Bird News Wednesday 8th December

2 Woodcock and a Pink Footed Goose were at Belfast Lough RSPB Reserve (Gerard McGeehan).

A Woodcock, 25 Snipe, 20 Golden Plover, 20 Lapwing and a few Skylark were at Ramore Head - all unusual birds for there (Matthew Tickner).

Out at Killard, Co Down today, 3 Woodcock and an estimate of 3000 Linnets if not more, were feeding in a
field opposite where you park to walk out to Killard (Craig Nash). When they are disturbed it looks like a miniature starling flock swirling around in the sky. Craig has also put some footage on You Tube showing this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk0DUEKD8ko

Linnets - Craig Nash

Craig also took this photo of a Woodcock in flight - a rare photo in itself:

Woodcock - Craig Nash

There were eight Whoopers on the Quoile just down from the visitor centre.

Whooper Swans - Craig Nash

20 Waxwing were seen flying over Fitzwilliam Street, Belfast (Keith Bennet)
A Brambling was at Carran Lough, Co. Fermanagh (Brad Robson)
8 Brambling were at Richill, Co. Fermanagh (Irish Birding)