Bird News Thursday 4th July

The Long-billed Dowitcher is at Portmore. (Gerry JUdge / David McCreedy / Mike McLaughlin). The bird was still present early evening (Daniel Newton)

3 Common Sandpiper were at Lady Bay (Ian Young)

RSPB WoW had a Common Sandpiper (Dot Blakely). The adult Med Gull pair and fledgling are also present (Bob Watts)

RSPB NI kindly asks for anyone visiting Lough Beg:
We appreciate that there have been a few interesting sightings of birds visiting the shores of Lough Beg, however, there are also a number of nationally important populations of breeding waders, including  Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe who are currently nesting in the area. Ground-nesting birds are incredibly susceptible to disturbances at this time and as they perceive humans as predators, they will respond accordingly, including disrupted behaviours, leaving nests and avoiding areas of valuable resources. 
As part of our commitment to safeguarding these species, RSPB NI asks that visitors to Lough Beg use only the designated path at Long Point Wood for views of the Lough, and refrain from accessing the shore via other routes as there is no public access to wet grassland or shore.

Long-billed Dowitcher, Gerry Judge:

Bird News Wednesday 3rd July

A Long-billed Dowitcher is at Portmore Lough RSPB this evening (Aaron Long)  The bird was still present at 9:45 (Michael Latham)

A Spotted Flycatcher is still in Antrim Castle Gardens. (Chris Hamilton).

The Quail was heard calling again from the farm gate at Annagh, Lough Beg. (Bob Watts).

A Great Skua was over the harbour on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Long-billed Dowitcher, Aaron Long.



Bird News Tuesday 2nd July

Quail still calling from SW corner of Lough Beg and a Spotted Flycatcher family but no sign of the Red-necked Phalarope (Tony Dodds / Ian Young). Quail still calling intermittently in the afternoon and also a Green Sandpiper (David Steele).

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

Great Spotted Woodpecker:



Bird News Monday 1st July

The Red-necked Phalarope was seen again in the south west corner of Lough Beg (Mike McLaughlin/ David McCreedy)

The Quail was again calling at Paddy's Dubh, Lough Beg, this afternoon (Chris Murphy)

Quail calling video (volume needs to be at full strength):


Sparrowhawk with Starling, Ivan Daglish: