Bird News Sunday 31st March - Easter Sunday

8 Waxwing were still at Ward Park, Bangor this morning, although flighty (Guy Hamilton)

A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Kinny Lough, Fanad, Donegal (Wilton Farrelly)

A Red Grouse was at Muckish Mountain nr Lough Naboll Donegal. Another was at Lough Salt mountain (Craig Nash)

Two White Wagtails were on Rathlin this morning (Ric Else)

The Iceland Gull is still at Portballintrae (Donna Riddell)

A drake Ring-necked Duck is at Lough Fern, Milford, Co Donegal (Jamie Bliss)

15 Waxwing were at Memorial Park, Ballyclare this morning (Tim Davies)

The Glaucous Gull was still at Glenarm Marina (Daniel Newton)

Approximately 15 Waxwing were at the Ballyclare War Memorial Park in the tall trees next to the river as well as at least 5 Sand Martins around the Sixmile Leisure Centre car park (Tim Davies).

Sand Martins, Sandwich Terns, Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Willow Warblers are now widely reported.

Chiffchaff, Juliet Fleming:

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

Bird News Saturday 30th March

Yesterday at 5:30 pm, a flock of Waxwing were opposite The Flower Shop, Castle Street, Portadown (Wendy Munn)

Around 10 Waxwing were at Ward Park, Bangor at 8am (Alastair Mclean). They were still there this afternoon although flighty. (Stephen Farquhar et al). It is worth reminding everyone to give Waxwings the distance they need to settle to feed.

The Lesser Scaup was still at Kinnego Marina this morning (Paul Hilton)

A single Waxwing was in the berry bush at Castle Street, Portadown, this afternoon (Brian Nelson)

Many thanks to all who report bird news, updates and pictures. It is greatly appreciated.

Waxwing, Alastair Mclean:

Lesser Scaup, Paul Hilton:

Bird News Friday 29th March

The Glaucous Gull remains at Glenarm (Aaron Long)

A flock of Waxwing are at the Castle Car-park, Carrickfergus (Shirley Dunlop)

10 Whimbrel came in of the sea at Portballintrae (John Clarke)

6 Waxwing are still near the library at Ward Park, Bangor (Derek Polley / Laura Kerr)

Six Greenland Whitefronts, were with the Greylags at Nutgrove near Seaforde, off Farranfad Road. (David Nixon)

A Firecrest is on Tory (Anton Meenan)

The Green-winged Teal was seen again at Church Island, Lough Beg today, also three Great Egrets still in the area and the 1st-year Little Gull still present. (David Steele)

The Brambling was back again in a garden at Whitehead (Cameron Moore)

A Willow Warbler was at Brackagh Bog (Brian Nelson)

Chiffchaff are now widely reported.

Waxwing, Derek Polley:

Great Northern Diver, Christine Cunningham:

Glaucous Gull, Aaron Long:

Brambling, Cameron Moore:

Bird News Thursday 28th March

At least 34 Waxwing were still at the bottom of Hawthornden Drive, Belmont, Belfast (Wilton Farrelly)

A Jack Snipe and Willow Warbler were close to Belfast City Airport (Stuart Cossey)

The Lesser Scaup was again at Kinnego Inner Marina this morning. Several Swallows and Sand Martins were also present (Jack Tynan)

The Cattle Egret was still at Brankins Island Road and the Great White Egret at Portmore Lough (Jack Tynan)

A Wheatear was at RSPB WoW (Aaron Long / Derek Polley)

Adult Bonaparte’s Gull and adult Little Gull at Carnfunnock Bay, Larne. (Neal Warnock)

A flock of 40+ Greenland Whitefronts were seen over Portstewart this morning (Donna Riddell). Probably the same flock was subsequently seen over Rathlin (Ric Else)

The Waxwings were back at Old Coleraine Road Portstewart this morning (Sean Hickey)

After many cancellations due to high winds, the weather has changed and both the boat trips to Islay tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday (30th) are confirmed. Seats are still available. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for further details.

Lesser Scaup, Albert Boyle:

Cattle Egret, Jack Tynan:

Bonapartes Gull, Jason Bain:

Until the end of July, we will not be putting details of any sightings or pictures of potential breeding raptors on the Blog.

Bird News Wednesday 27th March

The Ring-necked Duck and the Lesser Scaup were both still present at Kinnegoe marina at Oxford Island. Several Swallows and Sand Martins were also present. (Ed O'Hara).

Three Wheatear and two Mediterranean Gulls were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop)

A Great White Egret was on the south shore of Lough Beg. (Jim Wells).

Fifteen Waxwings were still in Ward Park in Bangor. (Tim Murphy).

Ten Waxwings were on the Old Coleraine Road in Portstewart this afternoon. (Sean Hickey)

Bird News Tuesday 26th March

 Two Wheatear were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton)

A single Wheatear was at Kinnegar shore. (Kevin Mawhinney).

A single Swallow was at the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Aaron Long).

The Iceland Gull was still at Portballintrae this morning. (Stephen Riddell).

A single Pinkfoot was with Greylags and Whoopers along Kinnegoe Embankment, Lurgan. (David Clarke).

Both the Ring-necked Duck and the Lesser Scaup were in the outer bay at Kinnegoe marina at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

2 Swallows were over the River Bann at the Loughan. (Richard Donaghey).

Iceland Gull, Stephen Riddell.

Ring-necked Duck, Lesser Scaup, male & female Greater Scaup, David McCreedy.

Red-breasted Merganser, Rachel McIlroy.

Bird News Monday 25th March

 A pair of Scaup were off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island this morning. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).

The Lesser Scaup was at Kinnegoe marina at Oxford Island this morning. The cattle Egret and two Great White Egrets were at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Ed O'Hara).

Scaup, Mike McLaughlin.

Bird News Sunday 24th March

36 Waxwings were at the bottom of Hawthornden Drive in Belfast. (Daniel Newton).

The Ring-necked Duck was in the outer bay at Kinnegoe marina and the Lesser Scaup was in the inner bay at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

A Wheatear was at Kinnegar shore. (Stuart Cossey).

The immature White-tailed Eagle was seen briefly at Oxford Island again this morning. (Ed O'Hara). The bird was seen occasionally during the day including at 5pm when it was off Croaghan hide. (David McCreedy).

6 Purple Sandpipers were on the seawall at Jordanstown. (Kevin Kirkham).

A single Swallow was at the equestrian centre at Portmore. (Dave Weir).

A Little Gull and Pinkfoot were at the Bann Estuary. (Dean Jones).

3 Velvet Scoters and 3 Slavonian Grebe were off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough. (Wilton Farrelly).

5 Waxwings were at Ward Park in Bangor briefly at 10.30 this morning. (Guy Hamilton).

Lough Beg this morning had the long-staying 1st-year Little Gull still present, also a single Pink-foot, three Great Egrets, 24 Ruff (all males), 2,000 Black-tailed Godwits and two Sand Martins. (David Steele).

The Wheatear was still at Kinnegar Shore this evening. (Daniel Newton).

A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at Enniskillen dump. (Ronan Owens).

The Cattle Egret is still with a single bullock on Brankins Island Road near Lady Bay. At Flatfield, near Moira a flock of 113 Whooper Swans included one with a Darvic ring (FII) which had been ringed at Miklavatn, north Iceland on 15th August 2023. At Tunny, near Portmore Lough a flock of 237 Whooper Swans had one Darvic ring (42C) which had been ringed at Miklavatn, north Iceland on 14th August 2023. Also an adult Raven at Tunny..(Jim Wells).

A House Martin was over Lisburn this evening. (Andrew Upton).

White-tailed Eagle & Ring-necked Duck, Comghal McQuillan.

Ring-necked Duck & Red-breasted Mergansers, Stephen Brennan

Wheatear, Daniel Newton.

Bird News Saturday 23rd March

The Ring-necked Duck and Lesser Scaup were both still at Oxford Island this morning, the Ring-necked Duck was off Kinnegoe hide and the Lesser Scaup was in the inner bay at Kinnegoe marina. (Ed O'Hara). The Lesser Scaup was still present this afternoon. (Aaron Long).

An early Willow Warbler was singing near the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

A juvenile White-tailed Eagle was at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Steven Fyffe). Presumably the same bird was off Kinnegoe hide at Oxford Island this afternoon. (Aaron Long).

A Norwich type Jackdaw was at Kinnegar pool this morning. (Daniel Newton).

A flock of Waxwings were in a tree at the bottom of Hawthornden Drive beside Parkway on the outer ring, flying between there and trees in Belmont Park in east Belfast. (Simon Morton).

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

13 Waxwings were still in Ward Park in Bangor. (Sean Wensley).

Ring-necked Duck, Michael Latham. 

White-tailed Eagle, Michael Latham.

Red-breasted Mergansers, Alastair McLean.

Bird News Friday 22nd March

 A male Ring-necked Duck was at Kinnegoe marina at Oxford Island this morning. (Ed O'Hara).

The Lesser Scaup and a Sand Martin were also at Kinnegoe marina at Oxford Island this morning. (Stuart Cossey).

Yesterday a Brambling was still visiting a garden in Whitehead. (Cameron Moore).

A Great White Egret and a Cattle Egret and 30 Whoopers were at Portmore. (Stuart Cossey).

A female or immature Black Redstart was at the end of the beach past the caravan park at Cranfield West. (Garry & Gayle Wilkinson)

10 Waxwings were in Anderson Crescent, Limavady. (Martin Deehan).

A Red-throated Diver was in Portrush harbour this morning. There was no sign of the Waxwings at the Tesco store in Portstewart. (David Hill).

13 Waxwings were still near the library in Ward Park in Bangor.

An adult Grey-bellied Brent and a Dark-bellied Brent was among 900 Brent in Killough Harbour, best viewed in the early evening from Station Road. (Chris Murphy).

Brambling, Cameron Moore.

Ring-necked Duck, Ed O'Hara.

Ring-necked Duck, Danny Gibson.

Chiffchaff, Ed O'Hara.

Red-throated Diver, David Hill.

Ring-necked Duck, William Smiton.

Ring-necked Duck, Stephen Brennan.

Bird News Thursday 21st March

 Yesterday 10 Waxwings were in Ward Park in Bangor. (Fran Kennedy). 13 Waxwings were in Ward Park near the library today. (Dave Weir).

9 Waxwings were still in the Tesco carpark in Portstewart this morning. (Caroline Morrison).

The adult Iceland Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon this morning before flying off east. A Sandwich Tern was off Kinnegar shore.(Tim McGrath).

A Great White Egret was opposite the Nicholl garage in Toome. (Jonny Rosborough).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming along the towpath near Drumbeg. (Garry & Gayle Wilkinson).

Iceland Gull, Tim McGrath.

 Waxwings, Alastair McLean.

Bird News Wednesday 20th March

 The adult Iceland Gull is still at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast this morning. (Adam McClure).

Glaucous and Iceland Gulls both still at Portballintrae this morning. (Stephen Riddell).

The Waxwing flock is still at the Tesco store in Portstewart. (Stephen Riddell).

Two male Wheatears were on Rathlin. (Ric Else).

The Green-winged Teal was seen again at Church Island, Lough Beg this evening and a hybrid Green-winged x Eurasian Teal (showing mixed characteristics) was also present in the same area, though both birds elusive at times in the fen. (David Steele).

A female Pintail was on Lurgan Park Lake. (Stephen Brennan, Albert Boyle).

A Long-eared Owl was seen and heard again at Annahilt outside Hillsborough. (Garry Wilkinson).

Female Pintail, Stephen Brennan.

Female Pintail, Albert Boyle.

Bird News Tuesday 19th March

An adult Iceland Gull is at Whitehouse Lagoon today (Daniel Newton / Steven Farquhar/ Stuart McKee)

Chiffchaff’s continue to be reported. Birds were dining at Newtownabbey woodland (Kevin Rice), Lisburn Island Civic Centre (Leia Giesel) and Minnowburn, Belfast (Dave Allen)

The flock of Waxwings are still at Tesco Portstewart 

 at lunchtime today (Ginny McKee / Alwyn Spence)

The Kumliens Gull is still at Kerrykeel today (Robert Vaughan)

The Iceland Gull and Sand Martins were at Port Ballantrae (John Clarke)

A male Green-winged Teal was at Church Island, Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele)

Two Sand Martins were seen on the Braid River at Broughshane (Gillian McKillop)

A Long-eared Owl was at Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)

Iceland Gull, Daniel Newton:

Kumliens Gull, Robert Vaughan:

Until the end of July, we will not be putting details of any sightings or pictures of potential breeding raptors on the Blog.

Bird News Monday 18th March

 The flock of Waxwings is still at the Tesco store in Portstewart. (Donna Riddell). The 8 Waxwings were still present this evening. (Ben McCook).

The Lesser Scaup was still at Oxford Island, best seen this morning from the viewing platform at Waterside House. (Clifford Sharpe).

A Chiffchaff was singing at Castle Espie this morning. (Jonny Clarke).

A 2nd year Glaucous Gull was at the mouth of the Glenarm River. (Jeff Larkin).

A Glaucous Gull was at Portballintrae this morning. (Stephen Riddell).

The Cattle Egret was at it's usual place on Brankins Island Road and another was in field on left as you turn into George's Island road on way to Portmore. Three Great White Egrets were at Portmore. (David McCreedy).

Sand Martins were along the Newry Canal this morning. (Sharon Carroll).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Antrim Marina (Gareth Platt).

A Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and Great Spotted Woodpecker were all heard near the Quoile Countryside Centre this morning. (Dougie Gamble).

A 2nd year Kumlien's Gull and seven Mediterranean Gulls were at Kerrykeel in Donegal. (Wilton Farrelly).

Waxwing, Donna Riddell.

Red-throated Divers, Linda Thompson.

Glaucous Gull, Michael Latham.

Mediterranean Gull, Gareth Platt.

Kumlien's Gull, Wilton Farrelly.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Colin Kennedy.

Bird News Sunday 17th March

The Waxwing flock were still at Tesco, Portstewart (John Clarke / Rosie Kane)

The drake Lesser Scaup was showing very well this morning at Kinnego Marina, Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)

A 2cy female Lesser Scaup was still present at the eastern end of Monalty Lough. An adult female Ring-necked Duck was showing distantly on Lough Fea also. Both Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan. (Brian McCloskey)

The Cattle Egret was still at Brankins Island Road, near Portmore. Another Cattle Egret was in a field near Portmore, opposite the entrance to Holly Island Kennels and Cattery. (Daniel Newton)

A Carrion Crow was at Victoria Park, Belfast (Stuart Cossey)

The possible Tundra Bean Goose was at the Bann Estuary, although identification has not been confirmed (Theo Campbell)

Four Chiffchaff were at Somerset Wood, Coleraine this morning (Donna Riddell)

A Chiffchaff was calling at Peatlands Park (Brian Nelson)

A Brambling was still visiting a garden in Whitehead (Cameron Moore)

The Great White Egret was still at Portmore (Michael Latham)

2 Chiffchaff were calling in trees surrounding Navan Fort Centre Armagh (Kevin Curran)

Chiffchaff, Donna Riddell:

Drake Lesser Scaup, Garry Armstrong:

Male Brambling, Cameron Moore: