Bird News Tuesday 8th December

A female Blackcap was on a fat feeder in a garden in Bangor West. (Derek Polley).

3 Twite were at Brownsbay on Islandmagee, see pictures below. (Cameron Moore).

Two Woodcock flew across the Sandholes Road Cookstown Co Tyrone (Tony McCormick)

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the pictures of the Twite and to Martina Boyle for the picture of the Jay from St Columbs Park in Derry.

 

Bird News Monday 7th December.

2 Curlew Sandpiper showing well on the rocks at the NNR at Lansdowne Car Park Portrush along with c. 30 Sanderling, 20 Ringed Plover, 20 Purple Sandpiper and 10 Turnstone.(Gareth Bareham)


This photo of an Icelandic Black-headed Gull was taken at Antrim marina yesterday by Gareth Platt, interestingly  the bird was ringed in Reykjavik in 2003 and is spending it's 3rd winter here, shows how long some birds can live.

 

Events notice.

We are running the annual Christmas Glynn Birdwatching Event again this year. The event will be on the platform at Glynn Train station on Saturday 12th December between 1.00pm and 3.00pm. If you are free, pop along at any time, there will be binoculars, spotting scopes and ID guides you can use. As it’s so close to Christmas, we will have some hot Christmas drinks and treats available to keep us warm. Please pass on the word to anyone you think would be interested, and I hope to see you there.

Cheers.

Maurice Turley

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Bird News Sunday 6th December

A Little Auk was in Strangford Narrows off Portaferry at 09:50. Seen from the ferry, searched for since from shore and ferry without success. (Keith Bennett)

2 hours at Portmuck this morning produced 350 Kittiwake flying south along with 4 Gannet + 3 Gt Northern Diver and 7 Red-throated Diver.

1000+ Razorbill were flying north. Also 7 Harbour Porpoise (Ian Enlander)

A female-type Black Redstart was at Newcastle Harbour, as well as 21 Great-Northern Diver in a group close inshore and at least 3 Purple sandpiper on the rocks. A Peregrine was hunting for an hour or so at Dundrum Bay outer. (James O'Neill)

This afternoon a Red Grouse was at Llendrum Windmill Farm in Fivemiletown. (Colin Bell)

23 Red-throated Diver & 11 Great Northern Diver were between Garron Pt and Glenarm. A Purple Sandpiper was at Garron Pt. A Twite and Kingfisher were at Glenarm Marina. Large numbers of auks moving north all day. (Neal Warnock)

The Spoonbill was south of Ann's Point. 9 Sandwich Tern were at Portaferry and a further 2 at Ballywalter. A Jack Snipe was at Portavogie. (Richard Weyl)

22 Pink-footed Geese were at Inch Levels, Co Donegal (Chris Ingram)

The Glossy Ibis was still at Lough Gullion (Michael Hayes)

Thanks to Annette Elkin for this pic of a Curlew in flight and Cameron Moore for the Twite from Whitehead:

Bird News Saturday 5th December

A male Brambling was visiting a garden in Lisburn, Co Antrim. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown)

In appalling conditions, Fintragh Bay (west of Killybegs, Co Donegal) had a large gull roost on the saltmarsh with 2 first winter Iceland and 1 first winter Glaucous gulls (Ian Enlander)

You can see more bird pics at: www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks to Kevin Kirkham-Brown for the pic of the male Brambling and Annette Elkin for these pics of male and female Shoveler at Lurgan Park:

Bird News Friday 4th December

A Glossy Ibis was at Lough Gullion along the Armagh shore of Lough Neagh (Michael Hayes).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast (Stephen Foster).

A Little Egret was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast this morning, see picture below.(Beverly Fisher).

In Killough this afternoon a (new) Black Redstart, the third this winter, was on the Ropewalk beside the Green, also present were a few Reed Buntings and Tree Sparrows among a mixed finch flock (Chris Murphy).

A new Little Gull, a 1st winter bird, was at Ballycastle. (Colin Guy).

Thanks to Beverly Fisher for the picture of the Whitehouse Little Egret.

Bird News Thursday 3rd December

A Sandwich Tern and two Red-throated Divers were at Groomsport (Colin Davies)

An unseasonable Swallow was flying around Bangor Marina (Ken Davis)

The adult Mediterranean Gull was at the north end of Newcastle promenade. Yesterday 2 Great Northern Diver were off the harbour (Leonard Charles)

A female Pheasant was amongst 24 species at RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve this morning. (Jim Mckeown)

For those interested, the American Bittern has reappeared at Castlefreke Lake, Co Cork.

You can share your rare and scarce bird news via email: nibirds@live.co.uk  Twitter @nibirds  text: 07973 403146 or Flightline: 02891 467408. 

Thanks to Cecil Smith for this pic of three Little Egrets and a Grey Heron:

Bird News Wednesday 2nd December

The Spoonbill was back at WWT Castle Espie this morning. (Toni Costello).

A Black-throated Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 10 Purple Sandpiper were at Groomsport. For those interested 2 Orca were also noted (Dot Blakely).  

A flooded field near Moira had 1,000 Golden Plover, 500 Lapwing, 400 Whooper Swan, 40 Greylag and 2 Grey Heron. A flock of 50 Redwing/Fieldfare was nearby at Bridge Road.They were mainly Fieldfare (David Clarke).

A Great-northern Diver was off Magilligan Point (Colin Davies)

Thanks to Linda Thimpson for this pic of a Siskin at Kilroot:

Bird News Tuesday 1st December

The Ring-billed Gull was again in Carrickfergus harbour today (Colin Davies)

The Red Kite was still between Junction 9 and Junction 10 of the M1 (Dot Blakely).

The Little Egret and a Kingfisher were in Orangefield Park in East Belfast, see pictures below. (Iain Gregory)

 

Thanks to Colin Davies for the picture of the Ring-billed Gull (foreground) with a Common Gull and to Iain Gregory for the pictures of the Little Egret and the Kingfisher:

 

 

Bird News Monday 30th November.

5 Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe were in a flooded field at Carnbane just north of Newry, along the Newry Canal this morning. (Frank Carroll)

An Egret species was on the island at Hillsborough lake,(observer had no optics)Garry Wilkinson.

A Woodcock was at Glengawna in the Gortin Glens. (Annette Elkin)

A flock of 50 Redwing/Fieldfare was in a flooded field along Monlough Road West in Carryduff (David Clarke).

Purple Sandpipers, 5 at Sandy Bay yesterday and today again (Gavin Ferguson)

A Jackdaw at Whitehead Co.Antrim,  showing a white crescent at the side of it's neck, possibly a "Nordic Jackdaw" was sent in by Cameron Moore:

Thanks to Gavin Ferguson for this pic of a Purple Sandpiper:

Bird News Sunday 29th November

A male Brambling was again in a garden in Culcavy. (Garry Armstrong).

The Ring-billed Gull was still at Carrickfergus and a flock of Twite at Whitehead boat compound, see pictures below. (Cameron Moore).

An adult Little Gull came in to roost at the south bay in Carnlough, Co. Antrim. (Jeff Larkin).

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the pictures of the Ring-billed Gull and the Twite and to James O'Neill for the picture of the Red Kite.

 

 

Bird News Saturday 28th November

On Thursday 27th a Woodcock flew into the windows of The Waterfront Hall, Belfast. A pair of Peregrines were also seen over Belfast (Rob McAllister)

A Common Scoter was close inshore at Emerson's Quay, Ardmore, Lough Neagh today (James O'Neill)

A Little Egret is again in Orangefield Park East Belfast (Rhona Galway)

A male Brambling was in a garden in Coleraine (Eddie Manthorpe)

50 Redwing were in fields at Ballylumford (Billy Hamilton)

Thanks to Rob for the pic of the Woodcock:

Bird News Friday 27th November

At Castle Espie the following were seen on Strangford Lough from the Brent Hide and Limekiln Observatory 500+ Light-bellied Brent Geese, 30+  Eider, 500+ Oystercatcher, 50+  Black-headed Gull, 350+  Shelduck, 50+  Curlew, 70+ Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 9 Turnstone, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 90 Dunlin, 2 Grey Plover, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 13 Great Cormorant, 1 Little Egret. (Toni Castello). 

In Fermanagh the Brambling was still in a garden in Monea and a Long-eared Owl at Boho. (Brad Robson).

Bird News Thursday 26th November

A Red Kite seen today at 10.30 flying over the M1, 2 miles west of Moira roundabout (Pat Flowerday)

A Red Kite was over Mountpanther Estate at 1.45pm today. (Julia Grier)

23 Ruff, 1,200 Lapwing, 3 Pink-footed Geese and 3 Little Egret were at the south end of Lough Beg (David Steele)

52 Whooper Swans were grazing in field at Trummery near Moira (David Hunter)

A pair of Peregrines were seen in Coleraine (Peter Hough)

Bird News Wednesday 25th November

A female Brambling was in a garden in Antrim (Mark Smyth)

A Common Scoter was at Mill Bay in Larne Lough and 3 Twite at Whitehead boat yard (Cameron Moore)

St John’s Point had a Grt Norther Diver, 12 Brent Geese grazing among c. 1,000 Common Gulls, 6 migrant Song Thrushes and a Little Egret; Rossglass to Tyrella had a Fulmar, a Grt Northern Diver in summer plumage, a Red-throated Diver, 6 Common Scoter, a Red Kite, c.200 Sanderling, 3 Purple Sandpipers and 3 Twite (Chris Murphy)

A Jack Snipe was at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB and a Brambling in a garden at Monea (Brad Robson)

Today at Myroe were 350 Brent, 100 Whooper, 5 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 1 Greenshank. (Robert McDowell)

For anyone interested, an American Bittern was found in Co Cork today and it gave excellent views!

Bird News Tuesday 24th November

A male Brambling was in a garden at Monea in  Co. Fermanagh, see picture below. (Brad Robson). 

Castle Espie had a Greenshank, Redshank, Little Egret and 5 Little Grebe, and 130 Shelduck, 4 Grey Plover, 2 Turnstone, 45 Redshank and a Greenshank were off the Brent Hide (Toni Costello).

The Ring-billed Gull was still at Carrickfergus. (Tom Ennis/Tony Dodds).

Along the Armagh shore of Lough Neagh 50 Meadow Pipit were at Emerson's sandpit, Reedy Flat and 300 Fieldfare and 200 Redwing at Derrycrow (David Clarke).

At the Quoile at dusk around 25 to 30 whooper swans flew in to the bay in front of hide along with up to 40 Greylag Geese and a Snow Goose type hybrid. (Tony Donaldson).

Ballykelly had 35 Whooper Swan, 70 Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank. Myroe had 100 Whooper Swan, 200 Brent Geese, 7 Little Egret, 450 Lapwing, 2 Greenshank and 1 Twite,  Ball's Point had 2000 Golden Plover . (Peter Robinson + Coleraine RSPB Group)  

Thanks to Brad Robson for the picture of the Brambling, to Annette Elkin for the first picture of a Buzzard, to Carolyn Cubitt for the picture of the Greenfinch, to Gavin Ferguson for the picture of the Great Crested Grebes and to Tony Donaldson for the second Buzzard picture.

 

 

Bird News Monday 23rd November.

A Black Redstart was at Ballycarry bridge Co.Antrim and 2 Brambling  were visiting a garden in Whitehead.(Cameron Moore) see pics below.

Black Redstart.

Brambling.

Bird News Sunday 22nd November

2 Chough were in flight at Fair Head, Antrim. (Keith Bennett)

An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was at the north foreshore Belfast Lough (Stuart Mckee)

Yesterday 42 Pink-footed Geese were at Inch in Donegal (Brad Robson)

On the east side of Strangford Lough were 7 Slavonian Grebe (5 in Greyabbey Bay, 1 at Kircubbin and 1 south of Horse Island) and a Black-throated Diver in Greyabbey Bay. (Richard Weyl)

The adult Ring-billed Gull and a second winter Mediterranean Gull were at Carrickfergus (Brian Murphy)

A 2nd winter Little Gull was on the river at Ballycastle (Colin Guy)

A Chiffchaff was this morning at Derryboye, near Crossgar. There was a Snow bunting and Kestrel at Killard Point this evening (Jamea O'Neill)

A Red Kite was seen hunting beside the M1 Motorway between Moira & Lurgan (junctions 9 & 10). (Gareth D.A. Platt)

A woodcock was at A5 near Newtonstewart Co Tyrone last night. This afternoon a group of Crossbills and Golden Plover were at Clabby Mountain, co Fermanagh (Colin Bell)

Thanks to James O'Neill for this pic of the Snow Bunting and David McCormick for the Brent Goose:

Bird News Saturday 21st November

19 Whoopers flew from Greyabbey, around the south of Islandhill and up the Enler estuary. (Angus Kennedy)

2 Little Egret flew over Tesco at Portadown this afternoon (Alistair Prentice)

A male Brambling was in a garden at Richhill, Co Armagh (Andrew Poots)

100 Fieldfare were in a grass field along Ballymoney Road, Craigantlet (Leslie McKee)

It is worthwhile keeping an eye out for Little Auks along the coast. Large numbers have been seen in GB.

If you have any rare or scarce bird news which you wish to share, please do so via email nibirds@live.co.uk  twitter @nibirds  and Flightline 02891467408.

Thanks to Angus Kennedy for this pic of a Black-tailed Godwit and Andrew Poots for the Brambling:

Bird News Friday 20th November

No news so far today.

Thanks to Derek Polley for the pictures of a Whooper Swan and a Snipe taken at Belfast Lough RSPB reserve earlier this week and to Suzanne Belshaw for the picture of the female Goldeneye from Stoneyford Reservoir.

 

 

Bird News Thursday 19th November

A Slavonian Grebe was at Oxford Island (Joe Devlin)

Three Glossy Ibis were in meadows just south of River Bann by M1 motorway (Birdguides)

2 Ruff where at the RSPB Belfast Harbour reserve.(Derek Polley)