Freedom 2014
The BBC have used this picture by Liam McCafferty of a Sea Trout escaping from a Grey Heron as part of their Freedom2014: Animals season. The picture was taken on the Crana River estuary at Buncrana, Co. Donegal. You can see all the pictures in this season at http://www.bbc.co.uk/freedom
Bird News Friday 7th March
A Green Sandpiper was in a field pond on Dundrine Road, Castlewellan. (Adam McClure).
14 Whooper Swans, including 5 juveniles, were in a field beside the River Bann at Gortgole Wood, Portglenone this morning and a Buzzard was overhead. (John Loughlin & Irene Miller)A 1st winter Little Gull was feeding offshore at Briggs Rocks for a short time today. (Colin Guy).
2 Pink-footed Geese were in fields north of Greyabbey (Dave Allen).
2 Red Kite were at Aghnaleck near Hillsborough. At least one had no wing tags (Garry Wilkinson).
Yesterday 114 Great Northern Diver, 3 Black-throated Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver and 12 Long-tailed Duck were at Mount Charles in Donegal (Chris Murphy).
A Long-eared Owl was at Oxford Island. (James O'Neill).
Thanks to today's photographers, to Adam McClure, Noel Austin, Christine Cunningham, Karl Martin, Tom McCreery and James O'Neill. You can see more NI bird pictures at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk
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| Green Sandpiper - Adam McClure |
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| Female Stonechat - Noel Austin |
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| Dunnock - Christine Cunningham |
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| Jay - Karl Martin |
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| Purple Sandpiper - Tom McCreery |
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| Red-breasted Merganser - James O'Neill |
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| Goldeneye - James O'Neill |
Copeland Bird Observatory Winter talks at the Ulster Museum
Copeland
Bird Observatory Winter talks at the Ulster Museum
AGM —
Tuesday 11th
March
at 7.30 — including
CBO
Review of the year — 2013 with Kerry Leonard & Chris
Acheson
2013
was another busy year on CBO. In April, Copeland experienced a Fall
of migrating warblers with large numbers of Willow Warbler and
Blackcap arriving. Manx Shearwater tracking continued in the spring,
and summer saw Arctic Tern chicks fledge in numbers not seen on the
Observatory for over fifty years. The Habitat Management programme
continued, resulting in more areas restored to maritime short-sward,
and two new jetties were constructed. Following on from the business
end of the AGM, Copeland ornithologists Kerry Leonard and Chris
Acheson will review some of the Copeland highlights of 2013.
From
the Falklands to the Antarctic Peninsula —presented
by Jim McNair —
The vast expanse of the South Atlantic and the Southern Ocean is the preferred habitat of many species of pelagic animals and birds. This habitat is subject to constant strong currents, endless winds and frequently violent storms. The seemingly sparse distribution of animals throughout the region is in stark contrast to the breeding colonies of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Jim McNair describes a journey southward through the South Atlantic, across the Antarctic convergence to the Antarctic peninsula to visit colonies of Black Browed Albatross, Rockhopper, Gentoo, King and Chinstrap penguins. Colonies were patrolled by Cara Cara, Skua and Snowy Sheathbill, exploiting the abundance of potential prey and feeding opportunities. Many other species were observed against the magnificent backdrop of South Georgia and Antarctica.
The vast expanse of the South Atlantic and the Southern Ocean is the preferred habitat of many species of pelagic animals and birds. This habitat is subject to constant strong currents, endless winds and frequently violent storms. The seemingly sparse distribution of animals throughout the region is in stark contrast to the breeding colonies of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula.
Jim McNair describes a journey southward through the South Atlantic, across the Antarctic convergence to the Antarctic peninsula to visit colonies of Black Browed Albatross, Rockhopper, Gentoo, King and Chinstrap penguins. Colonies were patrolled by Cara Cara, Skua and Snowy Sheathbill, exploiting the abundance of potential prey and feeding opportunities. Many other species were observed against the magnificent backdrop of South Georgia and Antarctica.
Admission
to CBO winter meetings at the Ulster Museum is free and open to all.
The
meetings commence at 7.30 pm, and finish at 9.45 pm. Please use the
Stranmillis Road entrance.
Bird News Thursday 6th March.
An adult Iceland Gull was seen in flight heading into Whitehouse Lagoon late evening.(Paul McCullough)
The Spoonbill was at the wader marsh, Castle Espie at high tide today
In Donegal a male Smew and Green-winged Teal were off the hide at Inch Lake. A male Ring-necked Duck was at the Causeway (Garry Wilkinson).
A Black Swan was at the Tullylagan River at Tullywiggan outside Cookstown (Tony McCormick).
Yesterday a Long-eared Owl flew across the Strabane/Londonderry Road at Burn Dennett (Hazlett Harkness).
In Donegal a male Smew and Green-winged Teal were off the hide at Inch Lake. A male Ring-necked Duck was at the Causeway (Garry Wilkinson).
A Black Swan was at the Tullylagan River at Tullywiggan outside Cookstown (Tony McCormick).
Yesterday a Long-eared Owl flew across the Strabane/Londonderry Road at Burn Dennett (Hazlett Harkness).
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| Tree Sparrows - Dick Glasgow. |
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| Wren - Lindsay Hodges. |
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| Curlew - David McCormack. |
Bird News Wednesday 5th March
A Jack Snipe was on the Lisglass Road outside Straid this morning (George Stewart)
3 Goosander (2 female & 1 male) were still on Lough Island Reavy earlier today (Adam McClure)
The Spoonbill was still at the wader marsh at Castle Espie.
Desperately sad news that Ireland's first born White-tailed Eagle in 100 years is found shot dead: http://m.rte.ie/news/touch/2014/0305/600355-white-tailed-eagle-tipperary/
Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this pic of a Rook:
Bird News Tuesday 4th March
Lough Alowey on the Pettigo plateau south Donegal had 6 Goosander and 63 Greenland White fronted Geese (Brad Robson)
Thanks to Lilian Cummings for todays pictures.
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| Black Guillemot |
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| Razorbill |
Bird News Monday 3rd March.
13 Stock Dove where feeding on a stubble field at Carrickinab, nr Clough.(Adam McClure.)
A Whimbrel was at Donaghadee.(R.Weyl)
Bloody Bridge around lunch time: 25 Red- throated Diver, 5 Black - throated Diver, 10 Great Northern Diver and 5 Purpoise sightings, between Newcastle and Bloody Bridge,16 Red-throated Diver, 9 Great Northern Diver and c100 Common Scoter.(Fulton Somerville)
RSPB Lower Lough Erne reserve had 2 Jack Snipe and 138 Common Snipe.(Brad Robson)
Items for sale....
Complete set of Bird Watching magazine 1988 to present- 315 issues - all in mint condition. Free delivery to anywhere in Northern Ireland. £100 the lot, if anyone interested contact the blog.
A Whimbrel was at Donaghadee.(R.Weyl)
Bloody Bridge around lunch time: 25 Red- throated Diver, 5 Black - throated Diver, 10 Great Northern Diver and 5 Purpoise sightings, between Newcastle and Bloody Bridge,16 Red-throated Diver, 9 Great Northern Diver and c100 Common Scoter.(Fulton Somerville)
RSPB Lower Lough Erne reserve had 2 Jack Snipe and 138 Common Snipe.(Brad Robson)
Items for sale....
Complete set of Bird Watching magazine 1988 to present- 315 issues - all in mint condition. Free delivery to anywhere in Northern Ireland. £100 the lot, if anyone interested contact the blog.
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| Purple Sandpiper - Mark Killops. |
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| Goldfinch - Dick Glasgow. |
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| Pied Wagtail and fly. - Tom McCreery |
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| Purple Sandpiper - Zach McCreery. |
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| Great Northern Divers - Fulton Somerville. |
Bird News Sunday 2nd March
The drake Ring-necked Duck was still at the Temple Water, Castle Ward NT, with 22 Tufted Duck (Wilton Farrelly)
A drake Red-crested Pochard was in Lurgan Park (Ed O'Hara)
The Spoonbill was still on the wader marsh at Castle Espie.
The Glossy Ibis was seen in flight close to the Closet Meadow, Oxford Island this afternoon. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown). In the late afternoon, the Ibis flew north away from Closet meadows, and landed in the reedbeds at the tip of Raughlan Peninsula (James O'Neill)
5 Long-tailed Duck were off Fisherman's Quay in Carrickfergus and the adult Ring-billed Gull at the Harbour (Richard Hunter)
Thanks to James O'Neill for the Purple Sandpiper pic and Karl Martin for the Rook:
Bird News Saturday 1st March
The Glossy Ibis was still at Closet Meadows, Oxford Island this morning the bird was present until dusk flying off north over Lough Neagh. (Roger Murray / Theo Campbell/James O'Neill)
The Spoonbill was still on the wader marsh at Castle Espie this morning.
The drake Surf Scoter and 4 Long-tailed Duck were at Mermaid's Cove, Mullaghmore, Co Sligo. The drake American Wigeon was still on the Leitrim side of the Drowse river, Tullaghan (Brad Robson)
The drake Ring-necked Duck was still at Oxford Island (Ed O'Hara)
At Kircubbin Sailing Club were 8 Black-throated Diver (one moulting into summer plumage), 3 Great-northern Diver and 5 Slavonian Grebe. At Gransha Point there were 22 Great-northern Diver and a further 7 at Marlfield. (Richard Weyl)
A 1st winter Glaucous Gull flew past Portballintrae. The Glaucous was still present at East Strand, Portrush also. (Colin Guy)
The drake and female Surf Scoter were still off Newcastle Harbour. (Birdguides)
Four Red Kites were seen between Castlewellan and Banbridge (Jim Crozier)
The Pacific Diver was looked for at Lough Fea. It was not seen but a Great Northern Diver was present (Colin Barton).
A male Red-crested Pochard was at Lurgan Park Lake (Aidan Donohoe).
The Green Sandpiper was still at Ballykeel Reservoir above Holywood and a pair of Blackcap and several Brambling in a garden in Bangor (Julian Greenwood).
An Otter was showing well below the Quarry car park south of Newcastle (Chris Acheson).
A male Red-crested Pochard was at Lurgan Park Lake (Aidan Donohoe).
The Green Sandpiper was still at Ballykeel Reservoir above Holywood and a pair of Blackcap and several Brambling in a garden in Bangor (Julian Greenwood).
An Otter was showing well below the Quarry car park south of Newcastle (Chris Acheson).
Thanks to Karl Martin for this picture of a Curlew feeding at Holywood, Jim Crozier for the Red Kite, Dick Glasgow for the Buzzard, James O'Neill for the pictures of the Long Tailed Tit and Pochard and Noel Austin for the picture of the Goldeneye:
Bird News Friday 28th February
The Pacific Diver was still at Lough Fea (Chris Ingram)
A Buzzard was being mobbed by 2 Jays in Randalstown forest this morning. (Celine Boyle).
The Glossy Ibis was still at Oxford Island. (Birdguides).
Thanks to today's photographers, to Tom McCreery for the picture of the first Great Northern Diver, to James O'Neill for the picture of the Purple Sandpiper, to 8 year old Aaron Martin for the picture of the Blackbirds, to William Smiton for the pictures of the Black-headed Gull and the Jackdaw, to Colin Guy for the picture of the second Great Northern Diver, to Alex Coroliu for the picture of the Little Grebe, to Alistair Prentice for the pictures of the Goldcrest and the Fulmar, to Christine Cunningham for the picture of the Mallard and to Dick Glasgow for the pictures of the Buzzard, Tree Sparrow and Reed Bunting.
The Spoonbill was still at Castle Espie.
A single Slavonian Grebe was off Macedon Point and 28 Snipe were using the high tide roost at Whitehouse Lagoon this morning. The hybrid Snow Goose type was still at Glynn in Larne Lough. (David Nixon & Philip McHaffie).
The Glaucous Gull and Ring-Billed Gull were still at East Strand car park in Portrush. Two Red throated Divers were off Ramore Head -both in partial summer plumage and calling to each other.
A single Snow Bunting was still at Rathmore Golf Club. Two Great Northern Divers were still in Ballycastle Marina with another two at Cushendun. (Colin Guy).A single Slavonian Grebe was off Macedon Point and 28 Snipe were using the high tide roost at Whitehouse Lagoon this morning. The hybrid Snow Goose type was still at Glynn in Larne Lough. (David Nixon & Philip McHaffie).
A Buzzard was being mobbed by 2 Jays in Randalstown forest this morning. (Celine Boyle).
The Glossy Ibis was still at Oxford Island. (Birdguides).
Thanks to today's photographers, to Tom McCreery for the picture of the first Great Northern Diver, to James O'Neill for the picture of the Purple Sandpiper, to 8 year old Aaron Martin for the picture of the Blackbirds, to William Smiton for the pictures of the Black-headed Gull and the Jackdaw, to Colin Guy for the picture of the second Great Northern Diver, to Alex Coroliu for the picture of the Little Grebe, to Alistair Prentice for the pictures of the Goldcrest and the Fulmar, to Christine Cunningham for the picture of the Mallard and to Dick Glasgow for the pictures of the Buzzard, Tree Sparrow and Reed Bunting.
Bird News Thursday 27th February.
A Green Sandpiper was on the banks of the river at Ardilea, close to where it flows into Dundrum Inner Bay North, this morning. (Ron Price)
Our thanks to Dick Glasgow for the pic of the female Reed Bunting. Alex Coroliu for the male Shoveler.
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Breeding Bird Survey Training Days
Breeding Bird Survey
The 2014 series of BBS (Breeding Bird Survey) training days starts soon. This BTO/JNCC/RSPB survey is a national volunteer project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. The survey is designed to be a simple and enjoyable birdwatching exercise, while also providing critically important data on Northern Ireland’s birds. Our one day course (run on five occasions this year) will cover BBS rationale, field methodology and data submission. There is more detail about BBS online at: www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs If you are interested in taking part please let me know by return email which of the following dates and locations is best for you:
Date Event Venue Cost
Sat 8th Mar BBS Methodology training day RSPB Portmore Free
Thu 13th Mar BBS Methodology training day Castle Archdale Free
Fri 14th Mar BBS Methodology training day Peatlands Park Free
Fri 28th Mar BBS Methodology training day Limavady Free
Sat 29th Mar BBS Methodology training day Castle Espie Free
The 2014 series of BBS (Breeding Bird Survey) training days starts soon. This BTO/JNCC/RSPB survey is a national volunteer project aimed at keeping track of changes in the breeding populations of widespread bird species in the UK. The survey is designed to be a simple and enjoyable birdwatching exercise, while also providing critically important data on Northern Ireland’s birds. Our one day course (run on five occasions this year) will cover BBS rationale, field methodology and data submission. There is more detail about BBS online at: www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/bbs If you are interested in taking part please let me know by return email which of the following dates and locations is best for you:
Date Event Venue Cost
Sat 8th Mar BBS Methodology training day RSPB Portmore Free
Thu 13th Mar BBS Methodology training day Castle Archdale Free
Fri 14th Mar BBS Methodology training day Peatlands Park Free
Fri 28th Mar BBS Methodology training day Limavady Free
Sat 29th Mar BBS Methodology training day Castle Espie Free
Bird News Wednesday 26th February
A juvenile Glaucous Gull and the usual Glaucous / Herring hybrid were at Enniskillen tip, Co Fermanagh (Brad Robson)
The female Lesser Scaup was still at Dunfanaghy New Lake. Also present were 2 Scaup and a Long-tailed Duck. (Chris Ingram).
There was approx 20 Great Northern Divers and 2 Red-throated Divers close in to the pier in Newcastle, a number of Purple Sandpipers on the rocks at the pier and approx 60 Common Scoter a few hundred yard out. (Fulton Somerville).
2 female Brambling were in a garden at Aghnaleck near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).
The Surf Scoter was still off the harbour n Newcastle. (Birdguides).
Thanks to todays photographers, to Alex Coroliu for the pictures of the Glaucous Gull, Kittiwake and Guillemot, to Dick Glasgow for the pictures of the Raven, the Pied Wagtail and the Tree Sparrows, to Colin Guy for the picture of the Great Northern Diver, to Tom McCreery for the pictures of the Curlew and the Red-throated Diver, to Mark Killops for the picture of the Purple Sandpiper and to James O'Neill for the pictures of the Fulmars and the Coot.
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There was approx 20 Great Northern Divers and 2 Red-throated Divers close in to the pier in Newcastle, a number of Purple Sandpipers on the rocks at the pier and approx 60 Common Scoter a few hundred yard out. (Fulton Somerville).
2 female Brambling were in a garden at Aghnaleck near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).
The Surf Scoter was still off the harbour n Newcastle. (Birdguides).
Thanks to todays photographers, to Alex Coroliu for the pictures of the Glaucous Gull, Kittiwake and Guillemot, to Dick Glasgow for the pictures of the Raven, the Pied Wagtail and the Tree Sparrows, to Colin Guy for the picture of the Great Northern Diver, to Tom McCreery for the pictures of the Curlew and the Red-throated Diver, to Mark Killops for the picture of the Purple Sandpiper and to James O'Neill for the pictures of the Fulmars and the Coot.
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