Bird News Tuesday 20th November
A female Brambling was visiting a garden in Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)
Ringed Mediterranean Gull - AETC
Thanks to Gareth Platt for providing information on this bird, seen today at Kinnegar Shore.
It was ringed as a 3rd Calendar year bird, in May 2008, in Stade, Germany. It has subsequently been seen in NI at eg:
Oct 2008 - Carlough Bay - Neal Warnock
Feb 2010 - Whitehead - George Gordon
Oct 2016 - Whitehead - Cameron Moore
Jan 2017 - Donaghadee - Stephen Foster
Bird News Sunday 18th November
A late Great Skua was seen at St John Point today (Michael Rutledge)
5 Purple Sandpipers were opposite Molly Brown's in Portstewart. (John Spottiswood)
12 Twite were seen in fields above Ballintoy (Brian Murphy)
5 Purple Sandpipers were opposite Molly Brown's in Portstewart. (John Spottiswood)
12 Twite were seen in fields above Ballintoy (Brian Murphy)
Bird News Saturday 17th November
4 Long-tailed Ducks were off Loughshore Park in Belfast Lough and a Great Northern Diver was off Kinnegar shore. (Wilton Farrelly)
Two drake Ring-necked Ducks were viewable from the causeway at Inch, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell)
Thanks to Alastair McLean for the picture of the Stonechat:
Thanks to Alastair McLean for the picture of the Stonechat:
Bird News Friday 16th November
A drake Ring-necked Duck was shot on Upper Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh last Saturday (per Brad Robson)
An unusual record today was a European Storm Petrel foraging and resting on water at Dargan Bay, Belfast Lough this morning (Ian Enlander / Brian Sutton)
An unidentified Swift species was seen briefly on Tory Island (Anton Meenan) which follows the recent influx of Pallid Swifts into GB.
An unidentified Swift species was seen briefly on Tory Island (Anton Meenan) which follows the recent influx of Pallid Swifts into GB.
Bird News Thursday 15th November
A Marsh Harrier was at Oxford Island again this morning (Noel Austin)
A Great Skua and a Jack Snipe were at Ballyquinton Point. 2 adult Med Gulls were at Kircubbin (Richard Weyl)
Great Northern Diver, Ian Jackson:
Great Northern Diver, Ian Jackson:
Copeland Bird Observatory Winter Talk
Find out why Anthony McGeehan reckons Inishbofin is a ‘Last chance saloon’ for Irish birds when he presents the first of our new season CBO Winter Talks at the MBC on Tuesday 20th November.
Anthony can be credited as a true expert in Irish birds and has just released his most recent book ‘To the Ends of the Earth: Ireland's Place in Bird Migration’.
Anthony notes that for species that breed there, ‘Inishbofin’s habitats have largely escaped 'farmageddon'. Hence populations of Skylarks, Corncrakes and Lapwings are still intact. For migrant birds, it can be either the first or last part of Europe... Anything can turn up’.
Also planning a book is photographer Lawrence Eagling, who will bring the meeting up to date on an exciting project he has conceived, documenting the wildlife and changing landscape of the Copeland Islands throughout the seasons. Lawrence will present a sneak preview of some of his stunning CBO photos.
This meeting is well worth reserving a slot for in your diary, and PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!
The talks commence at 7:30pm and everyone is welcome *** (Tea/Coffee & Biscuits provided: £2 admission).
South Lecture Theatre
Medical Biology Centre (MBC)
97 Lisburn Road,
Belfast.
Anthony can be credited as a true expert in Irish birds and has just released his most recent book ‘To the Ends of the Earth: Ireland's Place in Bird Migration’.
Anthony notes that for species that breed there, ‘Inishbofin’s habitats have largely escaped 'farmageddon'. Hence populations of Skylarks, Corncrakes and Lapwings are still intact. For migrant birds, it can be either the first or last part of Europe... Anything can turn up’.
Also planning a book is photographer Lawrence Eagling, who will bring the meeting up to date on an exciting project he has conceived, documenting the wildlife and changing landscape of the Copeland Islands throughout the seasons. Lawrence will present a sneak preview of some of his stunning CBO photos.
This meeting is well worth reserving a slot for in your diary, and PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!
The talks commence at 7:30pm and everyone is welcome *** (Tea/Coffee & Biscuits provided: £2 admission).
South Lecture Theatre
Medical Biology Centre (MBC)
97 Lisburn Road,
Belfast.
Bird News Wednesday 14th November
At Portmore Lough, the 2 Marsh Harriers were showing well over the reeds on the right side of the hide. (Terry Paton)
Thanks to Lindsay Hodges for the picture of the Siskin:
Bird News Tuesday 13th November
The Great White Egret, Little Stint & 4 Ruff were still present at Lough Beg this afternoon (Richard Hunter).
A male Hen Harrier flew across the road near the top of Shane's Hill at Ballyboley Forest this morning. (David Gillespie).
Thanks to Richard Caves for the pictures of the Great Norther Diver from Newcastle:
A male Hen Harrier flew across the road near the top of Shane's Hill at Ballyboley Forest this morning. (David Gillespie).
Thanks to Richard Caves for the pictures of the Great Norther Diver from Newcastle:
Bird News Monday 12th November
The Marsh Harrier was still at Oxford Island this morning, it was hunting over the small island behind the Discovery Centre. There was no sign of the Marsh Harriers at Portmore up to 12 o'clock. (Garry Armstrong).
The Great White Egret, Little Stint, 12 Ruff, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Lough beg today. (Gareth Bareham, Matthew Tickner).
In Newcastle 5 Great Northern Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Black Guillemot were seen from the pier at high tide today. (Richard Cave).
In Newcastle 5 Great Northern Divers, 2 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Black Guillemot were seen from the pier at high tide today. (Richard Cave).
Bird News Sunday 11th November
The two Marsh Harriers were showing well at Portmore Lough this morning (Michael Latham). One of these birds was presumably seen at Kinnego Hide, Oxford Island at lunchtime (Noel Austin) The 2 Marsh Harriers were then back at Portmore this afternoon showing well between about 3pm and 4pm. (Paul & Niall Mulvenna)
Lough Beg this afternoon had a Great White Egret (presumably the same bird as seen in mid-October), also a Little Stint, 26 Ruff and a Goosander (David Steele)
A Ruff was at Portavogie and 110 Black-tailed Godwits were at Kirkiston (Richard Weyl)
Marsh Harrier, Michael Latham:
You can see more pics of local birds at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com
Marsh Harrier, Michael Latham:
You can see more pics of local birds at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com
Bird News Saturday 10th November
4 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver & 1 Red-throated Diver were at Carnlough Bay this morning (Richard Hunter)
Great Northern Diver and Purple Sandpiper, Michael Latham:
Marsh Harrier, Linda Thompson:
A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at the Floodgates. A Spotted Redshank and a Ruff were at the Comber Estuary (Wilton Farrelly)
7 Great Northern Divers were close to the back of Newcastle pier. Also a flock of about 30 Purple Sandpipers were present (Michael Latham)
2 Red Grouse were at Llendrum Wind Farm Fivemiletown County Tyrone this afternoon. (Colin Bell)
At least one of the Marsh Harriers was at Portmore Lough today (Stephen Dunbar / Linda Thompson)
At least one of the Marsh Harriers was at Portmore Lough today (Stephen Dunbar / Linda Thompson)
Great Northern Diver and Purple Sandpiper, Michael Latham:
Marsh Harrier, Linda Thompson:
Bird News Friday 9th November
A Little Gull was on the weir in Newcastle Boating lake this morning. (Leonard Charles).
A pair of Pintail were at Inch in Donegal. (David Hill)
Thanks to Michael Henderson for the picture of the Red-breasted Merganser and to David Hill for the picture of the Pintail:
A pair of Pintail were at Inch in Donegal. (David Hill)
Thanks to Michael Henderson for the picture of the Red-breasted Merganser and to David Hill for the picture of the Pintail:
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