nibirds: June 2024

Bird News Sunday 30th June

The Quail was heard distantly from Paddy's Dubh at Lough Beg. (Bob Watts).

Bird News Saturday 29th June

Quail calling from Paddys Dubh, SW corner of Lough Beg but no sign of Red-necked Phalarope by 1015 though it has ranged widely during its stay (Daniel Newton).

Green Sandpiper still at River Blackstaff, Dundrum (Michael Latham).

Green Sandpiper, Michael Latham:

Yellowhammer, Michael Latham:

Bird News Friday 28th June

Both Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpipers are at the Blackstaff river, Dundrum Bay (Dermot Hughes)

The Red-necked Phalarope is still in the southwest corner of Lough Beg. A moulting male Ruff (a new bird) was also present and a female Greater Scaup was at the lake. (David Steele)

Red-necked Phalarope, David Steele:

Bird News Thursday 27th June

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning had a Common Sandpiper, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Arctic Terns. (Derek Polley)

A female Marsh Harrier hovering near side of carriageway before Toome roundabout over a marshy area (Philip West)

The Red-necked Phalarope was still in the south west corner of Lough Beg this afternoon. (David Steele).

A Spotted Flycatcher was along the Newry Canal this evening. (Keith Bates & Julie Hillman).

The female Red-necked Phalarope was still in the south west corner of Lough Beg, giving good views (Clifford Sharpe / David McCreedy). It should be noted that this bird covers a wide area and in the last 24 hours has been seen at Church Island, Annagh and the Mullagh. The bird was still present at 8pm (John Spratt)

RSPB WoW had a Common Sandpiper and 8 Knot (Gerard McGeehan)

A single Brent Goose was at the Floodgates, Newtownards (Dermot Hughes)

A Long-eared Owl was at the Six Mile Water, Antrim (Willy White)

Red-necked Phalarope, David McCreedy:

Yellowhammer, William Smiton:

Bird News Tuesday 25th June

Red-necked Phalarope still in the SW corner of Lough Beg (Andrew Crory).

Sand Martin, Terry Hanna:

Bird News Monday 24th June

The Red-necked Phalarope was seen distantly in the south west corner of Lough Beg, a Whooper Swan with young was also seen. (Bob Watts).

A Common Sandpiper and a Greenshank were at Lady Bay. There was no sign of the Osprey at Portmore. (Aaron Long).

A Corncrake was calling outside Crossgar. (Craig Nash).

3 Brent Geese were at Carrickfergus. (Paul McCullough).

Bird News Sunday 23rd June

The Red-necked Phalarope is still in the south-west corner of Lough Beg. (Jeff Larkin)

The Iceland Gull was still at Portballantrae (Stephen Riddell)

RSPB WoW had a Whimbrel and 23 Knot (Stuart Cossey)

Three Great Spotted Woodpecker have been visiting a garden at Killyleagh (Paul Megahey)

Two Twite were at Fair Head (To Garner)

The Red-throated Diver remains at Ballyholme, Bangor (David Rainey)

An Osprey was at RSPB Portmore this evening (Aaron Long)

A record shot of yesterdays Pectoral Sandpiper:

Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Paul Megahey:

Red-throated Diver, David Rainey:

Bird News Saturday 22nd June

Red-necked Phalarope still in SW corner of Lough Beg. There was also a Pectoral Sandpiper this evening though often elusive and 3 Ruff (David Steele).

Great Spotted Woodpecker family still frequenting a garden near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).

News from last night of a Long-eared Owl at Seagahan Reservoir, Co Armagh (John Anderson).

Approximately 5 pairs of Arctic Tern at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW Reserve also one Knot (Stuart McKee).

3 Common Sandpipers at Lady Bay (Garry Armstrong).

Red-throated Diver at Long Hole, Bangor (Peter Stanyon / Richard Weyl).

Great Northern Diver at Ballymacormack Point (Richard Weyl).

Common Sandpiper and reeling Grasshopper Warbler at the Bann Estuary (Aaron Long).

Common Sandpiper, Whimbrel and juvenile Wheatear at Tara near Portaferry (Dermot Hughes).

Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Garry Wilkinson:

Bird News Friday 21st June

A Little Tern was at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Stuart Cossey). The Little Tern is still present this evening. (Aaron Long). A Common Sandpiper was also present.

The Red-breasted Flycatcher is still on Tory. (Anton Meenan).

2 juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers are visiting a garden outside Hillsborough. A Common Sandpiper was on the rocks at Ballygally outfall. Another Common Sandpiper was at Cushendall beach. (Garry Wilkinson)

Little Tern, Michael Latham.

Kittiwake, Juliet Fleming

Bird News Thursday 20th June

A female Red-necked Phalarope was in the southwest corner of Lough Beg early evening. (David Steele). The bird was visible from Church Island at 7:45pm. Itsubsequently flew to the south east (Aaron Long)

A Common Rosefinch and Red-breasted Flycatcher are on Tory Island (Anton Meenan)

Red-necked Phalarope, David Steele:

More local bird pics are at: http://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Bird News Wednesday 19th June

2 Grasshopper Warblers from new sites on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Bird News Tuesday 18th June

A Red-necked Phalarope was briefly off the hide at the Barmouth this morning (Dennis Weir). No sign 1345-1445 (Richard Donaghey). There was still no sign of the Phalarope this evening but a Brent Goose was present. (John Spottiswood).

A Whimbrel was at Portstewart headland. (Chris Hamilton).

An adult and juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers were visiting a garden in Banbridge. (Kevin Maguire).

A Spotted Flycatcher was along the river trail at Clare Glen. (Garry Wilkinson)

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Antrim Castle Gardens. (Jeff Silvers).

Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Kevin Maguire.

Spotted Flycatcher, Jeff Silvers.

Bird News Monday 17th June

The Common Sandpiper remains at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh (Juliet Fleming)

Two Great Spotted Woodpecker were visiting a garden in Rostrevor (Catriona McLaughlin) another was seen at a feeder at Cushendall (Paul Connolly)

Two Spotted Flycatcher were at Rowallane (Sharon Anderson)

Common Sandpiper, Juliet Fleming:

Bird News Sunday 16th June

Great Skua off Portstewart this morning (Donna & Stephen Riddell).

Great Spotted Woodpecker in a garden between Ardglass and Downpatrcik (Alex Simpson).

Common Sandpiper at Lady Bay (Garry Armstrong).

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Alex Simpson:

Bird News Saturday 15th June

A Glaucous Gull was at Portballintrae. (Jonny Rosborough).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Peatlands Park. (Bob Watts).

A pair of Red-breasted Mergansers were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Dot Blakeley).

A Long-eared Owl was at Castle Espie this afternoon. (Jonathan Clark).

A Reed Warbler, possibly the first record, was on Rathlin. (Ric Else, Hazel Watson)

Long-eared Owl, Jonathan Clark.

Bird News Friday 14th June

Tullyhill, Kilclief had a Whimbrel and a Sanderling (Chris Murphy)

Kearney had 11 Sanderling (Dermot Hughes)

Yesterday the Bann Estuary had a Whimbrel (John Spottiswood)

Reed Warbler, Castle Island Hide, Quoile, Chris McNally:

Bird News Thursday 13th June

Stock Dove again calling from fields immediately adjacent to David Lloyd gym car park, Dundonald (Bob Watts).

St John’s Point 0915-45: 1200 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Puffin (Chris Murphy).

Great Spotted Woodpecker male feeding 2 juveniles in garden outside Moneymore yesterday (Godfrey McRoberts).

Yesterday afternoon at Davagh Forest 9 Crossbill, 2 Spotted Flycatcher and a single Cuckoo (Godfrey McRoberts).

At Belfast Lough RSPB WoW Reserve the Mediterranean Gull pair now have one chick, there are 2 pairs of Arctic Tern and a Knot whilst a presumed feral Barnacle Goose briefly dropped in (Derek Polley).

The weather will improve and there are 4 seats available for the boat trip from Bangor to the Gobbins and Muck Island this Saturday. The boat leaves at 10an. Great opportunity to see and photograph Puffins. Phone Jim Wells on-07856235144 for full details.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Godfrey McRoberts:

Bird News Wednesday 12th June

A Stock Dove was still calling in the fields behind the David Lloyd Gym in Dundonald. (Bob Watts)

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Castle Espie with a singing Reed Warbler present in the reeds. (Nathan Gilbert).

A flock of approximately 50 Snow Geese flew west over Ballycastle this evening. (James Robinson).

Arctic Tern, Michael Latham.

Bird News Tuesday 11th June

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden between Hillsborough and Moira (Juliet Fleming)

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Juliet Fleming:

Bird News Monday 10th June

Little Ringed Plover still at Portmore Lough RSPB (David McCreedy).

Common Whitethroat, Terry Hanna:

Little Ringed Plover, David McCreedy:

Richard Caves:

Bird News Sunday 9th June

A Great Skua past Portstewart Head this morning. (Stephen Riddell).

The Little Ringed Plover is still at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Ed O'Hara). The Marsh Harrier was seen from the hide. (Tom Garner).

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW observation room is closed today due to electrical work.

Little Ringed Plover, Michael Latham.

Ruff & Ringed Plover, Michael Latham.

Bird News Saturday 8th June

The Little Ringed Plover and Cattle Egret were at Portmore Lough RSPB this morning (Michael Latham / Mike McLaughlin). The Little Ringed Plover was still present this evening (Richard Caves)

Two Ruff were at Lady Bay (Mike McLaughlin)

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Glynn Co Antrim (David Clarke and John Pyper)

Further afield, the Yellow Crowned Night Heron is still in Belcarra, Co Mayo.

Little Ringed Plover, Michael Latham:

Cattle Egret, Portmore, Michael Latham:

Little Ringed Plover, Richard Caves:

Ruff, Richard Caves:

Bird News Friday 7th June

Great Spotted Woodpecker family coming to garden in Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker coming to peanut feeders in a garden near Moneymore. Birds have recently fledged at Davagh Forest (Godfrey McRoberts).

Little Ringed Plover again at Portmore Lough RSPB this evening (John O’Boyle / Richard Caves).

Little Ringed Plover then moved to Lady Bay where also 2 Ruff (Garry Armstrong).

Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Garry Wilkinson:

Little Ringed Plover, Richard Caves:

Bird news Thursday 6th June

The Cattle Egret was on the pools at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. There was no sign of the Little Ringed Plover either there or at Lady Bay. (David McCreedy). A Mediterranean Gull was on the breeding rafts off the hide. (Seamus O'Hara).

A male Garganey was just east of the Colebrooke River on Upper Lough Erne in Co. Fermanagh. (Birdguides).

Stock Dove still calling in fields behind David Lloyd gym, Dundonald (Bob Watts)

Cattle Egret, David McCreedy.

Bird News Wednesday 5th June

A Little Ringed Plover is feeding around the pools below the viewing platform at RSPB Portmore Lough (Laura Smith). The bird relocated to Lady Bay this evening (Garry Armstrong)

For anyone who visited the Yellow-Crowned Night Heron in Belcarra, Mayo, and wants to leave a donation, they can do so at the link below:

https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/Q9LKZF3W

Little Ringed Plover, Michael Latham: