Bid News Sunday 25th June

The Little Ringed Plover was still in the south west corner of Lough Beg this evening (David Steele)

A Kingfisher and a Dipper were in Dromore Park, Dromore this morning. (Chris Rankin).

Thanks to Christine Beggs for the picture of the female Eider and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Stonechat.

 

 

Bird News Saturday 24th June

Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Kilhorne Bay immediately south of Annalong this morning. (Richard Gray).

Thanks to Michael Latham for the picture of the Whinchat from Glendun, to William Smiton for the picture of the Sparrowhawk and to Thoams Campbell for the pictures of the Spotted Flycatcher and the Skylark:

Bird News Friday 23rd June

An adult male Little Ringed Plover was at Lough Beg in the southwest corner, showing well on the muddy area (David Steele)

6 Little Egrets have been feeding at the Floodgates, Newtownards (Tony Steed).

A 2nd year Glaucous Gull flew past Ramore Head in Portrush. (Colin Guy).

A Long-eared Owl was hunting around the Cultra Folk and Transport Museum this evening. (John Edwards)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Castle Archdale Country Park, Co Fermanagh today (Brad Robson)

Thanks to Wilf Swain for the picture of a Curlew.

 

Bird News Thursday 22nd June

At least 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in Grogey Forest, nr Brookeborough, Co. Fermanagh (Clive Mellon)

A pair of Spotted Flycatchers were near the children's play park at the Stormont Estate (Harry Byron)

The Bann Estuary had a sizeable flock of 120 Bar-tailed Godwits, all birds in non-breeding plumage; also present 2 Greenshank. Longfield Point area held 7 singing male Reed Buntings. (Hill Dick/Peter Robinson)

You can share bird news and pics with other birders by sending to nibirds@live.co.uk

Thanks to Wilf Swain for this pic of Oystercatchers in flight:

Bird News Wednesday 21st June

On Rathlin both Little Gulls were still at Rue Point this afternoon. Three Knots were also present. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

A Common Sandpiper was at Kinnegar Pools this evening. (Daniel Newton).

2 or 3 singing Garden Warblers were at Doohat Community Woodland (NT) near Newtownbutler, Co.Fermanagh. Blackcaps are abundant in the area. (Dermot Hughes)

Thanks to Ric for this picture of one of the Little Gulls and to Bill Guiller for the picture of the Common Sandpiper.

 

 

Birds of the Western Palearctic

A local birder has a full set of 9 volumes of Birds of the Western Palearctic for sale. All in very good condition with original dust covers.

If you are interested please contact the blog and we will pass on your details.

Bird News Tuesday 20th June

The Bonapartes Gull was at the Bann Estuary, early afternoon, off the Hide (Colin Guy)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in Cairn Wood, Co Down (Wilton Farrelly)

4 Greenshank were at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB Reserve Fermanagh (Brad Robson)

Thanks to Wilf Swain for this pic of a feeding Grey Heron:

Bird News Monday 19th June

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was on a telegraph pole near Lough Aghery, Annahilt this evening. (Gerard McLaughlin)

Two Spotted Flycatchers were in Antrim Castle Gardens today (Lilian Cummings)

Thanks to Ian Jackson for this pic of a Swift:

Boat Trip Tomorrow

There will be a boat trip along the North Coast and around Rathlin on Tuesday (20th), departing Cushendall, focussing on the wildlife along the coast. Please ring 07856235144 for more information.

BirdNews Sunday 18th June

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Brackagh Bog nature reserve near Portadown this morning. (Karen Elliott).

A pair of Cuckoo was still at Lough Fea (Shane McGarvey).

A juvenile Sabine's Gull was reported from Blanket Nook in Donegal. (Birdguides)

Two Storm Petrel were seen from a boat off Cushendall (Wilton Farrelly)

5 Whooper Swans were at the Bann Estuary (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop).

A pair of Cuckoo were at the Altarichard Road this evening, and a Red Squirrel this morning. ( Sean Hickey)

Thanks to John Moore for the pictures of the Linnet and the Sand Martin.

Bird News Saturday 17th June

Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in a garden in Drumaness, Co Down (M Bailie)

Ailsa Craig Boat Trip

The weather forecast for Sunday is very good. There will be a boat trip to Ailsa Craig from Cushendall. If you are interested in going on it, please contact 07856235144 for details. 

Bird News Friday 16th June

A first summer Bonapartes Gull has been reported from the River Bann at the Barmouth (Bird Ireland)

A Roseate Tern was at Belfast Lough RSPB WOW Reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton).

Two immature (2CY) Little Gulls with about 300 (mostly immature) Kittiwakes and a Sandwich Tern at Rue Point, Rathlin this morning. (Ric Else).

A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling from the top of bracken in the area between the railway path, the beach and the stream at Runkerry on the north coast. (Angus Kennedy).

A small flock of Crossbills was just north of Plumbridge and another flock with Siskens near Cranagh in Co. Tyrone. (Garry Wilkinson)

Thanks to Ric Else for these pictures of the Little Gulls.

Bird News Thursday 15th June

The Wood Sandpiper was still showing off Hide 2 at RSPB WOW this morning (Derek Polley)

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was in a garden near Drumaness this morning. (M Bailie)

A Long-eared Owl was showing well in Warrenpoint Park yesterday evening (Jen Lynch)

Wood Sandpiper - Ronald Surgenor

Wood Sandpiper - Stuart McKee.

Bird News Wednesday 14th June

The Wood Sandpiper was still showing off Hide 2 at RSPB WOW this morning (Daniel Newton). The bird was still present at 6pm (Ronald Surgenor).

Two Spotted Flycatchers were at Kilroot Graveyard.(Paul Bagnall).

Thanks to Ronald Surgenor for these pictures of the Wood Sandpiper, to Tony Donaldson for the picture of the Yellowhammer and to Ian Enlander for the picture of the Eider: