nibirds: October 2023

Bird News Tuesday 31st October

The Firecrest is still showing in the trees at Barr Hall Bay (Billy Miskelly). Exact location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q8Sqmc8yZJYRqdE77?g_st=ic

A Grey Phalarope was at RSPB WoW yesterday (BirdGuides)

A single Waxwing was on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

The Great White Egret and Spotted Redshank were at Ballycarry (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop)

The male Ferruginous Duck was at Inch Lake, Donegal, viewable from the Tready Hide (Michael O'Clery)

Five Twite and three Red-throated Diver were at Ballymckormick point this afternoon (James Andrew)

Two Little Gull were on Rathlin (Ric Else)

Bird News Monday 30th October

200+ Fieldfare in off at Ramore and two smaller groups of c50 at Portstewart (John Clarke).

Jack Snipe and 2 Woodcock on Rathlin (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Male Firecrest still present Bar Hall Bay, Co Down along path towards Ballquintin Farm at 4pm (David Stirling).

Osprey fishing near Bann Estuary hide (John Clarke per local fishermen).

Bird News Sunday 29th October

The Osprey is still at the Bann Estuary. (Ken Cox, Robbie Hughes) The bird was still present at 3.25pm. (Anna Warwick, Alwyn Spence).

A Firecrest, adult Mediterranean Gull and female Blackcap were at Barr Hall Bay on the outer Ards. A female type Merlin was at Kearney and 13+ Mediterranean Gulls at Cloughey. (Wilton Farrelly, Bob Watts).

A flock of 21 Waxwings were at Ballycastle Forest. (Dean Jones).

A male Brambling was visiting a garden outside Strangford. (David Stirling).

A Red-throated Diver was off Bangor and a Red Kite was on Coach Road, Comber. (Aaron Long).

Five Great White Egrets are at the south end of Lough Beg today, also Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and the Common Tern still present. A flock of five Long-tailed Ducks were at the main lake. (David Steele).

A male Ring-necked Duck, two Slavonian Grebes and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Inch Lake in Donegal. (Chris Ingram).

The Great White Egret is still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (Michael Latham).

Two Pinkfeet were with the Greylags at Glynn this afternoon. (Linda Thompson).

At Ballyquintin Point, a Short-eared Owl, Merlin and Jack Snipe. On flooded fields along the Carrstown Burn, Ballyquintin Road, 2 Pink-footed geese and 60 Black-tailed Godwit. A male Blackcap was at Kearney.

(Richard Weyl).

A Cattle Egret flying east at Mullagh farm, Lough Beg. The five Great White Egrets and Spotted Redshank still there this afternoon, plus at least two Jack Snipe south of Paddy's Dubh. A sixth, different Great White Egret was in the flooded area behind Nicholl's filling station, Toome. (Richard Grey).

A Short-eared Owl and the Spotted Redshank were at Ballycarry Bridge. (Cameron Moore).

A Black Redstart was on the south east pier at Newcastle this afternoon. (Dougie Gamble).

A Brambling and 5 Purple Sandpipers were on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

There was no sign of the Cliff Swallow in Bangor this morning.

Firecrest - Bob Watts

Pinkfeet - Linda Thompson

Redwing - Juliet Fleming

Red-throated Diver - Aaron Long

Short-eared Owl - Cameron Moore

Spotted Redshank - Cameron Moore

Great White Egret - Michael Latham

Bird News Saturday 28th October

An American Cliff Swallow (a potential first record for NI) has been reported from the seafront, Bangor (BirdGuides). The bird was looked for without success this afternoon. Any details on this potential sighting would be welcome.

The Osprey is still at the Bann Estuary this morning (Stephen Riddell)

The Waxwing flock is still in Ballycastle but elusive (Ian Dickey)

A Curlew Sandpiper, two Pink-footed Geese and a late Common Tern were at Lough Beg today. (David Steele)

Cattle Egret, Co Louth, David McCreedy:

An Eagle Owl of unknown origin was reported on Facebook (Shelbey Adamson):

Islay Trip

Four seats are available for the boat trip to Islay next Tuesday (31st October). Huge flocks of Barnacle Geese (including a Red Breasted Goose, and genuine wild Canadas) plus Sea Eagles and Chough are present. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for full details.

Bird News Friday 27th October

The Osprey again at the Bann Estuary in front of the hide (John Clarke, James McDowell). Juvenile Ruff still (John Spottiswood).

Great White Egret still at Ballycarry Bridge this morning showing well and still present 4pm (Martin Deehan/Timothy Davis) A Spotted Redshank was also present. (Cameron Moore)

Hottentot/Blue-billed Teal still at Belfast RSPB WoW Reserve yesterday (Stephen Maxwell).

7 Red Kites; 4 at Katesbridge, 3 at Ballyward (Ivan Cullen).

8+ Waxwings were on Drumavoley Road in Ballycastle (Tom McDonnell).

The drake Ring-necked Duck has returned to Mill Lough, Bellnaleck a Pink-footed Goose was also with a large flock of Canada Geese at Knockninny (Wilton Farrelly)

Waxwings - Tom McDonnell

Osprey - John Clarke

Osprey - James McDowell

Spotted Redshank - Cameron Moore

Whooper Swans - James McDowell

Hottentot Teal - Stephen Maxwell

Pinkfoot - Wilton Farrelly

Bird News Thursday 26th October

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen in flight over Tullywest Road, Crumlin this morning (Garry Wilkinson)

The Hawfinch remains on Tory Island along with two Brambling (Anton Meenan)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Colin Glen Forest (Ivan Cullen)

The Great White Egret was still at Ballycarry (Paula Campbell)

Two Cattle Egret were at Shore Road, Dundalk (David McCreedy)

Malin Beg, Donegal had 6 Greenland Whitefronts and two Blackcap in ‘Magic Garden’. Two Blackcap were in Malinmore and 530 Barnacle Geese were out at Shalwy, Kilcar (John O’Boyle)

A Short Eared Owl was present on Copeland Bird Observatory this afternoon. (Chris Acheson)

Two Black-throared Divers, two Red-throated Divers and 12 Common Scoter were at Magilligan. 9 Pinkfeet were in a Whooper flock at Myroe (Garry Wilkinson / Nigel Moore)

Redwing, Paul Hilton:

Bird News Wednesday 25th October

The Great White Egret was still showing north of Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (Kevin Kirkham).

The Osprey is still at the Bann Estuary. (Richard Donaghey).

A Short-eared Owl flew south over Mullaghboy on Islandmagee being mobbed by Jackdaws. (Adam McClure).

A Merlin was at Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Henry McCorry).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Davagh Forest, Cookstown. (Godfrey McRoberts).

A Brambling and a White-fronted Goose were on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Bird News Tuesday 24th October

The juvenile Common Rosefinch and Hawfinch remain on Tory Island, Donegal (Anton Meenan).

Feeding frenzy at Magilligan including 3 Little Gulls, Red-throated Diver, 1st winter Arctic and 2 1st winter Common Terns (John Clarke).

Red Kite over Drumbo early afternoon (Garry Wilkinson).

Great White Egret showing well on north side of Ballycarry Bridge mid afternoon (Kevin Kirkham).

First winter male Black Redstart ringed at Copeland Bird Observatory this morning (Chris Acheson).

Thanks to Chris Acheson for Black Redstart, John Clarke for Little Gull, Arctic & Common Tern and to Juliet Fleming for Great White Egret photos:

Student request for help

Travis Maxwell, a student at Queen’s has asked for help as below:

I am a postgraduate student, studying Media and Broadcast Television. I am currently producing a radio story alongside the RSPB and Ulster Wildlife. I am looking for avid birders and/or photographers who would be interested in providing an interview in relation to their hobby. Specifically, how their hobbies have been impacted by nature depletion, whether they believe there is enough nature in Northern Ireland or they have noticed a lack of wildlife, and whether they worry about the future of their hobby and feel as if there is more that can be done for the region in terms of tackling nature depletion.
The interview will last between 5-10 minutes and is capable of being conducted online or in person. If you can help, please email Travis at: travis.melfort@gmail.com

Bird News Monday 23rd October

A juvenile Common Rosefinch and the Hawfinch are on Tory Island, Donegal (Anton Meenan)

The drake Ring-necked Duck was off the Tready Hide, Inch Lake, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

One of the Great White Egrets was still at Ballycarry this afternoon (Nigel Moore)

A male Hen Harrier was at Lack, Co Fermanagh (Lisa McManus)

A Swallow was seen at Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)

A new door has been fitted on the Bann bird hide. The key remains the same.

Common Rosefinch, Anton Meenan:

Hawfinch, Anton Meenan:

Bird News Sunday 22nd October

The Great White Egret was still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough this morning. A Slavonian Grebe was at Glynn. (Aaron Long).

The Hawfinch was still on Tory Island. (Chris Ingram).

A Merlin and 2 Slavonian Grebes were at Myroe this morning. (Stephen & Donna Riddell).

Two Yellow-browed Warblers are on Rathlin. A Snow Bunting was at Mill Bay. (Dean Jones).

A Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea at Ballywalter beach. (Richard Weyl).

There is still one Great White Egret at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough this afternoon. (David Clarke & Cameron Moore).

A Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier and Merlin were all at Ballyquitan this afternoon. Wilton Farrelly).

A Red-throated Diver was off Kinnegar shore this evening. (Daniel Newton).

Thanks to David Clarke and Paul Hilton for the pictures of the Great White Egret and to Gareth Platt for the picture of the juvenile Whooper Swan:

David Clarke

Paul Hilton

Bird News Saturday 21st October

Mediterranean Gull at Portstewart Promenade this morning (Donna & Stephen Riddell).

Single Ruff at Belfast Lough WoW RSPB Reserve this morning and escaped Hottentot Teal still present (Daniel Newton).

White-rumped Sandpiper at Myroe feeding with Dunlin and single Curlew Sandpiper at river mouth. Also single Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese, 2 Greenland Whitefronts, with another 14 Pink-footed Geese overhead and a Barnacle x Canada Goose hybrid (Dean Jones).

Hawfinch on Tory, also a Lesser Whitethroat and 22 Brambling (Anton Meenan/Brian McCloskey/Chris Ingram/Theo Campbell/Joe Adamson).

3+ Great White Egrets flew over Portmore Lough RSPB; 6 egrets seen but only 3 of them photographed so possibly all Great White (Michael Latham).

Probable Carrion Crow and Wheatear at Newtownards Floodgates (Aron Long).

Slavonian Grebe and female Goosander Glynn (Ivan Quail & Nicky Dunlop).

Great White Egret still this afternoon Ballycarry Bridge (Adam Roberts).

Merlin chasing Jack Snipe at Templecooey (Wilton Farrelly).

3 Cattle Egrets from the Canal Bank Road, Poyntzpass (David Knight/Clifford Sharpe/Joe Devlin).

Osprey at the Bann Estuary 445pm (Alwyn)

A Spotted redshank was at Glynn (Nathan Gilbert)

Magilligan Point had 150 Sanderling and 12+ RT Diver (Tom Garner)

A possible American Herring Gull was seen from the Stranraer to Belfast ferry, near Carrickfergus (Mick Turton)

Thanks to Dean Jones for the White-rumped Sandpiper, Michael Latham & Adam Roberts for the Great White Egrets and Donna Riddell for the Mediterranean Gull:

You can see more pics at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Bird News Friday 20th October

18 Waxwing were around the Tready Hide, Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan)

12 Brambling were on Tory (Chris Ingram / Theo Campbell / Anton Meenan)

2 Great White Egret were at Ballycarry (Gerard McGeehan)

This presumed escaped duck is currently at RSPB Wow, possibly a Blue-billed \ Hottentot Teal (Leia Giesel):

Bird News Thursday 19th October

A Grey Plover was at Bar Hall Bay on the outer Ards. (Bob Watts).

A female Ferruginous Duck was off Tready hide at Inch Lake in Donegal. (Derek Brennan).

A Cattle Egret is in the flooded fields along Canal Bank Road, Poyntzpass. (Joe Devlin).

The Osprey was back at the Bann Estuary this afternoon. A Ruff was with Curlews in the field by the railway. (John Spottiswood).

A juvenile male Ruff, a flock of 150 winter plumaged Knot, ahigh count of 20 Little Egrets and a duck that appeared to be an escaped Hottentot Teal or hybrid were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Tom Ennis).

Thanks to Derek Brennan for the picture of the Ferruginous Duck and to Joe Devlin for the picture of the Cattle Egret:

Bird News Wednesday 18th October

Late news from yesterday of over 250 Jackdaws with a few Rooks tagging along on Rathlin, the first seen there since 9th May (Hazel Watson & Ric Else).

3 Great White Egrets from Ballycarry Bridge. Also 1W and 2W Mediterranean Gulls at Whitehead (Cameron Moore).

Approximately 30 Twite on the grass behind the Amici restaurant, Portstewart (Sean Hickey).

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the Great White Egret photos:

Bird News Tuesday 17th October

Yesterday a male Hen Harrier was at Portmore RSPB Reserve (Paul Hilton)

Also yesterday a Short-eared Owl was at Inch, Co Donegal (Daniel Moloney)

A Curlew Sandpiper is still at RSPB WoW (Daniel Newton)

An Osprey is fishing at the Bann Estuary. A Carrion Crow was on the Portstewart side of the estuary. (John Clarke). The Osprey was still present this afternoon (James McDowell).

A Carrion Crow was in a garden at Larne this morning (David Gillespie)

A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was near the east Lighthouse on Rathlin Island today. (Geoff Fawcett)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)

The Lesser Yellolegs was still off the platform at Inch, Donegal. The Ring-necked Duck and Curlew Sandpiper were off Tready hide. (Derek Brennan)

THe Great White Egret was south of Church Island, Lough Beg (Neil Reid)

Over 1,000 Whooper Swans were at Myroe. (James McDowell).

A Sabine's Gull was off the lookout point at Ballyquintin at 5pm. (Nathan Gilbert).

Osprey, James McDowell: