Arctic Terns back on the island at Strangford Lough (Dermot Hughes).
5+ Yellowhammers Castlerock including 2 singing males (John Spottiswood).
Whale Watch Ireland 23rd May 2026
Whale Watch Ireland 2026
Saturday 23rd May
5:00-7:00 PM
Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IWDG) invites you to join us at a number of headlands or vantage points for Whale Watch Ireland 2026, Saturday 23rd May 5:00-7:00 PM. This annual event is free - no booking required.
While there are of course no guarantees of sightings, given reasonable weather you have a good chance of seeing some of the species that inhabit your local waters. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions on the day + sensible footwear.
Please bring binoculars (and spotting scope), stories to share and your sense of humour.
Northern Ireland locations
Location | Meet at | Leader name | Phone | |
Ramore Hd, Portrush | Portrush Coastal Zone | Rachele Kempston | 078 05626074 | |
Portmuck, Islandmagee | Car Park | Ian Enlander | 078 49853549 | |
Bloody Bridge, Newcastle | Car park | Andy Carden | 077 62019160 |
Further details and list of all watch sites at https://iwdg.ie/whale-watch-ireland-2026/
See you there
IWDG
Bird News Wednesday 20th May 2026
The Pink-footed Goose was still with the Greylags at Glebe, Rathlin (Hazel Watson)
A Pectoral Sandpiper was with the large wader flock at the Bann Estuary (Matthew Tickner)
A White-tailed Eagle went over Derryadd, Lough Neagh at 3:45, heading west (Ed O’Hara)
Two Pomarine Skua were seen from the Belfast to Isle of Man ferry.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Matthew Tickner:
Bird News Tuesday 19th May 2026
'There are 4 seats available for the boat trip to Tory and Inishbofin this Saturday (23rd May). Great opportunity to see Corncrake, Chough and Puffins. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for full details'.
White-tailed Eagle soaring over Derryadd Bay Lough Neagh. Looks like same bird at Oxford Island two days ago (Ed O’Hara).
Bird News Monday 18th May 2026
The Ruddy Shelduck was still at Long Point, Lough Beg. A Reed Warbler was also present (Dermot Hughes)
9 adult Mediterranean Gulls were at RSPB WoW (Bob Watts)
Three Reed Warbler were at Castle Espie this morning (Jonathan Clarke)
Reed Warbler, Jonathan Clarke:
Bird News Sunday 17th May 2026
Immature White-tailed Eagle at Oxford Island NNR (Gary Brown).
Cetti’s Warbler continuing at Lough Cowey (Daniel Barry).
Marsh Harrier at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).
3+ Purple Sandpipers on Rathlin still, Red Kite yesterday (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
20+ Whimbrel St John’s Point. Also 3+ presumed Greenland Wheatear Sheskinmore, Co Donegal (Sean Cole).
White-tailed Eagle, Gary Brown:
Bird News Saturday 16th May 2026
Cetti’s Warbler calling at Lough Cowey, heard from the car park. Also at least 4 Reed Warbler (Wilton Farrelly / Philip West / Bob Watts).
An Arctic Tern was at RSPB WoW. A Reed Warbler was also off Hide 2 (Daniel Newton)
A Chough flew east over Kebble, Rathlin the first island record since 2018 (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
8 Arctic Tern were at Copeland (David Stirling)
The best at Barr Hall Bay / Ballyquinton was a Spotted Flycatcher, 7 Stock Dove, 8 Whimbrel. (Wilton Farrelly / Philip West / Bob Watts)
One Curlew Sandpiper was at the Bann Estuary. A Ruff was seen briefly (John Spottiswood)
Two Ring-necked Parakeets were seen at the Antrim Road Waterworks, Belfast (Derek Polley)
A visit today to Tory Island had 8 Corncrake and 5 Whimbrel(Robert Hughes)
The second year Bonapartes Gull was seen off the platform hide at Inch, Donegal (Derek Brennan)
Two Stock Dove were on Whitesides Road, Ballymena (Jonny Rosborough)
Chough, Ric Else / Hazel Watson:
Stock Dove, Jonny Rosborough:
Bird News Friday 15th May 2026
Yesterday the immature White-tailed Eagle and Pink-footed Goose remained on Rathlin (per Ric Else)
At the Rathlin Seabird Centre today, the White-tailed Eagle and two Great Skua were seen (Aidan Donohoe)
High wader counts included 320 Dunlins, 250 Sanderlings, 80 Ringed Plovers and 37 Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary. (In butterfly news 4 Cryptic Wood Whites by the path to the hide). (John Spottiswood)
The Spoonbill, and a high count of 100 Black-tailed Godwits and two drake Pintail were at the Quoile. A Garganey was reported from there on the 12th. (Chris Murphy)
Roseate Tern at Belfast Lough WoW Reserve (Stuart Cossey).
A Glossy Ibis was at Portmore RSPB and a further 2 were seen flying over to the North West (Clive Mellon)
Bird News Thursday 14th May 2026
5 Purple Sandpipers continuing on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
2 Cetti's Warblers still singing either side of 11, Downpatrick Rd, Killough. Spoonbill feeding in front of Quoile hide. Looks like another no-show for breeding terns on Swan Is, Strangford Lough (Chris Murphy).
Single Arctic Tern at Belfast Lough WoW RSPB Reserve (Derek Polley). 4 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls (Jake Grant).
Spoonbill, Terry Hanna:
Bird News Wednesday 13th May 2026
Two dark phase Arctic Skua were at the Bann Estuary (John Clarke)
A Spotted Flycatcher was along the canal towpath, Portadown (Clifford Sharpe)
A Leaches Petrel went past Copeland BO (Thomas Miller)
An Osprey was at Strand Lough, Killough early afternoon one was reported from the Quoile yesterday (Chis Murphy)
A seawatch from Fanad Head this morning for 90 minutes had 2 Arctic Skua and a Basking Shark (Jamie Bliss)
Greenland Wheatear, Bann Estuary, John Clarke:
Leaches Petrel, Thomas Miller:
Bird News Tuesday 12th May 2026
Yellow-legged Gull found by Robert Vaughan at the weekend continuing on Tory, Co Donegal also approximately 20 calling Corncrake (Anton Meenan).
Dotterel in the Mournes near Slieve Muck (per Katy Bell).
Corncrake, Anton Meenan:
Dotterel, per Katy Bell:
Bird News Monday 11th May 2026
The Bann Estuary still had 200 Whimbrel and a Pink-footed Goose (John Clarke)
The Chough was still present on Copeland (Thomas Miller)
Bird News Sunday 10th May 2026
White Stork flew over Downpatrick towards Tyrella at 8am (Ciara Lavery).
Ruddy Shelduck overhead outside Broughshane (Hugh Thurgate).
2 Wood Sandpipers at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham / Alan Dickson). Also a Marsh Harrier (Charlie MacFarlane). Adult Little Gull on the pools in front of the viewing platform quite possibly the Lady’s Bay bird (Chris Rankin).
Common Sandpiper at Sheep House pier, Rathlin (Patrick Barton). 2 Great Skua (Leia Getty).
Adult Little Gull at Lady’s Bay (Michael Latham).
Wood Sandpipers, Michael Latham:
Marsh Harriers, Michael Latham:
Bird News Saturday 9th May 2026
Yesterday there were at least 4 Corncrake (inc 3 calling males) on Rathlin (Ric Else)
Two Little Auk were on the sea with other auks on the way to Rathlin (Stuart Cossey)
An immature tagged (77) White-tailed Eagle was in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham)
A male Whinchat was at Keeble, Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)
A Little Gull and 8 Whimbrel were at Lady’s Bay, Lough Neagh (Mike McLaughlin / David McCreedy)
A Lesser Whitethroat was at the thatched house before Fanad Lighthouse (Michael O’Clery)
The Spoonbill was again at the Quoile. A late Pintail was also present (Mel O’Hagan / Shane Brighton / Nia Potapova)
A Barn Owl was in the Belfast Hills early morning (Ivan Cullen)
3 Whimbrel were at Carnlough (David Gillespie)
A White Stork was seen flying over the Quoile this morning (Natasha Reid)
A Garden Warner was seen and heard in Dromara (Justin Childs)
White-tailed Eagle, Michael Latham:
Turnstone, Robert Boyle:
White Stork, Natasha Reid:
Bird News Friday 8th May 2026
Bonaparte’s and Little Gulls, both 2nd calendar year remain at Inch Lake, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell / Martin Deehan).
Single Black-throated, 2 Great Northern and 14 Red-throated Divers from west end of Tyrella, Dundrum Bay all in summer plumage (Chris Murphy).
Pinkfoot still on Rathlin (Hazel Watson /Ric Else).
Bird News Thursday 7th May 2026
A Fieldfare was near Drumcree outside Portadown.(Hugh Thurgate).
Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning had 5 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls and an Arctic Tern. (Derek Polley).
The Spoonbill is still off the hide at the Quoile. (David Stirling). The Ruff was also still present. (Tim Jess).
The White-tailed Eagle was seen again around Church Bay on Rathlin. (Ric Else).
A Little Ringed Plover was at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).
Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 635 Dunlins, 165 Sanderlings, 95 Ringed Plovers and 60 Whimbrels Bann Estuary this evening. (John Spottiswood). Whimbrels later increased to 106. (John Spottiswood).
Also at Lough Beg a male Garganey western shoreline and four Glossy Ibis in flight (these likely different to flock of eleven seen recently). (David Steele).
Little Ringed Plover, David Steele.
Spoonbill, Tim Jess.
Ruff, Tim Jess.
Bird News Wednesday 6th May 2026
The Spoonbill is still at the Quoile. (Ann Feltham).
The 1st year Bonaparte's Gull is still at Inch in Donegal. (Chris Ingram).
The Mediterranean Gull is still present this evening at Inch Lake on the island by Farland Bank. (Searlas Anderson).
Ailsa Craig Boat Trip
There are 2 seats available for Friday's (May 8th) landing and Gannet feeding boat trip to Ailsa Craig. Great photo opportunities. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for further details.
Bird News Tuesday 5th May 2026
The Spoonbill is opposite the hide at the Quoile and the Ruff is at the yacht club end. (David Nixon).
A Little Stint was near the hide at the Barmouth, 200+ Whimbrel also present. (John Clarke).
The 1st year Bonaparte's Gull is still at the causeway at Inch in Donegal, a Little Gull was also present. (Derek Brennan)
The count of Common Terns at RSPB WoW is now up to 24 (Jake Grant)
Spoonbill, David Nixon.
Bonaparte's Gull, Derek Brennan.
Bird News Monday 4th May 2026
2nd calendar year Bonaparte's Gull and 2nd calendar year Little Gull at the causeway at Inch in Donegal. (Theo Campbell, Chris Ingram).
The Ruddy Shellduck was off Long Point, Lough Beg. (Ivan Quail).
The Spoonbill is still at the Quoile, near the yacht club. A Ruff was also present. (Michael Latham).
An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Victoria Park about 13.00. (Bernard Parniewicz).
At least 3 Corncrakes are on Rathlin. (Ric Else).
The Cetti’s Warbler is still calling at Lough Cowey. (David Stirling).
Another Wood Sandpiper (a new bird) at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).
Two Great Northern Divers, 8 Red-throated Divers at the west end of Tyrella. Also 38 Whimbrel and two Basking Sharks. (Chris Murphy).
A White Wagtail was at Castlerock mole. (John Spottiswood).
Bird News Sunday 3rd May 2026
Spoonbill at Quoile hide, towards yacht club end. Also Ruff (Chris Veale).
Red Kite on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Basking Shark in Coney Island Bay yesterday evening (Barry Curtis).
Drake Ring-necked Duck continuing at Magheredrumman Lough, Fanad Head, Co Donegal (Wilton Farrelly).
49 Whimbrel and 16 Common Terns at Lady Bay (Michael Latham).
Whimbrel at Ballymacormack Point (Bob Watts).
210 Whimbrels, 750 Dunlins, 65 Ringed Plovers and 55 Sanderlings Bann Estuary. Red-throated Diver off the hide earlier (John Spottiswood).
Drake Garganey on East Lake, Tory, Co Donegal just the 2nd island record (Anton Meenan).
Ruff, Chris Veale:
Bird News Saturday 2nd May 2026
A second year Little Gull was at Inch (Chris Ingram)
An adult Spoonbill is at the Quoile (Dan Baillie) The bird was still present at 5pm (David Stirling)
120 Whimbrel were at Portballintrae (Simon Morton)
Rathlin today had a Golden Eagle, 2 Tree Pipits, circa 40 Whimbrels, 4 Purple Sandpipers, 4 Great Skuas, 1 Corncrake and a Carrion Crow. The Lesser Yellowlegs appears to have finally gone after a 6-month stay (Ric Else / Hazel Watson) It is thought that up to 6 Tree Pipits have been seen in the last few days.
The drake Ring-necked Duck was still at Magheredrumman Lough, Fanad Head (Wilton Farrelly)
11 Glossy Ibis were at the south end of Lough Beg although mobile (David Steele)
Cuckoo’s are widely reported from usual breeding locations.
Tree Pipit, Ric Else:
Whitethroat, Michael Latham:
Bird News Friday 1st May 2026
A Tree Pipit and two Crossbills were at Kinramer on Rathlin. A second Tree Pipit was over Kebble. A Corncrake was heard near Church Bay this morning by Nick Richards. Nick also saw the White-tailed Eagle again yesterday evening. A Pinkfoot was also present. (Ric Else).
Drake Ring Necked Duck was still present at Magheredrumman Lough, Fanad, in Donegal early this morning.
A Reed Warbler was at Harbour Meadows this morning. No sign of Spoonbill or Little Gull at WoW. 14 Common Terns at WoW. (Stuart Cossey).
A Mediterranean Gull was on the island by Farland Bank, Inch Lake in Donegal this morning. (Searlas Anderson).
4 Cuckoo were at Altikeeragh this morning. (John Clarke).
The Cetti’s Warbler is still at Lough Cowey. 4 Ruff were on flooded fields north of Kirkiston. (Richard Weyl).
9 Glossy Ibis flew east over Portmore. (Madeleine Mills).
Common Sandpiper, 26 Whimbrels, 365 Dunlins, 85 Sanderlings and 20 Ringed Plovers Bann Estuary this afternoon. (John Spottiswood).
The Little Gull is at the Quoile seen from the hide. A Ruff coming into summer plumage is at the yacht club end. (David Nixon).
1st-summer (2CY) American Golden Plover at Lough Beg this evening, also two Wood Sandpipers. The American Golden Plover dropped in at 19.10 and flew out again calling at 19.40, looked to be on the move. (David Steele).
The Chough was still on Copeland. (Holly McCormack).
A Whimbrel was at Larne Promenade. (David Gillespie).
6 Swifts were over Shaftesbury Square in Belfast this evening. (Jim Bowman).
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