Bird News Friday 31st March

The Hoopoe is still present at Loughview Cemetery, Comber (Mervyn Campbell et al). The bird was still present at 6:20 just before the cemetery gates (Paul & Niall Mulvenna). We would remind everyone that the bird should not be disturbed and to please watch from a reasonable distance.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Lady Dixon Park, Belfast. (Paula Campbell)

At least two of the Alpine Swifts are still over Ballycastle. (Geoff Campbell). Three birds were seen this afternoon (Chris Ingram / James McDowell)

The adult Ring-billed Gull is still at the Round O, Enniskillen (Robert Vaughan)

Hoopoe, John Mason:

Hoopoe, Jonathan Cooke:

Bird News Thursday 30th March

Five Alpine Swifts along the Ballycastle seafront this morning (Billy Miskelly). Still three at 1555 over Tow River near Sheskburn Avenue (Tony Dodds).

The Hoopoe is still at Loughview Cemetery, Comber at 1pm. It was in an aerial duel with a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls which nearly caught it but luckily it escaped and landed near the farm barn close to the cemetery entrance (Paul McCullough). Still present 6pm in northern section of cemetery (Wilton Farrelly).

Three Mediterranean Gulls at Belfast Lough WoW Reserve, including the Dutch ringed bird (Derek Polley). Willow Warbler at the back of Kinnegar Pools this evening (Daniel Newton).

Red Kite high over Sloan Street, Lisburn this evening (Garry Armstrong).

The adult Ring-billed Gull remains at Carrickfergus. Also the Green-winged Teal is now at Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough (Cameron Moore).

One Great White Egret at Boa Island, Co Fermanagh this afternoon, also two Willow Warblers this evening (Michael Stinson).

Ring-billed Gull, Cameron Moore:

Hoopoe Pictures

 We have received these excellent pictures of the Comber Hoopoe from Jonathan Clark and Michael Latham:

Jonathan Clark

Jonathan Clark

Jonathan Clarke

Michael Latham

Bird News Wednesday 29th March.

Three Alpine Swifts were again in Ballycastle this morning. (Donna Riddell). This afternoon all four Alpine Swifts were back over Ballycastle. (Geoff Campbell).

The Hoopoe was present again in the graveyard outside Comber. (Katy Bell). The bird flew off at 10am. (Kevin O'Grady) .The Hoopoe is back in the field behind the gate at the graveyard. (Ben McCook). The Hoopoe was still present up to 7pm. (Michael Latham, Jeff Larkin, Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn)

For anyone looking for the Hoopoe please be respectful of the graves in the graveyard and stay on the paths at all times. 

Two Swallows were at Cloughmills near Ballymena. (Derek McClean).

A Chiffchaff was singing near the Lagan Valley Island Centre in Lisburn this morning. (Leia Giesel). Another Chiffchaff was in Castlewellan yesterday. (Michael McCandless).

The first Willow Warbler of the year was on Rathlin this morning. (Ric Else).

A Snow Bunting is at the bowling green in Portrush. (John Clarke).

The dark bellied Brent is still in Killough harbour. (Chris Murphy).

A single Alpine Swift was on Rathlin. (James Crymble).

As Chiffchaffs and Sand Martins are now arriving in large numbers we won't be reporting further individual sightings of these species. 

Thanks to John Clarke for the picture of the Snow Bunting and to David Clarke for the picture of the Hoopoe:

Bird News Tuesday 28th March

The Hoopoe is still at Loughview Cemetery, Comber (Dave Weir). It was showing on the short turf just inside the cemetery until just before 4pm when it flew low over the hedge near the entrance and landed in nearby fields where it was still showing well this evening. (Thanks to everyone who shared information on this bird)

A single Alpine Swift was over Bryansford this morning.  (Joanne Mansell)

4 Alpine Swift have been seen over Ballycastle at lunchtime, flying east from the Quay Road playing fields (Geoff Campbell). The birds were still present at 1538 over the Quay Road car park and two were still performing at 1855 (Jeff Larkin).

Two Sandwich Terns were at Kinnegar at 12.00 today (William Smiton)

A Willow Warbler is singing at Derryadd Lough, Peatlands Park this evening (Brian Nelson).

8 Ruff were at Dundalk Docks (Mike McLaughlin)

Another and different White-tailed Eagle (the fourth this month) was on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

Hoopoe, Derek Brennan:

Hoopoe, Daniel Newton:

Hoopoe, Amy Weir:

Hoopoe, Michael Latham:

Bird News Monday 27th March

A Hoopoe was in the Cemetery at Comber (Jamie Phillips).

Immature White-tailed Eagle mobbed by a ringtail Hen Harrier Antrim Hills (Jonny Rosborough).

Subadult Golden Eagle mobbed by two Common Buzzard in the Antrim Hills, also 20 Crossbill over (Dean Jones).

Six Sandwich Terns and a Carrion Crow Kinnegar Shore, with an adult Mediterranean Gull bathing and two Whooper Swans landed just offshore early afternoon (Bob Watts).

Great Spotted Woodpecker heard drumming east of the lake in Hillsborough Forest Park (Dougie Gamble).

The adult Ring-billed Gull remains at Carrickfergus (Jonathan Cooke).

Ring-billed Gull, Jonathan Cooke:

Bird News Sunday 26th March

An Alpine Swift was seen at Seagahan Reservoir in Co. Armagh at 7pm this evening. (John Anderson).

There was no sign of the Alpine Swift in Newcastle this morning. 

The Ring-billed Gull was still at Carrickfergus harbour. (Aaron Long).

A dark-bellied Brent was with 625 Brent in Killough harbour. (Chris Murphy).

The Green-winged Teal and Spotted Redshank were both still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (Cameron Moore).

The Glaucous Gull was at the Pure Gym carpark in Coleraine. (Emma Mulholland, Matthew Flood).

Chiffchaffs are now widely reported including birds at the University campus in Coleraine (Emma Mulholland) and at Castle Ward (Niall Mulvenna).

Two adult Iceland Gulls were at the old quarry on Bushmills Road, Coleraine. (John Clarke).

4 Common Terns, 4 Sand Martins and 2 Wheatear were at Killard. (David Stirling).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Derryclone near Gawleys Gate. (Joe Burns).

A pair of Swallows were over Derrykerrib Lough in Co. Fermanagh. (David Cole).

4 Sandwich Terns were off Larne harbour. (Dave Craig).

Thanks to Aaron Long for the picture of the Ring-billed Gull, to John Fraser for the picture of the Pintail, to Terry Hanna for the picture of the Rock Pipit and to Ryan Holgate for the pictures of the Merlin and the Goldeneye:

Bird News Saturday 25th March

An Alpine Swift was just south of Newcastle flying over the car park on the right hand side, 1 mile past the harbour until 10 am (Chris Rankin). Again from 11:20 (Wilton Farrelly). The bird was over Newcastle seafront at 4pm (Ronald Surgenor). The bird was viewable at 4:30pm from the sewage pumping station at the harbour, looking towards the town (Bob Watts)

Three Alpine Swifts were on the north cliffs Rathlin 10:45 (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

A first winter Iceland Gull is at RSPB WoW this morning. A singing Chiffchaff was also present along with a Wheatear on the old D3 area. Sandwich Tern on Kinnegar Shore (Daniel Newton)

The Ring-billed Gull was still at Carrickfergus (Garry Armstrong)

The first Puffin of the year arrived back on Rathlin this morning, two Twite and a small arrival of Wheatears (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Ballycarry and the Green-wing Teal still present at Glynn (Cameron Moore)

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Bay (David Stirling)

Two Wheatear at Portrush (John Clarke)

Two Purple Sandpiper were at Newcastle Harbour (Richard Caves)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Mount Stewart (David Gillespie)

Alpine Swift, Newcastle, Michael Latham:

Alpine Swift feeding - Ivan Quail:

Ring-billed Gull, Garry Armstrong:

Iceland Gull, Daniel Newton:

Alpine Swift, Rathlin, Ric Else:

Bird News Friday 24th March

No sign of any Alpine Swifts at Donard, Newcastle 0615-0730 (Wilton Farrelly). One was seen again at 1552 over Donard car park (Chris Murphy). None were seen subsequently.

Male Wheatear, Swallow and seven Twite at Magheracross (Geoff Campbell).

Purple Sandpiper at Killard yesterday afternoon amongst the Dunlin and Turnstone (Richard Caves).

A wing-tagged Red Kite this morning heading towards Legacurry and another over the M2 near Aglengirmley (Garry Wilkinson). Another Red Kite seen over the Four Winds bar, Newton Park, Belfast this morning (Daniel Barry).

Decent numbers of Yellowhammer around Gribben Quay, Bready, Co Tyrone (Paul Wallace). Whilst on Rathlin the first record since March 2021 (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

First winter Little Gull at Kircubbin (Dermot Hughes).

A record equalling spring flock of 1800  Black-tailed Godwit and 27 Ruff at Lough Beg (David Steele).

Four Great Spotted Woodpeckers in Mountstewart (Dave Craig).

Wheatear, Donna Riddell:

Red Kite, Garry Wilkinson:

Purple Sandpiper, Richard Caves:

Kingfishers, Tim Jess:

Bird News Thursday 23rd March

 An Alpine Swift is over Kebble on Rathlin this morning. A Snow Bunting was also present. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

The Arctic Redpoll continues to be seen in a garden in Doagh. (Mark Smyth).

Five Mediterranean Gulls and a Pintail were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Derek Polley).

Chiffchaffs are now arriving in good numbers including a bird at Tubbrid in Co. Fermanagh. (Michael Stinson)

Two or three Alpine Swifts are around Donard Park carpark in Newcastle. (David Stirling).

A juvenile dark bellied Brent, possibly the bird from Killough, was with 80 Brent in Ardglass harbour. (David Nixon).

A Yellowhammer was at Ballinacor outside Lurgan. (Ed O'Hara)

Thanks to Ric Else for the pictures of the Alpine Swift and the Snow Bunting, to David Nixon for the picture of the dark bellied Brent to Ed O'Hara for the picture of the Yellowhammer and to Stephen Maxwell for the pictures of the Pintail and the Little Egret:

Bird News Wednesday 22nd March

There is an unconfirmed report that 3 Alpine Swift were at a lake near Clough, Co Down yesterday.

A Chiffchaff was singing just out side Moneymore this morning. (John Spratt)

7 Twite are at Magheracross viewpoint (Ian Dickey)

The Arctic Redpoll is still visiting the private garden at Doagh (Mark Smyth)

A Little Gull and two Sand Martin were on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Bay (David Stirling)

A large spring flock of 1,650 Black-tailed Godwits were at the south end of Lough Beg today, along with 25 Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, 100 Sand Martins and a House Martin. (David Steele)

A Russian White-fronted Goose was at Portmuck and the Spotted Redshank was at Ballycarry. Yesterday the Ring-billed Gull was at Carrickfergus. (Cameron Moore)

Spotted Redshank, David Stirling:

Ring-billed Gull, Cameron Moore:

Russian White-fronted Goose, Cameron Moore. Thanks to Cian Cardiff for feedback on this bird. It is likely to be a first winter:  

Bird News Tuesday 21st March

The Ring-billed Gull was seen again at the Round O in Enniskillen yesterday. 

A Golden Eagle, possibly an escaped falconers bird, was over Larchfield Estate near Annahilt. (Garry Wilkinson).

An Alpine Swift is on Rathlin. (James Crymble).

The Waxwings are still present in Ward Park, Bangor. (Ian Graham).

The Glaucous Gull was still at Burger King in Coleraine. (John Clarke).

Bird News Monday 20th March

Yesterday the Ring-billed Gull was reported at the Round O, Enniskillen.

Last Friday, 3 Alpine Swifts were seen over Oxford Island, (Emma Mulholland, Matthew Flood)

The Green-winged Teal and the Spotted Redshank are at Ballycarry Bridge. (Cameron Moore)

The adult Iceland Gull was still at Kinnegar shore this evening (Daniel Newton)

A Red Kite was seen outside Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)

Keep looking for Alpine Swifts. It is estimated that over 40 birds have reached Ireland and so far there has only been one sighting in NI.

Red Kite, Garry Wilkinson:

Dutch Ringed Mediterranean Gull At WoW

A Mediterranean Gull which was ringed in Holland as a nestling in 2015 is currently on one of the breeding platforms at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. The ring is White 3NYT

Sightings for individual:  

White 3NYT 14/09/2015 Knott End-on-Sea; Preesall; Lancashire; England; United Kingdom.

White 3NYT  18/01/2023 ; harbour; Foynes; Munster; IRELAND.

White 3NYT 16/03/2023 Window on Wildlife Reserve, Sydenham; Belfast; Belfast; Northern Ireland; United Kingdom.

White 3NYT - Gareth Platt

Bird News Sunday 19th March

Two Waxwings were still around the library in Ward Park in Bangor. (Ed O'Hara).

The adult Iceland Gull was again on Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Shirley Dunlop, Gerard McGeehan).

Four Wheatears were at Killard. (David Stirling).

A Pinkfoot and a Whitefront were with Greylags at Steele's Point on Islandmagee. The Spotted Redshank was still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (Cameron Moore).

A Chiffchaff was calling at the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island, a singing Blackcap and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were also seen. (Karen Elliott).

Both male and female Crossbills were at Cappanagh. (Linda Thompson).

The Ring-billed Gull is still at Carrickfergus harbour. (David Clarke).

3 female Long-tailed Ducks were at Blackers Rock on the west shore of Lough Neagh, 4 Sand Martins were also present. (Godfrey McRoberts)

The Tundra Bean Goose was still at Inch Levels in Donegal. (Wilton Farrelly).

A Hen Harrier was at Portmore Lough RSPB. (Michael Latham).

The presumed Arctic Redpoll was seen in a garden in Doagh again. (Mark Smyth).

Thanks to Mark Smyth for the picture of the presumed Arctic Redpoll, to Linda Thompson for the picture of the Crossbill, to David Clarke for the picture of the Ring-billed Gull, to Godfrey McRoberts for the picture of the Long-tailed Ducks, to Michael Latham for the picture of the Hen Harrier and to Wilton Farrely for the picture of the Tundra Bean Goose:

Bird News Saturday 18th March

An Alpine Swift is at Ballycastle Harbour this morning (Sean Ronayne)

The adult Iceland Gull was again at Kinnegar Shore (Michael Latham)

50 plus Sand Martin were at Kinnego Bay Lough Neagh Co Armagh (Ed O'Hara)

There are circa 15 Sand Martins at Lough Beg (Kevin Rice)

Yesterday the presumed Arctic Redpoll was still visiting the private garden in Doagh. (per Mark Smyth)

An Iceland Gull, White-tailed Eagle and Golden Eagle were on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

Iceland Gull, Michael Latham:

Bird News Friday 17th March

Two of the Waxwings are still in Ward Park in Bangor. (David McCreedy). The birds were still present until 2.30 when they flew off. 

A Swallow was at Kinnegar this evening. (Dakota Reid).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Montalto Estate. (Daniel Barry).

12 Sand Martins were at Upper Lough Erne this evening. (Brad Robson). 17 Sand Martins were off Boa Island on Lower Lough Erne this afternoon. (Michael Stinson).

4 Purple Sandpipers were off Kinora Terrace in Portstewart. (Juliet Fleming).

The adult Iceland Gull was on Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough this evening. (Gerard McGeehan).

2 Golden Eagles and a White-tailed Eagle were on Rathlin this evening. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson)

A Spoonbill, two Great White Egrets, a continental Cormorant, Pinkfoot and nine Ruff were at Lough Beg. (David Steele)

Thanks to David Miller for the picture of the Sparrowhawk, to Christine Cunningham for the pictures of the Yellowhammer and the Greenfinch, to David Steele for the pictures of the Spoonbill and to Ric Else for the picture of the Golden Eagle: