Bird News Saturday 26th July 2025

The White Stork was still at Lough Road, Loughguile (Sean Gibson / Ian Young)

The Little Ringed Plover was still at RSPB WoW. A Little Gull was at Kinnegar Shore. (Daniel Newton)

An adult female Black Redstart was trapped and ringed on Copeland (Ollie Padget / Adam Ringland)

An adult Pectoral Sandpiper is at Inch Lake, Donegal ;Derek Brennan)

Bird News Friday 25th July 2025

The Spoonbill and three Common Sandpiper were at RSPB WoW this morning (Jake Grant)

A dark morph Arctic Skua remains off the Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood)

Two Roseate Tern were reported from RSPB WoW this afternoon. 

For anyone interested, the Orca was seen again in Donegal Bay yesterday. At least two Humpbacks were also present.

Arctic Skua, John Clarke:

Bird News Thursday 24th July 2025

A Golden Eagle was seen over Kinramer, Rathlin, yesterday morning (Scott Shaum).

Spoonbill still at Belfast Lough WoW also 2 Little Gulls, Ruff, 2 Common Sandpipers (Sandra Ferretti). Little Ringed Plover remains also Arctic Tern, 3 Common Sandpipers (Derek Polley / Ronnie Doggart / John Fraser).

Juvenile Garganey, juvenile Mandarin and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Quoile Pondage from the Castle Island hide (Chris & Tim Murphy).

2 Green Sandpipers at Clea Lough (Hugh Thurgate).

Little Ringed Plover, Stephen Maxwell:


Spoonbill, Stephen Maxwell:


Common Sandpiper, Stephen Maxwell;







Bird News Wednesday 23rd July 2025

The White Stork of unknown origin (unringed) is still at Lough Road, Loughguile (Chris Hamilton)

At RSPB WoW, the Spoonbill and Little Ringed Plover remain along with 3 Little Gulls. (Jake Grant)

White Stork, Jeff Larkin:

Little Ringed Plover, Nigel Moore:

Little Riged Plover, William Smiton:

More pics of local birds can be seen at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Bird News Tuesday 22nd July 2025

Spoonbill remains at Belfast Lough WoW also 4 Little Gulls (Daniel Newton). Little Ringed Plover still present too (Chris Hamilton).

Dark morph Arctic Skua off the hide at the Bann Estuary (Jeff Larkin / Pat Hull). Osprey seen by fishermen in recent days (per John Clarke).

White-tailed Eagle (untagged) heading towards Ballymena at 1pm (Kenneth Moore).

White Stork (unringed) at 1420 from Lough Road, W of Loughguile, Co Antrim (James Armour). Still present 5pm (Enda McAuley) & 648pm (Jeff Larkin).

Adult Arctic Tern off Bann Estuary this evening (John Spottiswood).

White-tailed Eagle, Kenneth Moore:


White Stork, James Armour:



Bird News Monday 21st July 2025

The Spoonbill and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull were at RSPB WoW (Bob Watts). A Little Gull, ann Arctic Tern and the Little Ringed Plover were also present. Dunlin numbers were up to a recent high count of 87 (Jake Grant)

A 90 minute morning seawatch from Fanad Head had 45+ Storm Petrel, a Bonxie and 2 Sooty Shearwater (Wilton Farrelly)

An unringed White Stork was reported from Loughguile today.

Redshank and Knot, Castle Espie, Jonathan Clarke:

Bird News Sunday 20th July 2025

Cattle Egret still at the point at Blanketnook, Co Donegal also adult and juvenile Mediterranean Gulks (Chris Ingram).

Spotted Flycatcher at Cloughey (Jim Cunningham).

Whimbrel are on the move with 5+ at Ballymacormack Point today (Bob Watts) and 13 on Rathlin yesterday (Ric Else / Hazel Watson). 

Subadult Golden Eagle in the Antrim Hills (Aaron Long / Ian Young / Sean Gibson).

For cetacean buffs 2/3 Humpback Whales (reports of up to 7 in the bay in the past week), lots of Minke but no sign by early afternoon of any Orca at Donegal Bay. Probably closer views from the Mulaghmore end (Brian McCloskey / Derek Brennan / Jamie Bliss). 4 Humpbacks from St John’s Point Lighthouse this evening but no sign of Orca (Stephen Dunbar).

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Colin Bell:



Bird News Saturday 19th July 2025

The Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover and 2 Little Gull were at RSPB WOW. Waders such as Dunlin, Knot & Common Sandpiper continue to increase in numbers. Another Little Gull was on Kinnegar Shore. (Daniel Newton)

A Cattle Egret was still in fields at the Moyle end of Blanketnook, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

A Red Kite and four Red Grouse were in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham)

A Red Kite was seen over Bryansford (Eric Mansell)

3 Stock Dove were on Mew Island, Copelands (Michael Latham)

It may interest birders to know that the Orca ‘Aquarius’ was seen in Donegal Bay today. Two Humpback were also seen from St John’s Point, Donegal (Stephen Dunbar)

Red Grouse, Michael Latham:









Bird News Friday 18th July 2025

Cattle Egret at Moyle end of Blanket Nook, Co Donegal in field with cattle (Chris Ingram).

Spoonbill actively feeding this morning at Belfast Lough WoW also Little Ringed Plover and Ruff still, also 5+ Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Gulls (Laura Kerr / Jake Grant).

Wader flocks are building up with increased numbers of commoner waders including Dunlin and Greenshank reported.

Arctic Tern, Michael Latham:



Bird News Thursday 17th July 2025

RSPB WoW this morning had 3 Little Gulls, the Spoonbill, a Mediterranean gull,  the Little Ringed Plover and the Ruff. An Arctic Tern was also present (Jake Grant / Derek Polley / Ronnie Doggart)

The Marsh Harrier and 4 Ruff were at Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan)

Bird News Wednesday 16th July 2025

Marsh Harrier still Inch, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell).

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff still at Belfast Lough WoW also 5 Common Sandpipers (Gerard McGeehan). Also a Little Gull (Jake Grant). 3 Little Gulls this evening (Wilton Farrelly).

A White Stork spent most of the Wellington Rec v Crusaders game yesterday in Larne on top of the floodlights (Thomas Fulton). One reported in flight over Whitehead this afternoon (per Adam McClure).

A Red Kite over Annsborough, Co Down at 3pm being chased by gulls (Ann-Marie Smyth).

5 Mediterranean Gulls at the Bann Estuary this evening  (adult, 2 2nd cy, 2 juvs) (John Spottiswood).

White Stork, Thomas Fulton:



Bird News Tuesday 15th July 2025

The Spoonbill was still present this morning at RSPB WoW along with the Little Ringed Plover and the male Ruff. 6 Dublins Common Sandpipers and a Knot were also present (Jake Grant / Lillian Ferguson / Brian Murphy)

Four Little Gull were at RSPB WoW this afternoon (Michael Latham)

A Red Kite was near Mallusk (John Clarke)

4 Ruff were at Church Island, Lough Beg (Richard Gray)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Bryansford (Eric Mansell)

Waders such as Greenshank, Knot, Whimbrel and Dunlin now seem to be migrating again with various sighting reports.

Spoonbill, Michael Latham:

Little Gulls (3), Michael Latham:

Bird News Monday 14th July 2025

Late news from yesterday of 6 Whimbrel and c50 Swift heading south from Copeland Bird Observatory (David Stirling). 

Yellowhammer singing near Bright, Co Down (David Clarke).

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeder in garden near Hillsborough (Juliet Fleming). Another at Silent Valley car park (Ann-Marie Smyth).

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, 2cy Little Gull, 3 Common Sandpipers still at Belfast Lough WoW (Bob Watts).

Mediterranean Gull with PKPA ring also a Whimbrel in the Bann Estuary (John Clarke).

Juvenile Cuckoo and Great Skua Rathlin (James McDowell).

60+ Swifts at Lough Mourne, Carrickfergus (Ian Enlander).

A Whimbrel at Kearney this afternoon (Graham McElwaine).

Cuckoo, James McDowell:

Great Skua, James McDowell:

Yellowhammer, David Clarke:


Great Spotted Woodpecker, Juliet Fleming:



Mediterranean Gull, John Clarke:

Bird News Sunday 13th July 2025

The Spoonbill continues at RSPB WoW (Colin Palethorpe)

A Common Sandpiper was on Newcastle Beach this morning (Mel O’Hagan)

Four adult Mediterranean Gull and three juveniles were at the Bann Estuary (John Clarke)

A Yellowhammer was singing on the Cornakinnegar Road between Lurgan and Aghagallon, the first for many years. (Brian Nelson)

Returning waders continue to be seen with Turnstone and Knot noticeable in particular.

Mediterranean Gulls, John Clarke:



Great Spotted Woodpecker, Juliet Fleming:



Bird News Saturday 12th July 2025

The White-rumped Sandpiper remains at the Bann Estuary, at the Barmouth on the Castlerock side. The bird is alone. (Richard Donaghey).

Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Murlough House, Dundrum (Conor Mansell) and in garden on peanut feeder Lambeg (Noeni Bryars).

Bird News Friday 11th July 2025

The Spoonbill and Little Ringed Plover are still at RSPB WoW. 3 Mediterranean Gulls and the Ruff are also present. Common Sandpiper are also still present. (Jake Grant / Laura Kerr)

A Red Kite was in Ballynahinch (Martin Rooney). Another was seen at Ulster University (John Clarke)

A juvenile Montagu's Harrier has been seen and photographed up the Antrim Hills (Per Kenny Moore)

Tory Island today had two Sooty Shearwater, 2 Storm Petrel and 3 Little Terns (Robert Vaughan)

The Whooper Swan was again at Stoneford Reservoir, Dougie Gamble:

Spoonbill, David McCreedy:


Bird News Thursday 10th July 2025

The Little Ringed Plover, 2 Little Gulls, Ruff and 5 Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning, the Spoonbill wasn't seen. (Jake Grant). The Spoonbill reappeared at 12.15. (Derek Polley).

Three Red Grouse were at Jenkin Forest in Co. Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

A Whooper Swan was at Stoneyford Reservoir this afternoon. (Ivan Cullen).

Dark-bellied Brent, Juliet Fleming.




Bird News Wednesday 9th July 2025

 There was no sign of the Green Sandpiper at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning, the Spoonbill, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover and a Little Gull were present, another Little Gull was at Kinnegar shore. (Daniel Newton Sean Gibson). The Green Sandpiper is showing again at 11.45. (Gerard McGeehan). Seven Common Sandpipers were present this afternoon. (Bob Watts).

The WoW reserve this evening had the Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, 3 Little Gulls, and 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 adults and a 2nd year. There was no sign of the Green Sandpiper. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were also at Kinnegar shore. (Philip West).

The Marsh Harrier is still at Inch in Donegal. (Theo Campbell).

Two Great Northern Divers were seen on a boat trip off Portballintrae and a Great Skua off Portrush. (John Clarke).

A 1st year Mediterranean Gull was at Magilligan. (Stephen Riddell).

A Brent Goose was at Bushfoot near Portballintrae. (Juliet Fleming).

Two Red Kites were in the Antrim Hills. (Michael Latham).

Bird News Tuesday 8th July 2025

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover and Ruff at Belfast Lough WoW (Adam McClure/Daniel Newton). All still present this evening plus a Common Sandpiper and a Knot (Michael Latham). Green Sandpiper late evening (Daniel Newton).

Osprey seen flying over Bann Estuary with fish 0830 (Stephen Riddell).

Osprey and 5 male Ruff at Lough Beg (David Steele).

A Little Tern from the train near Kinnego (Garry Wilkinson).

Summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver off Briggs Point, Groomsport (Jeff Silver).

Summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver at Glenarm (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop).

2 Adult Mediterranean Gulls Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood).

Great Northern Diver, Jeff Silver:

Ruff, Daniel Newton:



Bird News Monday 7th July 2025

 A White-tailed Eagle was seen again in the Antrim Hills. (Kenny Moore, Ian Dickey).

The Spoonbill, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Jake Grant). There were also 3 Little Gulls present this evening. (Wilton Farrelly).

A Yellowhammer was singing in fields at the back of Billy Neill Country Park in Belfast. (Bob Watts).

White-tailed Eagle, Sandra McDowell.



Bird News Sunday 6th July 2025

An Osprey is off the Discovery Centre, Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong). An Osprey was also at Portmore at lunchtime (Garry Armstrong)

The best in a 4 hour morning seawatch of Fanad Head, Donegal were circa 40 Storm Petrels (Stephen Dunbar / Jamie Bliss)

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Newcastle beach this morning (Mel O’Hagan)

Red Kites were near Lurgan (Leia Getty) and Dundrum (Michael Latham)

At RSPB WoW, there was at least one Little Ringed Plover, the Spoonbill and 2 Little Gulls (John Spottiswood)

A White-tailed Eagle was in the Antrim Hills (Gerard McGeehan, Sandra McDowell)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden in the Ballymarlagh area of Ballymena. (Ginny McKee).

Bird News Saturday 5th July 2025

Roseate Tern and Spoonbill at Belfast Lough WoW (Michael Latham). Also 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper (Martin Deehan). No sign of Roseate Tern at 4pm but additional sightings of Little Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, Arctic Terns and 2 Knot (Michael Latham).

Juvenile Cuckoo at Murlough NNR (Stuart Cossey).

Osprey at the Bann Estuary this evening (Mark McCullough).

Adult Pomarine Skua off Fanad Head this morning (Wilton Farrelly).

Great White Egret from Ballycarry Bridge this evening on western side of mudflats (Steven Fyffe).

Albino Swallow on Ardmore Road outside Lurgan Southern shore of Lough Neagh (Joe O’Hagan).

Roseate Tern & Little Ringed Plover, Michael Latham:




Bird News Friday 4th July 2025

 The Little Ringed Plover, Spoonbill, eclipse male Garganey and 4 Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB Wow reserve today. (Bob Watts). A Little Tern was present this afternoon. (Leia Getty, Dot Blakely). The Spoonbill was still present this evening. (Tim Davis).

One of the Little Gulls was at Kinnegar shore. (Stuart Cossey).

Corncrakes were still calling on Rathlin last night, 3 Great Skuas were around the seabird centre this morning. (Derek Polley).

An Osprey and a Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary. (Matthew Tickner).

Bird News Thursday 3rd July 2025

At least one Little Ringed Plover and a Little Gull were at RSPB WoW this morning (Daniel Newton) The Spoonbill was present late morning as well. Waders hare continuing to migrate with eg four Common Sandpiper and 2 Knot also present at WoW (Derek Polley)

This evening, 2 Little Tern and 3 Little Gulls were at RSPB WoW (Aaron Long)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden in Coleraine (Shaun Hartin)

This evening, a drake Garganey and 2 Ruff were at Lough Beg (David Steele)

Bird News Wednesday 2nd July 2025

Spoonbill, 2 Little Gulls and 6+ Common Sandpipers at Belfast Lough WoW this morning (Daniel Newton). Also the eclipse drake Garganey (Richard Gray). Little Ringed Plover also reported early afternoon and 2 seen this evening (Daniel Newton).

A second brood of 3 Long-eared Owlets at Castle Espie (Castle Espie WWT).

Immature female Marsh Harrier and adult Mediterranean Gull still at Inch, Co Donegal (Michael Huggins).

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robert Boyle:



Bird News Tuesday 1st July 2025

The Little Ringed Plover, Spoonbill and eclipse male Garganey were all still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. The two Little Gulls were at WoW this evening. (Daniel Newton).

A fisherman has reported an Osprey at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke).

A Water Rail was calling from the reedbed at Billy Neill Park and a Yellowhammer was singing in the fields behind. (Karl Martin).

Bird News Monday 30th June 2025

The Spoonbill and a Common Sandpiper were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning, the Little Ringed Plover may have been present but the hide windows were too misted up to be sure. A 2nd year Little Gull was at Kinnegar shore. (Richard Gray)

The Cettis Warblers at Killough have not been heard since early May (Chris Murphy)

Bird News Sunday 29th June 2025

Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Belfast Harbour Meadows with small passage of Siskin over Kinnegar (Stuart Cossey).

Spoonbill and 2 Common Sandpipers at Belfast Lough WoW (Chris Veale).

Redhead Goosander with 2 Red-breasted Mergansers Lady Bay (Garry Armstrong).

No sign of the Song Sparrow on Tory, Co Donegal today which is presumed to have moved off overnight in improved weather conditions. The bird stayed for a minimum of 6 days; it was possibly heard the day before its discovery.

4 Common Sandpipers on Comber River behind Tesco/Spar (Chris Murphy).

Spoonbill at Portmore Lough (Niall Mulvenna).

Probable Arctic Skua at Killard this afternoon (Mark Robinson).

2 female Mandarin at Lough Beg this evening (David Steele).

Spoonbill, Niall Mulvenna:



Bird News Saturday 28th June 2025

The unringed White Stork is still present on embankment opposite Kings bridge in Belfast. (Stuart Cossey).

The Spoonbill is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. Two Little Gulls were on Kinnegar shore. (Daniel Newton). The eclipse male Garganey, one of the Little Ringed Plovers and a Common Sandpiper were also at WoW. (Kevin Kirkham).

The Song Sparrow is still on Tory today. (Anton Meenan).

A Golden Eagle and a Red Kite were in the Antrim Hills. (Leia Getty).

White Stork, Daniel Henderson.





White Stork, Kevin Kirkham.



Bird News Friday 27th June 2025

The Song Sparrow remains at the east end of Tory Island and has been present throughout the day (Fran O’Connell / John Spottiswood / Bob Watts). It is worth noting that the Ferry to \ from Tory has been cancelled on Saturday.

An unringed White Stork was at Annadale Embankment, Belfast (David Stirling). The bird was still there this evening to 9:30 at least. (Michael Latham, Mel O’Hagan et al). The previously ringed bird that frequented this same area is currently in England.

The Spoonbill, two Little Ringed Plover and two Common Sandpiper were at RSPB WoW (Laura Kerr). The Garganey was also present late afternoon (Daniel Newton)

The Marsh Harrier remains at Inch, Co Donegal (Michael Huggins)

A Golden Eagle and Red Kite were in the Antrim Hills (Mervyn Campbell)

White Stork, Annadale, Stuart McKee:


Song Sparrow, Tory Island, Garry Wilkinson:

White Stork, Annadale Embankment, Belfast, Michael Latham:

 

Bird News Thursday 26th June 2025

Spoonbill and Little Ringed Plover still at Belfast Lough WoW with a second Little Ringed Plover from mid afternoon (Clive Mellon). Also 2 Common Sandpiper (Derek Polley / Dot Blakeley). Near eclipse drake Garganey too (Daniel Newton).

Song Sparrow still on Tory, Co Donegal and present this evening (Joseph Doolan / Fran O’Connell)

Common Sandpiper at Lady Bay (Richard Caves).

White Stork of unknown origin at Knock Golf Club (per Garry Wilkinson).

Common Sandpipers, Stephen Maxwell & Richard Caves:


Spoonbill, Stephen Maxwell:

Garganey, Daniel Newton:





Bird News Wednesday 25th June 2025

 The Spoonbill is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve, there is also a report of 3 Little Terns being present.

A Little Tern is on Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Richard Woods). 

The 1st summer Little Gull was at Kinnegar shore at 2.00pm. (Tom Ennis).

An Osprey was at Lough Beg before flying towards Toome. (David Steele).

The Little Ringed Plover, Spoonbill and a Little Gull were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve, there was no sign of the Little Terns this evening. (Michael Latham).

A Red Kite was in the Antrim hills this afternoon. (Rhona Bell).

A Great Skua was on Rathlin. (Alan Faulkner)

Little Ringed Plover, Michael Latham.


Little Gull, Michael Latham.


Great Skua, Alan Faulkner.