records from the irish whale and dolphin group for 2006

Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2006Author(s): Mick O'Connell and Simon BerrowSource: The Irish Naturalists' Journal, Vol. 28, No. 11 (Dec. 7, 2007), pp. 459-466Published by: Irish Naturalists' Journal Ltd.Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25536849 .

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Ir. Nat J. Volume 28 No 11 2007

Cetacean Notes

Records from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group for 2006

Compilers. Mick O'Connell and Simon Berrow

Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Merchants Quay, Kilrush, Co Clare.

All records below have been submitted with adequate documentation and/or photographs to

put identification beyond doubt. The length is a linear measurement from the tip of the beak to the fork in the tail fin. Unless otherwise stated the animal was 'observed' dead on the seashore on the

given date.

A total of 145 stranding records was reported during 2006, which is the highest annual total since records began. 15 species of cetaceans were identified including the first sei whale record since 1914. As in previous years the two most frequently recorded species were common dolphin followed by harbour porpoise. There have been 101 stranding records of striped dolphin since 1901 with a mean of around 4 records per annum. The dramatic increase to 15 records in 2006, including a record of a mass stranding of 14 individuals (the first time more than three individuals of this species have been recorded stranding together) is of particular note. The previous highest total

was nine records in 1991. The number of stranded Northern bottlenose whales was also higher than reported for any previous year. During 2006 there were four records of this species, the same

number as the total of those reported over the last decade. Two Sowerby's beaked whales were

reported during 2006. Of the 10 records of this species Since 1864, the only years with multiple records were of two in 2004 and now two in 2006.

The increase in stranding records is attributed to an increase in awareness and interest in

biological recording. However the increase in the proportion of striped dolphin strandings may be

significant and could reflect a rise in seawater temperatures in Irish marine waters. The increase in

strandings of deep diving species such as Northern bottlenose and beaked whales may also be of

significance and it will be interesting to see if this trend continues in future years.

Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Lacepede 1804

Unsexed. c5m. Found on 20 February 2006 at Dooey Beach, Lettermacaward, Co Donegal

(B752007). Pat Dunleavy.

Male. 6.8m. Found on 29 June 2006 at Tramore Strand, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal (B978360). Seamus McGinty.

Unsexed. c4.5m. Found on 23 August 2006 at Eyeries, Beara, Co Cork (V636505). Patrick Lyne, Ciara and Ruairi O'Sullivan.

Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis (Lesson 1828) Male. 10m. Live stranded and euthanased on 27 July 2006 at Larne Lough, Island Magee, Co

Antrim (D433006). Was first seen swimming in the Lough on 25 July. First confirmed

stranding of this species in Ireland since 1914. John Milburne, Peter Steele, Padraig Whooley (see also Whooley, P. & Steele, P. 2007 Irish Naturalists' Journal 28: 340).

Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae (Borowski 1781) Male. 6m. Stranded on 21 July 2006 at Inverin, Co Galway (M003203). Juvenile, photographic

evidence proves it to be the same animal, which was seen in Dingle Bay, Co Kerry on 14

July. Rory Thynne, Emma Kerin, Joanne O'Brien, Simon Berrow (see also Berrow, S.D. et

al. 2007 Irish Naturalists' Journal 28: 339-340).

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Ir Nat J. Volume 28 No 11 2007

Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavlrostris Cuvier 1823 Unsexed. 6.7m. Found on 16 December 2006 at Lig Bhui, Inisheer, Aran Islands, Co Galway

(L979030). Paddy Crowe.

Northern bottlenose whale Hyperoodon ampullatus (Forster 1770)

Female. 7.3m. Live stranded on 3 May 2006 at Fermoyle, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q548125). Died two hours after stranding. Dingle Oceanworld, Mick O'Connell, Chris and Lee Van Schoor.

Female. c6m. Lactating mother and calf live stranded on 13 May 2006 at Lislary, Ballinfull, Co Sligo (G586425). Female died, calf refloated but restranded (see below). Don Cotton.

Unsexed. 3.36m. Calf which had live stranded at Lislary (see above) found on 19 May at

Toberpatrick, Co Sligo (G540355). John-Mark Dick, Don Cotton.

Male. 4.96m. Stranded in very fresh condition on 27 August 2006 at Cuas na Finise, Great Blasket Island, Co Kerry (V274981). Mick O'Connell, Sue Redican, Mick Sheeran.

Sowerby's beaked whale Mesoplodon bidens Sowerby 1804

Female. 3.6m. Found on 10 August 2006 at Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q989683) Janelle Atkinson, Nuala, loanne O'Brien Bermingham.

Male. 4.76m. Found on 12 November 2006 at Inishcrone, Co Sligo (G287317). Pamela Bergin, Neil

Gilroy, Don Cotton.

Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus Linnaeus 1758

Male. 14m. Live stranded on 12 September 2006 at Culleenamore, Ballysadare Bay, Co Sligo (G590330). Died shortly after stranding. Don Cotton, Tim Roderick, Will Woodrow.

Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus 1758)

Unsexed. Skull only, found on 20 January 2006 (approximately) at Smerwick Harbour, Co Kerry (Q364057). Jill Crosher.

Unsexed. 1.15m. Found on 22 January 2006 at Murrivaugh Beach, Mulranney, Co Mayo

(L859950). Carol Loftus, Alan Stoney.

Female. 1.6m. Found on 23 January 2006 at Garrylucas Strand, Garretstown, Co Cork (W607429). Padraig Whooley.

Male. 1.2m. Found on 2 February 2006 at Garryvoe, Ballycotton Bay, Co Cork (W199067). Brought to UCC for post mortem. Ken Cotter, Emer Rogan.

Unsexed. Found on 27 February 2006 at Bray Beach, Co Wicklow (0265213). Pat O'Suilleabhain.

Unsexed. Found on 14 March 2006 at Tramore Strand, Co Waterford (S609001). Betty Twomey.

Unsexed. Found in fresh condition on 24 March 2006 at Tramore, Co Waterford (S605003). James McCartan.

Female. 1.45-1.60m. Found on 25 March near Templetown, Co Louth (J210047). Tony Canavan, James Larkin, Breffni Martin, Emer Rogan.

Female, dm. Found on 29 March 2006 at Nethertown Beach, Carnsore point, Co Wexford

(T130070). Nic Slocum.

Unsexed. c0.8m. Found on 2 April 2006 at Bettystown, Co Meath (0163751). Dr Richard Annett, Roger Moore, Stephanie Troy.

Unsexed. Found on 3 April 2006 at Holywood, Belfast Lough, Co Down (J431822). Ian Enlander.

Unsexed. d.3m. Found on 22 May 2006 at Whitepark Bay, Co Antrim (D018444). Gary Burrows, Barry Crawford.

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Ir. Nat. J. Volume 28 No 11 2007

Unsexed. 0.65m. Found on 11 June 2006 at Tramore, Co Waterford (S593008). Coastwatch Ireland, Dave Wall.

Female. 0.85m. Found on 12 June 2006 at Ventry Strand, Co Kerry (V376999). Nick Massett, Con Moriarty, Lauren Williams.

Female. 1.88m. Found on 26 June 2006 at Laytown, Co Meath (0162744). Stephanie Troy.

Unsexed. 1.3m. Found on 3 July 2006 at Marley's Point, Derk, Co Sligo (G567363). Will Woodrow.

Female. Juvenile, live stranded on 13 July 2006 at Whiterocks Beach, Co Antrim (C884409). Gary Burrows.

Unsexed. c1.75m. Stranded on 15 August 2006 at Booterstown, Co Dublin (0214316). Nigel Baker, Nick Channon.

Unsexed. Skull found c30 August 2006 at Fermoyle Strand, Co Kerry (Q545126). Christian Brene.

Unsexed. d.4m. Found on 9 September 2006 at Sandymount Strand, Co Dublin (0221334). Rachael Peelo.

Unsexed. dm. Found on 25 December 2006 at Ardmore Strand, Co Waterford (X203791). Andrew Malcolm.

Unsexed. 1.52m. Found on 31 December 2006 at Laytown Beach, Co Meath (0169726). David

Conroy.

Long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melaena (Traill 1809)

Male. c6m. Found on 2 February 2006 at Barley Cove, Co Cork (V766252). Padraig Whooley.

Unsexed. c5.5m. Found on 15 February 2006 at Inch Strand, Co Kerry (V648997). Rob McDonnell, Mick O'Connell.

Unsexed. c6m. Found on 17 March 2006 at Killaries, Culfin, Co Galway (L749643). Brendan Walsh.

Male. c5m. Live stranded on 29 April 2006 at Inch Beach, Co Kerry (V650993). Refloated using IWDG rescue pontoons. Kevin Flannery, Paschal Dower, Simon Berrow.

Unsexed. 4.6m. Found on 3 May 2006 at Rinevella Bay, Carrigaholt, Co Clare (Q828494). Simon and Frances Berrow, Joe Devanny, Dave Kearney.

Unsexed. c5.5m. Found on 20 May 2006 at Cross Strand, Mullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F639305). Cathy Keane.

Female. 5.6m. Found on 1 August 2006 at Lough Donnell, Co Clare (Q998711). Fiona and Mary Stack, Simon Berrow.

Unsexed. Skeleton with little flesh attached found on 12 August 2006 at Annascaul River mouth, Inch, Co Kerry (V589997). Walter Castellazzo, Nick Massett, Mick O'Connell.

Unsexed. 4m. Found on 27 August 2006 at Dawros Head, Co Donegal (G639978). Emer Magee, Willie Porter.

Unsexed. 4.7m. Found on 18 November 2006 at Doughmore, Doonbeg, Co Clare (Q998708). Simon and Frances Berrow, Ivor McMahon.

Unsexed. Found on 28 November 2006 at Glash Beach, Mullet Peninsula, Co Mayo (F613203). Irene O'Brien.

Female. 4.8m. Found on 1 December 2006 at Annascaul River mouth, Inch, Co Kerry (Q594003). Michael Horgan, Irish Seal Sanctuary, Kate Moyna, Mick O'Connell.

Male. 4.7m. Found on 5 December 2006 at Seafield, Quilty, Co Clare (R011747). Simon Berrow, Jim Martin.

461




Unsexed. c4.5m. Found on 30 December 2006 at Trafaska, Baltimore, Co Cork (W056249). Jerry Smith.

White-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albirostris Gray 1846

Unsexed. Found on 23 February 2006 at Saleen Harbour, Belmullet, Co Mayo (F671290). Irene O'Brien.

Male. 2.34m. Found on 3 March 2006 at Fahamore, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q610179). Mick O'Connell, Kevin Flannery, Emer Rogan.

Unsexed. Skull found on 29 September 2006 at Beltraw Strand, Mullaghmore, Co Sligo (G690550). Don Cotton, Jean Dunleavy, Mick O'Connell.

Atlantic white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus Gray 1826

Male. 2.8m. Found on 17 February, 2006 at Dooloughan Bay, near Ballyconneelly, Co Galway

(L578459). Robert Holloway.

Unsexed. d.5m. Found on 24 February 2006 at Muckros Beach, Kilcar, Co Donegal (G640745). John O'Boyle.

Male. 1.3m. Found on 6 April 2006 at False Bay, Ballyconneelly, Co Galway (L581469). Jiri Karbus.

Female. 2.1m. Found on 30 May 2006 at Derrinver Pier, Ballinakill Harbour, Co Galway (L688596). Local fishermen reported a lone dolphin swimming in the harbour two days previously. Robert Holloway.

Male. 2.7m. Found on 19 June 2006 at Renvyle Point, Co Galway (L652641). Robert Holloway.

Unsexed. Found on 10 July 2006 at Green Island, Portavogie Harbour, Co Down (J663588). Mr. and Mrs. Cully, Tania Singleton.

Male. 5.41m. Found on 26 July 2006 at Burnham Lagoon, Dingle, Co Kerry (Q427004). Post mortem carried out on site by UCC. Jill Crosher, Mick O'Connell.

Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus (Cuvier 1812)

Male. c3.3m. Found on 7 March 2006 at Pollan Bay, Inishowen, Co Donegal (C393502). Emmett Johnston.

Unsexed. c3.2m. Found c15 November 2006 at Pollan Bay, Inishowen, Co Donegal (C392499). Emmett Johnston.

It is interesting to note that the only records of stranded Risso's dolphin were from the same location and observed by the same person, but 8 months apart.

Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba (Meyen 1833)

Male. 1.6m. Found on 19 February 2006 at Rosslare Strand, Co Wexford (T104142). Tony Murray, Brendan Ward.

Unsexed. Found on 27 February 2006 at Skerries, Co Dublin (0264601). Sean Pierce.

Female. c2.2m. Found on 3 March 2006 at Ballydowane Beach, Co Waterford (X417976). George Munday.

Unsexed. Two Ywe stranded and refloated on 10 March 2006 at Killowen Point, Carlingford Lough, Co Down (J196154). Ian Enlander. The next day an unsexed striped dolphin was found dead just 40m away (J 192154) and on 13 March 2006 an unsexed striped dolphin was found dead at Ballagan, Greenore, Co Louth (J243078) by James and Peter Larkin, which is thought to be the second of the two animals refloated on 10 March.

Unsexed. dm. Found on 28 March 2006 near Camp, Co Kerry (Q699105). E. and L. Carabine, Brendan Mac Bradaigh.

Female (both). 2.06m and 1.68m. Two animals live stranded on 29 April 2006 at Cobh, Co Cork (W814668). Smaller of the two was euthanased and removed to UCC for post mortem.

462




Larger one refloated but washed up dead some days later. Conor Ryan, Jim and Peter

Wilson, Evelyn Philpott.

Male. Found on 9 August 2006 at Silver Strand, Galway (M266233). Carys-Anne Davies.

Unsexed. 1.84m. Stranded on 17 August 2006 at Naran Beach, Co Donegal (B726 006). Tamahine Dooley, Emer Magee.

Unsexed. d.6m. Found on 2 September 2006 at Baltray, Co Louth (0155776). Derek Watters.

Three (two male, one female) found in very fresh condition on 11 October 2006 at Redbam, Youghal, Co Cork (X090747). Female 1.35m, male 1.34m, male 1.4m. Brought to UCC for post mortem, possibly live stranded. Janet Howiey, Evelyn Philpott, Pat Smiddy.

Male. 1.7m. Found on 15 October 2006 at Long Strand, Castlefreke, Co Cork (W334338). Possibly the same animal reported from here on 9 October (unidentified cetacean) washed in again.

Padraig Whooley.

Fourteen animals live stranded and refloated on 16 October 2006 at Bundola Bay, Belmullet, Co Mayo (F694320). Two (female, c2m and juvenile d.2m) found dead on the morning of 17 October at Elly Bay (54.16 N, 10.09 W) and both were recognizable from the previous day as the female had a sharply raised tailstock. Local reports of additional strandings (live and dead) by striped dolphins in the area over the following days. Pat Cowman, James Kilroy,

Western Fire Service.

Unsexed. Found on 20 October 2006 at Inishkea South, Co Mayo (F546204). Oliver Kiely, Irene O'Brien.

Male. 2.1m. Found on 28 December 2006 at Fermoyle Strand, Castlegregory, Co Kerry (Q554123). Sean Ronayne, Mick O'Connell.

Unsexed. d.5m. Found on 30 December 2006 at White's Marsh, Inchydoney, Co Cork (W401384). Sean Ronayne.

Common dolphin Delphinus delphis Linnaeus 1758

Male. 2.07m. Found on 10 January 2006 at Duneen Strand, Ardfield, Co Cork (W392360). Padraig Whooley.

Unsexed. c1.6m. Found on 20 January 2006 at Owenahincha Beach, Co Cork (W314348). Padraig Whooley.

Male. 2.3m. Found on 21 January 2006 at Five Fingers Strand, Co Donegal (C423590). Emmeti Johnston.

Male. 1.86m. Found alive on 24 January 2006 at Jack's Hole, Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow (T320856). Live stranded and refloated, but washed up dead on the 26 January. Pauline Delahunt,

Terry Kavanagh, Mick Kelly, Dave Wall.

Unsexed. d.5m. Found on 27 January 2006 at Sandeel Bay, Hook Head, Co Wexford (X749986). Noel Murray.

Female. 1.99m. Found in very fresh condition on 5 February 2006 at Mucsnamh, Kenmare, Co

Kerry (V911699). Brought to UCC for post mortem. John Cronin, Mick O'Connell.

Unsexed. Found on 14 February 2006 at Tacumshin Beach, Carnsore, Co Wexford (T120035). Tail

missing and net marks on body. Chris and Caotmhe Mac Nulty.

Female. 1.63m. Found on 3 March 2006 at Youghal, Co Waterford (X112784). Brought to UCC for

post mortem. Irish Coastguard Service, Pat Smiddy, Emer Rogan.

Unsexed. Found in fresh condition on 3 March 2006 at Inchydoney Strand, Clonakilty, Co Cork

(W408385). Identified from video footage showing hourglass pattern. Liz O'Regan.

Unsexed. Found on 15 March 2006 at Tramore Strand, Co Waterford (X614999). Betty Twomey.

463




Male. 2.4m. Found alive on 2 April 2006 at Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford (S971030). Refloat attempted but animal died. Jim Hurley.

Female. 2.35m. Found on 19 April 2006 at Sellerna Bay, Cleggan, Co Galway (L590589). Robert Holloway.

Unsexed. 1.41m. Found on 10 May 2006 at Ballybrannagan Strand, Power Head, Co Cork

(W900603). Ruth Broderick, Emer Rogan, Pat Smiddy.

Unsexed. c2.2m. Found on 19 May 2006 at Hook Head, Co Wexford (T126041). Noel Murray.

Male. 2.0m. Found on 8 July 2006 at Kinvara, Co Galway (M354131). Live stranded on 7 July. Cilian Roden, Sabine Springer, Joanne O'Brien.

Female. Found on 9 July 2006 at Youghal, Co Cork (X113770). Janet Howley, Irish Coastguard, Pat Smiddy.

Unsexed. Live stranded and refloated on 21 August 2006 at Sandycove, Kinsale, Co Cork

(W643470). Colette Acton.

Male. 1.0m. Found on 29 August 2006 at East Beach, Inishcrone, Co Sligo (G280300). Pamela

Bergin, Don Cotton.

Male. d.8m. Found in very fresh condition on 11 September 2006 at Collorus Point, Kilmackillogue, Co Kerry (V734596). May have live stranded. Janet Hawker, Colette

Mougin.

Unsexed. Live stranded and refloated on 14 September 2006 at Belmullet Quay, Co Mayo (F723318). Pat Cowman, Irene O'Brien, Emer Rogan.

Unsexed. 1.64m. Found on 16 October 2006 at Ballycotton, Co Cork (W988659). Chris Cullen, Emer Rogan, Pat Smiddy.

Unsexed. Found in very poor condition on 22 October 2006 at Horse Island, Co Clare (Q718466). Simon Berrow.

Unsexed. 1.92m. Found on 6 November 2006 at Binghamstown, Belmullet, Co Mayo (F688324). Irene O'Brien.

Male. 1.77m. Found on 7 November 2006 at Claggan Island, Gweesalia, Co Mayo (F714271). James Kilroy.

Unsexed. 2.12m. Found on 11 November 2006 at Inch Strand, Co Kerry (V652987). Kate Moyna, Mick O'Connell.

Male. 2.01m. Found on 7 December 2006 at Inch Strand, Co Kerry (Q644005). Michael Horgan, Kate Moyna, Mick O'Connell.

Unsexed. 1.92m. Found on 13 December 2006 at Barna, Co Galway (M244226). Joanne O'Brien, James Redmond.

Unsexed. d.5m. Found on 30 December 2006 at Killeany Bay, Inishmore, Aran Islands, Co

Galway (L874106). Ronan Mac Giollapharaic.

Female. 1.75m. Found on 31 December 2006 at Owenahincha, Co Cork (W305352). Daniel Lettice, Padraig Whooley.

Bottle-nosed dolphin Tursiops truncatus (Montagu 1821)

Male. 1.97m. Found on 2 April 2006 at Kilfenora, Fenit, Co Kerry (Q745154). Jill Lynch, Mick O'Connell.

Unsexed. Visited on 17 July 2006 at Querrin, Co Clare (Q929541). Skeletal, probably on the beach for some time. Simon, Frances and Ronan Berrow, Martin Brassil, Jamie and Jo Wills.

Unsexed. d.8m. Found on 28 August 2006 at Waterville, Co Kerry (V500661). Clare Heardman, Lucy Hunt.

464




Female. 2.47m. Found on 8 September 2006 at Maree, Co Galway (M337182). Live stranded, post mortem carried out on site. Joanne O'Brien, Nick Scott, Micheline Sheehy-Skeffington, Sabine Springer.

Male. 2.56m. Found on 11 September 2006 at Tra Beg, Minard, Co Kerry (V483990). Sara Millar, Mick O'Connell.

Male. 2.74m. Found on 3 November 2006 at Ballyheigue, Co Kerry (Q737282). Kerry County Council, Kevin Flannery, Mick O'Connell, Emer Rogan.

Unidentified dolphins

Unsexed. 1.7m. Found dead on 2 January 2006 at Tramore, Co Waterford (S606002). Mark

Hosford.

Male. c2m. Found in poor condition on 8 January 2006 at Kilshannig, Castlegregory, Co Kerry

(Q622191). Skull missing. Mick O'Connell.

Male. 1.98m. Common or striped dolphin found on 7 February 2006 at Nethertown Beach,

Carnsore Point, Co Wexford (T123039). Tony Murray.

Unsexed. 2-2.5m. Found on 11 February 2006 at Burrow, Rosslare Strand, Co Wexford (T087189). Live stranded and refloated. Helen Duggan, Lorcan Scott, Nicky Walsh.

Male, 1.78m, Lagenorhynchus sp. Found on 17 February 2006 at Emlagh Point, Co Mayo (L742797). Nollaig Ruddy, Michael Viney.

Male. 1.33m. Common or striped dolphin found on 21 February 2006 at Aillbrack, Ballyconneelly, Co Galway (L593418). Robert Holloway.

Unsexed. c2.1m. Common or striped dolphin found on 20 May 2006 at lllauneeragh, Kilkeran Bay, Co Galway (L843273). Alan Horner.

Unsexed. c0.5m. Found on 28 May 2006 at Dunglow, Co Donegal (B766112). Brian McCullough.

Male. c2m. Common or striped dolphin found on 7 June 2006 at Inishark, Co Galway (L490654). Robert Holloway.

Unsexed. Common or striped dolphin found on 14 June 2006 at the eastern shore of Lough Foyle, Co Deny (C644310). Phillip Whelpdale.

Unsexed. c1.2m. Found in poor condition on 3 July 2006 at Curran Strand, Portrush, Co Antrim

(C805367). Helen White.

Male. c2m. Common or striped dolphin stranded on 21 August 2006 at Cuas (Brandon Creek), Co

Kerry (Q420123). David Chippendale, Aileen Walsh.

Unsexed. Common or striped dolphin found on 26 September 2006 at Tyrella Beach, Dundrum

Bay, Co Down (J476361). Gavin Duffy, Ian Enlander.

Unidentified beaked whale

Unsexed. 3.5 - 4m. Found on 24 June 2006, floating two miles south-east of Inistrahull, Co Donegal

(C546627). Gary Burrows, Keith Gilmore, Matthew Tickner.

Unidentified whale species

Unsexed baleen whale. c9m. Found dead in poor condition on 3 January 2006 at Glencolumbcille,

Co Donegal (G521849). Local resident suggested that it may have stranded up to four weeks previously. John O'Boyle.

Unsexed. c4.5m. Found in very decomposed condition on 25 July 2006 at Curragh Beach, Ardmore

Bay, Co Waterford (X203795). Baleen whale with minimum of 42 throat grooves visible. Andrew Malcolm, Dermot Twomey.

Unsexed baleen whale. Found in very decomposed condition on 11 August 2006 at Portrush

Strand, Co Antrim (C861408). Jim Allen.

465




Unsexed. Whale vertebrae found on 27 October 2006 at Clifden, Co Galway (L635505). Simon Berrow.

Male baleen whale. c8.5m. Found on 14 November 2006 at St. John's Point, Co Donegal

(G743724). John Boyd, Brian Cannon, Frances O'Dwyer.

Unsexed. c2m. Baleen whale (part of) found on 29 December 2006 at Carrjgillihy Beach, Co Cork (W228321). NicSlocum.

Unidentified Cetacean Species Unsexed. Two animals live stranded on 12 February 2006 at Drinagh, South Slobs, Wexford

Harbour (T085187). Refloated by local Gardai. Tony Murray.

Unsexed. c5m. Skin and blubber found on 18 March 2006 at Muckros Beach, Kilcar, Co Donegal (G636742). John O'Boyle.

Unsexed. Live stranded animal refloated on the 2 April 2006 at Durrus Pier, Co Cork (V932405). Pat Gallagher, Steve Roffe.

Unsexed. Found on 19 May 2006 at Churchtown, Hook Head, Co Wexford (T132058). Jim Hurley.

Unsexed. Found in very poor condition on 28 May 2006 at Doolin, Co Clare (R058972). Irene Llabres Pohl.

Unsexed. c4m. Found on 26 June 2006 at Dawros Head, Co Donegal (G647987). Robert Henshall.

Unsexed. c9m. Found floating on 19 August 2006 near Skellig Michael, Co Kerry (V246608). Des Lavelle, Des O'Driscoll.

Unsexed. c0.7m. Found on 29 August 2006 at Ballydavid, Co Kerry (Q380064). Washed out before proper identification. Helena Ni Conchur.

Unsexed. c2.2m. Found on 24 September 2006 at Bunmahon, Co Waterford (X430983). Rosie Hunwith.

Unsexed. d.1m. Live stranded and refloated on 7 October 2006 at Cullenamore Pier,

Roaringwater Bay, Co Cork (W009290). Denis Minihane.

Unsexed. c2m. Found on 9 October 2006 at Long Strand, Castlefreke, Co Cork (W327341). Washed out before full identification, possibly the same animal as the striped dolphin

reported on 15 October 2006 at the same location. Niall Daly.

Unsexed. d.8m. Found on 14 October 2006 at Inch Strand, Co Kerry (Q645002). Buried before full identification. Tim O'Donoghue, Mick O'Connell.

Field Records - Insects

Lebia crux-minor L. (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Co Sligo Doonweelin Lake, G645405, 3 January 2003. A single male of Lebia crux-minor L. was

sieved from moss collected in slightly raised relatively dry grassland with scattered juniper Juniperus communis L. adjacent to a lakeshore marsh and to dry heathy hillocks. This species rich, diverse site has consistently turned up a wide variety of uncommon plants and invertebrates.

Irish records for this distinctive beetle, and much additional information, are summarized by Alexander (K. N. A. 2003 Irish Naturalists' Journal 27: 306-308), and a recent record from Co Cork

is provided by Nolan (M. 2005 The Coleopterist 14: 81-82). The Sligo site would appear to have affinities with both the Irish (fen-meadow) and English (dry grassland) habitats for this endangered beetle, as discussed by Alexander (2003 op. cit). While clearly extremely local, L. crux-minorwould

appear to have a wide distribution in the more western parts of Ireland, with records now coming

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records from the irish whale and dolphin group for 2006

Documents