Bird News Wednesday 31st December 2025

An adult Ring-billed Gull was at Lurgan Park Lake (Garry Armstrong)

The drake Harlequin Duck was still at the outflow at Trà na gCloch, Curranport, Co Donegal (Robert Vaughan)

An adult Iceland Gull is on Kinnegar Shore (Daniel Newton)

10 Mandarin and a Goosander were on the River Maine, Ballymena (Jonny Rosborough)

One of the Bittern’s showed this afternoon at Inch, Donegal (Ralph Sheppard / John Spottiswood)

A high count of 189 Hooded Crows were at Mary Peter’s Track tonight (John O’Boyle)

A happy New Year to all users of the Blog. In particular a big thank you to all who have sent news and pictures in during 2025!

Harlequin Duck, Robert Vaughan:

Iceland Gull, Daniel Newton:


Bird News Tuesday 30th December 2025

The Black Redstart is still at Whitehead. (Michael Latham).

Three Great White Egrets and a Marsh Harrier are at Owen Roes Flat at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara, Chris Veale).

Green and Common Sandpipers remain at Corbet Lough. There is possibly a 3rd Green Sandpiper now. (David McCreedy).

6 Red-throated Divers off Castlerock between piers / moles and The Moors. (John Spottiswood).

A Merlin was at Dunseverick Castle. (Patrick Barton).

One of the Bitterns was seen again in flight at Inch in Donegal. (Theo Campbell).

A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Rathmullan Church, near Tyrella, Co.Down per Edward Carson. (Chris Murphy).

1st winter Little Gull and Black-throated Diver in a couple of hours from Galboly, plus for those interested a small group of Common Dolphins also seen. (David Steele).

A metal-rung Finnish Common Gull has returned to Antrim Marina.
ST177.028 was ringed as a juvenile on the 6th August 1995, which is 30 years, 4 months and 24days to date.  Maaninka to Antrim Marina is 2,124 kms / 1,319 miles (WSW). (Gareth Platt).

127 Sanderling were at Murlough Beach. (Andrew Upton).

The Harlequin Duck was seen again as Curranport. (Chris Rankin).

Black Redstart, Michael Latham.


Black Redstart, Cameron Moore.



Ringed Common Gull, Gareth Platt.



Bird News Monday 29th December 2025

1+ Velvet Scoter with scattered rafts of Common Scoter off Murlough Beach, also a Black-throated Diver and 49 Sanderling. The Spotted Redshank remains at Dundrum. (Stuart Cossey).

The Purple Sandpiper is still at Whitehead and a Black Redstart at the Rangers Club, Whitehead (Ivan Quail).

1st winter Harlequin still Tra na gCloch, Donegal (Richard Woods).

Male Brambling in a Whitehead garden (Cameron Moore).

27 Mediterranean Gulls at Cloghey Beach all adults bar one 1st winter (Chris Shaw)

Black Redstart, Whitehead, Jonny Rosborough:




Bird News Sunday 28th December 2025

The drake Harlequin Duck was still at Curranport, Co Donegal (Chris Veale)

The three Ring-necked Duck were still at the west end of Dunfanaghy New Lake (Neal Warnock)

The Lesser Yellowlegs was still on Rathlin (Jon Biddle)

An immature male Black Redstart was on Newcastle Beach / Islands Park (Mel O’Hagan)

A Bittern was seen in flight this afternoon at Inch, Donegal (Aaron Long / Ian Young)

A Green Sandpiper was on the River Maine at Slaght (David Steele)

A pair of Mandarin were on the Rover Maine (Leia Getty)

A Green Sandpiper was also at Corbet Lough, Banbridge (Nathan Gilbert)

Circa 10 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Whimbrel were on Lighthouse Island, Copeland (Brian Sutton)

The Purple Sandpiper remains at Whitehead (Steven Farquhar)

At Horse Island 2 Black-throated Diver and 3 Slavonian Grebe. Another 3 Slavonian Grebe were in Greyabbey Bay (Richard Weyl)

Lesser Yellowlegs, Jon Biddle:

Black Redstart, Mel O’Hagan:




Bird News Saturday 27th December 2025

A male and female Great Spotted Woodpecker in a garden on Drumlough Road, Rathfriland. (Chris Veale).

A Great White Egret was near the Kilmore Lodge on the Upper Lough Erne. (John Cusack).

The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull was still at Millisle. (Michael Latham).

The Purple Sandpiper was still at Whitehead seafront. (Ian Enlander).

The Harlequin Duck was seen again at Meenaclady Beach in Donegal. (Robin Pollard).

Purple Sandpiper, Cameron Moore.






Goosanders, Cameron Moore.



Purple Sandpiper, Ian Enlander.


Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull, Michael Latham.



Bird News Boxing Day 2025

Great Northern Diver still in the harbour at Portrush with another one on the Ramore Head side of the harbour wall on sea (Aaron Long). 2 Great Northern Divers still in Portrush harbour mid afternoon (Tim Davis).

Great Northern Diver in flight over Newcastle bay (Bob Watts).

2 Great White Egrets at Oxford Island NNR (Ed O’Hara).

The 1st winter drake Harlequin is still at Tra na gCloch, Curranport, Donegal. Bittern again at Inch, Donegal seen twice in flight. 220 Pinkfeet at Blanket Nook (Garry Armstrong / Wilton Farrelly / Philip West / David Steele).

Lesser Yellowlegs still on Rathlin into its 9th week also Great Northern Diver and two flocks of Purple Sandpipers (Ric Else / Hazel Watson / Leia Getty).

2 Green Sandpipers and 1 Common Sandpiper still at Corbet Lough this morning (David McCreedy).

2 Red Kites (untagged) still in Antrim Hills (Michael Latham).

Great White Egret at the south end of Lough Beg (Steven Fyffe).

Pair of Mandarin Duck along the River Maine, Ballymena (Jonny Rosborough).

Great White Egret still Lough Ross Co Armagh this afternoon (John Spottiswood).

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Cregagh Wood (Ian Enlander).

Great White Egret at Quoile (Liam O’Hara).

5 Pinkfeet in with Whitefronts and geese at Myroe (Dylan Thomas).

Adult Iceland Gull at Enniskillen dump and a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull at the Round O (Ronan Owens).

3 Ring-necked Duck (m & 2 fem) also hybrid Ring-necked x Tufted at Dunfanaghy New Lakes (Wilton Farrelly / David Steele / Garry Armstrong / Philip West).

Male and female  Goosander at Ballycarry Bridge also Purple Sandpipers at Whtehead (Cameron Moore).

Lesser Yellowlegs, Ric Else.


Red Kite, Michael Latham.



Great Northern Diver, James Armour.



Bird News Christmas Day 2025

We wish all readers and contributors a very happy Christmas.

Two Red Kite were in the Antrim Hills this morning (Michael Latham)

The south end of Lough Beg had 24 Ruff, two Great White Egret, Great Northern Diver and a Hen Harrier (David Steele)

The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull (now 21 years old) was still at Millisle. Two other Common Gull ringed from the Copelands in 2005 and 2009 were also present (Gareth Platt)

Black Guillemot, Victoria Park, Juliet Fleming:


Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull, Gareth Platt:




Bird News Wednesday 24th December 2025

A male Long-tailed Duck and 2 Great White Egrets were at Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Garry Armstrong).

A Great White Egret was at Owen Roes Flat at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

A Woodcock was at Altnawalk Cross, near Roslea, Co Fermanagh this morning. (Colin Bell).

The Bittern was seen again off the Platform at Inch in Donegal. (Searlas Anderson).

Two Greenshank were in Victoria Park. (Simon Morton).

1 Black-throated Diver and 3 female Common Scoter were off Carnlough. (Aaron Long).

A Red Kite was in the Antrim hills. (Laura Rose Millar).

A drake Goosander was at Glassdrumman Lough and a Great White Egret at Lough Ross both Co. Armagh. (Joe Devlin).

A Swallow was reported in Newtownards. (Birdguides).

The Spotted Redshank was at the wader roost on the Dundrum side of the Moneycarragh River, in Dundrum South Inner Bay. (David Nixon)

A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at Antrim Marina. (Gareth Platt)

Red Kite, Laura Rose Millar.




Mediterranean Gull, Gareth Platt.




Bird News Tuesday 23rd December 2025

2 Jack Snipe at Harbour Meadows, Belfast Lough (Stuart Cossey).

4+ Great Northern & several Red-throated Divers in Newcastle Harbour (Michael Latham).

Single Great Northern Diver in Portrush Harbour (Juliet Fleming).

20+ Grey Plovers at Green Island, North Dundrum Bay (Michael Latham).

5 Long-eared Owls and a Woodcock at dusk at the University of Coleraine (John Clarke).

Three Great Northern Divers were at Castle Caldwell on Lower Lough Erne. (Jamie Dillon).

Great Northern Diver, Juliet Fleming.


Red-throated Diver, Michael Latham.


Great Northern Diver, Michael Latham.



Bird News Monday 22nd December 2025

Two red head Goosanders a were on the River Maine at Slaght, near Ballymena (David Steele)

Two Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were at Corbett Lough (Neal Warnock)

A Green Sandpiper was at Loughbrickland Lake on the eastern shore, with the Lapwings (Neal Warnock)

Two Great Northern Diver were in Portrush Harbour this morning (Eddie Manthorpe)

The male Harequin Duck was showing at Tra Na gCloch, Co. Donegal this afternoon. (Victor Caschera)

Video of the impressive looking Harlequin by Victor Caschera:



Bird News Sunday 21st December 2025

The Harlequin Duck is still at Trá na gClock in Donegal this morning, later moving to Magheroarty Pier. (James Organ).

The ringtail Hen Harrier was at Portmore again. (Michael Latham).

The Great White Egret and one of the Great Northern Divers was at Oxford Island. Reedy Flats had 3 Great Northern Divers, 2 Great White Egrets and a Merlin. (Ed O'Hara).

11 White- fronted Geese were at Myroe. (Dylan Thomas).

The Bittern was seen again from the platform at Inch in Donegal. (Derek Brennan).

Hen Harrier, Michael Latham.



Harlequin Duck, Wilson Gardiner.



Bird News Saturday 20th December 2025

The 1st winter drake Harlequin still at Tra na gCloch near Curranport, Donegal (Chris Ingram / Jim Wells).

Great White Egret at Oxford Island NNR off Owen Roe (Jamie Dillon / Ed O’Hara).

7 Greater Scaup at Inch, Donegal (Leia Getty).

2 Great Northern Divers remain at Lough Beg also 3 Pinkfeet, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers and 3 Great White Egrets (David Steele).

Ringtail Hen Harrier at Culnady (John Spottiswood).

Common Sandpiper along the River Lagan this evening (Mel O’Hagan).

Single Great White Egret at Lough Ross (John Cusack).

Single Twite at Gulladuff, Derry (John Spottiswood).

Common Sandpiper, Mel O'Hagan.



Great White Egret, Ed O'Hara.


Raven, Rod Gillan.



Bird News Friday 19th December 2025

A Cattle Egret was at Diamond Lane, near Portmore RSPb (Jim Wells)

The two Great Northern Divers were still off Oxford Island. Two Great White Egrets and a Hen Harrier were seen on Owen Roe (Ed O’Hara)

A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylags at Lady Bay (Jim Wells)

The Lesser Yellowlegs was still on Rathlin (Jon Biddle)

Cattle Egret, Wilson Gardiner:

Great Northern Divers, Ed O’Hara:

Pink-footed Goose, Wilson Gardiner:

Bird News Thursday 18th December 2025

The Harlequin Duck is still at Trá na gCloch in Donegal this morning. (Tom Kavanagh).

A male Goosander is on the River Main at Randalstown. (Chris Hamilton).

Two Great Northern Divers are in Portrush Harbour. (Donna Riddell).

A female Marsh Harrier was off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island and the Great White Egret was seen again in flight. (Ed O'Hara).

Two Little Gulls with the Kittiwakes off Galboly / Garron Point 1030-1430, also a large group of Bottle-nosed Dolphins showing well. (David Steele).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in a garden outside Hillsborough. (Juliet Fleming).

A Long-eared Owl was in Ballymena this morning at 5 30 am. (Thomas Cullen).

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Juliet Fleming.



Bird News Wednesday 17th December 2025

The Great White Egret is still present at Owen Roe, Oxford Island NNR (Ed O’Hara).

2 redhead Goosander still on Begney Lough this afternoon (David Nixon).

Bird News Tuesday 16th December 2025

The first winter drake Harlequin Duck was still present at Trá na gCloch, Curranport, north west Donegal (Derek Brennan)

The Great White Egret remains at Owen Roe Flat, Oxford Island (Ed O’Hara)

The Lesser Yellowlegs remains on Rathlin. (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

Two female Ring-necked Duck were at Dunfanaghy New Lake. Two Cackling Geese were still with the Barnacles there (Derek Brennan)

Up to 9 Little Gulls were seen of Galboly from 11am to 3pm (David Steele)

The Isle of Muck had 2 Whimbrel and 3 Red-throated Diver (Ian Enlander)

The Taiga Bean Geese were still with Pink-feet at the rear of Blanketnook (Chris Ingram)

The two Bittern seem to have been seen at different times at Inch today. One showed well off the Tooban Hide.

A single Woodcock was at Eshnadara,nr Rosslea Co Fermanagh this afternoon (Colin Bell)

Video footage of the Harlequin Duck, Derek Brennan:

Female Ring-necked Duck, Derek Brennan:



Bird News Monday 15th December 2025

The Harlequin Duck is still at Trà na gLoch in Donegal. (Tony Culley)

The Taiga Bean Geese are still with Pinkfeet at Blanket Nook in Donegal. Yesterday 4 Pinkfeet and a Lapland Bunting were at Donnybrewer Levels, Derry. (Jon Biddle).

A single Crossbill was near Clabby in Co. Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

A Great White Egret was near Carrybridge in Co. Fermanagh. (Steven Fyffe).

Bird News Sunday 14th December 2025

Long-tailed Duck in Ballycastle harbour (Patrick Barton).

Crossbill heard at Glenarrif Forest Park (Chris Hamilton).

Single Whimbrel At Ballymacormack Point (Simon Morton).

Slavonian Grebe at Glynn (Michael Latham).

Lesser Scaup and ringtail Hen Harrier at Portmore Lough (Daniel Newton / Garry Armstrong).

Bird News Saturday 13th December 2025

The best at Portavogie was a Grey Plover and 6+ Purple Sandpipers but no sign of the Black Redstart in half hour search (Bob Watts)

An adult Little Gull was at Red Bay (David Steele)

A Common Gull showing some features of the hybrid was at Millisle. 6 Purple Sandpiper were at Donaghadee (Bob Watts)

2 Green Sandpiper were in the flooded area adjacent to Newry Canal towpath, 0.9 km north of Madden Bridge (between Tandragee and Gilford), Co. Armagh (David Knight)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Hillsborough Park Lake this morning (Dougie Gamble)

Two Great White Egret were at Lough Ross on the Monaghan / Armagh border (John Cusack)

Common Gull, Bob Watts:



Bird News Friday 12th December 2025

The Harlequin Duck is still present at Trá na gCloch, Donegal. (Michael Cowning).

A Cattle Egret was seen from the train in a field near Gilford. (Stuart Cossey).

Corbet Lough outside Banbridge now has 2 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper and a male Goosander. (David McCreedy)

The Bittern was seen in flight at Inch in Donegal. (Daniel Weldon).

A Great White Egret was at Portmore. (Chris Hamilton).

The Lesser Yellowlegs was still on Rathlin. (Jon Biddle).

Green Sandpipers, David McCreedy.



Bird News Thursday 11th December 2025

Red Kite yesterday on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Long tailed Duck flew by Portstewart Head this morning (Stephen Riddell).

2 Black-throated Divers Carnlough Bay. Barn Swallow feeding over the coast at Galboly. 3 Black-throated Divers in Red Bay from O’Kanes lay-by (David Steele).

Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeders at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW Reserve (Derek Polley).

Merlin at Ramore (Ian Dickey).

Merlin, Ian Dickey:



Bird News Wednesday 10th December 2025

The Green Sandpiper and a drake Goosander were at Corbet Lough, Banbridge (David McCreedy)

A juvenile/ 1st-w White-rumped Sandpiper was with Dunlin at the south end of Lough Beg. A Little Stint was also present. Unusually a Shag was on the lake (presumably blown in by yesterday’s storm) and also three Great Northern Divers. No sign of the Snow Goose (David Steele)

The Lesser Yellowlegs and a Red Kite were on Rathlin today (Jon Biddle)

Bird News Tuesday 9th December 2025

A Bittern was seen again at Inch in Donegal. (Theo Campbell, Chris Ingram).

The Lesser Yellowlegs is still on Rathlin. (Jon Biddle).

Bird News Monday 8th December 2025

1w drake Harlequin still present 8.50am 50m out on surf line with small gull flock @ the Tra na gCloch pin drop, Donegal (Andy Young).

Bittern at 0815 Inch, Donegal (Steve Millar). 

2 Great Northern Divers off Owen Roe at the back of the Discovery Centre, Oxford Island NNR. Also adult Peregrine and Great White Egret at Kinnegoe Bay (Ed O’Hara).

Green Sandpiper still at Corbet Lough this morning (David McCreedy).

Red Kite at Rush Hall, near Limavady (John Pudney).

7 Purple Sandpipers and a Merlin at Portrush Coastal Zone (Mel O’Hagan).

Blue phase Snow Goose with 2 Greylags, ringtail Hen Harrier and 2+ Great White Egrets at south end of Lough Beg this morning (Dermot Hughes).

Great White Egret at Reedy Flats this afternoon (John Spratt).

Red Kite, John Pudney:




Bird News Sunday 7th December 2025

One of the Bittern showed this morning off the platform hide at Inch (Jon Biddle)

The first winter drake Harlequin was showing this morning off north west Donegal at: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Fo5vjRq6uCc4h8e7?g_st=ipc

The Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were at Corbet Lough, Banbridge (John Spottiswood)

At least 9 Taiga Beans were still with the Pinkfoot flock in fields behind Blanket Nook lake near blue containers). Donegal (Jon Biddle)

The Lesser Yellowlegs was seen yesterday on Rathlin by RSPB volunteers.

At Dunfanaghy New Lake, Co. Donegal: 2 Richardson’s Cackling were still with Barnacles. 2 Pink-feet were also present. 2 female Ring-necked Ducks and a male hybrid  Ring-necked x Tufted (Aidan Kelly)

A Snow Bunting was on the beach at Warren Road north of Donaghadee this morning (Richard Weyl)

A drake and female Goosander were at Mill Bay, Larne Lough (Cameron Moore)

Bird News Saturday 6th December 2025

Male & female Ring Necked Ducks, plus the 2 Cackling Geese & 2 Pinkfeets at New Lake, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal. (Jon Biddle).

One Great Northern Diver was still in Kinnegoe Bay at Oxford Island, 8 Greater Scaup were off Croaghan hide. (Garry Armstrong).

Adult Little Gull again off Galboly, also three Great Northern Divers. (David Steele).

The Bittern was seen again in flight at Inch in Donegal. (Anne Gordon).

6+ Taiga Bean Geese at Blanket Nook in Donegal. (Chris Ingram, Michael Latham).

A Green Sandpiper is at Lough Corbet, north east of the Lough. (Leia Getty).

The Red Kite is still present in the Myroe area. (Rev Rhys Jones).

The Harlequin Duck was at Meenaclady Beach, Donegal. (Searlas Anderson & Kevin McLaughlin)

An adult Bonaparte's Gull is at Sandy Bay, Larne. (Ivan Quail).

A Chiffchaff was with Goldcrests in Lagan Meadows this afternoon. (Mel O'Hagan).

A Ring tailed Hen Harrier was at Portmore. (Leia Getty).

A Black Redstart was at the Giants Causeway. (Stefano Miceli)

A Great White Egret was at Portmore. (Stefano Miceli).

A White-tailed Eagle was on the shore of Lough Neagh at Gawleys Gate.

Bonaparte's Gull, Ivan Quail.







Bird News Friday 5th December 2025

1w drake Harlequin feeding just offshore at Curranport, Donegal (Jon Biddle).

Merlin and Great Northern Diver on Rathlin also Chiffchaff still present yesterday (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

10+ Taiga Bean Geese still amongst the Pinkfeet flock at Blanket Nook, Donegal (Chris Ingram).

Adult Little Gull with a feeding flock off Galboly / Garron Point (David Steele).

Bittern again at Inch, Donegal late afternoon after a 6 hour wait (Ian Young).

No sign of the 2 Taiga Bean Geese at New Lake, Dunfanaghy in poor conditions this afternoon, but the 2 Cackling Geese with Barnacles, 2 Pinkfeet with Greylags & just over 100 Greenland WFs including 4 or so juvs (Jon Biddle).

Red Kite still present at Myroe (Rev Rhys Jones).

Bird News Thursday 4th December 2025

A Great White Egret and two Great Northern Diver were off Oxford Island (Ed O’Hara)

A Green Sandpiper and 7 Goosander were on Corbet Lake this morning. A Red Kite was also seen. (David McCreedy)

A Black Redstart was near Fishermans Row, Killough (Ann Feltham)

A Black Redstart was at Newcastle Harbour (Danny Baillie)

The Harlequin Duck was again at Curranport, Co Donegal. At Dunfanaghy New Lake, two Taiga Geese were with Whitefronts and Greylags close to the Anglers Car Park. A Green-winged Teal was at the west end. Two Cackling Geese were with the Barnacles. (Ralph Sheperd)

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum South Inner Bay (David Nixon)

Spotted Redshank, David Nixon:



Bird News Wednesday 3rd December 2025

The wing-tagged Red Kite was still around Myroe this morning. (Rev Rhys Jones).

7 Goosanders are on Corbet Lough outside Banbridge, the birds are at the far end of the lough from the carpark. (David McCreedy). 

A Great Northern Diver was in Kinnegoe Bay at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

A Common Sandpiper was at Penny Burn in Derry. (John Spottiswood).

A Great White Egret was at Inishcreenry, Upper Lough Erne in Fermanagh. (Gavin Thomas).

A Carrion Crow was at Sharman House in Bangor. (James Harte).

Great Northern Diver, Ed O'Hara.


Red-throated Diver, Terry Hanna.