Bird News for Sunday 3rd April

The Great Grey Shrike was again seen at Slievenacloy, although the bird was present all day it can at times be very elusive.

The Ring-Necked Duck was at Kinnegoe Bay, Oxford Island.(G.Armstrong)

The Snow Goose continues to be seen in fields in and around the RSPB Portmore Lough Reserve.

Ardboe Co. Tyrone had a nice array of birds to-day which included, 1 Spotted Redshank,,1 Common Tern, 10 Swallow, 50 Sand Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 25 Tree Sparrow, 3 Wheatear and 22 Whooper Swan.(D.Coney)

St John's Point Co.Down had 5 Wheatear, 4 Manx Shearwater, 3 Red-throated Diver, there was 1 Carrion Crow at Portaferry and the Glaucous Gull still at Portavogie, 4 Red Grouse(3m,1f)were in the Antrim Hills.(C.Nash)

600+ Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Sand Martin and 6 Swallow were at Lough Beg. 20 Ringed Plover were at Paddy's Dub and a Stock Dove flew over Mullagh (David Steele).

A fem/imm Smew, 3 Sand Martin, a Swallow and 2 singing Blackcap were at Quoile Pondage (Keith Bennett).

2 singing Chiffchaff and 2 Grey Wagtail were at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast (Andy Elliott).
The Heronry at Crom held 22 nests this year (Stephen Scarlett)
As a correction the Waxwings at Sainsbury's car park yesterday were at Carrickfergus (Stuart McKee).

Ring Necked Duck at Castleward Co.Down

Our thanks to Craig Nash who sent in these stunning shots of the RND currently at Castleward Co.Down

Bird News Saturday 2nd April

The Great Grey Shrike was giving excellent views this morning (K Grace, F Carroll)

The Ring-necked Duck was at Templewater, Castle Ward, Co. Down.(see above photos)

The adult Glaucous Gull was still at Portavogie.

Larne Lough had a nice collection of interesting birds which included, 2 ad Med.Gulls, 1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Peregrine(see photo below) 6 Sandwich Tern. (N.Warnock)

Summer visitors are arriving now in good numbers and 25 Sand Martin where at Finn Bridge Co.Ferm. (S.Scarlett)

25 Waxwing were at Belfast City Hall (Colin Bell). Another 30 Waxwing were at Sainsbury's car park - presumably at Forestside (Stuart McKee).

An adult Glaucous Gull and 5 LT Duck were at Greenisland Sea Park (Gerard McGeehan).

20 Tree Sparrow and 2 Yellowhammer were at Killough and 5 Chiffchaff at the coastguard station. Another 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were at Kelly's Wood at St John's Point (Tim Murphy).

3 White Wagtail were at Skernaghan Point on Island Magee and a female Brambling in a garden in Kircubbin (Keith Bennett).

A fem Brambling was still visiting a garden in Kinedar Cres. Belfast.(P.West)

3 Brambling were in a garden at Waterloo Park in Belfast. Yesterday 30
Waxwing were at Antrim Road Waterworks in Belfast (Larry Toal).

Great Grey Shrike Pictures

Thanks to Jeff Larkin and Aidan Kelly for these shots of the Great Grey Shrike:

Jeff Larkin

Aidan Kelly Aidan Kelly

Aidan Kelly

Aidan Kelly

Bird News Friday 1st April

The Great Grey Shrike was on show again this morning, left of the old farmhouse, Slievenacloy. The last record of this species in NI was in 1983. The Shrike has been seen throughout the day, last reported at 17.00, hopefully it will stick around until week-end. 7 Sandwich Tern - some displaying - were at Cockle Island in Groomsport. A Little Egret was at Belfast Harbour RSPB reserve this morning. (Brian Douglas).

Bird News for Thursday 31st March

The Great Grey Shrike dominates to-days news,but there was a few other things around as well.

15 Waxwing were on the West Circular Road in Belfast (I.Graham)

A male RN Duck was at Templewater in Castleward (Spencer and Joan Marshall).

10 Waxwing were at Belfast City Hall (Chris and Tim Murphy).

50 Manx Shearwater (the first reported) went past Kearney Point over one hour. A female Brambling and 2 Tree Sparrow were at Kircubbin (Keith Bennett).

A third year Iceland Gull, Peregrine, Chiffchaff and Sand Martin were at Enniskillen Tip (Brad Robson).

A Red Kite flew over the A1 at Banbridge and 2 Buzzard farther up the road
(Fulton Somerville).

Great Grey Shrike Update 31st March

The Great Grey Shrike was again seen this morning in very difficult conditions. It was about 500m north west (left) from the junction at the old farmhouse buildings at Slievenacloy, (from the Flowbog Road). Originally very brief views were had but later it showed on hawthorn bushes. It was also visible from the Flowbog Road.
About 25 birders seen it (most from RoI), making this the largest twitch in NI in a very long time!

The bird was seen up until 19.45 at the farmhouse buildings when it disappeared, but light was fading fast at this point so hopefully it was going to roost.

Great Grey Shrike Update

The Great Grey Shrike at Slievenacloy NR has been seen again in the last few minutes (7 pm)

For details on how to access the site, go to:
http://www.ulsterwildlifetrust.org/nature+reserves/Slievenacloy

Bird News Wednesday 30th March

Apart from the Great Grey Shrike (see previous post):

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Lower Lough Erne (Brad Robson). 2 Swallow were at Belfast Central Station (Paul McCullough)
Yesterday at Lough Neagh 30 Sand Martin and a Willow Warbler were at Derrywarragh and a Willow Warbler and Swallow south of Maghery (Richard Weyl)
A Swallow was at Carrickfergus Leisure Centre (Roy Kirkwood)
3 hirundines were over the Waterside in Derry (Stephen Davis)
16 Waxwing were in trees around the front and side of Belfast City Hall, first seen early morning and then again at approx 12.30pm, when they flew off. (David Nixon & Philip McHaffie)
A Swallow and Raven over Clandeboye Heights in Bangor, (Colin Cardy)
Two Brambling were in a garden at Knock, east Belfast (W Farrelly)

Stonechat (Female) - George McKee

Great Grey Shrike Today

One was at Slievenacloy NR, Co. Antrim this afternoon. "It was seen for 20 seconds on hawthorn before doing a disappearing act. It flew behind bushes and the observer lost it". The observer is experienced in this species.
The exact location was near the top of the hill but NE of the old farmhouse along a scrappy hawthorn hedge east of the heath area. The place is a complete maze of wire fences and hawthorn bushes as far as the eye can see. The finder spent about 1 hour trying to find it again, but without success (Dermot Hughes)

Bird News For Tuesday 29th March

A Hawfinch was at Ballygally, Co. Antrim. It was seen briefly feeding in fruit trees and on the ground in a private garden at 8am. It was not seen subsequently. It will be looked for again tomorrow and if refound in the same garden access can, hopefully, be arranged. (Neal Warnock)
26 Sand Martin and a Swallow were at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB Reserve.(Brad Robson)
3 singing Blackcap and a Willow Warbler were at Oxford Island (Stephen Hewitt)
4 Sandwich Tern, 200 Golden Plover and a few Turnstone were at Groomsport.(Dot Blakely)
2 Slavonian Grebes were in Gretabbey Bay South, Strangford Lough. (Irish Birding)
Thanks to George McKee for this shot of a Black Guillemot on Bangor pier

Black Guillemot, Bangor Pier - George McKee

Bird News for Monday 28th March

A flock of 31 Twite was at Lough Foyle (Brad Robson).
17 Waxwing were in trees around the City Hall in Belfast. (Irishbirding)
3 Red Grouse, 8 Crossbill and a Wheatear were at Capanagh on the Antrim Plateau (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).
Yesterday an adult Iceland Gull was in flight over Portrush (Colin Guy) and 5 Fieldfare were at Monea in Fermanagh (Brad Robson)
A count of Lough Foyle produced a third year Iceland Gull, a Little Egret, 11 Slavonian Grebe, 26 PF Geese, 36 GWF Geese. 2 Merlin, 13 Tree Sparrow and several Sand Martin (Brad Robson).
A Treecreeper, Blackcap and 2 LT Tit were in a garden in Larne (David Gillespie).

Brambling (male) - Andrew Poots

Bird News for Sunday 27th March

The Snow Goose (see Ed O'Hara's photo above) along with 4 Pink-footed Geese were amongst a mixed flock which contained Whooper Swan, Greylag and Barnacle Geese in fields just north of RSPB Portmore Lough Reserve Co. Armagh(W.Farrelly/P.West/E/O'Hara)

25/30 Waxwing were at Harberton Park off Balmoral Avenue in Belfast at 2pm. They returned there at 6pm (Kate Doherty)

3 and possibly up to 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Downpatrick and the female Smew still on the River Quoile (same location as below) .(N.Price et al )

100 Golden Plover were at Ballyquintin and 3 Sandwich Tern at Ballyhenry. A fem/imm Smew and 3 Sand Martin were at Collectors Bay at the Quoile Pondage
(Keith Bennett).

20 Stock Dove and 200 Woodpigeon were in a stubble field at Portavo Reservoir (Richard Weyl)

25/30 Waxwing were at Harberton Park off Balmoral Avenue in Belfast at 2pm. They returned there at 6pm (Kate Doherty).

At Strangford Lough 10 GN Diver were at Marlfield. Another 8 GN Diver were at Gransha and 2 at Kircubbin. 8 BT Diver were south of Gransaha Point. A Chiffchaff was at Kearney (Richard Weyl).

A DB Brent, 130 Pale-bellied, 2 PF Geese, 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 3
Greenshank and a Gadwall were at Glynn in Larne Lough (Cameron Moore).

A Chiffchaff was at Castle Espie WWT (Dot Blakely).

4 Sandwich Tern were back on Cockle Island at Groomsport. A Sandwich Tern was at Portaferry at 14 Slavonian Grebe at Greyabbey Bay South (George
Gordon).

Summer arrivals are arriving daily Sand Martins were reported from the Quoile and Carlingford Lough, Chiffchaffs were calling everywhere in Co.Ferm along with a singing Blackcap and on Thurs. a House Martin was reported from Co.Armagh.

Our thanks to Mark Killops who kindly sent in this superb image of a Dipper on the River Cusher in Tandragee Co.Armagh.

Black Guillemots

This is an excellent time of year to view Black Guillemots up close around harbours (and the River Lagan). Many thanks to Mark Killops for the excellent photographs taken today:

Bird News Saturday 26th March (Updated)

The Snow Goose and 2 Pink Feet were at Aghalea, Co. Armagh (Brad Robson)
The Ring-necked Duck was still at Lough Cowey, Co. Down (Keith Bennett)

A Swallow was at Mount Stewart and a Wheatear at Cloghy, Co. Down (Keith Bennett)

8 Twite were at Briggs Rocks (Wilton Farrelly)

A male Ring Ouzel was at Slemish Mountain, Co. Antrim, around the southern slopes. 10+ Wheatears were also present. (Neal Warnock)
The adult Glaucous Gull was on the rocks north of Portavogie Harbour (Keith Bennett).
At Larne Lough 2 PF Geese, an adult Mediterranean Gull, 4 Greenshank and a Gadwall were at Glynn (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).
8 Gadwall and 30 Sand martin were at Great Dam (Ian Mitchell).
10 Chiffchaff, 11 Tree Sparrow and 2 Reed Bunting were between Scarva and Lough Shark (Fulton Somerville).
A Little Egret, 2 male Wheatear and 2 Skylark were at Ballykelly (Stephen Davis).
A Chiffchaff was at Moneymore (John Scruff).

3 Pink-footed Geese were at Portmore Lough (Ed O'Hara)

Pink-footed Geese and Greylags - Ed O'Hara

Reminder of membership.

This is just a quick reminder to anyone who has not paid their membership for 2011. As you all know we as a club are totally self funded and rely on membership donations to fund both Flightline and the Bird Report, so if you haven't yet paid please send your cheque (make payable to NIBA) for £10.00 to Walter Veale, 9 Ballymacash Road, Lisburn, BT28, 3DX. Your continued support is very much appreciated.

Bird News for Friday 25th March.

6 Brambling (2m,4f) were in a garden in Bangor at Perry Drive/Perry Park.(Irishbirding)
8 LT Duck were off Greenisland in Belfast Lough (Gerard McGeehan).

The Ring Necked Duck was seen again at Lough Cowey.

At Strangford Lough 35 Slavonian Grebe were between Greyabbey and Kircubbin.3 GN Diver were at Kircubbin and a GN Diver and 8 BT Diver south of GranshaPoint (Richard Weyl).

At Larne Lough the DB Brent, 2 PF Geese and 3 Greenshank were at Glynn. 2Carrion Crow were of the south side of Ballycarry Bridge (Cameron Moore).

500 Black-tailed Godwit were at Lough Beg and 4 PF Geese at Mullagh (DavidSteele).

2 Waxwing were at Bellvue Zoo in Belfast at 7am (Phillip McHaffie).

Yesterday a Chiffchaff and 2 Buzzard were at the lead Mines above Conlig(Dot Blakely).

Bird News for Thursday 24th March

A Glaucous Gull was at Portavogie Co.Down(Irishbirding) Since the closure of the city dumps in Belfast and Londonderry, white winged gulls have become very thin on the ground, so this bird makes a welcome addition.

8 Snow Bunting were on Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains Co.Down(Irishbirding)

40 Waxwing were at the bottom of the Cave Hill Road in Belfast at 6.45am. 3

Brambling were in a garden at Waterloo Park (Larry Toal).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was again seen in Downpatrick Co.Down(Irishbirding)

Peregrine, Co. Fermanagh - Ed O'Hara

Bird News Wednesday 23rd March

6 Buzzard, 2 Chiffchaff and a pair of Yellowhammer were at Sion Mills
(Hazlet Harkness).

A Chiffchaff, Peregrine Falcon and a Kingfisher were at Lower Lough Erne
Islands RSPB Reserve (Brad Robson).

2 Chiffchaff were calling near the Quoile Centre (Dot Blakely).

A chiffchaff was heard in a garden at Cairncastle,near Ballygally Co.Antrim (David Ledsham)

A Snow Bunting was at Benbradagh County Derry (Irish Birding)

The white phase Snow Goose was at Lady Bay (Irish Birding)

The drake Ferrruginous Duck was still at Lurgan Park Lake, Co. Armagh. (Irish Birding).

4 Ruddy Duck were at Oxford Island and one was at Portmore. (Irish Birding)

13 Sandwich Tern were at Portaferry. (Irish Birding)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at a site near Downpatrick (Irish Birding)

A Slavonian Grebe was off Greyabbey Bay South (Irish Birding)

Bird News for Tues 22nd March.

A male Ring-necked Duck was at Boa Island Co.Fermanagh. Boa (or Boho) is between Kesh and Belleek (Irishbirding)
2 Chiffchaff were singing at Rathfern Wood on Carnmoney Hill (Karl Hamilton).

Two female Brambling and two Blackcap were again visiting a garden in Kinedar Cres. in Belfast. (P.West)

Redpoll - Andrew Poots