter were recorded during an early seawatch.
August 19, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Flycatchers again featured in the ringing, today 3 Pied & 1 Spotted, also a locally rare & very recently fledged Bullfinch (see image) suggesting evidence of this species breeding on Cape for the first time in many years. Balearic Shearwater & Common Scoter were recorded during an early seawatch.
Today's highlights were 2 Tree Pipits, 5 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Spotted Flycatchers and a Greenshank amongst an influx of more common migrant birds across the island. Images, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers amongst the ringing this morning.
August 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Today's highlights were 2 Tree Pipits, 5 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Spotted Flycatchers and a Greenshank amongst an influx of more common migrant birds across the island. Images, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers amongst the ringing this morning.
Our first autumn movement of Swallows and a few Sand Martin's through the island today with gathered flocks reported from several locations, some 220 on power lines at the lake this evening.
August 12, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Our first autumn movement of Swallows and a few Sand Martin's through the island today with gathered flocks reported from several locations, some 220 on power lines at the lake this evening.
This morning our first pelagic out of Cape this year, wind SSW, a little choppy & sporadic mist but fabulous views of all our target species. Totals; Sooty Shearwater 4, Corys 7, Great 6, Storm Petrel 80+, Wilson's Petrel 12, Arctic Tern 3.
August 10, 2025 at 7:44 PM
This morning our first pelagic out of Cape this year, wind SSW, a little choppy & sporadic mist but fabulous views of all our target species. Totals; Sooty Shearwater 4, Corys 7, Great 6, Storm Petrel 80+, Wilson's Petrel 12, Arctic Tern 3.
Petrel ringing into the early hours, always a wonderful experience. Photo (JH).
July 25, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Petrel ringing into the early hours, always a wonderful experience. Photo (JH).
Our third 'Wildlife Course ' of the year this weekend included moth trapping, guided walks, presentations & Storm Petrel ringing. Amongst a wide variety of species we recorded was this 3ft long European Eel present in North Harbour on Friday afternoon; video by course participant Alicia Bertrand.
July 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Our third 'Wildlife Course ' of the year this weekend included moth trapping, guided walks, presentations & Storm Petrel ringing. Amongst a wide variety of species we recorded was this 3ft long European Eel present in North Harbour on Friday afternoon; video by course participant Alicia Bertrand.
A bumper day for butterflies, good numbers of Wall Brown, Dark Green Fritillary & Painted Lady. A Lesser Clouded Knot horn was the pick of the moth trap. Today's highlight was a 3ft long European Eel in North Harbour, a rare treat to see this critically endangered species. Photo Painted Lady (JH).
July 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
A bumper day for butterflies, good numbers of Wall Brown, Dark Green Fritillary & Painted Lady. A Lesser Clouded Knot horn was the pick of the moth trap. Today's highlight was a 3ft long European Eel in North Harbour, a rare treat to see this critically endangered species. Photo Painted Lady (JH).
Flying the flag for Bird Observatories this weekend at the Global bird Fair, promoting our research and facilities ( especially Cape Clear & Ireland!). Also giving a presentation on Sunday 1530hrs in the ' Curlew ' tent. Come and see us at the stand.
July 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Flying the flag for Bird Observatories this weekend at the Global bird Fair, promoting our research and facilities ( especially Cape Clear & Ireland!). Also giving a presentation on Sunday 1530hrs in the ' Curlew ' tent. Come and see us at the stand.
CES No.7 this morning & recently fledged Sedge Warblers dominating proceedings. The OBS moth trap contained a 1st for the island; Ochreous Pearl. Brown veined Wainscot & Blue bordered Carpet were new for year. As I packed up the ringing nets a Dark Green Fritillary showed unusually well, see photo.
July 8, 2025 at 4:30 PM
CES No.7 this morning & recently fledged Sedge Warblers dominating proceedings. The OBS moth trap contained a 1st for the island; Ochreous Pearl. Brown veined Wainscot & Blue bordered Carpet were new for year. As I packed up the ringing nets a Dark Green Fritillary showed unusually well, see photo.
A fair increase in Manx Shearwaters this morning in Roaring Water Bay with around 700 birds present along with a Minke Whale, and some 30 Common Dolphins including several calves. The OBS moth trap produced our first Garden Tiger moths of the year. Photo JH.
July 3, 2025 at 8:57 PM
A fair increase in Manx Shearwaters this morning in Roaring Water Bay with around 700 birds present along with a Minke Whale, and some 30 Common Dolphins including several calves. The OBS moth trap produced our first Garden Tiger moths of the year. Photo JH.
The Bird Observatory teamed up with NPWS staff today to carry out the Lesser black-backed Gull chick colour ringing program.
July 2, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The Bird Observatory teamed up with NPWS staff today to carry out the Lesser black-backed Gull chick colour ringing program.
Several fields are laden with Orchids, Irish Marsh, Heath Spotted and Common Spotted, well over a thousand plants across the island.
June 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Several fields are laden with Orchids, Irish Marsh, Heath Spotted and Common Spotted, well over a thousand plants across the island.
Snipe was a nice addition this morning to the Constant Effort Site ( CES) monitoring the breeding birds of East Bog .
May 30, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Snipe was a nice addition this morning to the Constant Effort Site ( CES) monitoring the breeding birds of East Bog .