Bird News Tuesday 31st December

The Surf Scoter was still showing south of Garron Point, Co Antrim. (Gerard McGeehan).

8 Ruff were feeding on the short, cut grass at Lough Beg National Nature Reserve along with 100 Lapwing. 19 Gadwall were seen on the flooded grass in front of Church Island, along with 2 male Pintail. (Ciaran Burns).

Two Red Throated Diver were in Groomsport Harbour by the rocks at 4pm. Also present were Cormorants, Shag, Black Guillemots, Great Black-Backed Gulls, Lesser Black-Backed Gulls, Redshanks, Turnstone and Eider. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown).

A first winter Mediterranean Gull was roosting on the pontoon at Antrim marina with the Black-headed Gull flock. (Adam McClure).

A Red-throated Diver was with the Surf Scoter at Garron and 2 Great Northern Diver at Ballygalley (Joe Lamont, William Smiton).  

6 Gannet flew east at Downhill (David Clarke, John Pyper).   

600 Lapwing and 500 Golden Plover were in the fields opposite Killough brickworks (Declan Clarke).

The Cattle Egret was at Hillsborough Park lake again. (Bird Guides)

A Goosander was on the Kellswater River, where the river intersects with the Doagh Road, Ballymena (not far from Ross Park Hotel). (John Parkinson)

We wish everyone a happy, peaceful and bird filled New Year.

Thanks to Ed O'Hara for this picture of a Buzzard with a Rook and to John Parkinson for the drake Goosander.