Bird News Wednesday 19th October

Along the north coast a Pomarine Skua and 40 Twite were at Ballykelly. 25 Twite were at Donnybrewer, a Little Egret at Faughanvale and a male Common Scoter and Scaup in the channel at Myroe Levels. (Matthew Tickner/Gerry Bond).

In Tyrone a Merlin, 3 Red Grouse and 8 Crossbill were at Plumbridge. (Ralph Sheppard).

A very late Swift and 2 juvenile Swallow, one of them being hunted by a Merlin, were over Killough. (Chris Murphy).

The second winter Ring Billed Gull was still at the car park at Groomsport harbour. (Chris Guy).

Last night at 8.30pm a Barn Owl was near the roundabout in Crossgar. (Joan & Spencer Marshall).

This morning 28 Whooper Swans flew over Sion Mills in Tyrone, also seen were 30 Fieldfare and smaller numbers of Redwing. (Hazlett Harkness).

A flock of 20 Redwing were feeding in Markethill this morning. (Alistair Prentice).

Thanks to Gerry Bond for this excellent Common Scoter shot taken at Myroe today.

Common Scoter - Gerry Bond