Bird News Thursday 21st August 2025

 Two Red Kites were in the Antrim hill. (Kenny Moore, Ian Dickey).

32 Ruff were at Lady bay this morning. (Ed O'Hara). There were still 25 present this evening. (Richard Caves)

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve had 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Ruff, a Common Sandpiper and there were still 4 Swifts present. (Derek Polley)

A Red Kite was seen from the train at Lurganare north of Newry. (Stuart Cossey).

Two Ospreys were still at the Barmouth. (Alwyn Spence).

A Green Sandpiper is at Portmore this evening. (John Cusack).

Ruff, Juliet Fleming.

Ruff, Richard Caves.

Bird News Wednesday 20th August 2025

Juvenile Garganey Castle Espie present for 3rd day (Dave Weir).

20+ Ruff at Lady Bay (David Clarke / John Pyper).

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover and 7 Ruff at Belfast Lough WoW (Jake Grant / Gerard McGeehan).

65+ Mediterranean Gulls between Portavogie and Cloughy (Dermot Hughes).

Bird News Tuesday 19th August 2025

Yesterday Rathlin had a Hen Harrier and a Corncrake was seen in flight (Ric Else)

A Mediterranean Gull was seen at Whitehead seafront (Kevin Kirkham)

The first Wheatears of the autumn have been moving through Rathlin (Ric Else)

Two Osprey were at the Barmouth this afternoon (Jim Wells)

14 Ruff were at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh (Chris Veale)

Blanketnook, Co Donegal had a Little Stint, a Wood Sandpiper and 14 Ruff (Derek Brennan)

Whimbrel, Bann Estuary, Gerry Bond:

Bird News Monday 18th August 2025

 The Spoonbill and 3 Ruff were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). The Spoonbill and Ruff were still present this afternoon along with the Little Ringed Plover and 3 Common Sandpipers. (Derek Brennan).

An Osprey was seen again at the Barmouth. (Ian Dickey). Two Ospreys were present early afternoon. (John Clarke).

Four Great Spotted Woodpeckers are visiting a garden on Windmill Road, Annahilt. (Andy Bingham, Garry Wilkinson).

Three Ruff were still at Lady Bay and another Ruff on the pools at Portmore. (Richard Caves).

A Balearic Shearwater went past Galboly / Garron Point this evening with the Manx ‘stream’…also a single Arctic Skua. (David Steele).

Inch in Donegal had 2 Wood Sandpipers, a Little Stint and 14 Ruff. (Derek Brennan).

Bird News Sunday 17th August 2025

The Osprey is still at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).

Spoonbill and Ruff still at Belfast Lough WoW also Little Gull at Kinnegar Shore (Daniel Newton). Great White Egret again early afternoon (Callum Beal).

4 Ruff Lady Bay (Ian Young).

Little Gull at the east end of Reedy Flats also female type Marsh Harrier (Garry Armstrong / Ed O’Hara / Michael Latham). 

Osprey flew south over Mullaghboy, Islandmagee towards Whitehead at 1229 (Kevin Kirkham).

Wood Sandpiper, 2 Great White Egrets and Garganey at Lough Beg (David Steele).

Negative news on the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Myroe Levels but a lot of work going on on the field  it was in (Mervyn Guthrie).

Ruff, Richard Caves:

Spoonbill, Stephen Maxwell.

Bird News Saturday 16th August 2025

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still at Myroe this morning (Michael Latham)

Two Ruff are at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh (Tom Garner)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Harbour Meadows, Belfast (Stuart Cossey)

The Great White Egret was in the Kinnegar area this morning before flying towards RSPB WoW (Stuart Cossey)

One of the Ospreys was showing well at the Bann Estuary this morning (Mel O’Hagan)

A trip to Tory Island had over 120 Corys Shearwaters, a Pomarine Skua, Grey Phalarope, a Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff (Derek Brennan)

39  Shearwater were seen early evening passing Fanad Head (Wilton Farrelly)

The Wood Sandpiper was still at Church Island, Lough Beg (Ivan Quail)

An Arctic Skua and a Great Skua were off Galboly, Co Antrim this evening (David Steele)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (and Sanderling and Knot), Ronald Surgenor:

Bird News Friday 15th August 2025

The Great White Egret and Ruff were still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). The Great White Egret was still present this afternoon along with the Spoonbill and Common Sandpipers. (Jake Grant, David Stirling). The Little Ringed Plover was also present this afternoon. (Stuart McKee).

Two Ospreys were again at the Barmouth this morning. (Jonny Rosborough). One Osprey was present this evening. (Ben McCook).

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper and a female Garganey were at Myroe. (Mervyn Campbell).

Five Ruff and a Little Gull were at Lady Bay. (Richard Caves).

The Osprey was still at Portmore. (Sean Gibson).

Another Wood Sandpiper is at Lough Beg, on the open mud at Church Island, dropped in this afternoon. Also present were 2 Great White Egrets, 22 Ruff and 10 Swift. (David Steele).

There is a report of an Osprey at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. Birdguides).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Mervyn Campbell.

Ruff, Richard Caves.

Little Gull, Richard Caves.

Bird News Thursday 14th August 2025

A Great White Egret was at RSPB WoW. The Spoonbill and a Ruff were also present (Daniel Newton)

The Great White Egret was still present at 10am along with the Little Ringed Plover (Jake Grant)

A Green Sandpiper was on Rathlin this morning (Ric Else)

An Osprey remains off the hide at the Bann Estuary (John Clarke)

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was again at Myroe with the Golden Plover flock. A Ruff was also present (Sean Gibson / Ian Young)

Lough Beg this evening had  Great White Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper and 10 juvenile Ruff (David Steele)

A small flock of Fieldfare were in barley stubble at Myroe. (Rhys Jones).

Great White Egret, Spoonbill and Grey Heron, Daniel Newton:

Osprey, John Clarke:

Great White Egret, RSPB WoW, Alan Fitzsimmons:

Bird News Wednesday 13th August 2025

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Myroe. Also Quail nearby (Aaron Long / Ian Young). 

Single Ruff still at Belfast Lough WoW early morning also c5 Common Sandpipers (Daniel Newton).

Red Kite over house near Annahilt (Garry Wilkinson).

2 Ospreys at the Barmouth (Ian Dickey).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Aaron Long:

Red Kite, Garry Wilkinson:

Bird News Tuesday 12th August 2025

 The Osprey was upstream from the hide at the Barmouth this morning. There were 2 Ospreys present mid morning.(Jonny Rosborough).

The Spoonbill and 4 Common Sandpipers are at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Jake Grant). Also single Ruff early morning (Daniel Newton).

The Osprey was seen again from the hide at Portmore between 12 and 1 o'clock. (Robbie Hughes).

A Wood Sandpiper (a new bird) was in the southwest corner of Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

Osprey, Stephen Riddell.

Wood Sandpiper, David Steele.

Bird News Monday 11th August 2025

The Little Ringed Plover and a Ruff were at RSPB WoW this morning (Daniel Newton). The Spoonbill, 2 Little Ringed Plover and a number of Ruff were there late morning. There was also a high count of 8 Common Sandpiper (Jake Grant)

A Reed Warbler was off the hide at the Quoile (Garry Wilkinson)

A Garganey, 2 Green Sandpiper and 6 Ruff were at Lough Beg (David Steele)

At least 3 Quail were off the Carrowclare Road, Limavady (Derek Brennan / Theo Campbell). On no account should any of the fields be entered.

Spoonbill, Jake Grant:

Bird News Sunday 10th August 2025

The Osprey is still at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).

The Osprey is still present at the Barmouth (Ian Dickey).

The Spoonbill has returned to Belfast Lough WoW also Little Ringed Plover and Ruff (Daniel Newton).

Juvenile Marsh Harrier and ringtail Hen Harrier east end of Reedy Flats (Garry Armstrong).

Storm Petrel from a 45 minute seawatch off Copeland (Steven Fyffe).

4 Whimbrel Ballyquintin Point. Common Sandpiper Kearney (Bob Watts).

At damp fields south of Poyntzpass this afternoon, there was a green sand and over 80 pied wagtails. Green sand stuck to the drains (Dermot Hughes).

A female Peregrine hunting crows on a farm on the Loanends Road this morning (Lydia Heaney).

Bird News Saturday 9th August 2025

An Osprey was at the Barmouth at 6.30 this morning. (Kenny Moore). 2 birds yesterday evening according to local fishermen (per John Clarke). The Osprey is still present at 10.30. (Ian Dickey).

Late news from yesterday evening of a Quail calling at Crindle (Richard Donaghey).

Sub-adult spoonbill at Quoile hide at 10:30am. (Dermot Hughes).

Dark phase Arctic Skua off the hide at the Barmouth. (Michael Latham).

The Little Ringed Plover, Ruff and Whimbrel were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Daniel Newton).

Five Stock Doves near Glenwherry between Larne and Ballymena. (Jim Wells).

About 50 Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke).

Yesterday evening 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Storm Petrels were off Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

The Quail was still calling around Crindle near Myroe. (Sean Gibson)

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

Arctic Skua, Michael Latham.

Bird News Friday 8th August 2025

An Osprey and 4 Mediterranean Gull were at the Barmouth. A Ruff was on the Bann estuary (Theo Campbell)

A Goosander was at Glynn (Sean Gibson)

A Ruff and 2 Common Sandpiper were at RSPB WoW (Stuart Cossey)

An Osprey was at Portmore RSPB this evening (Garry Armstrong)

2 Arctic Skua were off Magilligan (Sean Gibson)

Whimbrel, Dundrum Inner Bay, David Clarke:

Bird News Thursday 7th August 2025

 The Little Ringed Plover is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). The Spoonbill is also still at the reserve. (Jake Grant).

An Osprey was at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke).

Two Wood Sandpipers, four Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, Water Rail with chick and a Viking Gull were at Blanket Nook/Inch in Donegal. (Theo Campbell, Chris Ingram).

A flock of 8 Twite were on Fairhead. (Jim Wells)

Carrigart in Donegal had four Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Gull and a juvenile Cuckoo. (Oscar Campbell).

19 Mediterranean Gulls at Myroe this pm plus a further 3 at Ballykelly. (All adult or 2nd year birds.) (Matthew Tickner).

An Arctic Skua was near Rinagree and a Wheatear was at Harbour Hill, Portstewart on the north coast. (Juliet Fleming).

Arctic Skua, Juliet Fleming.

Bird News Wednesday 6th August 2025

2 Wood Sandpipers at Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).

Arctic Skua from Ramore Head, also a Wheatear (Juliet Fleming).

Osprey and Red Kite in the Antrim Hills, the former heading towards Woodburn (Michael Latham).

3 Arctic Skuas off Portstewart Strand (Jonny Rosborough).

Little Gull at Lady Bay (Sean Gibson).

Wood Sandpiper, 13 Ruff (2 juveniles), Garganey and juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Lough Beg this evening (David Steele).

Dark phase Arctic Skua off Rinagree Point (Tom Garner).

Red-necked Phalarope at Blanket Nook, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).

Arctic Skua, 60 Whimbrel and 9 Common Scoter past Portstewart this evening (Matthew Tickner).

Osprey, Michael Latham:

Wood Sandpiper, Derek Brennan:

Bird News Tuesday 5th August 2025

2 Bonxies and 3 Arctic Skua went past Ringaree, Portstewart this morning (Stephen Riddell)

A Long-eared Owl, possibly grounded by the wind, was in a field at Mount Druid, Ballintoy this morning (Patrick Barton)

A young Long-eared Owl was showing well at Castle Espie (Jonathan Clark)

A Little Stint and 45 Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary (Matthew Tickner)

Four Arctic Skua and a Little Gull were at Magilligan (Jonny Rosborough)

Seawatches continued today with the westerly \ north westerly winds. These included:

Rocky Point, Donegal, 8:20 to 10:20, had 58 Sooty Shearwaters, 2 Bonxie and a Pomarine Skua. (John O'Boyle)

Bloody Foreland, Donegal, 7:30 to 13:30, had 151 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Great Shearwater, 3 Corys, 14 Storm Petrel, 1 Wilsons Petrel, 5 Pomarine Skua and 8 Arctic Skua. (Theo Campbell, Derek Brennan and Chris Ingram)

Melmore Head, Donegal in six hours had a Wilsons Petrel, 3 Storm Petrel, a Great Shearwater, 70 Sooty Shearwater, an adult Sabines Gull, 3 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua and a high count of 129 Whimbrel (Oscar Campbell)

Two Arctic Skuas were seen at Ramore this afternoon (Gerard McGeehan)

Long-eared Owl, Jonathan Clark:

Arctic Skua, Stephen Riddell:

Great Skua, Stephen Riddell:

Bird News Monday 4th August 2025

 The Spoonbill and 2 Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. A Little Ringed Plover was present this afternoon. (Jake Grant).

Four Ravens were in L'Derry city centre. (Theo Campbell).

A Mediterranean Gull was at East Strand carpark in Portrush this morning and an Arctic Skua was off Landsdown carpark. (John Clarke).

Melmore Head in Donegal had 4 Great, 1 Cory's, 30 Sooty and 2,000 Manx Shearwaters, a Sabines Gull, 25 Arctic Tern and 50 Whimbrel. (Oscar Campbell).

A Balearic Shearwater and a Great Skua were at Ramore Head this evening. (Matthew Tickner).

Mediterranean Gull, John Clarke.

Bird News Sunday 3rd August 2025

Spoonbill again at Belfast Lough WoW also Little Gull, 4 Common Sandpipers (Michael Latham).

Hen Harrier reported at Quoile but no sign of Spoonbill (per David Stirling).

Juvenile Ruff on Rathlin (Hazel Watson).

Goosander at Glynn (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop).

Spoonbill, Michael Latham:

Bird News Saturday 2nd August 2025

A Little Gull was at RSPB WoW this morning (Daniel Newton)

An Osprey was in the Knockmoyle area of the River Strule, Omagh, early morning (Steven Fyffe)

The Spoonbill was again off the Quoile hide this morning (Dan Baillie / David Stirling)

3 Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood)

2 Mediterranean Gull flew over Ballymacormick Point, Groomsport (Bob Watts)

Osprey, Steven Fyffe:

Bird News Friday 1st August 2025

 A Barn Owl was near Black Mountain outside Belfast at 6am this morning. (Stuart Cossey)

A Spoonbill was reported at the Quoile. (Ann Marie Smith, David Stirling).

The Wood Sandpiper was still at Inch in Donegal. (Derek Brennan).

A Whimbrel was at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Dot Blakely).

The Osprey was still at Portmore this evening. (Garry Armstrong).

Wood Sandpiper Derek Brennan.

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Noeni Bryars.