Bird News Thursday 12th June

A drake Lesser Scaup was at Mullagh Lough Beg (Jeff Larkin) see pic.below.

Unusually 3 adult Whooper Swan flew in from sea about one mile west of Dunseverick Castle.(Colin Guy)

Yesterday evening a Long-eared Owl was in a garden at Crebilly, outside Ballymena.(Jeff Larkin)

Thanks to Noel Austin for the Meadow Pipit. Also to Christine Cassidy for this pic of a Puffin on Rathlin and Jeff Larkin for the Lesser Scaup. You can see more pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Bird News Wednesday 11th June

A juvenile Great-spotted Woodpecker, was at Belvoir Forest, feeding near the RSPB office (Tim Murphy)

Three Chough chicks have been raised on Rathlin Island (RSPB NI).

A Ist summer Mediterranean Gull was on Swan Island, Strangford harbour and 20 Sanderlings at Minerstown (Chris Murphy).

This afternoon Glynn Station in Larne Lough had 3 adult and a  2nd year Mediterranean Gull and 30 Greylag Geese. (Ian Enlander).

Thanks to today's photographers, Roger Greeves and Noeni Bryars:

 Reed Bunting - Roger Greeves

 Greenfinch - Noeni Bryars

Bullfinchs - Noeni Bryars

Bird News Tuesday 10th June

A 1st summer Little Gull was at sea at the mouth of Carlingford Lough this morning (Brad Robson / Shane Wolsey)

A male Great Spotted Woodpecker was feeding a juvenile in a garden at Legacurry (Garry Wilkinson)

For anyone who may be interested, 7 Two-barred Crossbills are currently in Lothian. This could be the closest to Ireland that this rare species will come for many years and may be worth a look if they remain until the weekend!

Thanks to today's photographers, Neil Cartmill, Dick Glasgow and Brian Wheeler:

Buzzard - Neil Cartmill

 Young Great Tit - Dick Glasgow

Young Bullfinch - Brian Wheeler

Two-barred Crossbill (not taken in Ireland!):

Bird News Monday 9th June

No bird news today.

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this picture of a Tree Sparrow which he is lucky enough to have nesting in his garden and to Tony Donaldson for the picture of the Yellowhammer.

Bird News Sunday 8th June

The Hobby was still present at Montiaghs Moss (Keith Bennett)

Two Reed Warbler were singing at Lough Cowey, Co Down (Brian Murphy)

A Curlew Sandpiper was at the south west corner of Lough Beg and a pair of Ring-necked Duck at the Mullagh. (David Steele)

The drake Garganey was still at Portnore Lough (Birdguides).

At least five summer plummaged Sanderling and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Magilligan Point today. (Charles Stewart).

A family part of Spotted Flycatcher and a Kingfisher were at Sion Mills, Co Tyrone. (Brian Hegarty).

Last night a Red Grouse was calling at Clabby Mountain in Co. Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

Thanks to today's photographers, to Christine Cassidy, Dick Glasgow, Brian Hegarty, Charles Stewart,  Karl Martin and Charles Harkin.

Wheatears - Christine Cassidy

 Hen Harrier - Dick Glasgow

 Hen Harrier - Dick Gkasgow

 Spotted Flycatcher - Brian Hegarty

 Sanderling - Charles Stewart

 Curlew Sandpiper - Charles Stewart

 Peregrine - Karl Martin

 Sandwich Tern - Karl Martin

Whitethroat - Karl Martin

 Gannet - Charles Harkin

House Martin - Charles Harkin

Bird News Saturday 7th June

No news so far today.

Thanks to Tony Donaldson and Cameron Moore for today's pictures.

 Sedge Warbler - Tony Donaldson

Whitethroat - Cameron Moore

Bird News Friday 6th June

A drake Green-winged Teal and a drake Garganey are at Portmore Lough RSPB Reserve (Birdguides)

The Hobby was still at Montiaghs Moss (James O'Neill / Liam Logan)

Three Crossbills flew over a house in Fivemiletown (Colin Bell)

A Grey Plover and Whimbrel in Killough today (Chris Murphy)

Thanks to today's photographers. You can see more bird pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Dick Glasgow - Buzzard:

James O'Neill - Hobby:

Noel Austin - Linnett:

Liam Logan - Hobby:

Bird News Thursday 5th June

The drake Ring-necked Duck was still at the Quoile. (Chris Murphy)

2 adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Whimbrel were at Glynn in Larne Lough (Joe Lamont)

At Briggs Rocks this morning a Roseate Tern flew past calling and shortly afterwards 2 adult Mediterranean gulls flew overhead calling (Colin Guy)

Unfortunately a Red Kite (Blue 13) and two chicks have been found dead at a nest, presumably poisoned, at Katesbridge, County Down. Please report any suspected wildlife crime to the PSNI on 101 or anonomously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this pic of a Black Guillemot and Roger Greeves for the Reed Bunting:

Bird News Wednesday 4th June

The drake Ring-necked Duck was at the Quoile pondage this morning (Tim Murphy)

The first summer Little Gull was still at Kinnegar Lagoon (Wilton Farrelly)

There are now 3 Garganey at Portmore Lough (Gerard McGeehan).

A Red Grouse was at Lllendrum Windmill Farm, nr Fivemiletown Co Tyrone. Tempo had a pair of Spotted Flycatcher and pair of Ravens. (Colin Bell).

The Little Gull was still at Kinnegar Pool this evening. (Stephen Maxwell).

Thanks to today's photographers, to David Hill, Christine Cassidy, Karl Martin, Stephen Maxwell and Martin Lamb:

Reed Bunting - David Hill

 Black Guillemot - Christine Cassidy

 Black-tailed Godwit - Karl Martin

Common Tern - Karl Martin

Little Gull - Stephen Maxwell

 Hen Harrier - Martin Lamb

Hen Harrier - Martin Lamb

Bird News Tuesday 3rd June.

The Little Gull still present at the RSPB Belfast Harbour estate reserve.(S.Maxwell)

Little Gull - Stephen Maxwell.

Meadow Pipit - Noel Austin.

Bird News Monday 2nd June.

A Red-crested Pochard was at the RSPB Portmore Lough reserve.(Frank Carroll)

A first summer Little Gull was in a field off the Moss Rd, Holywood situated behind Redburn country park.It was feeding with Black -headed Gulls (Richard Woods)

Swallow.

Skylark - Roger Greeves.

Cuckoo - Noel Austin.

Bird News Sunday 1st June

The first summer Little Gull was still at Kinnegar Pool and a Grasshopper Warbler was singing nearby (Wilton Farrelly)

Ballyherly Lough, County Down had 9 singing Reed Warbler.  At Knockinelder Bay 16 were Sanderling. (Richard Weyl)

A Glossy Ibis was at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. It landed on the scrape below the viewing platform at 2.20pm, flew 2 lapwing fields at sw end of reserve at 2.45pm, then flew high north at 3.10pm. 230+ Swifts were also feeding above the lough. (Tim Murphy)

The Hobby was still at Montiaghs Moss (Nigel Moore)

The Marsh Harrier was at Lough Cowey at mid-day before flying off north (Warren Fowles)

A Brent Goose flew past Cushendall Boat Club today (John McKillop)

Two Corncrake were calling in hay meadows at the Isle of Doagh, Co Donegal (Christine Cunningham)

Gobbins Boat Trips

Based on the weather forecast it is fairly certain that both of the boat trips will happen tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday evening. They leave at 5.30pm. 14 people are booked so there are still 6 seats available. If you would like to join us on either evening contact Jim Wells on 07856235144. 

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this Black Guillemot pic, Nigel Moore for the Portmore Glossy Ibis and Karl Martin for the Red Kite. You can also see mor pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Bird News Saturday 31st May

The Hobby was still present at the Montaighs NNR.(Irishbirding)

The Marsh Harrier was present at Lough Cowey, Down, at 2.30 today (Guy Hamilton)

The drake Garganey was still at Portmore Lough (Birdguides)

A Cuckoo was calling on the Derrytrashna Rd, Lurgan.(David Clarke)

Keep up to speed with our Swifts at the  Northern Ireland swift Group web site and swift diary. Lots of information about nest boxes, attracting swifts, camera kits and video from inside nest boxes

www.saveourswifts.co.uk

www.saveourswifts.co.uk/diary2014.htm

Our sincere thanks to Tom McCreery for the Cuckoo, Christine Cunningham for the Meadow Pipit to Dick Glasgow for the photo of a Reed Bunting. Also to Eric Philips for the pic of a Grey Heron on a roof at Lambeg: