Bird News for Thursday 15th March

A Red Kite with a light band on the left wing was along High Street in Comber (Francis Duffin).
An Iceland Gull was at McConnells Weir, Belfast (Birdguides)

Along the Antrim coast 54 Pale-bellied Brent were at Carnlough (Iris Millar).

Our thanks to Christine Cassidy who kindly sent in this image from the Seacoast Rd Limavady of the huge mixed flock of Grey Geese and Whooper Swans, which have been present in the area throughout the winter

Bird News for Wednesday 14th March

At Todds Corner, Ardmore Road on the south side of Lough Neagh today were 2 Brent Geese, 3 Pinkfeet, 1 Bean Goose and 1 Russian White fronted Goose with a large flock of Greylag.
(Looked for but did not locate anymore white fronted geese along Ardmore Road and Reedy flat). (David McCreedy)

The 4 Russian White-fronted Geese were with 279 Greylag in the fields north of Greyabbey. A Little Egret was at the back of the garage south of Kircubbin. A Sandwich Tern was at Portaferry marina and a first-winter Iceland Gull at Granagh Bay just east of there (George Gordon).

In Belfast 6 Buzzard were soaring high over Glencairn Park. Another Buzzard was at Upper Crumlin Road (Ricky McQuillan).

A Peregrine flew over a garden in Fivemiletown being mobbed by Pied Wagtails. (Colin Bell).

The probable 1st winter Grey Bellied Brant was still with Pale Bellied Brent at Killough Harbour. (Tim Murphy).

A first winter Iceland Gull as at Whitehead Promenade. Many thanks to Cameron Moore for these pics of the bird:

 

Free Farmland Bird Survey

The RSPB are offering a free survey of farmland for farmers under the EU Life programme. Such work is vital to help birds such as the Yellowhammer (picture below). Not only will they identify the species using the farmland but will also give farmers general advice on supporting the bird species. If you, or someone you know is interested in learning further about this, please contact Patsy Harbinson at:
patsy.harbinson@rspb.org.uk
Phone: 028 9049 1547.

Bird News Tuesday 13th March

5 Iceland Gulls were in a ploughed field opposite Ballyliffin Cottages between the Giants Causeway and Bushmills. (Philip West).
The two Iceland Gull (2nd-winter and juvenile) were at McConnell's Weir (Birdguides)
3/4 Yellowhammer were along Gateside Road in Portrush (Iris Millar).
A flock of 80 Eider Duck were at Magilligan point today (Charles Stewart)
Thanks to Charles for the pic of the Eider and Stephen Maxwell for the pic of a Lesser Redpoll

Bird News Monday 12th March

A Rough Legged Buzzard, 6 Yellowhammer inc 3 singing males and a Sparrowhawk were at H359969 Strabane, Co Tyrone. The Townland name is Liskinbwee. (Tyrone Nelson)

A possible Short-toed Lark was reported at Baltray, Co. Louth, near the tower viewed from the gate at the end of the track this morning; reported as present for several weeks (Peter Phillips)

Along the Armagh shore of Lough Neagh the second-calendar year Marsh Harrier was at Reedy Flat. There was no sign of the Tundra Bean Goose. 2 Pink-footed Geese were with 300 Greylag at Oxford Island (Jeff Larkin).

Along the Antrim coast a Great Northern Diver, 4 Twite and 2 Black Guillemot were at Glenarm. 6 Wigeon and 24 Pale-bellied Brent were at Carnlough (Iris Millar).

At Larne Lough 5 Greenshank and an adult Iceland Gull were at Glynn. A first-winter Iceland Gull and 5 Purple Sandpiper were at Whitehead (Cameron Moore).

A female Sparrowhawk was at Botanic Gardens in Belfast (Ricky McQuillan).

This morning 40+ Greyleg Geese were at Anne's Point, Strangford Lough, there was no sign of the Russian Whitefronted geese. Also 12 Pale-Bellied Brent were just west of Anne's Point along with 3 Curlews. (David McCormick).

In Louth a second-year Iceland Gull and 5 Red-throated Diver were at Gyles Quay. A Pink-footed Goose, Barnacle Goose and Canada Goose were at Blackrock (Ivor McDonald).

Thanks to David McCormick and Alistair Prentice for todays pictures, you can see more of Alistair's pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/

Meadow Pipit - Alistair Prentice

Stonechat - Alistair Prentice

Bullfinch - Alistair Prentice

Brent Geese - David McCormick

For your diary

A reminder that the work of NI Bird Photogrpahers will be presented by Dave Tipling at the NIOC on Tuesday 20th March at 7:30pm, at the Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens. All are welcome

Separately, the AGM of Copeland Bird Observatory will also be held that night at the Ulster Museum at 7:30pm.

Bird News Sunday 11th March

Around Lough Neagh, Reedy Flats had a Tundra Bean Goose, 3 Pinkfeet and 27 Russian Whitefronts. The Portmore area had 300+ Whooper, 1 Bewicks Swan 1500 Golden Plover (Ed O'Hara)

Portmuck, Islandmagee had 14 Red-throated Diver, 4 Gannet and 8 Harbour Porpoise. Black Head had 11 Red-throated Diver (Ian Enlander)

A third winter Iceland Gull was at Newcastle Harbour and of the harbour there were 1 Black-throated Diver and 10 Red-throated Diver (S.Foster)

A Merlin was at Reedy Flat and a Pink-footed Goose at Oxford Island. 3 Pink-footed Geese, 200 Whooper Swan and 20 Greylag were at Lady Bay on the Antrim shore of Lough Neagh (Shirley Dunlop, Gerard McGeehan)

South of Gransha Point 7Black-throated Diver and 2 G N Diver. A further 8 G N Diver at Marlfield. A 1st year Iceland Gull and 7 Sandwich Tern at Portaferry. A Merlin on Burial Island. (R.Weyl)

The Short eared Owl was seen again on Chapel Island, the 4 Russian White fronted Geese were feeding in fields to the left of the viewpoint looking onto Chapel Island and 17 Slavonian Grebe were at Greyabbey Bay South.(G.Armstrong/P.West)

A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Giants Causeway and an ad Iceland Gull at Portballintrae.(C.Guy)

A North Eastern Jackdaw was at Lisburn Railway Station (Vernon Carter)

2 Raven and 1,000 Starling were at the old landfill site along Hightown Road above Glengormley but there was no sign of the Snow Buntings (Andy Elliott).

5 Buzzard were seen around the Dundonald area.(S.Maxwell)

Dipper-C.Smyth

Pale-bellied Brent Geese feeding at Ballymacormick Point - David McCormick

Whooper Swans - Ed O'Hara

Whitefronted Geese

If you have not yet seen them, you may want to make the effort to catch up with the visiting Russian \ European Whitefronts (albifrons). This subspecies is extremely rare in NI, with perhaps only two previous records.
The harsh winter on the continent has seen dispersion into the UK and Ireland. There are presently 4 with the Greylag flock at Annes Point, County Down and circa 30 at Reedy Flats Lough Neagh. The usual Whitefronts in Ireland are of the Greeland form (flavirostris) with these birds normally wintering at Lough Macnean, Co.Fermanagh and occassionally Myroe Levels. (The Wexford Slobs hold virtually the whole wintering population).
Below are pictures of individuals of both forms, along with a flock of the Russian Whitefronts. Below we have also summarised the main differences and thanks to Paul Kelly for contributing comments about the ID of the Russian form:

Russian White-fronts show the Pink-footed warm wash to upper breast and lower neck and the head is pale and not dark like Greenland. The fact one can see the tram lines or furrows to the area above ear-coverts as being darker, out lining the facial features is very good, Greenland fails to show this as the head is a tad darker. Wider white barring to bigger coverts is also strong as is the broad white bars to scapulars on an adult based on a grayish background.

The necks appear stocky, like Pink-foot and the pinkish, smaller bill also add to the bigger picture.

In Russian, on the tail, the amount of white shown and rather uneven pattern is strong. Greenland is always evenly squared-off and dark tail band extending closer to tip.

 

Russian Whitefronts - Ed O'Hara

Greenland Whitefront - Christine Cassidy

Russian Whitefront flock, Lough Neagh - Ed O'Hara

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Kite News

Many thanks to Adam McClure for an update on the movement of two kites which have been missing from their respective regions in Ireland.
Back in December, we received several reports of kites in the Herring Bay area of the Ards Peninsula. Following several follow-up visits Adam identified one of the birds as pale blue / white B1, a Southern bird. B1 was one of the 39 birds released in Fingal last summer, mentioned above, but had not been seen for a few weeks. Adam was delighted to identify the bird and was even happier to discover he has been associating with brown / white 39, a 2011 female from a nest near Downpatrick. While still too young to breed this year, it's definitely a case of watch this space!
In the efforts of equality it's only right that we should “give the South one of our birds” and this is exactly what happened when black V, or Volt as it's known, turned up in Avoca, Wicklow on 23 February 2012. Volt had not been recorded in Northern Ireland for some time, and this perfectly illustrates how Red Kites can seemingly vanish for long periods before reappearing...a habit which is as fascinating as it is frustrating!

Bird News for Saturday 10th March

Late news for yesterday - The Bonaparte's Gull was on the shore at Ballygalley before flying off south (Hill Dick, Peter Robinson) and the Rough-legged Buzzard was again at Chapel Island, Strangford Lough (Birdguides)
 

At Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh this mroning were the Tundra Bean Goose, 3 Pinkfeet, 2 Greenland Whitefronts, 27Russian Whitefronts, 300 Curlew and 40 Black-tail Godwit (Ed O'Hara)

At the Bann Estuary were an adult Ring-billed Gull, a 1st winter Iceland Gull and a 1st winter and 2nd winter Mediteranean Gulls. (Neal Warnock)

Greyabbey Bay had 36 Slavonian grebe. The 4 Russian Whitefronts were still with the Greylag flock south of Annes Point. (Richard Weyl)
A Black Redstart was at Blackhead, Co Antrim (Paul McCullogh)
3 Crossbills were this afternoon at Clabby Mountain, near Clabby Co Fermanagh. A male was doing a song flight (Colin Bell)
The flock of 40 Snow Buntings was still at the old landfill site along Hightown Road above Glengormley (Larry Toal)
Corbally Resevoir Portrush had 14 Iceland Gull, a Glaucous Gull and a leucistic Herring Gull. A 1st winter Iceland and a 1st winter Mediteranean Gull were at Runkerry Point. (Neal Warnock)
 

Geese at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh - Ed O'Hara

Little Egret, Quoile - Tony Donaldson

Bird News for Friday 9th March.

6 Yellowhammer were just outside Knockloughrim Co.L'derry.(D.Hughes)

A pair of Goosander was along the River Maine at Slaght near Ballymena (David Steele).

A Jack Snipe was at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB Reserve (Brad Robson).

A Peregrine Falcon was along the Short Strand in Belfast (Ricky McQuillan). 

4 Buzzards were calling, soaring and 2 food- passing over SEELB HQ (the old Dundonald Girls High School, Grahamsbridge Rd, Dundonald) (Ronnie Milligan)

Our thanks to Zach McCreery aged 10 who sent in this wonderful image of a Buzzard at Killough to-day, I know now were to get lessons.

Bird News for Thursday 8th March.

Between 600-700 birds were in a mixed flock of both Whooper Swan and Grey Geese at Myroe, at least 38 of these were Greenland White-fronted Geese (photo below).A large flock of 3500 Golden Plover were north of the Roe Estuary.(C.Stewart)

The two Iceland Gull were still at McConnell's Weir in Belfast.

Along the Outer Ards a female Long-tailed Duck was at Ballyhalbert (Ian Turkington).

The second-winter Ring-billed Gull and 2 Carrion Crow were at Groomsport.

1000 Golden Plover were at the Belfast RSPB harbour estate. (J.McKeown)



Our thanks to Charles Stewart for his images from Myroe of Greenland White-fronted Geese and a Little Egret and also to Alistair Prentice who sent in the images of the Bullfinch and a busy female Blackbird.

Bird News Wednesday 7th March

The blue phase Snow Goose is still at Lough Macnean, County Fermanagh (Brad Robson)
The Tundra Bean Goose was at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh along with 30 European White-fronted Geese and 2 Pinkfeet (Joe Devlin)

The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport harbour today (Birdguides)
Two Iceland Gull, the 2nd-winter and juvenile, were still at McConnell's Weir on the River Lagan (Birdguides)
The Bonaparte's Gull was at Chaine Memorial Tower in Larne. A Purple Sandpiper and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull were at Sandy Bay and 5 Purple Sandpiper at the pier in Whitehead (Cameron Moore).
The 4 Russian White-fronted Geese were with the Greylag in the fields north of Greyabbey. A first-winter Iceland Gull and 7 Sandwich Tern were at Portaferry. 5 Gannet were at Ballyquintin Point and another Gannet at Burial Island (George Gordon).
An adult Mediterranean Gull coming into summer plumage flew past Briggs Rocks near Groomsport (Colin Guy).
1400+ pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Myroe flats today. (Gareth Bareham and Lynne Peoples)
Thanks to David McCool for this photograph of an aberrant Chaffinch in the Limavady area and to Joe Devlin for the shot of the Tundra Bean and the Whitefronts.

Lough Beg Road Proposals - 'Lough Beg for Life'

Lough Beg is one of Ireland’s most special wetlands for birds, a site of international importance but local farmers and nature conservationists are calling on everyone opposed to the plan to re-route the A6 between Randalstown and Castledawson to join them. They hope such an alliance will assert influence on the government that will lead to a re-think of its long-term regional transport strategy. 

The group ‘Lough Beg for Life’ believes the government’s preferred route for this controversial scheme will lead to huge and irrevocable damage to the internationally acclaimed Lough Neagh and Lough Beg Special Protection Area.

Lough Beg is a flight way for thousands of migratory birds and where, on meadows such as The Creagh, hundreds of Icelandic Whooper Swans spend half the year between October and March. After centuries of land fragmentation and decades of building in the countryside, these bird-rich meadows now represent the regions’ largest intact area of lowland wet grassland, one of the scarcest natural habitats in Northern Ireland.  ‘Lough Beg for Life’ is calling on everyone with an interest in Lough Beg and a love of nature, to join them in opposing the government’s preferred A6 re-routing through The Creagh.

Any artists or photographers might also be interested in a painting and photography competition themed "Lough Beg for Life' with prizes and an exhibition in Castledawson from 13-15 April. The competition will be judged and the exhibition opened by Gordon D'Arcy wildlife artist and author of the classic 'Birds at Lough Beg'. For more information on taking part or supporting the campaign to save Lough Beg from this road proposal, birders can phone Rosalind Mulholland on 028 79 386235.

Myroe Wind Farm

Followers of this website might be interested in a public consultation event for a 5 turbine wind farm at Myroe Wind Farm, Oystervale, Myroe. Local birders have expressed concern about the location of a wind farm near Myroe Levels and Lough Foyle bird life. The consultations is on Wednesday, March 14th 2012, 2pm -7pm, at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, 24 Main Street, Limavady, BT49 0FJ.

Bird News Tuesday 6th March

A Barn Owl was seen near Killyleagh this evening. (Anna Starbuck).
Thanks to Danny Boyd, David McCormick, Jeff Silvers and Alistair Prentice for today's excellent pictures.

Siskin - Danny Boyd

Black Guillemot - Danny Boyd

Long Tailed Tit - Alistair Prentice

Brent Geese - David McCormick

Cormorant - David McCormick

Redshank - Jeff Silvers

Bird News Monday 5th March

In Killough a Whimbrel, first noticed yesterday evening, has joined the wintering flock of 63 Curlew. Also 800 Golden Plover, 5 Greenshank, 3 Little Egrets and 9 pairs of Shelduck. Brent Goose numbers are down to 350, but there was no sign of the possible 1st winter Grey-bellied Brent today. (Chris Murphy).
Along the Armagh shore of Lough Neagh a Tundra Bean Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese and 16 Russian White-fronted Geese were at Reedy Flat (Clifford Sharpe).
The two Iceland Gull were still at McConnells Weir, Ormeau Embankment, Belfast (W Farrelly)
A second-year Iceland Gull was at Antrim Road Waterworks in Belfast (David Knight).
A Buzzard was in flight being mobbed by 2 Hooded Crows at Carnmoney Hill. (Jim McKeown).
A juvenile Iceland Gull was at the Bog Meadows in Belfast. (Bird Guides).

Thanks to Danny Boyd and Alistair Prentice for todays excellent pictures. You can check out more of Alistairs pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/

Stonechat - Alistair Prentice

Blackcap - Danny Boyd

Black Guillemot - Danny Boyd

Bird News Sunday 4th March

The Tundra Bean Goose was with 2 Pink Feet, 31 White Fronts and approximately 100 Greylag at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh, 2 Little Egret were also seen. 3 Pink Feet were with Greylags in fields along Diamond Lane near Portmore RSPB reserve. (Philip West)
A Green-winged Teal was at Mullagh, Lough Beg. The Beg itself had 1,000 Teal and 600 Whooper Swan. 4 Ruff, 15 Pintail and 800 Golden Plover were at Church Island (David Steele).
A male Crossbill was at Monea in Fermanagh (Brad Robson).
The flock of 40 Snow Bunting was still at the old landfill site along Hightown Road above Glengormley (Larry Toal)
The 4 Russian Whitefronts were still at Annes Point, the female type Black Redstart was still at the farm buildings at Knockinelder Bay and a Short-Eared Owl was at Ballyquintin Point. (Richard Weyl).
The 1w goose, possibly a Grey-bellied Brent, was still frequenting Killough Harbour, with 465 Pale-bellied. Also in the bay a Gadwall (rare there!). (Chris Murphy)
An escaped bird of prey with jesses and a bell was seen in a garden in Moneymore, Co. Derry. (L Lawrence).

If you have any bird news, please report to: nibirds@live.co.uk

Shelduck - Stephen Maxwell

Great-creasted Grebes, Oxford Island - Cecil Smith

Bird News Saturday 3rd March

Late news for yesterday: 3 small skeins of Whitefronts were in flight over Myroe. One of them of 12 birds had a white Snow Goose (Hill Dick and Peter Robinson)
The white morph Snow Goose was with 250 Greylag on the seaward side of the Roe estuary, 250 Bar Tailed Godwit were also present. 300 Pale Bellied Brent and 10 Twite were at Myroe Levels. (Charles Stewart).
Also from yesterday, a presumed Rough-legged Buzzard was in a field on the Rossglass Road, circa 1.5miles west of Killough, Co. Down yesterday 2nd March at about 4.00pm. (Norman Dunlop)
The Bonaparte's Gull was still at Ballygalley (Paul Scott)
The adult Kumlien's Gull was again at Glynn Railway Station. Also a 2nd-winter Iceland Gull there. A 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull was also at Glynn Lagoon.(Neal Warnock)
6 Black Throated Diver were south of Gransha Point. (Richard Weyl).
5 Buzzard were at Dundonald and 3 more Buzzard were at Greyabbey. (Stephen Maxwell).
The Red Crested Pochard is still present at Oxford Island. (Bird Guides)

A small Canada Goose (probably a Ricardsons Canada Goose) and a Greenland Whitefront was with a large flock of Barnacle Geese near Malin town at Inishowen in Co. Donegal this afternoon, see pictures below. (Christine Cassidy)

2 Iceland Gulls, a 2nd year and a 3rd year, were on the River Foyle at Derry near the Council Offices and the Sainsbury's supermarket. (Dermot Hughes).
The probable 1st winter Grey Bellied Brent Goose was still with Pale Bellied Brent in Killough Harbour. (Bird Guides)

Thanks to Charles Stewart, Stephen Maxwell and Christine Cassidy for today's pictures.

Canada and Barnacle Geese - Christine Cassidy

Greenland White Front & Barnacle Geese - Christine Cassidy 

Myroe - Charles Stewart

Buzzards - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News Friday 2nd March

The 2 Iceland Gull, a juvenile and a 2nd winter, and a Kingfisher were at McConnell's Weir on the River Lagan in Belfast. (Bird Guides).

Yesterday a Little Egret was seen taking off from a narrow canal in Newtownards and flying towards Strangford Lough. (John Fitzsimmons).

The Richard's Pipit was seen again at Killard Point. (Guy Hamilton).

4 Goosander, 3 of them male, were at Movanagher fish farm along the River Bann a mile north of Kilrea. 15 Twite were at Castlerock. (Iris Millar).

A flock of 400 Whooper Swan was at Crindle near Myroe. Another 100 Whooper Swan, 300 Greylag and a Canada Goose were nearby at Swan Bridge. Myroe Levels had a Little Egret, Greenshank, 60 Greylag and 150 Pale-bellied Brent (C Stewart).

4 Purple Sandpiper were on the rocks west of Pickie in Bangor. (Derek Polley).

An adult summer plummaged Mediterranean Gull was at Castle Espie WWT reserve. (Robin Vage).

2 Iceland Gull, a juvenile and a 3rd winter, were at Newcastle/ (Bird Guides)
Thanks to Christine Cassidy for these shots of Whoopers taken at Inch in Co. Donegal today.

Whooper Swans - Christine Cassidy

Whooper Swans - Christine Cassidy