INJ 29 (1) 29/08/2008 13:18 Page 40

Notes and Records

increase in live strandings may be due to better Cetacean Notes recording as re-floated animals often remain un- recorded leaving no evidence of the event. It will Records from the Irish Whale and be interesting to see if this trend in live strandings Dolphin Group for 2007 continues. In the following list the letters NPWS indicate Compilers: Mick O’Connell and Simon Berrow that the observer is an employee of the National Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, Parks & Wildlife Service. Merchants Quay, Kilrush, Co. Clare Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus (Linnaeus, All records below have been submitted with ade- 1758) quate documentation and/or photographs to put Unsexed. c.9 m. Live stranded and died on 28 identification beyond doubt. The length is a lin- December 2007 at Glen Pier, , ear measurement from the tip of the beak to the Co. Kerry (V375685). Derry Doyle, Michael fork in the tail fin. Unless otherwise stated the Herrmann, Jana Kunze. animal was ‘observed’ dead on the seashore on Female. 6.56 m. Live stranded and died on 28 the given date. A new classification of ‘Striped or December 2007 at Letterdyfe Shore, Common Dolphin’ has been added to reflect the Roundstone, Co. Galway (L727412). Rob fact that these species are difficult to tell apart Holloway, Conall Hawkins, Nicholas Griffin, when skin colouration has faded and the upper Martin O’Malley, Rita Gately. palate has not been checked for the presence or absence of grooves. Minke Whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata During 2007 we received 143 stranding Lacépède, 1804 records of 148 individual cetaceans. Twelve Unsexed c.8 m. Found floating on 28 August species were recorded with 24 records not identi- 2007, 6km south of Union Hall, Co. Cork fied to species level. As in previous years the (W238218). Nic Slocum. Common Dolphin (27% of records) and Harbour Porpoise (21%) were the most fre- Cuvier’s Beaked Whale Ziphius cavirostris quently reported species. Striped Dolphin Cuvier, 1823 records were low compared to 2006 with White- Unsexed. c.6.5 m. Found on 2 March 2007 at sided Dolphin and Pilot Whales up on previous Lettergesh Beach, Co. Galway (L740639). years. Both these latter species often associate Dorothy Cross. because they tend to occur offshore on the edge of the continental shelf where they feed predom- Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus inantly on squid. Only one beaked whale Linnaeus, 1758 (Cuvier’s Beaked Whale) was reported in 2007 Unsexed. 7.2 m (excluding tail). Found on 22 compared to eight in 2006. March 2007 near Roonagh Point, Co. Mayo One of the most striking results from 2007 (L743802). Peter and Ann Osborne; Eoin was the number of live strandings with 28 events McGreal (NPWS). (20% of total stranding records) involving nine Male. c.14 m. Live stranded and died on 26 April species. This compares with 20 live strandings of 2007 at Magheroarty, Falcarragh, Co. nine species in 2006 and 6 live strandings of four Donegal (B928351). John Craig. species in 2005. Two Fin Whales were included in the live strandings, both of which were small Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena individuals that live stranded on the same day (Linnaeus, 1758) but in locations 185km apart. There were only Unsexed. 1.3 m. Found on 11 January 2007 at two previous records of live stranded fin Whales Buncrana, Co. Donegal (C338319). Emmett for Ireland, one in 2001 the other in 2003 and Johnston (NPWS). there have been no other stranding records of this Female. Found on 15 January 2007 at Kilmore species since 2003. There were also eight live Quay, Co. Wexford (S964032). Tony Murray strandings of White-sided Dolphins. The (NPWS).

40 Irish Naturalists’ Journal 29 No.1 2008 INJ 29 (1) 29/08/2008 13:18 Page 41

CETACEAN NOTES

Unsexed. c.1.5 m. Found on 18 February 2007 at 2007 in Galway Bay, Co. Galway (M339215). Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow (T313829). Alon Stephen Comerford, Joanne O’Brien. Bader. Unsexed. Found on 13 October 2007 at Unsexed. 1.25 m. Found on 20 February 2007 at Dundrum Bay, Newcastle, Co. Down Little Island Strand, Owenahincha, Co. Cork (J402333). Anne McComb. (W306350). John Headlam, Pádraig Unsexed. c.1 m. Found on 16 October 2007 at Whooley. North Beach, Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow Unsexed. 1.65 m. Found on 25 February 2007 at (T305818). Orla Gallagher, Paul Richards. Magheramore Beach, Co. Wicklow Male. 1.2 m. Found on 19 October 2007 at (T331870). Bobby Harnett. Strand, Co. Kerry (Q381001). Nick Unsexed. c.1.1 m. Found on 3 March 2007 at Massett. Sandycove, Co. Dublin (O256280). Orla Unsexed. 1.78 m. Live stranded and died on 27 McGovern, Dave Wall, Phyllis Ryan, Nick October 2007 at Tullaghan Strand, Co. Channon. Leitrim (G783581). Bundoran Surf Male. 1.42 m. Found on 7 March 2007 at Chour Company, Willie Britton, Mick O’Connell. Beach, Co. Wexford (T095052). Tony Unsexed. Found on 31 October 2007 at Tramore Murray. Strand, Co. Waterford (S588009). Betty Unsexed. Found on 3 April 2007 at Flaggy Twomey. Shore, New Quay, Co. Clare (M251105). Sue Male. 1.53 m. Found on 25 November 2007 at Clarke, Pat Molloy. , Co. Kerry (Q862415). Mike Unsexed. 1.2 m. Found floating on 5 April 2007 Flahive, Mick O’Connell. near Doolin, Co. Clare (R051955). Ken Male. 1.55 m. Found on 28 November 2007 at O’Sullivan. Ventry Strand, Co. Kerry (V379999). Nick Unsexed. 1.45 m. Found on 15 April 2007 at Massett. Sandymount Strand, Co. Dublin (O199326). Female. 1.43 m. Found on 6 December 2007 at Eugene Archer, Phyllis Ryan. Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford (T117037). Unsexed. 1.5 m. Found on 1 May 2007 at Beal Tony Murray. Ban, Smerwick Harbour, Co. Kerry Unsexed. 1.8 m. Found on 10 December 2007 at (Q355058). Jill Crosher. Dinish Island, Castletownbere, Co. Cork Male. 1.3 m. Found on 18 May 2007 at Cow (V685454). Clare Heardman. Strand, Sherkin Island, Co. Cork (W017262). Unsexed. 1.2 m (excluding head). Found on 26 Sherkin Island Marine Station. December 2007 at Garnish, Beara, Co. Cork Male. 1.3 m. Found on 27 May 2007 at Kinnego (V522430). Sue Money. Bay, Inishowen, Co. Donegal (C632459). Male. 1.5 m. Found on 27 December 2007 at Emmett Johnston (NPWS). Bunanear, , Co. Kerry (Q596002). Unsexed. c.0.9 m. Found on 13 June 2007 at Patricia Scully, Nick Massett. Ventry Strand, Co. Kerry (Q383002). Nick Massett. Long-finned Pilot Whale Globicephala Female. 1.3 m. Found on 24 June 2007 at melaena (Traill, 1809) Jameson’s Beach, Howth, Co. Dublin Male. 2.41 m. Found on 3 March 2007 at (O251371). Damien Coady, Dave Wall. , Brandon Bay, Co. Kerry Unsexed. 0.84m. Found on 25 June 2007 at (Q608184). Sheena Fennell, Mick Curran Strand, Portrush, Co. Antrim O’Connell. (C880409). Helen White. Unsexed. c.5 m. Found on 19 March 2007 at Male. c.1.05 m. Found on 31 July 2007 at Inch Seafield, Quilty, Co. Clare (R003741). Jim Beach, Co. Cork (W875600). Robert Martin, Simon Berrow. Murphy, Darragh Musgrave. Unsexed. c.4.5 m. Found on 29 April 2007 at Unsexed. 1.31 m. Found on 3 August 2007 at Castle Island, Roaringwater Bay, Co. Cork Crag Beach, Lahinch, Co. Clare (R090862). (V958296). Jim Brindley, Declan O’Donnell Joanne O’Brien. (NPWS). Unsexed. c.0.9 m. Found on 23 August 2007 at Male. 5.3 m. Found on 29 May 2007 at Loher Portrush, Co. Antrim (C859409). Richard Beach, Waterville, Co. Kerry (V495617). Stevens. Rosemary Hill. Male. 1.02 m. Found floating on 5 September Unsexed. c.5 m. Found on 17 June 2007 at

Irish Naturalists’ Journal 29 No.1 2008 41 INJ 29 (1) 29/08/2008 13:18 Page 42

CETACEAN NOTES

Iniskeel, Clew Bay, Co. Mayo (L874952). Fitzgerald, Mick O’Connell. Liam Naidoo. Unsexed. c.2-2.5 m. Live stranded and died on Unsexed. c.5 m. Found on 3 August 2007 at 16 May 2007 near , Brandon Glengad Beach, Rossport, Co. Mayo Bay, Co. Kerry (Q607184). Probably the same (F802407). Caoimhe Kerins, John Plummer. animal, which was refloated at , Co. Male. Live stranded and died on 15 August 2007 Kerry on the 15 May. Bob King (Waterworld at Fanad Head, Co. Donegal (C214478). Dive Centre). John McAteer (Tirconaill Tribune). Unsexed. 2.2 m. Found on 1 June 2007 at Female. 4.54 m. Found on 21 August 2007 at Benone Strand, Magilligan, Co. Derry Cappagh Strand, Cloghane, Co. Kerry (C712364). Patrick Dennison, Richard (Q527132). Skin covered in lesions infested Gillen. with lice (Isocyamus delphinii). Lila and Ben Female. c.2 m. Live stranded and died on 7 July Fenton, Kevin Flannery ( 2007 at Downhill Beach, Portstewart, Co. Oceanworld), Mick O’Connell. Derry (C745364). Jim Allen, Mervyn Unsexed. c.6 m. Found on 27 October 2007 at Guthrie. Knocklane, Sligo Bay, Co. Sligo (G564444). Male. 2.6 m. Live stranded on 10 July 2007 at Don Cotton, Richard Nairn. Downings Strand, Co. Donegal (C106381). Unsexed. c.5 m. Found on 29 October 2007 at Refloated but found dead on the following Kilshannig, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry day. Michael Bassett, Patricia Conlon, Martin (Q621190). Paul Gordon, Christian Brene. Fleming, Nadine Lynch, Gary Moore, Unsexed. Found on 23 December 2007 at Richard Robinson. Monatrea, Youghal, Co. Cork (X114775). Unsexed. c.2.5 m. Found on 28 July 2007 at Tom Power. Inch, Co. Kerry (V648993). Carlsen Cloney Unsexed. c.5 m. Found on 26 December 2007 at (Inch Lifeguard), Mick O’Connell. Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford (S957039). Jim Unsexed. 2.3 m. Found on 4 September 2007 at Hurley, Kathy French, Eilis Ryan. Bay, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry Unsexed. c.2.5 m. Found on 28 December 2007 (Q624191). Christian Brene. at Golden Strand, , Co. Mayo Male. 2.4 m. Live stranded on 6 September (F695092). Liam Naidoo. 2007, refloated and died on 7 September 2007, near Tracht Beach, Kinvara, Co. White-beaked Dolphin Lagenorhynchus Galway (M358126). Brendan Dunphy, albirostris Gray, 1846 Sabine Springer, Karen Weeks. Male. 2.25 m. Found on 25 March 2007 at Unsexed. Live stranded and died on 8 September Bushfoot, Runkerry Point, Co. Antrim 2007 at Keadue Beach, Burtonport, Co. (C934427). Keith Fitzsimmons, Gary Donegal (B736181). Tony Boyle, John Burrows. Rafferty. Female. 2.25 m. Live stranded and died on 15 Unsexed. c.2.8 m. Found on 21 October 2007 at August 2007 at Rougey, Bundoran, Co. Carnlough Beach, Co. Antrim (D286177). Donegal (G818592). Fiona Farrell, Martin Lindsey Carmichael. Granaghan, Joe McNulty. Unsexed. c.2 m. Found on 13 November 2007 at , Co. Kerry (Q749259). Fergal White-sided Dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus Hatton. Gray, 1826 Male. 2.5 m. Live stranded and died on 3 Risso’s Dolphin Grampus griseus (Cuvier, January 2007 at Buncrana, Co. Donegal 1812) (C339317). Paddy McCrossan (Inishowen Male. 3.15 m. Found on 1 October 2007 at Wildlife Club), Andrew Speer (NPWS),. Tinnabarna, Kilmuckridge, Co. Wexford Unsexed. c.2 m. Live stranded and died on 24 (T214446). Linda and Jimmy Powell. January 2007 at Ballyness Bay, Horn Head, Co. Donegal (B916338). Sandy Alcorn, Striped Dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba Imelda Gallagher. (Meyen, 1833) Unsexed. c.2.5 m. Live stranded and refloated on Unsexed. 2.37 m. Found on 5 January 2007 at 15 May 2007 at Cloghane, Co. Kerry Gorteen Point, Roundstone, Co. Galway (Q525124). Jax and Fiona Wood, Thomas (L695373). Rob Holloway (NPWS).

42 Irish Naturalists’ Journal 29 No.1 2008 INJ 29 (1) 29/08/2008 13:18 Page 43

CETACEAN NOTES

Two males. 1.53 m and 1.54 m. Live stranded 19 February 2007 at , Co. Kerry and died on 17 March 2007 at Ballybunion, (V697979). Kevin Flannery, Emer Rogan, Co. Kerry (Q858412). Mike Flahive, Mick Mick O’Connell. O’Connell. Male. 1.43 m (excluding tail). Found on 1 March Female. 1.45 m. Found on 2 May 2007 at 2007 at Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford Ardnahinch Beach, Ballycotton, Co. Cork (S962038). Kevin McCormick, Tony Murray (W993660). Pat Smiddy (NPWS). (NPWS). Male. 1.67 m. Found on 3 May 2007 at Raghly Unsexed. 1.4 m. Found on 2 March 2007 at Point, Co. Sligo (G582417). Don Cotton and Annestown, Co. Waterford (X484987). Jean Dunleavy. Andrew Malcolm. Male. 1.75 m. Found on 17 August 2007 at Unsexed. 2.05 m. Found on 12 March 2007 at Marble Hill Strand, Dunfanaghy, Co. Sruhir Strand, Co. Mayo (L743760). Eoin Donegal (C071362). Andrew Speer (NPWS). McGreal (NPWS). Two females. Adult and calf live stranded on 16 Female. 1.38 m. Found on 14 March 2007 at September 2007 at Tramore, Co. Waterford Inch Strand, Co. Kerry (Q641004). Kate (X115764). Calf died, adult refloated. Moyna, Mick O’Connell. Andrew Malcolm, Michael Roche. Male. 1.51 m. Found on 15 March 2007 at Inch Male. Live stranded and died on 5 December Strand, Co. Kerry (Q639006). Kate Moyna, 2007 at the Claddagh, Galway Bay, Co. Mick O’Connell. Galway (M300244). Jamie Downes, Rita Unsexed. 2 m (excluding tail). Found on 28 Gatley, Colette Lavin, Maeve Murray, Sabine March 2007 at Black Strand, Smerwick Springer, K. Sweeney (Garda Síochána). Harbour, Co. Kerry (Q368059). Rob Christiaanse. Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis Unsexed. 1.75 m. Found on 13 April 2007 at Linnaeus, 1758 Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway (M357220). Unsexed. 1.4 m. Found on 2 January 2007 at Frank Flanagan, Clare Murray, Joanne Doogort, Achill Island, Co. Mayo (F701098). O’Brien. Lee McDaid (NPWS). Unsexed. 2.1 m. Found on 16 April 2007 at Unsexed. c.1.8 m. Found on 2 January 2007 at Ferriter’s Cove, , Co. Kerry Feoghanach, Co. Kerry (Q387096). Brian (Q328050). Aideen McConville, Nick and Sara Millar. Massett. Male. c.2 m. Found on 7 January 2007 at Unsexed. Skull found on 26 April 2007 at The Salthill, Co. Galway (M286240). Kate Keady- Breaches, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow (O313077). Walsh, Joanne O’Brien. Niall and Noel Keogh. Male. 2.15 m. Found on 13 January 2007 at Unsexed. Three animals live stranded and were , Achill Island, Co. Mayo (F603046). refloated on 6 May 2007 at Cartron Point, John O’Shea. Mullet Peninsula, Co. Mayo (F636213). Irene Male. Found on 14 January 2007 at Ballyhealy O’Brien (NPWS). Beach, Co. Wexford (T020049). Kevin Male. 2.08 m. Found on 8 May 2007 at New McCormick, Tony Murray (NPWS). Quay, Co. Clare (M280122). Joanne O’Brien. Unsexed. 0.75 m. Found on 26 January 2007 at Male. 1.8 m. Live stranded and euthanazed on Cragavad, Cultra, Co. Down (J419813). 16 May 2007 at Timoleague, Co. Cork Marcus Potts. (W484439). Rob Howe, Fran Wolstenholme, Male. 2.05 m. Found on 7 February 2007 at Padraig Whooley. Ardmore Boat Cove, Ardmore, Co. Waterford Unsexed. 1.2 m. Found on 29 May 2007 at (X194775). John King. Loher Beach, Waterville, Co. Kerry Male. 1.3 m. Found on 11 February 2007 at (V493615). Rosemary Hill, Mick O’Connell. Long Strand, Clonakilty, Co. Cork Unsexed. 1.23 m. Found on 12 August 2007 at (W332337). Claire Pollock and Colin Barton. Omey Island, Co. Galway (L554559). David Unsexed. c.1.5 m. Found on 15 February 2007 at Lee. Barleycove, Mizen, Co. Cork (V766253). Female. c.2 m. Live stranded and euthanazed on Rose Golding. 20 August 2007 at Old Head Beach, Two live stranded; one female 2.09 m died, the Louisburgh, Co. Mayo (L838823). Shay other unsexed/unmeasured was refloated; on Fennelly, Eoin McGreal (NPWS).

Irish Naturalists’ Journal 29 No.1 2008 43 INJ 29 (1) 29/08/2008 13:18 Page 44

CETACEAN NOTES

Unsexed. c.2 m. Found on 20 August 2007 at Curran Strand, Portrush, Co. Antrim Barrow Beach, , Co. Kerry (Q732192). (C864407). Jim Allen. Martin Gill, Erin O’Connell (Tralee Golf Male. 2.35 m. Found on 11 March 2007 at Club). Waterville, Co. Kerry (V485672). Rosemary Male. 2.16 m. Found on 3 September 2007 at Hill, Mick O’Connell. Stradbally Strand, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry Unsexed. Found on 18 March 2007 at (Q584134). Kate O’Dwyer, Mick O’Connell. Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal (C044370). Unsexed. 1.89 m. Found on 4 September 2007 Elizabeth McKenna. at Fermoyle Strand, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry Unsexed. Skull found on 5 September 2007 at (Q552124). Kevin Flannery (Dingle Trawalua Strand, Co. Sligo (G693551). Edel Oceanworld), Mick O’Connell. Costello, Don Cotton, Jean Dunleavy. Male. 2.01 m. Found on 9 September 2007 at Unsexed. c.3 m. Live stranded and refloated on Cuas Crome, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry 15 December 2007 at Marble Hill Strand, (V439822). Gerry Enright, Mick O’Connell. Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal (C031377). Unsexed. 1.02 m. Found on 11 September 2007 Richard Harshaw, Robin Law, Frank Storrs. at Fermoyle Strand, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry Unsexed. Found on 18 December 2007 at (Q549124). Kate O’Dwyer, Mick O’Connell. , Clew Bay, Co. Mayo (L913869). Unsexed. 2.04 m. Live stranded and died on 19 Shay Fennelly, Joe Gibbons, Rhoda Twombly. October 2007 at Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry Female. 2.32 m. Found entangled in beach set (V436649). John Lyne, Rosemary Hill. drift net on 21 December 2007 at Ventry Female. 1.98 m. Found on 24 October 2007 at Strand, Co. Kerry (V375997). David Red Barn Strand, Youghal, Co. Cork Chippendale. (X087740). Pat Smiddy, Emer Rogan. Unsexed. 1.88 m. Found on 29 October 2007 at Striped or Common Dolphin Waterville, Co. Kerry (V486667). Rosemary Male. 2.22 m. Found on 2 January 2007 at Cross Hill. Beach, Belmullet, Co. Mayo (F639306). Irene Female. 1.68 m. Live stranded on 6 December O’Brien (NPWS). 2007 at Dooghmakeon Strand, Emlagh, Co. Unsexed. c.2 m. Found on 18 February 2007 at Mayo (L743805). Euthanased on the 7 Sherkin Island, Co. Cork (W018265). Robbie December 2007. Barry Gaffney, Eoin Murphy (Sherkin Island Marine Station). McGreal (NPWS). Unsexed. 2.16 m. Found on 15 March 2007 at Female. 1.92 m. Found on 8 December 2007 at Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford (T110046). Nemestown, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford Tony Murray (NPWS). (S987033). Jim Hurley. Male. 2.13 m. Found on 29 September 2007 at Male. 1.8 m. Live stranded and euthanazed on Waterville, Co. Kerry (V483675). Rosemary 10 December 2007 at Fox Point, Barnatra, Hill. Co. Mayo (F767330). Sue Callaghan Unsexed. c.1 m. Found on 10 November 2007 at (NPWS), John Carey, Leonard Floyde, Lee Dog’s Bay, Ballyconneely, Co. Galway McDaid (NPWS), Belmullet Gardai. (L689387). Zoë Popper. Unsexed. Found on 16 December 2007 at Unsexed. c.1.7m. Found on 24 November 2007 Ballytrent Beach, Carnsore, Co. Wexford at Ardamine Strand, Co. Wexford (T203570). (T135084). David Shannon, Tony Murray Gavin O’Sé. (NPWS). Male. 1.47 m. Found on 18 December 2007 at Unidentified dolphin Ballinesker, Curracloe, Co. Wexford Unsexed. Found on 23 January 2007 near (T121299). Kevin McCormick, Tony Murray Cahore Point, Co. Wexford (T224459). (NPWS), Paddy O’Sullivan. Skeletal. Eugene Brennan. Unsexed. Found on 23 January 2007 near Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops truncatus Cahore Point, Co. Wexford (T221452). In (Montagu, 1821) poor condition but beak present. Eugene Unsexed. 3.2 - 3.35 m. Found on 2 January 2007 Brennan. at An Caladh Mór, Inis Maan , Aran Islands, Unsexed. Skull, tail stock and tail fluke found on Co. Galway (L951065). Fergal Waldron. 26 February 2007 at Pier, Co. Mayo Female. c.3.4 m. Found on 24 January 2007 at (L894832). Lorraine Shelley.

44 Irish Naturalists’ Journal 29 No.1 2008 INJ 29 (1) 29/08/2008 13:18 Page 45

CETACEAN NOTES / FIELD RECORDS – INSECTS

Unsexed. c.2 m. Skeletal. Found on 14 March Donegal (C107355). Pete Smith. 2007 at Dog’s Bay, Roundstone, Co. Galway Unsexed. 2.6 m. Found on 1 October 2007 at (L692381). Rob Holloway (NPWS). Murvey Machair, Ballyconneely Bay, Co. Unsexed. Live stranded on 19 August 2007 at Galway (L617420). Rob Holloway. Sandy Bay, Castlegregory, Co. Kerry (Q621152). Refloated before it could be iden- tified. Waterworld Dive Centre, Jamie Knox Common dolphin Delphinus Watersports. Unsexed. c.2 m. Live stranded and refloated on delphis L. at Ballycotton 22 August 2007 at Tra Mor, Sheephaven Bay, A dead Common Dolphin was discovered at Co. Donegal (C108359). Irish Seal Sanctuary. Ballycotton, Co. Cork (W9865) on 16 October Unsexed. c.2 m. Found on 22 September 2007 2006. We examined it the next day and noted on the south shore of Eddy Island, Co. that it was freshly dead so it clearly showed the Galway (M338161). Micheline Sheehy- distinctive hourglass colour pattern. It measured Skeffington, Sabine Springer. 1.64m in length. Six Hooded Crows (Corvus Unsexed. c.1.7 m. Found on 2 December 2007 corone cornix L.) and three Great Black-backed at Ballinrannig, Smerwick Harbour, Co. Gulls (Larus marinus L.) were observed feeding Kerry (Q375052). Carlsen Cloney, Sara on the carcase and had damaged the genital area Millar. to such an extent that its sex could not be deter- Unsexed. <1.8 m. Found on 21 December 2007 mined. We could find no evidence to suggest it at Dundrum Bay, Newcastle, Co. Down was fishing by-catch as there were no net marks (J409338). Anne McComb. and the pectoral flippers, tail fluke and dorsal fin Unsexed. c.2 m. Found on 28 December 2007 at were all in perfect shape. St. Finan’s Bay, Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry Chris Cullen (V389684). Declan Sullivan. Aghavine, Ballymacoda, Co. Cork Patrick Smiddy Unidentified baleen whale Ballykenneally, Ballymacoda, Co. Cork Unsexed. c.6.3 m (excluding head and tail). Found on 30 September 2007 at Trawalua Strand, Co. Sligo (G686536). Don Cotton, Jean Dunleavy. Unsexed. c.3 m. Found on 10 November 2007 at Field Records – Insects Sherkin Island, Co. Cork (W025246). Robbie Murphy. Agathidium confusum Brisout Unidentified whale species (Coleoptera: Leiodidae) a fungus Unsexed. Found on 14 September 2007 at Little Turk South, Clifden Bay, Co. Galway beetle new to the Irish list (L573530). Dorothy Cross, John Towler. A large number of Agathidium beetles were Male. c.8 m. Found on 12 December 2007 at Tra knocked from the aerial branches of a large Huston, Lettermullen, Co. Galway ripped-out oak Quercus bough within the open (L834221). Martin Mannion, Padraic de wood pasture of the Great Deer Park, Glenarm, Bhaldraithe, Galway County Council. Co. Antrim D2911, 20 May 2006. Comparison of the specimens with the keys in Cooter (J. 1996 Unidentified cetacean species Entomologist’s Monthly Magazine 132: 205-232) Unsexed. c.4 m. Found on 10 January 2007 at suggested that the four specimens retained were Ballyteigue Burrow, Kilmore Quay, Co. most probably A. confusum Brisout. This was Wexford (S961034). Niall Durnan, Jim subsequently confirmed by J. Cooter, who retains Hurley. two specimens within his reference collection. Unsexed. Found on 12 February 2007 at The other two will be passed to the Ulster Carnsore Point, Co. Wexford (T112046). Museum in due course. Tony Murray (NPWS). The wood-decay Leiodidae all appear to be Unsexed. c.1.5 m. Live stranded and died on 6 rare in Ireland and A. confusum has not been July 2007 at Tra Mor, Sheephaven Bay, Co. reported previously. It is also a notable rarity in

Irish Naturalists’ Journal 29 No.1 2008 45