nibirds

Bird News for Friday 27th January.

2012-01-27T16:48:00.003Z

The Richards Pipit was seen again today. It was located at the far end of Killard Point about 50 yards before Benberg Bay (Michael Taylor)
The adult Ross's Gull was still at Ardglass today; also 3 juvenile Kumlien's Gulls, 18 Iceland Gulls, 2 Glaucous Gulls, a Great Northern Diver and a Mediterranean Gull (Paul Scott)
An Iceland Gull, was still at Lagan Weir
The Bonaparte's Gull was again at Sandy Bay, Larne
A female Hen Harrier was hunting over fields between the M12 and Lurgan junctions on the M1 motorway at 1340 hrs today.(D McCreery)

A Buzzard was seen at Whitehouse Lagoons. (Stephen Maxwell)

Our thanks to Alistair Prentice for this rather amusing picture of a Jackdaw feeding.

Bird News Thursday 26th January

2012-01-26T13:42:00.003Z

The adult Ross's Gull was still at the entrance to Ardglass Harbour this afternoon

The Richards Pipit was seen again this morning at Killard Point, a Short Eared Owl was also seen. (Richard Weyl).

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport.

A pair of Blackcaps is visiting a garden in Portadown and a Brambling was in Armagh. (Alistair Prentice).

2 male Goosanders were on the river Main in Randalstown, they were between the town and the weir upriver. (Dermot Hughes).

A flock of 20 Twite were at the Peninsula saltmarsh at Castle Espie, also present were 113 Oystercatcher, 30 Turnstone, 4 Ringed Plover, 8 Dunlin, Bar-Tailed and Black-Tailed Godwits, Curlew, Redshank and Little Egret. (Robin Vage).

In south Down a male Blackcap was at Murlough. (Tim Murphy),

A pair of Yellowhammer was along the Upper Gransha Road in Bangor. (Francis Duffin).

A female Brambling was in a garden in Ballyholme, Bangor. (George Gordon).

Thanks to Jeff Silvers for this excellent shot of a Lapwing

Lapwing - Jeff Silvers

Bird News Wednesday 25th January.

2012-01-25T15:08:00.002Z

A pale Kumliens Gull was at Sandy Bay, Larne Lough.(N.Warnock)

The adult Ross's Gull, a 1st winter Kumlien's Gull, 2 Glaucous Gulls and several Iceland Gulls were in Ardglass harbour. (Chris Murphy).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Antrim Road Waterworks in Belfast. (David Knight).

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was at Groomsport.

Yesterday a male Blackcap was at Murlough in south Down - 2 males were there the previous day. (Tim Murphy).

Bonaparte's Gull

2012-01-25T13:40:00.000Z

The Bonaparte's Gull has been rather overshadowed over the last week by it's high arctic cousin at Ardglass but it is still hanging around the Larne/ Ballygally area. The superb picture below from Mark Killops is just a reminder that there are places other than Ardglass worth visiting at the moment.

Bonaparte's Gull - Mark Killops

Bird News Tuesday 24th January

2012-01-24T13:49:00.004Z

The Ross's Gull was showing again in Ardglass harbour all day, apparently there was a lot of birders there to-day, so still proving to be a very popular bird, rightly so.

At Larne Lough a Greenland White-fronted Goose, Dark-bellied Brent, 120 Pale-bellied and 52 Greylag were at Steel's Point on the Island Magee side (Cameron Moore).

At Strangford Lough a Little Egret and 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Anne's Point (Joe Lamont).

The Cattle Egret came in to roost at Hillsborough Lake at 15.53 this afternoon. A Chiffchaff was at Milltown approximately 1 kilometer east of Maghery. (Richard Weyl).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport and 2 Black-throated Diver nearby at Cove Bay.

The Richard's Pipit was looked for to-day without success.

Ross's Gull - Craig Nash

Grey Plover - Craig Nash

Thanks to Gerry O'Neill for this superb shot of the Ross's below. Also Craig Nash who sent in of the Ross's and Grey Plover which were at Killard

Ross's Gull - Gerry O'Neill

Bird News Monday 23rd January

2012-01-23T12:48:00.007Z

The Richards Pipit is again showing at Killard. It was in the same location as before.(Check under 2nd January for directions) (Craig Nash)

The Ross's Gull is showing again at Ardglass harbour, also present were at least 3 Kumlien's Gull, 8 Iceland Gull and 3 Glaucous Gull. (Tom Ennis)

A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Antrim Road Waterworks in Belfast. (David Knight).

The 1st winter Iceland Gull remained at Lagan Weir in Belfast.

A Green Sandpiper was at Ballylough, Castlewellan this morning. (Adam McClure).

Thanks to Craig for the picture of the Richards Pipit:

And thanks to Ian Graham, Cameron Moore and Alistair Prentice for these excellent shots.

Ross's Gull - Ian Graham

Black Redstart - Cameron Moore

Black Redstart

Curlew - Alistair Prentice

Oystercatchers - Alistair Prentice

Bird News Sunday 22nd January

2012-01-22T21:30:00.001Z

The Ross's Gull was still at Ardglass harbour, also present were upto 12 Iceland Gull, 5 Kumlien's Gull and a juvenile Glaucous Gull. The Kumlien's Gull were 2 1st year, 2 2nd year and an adult. (Chris Murphy).
In Killough the Black Redstart was on the beach by the harbour, a Stonechat was also present, 4 Sandwich Terns were feeding in the outer harbour and a Stonechat and 21 Redpoll were in Chris Murphy's garden. (Philip West, Chris Murphy, Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).

The Cattle Egret went to roost on the island in Hillsborough Lake at 4.00p.m. (Garry Armstrong).

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was at Bay Road in Larne.

At Ballyquintin Point there was a 1st winter Glaucous Gull, 3 Gannet and 2 Little Egret, and at Portaferry a 2nd winter Iceland Gull. (Richard Weyl).

At Myroe Levels there was a 2nd winter Iceland Gull showing characteristics of Kumlien's Gull, also present were a 1st winter Iceland Gull, 2 is winter and a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull. (Neal Warnock).

The male Smew and the Marsh Harrier were both present at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve, a Barnacle Goose was with Greylags and Whooper Swans north of the reserve. 3 Pinkfeet were with 50 Greylag and 60 Whooper Swans at Reedy Flats. (Ed O'Hara).

A female Brambling and a female Yellowhammer were visiting a garden in Richill. (Andrew Poots).

Thje juvenile Iceland Gull was still at Lagan Weir in Belfast.

Snow Buntings were still at the old landfill site at Hightown Road above Glengormley. (Larry Toal).

Along the Antrim coast an adult Iceland Gull flew north at Drains Bay. It was seen later at Glenarm. (Stuart McKee).

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport.

The male Smew was still at Inch in Donegal. (David Hill).

Thanks to Warren Fowles, Neal Warnock, Andrew Poots, Ed O'Hara, David Hill, George Stewart and Stephen Maxwell for todays pictures.

Ross's Gull - Warren Fowles

Iceland Gull - Neil Warnock

Yellowhammer - Andrew Poots

Tree Sparrow - Andrew Poots

Tree Sparrow - Ed O'Hara

Smew - David Hill

Gadwall - David Hill

Jay - George Stewart

Buzzard - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News for Saturday 21st January

2012-01-21T13:11:00.010Z

Our thanks to Mark Killops for this wonderful image of Ardglass most famous resident.

Our thanks to Allen Gillespie for his wonderful selection of photos from Ardglass, the place to be at the moment. They are from the top ad Iceland Gull, first winter Kumliens Gull and the now famous Ross's Gull

The adult Ross's Gull was seen all day at Ardglass. A number of Iceland Gulls and Glaucous Gulls were also seen.

Bonaparte's Gull still at Sandy Bay, Larne Lough.

A Little Auk was close to shore at Ramore Head in Portrush this morning and a 1st winter Glaucous Gull and a 1st winter Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid were at East Strand carpark. 8 Iceland Gulls and 3 Glaucous Gulls were at Corbally Reservoir. (Neal Warnock).

Anns Point at dusk had 30 Whooper Swan and 250 Greylags they flew in from the east. Seen this two weeks ago, anyone knows where they spend the day(K.Bennett)

At Burial Island a 1st year Pomarine Skua chasing Kittiwakes, a Gannet and a Common Scoter. The hybrid Ring-billed Gull and a Gannet were at Millisle.(R.Weyl)

Photographic competition.

2012-01-21T01:33:00.000Z

The Work of Northern Ireland Bird Photographers annual show will be held in the Ulster Museum on 21st March 2012. Dave Tipling, who will be judging the entries, will be giving NIOC’s annual Sam Penney Memorial Lecture at the same location, one month earlier, on 22nd February, 2012. Both events are for everyone to attend, absolutely free, and start at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

For details of Dave’s lecture and the way to enter the WONIBP photo competition please see our website http://www.nioc.co.uk

Anyone wishing to enter WONIBP is welcome; full details and downloadable entry form are on the NIOC website. Last date for entries is 25th January, 2012.

Bird News Friday 20th January

2012-01-20T11:50:00.007Z

Our thanks to Stephen Maxwell for this image of one of the twelve Iceland Gulls present at Ardglass

The Ross's Gull has been seen again this morning in Ardglass harbour (Conor Foley).

It was seen until 4pm,should stay around for weekend. Also seen were up to 12 Iceland Gulls and 3 Kumlein's Gulls.

4 Iceland Gull and 4 Glaucous Gull were at Corbally Reservoir, Portrush. (Birdguides).

The Bonaparte's Gull was at Sandy Bay in Larne this afternoon. (Birdguides).

2 Iceland Gull and 2 Glaucous Gull were at Lough Foyle this afternoon. (Birdguides).

4 Buzzard and 2 Raven were at Drumcairn Forest near Stewartstown. (Tony McCormick).

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport.
Thanks to Richie Lort for a couple of non gull pictures.

Dunlin - Richie Lort

Waders - Richie Lort

The Ardglass Ross's Gull

2012-01-19T18:28:00.002Z

We thought that we were spoilt with pics of the Bonaparte's but it looks as though this stunning Ross's Gull is going to out do it. It has been a stunning winter for gulls and probably only an Ivory Gull could top it all.....
Thanks to Craig Nash for the great pics below:

Bird News Thursday 19th January

2012-01-19T11:50:00.005Z

The adult Ross's Gull was showing throughout the day in Ardglass Harbour! Also 2 Kumliens, up to 15 Icelands and 2 Glaucs (Neal Warnock, Paul Scott)
In Lough Foyle, there were 1 juv Glaucous and 5 Iceland Gulls (Birdguides)
A first winter Iceland Gull was at Lagan Weir (Brian Downey)
A third winter Iceland Gull was in Newcastle Harbour (Birdguides)
Today in co. Armagh, 1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese and 280 Greylag Geese were at Ardmore Shore Lough Neagh. The male Red-crested Pochard and a Chiffchaff were at Oxford Island (Joe Devlin)
A Sandwich Tern was at Killard and a Jack Snipe at Tullyratty Dam. (Richard Weyl)

Many thanks to Neal for the excellent shots of the Ross's:

Bird News Wednesday 18th January

2012-01-18T17:19:00.008Z

Our thanks to Tom Ennis who kindly sent in this photograph of the adult Ross's Gull from Ardglass, a superb find, good luck to everyone who will be undoubtedly twitching it over the next few days.

The spate of great birds for the province continues with the discovery of an adult Ross's Gull at Ardglass Co. Down. It was seen from the harbour wall at the mouth of the harbour entrance, found at 15.20 it was viewed until dark, hopefully it will stick around for a few days. This is the first Ross's Gull for Northern Ireland in fourteen years. Also at Ardglass were 8 Iceland Gull and at least 3 Glaucous Gull(T.Ennis/ A.Dodds)

The Ring-billed Gull was still present at Groomsport and the Ring-billed/Common Gull hybrid still at Millisle.(T.Ennis/A.Dodds)

On the Antrim side of Belfast Lough 8 Long-tailed Duck and 2 Great Northern Diver were at Greenisland. 1,200 Eider were in the Lough, the majority off Holywood (George Henderson).

The Black Redstart was still around the caves at Black Head (Cameron Moore).
A Crossbill flew over a garden in Fivemiletown (Colin Bell).
A Little Egret flew along the canal where it meets the Portaferry Road in Newtownards (D Kubright).
Yesterday along the north coast 15 Common Scoter, 8 Snow Bunting and 2 Great Northern Diver were at Magilligan but there was no sign of the Bewick's Swans at Derrytresk (George Henderson).

Bird News Tuesday 17th January

2012-01-17T20:30:00.002Z

The 1st winter Iceland Gull was again at Lagan Weir in Belfast, see photo below. (Ronald Surgenor).

7 Dipper and a Buzzard were at Roe Valley Country Park, Limavady. (Richard Donaghey)

The Bonaparte's Gull was again at Ballygally and 2 Goosander were at Waterfoot.

7 Bullfinch, 5 male and 2 female, were feeding in a bush by the carpark at Castlewellan Country Park. (Eimear Rooney & Adam McClure)

A Barn Owl was at Mount Stewart. (Aaron Devlin).

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport.
Thanks to Ronald Surgenor for this picture

Iceland Gull - Ronald Surgenor

Bird News Monday 16th January

2012-01-16T10:30:00.001Z

A Male Goosander was at Waterfoot, an adult Iceland Gull, Garron Point and the Bonaparte's Gull at Ballygally, Co Antrim (Neal Warnock)

Large flock of passerines,120+, at Ballynagross, Ballyalton, Co Down, included 60 Tree Sparrows & 15 Yellowhammers. Reed Buntings, Chaffinches & Greenfinches in same flock. 2 Sandwich Terns were at Mill Quarter Bay and 2 Goosanders ( m & f) and 2 Grey Plovers, along the shore on the Mill Quarter Bay side of Killard Point. (David Nixon)

Two immature Iceland Gulls were seen at McAuley's Lake, Co Down, this morning (Ron Price / Michael Taylor)
3 Bewick's Swan were with 52 Whooper Swan at Derrytresk on the Tyrone shore of Lough Neagh (George Henderson).
12 Fieldfare and 6 Redwing were at the Moira end of Broad Water (Derek Polley).

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport. 13 Twite were nearby at Sheep Point. One of them was the colour ringed bird from the Mull of Kintyre seen at Whitehead last December (George Gordon).
On the rocks along Portstewart Golf Club were approx 350 Golden Plover also one Purple Sandpiper in a flock of approx 15 Redshank (Geoff McIntyre)
Three Long-eared Owls were seen hunting around the football pitches at the University in Coleraine this evening, also seen were two Woodcock. (John Clarke)

Many thanks to Rob McAllister for the picture below of a Purple Sandpiper at Newcastle.

Our most photographed Gull ever?

2012-01-15T19:00:00.020Z

So far we have received in over 50 pics of the Bonaparte's Gull. Many thanks for these! Here are some more of this 'gem' of a Gull, from today.

Bonaparte's Gull - Bill Guiller

Bonaparte's Gull - Stephen Maxwell

Bonapartes Gull - Stephen Maxwell

Bonaparte's Gull - Ian Graham

Bird News Sunday 15th January

2012-01-15T11:12:00.003Z

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was at Ballygalley, by the slipway (Keith Bennett \ Philip West \ Stephen Maxwell \ Bill Guiller)
The blue phase Snow Goose was just east of Gortatole, Co Fermanagh (Wilton Farrelly)
A 2nd w Iceland Gull and a Black-throated Diver,were on Rathlin Island (Neal Warnock)
At Portmore Lough were the drake Smew, a Marsh Harrier and 50+ Tree Sparrow (Ed O'Hara)
The Black Redstart was still at Knockinelder Bay and a Sandwich Tern was at Templecowey. Yesterday single Sandwich Terns were at Cloughy Bay and Burial Island and a Gannet at Millisle (Richard Weyl)
A first winter Iceland Gull, 13 Whooper Swan and 4 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Black Head. At Larne Lough a fem/imm Goosander was at Glynn (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).
Also at Larne Lough a Dark-bellied Brent and a Barnacle Goose were with Greylag at Church Bay (Cameron Moore).
4 Sandwich Tern were at Portaferry (Ian Enlander)

Yesterday a single Bewick's was amongst a flock of 488 Whoopers at Donneybrewer Levels, Lough Foyle (Graham Mcalwaine)

Tree Sparrow - Ed O'Hara

Snow Goose - Wilton Farrelly

Bird News Saturday 14th January

2012-01-14T09:39:00.003Z

The Red-necked grebe was still at Greyabbey Bay S - Herring Bay (Strangford Lough) (Keith Bennett)
1st w Iceland Gull, Ballycastle. 14 Iceland (6 1st w, 4 2nd, 1 3rd and 3 adults) and 4 Glaucous (3 1st and a 3rd w) at Corbally res, Portrush. A leucistic Herring Gull was also present. The adult Ring-billed Gull was at east strand car park Portrush and 70 Purple Sandpiper at Ramore Head (Neal Warnock)
A 1st w Iceland Gull was at myroe levels. An adult Iceland Gull was at the strand road jetty, river bann, Coleraine. (Neal Warnock)
The blue phase Snow Goose was seen again near Gortatole, Lough Macnean, Co. Fermanagh. (Brad Robson)
6 Iceland Gull and an argentatus Herring Gull were at Enniskillen dump (Wilton Farrelly)
At Portmore Lough there was still the male Smew. Also a 2cy Marsh Harrier, probably male (grey central tail feathers). (Keith Bennett)
A Long Tailed Duck, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Shelduck, a Buzzard and a Redwing were at the Bann Estuary. (Richard Donaghey)
A small flock of Purple Sandpiper, Dunlin and Ringed Plover were on Seacliff Road in Bangor along with 2 Shag and a lone Eider. (Richie Lort).
11 Iceland Gull, 2 adult, 5 2nd winter, and 4 1st winter, and 2 Glaucous Gull, a 1st winter and a 2nd winter, were at Ardglass harbour. (Chris Murphy).
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at the outfall at Black Head. (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).
The adult Bonaparte's Gull was at Ballygally. A Great Northern Diver was at Glenarm marina. (David Gillespie).
20 Reed Bunting, 40 Yellowhammer, 50 Chaffinch and 50 Tree Sparrow were at the junction on Ballymoran Road near Killinchy. A Sandwich Tern was at Killyleagh. A pair of Gadwall was at the lake at Roselawn Crematorium. (John Pyper, David Clarke).
At Strangford Lough a Kingfisher was at Castle Espie as well as 4 Little Egret, 15 Linnet, Goldcrest and Lesser Redpoll. (Derek Polley).
In Donegal the white morph Snow Goose was back at Big Isle. (Graham McIlwaine, Pat Watson)
Thanks to Alistair Prentice, Richie Lort and Stephen Maxwell for today's excellent pictures.

Black Headed Gull - Stephen Maxwell

Goldfinch - Alistair Prentice

Treecreeper - Alistair Prentice

Whoopers - Alistair Prentice

Dunlin - Richie Lort

Gambia Trip Report

2012-01-13T22:01:00.000Z

The report for a winter weeks birding in the sun by eight NI birders can be read by following the link on the trip reports page.

Egyptian Plovers - Ian Graham

Beaudouin's Snake Eagle - Ed O'Hara

Bird News for Friday 13th January.

2012-01-13T20:17:00.010Z

On the east side of Strangford Lough in excellent conditions, a Red-necked Grebe between Greyabbey Bay and Herring Bay (photo attached), 25 Slavonian Grebe (21 in Greyabbey Bay and 4 north of Gransha Point), 13 Great-northern Diver (9 at Ringburr Point and 4 north of Gransha Point). Also 2 Red Kite flew across the road, south of Greyabbey,wing tags not noted.(R.Weyl)

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was still at Ballygalley (Tom Ennis, Guy Hamilton)

A Black Redstart was at Blackhead Co.Antrim.It was mainly using cliff area above 2nd cave.(I.Enlander)

Drake Red-crested Pochard still at Kinnegoe Bay. Five sites around the Aghagallon/Portmore areas had 302 Whoopers, including 44 young. At Derryclone (near Bartins Bay) there was a juvenile Dark Bellied Brent Goose, along with a single Greylag and Whoopers.(D.Nixon)

A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at the Lagan Weir in Belfast.(Irishbirding)

40 Snow Bunting were at the landfill site along Hightown Road above Glengormley (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull and 12 Purple Sandpiper were at Groomsport.

In Donegal 3 Great Northern Diver were at Mountcharles. 4 Great Northern Diver were at Killybegs and 70/100 Twite and 5 Whooper Swan at Sheskinmore (Vernon Carter).

Useful information for coming weekend.

The A20 Portaferry Rd is due to be closed at Greyabbey this weekend (from 7pm Friday until 8am Monday), according to signs by the road. Birders from the N rushing to check the Greyabbey grebes might want to allow a fair bit of extra time for a considerable detour .... but you can search for that big owl instead!

Our thanks to Keith Bennett for the info.

Bird News Thursday 12th January

2012-01-12T18:48:00.003Z

The Bonaparte's Gull was still at Ballygally (David Ledsham / Adam McClure)
Outer Ards today: 1 ad Med gull at Barr Hall bay (Ballyquintin). Portaferry marina had 6 Sandwich terns, singles at Ballyquintin point and Ballyfrench (N of Portavogie). Short-eared owl Ballyquintin point. 3 purple sandpipers Ballyfrench. (Keith Bennett)
3 Little Egret were on the north side of Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough (Cameron Moore).
2 Snow Bunting were at Tullycar Hill near Killeter in west Tyrone (David Steele).
At Larne Lough the Dark-bellied Brent, 120 Pale-bellied, a Barnacle Goose and 25 Greylag were a mile north of Ballycarry Bridge on the Island Magee side (Cameron Moore).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport. 8 Purple Sandpiper were at Cove Bay.
Balyquintin Point had 650 Wood Pigeon feeding in stubble - (largest flock I have seen in NI), Starling 450, Rook 550, a huge mixed gull flock (for the Outer Ards) feeding on shore and in nearby fields - nearly 2500 approximately 1100 Black-headed Gull, 350 Herring Gull, 1000 Common Gull (Ian Enlander)

400 or so Woopers werre at Myroe (Crindle) and 200 Greylag Geese (Charles Stewart)

Many thanks again to all who send in photographs and sightings! Today's photographs are from Charles Stewart, Richie Lort and Alistair Prentice. You can report your sightings to nibirds@live.co.uk


Whoopers and Greylags - Charles Stewart

Buzzard - Richie Lort

Whoopers, Newry Canal - Alistair Prentice

The Ballygalley Bonaparte's Gull - more pics

2012-01-12T08:27:00.000Z

Many thanks to Guy Hamilton for these excellent pics of the Bonaparte's Gull taken yesterday at Ballygally, Co. Antrim:

Bird News Wednesday 11th January

2012-01-11T20:00:00.001Z

The Bonapartes Gull was again today at Ballygally (Guy Hamilton)
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (Bird Guides)
An Iceland Gull was seen at Kinnegar Shore, Belfast (Paul Scott)
A third winter Kumlien's Gull, 13 Iceland Gull (3 first winter, 4 second winter, 3 third winter and 3 adult) and four Glaucous Gull (3 first winter and a second winter) were at Corbally Dam in Portrush (David Steele).
A first winter Iceland Gull and 7 Red-throated Diver were at Black Head. At Larne Lough a Dark-bellied Brent was with 120 Pale-bellied Brent at Church Bay a mile north of Ballycarry Bridge (Cameron Moore).

Along the Newry Canal were15-20 Golden Plover in adjacent field, 5-7 Bullfinch, a Kingfishe, three Buzzards, two woodcock, hundreds of Redwing and Fieldfare and 27 Whooper Swans

8 Siskin were with Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tit at Antrim Road Waterworks in Belfast (Dot Blakely).

Many thanks to Craig Nash and Pauline Majury for the superb pics below:

Purple Sandpiper - Craig Nash

Iceland Gull, Ballygally - Pauline Majury

The travels of a Black-headed Gull

2012-01-11T19:44:00.000Z

Black-headed Gull - Pauline Majury

We welcome reports of ringed birds and many thanks to Pauline Majury for the excellent picture above.
This individual was colour-ringed as a pullus on Lough Mask, County Mayo on 15/06/08 and was subsequently resighted at Larne Harbour in Co. Antrim on 02/01/2009 by Neal Warnock and more recently on the 2nd January by Pauline Majury. It would therefore appear that it is displaying site faithfulness to its original wintering grounds.
Many thanks to Eoin McGreal, Countryside Ranger with the NPWS for this information. There is a wider programme of ringing the Black-headed Gulls at Lough Mask so please report other ringed birds to assist this study.

Bird News Tuesday 10th January

2012-01-10T20:28:00.001Z

In Co. Armagh a Chiffchaff and a juvenile Brent Goose were at Oxford Island, the Great Northern Diver was on Craigavon Balancing Lake South and a Pink Footed Goose was with 80 Greylags at Reedy Flats. (Joe Devlin).

The male Smew and Marsh Harrier were still at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Irishbirding).

3 Great Northern Diver were on Lower Lough Erne. (Brad Robson).

9 Iceland Gull, 2 adult, 2 3rd winter, 2 2nd winter and 3 1st winter, were at Ardglass harbour as well as the 1st winter Kumlien's Gull and 2 Glaucous Gulls, a 1st winter and a 2nd winter. The female or immature Black Redstart was at Killough harbour. (Chris Murphy).

Yesterday 7 Iceland Gull, an adult and 6 1st winter, were at Corbally Dam in Portrush and a Glaucous Gull at Ballycastle. (Colin Guy).

Thanks to Tom Ennis, Joe Devlin and Guy Hamilton for todays great pictures.

Kumlien's Gull - Tom Ennis

Chiffchaff - Joe Devlin

Great Northern Diver - Joe Devlin

Kittiwake - Guy Hamilton

The Ballygally Bonaparte's Gull

2012-01-09T20:07:00.000Z

This superb and very rare gull has been giving itself up to many local birders and photographers. Here are some more excellent pictures which we have been kindly sent.

Bonaparte's Gull - Allen Gillespie

Bonaparte's Gull - Bill Guiller

Bonapartes Gull - Pauline Majury

Bird News Monday 9thJanuary

2012-01-09T19:57:00.002Z

At RSPB Portmore Lough, Co. Antrim, NI were the male Smew (at the far end of the lough on the reedbed edge), 5 Shoveler, the Female Juv. Marsh Harrier (seen hunting over the willow scrub in the fen. Has been roosting on site since early December) and to comlete the raptor count a female Merlin hunting over wet meadow, a male Sparrowhawk and a Buzzard (Amy Burns)

At Killard there was no sign of Richard's but there was a Short-eared Owl (Craig Nash)

Short-eared Owl - Craig Nash

At Ardglass harbour there were at least 5 Iceland Gulls and 1 Black Redstart (Craig Nash)

At Blackhead Co. Antrim were 2 Iceland Gull at the outfall. At Portmuck were a Gannet and 24 Red-throated Diver feeding in area (8 flying south)

6 Iceland Gull and 2 Mediteranean Gulls were at Enniskillen Dump (Brad Robson)

The Short-eared Owl was seen flying near Ballyqintin Point this morning (Ron Price & Michael Taylor)
4 Iceland Gulls were at Ballintoy Harbour (Irish Birding)
An adult Iceland Gull was at Kilkeel Harbour. 10 Bullfinch were at the bridge on the way down to the harbour (Stuart McKee).

Sightings around Dundrum \ Newcastle included: Dundrum Bay from Murlough High Dunes had 11 Velvet Scoters, 1180 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Diver. Newcastle Harbour had an adult Iceland Gull at outfall, 2 Red-throated Divers and 6 Purple Sandpipers. Dundrum Inner Bay North had 300 Brent Geese, 92 Shelduck, 1 Little Egret and 6 Greenshank. 2 Red Kites were at Tyrella. (Chris & Tim Murphy)

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport and a Carrion Crow and 2 Red-throated Diver at Sheep Point. (George Gordon)

Yesterday a second winter Iceland Gull landed on the road at Myroe Levels (Mervyn Guthrie).

A Little Egret was at Whitehouse Lagoon (Stephen Maxwell)

Little Egret - Stephen Maxwell

Portmore Lough Talks

2012-01-09T19:19:00.000Z

There are a series of talks which will be held in the new community room at Portmore Lough RSPB Reserve, starting promptly at 7.30pm. Questions, contributions and discussions are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. Entrance £3 or £1 RSPB members

Whooper Swans from Iceland - Talk by Dr. Kendrew Colhoun, 17th January 2012. Kendrew traces the story of the swan’s annual migration from Iceland, and why this part of Northern Ireland is so important to them.

Red Kites in Northern Ireland - Talk by Adam McClure, 31st January 2012. Fascinating behind the scenes story about these iconic birds of prey and how they fit into our local ecology.

The History and Development of Portmore Lough - Talk by Warden, 21st February 2012. The RSPB Portmore Warden will take a look at the wildlife and history of the Portmore area and how it is still special.

Bird News for Sunday 8th January

2012-01-08T17:15:00.008Z

The ad Iceland Gull at Ardglass Harbour..G.Armstrong

8 Iceland Gull(1 ad,2 1st winter,4 2nd winter and a kumliens type) 4 Glaucous Gull (1 ad, 2 2nd winter and a 1st winter)were at Ardglass harbour(P.West/G.Armstrong/K.Bennett)

An adult male Black Redstart was also at Ardglass, a male Ring necked Duck was at Templewater(Castle ward) The 3 Long tailed Duck still at Greyabbey bay South along with 4 Slav. Grebes. A Stock Dove was at Kircubbin. 15 Yellowhammer were at Marlfield.(K.Bennett)

Knockenlder Bay had a female Black Redstart and a 1st winter Iceland gull. At Ballyquintin Point a Short-eared Owl and a female Merlin. At Portaferry 2 Sandwich Tern.(R.Weyl),

The ad Bonaparte's Gull was at Ballygally. A 1st winter Glaucous Gull, Ballycastle Harbour.4 GN diver and unusually 12 Cm Scoter at Carnlough. 2nd W Iceland Gull flying north along the Antrim coast at Drumnagreagh. A Carrion Crow at Magheramorne. Adult Iceland Gull and 2nd W Med gull at Glynn Lagoon(N.Warnock)

The Marsh Harrier was seen again at the RSPB Portmore Lough Reserve(J.O'Neill)

The Goosander remains to be seen on Begney Lake Co.Down(D.Nixon)

Two first year Iceland Gulls were at Donnybrewer (Davy Hunter / Rick Hoy)
700 Common Scoter were in Dundrum Bay best viewed from Murlough Nature Reserve.(I.Enlander)
At Strangford Lough 3 Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Anne's Point (Dot Blakely).

The 20 Snow Bunting were still at the old landfill site at Hightown Road above Glengormley - flighty but landing on the grass at the entrance (William Smyton).

As well as the Iceland and Glaucous Gulls at Ardglass there were 600 Herring, 350 Black-headed, 100 Greater Black-backed, 45 Common Gull, 15 Kittiwake. a Razorbill, Guillemot and a Black Guillemot. A Sandwich Tern was at Killough (Chris and Tim Murphy).

Around Belfast a new adult Mediterranean Gull and a Whooper Swan were on the sea off the North Foreshore (Stuart McKee). The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport.

Around the Ards a Tree Sparrow, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Reed Bunting and 7 Yellowhammer were at Ardkeen. A Great Northern Diver was at Ballyhalbert and a Sandwich Tern at Ballywalter (Jim Whitla). A Sandwich Tern was south of Cloghy Rocks and 2 Carrion Crow at the Floodgates (Dave Allen).

3 Jack Snipe were at Clay Lake in Armagh (David Knight).

3 Red-throated Diver and 3 Great Northern Diver were at Glenarm and a Dipper in the river there (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).

A Short-eared Owl was at Craigantlet (Aaron Devlin).

A first winter Iceland Gull was at Lough Beg (David Steele).

In Donegal 5 Tundra Bean Geese and a Snow Goose were at Inch. A second winter Kumlien's Gull, 7 Iceland and 3 Glaucous Gull were at Blanket Nook and an Arctic Skua at Rathmullan on the Fanad (Wilton Farrelly, Walter Veale). Also at Inch Lake were a female Long-tailed Duck and male Smew with a Pink-footed Goose and 50 Greenland White-fronted Geese. 200 Pale-bellied Brent, 100 Greylag and 50 Greenland White-fronted were at Big Isle (Richard Gray NIOC).

2 Glaucous and an Iceland Gull were off Marconi's Cottage at Ballycastle (Colin Guy).

Our sincere thanks to everyone who takes the time to send us information.

Bird News Saturday 7th January

2012-01-07T17:24:00.003Z

The Bonaparte's Gull and an Iceland Gull were at Ballygally this morning (Irish Birding)

9 Iceland gulls (2 ad, 4 2nd w, 3 1st w) and 2 1st w Glaucous gulls were at Corbally res. The Ad ring billed gull was at East strand car park, Portrush. An adult and 2nd w Glaucous gulls and 2nd and 1st winter Iceland gulls at (Neal Warnock)

At Ardglass, Co Down were 5 Iceland Gulls, 2 Glaucous Gulls, a Greenshank & 7 Purple Sandpiper. At Tyrella were 3 Stonechat and 7 Sanderling. 3 Red Kite were at Leitrim, Co. Down (Ed O'Hara)

A fem/imm Black Redstart was at Killough (Tim Murphy).
The 20 Snow Bunting were still at the landfill site at Hightown road above Glengormley (Larry Toal).
3 Purple Sandpiper were at Ballyholme and 50 Redshank at Bangor Marina (Derek Polley).

A possible adult Thayers Gull was seen at Blanketnook, Co Donegal (Chris Ingram).

Many thanks to Ed O'Hara for the pics below of Iceland Gulls at Ardglass:

Antarctica comes to Antrim......

2012-01-06T19:23:00.000Z

King Penguins - Shane Wolsey

Shane Wolsey is presenting his journey 'In the footsteps of Shackleton' at the Antrim Members’ Group of the RSPB on Monday evening, 9^th January at 8pm at Greenmount College near Antrim. In this illustrated talk Shane retraces the same journey Shackleton made but in more comfort! The talk includes details on much of the wildlife and scenery of the area.

Greenmount’s main entrance is on the Tirgracy Road, accessed from the old Belfast to Antrim Road. Turn left at the second traffic lights on the outskirts of Antrim (Muckamore), and about 500 yards onwards turn right into the Tirgracey Road. Greenmount’s entrance is about 600 yards more along the road. Take the first right turn once through the gates and then left into the car park. Go through the double doors and up the stairs - a lift is also available. The RSPB Group meets in classroom 6 at the side of the college building.

All are welcome. The charge is £3.

Bird News Friday 6th January

2012-01-06T17:31:00.002Z

The Bonaparte's Gull was at Ballygally this afternoon, on the beach just north of the Ballygally Hotel. A 2nd winter Iceland Gull and 2 Purple Sandpipers were at the Round Tower beside the Princess Victoria memorial in Larne. (Ed O'Hara)
A Short-eared Owl and a Jack Snipe were seen at Killard. The very dark Kumlien's was still in Ardglass Harbour together with at least 6 Iceland Gulls (four 1st w, two 2nd w) and two 1st w Glaucous Gulls (Chris Murphy).
In Fermanagh 8 Iceland Gulls, an adult, 2 2nd winter and 5 1st winter, were at Enniskiilen tip. (Brad Robson).
Along the Outer Ards a 1st winter Iceland Gull was on the shore at Ballywhiskin. (Guy Hamilton). A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at Knockinelder Bay and at Strangford Lough a Little Egret and 2 Stock Doves were at the Dorn and a Barn Owl at Anne's Point. (Richard Grey).
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Belfast Harbour lagoon. (Gerard McGeehan, Andy Elliott).
An adult Iceland Gull was at the Gobbins at Islandmagee. (David Galbraith).
Ballymacormick Point between 8.30 and 9.30 had 94 Red Throated Divers flying west into Belfast Lough as well as 8 indeterminate Divers. (George Henderson). Briggs Rocks had 3 Red Throated Diver, 3 Whooper Swan and 2 Great Northern Diver. (Colin Guy).
The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was still Groomsport.
On the Antrim side of Belfast Lough 12 Red Throated and 2 Great Northern Divers were off Whitehead between 8.30 and 9.30. 23 Red Throated Diver and 30 Bottle Nosed Dolphin were at Portmuck on Islandmagee. (Ian Enlander).

The Richards Pipit was again looked for today but no sign.

Thanks to Ed O'Hara for todays pictures

Bonaparte's Gull - Ed O'Hara

Purple Sandpiper - Ed O'Hara

Ardglass Kumlien's Gull

2012-01-06T08:16:00.002Z

Many thanks to Tom Ennis (top image)and Guy Hamilton for there excellent photos of the Kumliens Gull. This bird would to some extent show a few features at the darker end of the Kumlien's spectrum. With the current influx of Iceland and Kumlien's Gulls, the possibility of a Thayers Gull turning up this winter should not be overlooked

Bird News Thursday 5th January

2012-01-05T14:12:00.005Z

Adult Bonaparte's, adult Iceland gull and 2nd w Glaucous gull at sandy Bay/ Larne harbour (Neal Warnock)

A first winter Kumlien's Gull, 5 Iceland (4 first winter and a second winter) and a first winter Glaucous Gull were at Ardglass Harbour (Tom Ennis, Guy Hamilton).

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was also seen at the outfall at Larne Harbour and 2 Red Grouse and a Raven were along Star Bog Road (Joe Lamont).

Around Belfast a Bullfinch and Sparrowhawk were at Ballysillan Playing Fields (Andy Elliott). A Kestrel was along Hightown Road and three Snipe at Cave Hill Country Park (R McQuillan).

Two Little Egret were in Victoria Park, Belfast.(R.Lort)

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport.

A Woodcock flew over the Dromore Road just outside Ballynahinch this evening.(A Mc Clure)

In Donegal 2 Velvet Scoter (adult and first winter males), 4 Iceland Gull and a Black-throated Diver were between Rossnowlagh and Murvagh (Brad Robson). 2 Iceland Gull were at the mouth of the river at Ballyshannon (Fionnbarr Cross)

The Richard's Pipit was looked for to-day, in reasonable calm conditions, but unfortunately no success.

Bird News Wednesday 4th January

2012-01-04T21:24:00.000Z

The Bonaparte's Gull was seen again at the Black Arch, Drains Bay, an adult Iceland Gull was also seen briefly. (Neil Warnock).
The Red Crested Pochard was back at Kinnegoe Bay, Oxford Island. (Stephen Hewitt).

Three Blackcaps were visiting a garden in Brunswick Road in Bangor. (Derek Polley)

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport.

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the pictures below.

Bar Tailed Godwits - Stephen Maxwell

Hooded Crows - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News Tuesday 3rd January

2012-01-03T19:50:00.000Z

The weather was awful and for those who braved looking for the Richards Pipit, there was no luck in relocating it. However it will definitely be worthwhile looking for it when the weather settles.
The Bonaparte's Gull was seen this morning along with a Mediteranean Gull at Ballygalley (Brian Downey)
The influx of Iceland Gulls continues with 4 at Enniskillen dump (Brad Robson)
A Glaucous Gull was at Ballycastle Harbour (Irish Birding)
7 Sandwich Tern (2 adult and 5 first winter) were at Killyleagh (Spencer and Joan Marshall).
7 Red-breasted Merganser were at Loughshore, Jordanstown (Stephen Maxwell)
Yesterday a leucistic Common Gull was at Newcastle Harbour (Stephen Foster)

Many thanks for all who continue to send in photographs:

Smew, Portmore Lough, 2nd January - Mark Killops

Bonaparte's Gull - Nigel Moore

Leucistic Common Gull, Newcastle - Stephen Foster

Bird News Monday 2nd January

2012-01-02T19:08:00.001Z

The New Year has started with the superb find of a Richards Pipit at Killard (see previous post and pics).

The Red-crested Pochard was present at Craigavon Lakes, along with the Great Northern Diver (Ed O'Hara).
A Raven was at Gosford Park, Co. Armagh (Alistair Prentice)
A Little Egret was at Moat Park, Dundonald and another at Castle Espie (Stephen Maxwell)
The adult Bonaparte's Gull was on the beach at Ballygalley (Jeff Larkin).
In Fermanagh a White-tailed Eagle, 20 Gadwall and 6 Pintail were at Upper Lough Erne (Peter Taylor).
On the Antrim side of Belfast Lough 2 Velvet Scoter, a Black-throated Diver, a Mediterranean Gull, 5 Red-throated Diver and a male Long-tailed Duck were off Whitehouse (Stuart McKee).
A Peregrine Falcon and 2 Little Grebe were at Groomsport (Richard Lort). The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still present.
20 Snow Bunting were at the landfill site at Hightown Road above Glengormley (Larry Toal).

The Drake Goosander still at Begney Lough and a Peregrine at Dundrum S Inner Bay (David Nixon)
At Dundrum Inner Bay south this morning were 2 Little Egret, 5 Greenshank, a Peregrine and a Grey Plover.(David McCreedy

8 Crossbill were at Browns Hill, nr Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone this morning (Colin Bell)

Red-crested Pochard - Ed O'Hara

Richards Pipit - Killard, Co. Down

2012-01-02T18:40:00.002Z

A cracking start to the New Year with the NI rare bird purple patch continung. A Richards Pipit has been found today by Craig Nash at Killard. The location where the bird was feeding is also shown below:

Richards Pipit - Craig Nash

Bonaparte's Gull - Co. Antrim

2012-01-02T10:19:00.000Z

Many thanks to Warren Fowles for these excellent pictures of the Co. Antrim Bonaparte's Gull that has been frequenting the area from Sandy Bay, Larne up to Ballygally.

Bird News Sunday 1st January 2012

2012-01-01T17:06:00.004Z

4 Twite were at Glenarm (Pauline Majury)
Two Iceland Gull were at Corbally Reservoir, Portrush (Brian Downey)
The Ring-billed gull was still at Groomsport (Richard Weyl)
The Marsh Harrier, a male Smew and 50 Tree vSparrow were at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve and 2 Ruddy Duck were at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara, Colm McQuillan).
3 Velvet Scoter and 40 Common Scoter were off Whiteabbey in Belfast Lough. (Irish Birding).
The adult Bonaparte's Gull was seen briefly at Ballygally and the 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull was again at Drains Bay.
3 first winter Iceland Gull and a first winter Glaucous Gull were at Ardglass Harbour (Chris Murphy).
The Green-winged Teal was at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (George Gordon).
A Chiffchaff was at Oxford Island today. The Great Northern Diver was still at Craigavon lakes (Mark Killops)

Many thanks to Pauline for the Twite pic, to John Clarke for the Long-eared Owl picture and to Alistair Prentice for the Dunnock, Blackbird and Great Tit pictures:

Twite - Pauline Majury

Long Eared Owl - John Clarke

Dunnock - Alistair Prentice

Blackbird - Alistair Prentice

Great Tit - Alistair Prentice

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T20:11:00.000Z

Happy New Year From NI Birds.

And thanks to Stephen Maxwell for these two pictures, including one of the birds of 2011.

Bird News 31st December

2011-12-31T16:00:00.003Z

2 1st w Iceland gulls were at Corbally Resevoir. A 1st w Glaucous Gull was at Ramore Head and the adult Ring-billed Gull at east strand car park, Portrush (Neal Warnock)

A Curlew Sandpiper was at Mullagh, Lough Beg. (David Steele).

The immature Marsh Harrier was seen again at Portmore. (Ed O'Hara).

A 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull was at Drains Bay. (Joe Lamont).

The Pink Footed Goose was still at Anne's Point, 4 Sandwich Tern were at Marlfield with another at Portaferry. (Richard Weyl).

A Mediterranean Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon, a Great Northern Diver was off Lough Shore Park and 4 Gadwall were at Dargan Road shore. (Stuart McKee).

A Carrion Crow was at Crawfordsburn beach. (Ian Enlander).

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was again at Groomsport.

Yesterday morning a dead Barn Owl was on the road between Lisnaskea and Maguiresbridge in Co. Fermanagh. (John Young).

Thanks to Richie Lort, Joe Lamont, Stuart McKee and Alistair Prentice for todays pictures.

Dunlin - Richie Lort

Great Northern Diver - Stuart McKee

Mediterranean Gull - Stuart McKee

Mediterranean Gull - Joe Lamont

Tree Sparrow - Alistair Prentice

Bird News for Friday 30th December.

2011-12-30T19:32:00.007Z

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was at the outfall at Drains Bay. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was at the shore opposite the campus at Jordanstown (Walter and Christopher Veale).

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport

10 Slav. Grebes, 3 Long-tailed Duck and 30 Yellowhammer were at Greyabbey Bay.(R.Weyl)

Yesterday 10 Little Egret were on the marsh at Ballykelly Point, Lough Foyle.

Our thanks to Jeff Silvers who kindly sent in this photo of a party of Pale bellied Brent Geese at Millisle.

Bird News for Thursday 29th December.

2011-12-29T19:37:00.005Z

The Bonapartes Gull was seen at Sandy Bay, Larne Lough (N.Warnock) It was also reported from Drains Bay this morning.(R.Price/M.Taylor)

A 1st winter Med gull (no ring) was at Ganaway Bay,which is located north of Ballywalter (R.Weyl).

1000 Golden Plover were at Kirkistown and 3 Purple Sandpiper at Portavogie.(K.Bennett).

200 Pale-bellied Brent were at Roe Estuary. 75 Brent, 600 Whooper Swan, 500 Golden Plover, 200 Lapwing and a Greenshank were at Myroe Levels (C Stewart).

Bird News Wednesday 28th December

2011-12-28T17:03:00.002Z

The Bonapartes Gull was still at the outflow at Black Arch, Drains Bay, Co. Antrim (Neal Warnock) At Groomsport the Ring-billed Gull was still present along with 2 Gannet and 16 Red-throated Diver. At Orlock Point a first winter Med gull, a Gannet and 3 Red-throated diver were present. A Peregrine was on Big Copeland (Richard Weyl)
A drake Goosander was still at Begney Lough, Co. Down (David Nixon)
A Buzzard was at Finnebrogue. (Stephen Maxwell).
The Long Tailed Duck has been seen again at Lagan Weir in Belfast.
An immature Glaucous Gull was at Ardglass. (Tom Ennis).

Many thanks to Cameron Moore for this excellent picture of a Jay:

Bird News Tuesday 27th December

2011-12-27T15:46:00.005Z

A Grey Phalarope was seen today along the Seacliff Road in Bangor, down to a range of 5 metres. Sighting and picture by John McClean.

The Bonaparte's Gull and a 2nd w Med Gull were at Black Arch, Drains Bay, Co. Antrim (Neal Warnock)
The male Smew was at Portmore Lough and 2 Pink-footed Geese in the fields north of there (Jeff Larkin).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport and a female Brambling in a garden in Ballyholme. (George Gordon)

13 Purple Sandpiper were in Newcastle Harbour (Ian Jackson)

Purple Sandpiper - Ian Jackson

Many thanks to all for the recent photographs of scarce and common birds. We have added a number to our 'Recent Photographs' page (you can click on this page by selecting it from the menu bar). Please send contributions to nibirds@live.co.uk

Bird News Monday 26th December

2011-12-26T16:30:00.001Z

The Cattle Egret flew into its roost at Hillsborough lake this evening. (Eric Randall)
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (Stephen Maxwell)
The Pink-footed Goose was still at Anne's Point also a White-fronted Goose was there. The hybrid Ring-billed Gull was seen again at Millisle and a Little Egret was at Dumfad Bay, Co Down. (Richard Weyl)
A juvenile Marsh Harrier and a wayward Kittiwake were at Lough Beg (David Steele)
In south Down 6 Greenshank were at Dundrum Inner Bay South and another 5 Greenshank at Ardilea at the North Bay. 11 Pink-footed Geese were in a potato field between Kelly's Wood and Killough and 2 Iceland Gull at Ardglass (David Clarke, John Pyper).
A wing-tagged Buzzard was at the Comber River Estuary near the service station along Killinchy Road. (Higgins).

Bird News Christmas Day 2011

2011-12-25T16:37:00.000Z

No positive news on the probable House Crow seen yesterday on the Lisburn Road.
The Bonaparte's Gull was this morning feeding at the outflow at the Black Arch, Drains Bay, Co. Antrim (Neal Warnock). It was then back at Ballygalley at 4pm (Stephen Foster).
A Carrion Crow was at Crawfordsburn County Park (Vernon Carter).
A pair of Raven were at Belvoir Park in Belfast (Ricky McQuillan).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport (George Gordon)
A ring-tailed Hen Harrier was on Big Copeland (Richard Weyl)

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-24T17:46:00.001Z

The NIBIRDS team would like to wish all of you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. We would like to thank everyone who take's the trouble to send us information/photo's/sightings - without you then this blog would not be possible. 2011 has been an excellent year for rare and scarce birds in NI so hopefully 2012 will be just as exciting as 2011.

Bird News Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T14:15:00.004Z

Amazingly, a probable House Crow, was at Tates Avenue, Lisburn Road, Belfast (Dave Allen)
The adult Bonaparte's Gull has been relocated at Ballygally, Co. Antrim, feeding at the outflow at the southern car park. (Neal Warnock)
On the outer Ards today, ca 30 Whooper Swan at Ann's Point; 1 Great northern Diver Monaghan bank (Kircubbin); 1 Gannet (ad) off Ballyquintin, also 1 Grey Plover there; 5 Sandwich Tern Portaferry marina, and at least 2 Carrion Crow near the town. (Keith Bennett)
At Larne Lough a second winter Mediterranean Gull and 2 Purple Sandpiper were at Sandy Bay. A Great Northern Diver was off Glynn and another Great Northern off the sewage station at Larne (Cameron Moore).
The male Goosander was still at Begny Lake in County Down (David Nixon).
A male Blackcap was in a garden at Adelaide Park at Malone in Belfast (Ricky McQuillan).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport.

The white phase Snow Goose was still at Big Isle, near Letterkenny, Co Donegal (Brian Downey)

Bonapartes Gull - Neal Warnock

Bird News Friday 23rd December

2011-12-23T16:29:00.004Z

The Red-crested Pochard was at Oxford Island (Ed O'Hara)
The 3 long-tailed duck (1 male, 2 female) were still at Greyabbey bay S. (Keith Bennett)
A Red-throated Diver was showing in Portrush Harbour (Geoff McIntyre)

Today at Reedy Flat Co. Armagh there was 1juv Brent Goose and 1 White Fronted Goose with 60 Grey Lag Geese (J.Devlin)

Red-crested Pochard with Pochard - Ed O'Hara

In Donegal, the white phase Snow Goose was still at Big Isle, Lough Swilly (Chris Ingram)
A Pink-footed Goose was at Ballymena Ecos Park (Jeff Larkin).
A flock of Pink-footed Geese was reported at Anne's Point in Strangford Lough (Francis Duffin).

Our thanks to Stuart McKee for the lovely image of a Tree Sparrow at Portmore Lough.

Bird News Thursday 22nd December

2011-12-22T17:38:00.002Z

The drake Green-winged Teal was still at RSPB Belfast Lough. (Keith Bennett)

A Sanderling and a Dunlin were with approximately 40 Ringed Plover in the East Strand car park at Portrush. A Great Northern Diver was in the harbour. (Geoff McIntyre).

A Woodcock flew over the Ballynahinch Road in Dromara this evening. (Adam McClure).

200 Pied Wagtails were roosting at Bridge Street in Belfast city centre. (David Clarke).

Yesterday the Black Swan was still at Toomebridge. (Tony McCormack).

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell and Geoff McIntyre for todays pictures.

Red Breasted Merganser - Stephen Maxwell

Eider - Stephen Maxwell

Sanderling, Dunlin & Ringed Plover - Geoff McIntyre

Oystercatchers - Geoff McIntyre

Bird News Wednesday 21st December

2011-12-21T20:41:00.000Z

The 3 Tundra Bean Geese, 2 Greenland Whitefronts, and 2 Pinkfeet were still in fields near Portmore.
A male Smew was at Oxford Island.

The drake Green Winged Teal was seen again at Belfast Lough RSPB reserve.

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport.

A mixed flock of Linnets and Twite were on the beach at Portstewart. (Geoff McIntyre).

In Strangford Lough 166 Pintail, 309 Shelduck and approx. 2,500 Golden Plover were at the Floodgates, a Greenshank was north of Mount Stewart and a Ruff was at Castle Hill. A Merlin and a Little Egret were at Ballyquintin. (Adam McClure & Michael McLaughlin).

This afternoon between 30 and 40 Whooper Swans flew over Ballymena town centre. (David Ledsham).

Thanks to Slawomir Starzynski, Jeff Silvers and Geoff McIntyre for todays pictures.

Turnstone - Slawomir Starzynski

Eider - Jeff Silvers

Linnets & Twite - Geoff McIntyre

Bird News for Tuesday 20th December.

2011-12-20T18:20:00.006Z

3 Long-tailed Duck (1male,2female)were at Greyabbey Bay South.(K.Bennett)
A male Goosander was at Begny Lake Co.Down.(R.Price/M.Taylor)
A flock of 40 Twite were on Portstewart Beach.(J.McIntyre)
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at Portrush East Strand car park. A Black Redstart and a Great Skua were at Portandoo and a Great Northern Diver in Portrush Harbour. A first winter Glaucous Gull and an all white leucistic Herring Gull were at Corbally Dam (Matthew Tickner)
2 Redwing were at Adelaide Park at Malone in Belfast (Ricky McQuillan).

Red-breasted Mergansers Millisle - Jeff Silvers

Blue Tit - Andrew Poots

Bird News Monday 19th December

2011-12-19T21:30:00.001Z

The 3 Tundra Bean Geese and 2 Greenland Whitefronts were still in the fields beside Portmore. At Portmore the male Smew, a Water Rail and a female Merlin were seen along with the Marsh Harrier which was seen at 10.30a.m. At Hillsborough Lake the Cattle Egret came in to roost at 4.00p.m. (Jason Starbuck, Stevie Stewart, Scott Young).

The adult Ring Billed Gull was still at Portrush East Strand - see picture below. (Guy Hamilton)

12 Whooper Swans and a Bar Tailed Godwit were at the Bann estuary. (Jeff McIntyre).

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport and 24 Whooper Swans flew west over Ballyholme.

Yesterday a Snow Bunting was at the landfill site at the Hightown Road above Glengormley. (Larry Toal).

Thanks to Guy Hamilton, Jeff Silvers and Craig Nash for today's pictures.

Ring Billed Gull - Guy Hamilton

Tree Sparrow - Craig Nash

Chaffinch - Craig Nash

Bird News Sunday 18th December

2011-12-18T19:23:00.003Z

Three Bean Geese were seen this morning on the goose fields at Oxford Island. They were subsequnetly seen again at Portmore Lough. Could these birds perhaps be those seen recently at Inch, Donegal?
A Red-necked Grebe was also at Portmore Lough.
The 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport Harbour, a Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags and 50 Whoopers at Annes Point, Co. Down (Keith Bennett)
A drake Smew was at Portmore Lough (Jeff Larkin)
The Marsh Harrier was seen again this afternoon at Portmore Lough (Irish Birding)
The Long-tailed Duck was still at Oxford Island (Stuart McKee)

The Red-crested Pochard was at Lurgan Park lake (Karen Elliott)
At Larne Lough 3 Little Egret, 6 Whooper Swan and a Greenshank were at Ballycarry Bridge. 4 Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Diver were very close to the shore at Glenarm (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).
In Donegal an Iceland Gull and 11 Pink-footed Geese were at Inch and the Snow Goose and 2 Pink-footed Geese at Big Isle (Matthew Tickner, Brad Robson).
A Black Swan has been with the Whoopers at Toomebridge (Paul Mackin)

Bird News Saturday 17th December

2011-12-17T18:58:00.000Z

At Oxford Island were a likely aythya hybrid (the head nor wing were not seen and the bird is very grey on the flank), the Long -tailed Duck, 3 Ruddy Duck and 50+ Whooper (Ed O'Hara)

A very late Pomarine Skua and 5 Common Scoter were at Burial Island, Co. Down. The Pink-foot Goose was still at Anne's Point. 3 Sandwich Tern were at Cloughy Bay and a Merlin at Orlock Point.
The first winter Iceland Gull was still at Ardglass (Keith Bennett).
The first winter Glaucous Gull, adult Ring-billed Gull, 34 Ringed Plover and 40 Sanderling were on the East Strand at Portrush. 15 Bullfinch were in the buckthorn at the Whiterock end of the beach (Richard Gray).
On 15th the Cattle Egret was still coming to roost on the island at Hillsborough Park Lake (Richard Gray).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport.

The Snow Goose was at Big Isle, Co. Donegal (Chris Ingram)

Unidentified aythya - Ed O'Hara

Ruddy Duck (and Pochard) - Ed O'Hara

Long-tailed Duck Ed O'Hara

Bird News for Friday 16th December.

2011-12-16T20:04:00.003Z

At Anne's Point a Pink-footed Goose with 170 Greylag and a Whimbrel. Between Greyabbey Bay and Herring Bay 7 Slavonian Grebe, a Long-tailed Duck and 3 Red Kite.(Richard Weyl/Sean McCourt)

A Buzzard was seen over Whitehouse Lagoon.(S.Maxwell)

Bird News Thursday 15th December

2011-12-15T20:52:00.001Z

A Great Northern Diver and two Scaup were on Lower Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh (Brad Robson)
Along the Antrim coast 2 juvenile Black-throated Divers were at Cushendall. Two Great Northern Divers were at Portrush Harbour and single Great Northern Divers at Ballycastle and Portballintrae. A Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver were at Cushendun (Colin Guy).
A Grey Phalarope was off the Gobbins on Island Magee 1.4 miles south of Muck Island - probably the same seen earlier at the back of Muck (David Galbraith).
A Mediterranean Gull and a Purple Sandpiper were at Whitehead and the Barnacle Goose still at Church Bay at Larne Lough (Cameron Moore).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport.
Yesterday 2 Black Redstart were on the beach at Waterfoot (Jeffrey MacKintyre).

Bird News Wednesday 14th December

2011-12-14T21:02:00.000Z

A cold and miserable day but at Myroe this morning there were 150 Curlew, a Common Scoter and 300 Brent Geese in surrounding fields. Also 15 Red-breasted Merganser and three Little Egret in the drainage channels. (David Hill)
The first winter Glaucous Gull was still at Portrush East Strand car park (Colin Guy).
A Greenland White-fronted Goose was with 80 Whooper Swan at Oxford Island. The male Long-tailed Duck was with hundreds of Pochard and Tufted Duck (Dot Blakely).
The Twite seen recently at Whitehead was ringed on the Mull of Kintyre this autumn (Declan Clarke).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (George Gordon).

Common Scoter - David Hill

Brent Geese - David Hill

Red-breasted Merganser - David Hill

Bird News Tuesday 13th December

2011-12-13T19:08:00.000Z

The blue phase Snow Goose was still at Gortatole, Lough Macnean, Co Fermanagh (Brad Robson)
The Green-winged Teal was still at Belfast Harbour RSPB reserve (Dermot Hughes)
A Marsh Harrier was at Portmore Lough (Irish Birding)
At Larne Lough a fem/imm Goosander was off Glynn and 3 Purple Sandpiper at Sandy Bay. 10/15 Twite were along the seafront at Whitehead (Cameron Moore).
A first winter Glaucous Gull was at Portrush East Strand car park (Matthew Tickner).
Both the adult Ring-billed Gull at Kiltonga in Newtownards and the second winter at Groomsport were present (George Gordon)
The female Long Tailed Duck and a winter plumage Black Guilllmot were on the River Lagan, Belfast at the Weir (Rob McAllister)

Female Long-tailed Duck - Rob McAllister

Black Guillemot - Rob McAllister

Ardglass Gulls - 12th December

2011-12-12T20:43:00.000Z

Many thanks to Craig Nash for the excellent shots below, taken at Ardglass Harbour:

1st winter Glaucous Gull, Ardglass - Craig Nash

1st winter Glaucous Gull - Craig Nash

1st winter Iceland Gull - Craig Nash

Kittiwake - Craig Nash

Bird News Monday 12th December

2011-12-12T20:35:00.002Z

The 1st winter Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were still at Ardglass Harbour (Craig Nash \ David Nixon)
The Long-tailed Duck still at Oxford Island today, as well as very many Pochard and some Scaup and Ruddy Duck (James O'Neill
A Woodcock was along the edge of Montalto Estate, Spa Road, Ballinahinch (David Nixon)
Around Belfast Lough as adult Mediterranean Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon (Stuart McKee) and 8/10 Common Scoter at Crawfordsburn (Derek Polley).
Yesterday 15 Twite were at Whitehead. One was colour ringed with green above and white below on the left leg and red above and white below on the right leg (Larry Toal).

Many thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the shots below of male and female Goldeneye:

Female Goldeneye - Stephen Maxwell

Male Goldeneye - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News Sunday 11th December

2011-12-11T20:03:00.007Z

3 male Goosander were off the hide at the Bann estuary and yesterday 2 Red Grouse were at Binevenagh. (Mervyn Guthrie, Jeff Larkin).

The male Ring Necked Duck was still at Lough Cowey. A Black Throated Diver, 5 Great Northern Diver and 2 Jack Snipe were at Ringburr Point. (Richard Weyl).

A Dipper was on the River Bann at the Mullahead Road bridge near Portadown. (James O'Neill).

60 Tree Sparrows and a Brambling were in a garden in Richhill, Co. Armagh. (Andrew Poots).

2 Long Tailed Duck, 20 Common Scoter and 2 Great Northern Diver were at Whitehead. (Irishbirding).

A drake Long Tailed Duck and 3 Slavonian Grebe were at Greyabbey Bay south and an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Knockinelder Bay near Kearney on the outer Ards. (Irishbirding).

The first winter Glaucous Gull was still present at Ardglass Harbour along with a first winter Iceland Gull.

The Black Redstart was on the shore behind St Anne's Church in Killough.

Late news from yesterday, a Goosander was at the Twlve Arches at Dundrum, see pictures below. (Neville McKee).

Thanks to Neville McKee and Stephen Maxwell for todays pictures.

Goosander - Neville McKee

Goosander - Neville Mckee

Redshanks - Stephen Maxwell

Red Crested Pochard

2011-12-10T21:16:00.003Z

Thanks to Stephen Foster for this study of the Red Crested Pochard at Lurgan Park Lake.

Bird News Saturday 10th December

2011-12-10T20:34:00.006Z

The Cattle Egret was present again on the island in Hillsborough Park Lake this afternoon, it was only visible from the eastern side of the lake. (Garry Armstrong).

The Great Northern Diver was present again on the Craigavon Balancing Lakes and the Long Tailed Duck, a Water Rail, 3 Ruddy Duck and 6 Scaup were at Oxford Island, see the pictures below. (Ed O'Hara, Mark Killops, Mark McMullan).

The male Red Crested Pochard was still at Lurgan Park Lake. (Stephen Foster).

An immature Marsh Harrier was at Portmore Lough and 4 Greenland Whitefronts in the fields between Portmore and Lough Neagh. (Paul Toner).

A Grey Phalarope was seen down to 20 feet from a boat at the back of Muck Island off Island Magee. (David Galbraith).

A first winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Ardglass and 2 Pintail at the Quoile Pondage. (Keith Bennett/ Tim Murphy)

9 Twite and a Purple Sandpiper were along the seafront at Whitehead. (Cameron Moore).

An adult Little Gull and 2 Great Northern Divers were off St John's Point and a Black Throated Diver and 3 Great Northern Divers were off Newcastle.

12 Purple Sandpipers were at Blackrock.

A Red Kite was at Ardnabannon and a Buzzard at Ballylough.

145 Sanderling were at Ballykinler with 750 Common Scoter off shore.

Thanks to Ed O'Hara and Stephen Maxwell for todays pictures:

Great Northern Diver - Ed O'Hara

Water Rail - Ed O'Hara

Long Tailed Duck - Ed O'Hara

Treecreeper - Stephen Maxwell

Robin - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News for Friday 9th December.

2011-12-09T19:04:00.005Z

Our kind thanks to Stephen Maxwell who sent in these images of a Bullfinch(top) and a Long-tailed Tit, notice how puffed out the two birds appear trying to keep warm in these very cold conditions, hard few months ahead for birds.

A visit to Farland Bank at Inch Co Donegal this morning produced 50 Canada Geese and 100 Fieldfare(see photo below) plus a few Redwings in the fields on approach, along with a couple of Bullfinches. Three RB mergansers were fishing on the seaward side, plus an otter playing around in the water close to the outlet into the sea!(R.Hill)

Bird News for Thursday 8th December

2011-12-08T20:28:00.001Z

Along the north coast a Little Auk was close inshore to the east of Ramore Head. A Great Northern Diver was in Portrush Harbour and a Pomarine Skua battling the gales at Portballintrae (Colin Guy).

4 Greenland White-fronted Geese were with Greylag and Whooper Swans in the fields west of Portmore Lough (Paul Toner).

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport.

Bird News Wednesday 7th December

2011-12-07T20:08:00.001Z

At Strangford Lough 160 Pintail were at the Maltings (Des Price).
At Larne Lough a Jack Snipe, 22 Snipe and 2 Little Egret were on the south side of Ballycarry Bridge. A Barnacle Goose, 41 Greylag, 78 Pale-bellied Brent and a Whooper were at Church Bay. 3 Twite were along Whitehead seafront near the boat compound (Cameron Moore).
The Great Northern Diver was still at Craigavon lakes (James O'Neill)
The second winter Ring-billed Gull and a Red-throated Diver were at Groomsport (George Gordon).
The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir (Irish birding)
A Great-crested Grebe was off Antrim Boat Club, Lough Neagh today and a flock of 40+ Lapwings in a field behind the Junction 1 Outlet, Antrim (John Loughlin).

Blackcap, Derek Polley

Bar-tailed Godwits, Killard - Craig Nash

Bird News Tuesday 6th December

2011-12-06T20:15:00.004Z

A Great Northern Diver was on the north lake of Craigavon Balancing Lakes. (Tom Ennis).

An adult Little Gull was off St John's Point and a female or immature Black Redstart was at Killough Quay.

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull is still at Groomsport.

A Common Crossbill was at Springwell Forest. (Richard Donaghey).

A Sparrowhawk is a daily visitor to a back garden at Bellarena, Magilligan, Co. Derry, see picture below. (Charles Stewart).

Late news from the weekend was of 7 Little Egrets at a high tide roost with 12 Grey Herons in a sheltered field on Murlough Estate on Saturday. (Christopher Shaw).

Thanks to Charles Stewart, Alistair Prentice and Craig Nash for todays pictures.

Sparrowhawk - Charles Stewart

Bullfinch - Alistair Prentice

Buzzard - Craig Nash

Bird News Monday 5th December

2011-12-05T20:26:00.002Z

The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groosport Harbour (Gut Hamilton)

Ring-billed Gull : Guy Hamilton

A female Blackcap was in a garden in Finaghy this morning (Clive Mellon). Numbers of wintering Blackcaps seem to be down at present so any other records would be welcome.

Grey Plover, Killard - Craig Nash

Report your bird sightings to: nibirds@live.co.uk

Bird News Sunday 4th December

2011-12-04T17:34:00.000Z

The Cattle Egret left the roost at Hillsborough Island lake at 8:20am (Frank Carroll)
Two male Goosander were at Waterfoot (Brenda Campbell)

Goosander, Waterfoot - Brenda Ca

The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at Kiltonga, Newtownards (Stephen Maxwell)

Ring-billed Gull, Kiltonga - Stephen Maxwell

A Brambling was visiting a garden at Islandmagee (Robert McDowell)

Male Brambling - Robert McDowell

Brambling - Robert McDowell

An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was in Donaghadee harbour this afternoon (James Robinson

25 Crossbills were in Woodburn Forest, Co. Antrim today (Neal Warnock)

The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir (Philip West)

A juvenile Marsh Harrier, 13 Greenland White-fronted Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were at Lough Beg (David Steele).
A first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast and a Great Northern Diver off Loughshore Park (Stuart McKee).
The Long-tailed Duck was still at Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)
In Donegal, the white phase Snow Goose was still at Inch levels along with 5 Tundra Bean Geese (Tim Murphy)

Bird News Saturday 3rd December

2011-12-03T20:37:00.003Z

A male Long Tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver were off the Kinnegoe hide at Oxford Island, see Ed O'Hara's picture below. (Jason Starbucks/Ed O'Hara).

The Cattle Egret was roosting on the island at Hillsborough Park lake at 3.00 this afternoon. (Irish Birding).

A ring tail Hen Harrier was on Big Copeland and 4 Sandwich Tern were at Burial Island. (Richard Weyl).

The Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport, see Stephen Maxwell's photo below, a Red Throated Diver was also present, and a Buzzard was at Ballymacormick Point. (Stephen Maxwell/George Gordon).

A second winter Ring Billed Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast and a Long Tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver and Black Throated Diver were offshore. (Stuart McKee).

Yesterday a Tree Sparrow was visiting a garden in Castlerock. (Mervyn Guthrie).

Long Tailed Duck - Ed O'Hara

Ring Billed Gull - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News for Friday 2nd December

2011-12-02T19:51:00.009Z

A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen to-day at Mountstewart Co.Down. Found at the gasworks building car park it was then released. Hopefully it will stay in the area for a while, RLB is an extremely rare bird in Ireland and notoriously hard to catch up with.(Hugh Thurgate)

The Cattle Egret was at its roost on the island at Hillsborough around 4.20 this evening. It was tucked in on the NE bank, standing on the ground preening and not perched in the branches. (Dermot Hughes)

The Ring-necked Duck was still at Lough Cowey.

5 Great Northern Diver and a Black-throated Diver were at Ramore Head. 73 Whooper Swan in various parties were noted arriving along the north Antrim coast from the direction of Islay (Colin Guy).

In south Down 300 Lapwing were in the fields opposite the brickworks (Declan Clarke).

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (George Gordon).

Goosander and Merganser photos.

2011-12-02T19:22:00.003Z

Our thanks to Cecil Smith who took the top photograph of a Red-breasted Merganser at Macedon Point yesterday and also to Jeff Larkin who took the photo of the Goosander which is currently at Waterfoot, nice to have a comparison.

Bird News for Thursday 1st December.

2011-12-01T19:22:00.004Z

A Slavonian Grebe was at Reedy Flats Co.Armagh.(J.Devlin)

2 tree sparrow at Moneyslane & off Newcastle were c.300 common scoter, 2 great-crested grebe & 3 great-northern diver off Newcastle.(A McClure)

Woodcock (x1) - Downhill Demesne (National Trust). Disturbed the resting bird when walking through the woodland. Treecreeper (x2) - Downhill Demesne (National Trust). One bird was searching for food on Birch and Oak trees. The second was on a Horse chesnut tree.( Richard Donaghey )

A Black Redstart was at the lighthouse at St John's Point (Ken Douglas).

A Barn Owl was at Finnebrogue (Joe Lindsay).

3 Great Northern, 2 Black-throated and a Red-throated Diver were close inshore at Killyleagh (Spencer and Joan Marshall).

Around Strangford Lough a Little Egret, 500 Golden Plover and 20 Pintail were at the Floodgates. At the Comber Estuary 4 Little Egret, 60 Linnet, a Greenshank, 1,000 Knot, 1,000 Golden Plover, 200 Whooper Swan, a Grey Plover and 60 Shoveler were seen from the Montgomery hide at Castle Espie. 300 Barnacle Geese were at Ballydorn and a flock of 200 Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Chaffinch at Reagh Island. 6/8 Guillemot, 2 Black Guillemot and 3 Razorbill were at Sketrick Island (Derek Polley).

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport.

Bird News Wednesday 30th November

2011-11-30T20:23:00.002Z

The Ring-necked Duck was still at Lough Cowey. On the Outer Ards between Quintin Bay and Burial Island there was an excellent count of 38 Great-northern Diver, 3 Red-throated Diver and 6 Sandwich Tern. (9 of the G-n Diver were in Quintin Bay, 14 in Knockinelder Bay, 7 in Cloughy Bay, 5 at Portavogie and 3 at Burial Island). Another 2 Sandwich Tern were at Portaferry. (Richard Weyl)
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at Kiltonga, Newtownards this afternoon (Craig Nash)
9 Little Egret were at Larne Lough. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Sandy Bay, 2 Kingfisher a the Inver River and 2 Jay flew across the road at Red Hall (Cameron Moore).
Several very late Swallow were at Donaghadee Harbour (Mike Crossley).
4 Twite were in Bangor (Name unknown)
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (George Gordon)
A female Scaup was at Collectors Bay at the Quoile Pondage and a large flock of Fieldfare and Redwing along Castle Island Road (Spencer and Joan Marshall).
An adult Mediteranean Gull was at Waterloo Bay, Co. Antrim (Gavin Ferguson)

Mediteranean Gull - Gavin Ferguson

30 Common Scoter and a Long-tailed Duck were off Whiteabbey (Irish Birding)

Grey Wagtail, Myroe - Stuart McKee

Bird News Tuesday 29th November

2011-11-29T21:14:00.002Z

A male Long Tailed Duck was near Ballintoy harbour. (Colin Guy).

The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull, 6 Red Throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Diver were at Groomsport. (george Gordon).

The Cattle Egret returned to roost on the island at Hillsborough Park lake at 4.10 this afternoon.

The female Long Tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir in Belfast.

Bird News Monday 28th November

2011-11-28T19:42:00.002Z

The Cattle Egret was seen again this morning at Hillsborough Lake, leaving the roost at 8:06 (Peter Phillips) and then returning at 4 pm (Clifford Sharpe). Keep your eyes peeled on the fields around Hillsborough. It is amazing that no one has reported a white bird in their field during the day!
At Larne Lough 2 Purple Sandpiper and a second winter Ring-billed Gull were at Sandy Bay. A Barnacle Goose was at 40 Acre Bay (Cameron Moore).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport (George Gordon).
Yesterday the male Ferruginous Duck was at Lurgan Park Lake (Ivor McDonald).
A Little Egret was at Glynn Station and another at Ballycarry (Stuart McKee)

The two Bean Geese were still at Inch Levels, Co. Donegal (Chris Ingram). A further five were at Lurgan Green, Co. Louth yesterday (Gerard McGeehan)

Many thanks to Cecil Smith for the photo below of Fieldfares and a Redwing:

Bird News Sunday 27th November

2011-11-27T11:38:00.002Z

The Cattle Egret was seen again this morning on the wooded island at Hillsborough Lake. It was then seen again at 2:45 before disappearing. It then flew in at 4:15 from the direction of the village, to presumably roost for the night (Tim Murphy).
A juvenille American Golden Plover was at the lawn fields, Myroe
18 Crosbill were at Crocknagrally Forest Co Tyrone this afternoon (Colin Bell)
The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir (Tim Murphy)

Three Buzzard were at Craigantlet (Stephen Maxwell)
30 Common Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver were off Whiteabbey (Irish Birding)
At Strangford Lough at Little Egret and 500 Golden Plover were at the Flood Gates (Jim Whitla).

Late news was of a Black Redstart visiting a garden in Conlig from Wednesday to Friday (Janet Rhodes).

The two Bean Geese were still at Inch Levels Co Donegal (Birdguides)

Fieldfare - Ed O'Hara

Bird News Saturday 26th November

2011-11-26T16:36:00.005Z

A CATTLE EGRET has been seen today at the wooded island at Hillsborough Lake (Jason Starbuck / Drew Middleton). This could possibly bethe Kinnegar bird.

Cattle Egret, Hillsborough Lake - Jason Starbuck

A Swallow was at Ballywalter, a 1st w Mediterranean Gull (with no ring) and 2 Sandwich tern at Drumfad Bay south of Millisle and a Greenland white-front south-east of Anne's Point. (Richard Weyl)
A Greenland White Fronted Goose and 6 Stock Dove were seen in flight near the Quoile Centre. The second winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport. (Chris & Tim Murphy).
A Little Egret was at Cloony Road in Londonderry. (Irish Birding).
A Jay was at Stranmillis towpath - see picture below. (Cecil Smyth).

Bird News for Friday 25th November.

2011-11-25T20:23:00.000Z

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport Harbour. At least 20 Twite were just to the west of Briggs Rocks. At least two are colour ringed and if you manage to read them please let us know (George Gordon).

A Sparrowhawk was at Queen Street in Belfast City Centre (John Young).

Bird News for Thurs. 24th November

2011-11-24T18:32:00.003Z

A Long-tailed Duck was at the Lagan weir in Belfast.(R.Sturgenor)

A female Brambling, 60 Goldfinch, 18 Lesser Redpoll and 13 Chaffinch were in a garden in Scarva (Fulton Somerville).

Woodcock, near Gortin - Tyrone Nelson

Bird News Wednesday 23rd November

2011-11-23T19:42:00.001Z

25,000-30,000 Starlings, a Sparrowhawk & a Peregrine at Slievegarran & 30 Stock Dove at Closkelt near Castlewellan, Co. Down (Adam McClure, Neal Warnock & Lynne Peoples)
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport Co. Down (Birdguides)

Another Desert Wheatear has been found, this time in Waterford. There must be one somewhere along our coast!

Long-tailed Tit - Alistair Prentice

Blue-winged Teal, Co Fermanagh

2011-11-23T07:45:00.000Z

Brad Robson has kindly sent in details of a Blue-winged Teal which was shot in Upper Lough Erne Fermanagh on 10^th November 2011. He received the specimen, minus its breast, last night. See photos below. It is possibly an adult male in eclipse plumage and probably the first record for Fermanagh.

Bird News Tuesday 22nd November

2011-11-22T20:31:00.002Z

A White Tailed Eagle was at Lower Lough Erne RSPB reserve. At Upper Lough Erne 9 Greenland White Fronted Geese and a male Hen Harrier were at Ross Lough and a male Merlin at Kilmore Lough. (Brad Robson).

At Lough Foyle 3,000 Golden Plover, 500 Lapwing, 15 Shelduck, 150 Dunlin and 3 Little Egret were at the Roe Estuary. (C Stewart).

The second winter Ring Billed Gull was at Groomsport harbour. 22 Twite were at the east end of Cove Bay and 3 Red Throated Diver off Sheep Point. (George Gordon).

A Kingfisher was at Governor's Bridge on the River Lagan in Belfast. (irish Birding).

Barn Owl Appeal - Ulster Wildlife Trust

2011-11-22T13:48:00.000Z

The Ulster Wildlife Trust are currently trying to raise £10k to support a campaign to help the Barn Owl in Northern Ireland. You can see further detail at:

http://www.ulsterwildlifetrust.org/barnowl

Bird News Monday 21st November

2011-11-21T20:36:00.003Z

The male Ferruginous Duck was at Lurgan Park Lake (Stephen Hewitt, Graham West).
On the Antrim Plateau 3 Red Grouse, 5 Crossbill and a Kestrel were at Capanagh and at Larne Lough 5 Greenshank and a Little Egret were at Glynn (Cameron Moore).
A Great Northern Diver, 15 Twite, 16 Dunlin and 16 Ringed Plover were at Groomsport (Jim Whitla).
A Short-eared Owl and three Grey Plover were at Killard, Co Down (Craig Nash)

Short-eared Owl, Craig Nash

A Tundra Bean Goose was at Lurangreen, Co. Louth today (Irish Birding)
Many thanks to Stuart McKee for this picture of the Belfast Harbour Green-winged Teal, seen yesterday:

Bird News Sunday 20th November

2011-11-20T14:51:00.007Z

The Ring-necked Duck has returned again to Lough Cowey. Strangely it was the only duck on the lake today. (Wilton Farrelly)

Ring Necked Duck, Lough Cowey (a mobile phone pic)

A juvenile Pomarine Skua was at Rossglass and the 2nd winter Iceland Gull was in the fields at St John's Point. 5 Black Tailed Godwit were at Killough Harbour. (Chris Murphy).

4 Black-throated Diver and two Red-throated Diver were off Newtownards Yacht Club. 8 Slavonian Grebe in Greyabbey Bay, 1 Black-throated Diver, 3 Great-Northern Diver and 1 Red-throated Diver were south of Herring Bay, 10 Great-northern Diver and 1 Red-throated Diver were at Monaghan Bank. 1 GN Diver was south of Gransha Point and 6 GN Diver at Marlfield). Also 2 adult Med gulls at Orlock Point.
(Richard Weyl).
An adult Mediteranean Gull was also present at Newtownards Yacht Club.
A Little Gull was along Ardmore Point, Lough Neagh this morning (Frank Carroll)
A Dark-bellied Brent was at Greyabbey Bay and 13 Sandwich Tern were at Cloghy Beach (W Farrelly)
10 Little Egret and a male Goosander were at Ballycarry Bridge. A Great Northern Diver and a Red Throated Diver were at Mill Bay on Islandmagee. (Cameron Moore).
The Green Winged Teal was still at Belfast Harbour RSPB and 15 Red Throated Diver were off Macedon Point. Another Red Throated Diver was off Hollywood. (Stuart McKee).

A Slavonian Grebe, 20 Reed Buntings and 30 Pied Wagtails were at Kinnegar. (Ricky McQuillan).
At Lough Beg 120 Greylag Geese, a Pinkfoot and Greenland White Fronted Geese were at Mullagh. (David Steele).

The second winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport.

3 Buzzard, including the wing tagged bird pictured below, were at Ballymiscaw Road, Craigantlet. (Stephen Maxwell).

5 Little Egret and 6 Grey Heron were at Islandmagee. (Bill Guiller).

A Green Sandpiper is wintering on the Six Mile Water at Templepatrick, it is on a shingle bank between Paradise Walk and the M2 motorway. There has been a Green Sandpiper there every winter since 2007. (Sandy McWilliams).

2 Crossbill were at Mullaphad, Co. Tyrone. A possible Merlin was on telephone wires by the new A4 dual carriageway between Ballygawley and Dungannon, Kestrel and Buzzard are also regular along this stretch of road. (Colin Bell).

There is a report of a Ring Ouzel at Orlock but no other details at the moment.

Thanks to Mark Killops, Bill Guiller and Stephen Maxwell for todays pictures.

Ring Billed Gull - Mark Killops

Little Egret & Grey Heron - Bill Guiller

Wing Tagged Buzzard - Stephen Maxwell

The Lurgan Park Ferruginous Duck

2011-11-19T20:42:00.000Z

Many thanks to Stephen Foster for the photos below of the Ferruginous Duck, taken at Lurgan Park today (Saturday 19th). The personal opinion of this writer is that this bird (and it could be different to any previous bird(s) seen recently) is a Ferruginous Duck and am happy for anyone to comment on it.

Bird News Saturday 19th November

2011-11-19T16:25:00.004Z

Two Pectoral Sandpiper were at Ardmore Point, Co. Armagh (Birdguides)
At Herring Bay, Co Down - 3 Black-throated Diver, 1 Great-northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Slavonian Grebe. 12 Sandwich Tern were south of Granagh Bay and another 2 at Portaferry. A Woodcock was at Templecowey. (Richard Weyl)
The Green-winged Teal was at RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve, along with a Whooper Swan (Ed O'Hara)
7 Red-throated Diver were of Macedon Point (W Farrelly \ Paul Scott)
Circa 20 Twite were at Briggs Rocks along with a flock of Linnets (Paul Miskelly)
A flock of 10-12 Twite were in the trees to the right of Percy French Restaraunt in Newcastle with another at the Swimming Pool (Alistair Prentice).

Twite - Alistair Prentice

A first winter Iceland Gull, 400 Lapwing, 50 Curlew and 300 Common/Black-headed Gull were at St John's Point (Tim Murphy).
Yesterday at Lough Foyle a Little Gull and 5 Little Egret were at Myroe and a Slavonian Grebe at Faughanvale (Matthew Tickner).

Two Bean Geese (presumed Taiga) were with Greylags and Greenland White-fronts at Inch Levels, Co Donegal (Brad Robson)

Cranes continue to be seen in good numbers in the south of Ireland \ GB so keep an eye out!

Many thanks to Ed O'Hara for the picture below of the Green-winged Teal:

Green-winged Teal - Ed O'Hara

Bird News for Friday 18th November.

2011-11-18T20:47:00.002Z

An adult Med. Gull(see photo above) was at Whitehouse Park Co. Antrim along with a Greenshank. 3 Red-throated Diver were off Macedon Point. (S.McKee)

Another ad Med Gull was at Kircubbin and a 1st winter at Herring Bay.(R.Weyl)

Bird News for Thursday 17th November

2011-11-17T20:18:00.001Z

The Ring-billed Gull remains at Groomsport Co.Down.

Bird News Wednesday 16th November

2011-11-16T21:02:00.005Z

A male Goosander was back on the river near the golf club at Ballycastle and 14 Whooper Swan flew in off the sea at Portballintrae (Colin Guy).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport.
5 Red-throated Diver were at Macedon Point, Belfast Lough (Stuart McKee)

Red-throated Diver - Stuart McKee

At Orlock Point there was a colour ringed 1st winter Mediterranean gull with c1000 gulls (mainly common) on the shore and an adult Little Gull feeding with 500 Kittiwake and 200 Black-headed Gull offshore. Also a Whooper swan flew SE and at least 2 Great-northern Diver.

On Monday a 1^st winter Sabines Gull was at Quintin Bay with 20 Black-headed Gull. It flew north towards Knockinelder Bay. A Short-eared Owl X 1 between Kearney & Upper Ballyspurge (Hugh Thurgate)

Apologies for the mistake last night which is actually of a photograph of a Ferruginous duck from January!

Ferruginous Duck - Co. Armangh, Jan 2011

Short-eared Owl

2011-11-15T20:57:00.001Z

Short-eared Owl (SEO) is an uncommon winter visitor and a rare breeder in NI. As our only diurnal Owl, it is well worthwhile looking out for this species on any bogland in NI. Across the UK and Ireland, this autumn has seen quite a few birds arrive on our shores. We have already had a photographed bird from Myroe and two birds have been at Ballyquinton Co. Down in recent weeks. Many thanks to Mark Killops for the superb pics below of one of these birds:

Green-winged Teal

2011-11-15T20:48:00.000Z

Green-winged Teal is now an annual visitor to Northern Ireland. Birds have in the last few years being reported from RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve, Larne Lough and Lough Beg. This north American species is distinctive in male plumage and it is easy to understand why there are no female records (yet....). The photographs below show the differences with Common Teal very well i.e. the vertical white stripes and the less well marked head. Hybrids have however been seen in NI with one bird showing both a vertical and a horizontal white stripe! Many thanks to Stephen Maxwell for these photos of the Belfast Harbour bird:

Green-winged Teal - Stephen Maxwell

Common Teal and Green-winged Teal - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News Tuesday 15th November

2011-11-15T20:27:00.003Z

The blue phase Snow Goose was still at Lower Lough Macnean Co. Fermanagh. Two Red Grouse and a Woodcock were on the Pettigo Plateau (Brad Robson)
A male Goosander was on the river where it enters the sea at Waterfoot Co. Antrim (Brenda Campbell)
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (Joe Lamont). This bird is giving the Hobby a close call as the most photographed bird in NI in 2011!

Ring-billed Gull - Joe Lamont

The Green-winged Teal was still at the RSPB Belfast Harbour reserve (Stephen Maxwell)
A Little Gull was at Collectors Bay at the Quoile Pondage (Spencer and Joan Marshall).
3 Long-tailed Duck and 11 Red-throated Diver were at Greenisland Sea Park (Gerard McGeehan).
Killard Point this morning had 18 Lapwing, 3 Snipe, 1 Pintail, 24 Common Scoter, 6 Eider, 12 Guillemot, 18 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Curlew, 21 Teal and 19 Mallard (Craig Nash).
Yesterday a Swallow was at Groomsport and 20 Twite at Briggs Rocks (Ron Price).

Eider - Craig Nash

Common Scoter - Craig Nash

Bird News Monday 14th November

2011-11-14T20:38:00.005Z

4 Crossbill were at Killylane Reservoir. (Jeff Larkin).

2 Sandwich Tern, an adult and a juvenile, were at Portstewart and an adult Arctic Tern and 12 Red Throated Diver were off the Bar Mouth at the Bann estuary. Yesterday a first winter Iceland Gull flew past Ramore Head at Portrush. (Colin Guy)

3 Jay, a Treecreeper, 2 Mistle Thrush and Long Tailed Tits were at Castle Park in Bangor. (Margaret Adamson).

A flyover Snow Bunting, a female Merlin and a juvenile male Hen Harrier were near Rasharkin today. (Kerry Leonard).

10 - 12 Lapwing were in the field opposite the Point of Whitecoat bridge in Portadown, an area were they haven't been seen for a few years. (Alistair Prentice).

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for this shot of a Red Breasted Merganser taken at Whitehouse Lagoon today.

Bird News Sunday 13th November

2011-11-13T12:39:00.001Z

A juvenile American Golden Plover and Pectoral Sandpiper were at Ardmore Point, Lough Neagh.
The Red-crested Pochard was still at Lurgan Park lake along with the Ferruginous Duck (probably of hybrid origin). An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Greyabbey Bay South and a Purple Sandpiper at Portavogie (Keith Bennett).
The Green-winged Teal was at RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve along with 2,300 Golden Plover (Stuart McKee / Adam McClure)
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (Guy Hamilton)
10 Red-throated, 2 Great Northern, a Black-throated Diver, 12 Common Scoter and 7 Purple Sandpiper were off Cove Bay at Groomsport (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).
4 Redwing and 24 Mistle Thrush were at the car park at Mount Stewart (Dot Blakely).
A Pomarine skua, a Short-eared Owl, at least 8 Sandwich tern, a jack snipe and a little egret at Ballyquintin Point. Also between 9.30 and 11.00 50 common scoter, a g-n diver, a r-t diver, 16 gannet and 300 kittiwake. Also 2 Sandwich tern at Portaferry and 1 at Granagh Bay (Richard Weyl)
Two Black-throated Diver and a Long-tailed Duck were between Greyabbey and Kircubbin (James Robinson
A Woodcock flew over A8 duel carriageway in Larne this morning (Adam McClure) and another was seen on the main Ballynahinch to Belfast road near the Dairy Lough (Ian Jackson)

At Clabby Mountain, Co Fermanagh this afternoon were 4 Crossbill, 1 Kestrel, 1 Raven and 30 Lapwing (Colin Bell)

Yesterday 20-40 Lesser Redpoll were at Briggs Rocks (Ron Price)

Keep a look out for all wheatears along the coast. Two male Desert Wheatears are currently at Bray Head, Co Wicklow!

A picture by Neal Warnock of the juvenile Surf Scoter seen yesterday, on Rathlin is below:

Surf Scoter, Rathlin - Neal Warnock

Shoveler - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News Saturday 12th November

2011-11-12T11:28:00.014Z

A juvenile Surf Scoter was at Ushet Lough, Rathlin Island. Also 2 Twite, a Greenland Wheatear and Pink-footed Goose on the island (Neal Warnock)

A juvenile Sabines Gull was on the shore with black-headed gulls, 1 km north of Kearney at 10.40. (Richard Weyl)
The Green-winged Teal was still at the RSPB Harbour Reserve and the Ring-billed Gull still at Groomsport.
A Goshawk was seen at the Monaghan Bank, Kircubbin, Co. Down (Keith Bennet)
A Great Northern Diver was off Seapark, Holywood. A 2nd winter Meditteranean Gull was in Dargan Bay (W Farrelly)
A Brambling was at Markethill, Co. Armagh (Irish Birding)
50 Whooper Swan were at Flatfield along the River Lagan (Chris Murphy).
4 Twite were along the seafront at Whitehead (Ian Enlander).
Also today at Orlock Point a 1st w med gull, 1 whimbrel and 10 r-t diver. At Burial Island 10 Common Scoter and 1 Great-northern Diver. A female Blackcap was 0.5 km west of Knocknelder (Richard Weyl)
A Chiffchaff was at the Oxford Island Discovery Centre (Kerry Leonard,Nick Moran)
At Larne Lough a Barnacle Goose and 20 Greylag were at 40 Acre Bay. A Goosander was at Ballycarry Bridge, 26 Golden Plover at Steel's Bay and 2 Arctic Tern at Brown's Bay (Cameron Moore).
20 Siskin, 20 Goldfinch and 20 Lesser Redpoll were at the Larches, Lagan Meadows (Ricky McQuillan).


Ring-billed Gull, Groomsport - Guy Hamilton

Red-breasted Merganser, Whitehouse Lagoon - Stephen Maxwell