Bird News Thursday 10th July.

The only news was of a Chough at Roonivoolin on Rathlin Island. (Robert Scott)

Bird News Wednesday 9th July

The Cattle Egret was still in fields behind Hillsborough Park Lake. (Garry Armstrong).

Thanks to Noeni Bryars for the picture of a Wren from her garden.

Rathlin Boat Trips

The next Round Rathlin boat trip will leave Ballycastle Marina at 10.30am on Thursday 10th July.


If you would like to book a seat on this trip please contact Jim Wells directly on jimwells6@gmail.com or on 07856235144.

Bird News Tuesday 8th July

The first year Little Gull was still at Kinnegar pool. (Stephen Maxwell)

Thanks to Karl Martin for the pictures of a Kestrel and a Long-tailed Tit and to Stephen Maxwell for the pictures of Little Gull:

Bird News Monday 7th July

The Spoonbill was at the Quoile on Sunday evening (Tony Donaldson)

Today, an adult Mediterranean Gull was at the Quoile Pondage, Co Down, from the Castle Island hide. (Keith Bennett)

Yesterday 6 Common Sandpiper and a Med Gull where at the RSPB Belfast Harbour estate reserve.(Gerald McGeehan)

Thanks to Tony Donaldson for the pic of the Spoonbill which was taken at considerable distance: Also to Karl Martin for the Kestrel.

Rathlin Boat Trips

Please note that Monday's boat trips around Rathlin Island and to the Gobbins are fully booked.

 We have 4 seats left on the Tuesday trip around Rathlin which leaves Ballycastle Marina at 5.30 and seats are also available on the Wednesday trip which leaves Ballycastle at the same time.

 Please contact me if you would like to book.

 Jim Wells
 07856235144

Bird News Sunday 6th July

7 Little Egret were at Ballykelly this morning (Christine Cassidy).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Hillsborough Park Lake (Ethan Veale/Neil Telfer).

The Cattle Egret was still at Hillsborough in field by the dairy herd at 1430.(Neil Telfer)

 A first-year Little Gull was at Kinnegar Pool (George Gordon).

A pair of Long-eared Owls have bred on Benevenagh Mountain near Limavady. (Jochen Lueg)

Thanks to today's photographers, Neil Telfer, Paul Friel and Edwin Maternaghan:

 Cattle Egret - Neil Telfer

 Mediterranean Gull - Neil Telfer

 Tree Sparrows - Neil Telfer

 Chiffchaff - Paul Friel

Swallows - Edwin Maternaghan

Bird News Saturday 5th July

The Cattle Egret was in fields next to the dairy herd at Hillsborough. You follow the road past the car park, bear left then look towards the DARD cattle shed. It was in a recently grazed field beyond the cows (Brad Robson)

The Spoonbill was still at Ardilea, on mudflats (David Nixon)

Thanks to Mark Elliott for the picture of a Spotted Flycatcher at Castle Ward and to Dick Glasgow for the Hen Harrier, Meadow Pipit and Siskin pictures:

Bird News Friday 4th July

A juvenile Raven was at Ballyhackamore in East Belfast (Samuel Thomas).

Thanks to today's photographers, Dick Glasgow, Robin Cunningham and Ian Jackson

 Hen Harrier - Dick Glasgow

 Hen Harriers - Dick Glasgow

 Lapwing - Robin Cunningham

 Razorbills - Robin Cunningham

Kingfisher - Ian Jackson

Round Rathlin Boat Trip

There will be additional Round Rathlin boat trips on Tuesday (8th) and Wednesday (9th) July leaving Ballycastle Marina at 4.30pm. The 3-4 hour trip costs £30 and please contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 if you would like to book a seat.

The pics below are of an Eider family and a Puffin taken on Rathlin by Christine Cassidy:

Bird News Thursday 3rd July.

 The Spoonbill, 2 Kingfisher, 6 Common Sandpiper a Stock Dove and 9 Greenshanks where all at Ardilea. (David Nixon / Ian Jackson)

Bird News Wednesday 2nd July

A Spotted Redshank was feeding with 3 summer plumaged Greenshank at Glynn in Larne Lough. (Adam McClure),

Red Backed Shrike:
An adult male Red-backed Shrike was found during survey work at an undisclosed site in Glenwherry on 24thJune.
Unfortunately, the presence of high numbers of breeding waders, many with small chicks, made access impossible due to the risk of disturbance.
It was hoped the bird would hang around for while and viewing arrangements could be made with landowners following the breeding season. However, the bird was last seen on 26thJune and appears to have moved on. (Neal Warnock).

Thanks to today's photographers, Neal Warnock, Stephen Maxwell, Christine Cassidy, Dick Glasgow, Robin Cunningham and Karl Martin.

Red Backed Shrike - Neal Warnock

 Stonechat - Stephen Maxwell

 Puffin - Christine Cassidy

 Razorbill - Christine Cassidy

 Female Hen Harrier - Dick Glasgow

 Hen Harriers - Dick Glasgow

 Rock Pipits - Robin Cunningham

Fulmar - Robin Cunningham

Meadow Pipit - Karl Martin

Peregrine - Karl Martin

Bird News Tuesday 1st July

A male Long-tailed Duck was near Rue Point, Rathlin today. Also present on the nearby cliff were 5 Choughs (2 adults and 3 Juveniles) 20 Puffins were near Rathlin East light. (Colin Guy).

2 Siskin were close to the Burnish viewpoint, Newry this morning. (Frank Carroll).

Thanks to today's photographers, Dick Glasgow, Karl Martin, Martina Boyle and Fulton Somerville.

 Merlin - Dick Glasgow

 Kestrel - Dick Glasgow

Ringed Plover - Karl Martin

 Spotted Flycatcher - Martina Boyle

 Blackcap - Martina Boyle

Collared Dove - Fulton Somerville

Bird News Monday 30th June

At Inner Dundrum Bay late this morning- was the adult Spoonbill, a Little Egret, a Common Sandpiper, at least 10 Whimbrel and 8 Greenshank (Fulton Somerville)

Our kind thanks to Neil Cartmill for the Buzzard. Also to Fulton Somerville for the Spoonbill and to Richard Hunter for the Spotted Flycatcher.

Boat  trip around Rathlin and the Gobbins.

The boat trips around Rathlin Island will commence again this Thursday(3rd July) Friday (4th) and Saturday(5th) The boat will leave Ballycastle at 4pm and the trip will last 3-4 hrs. The cost of the trip will be £30.00.

There is also trips available for parties of 8 or more at a time and date suits them.

Gobbins.

There is one more trip around the Gobbins next week, anyone interested let me know which day(Monday to Wednesday). If anyone interested on either trip contact  jimwells6@gmail.com   

Bird News Sunday 29th June

The Spotted Redshank and moulting male Ruff were at Paddy's Dub, Lough Beg and a female Ring-necked Duck at Mullagh (David Steele)

At Ballyboley a Red Grouse was near the car park at Killylane Reservoir (Mr McCutcheon)

Thanks to Cameron Moore for this Stonechat pic. You can see more pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk 

Bird News Saturday 28th June

The Little Gull was still at Kinnegar Pool in Belfast Harbour Estate.

Thanks to today's photographers Dick Glasgow, Stephen Maxwell, Cameron Moore, Lilian Cummings and Angus Kennedy.

 Female Hen Harrier - Dick Glasgow

 Little Gull - Stephen Maxwell

 House Martin - Cameron Moore

Peregrine & Fulmar - Cameron Moore

Common Snipe - Lilian Cummings

Juvenile Raven - Angus Kennedy