Bird News Monday 8th June 2026

At least one Cetti's still singing close to McNabb's, Killough (Chris Murphy).

Red-footed Falcon still near Jenkinstown on Cooley Peninsula, Co Louth. Unfortunately photos from yesterday show two ticks around its left eye though it continues to feed voraciously. Still present mid afternoon feeding on insects and worms (John Lambe). Still present this evening (Ewan McKenzie).

Chough again on Rathlin; the first sighting in a fortnight (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Black-necked Grebe continuing at Oxford Island (per Ed O’Hara). Still present 7pm (Aiden Donohoe).

Osprey at the Quoile also a Black Swan at large (Wren Kirkpatrick).

2 probable Orcas off Tory on Saturday (James McNelis).

Red-footed Falcon, Shane Brighton:

Osprey, Wren Kirkpatrick:

Chough, Ric Else:

Bird News Sunday 7th June 2026

A Black-necked Grebe was off the Croaghan Hide, Oxford Island m, this morning (Garry Armstrong). The bird was still showing at 2:15 (Stuart Cossey)

The female Red-footed Falcon was still showing well at Jenkinstown, Co Louth (Mark Elliott)

The Spoonbill continues at the Quoile (Jeff Larkin)

The Mediterranean Gulls now have young at RSPB WoW (Stuart McKee)

Two adult and 3 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker were visiting a garden near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)

Red-footed Falcon, Mark Elliott:

Black-backed Grebe, record shot, Daniel Newton:

Bird News Saturday 6th June 2026

The Red-footed Falcon is still at the same location in Co. Louth. (Stuart McKee, David Steele, Garry Armstrong). The bird was still present to at least 4.00pm. (Nigel Moore).

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Roslea in Co. Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

A possible Hobby was seen  flying over Ballyculter, near Castleward. (David Stirling).

There was no sign of the Spoonbill at the Quoile today. (Alan Fitzsimmons).

Pairs of Mediterranean Gulls continue at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Aaron Somerville).

A Yellowhammer was singing at Greyabbey. (J Martin).

Red-footed Falcon, Nigel Moore.

Bird News Friday 5th June 2026

Red footed Falcon still at the same spot in Co Louth near Jenkinstown on the Cooley Peninsula (Fergal Stanley / Chris Rankin). At https://maps.app.goo.gl/eGik7Cvufv17LshN9?g_st=iw

Male Crossbill over Fivemiletown garden thus morning. Yesterday 2 Crossbills at Corchloghy, Co Tyrone and a Spotted Flycatcher on the Augher River Walk (Colin Bell).

Adult Hobby in the Antrim Hills (Ian Dickey). Also a Whinchat (Chris Hamilton).

Hobby, Ian Dickey:

Red-footed Falcon, Michael Latham:

Bird News Thursday 4th June 2026

The Red-footed Falcon was again showing well this morning at Jenkinstown, Co Louth. (Fergal Stanley) Please park here and walk back to the main road where the bird frequents the rough stoney field. The bird was still present at 5pm (Bob Watts). The bird was present at 9pm (Stephen Dunbar) https://maps.app.goo.gl/67xEYq6PyDsujpKz8?g_st=ipc

A white Red Kite was seen in the Antrim Hills. (Dermot Hughes) Any other sightings of this bird would be welcome.

The Spoonbill was still at the Quoile (Garry and Gayle Wilkinson)

A Marsh Harrier was still at Inch, Co Donegal (Arnie Livingstone)

Spoonbill, Quoile, Garry Wilkinson:

Marsh Harrier, Arnie Livingstone:

Bird News Wednesday 3rd June 2026

 The 1st summer female Red-footed Falcon is still on the Cooley Peninsula in Co. Louth. (Birdguides).

Red-footed Falcon, John Murphy:

Bird News Tuesday 2nd June 2026

1st summer female Red-footed Falcon still present Co Louth at same site as yesterday at Cooley Point (Bird Info Services).

Marsh Harrier on Rathlin (Tomas Hand).

Golden Eagle soaring high above Glynn at 1420 before heading west, a very tatty individual (Tim Davies).

White-tailed Eagle, 2 Ospreys and Spoonbill at the Quoile (Chris Murphy).

No sign of Marsh Sandpiper at Lough Bef from legitimate viewing points, Little Stint the best (Martin Deehan / Theo Campbell). No sign this evening (David Steele). Please note all areas apart from Longpoint Wood viewing point are out of bounds. 

Red-footed Falcon, Peter Phillips & Leia Getty:

Bird News Monday 1st June 2026

The Red-footed Falcon was in Co Louth at 5:30pm at this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zFKXTepeTdzfmPbKA?g_st=ic

The White-tailed Eagle was seen again at the Quoile (Paul Megaghy)

Yesterday a Red-footed Falcon was in the Cooley Mountains, Louth (Gerry Carolan)

A Hobby was at Long Point viewing area, Lough Beg (David Steele)

The Spoonbill was still at the Quoile (Chris Murphy)

The Marsh Sandpiper was again at Lough Beg this evening and appeared in the southwest corner about 19.30. At 20.30 it flew out again and was relocated back on the western shoreline where it was found last Friday. Present there amongst other waders (godwits etc) up to 21.20 though rather distant. It is worth checking Long Point. Two Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Stint were on the western shore this evening (David Steele) Please note that the meadows have breeding waders and birders should not walk them and obey all signs in the area.

Bird News Sunday 31st May 2026

There are now 5 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart McKee).

The immature Spoonbill is back on Lough Beg west shoreline. (David Steele).

An adult Little Tern and 1st year Arctic Tern were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart Cossey).

The Spoonbill was still at Castle Island hide at the Quoile. (Paul Hunter).

A Cuckoo was at Murlough Beach Nature Reserve this morning. (Alan Fitzsimmons).

The Little Stint was again off the hide at the Bann Estuary but flocks very mobile. (Jeff Larkin).

Darvagh Forest near Cookstown had a Cuckoo and 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers. (Godfrey McRoberts).

Spoonbill, David Steele.

Cuckoo, Alan Fitzsimmons.

Spoonbill, Paul Hunter.

Bird News Saturday 30th May 2026

Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher and 3 Corncrake on Tory Island, Donegal (Theo Campbell).

Spoonbill (does not seem to be a full adult), north side of Church Island, Lough Beg, viewable from Long Point. No sign of Marsh Sand this morning from any of the paths / boardwalk (Derek Brennan et al).

3 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls and a 2nd calendar year bird at Belfast Lough WoW (Bob Watts).

Little Stint continuing at the Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood).

Probable Carrion Crow along Ormeau Embankment, Belfast (Mark Smyth).

Spoonbill, Derek Brennan:

Bird News Friday 29th May 2026

A Marsh Sandpiper was at Lough Beg this evening on the western shoreline for 30 minutes till 20.00 when it flew up. Scope views only but no further signs to up to 21.15 but possibly still present. Unfortunately access to the shorelines is currently restricted due to nesting birds so hopefully it might reappear at Church Island / Long Point viewing area (David Steele)

A Little Ringed Plover was off the Tready Hide, Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan)

A Reed Warbler was at Loughinisland. A Spotted Flycatcher was at Tievenadarragh Wood, also near Loughinisland. A high count of 60 Black-tailed Godwots were at Castleisland Hide, Quoile (Maurice McNeely)

The Spoonbill was at the Quoile (Dave Weir)

A Marsh Harrier was at Inch, Donegal (Searlas Anderson)

The immature and tagged White-tailed Eagle was at the Quoile (Dot Blakely / Jill Edgar)

Marsh Sandpiper, David Steele:

Little Ringed Plover, Derek Brennan:

Marsh Harrier (BoC), Searlas Anderson:

White-tailed Eagle, Jill Edgar:

Swift Walk

The North Down Swift Conservation Group are having a Swift Walk & Talk in Donaghadee on 12 June.

Tickets are free but attendees need to register ahead of time here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swift-walk-and-talk-tickets-1987817309082

Bird News Thursday 28th May 2026

 A Red Kite was at Duburren, Co. Armagh. (Aobh McAnulty, John Spottiswood).

A Little Stint was with the wader flock at the Bann estuary. (Matthew Tickner).

A Spotted Flycatcher was at the Six Mile Water in Antrim. )Aidan Donohoe).

Little Stint, John Clarke.