Bird News Saturday 16th January

Red-throated Diver numbers seem to be building up post-Xmas as usual, with 76 seen from Whitehead this morning all flying into Belfast Lough and 17 Great Northern Diver also present (Ian Enlander)

2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Enniskillen Tip (Brad Robson)

The Ring-billed Gull was seen again at Carrickfergus harbour, Belfast Lough today (Paul McCullough)

Along the north-east shore of Strangford Lough 27 Slavonian grebe (19 in Greyabbey Bay and 8 off Newownards Sailing Club).  Also 2 Black-throated diver in Greyabbey Bay. (Richard Weyl)

A Little Bunting was on Tory Island (Chris Ingram)

The Kumlien's Gull, a Whimbrel, Dipper & Carrion Crow were at Ballygally. 3 Goosanders (2 male, 1 fem) and a Jack Snipe were at Glynn. (Neal Warnock)

Large numbers of snipe were arriving in rough ground beside ASDA Antrim today. Yesterday a mixed flock of about 200 lapwing and golden plover were in a winter grain field west of Ballywalter (Mark Smyth)

You can report scarce or rare bird news at nibirds@live.co.uk  Flightline: 02891467408 or via Twitter @nibirds