Bird News Thursday 5th September.

2 Little Stint, a Curlew Sandpiper, 400 Oystercatcher, 40/50 Dunlin and a Black Tern were at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (Andy Elliott).

Earlier at the RSPB Belfast Harbour Estate was one of the Black Terns and  a stoat was also present. (Jim McKeown) An adult Little Gull was also subsequently reported from the reserve.

2 Curlew Sandpipers were at the Bann Estuary (Hill Dick / Peter Robinson)

Yesterday at The Mullagh, Lough Beg, between 18:20 and 18:50 highlights included an Osprey, a pair of Whoopers with one cygnet, a Wood Sandpiper, 30 Black-tailed Godwits, 50 Lapwing, 20 Curlew, 8 Snipe, Kestrel, 2 Kingfishers and 20 Tree Sparrows. (Chris Murphy)

A Greenland White-fronted Goose and 2 Ruff were at Inch, Co Donegal (Chris Ingram)

Our thanks as always to Alistair Prentice for this Kingfisher shot and Christine Cassidy for the Sanderling: