Bird News Friday 4th February

A female Brambling and 2 Siskin were at the RSPB Harbour Estate, Belfast reserve. Up to 400 Lapwing have been there in the last few days.
At least 5 Bewick's Swan were at the lawn turf fields at Myroe levels, but perhaps more as conditions were terrible (Stuart McKee).
The first winter Mediterranean Gull (with the yellow ring) and a Carrion Crow were at the small boat compound along Whitehead seafront (Cameron Moore)

Many thanks to Richard Weyl for providing the following further information on Red Grouse:
A report on the status red grouse was undertaken for NIEA in 2004 http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/red_grouse_survey_04.pdf  This included a  comprehensive survey which found between 202 and 221 breeding territories,  Recent records would be useful to establish the current status of the species.  These should be entered into the BTO Bird Atlas 2007-2011 http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdatlas

Rock Pipit - Pauline Majury