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Thanks to James O'Neill for this pic of the Kinnego Glaucous Gull from yesterday:
Bird News Wednesday 28th January
In a field across the road from the Killough brickworks were high counts of 700 Lapwings, 89 Curlews and 2,000 Starlings. (Chris Murphy)
Bird News Tuesday 27th January
4 Pink Footed Geese were at Darkley Lake, Co Armagh, today. (Joe Devlin)
A Brambling was still at a garden in Brunswick Road, Bangor (Derek Polley).
The 1st winter Glaucous Gull was still at Kinnegoe Marina, Oxford Island, see picture below. (Tom McCreery/ James O'Neill).
A Great Northern Diver was at Portrush harbour, 50 Sanderling were along the coast between the East and West Strands. (James McDowell).
The 1st winter Glaucous Gull was still at Kinnegoe Marina, Oxford Island, see picture below. (Tom McCreery/ James O'Neill).
A Great Northern Diver was at Portrush harbour, 50 Sanderling were along the coast between the East and West Strands. (James McDowell).
Thanks to Ian Jackson for the picture of a Sanderling from Tyrella, to Tom McCreery for the pictures of the Glaucous Gull and the Common Gull from Oxford Island and to David Hill for the picture of the Yellowhammer from Myroe:
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| Glaucous Gull, Oxford Island - Tom McCreery |
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| Common Gull, Oxford Island - Tom McCreery |
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| Yellowhammer, Myroe - David Hill |
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| Sanderling, Tyrella - Ian Jackson |
Bird News Monday 26th January.
The 1st winter Glaucous Gull was still in Ardglass Harbour. A Great Northern Diver was also present. Two pairs of Stonechats were on Arglass Golf Course. Another pair of Stonechats was on the shore at Coney Island, together with 20 Rock Pipits (no Meadow Pipits), 2 Grey Plovers and a Little Egret.( Chris Murphy)
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in flight and also heard calling in the Stormont estate late this afternoon.(Paul McCullough)
An adult Ring-billed Gull, was at Lurgan Park Lake (Stephen Hewitt).
We have received a request for reports of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, which might seem to becoming familiar yet only began nesting in Ireland (in Co Down) as recently as 2006. They can be heard drumming now as they go establishing their territory and attracting a mate. All reports would be much appreciated.
Also Chris Murphy is doing a "big day" (which involves seeing as many species of birds in one given day) this coming Sunday 1st Feb. If anyone is interested in doing the same he plans to meet at 18.00 at the Hole in the Wall Strangford to compare notes.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in flight and also heard calling in the Stormont estate late this afternoon.(Paul McCullough)
An adult Ring-billed Gull, was at Lurgan Park Lake (Stephen Hewitt).
We have received a request for reports of Great Spotted Woodpeckers, which might seem to becoming familiar yet only began nesting in Ireland (in Co Down) as recently as 2006. They can be heard drumming now as they go establishing their territory and attracting a mate. All reports would be much appreciated.
Also Chris Murphy is doing a "big day" (which involves seeing as many species of birds in one given day) this coming Sunday 1st Feb. If anyone is interested in doing the same he plans to meet at 18.00 at the Hole in the Wall Strangford to compare notes.
Thanks to Paul Allen for this link to his video of the Hobby which was at Brackagh Moss last year:
Bird News Sunday 25th January
The Glaucous Gull is still showing well at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong / Mark Killops)
Yesterday, seven Sandwich Terns were at Portaferry marina (John Wilson Foster)
A Red Kite was over the Ballydugan Rd, Downpatrick, between Downpatrick & Clough. Circa 150 Linnet and 2 Buzzard also in same area. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown)
Red Kite video - Paul Allen has sent us a link to a Video he took at Closkelt Area of a Red Kite on Friday 16th January 2015
which was on the Drumgooland Road, County Down:
The Little Egret is still frequenting Orangefield Park, east Belfast. (Linda McKee)
On Strangford Lough at Greyabbey Bay were 2 Black-throated Diver and 5 Slavonian Grebe. Another 2 Slavonian Grebe and 4 Great-northern Diver at Horse Island. Yesterday there was a Whimbrel at Orlock Point. (Richard Weyl)
500 Golden Plover were in flight over the M1 near Moira. 2,000 Golden Plover were at Derrycrow as well as a Pink-footed Goose with the Greylag (David Clarke)
Thanks to Cecil Smith for the Tree Sparrow and Buzzard pic, taken at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve and Mark Killops for the Kinnego Glaucous Gull:
Bird News Saturday 24th January
In Co Down the 1st winter Glaucous Gull was still at Ardglass harbour. Also the Black Redstart was still at Newcastle harbour. (Keith Bennett)
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at Carrickfergus Harbour (Wilton Farrelly)
The Whooper Swan flock in the Holywood Hills is currently 42 birds (Wilton Farrelly).
The first winter Glaucous Gull was still at Kinnegoe Marina, Oxford Island today. A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag flock at Reedy Flats. (James O'Neill).
The first winter Iceland Gull was still at Sandy Bay in Larne, a first winter Kumliens Gull was off the car-park at Glenarm. (Garry Armstrong).
The Green-winged Teal and an adult and juvenile Whooper Swans were at Ballycarry. (Cameron Moore).
Bishopscourt had a pair of Buzzards, 800 Golden Plover, 60 Lapwing, 1 Jack Snipe, 20 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 26 Skylarks, 40 Tree Sparrows, 30 House Sparrows, 20 Yellowhammers, 1Reed Bunting, 10 Linnets, 10 Chaffinches and a Stonechat. Another Stonechat and a Sparrowhawk were along Station Rd in Killough. The Ardglass Glaucous Gull moved between the shore at low tide and the roofs of the fish stores on the Downpatrick Rd at high tide. (Chris Murphy)
A Merlin flew over Castle Espie heading towards Strangford Lough and a Little Egret was on the pools by the Brent Hide. (David McCormick).
The first winter Glaucous Gull was still at Kinnegoe Marina, Oxford Island today. A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag flock at Reedy Flats. (James O'Neill).
The first winter Iceland Gull was still at Sandy Bay in Larne, a first winter Kumliens Gull was off the car-park at Glenarm. (Garry Armstrong).
The Green-winged Teal and an adult and juvenile Whooper Swans were at Ballycarry. (Cameron Moore).
Bishopscourt had a pair of Buzzards, 800 Golden Plover, 60 Lapwing, 1 Jack Snipe, 20 Fieldfare, 6 Redwing, 26 Skylarks, 40 Tree Sparrows, 30 House Sparrows, 20 Yellowhammers, 1Reed Bunting, 10 Linnets, 10 Chaffinches and a Stonechat. Another Stonechat and a Sparrowhawk were along Station Rd in Killough. The Ardglass Glaucous Gull moved between the shore at low tide and the roofs of the fish stores on the Downpatrick Rd at high tide. (Chris Murphy)
A Merlin flew over Castle Espie heading towards Strangford Lough and a Little Egret was on the pools by the Brent Hide. (David McCormick).
The adult Mediterranean Gull was along the seafront at Newcastle near the Catholic Church (Leonard Charles).
A Red Kite was at Carrigvale near Dundum Castle (Sean Hennessy).
A Red Kite was on the land side of Tyrella beach as well as 60 Skylark. A Kestrel was at Rossglass and 100 Fieldfare, 50 Golden Plover and Lapwings at St John's Point. 60 Ringed Plover were at Killlough Harbour (David Clarke).
200 Pied Wagtail were roosting at Antrim Area Hospital (Richard Gray).
A Red Kite was at Carrigvale near Dundum Castle (Sean Hennessy).
A Red Kite was on the land side of Tyrella beach as well as 60 Skylark. A Kestrel was at Rossglass and 100 Fieldfare, 50 Golden Plover and Lapwings at St John's Point. 60 Ringed Plover were at Killlough Harbour (David Clarke).
200 Pied Wagtail were roosting at Antrim Area Hospital (Richard Gray).
Gulls:
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| Glaucous Gull, Oxford Island - James O'Neill |
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| Iceland Gull, Larne - Garry Armstrong |
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| Kumliens Gull, Glenarm - Garry Armstrong |
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| Ring-billed Gull, Carrickfergus - Wilton Farrelly |
Bird News Friday 23rd January.
Between St Johns Point and Rossglass...130 Brent Geese were grazing on inland pasture, a recently observed habit in this area. A pair of Stonechats were at the point; there is a minimum of 9 winter territories on the 10km coastline between St John’s Pt and Tyrella. In a cost saving exercise the Commissioners of Irish Lights plan to replace the sweeping beam of St John’s Pt lighthouse with a small, flashing LED. A campaign to save light's iconic beam is about to get underway(Chris Murphy)
Yesterday a 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at Ardglass Harbour.(Chris Shaw)
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| Purple Sandpiper - Christine Cassidy. |
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| Pochard - James O'Neill. |
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| Song Thrush. |
Bird News Thursday 22nd January
A female-type Hen Harrier was at Barr Hall Bay (Outer Ards, Co Down), hunting along the shore. (Keith Bennett)
A first winter Glaucous Gull was at Kinnego Marina, Lough Neagh (James O'Neill)
A Barn Owl has been found dead on the M1, close to the Bog Meadows, Belfast (Irish Birding)
At Larne Lough the Green-winged Teal was at Ballycarry as well as 3 Whooper Swan, a Greenshank and Little Egret. Three Goosander (one an adult male), 3 Greenshank and a Little Egret were at Glynn (Cameron Moore)
Dundrum Bay from West Tyrella had 800 Common Scoter, 89 Red-throated Divers and 525 Sanderling. Also 800 Golden Plover, 20 Twite, 1 Grey Wagtail, 15 Stonechats (7 pairs and a single male) occupying 8 winter territories. In Killough 27 Blackbirds were in a small field off the Ropewalk, present for several days together with less obvious increase in Song Thrushes, Robins and Goldcrests. Also 1 Great Northern Diver in the inner harbour and 2 Red-throated in the outer harbour. (Chris Murphy)
A male Smew was very watchable at the sluice gates, Inch Lake, Co. Donegal (Hill Dick / Peter Robinson)
Thanks to Sean McCourt for this pic of two Black Guillemots on the River Lagan, Denis Chambers for the male Red-breasted Merganser and James O'Neill for the Glaucous Gull. You can see more pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk :
Bird News Wednesday 21st January
A male Brambling was in a garden at Brunswick Road, Bangor (Derek Polley)
Yesterday 50 Twite were off the hide at Ballykelly, Lough Foyle (Michael McLoughlin)
The first winter Iceland Gull was still at Sandy Bay, Larne Lough (Thom Shannon)
A Great Northern Diver was at Lough Beg (David Steele)
A Sandwich Tern was at Fisherman's Pier in Carrickfergus (Gerard McGeehan)Thanks to David Hill for these pics of a Great Northern Diver and Derek Polley for the Brambling. You can see more bird pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk
Bird News Tuesday 20th January
A Glaucous Gull was at Gilmores Point, Lough Neagh. For the exact location, see the map on the Bird Pics Blog. (Sean McCourt).
A pair of Blackcaps are visiting a garden in Bangor and a Purple Sandpiper was just west of Bangor harbour. (Derek Polley).
A pair of Blackcaps are visiting a garden in Bangor and a Purple Sandpiper was just west of Bangor harbour. (Derek Polley).
Many thanks to Sean McCourt for the picture of a Glaucous Gull and to David Hunter for the picture of the Blackbird. You can see more pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk
Bird News Monday 19th January
The first winter male Black Redstart was still at Newcastle Harbour (James McQueen)
A second-winter Glaucous Gull was off Ballycastle. Late news was of 2 Waxwing along Rathgael Road in Bangor on Saturday (Kerry Leonard).
At Larne Lough the Green-winged Teal, 5 Little Egret, a juvenile Whooper Swan and Greenshank were at Ballycarry Bridge (Cameron Moore, David McNeilly)
A female Goosander and Kingfisher were at Craigavon South Lake and the WeBS count of Lurgan Park Lake produced 280 Black-headed Gull, 18 Common Gull, 5 Herring Gull and 34 Shoveler (Stephen Hewitt, Ciara Laverty)Thanks to James McQueen for this picture of the Black Redstart, Cameron Moore for the Jay and David Hunter for the Brent. You can see more bird pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk :
Bird News Sunday 18th January
The Slaty-backed Gull was showing well in Killybegs Harbour Co Donegal. this morning (up to 10am, no sign of bird after it though)
The male Surf Scoter was seen again in the bay at Newcastle at 12.30.(Birdguides)
The male Surf Scoter was seen again in the bay at Newcastle at 12.30.(Birdguides)
The 1st winter Iceland Gull was still at Sandy Bay, Larne (Keith Bennett)
The Black Redstart was still at Newcastle Harbour (Garry Armstrong)
A male Brambling was at Tullymore and two Red Kite at Ardilea (Wilton Farrelly)
AWhimbrel was at Orlock Point Co.Down.(Derek Polley)
AWhimbrel was at Orlock Point Co.Down.(Derek Polley)
We published a record today of Chough in good faith. The picture was not taken in NI.
Thanks to Richard Gowen and David Hunter for today's pics:
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| Black Redstart - Richard Gowen. |
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| Robin & Great Tit - David Hunter. |
Bird News Saturday 17th January
The Black Redstart was still at Newcastle harbour (Co Down), (Keith Bennett)
In Down a pair of Goosander were at Lough Island Reavy, still. 6 Twite were still at Tyrella (Keith Bennett)
The 1stw Iceland Gull, a 2ndw Med Gull & male Goosander were in Larne Lough today (Neal Warnock)
A male Goosander this morning at Ballydougan Lake, Downpatrick. 7 Pink-footed Geese with approx. 200 Greylags in a field off Churchtown Road, (that is at the crossroads near Turllyratty/Great Dam on Downpatrick - Strangford Road, opposite the turn off for Castleward). (David Nixon)
A Little Egret was feeding in a sheugh in Islands Park, Newcastle (Eric Jones)
3 Great Northern Divers were in Killough Harbour (Tim Murphy)
A high count of 25 Little Grebe, were at Camagh Bay Co. Fermanagh (Gareth Buchanan)
A Slaty-backed Gull was at Killybeggs all day, giving views down to 20 feet. See: https://www.facebook.com/birdwatch.sligo/posts/715201101929217 (Birdguides / Birdwatch Sligo)
Thanks to Cameron Moore for the picture of a Twite, Pauline Majury for the Long-eared Owl, and Cecil Smyth for the Redpoll:
Bird News Friday 16th January
A Peregrine was at Bangor Marina (Derek Polley).
Killough had 3 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Shelduck. Tyrella Beach had 19 Twite, 25 Tree Sparrow and 60 Linnet. (Tim Murphy)
Thanks to David Hunter for the pictures of the Tufted Duck and the Coot.
Killough had 3 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Shelduck. Tyrella Beach had 19 Twite, 25 Tree Sparrow and 60 Linnet. (Tim Murphy)
Thanks to David Hunter for the pictures of the Tufted Duck and the Coot.
Bird News Thursday 15th January.
Hillsborough Lake this morning had..1 Kingfisher,5 pairs of Gadwall a Grey Wagtail at manmade waterfall ( Garry Wilkinson)
A Red Kite has been around the junction of Manse and Glencregagh Roads at Knockbreda in Belfast for the last few days (Maureen Waterstone).
Blackcaps are now appearing in peoples gardens throughout the province, Tony Donaldson photographed this one in his garden this morning.
A Red Kite has been around the junction of Manse and Glencregagh Roads at Knockbreda in Belfast for the last few days (Maureen Waterstone).
Blackcaps are now appearing in peoples gardens throughout the province, Tony Donaldson photographed this one in his garden this morning.
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