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)

Marsh Sandpiper, David Steele:

Little Ringed Plover, Derek Brennan:

Marsh Harrier (BoC), Searlas Anderson:

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.

Bird News Wednesday 27th May 2026

8 Corncrakes and a 2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull were on Tory this morning. (Theo Campbell).

3 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart McKee).

A Quail was flushed at Kinramer on Rathlin. (James Crymble).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Oxford Island. (Aidan Donohoe).

Spotted Flycatcher, Shelagh Henry.

Boat Trips

There are two boat trips on Saturday (30th May). Ballycastle to Mull to photograph Sea Eagles being fed by boat and Tory/Inishbofin for Corncrake, Chough and Great Skua. Contact Jim Wells on-07856235144 for full details.

Bird News Tuesday 26th May 2026

Spoonbill still at the Quoile (Chris Murphy / David Stirling). Subsequently a White-tailed Eagle (Ashley Buchanan). Female Smew this evening (Chris Murphy).

Corncrake calling Magheraorarty, Donegal (Theo Campbell).

Marsh Harrier at Portmore Lough (Aidan Donohoe).

Bird News Monday 25th May 2026

Spotted Flycatcher at Slievenacloy (Leia Getty).

At least one Garden Warbler at Ely Lodge Forest (Leia Getty).

The long-staying Pink-footed Goose remains on Rathlin feeding with 23 Greylags (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Osprey near Downings, Co Donegal (Kevin Murray).

Spotted Flycatcher, Leia Getty:

Whooper Swans, Tomas Hand:

Bird News Sunday 24th May 2026

A pale phase Arctic Skua was seen of Portstewart Head this morning (Stephen Riddell)

A pair of Scaup were off the play area shore at Oxford Island (Shane Brighton)

An Osprey was reported from Corbett Lough, Bannbridge this morning (per David McCreedy)

3 Cuckoo were up the Antrim Hills (Kenny Moore)

Scaup, Oxford Island, Shane Brighton:

Bird News Saturday 23rd May 2026

Chough continues on Rathlin in Church Bay. Also Tree Pipit and 6+ Spotted Flycatchers (Ric Else /Hazel Watson / Nick Richards).

Falcon species at Portmore Lough chasing Swallows. Initial identification Merlin but behaviour sounds more reminiscent of Hobby (Leia Getty).

6 Mediterranean Gulls at Belfast Lough WoW (Bob Watts).

Small passage of Spotted Flycatcher on Copeland and Hobby yesterday flew towards Donaghadee. Whinchat and Spottes Flycatcher ringed yesterday (per Kevin Rice / Kez / David Stirling).

2+ Spotted Flycatchers in Lagan Park, Dromora (Justin Childs).

A dark phase Arctic Skua of Fanad, Co Donegal this evening (Wilton Farrelly).

Bird News Friday 22nd May 2026

A drake Scaup was at Oxford Island (Ed O’Hara)

The Chough was at the old Kelp Store on Rathlin (Ric Else)

A second calendar year Arctic Tern was at RSPB WoW (Jake Grant / Hannah Kerr)

There will be a round Rathlin boat trip on Monday morning. Weather to be very good. Great chance to see the island's seabird colonies. Contact Jim Wells on -07856235144 for full details.

Chough, Ric Else:

Bird News Thursday 21st May 2026

Arctic Terns back on the island at Strangford Lough (Dermot Hughes).

5+ Yellowhammers Castlerock including 2 singing males (John Spottiswood).

The Chough remains on Rathlin (also seen yesterday), the ring ABZ indicating an Isle of Man origin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

White Tailed Eagle again over Derryadd Bay Lough Neagh 15:45 (Ed O’Hara).

White Stork over Annalong, Co Down (BirdGuides).

Chough, Ric Else:

Whale Watch Ireland 23rd May 2026

 Whale Watch Ireland 2026

Saturday 23rd May

5:00-7:00 PM

 

Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IWDG) invites you to join us at a number of headlands or vantage points for Whale Watch Ireland 2026, Saturday 23rd May 5:00-7:00 PM. This annual event is free - no booking required.

 

While there are of course no guarantees of sightings, given reasonable weather you have a good chance of seeing some of the species that inhabit your local waters. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions on the day + sensible footwear.

 

Please bring binoculars (and spotting scope), stories to share and your sense of humour.

 

Northern Ireland locations

 

Location	Meet at	Leader name	Phone	Email
Ramore Hd, Portrush	Portrush Coastal Zone	Rachele Kempston	078 05626074	rachele.kempston@iwdg.ie
Portmuck, Islandmagee	Car Park	Ian Enlander	078 49853549	ian.enlander1@hotmail.com
Bloody Bridge, Newcastle	Car park	Andy Carden	077 62019160	andycarden58@hotmail.com

 

Further details and list of all watch sites at https://iwdg.ie/whale-watch-ireland-2026/

See you there

IWDG

Bird News Wednesday 20th May 2026

The Pink-footed Goose was still with the Greylags at Glebe, Rathlin (Hazel Watson)

A Pectoral Sandpiper was with the large wader flock at the Bann Estuary (Matthew Tickner)

A White-tailed Eagle went over Derryadd, Lough Neagh at 3:45, heading west (Ed O’Hara)

Two Pomarine Skua were seen from the Belfast to Isle of Man ferry.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Matthew Tickner:

Bird News Tuesday 19th May 2026

'There are 4 seats available for the boat trip to Tory and Inishbofin this Saturday (23rd May). Great opportunity to see Corncrake, Chough and Puffins. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for full details'.

White-tailed Eagle soaring over Derryadd Bay Lough Neagh. Looks like same bird at Oxford Island two days ago (Ed O’Hara).

Bird News Monday 18th May 2026

The Ruddy Shelduck was still at Long Point, Lough Beg. A Reed Warbler was also present (Dermot Hughes)

9 adult Mediterranean Gulls were at RSPB WoW (Bob Watts)

Three Reed Warbler were at Castle Espie this morning (Jonathan Clarke)

Reed Warbler, Jonathan Clarke: