Chris Ingram; 14th February

I had an  email from Chris who was on Tory for the day on the 14th February;

"I went to Tory yesterday.  The sea was very rough but nothing was seen except a few Gannets and Kittiwakes, and single Fulmar and Guillemot.  There were 12 Tree Sparrows, 2 Blackbirds and a Redwing in Anton's garden and a Chiffchaff around the Generator building.  In the harbour were c.15 Purple Sandpipers and c.20 Eiders with another flock of c.30 offshore.  On the lake was a Whooper Swan and 2 Mute Swans.  Also a 1st year Iceland Gull on the beach.

Anton told me that single Chiffchaffs have wintered in the graveyard (presumably the one I saw) and in Grace's garden.  He says there have been 2 Glaucous Gulls around and a flock of geese he can't identify in the East End.  Apart from that, nothing else much."

The 2012 Tory Bird Report will also come in a printed form. Contact Chris Ingram if your interested in buying a copy. All proceeds will go to charity.

chrisingram43@hotmail.com

2012 Tory Island Bird report

Available here along with the 2011 report

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=2658464#post2658464

10th November

I rang Anton to see what was about. 20-30 Redwing still on the Island. A few Woodcock noted. 2 Tufted Duck near the lighthouse. 2 Waxwing still remain in his garden. The 2 Twite appeared briefly in his garden a couple of days ago. 1 Snow Bunting last week. No sign of any Blackcap.

Chris Ingram 8th November

I had an e mail from Chris who made a day trip to Tory today

"I took the short day trip to Tory today.  Anton is still feeding Waxwings with fruit and I donated a plum and an apple from my lunch! Best birds as follows:

Eider 11 in bay, two immatures had orange bills so presumably were 'Northern' race birds.
Waxwing  4 in Anton's garden.
Chiffchaff  1
Redwing  c.5
Blackbird  1 or 2
Robin  1
Twite  2 near magic bush

There were 2 Great Northern Divers in Magheroarty harbour and on the way out as we neared Tory was a pod of 10/12 Bottlenose Dolphins really close to the boat.  On the return trip was a Bonxie, and again as we neared the harbour a pod of 5 Bottlenose Dolphins.  The RTE helicopter was on Tory and as it flew over Inishbofin Island it disturbed a flock of c.150 Barnacles."

Thanks Chris..........

3rd November;Waxwings

I had a phone call from Anton Meenan who tells me there is still a group of 18 Waxwings in his garden eating apples and plums put out for them. Also 2 Blackcap in the garden and 10 Eider in the harbour. 6 Whooper Swans around the lake after southerly winds a few days ago.

Tim is still hanging on!

Castaway

I had an e mail from Chris Ingram;

Tim Murphy is still on Tory, he's been stranded there for much of the week, but today (2nd November) he still managed 18 Waxwing, 2 Blackcap and a Brambling there.
10 Whooper Swans, 22 Greenland white-fronted and  6 Barnacle Geese, Glaucous Gull and a Woodcock during the week

Thanks to Chris and Tim for the news