nibirds

Bird News Saturday 13th January

The Black Redstart is still at Whitehead seafront, 2 Twite are at the boatyard. (Garry Armstrong, Nigel Moore, Robert McDowell).

4 Purple Sandpipers were also along Whitehead seafront this morning. (Robert McDowell, Jack Alcorn, Steven Farquhar).

12 Waxwings were feeding in Hawthorn bushes at the Whitehead end of Ballystrudder village. (Garry Armstrong).

4 Velvet Scoter and 2 Slavonian Grebes were off Hazelbank in Belfast Lough. (Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Inner Bay. (David Stirling).

13 Ruff were in a flooded field facing Nicholls filling station, Toomebridge. (Richard Hunter).

2 Brambling were visiting a garden in the Larne area.

50+ Purple Sandpipers were near the coastal zone in Portrush, a Great Northern Diver was in Portrush harbour with another in Portballintrae harbour. (Juliet Fleming).

A Green Sandpiper was along the River Maine at Slaght near Ballymena today, a redhead Goosander was along the same stretch yesterday. (David Steele).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Inner Bay, 2 Goosanders were at Loughisland Reavey, 80 Whoopers were at Farranfad Road, Clough and 49 Whoopers were at Downpatrick Road, Ardglass. (Chris Murphy).

2 Black-throated Divers were off Carnlough. (Michael Latham).

Brambling.

Waxwing, Ballystrudder

Great Northern Diver, Juliet Fleming.

Fieldfare, Jonathan Cooke.

Black-throated Diver, Michael Latham.

Bird News Friday 12th January

The first winter Long-tailed Duck was still at the Quoile (David Stirling)

Green-winged Teal still at Ballyquinton Farm, in small flooded field with 30 Teal and Wigeon, viewed from the NT car park (Chris and Tim Murphy)

A juvenile Iceland Gull is at Portballintrae (John Clarke)

There is a report of Waxwings around Victoria Park, Belfast (per Stuart Cossey)

A flock of Waxwings are currently on the roadside on the road to Portmuck, Islandmagee (Jonny Rosborough)

This afternoon the Black Redstart is on the town side of the Rangers Supporters Club at Whitehead. A small flock of Purple Sandpiper are also present. (Tim Davis)

There were 5 Waxwings near Victoria Park today beside the water treatment plant, Connswater Greenway (Harry Byron)

Glenarm had a male Goosander. Ballygalley had the Bonapartes Gull - very mobile but showed briefly just north of the Halfway House. 30 Waxwing were at Ballystrudder, Islandmagee (Ian Enlander, Dermot Hughes and John O'Boyle)

A single feral Ring-necked parakeet was at the Waterworks Belfast this afternoon. (Kevin Kirkham). With the ongoing reports of the escaped/released parakeets at the Waterworks, we won't continue reporting them unless they spread outside that area.

An adult Mediterranean Gull was again at Kinnegar shore (Daniel Newton)

A large count of 166 Pintail were at The Maltings, Newtownards (Garry Wilkinson)

Green-winged Teal video, Chris Murphy:

Black Redstart, Jonathon Cooke:

Goosander, Ian Enlander:

Waxwing, Ian Enlander:

Iceland Gull, John Clarke:

Bird News Thursday 11th January

Drake Green-winged Teal still Ballyquintin Point, in the bay at the back of Ballquintin Farm. Note there are bullocks in field. Also that Shore Road / Barr Hall Road closed for roadworks (David Stirling).

Goosander on River Mourne beside Sigersons GAA, Co Derry (Michael Savage).

A single Slavonian Grebe off Seacliff Road, Bangor (James Andrew).

Pink-footed Goose and Peregrine at Reedy Flats, south shore Lough Neagh (Ed O’Hara).

5 Pink-footed Geese were with the Nutgrove Whooper Swan and Greylag Goose flock near Seaforde a personal first at the well-monitored site (David Nixon).

Bird News Wednesday 10th January

The Pinkfoot, Peregrine and Merlin were at Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Ed O'Hara).

Three Great White Egrets were at Portmore Lough RSPB this morning. (Juliet Fleming).

A male Green-winged Teal and a Jack Snipe were at Ballyquintin Point on the Outer Ards. Dermot Hughes, John O'Boyle).

Great White Egret, Juliet Fleming.

Bird News Tuesday 9th January

Begney Lough this morning had 7 Goosander, 3 males and 4 females. Magheaconluce had a single Red Kite (Garry Wilkinson)

The Black Redstart is still at Whitehead. A single Waxwing was at Ballystrudder, Islandmagee (Daniel Newton)

A second year Glaucous Gull was at Portballintrae (John Clarke)

A single Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylags at Todds Corner, Lough Neagh (David Clarke)

Glaucous Gull, John Clarke:

Sanderling, Terry Hanna:

Pink-footed Goose, David Clarke:

You can view more pictures of local birds at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Bird News Monday 8th January

Adult Mediterranean Gull Kinnegar Shore. Hottentot Teal still at a largely frozen Belfast Lough WoW RSPB Reserve (Bob Watts).

Drake Goosander this morning at Corbet Lake but no sign of Green Sandpiper (David McCreedy).

Black Redstart, Guy Hamilton:

Bird News Sunday 7th January

The Black Redstart was still at Whitehead. (Adam McClure)

A Black-throated Diver, 3 Slavonian Grebe and 4 Jack Snipe were at Horse Island, Kirkcubbin (Richard Weyl / Philip West)

7 Slavonian Grebe were at Greyabbey Bay South (Bob Watts)

3 Jack Snipe were at Portavogie (Garry Armstrong)

Around 70 Waxwings were seen this morning outside Mullaghboy on the Middle Road in Islandmagee (Linda Thompson). A further 3 Waxwing were seen at Islandmagee Community Garden (Tim Davies)

12 Waxwing have been reported from Portstewart.

The Long-tailed Duck was still at the Quoile. (Michael Latham).

Three Bramblings are visiting a garden in Whitehead.

Three Great Spotted Woodpeckers were at Oxford Island (Conor McCoy)

Waxwings & Black Redstart, Jason Bain.

Brambling.

Waxwings, Linda Thompson.

Black Redstart, Paul Hunter.

Long-tailed Duck, Michael Latham

Bird News Saturday 6th January

The Bonaparte's Gull was seen briefly at Ballygally (Kevin Kirkham)

The Black Redstart is still at Whitehead (Kenny Moore). Black redstart still showing well at Whitehead, on the seawall just south of the carpark early afternoon (Tom Garner / Michael Latham)

Flocks of 30 and 17 Waxwing are outside Mullaghboy, Islandmagee (Jonny Andrews)

A Jack Snipe & Water Pipit were at Ballyfrench Beach, Portavogie (Billy Miskelly / David Stirling) The Water Pipit was still present late afternoon (Nathan Gilbert)

A male Hen Harrier was near Dunseverick (John Spottiswood)

Yesterday the Long-tailed Duck was still at Steamboat Quay, the Quoile (Tom Ennis)

Flock of approx 12 Waxwing on hawthorn hedge near junction of Quilly Road and Green Road. Right hand side heading towards Articlave 1:15 pm (Rosie Kane)

A red-head Goosander was at the bridge over the Bann on Drone Hill Rd near Corbet Lough. (Mike McLaughlin)

Two Twite were at Whitehead Boatyard (David Clarke)

5 Long-tailed Duck were still in the south west corner of Lough Beg this morning. (Richard Hunter \ David Steele). A Med Gull was also in the adjoining fields (Davie Steele)

A Green Sandpiper is at Corbet Lough, near Banbridge (Mike McLaughlin)

16 Waxwing today in the Mornington area of Lisburn. (Andrew Upton)

The female Long-tailed Duck was at the north end of Myroe (Stephen Davis)

The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull hybrid was again at Millisle (Jeff Higgott)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard at Woodburn Forest (Tom Davis)

Black Redstart, Jonathan Cooke:

Goosander, Mike McLaughlin:

Black Redstart, Michael Latham:

Bird News Friday 5th January

2 Slavonian Grebes from Hazelbank (Stuart Cossey).

Crossbills at Lower Woodburn Reservoir (Stuart Cossey).

Adult Mediterranean Gull on Kinnegar Shore (Garry Armstrong).

Black Redstart at Whitehead ranging between the boatyard end of the sea wall and by the lower car park at the start of the Blackhead coastal path (Conor McCoy / Cameron Moore).

Last night 715 Pied Wagtails roosted outside Iceland, Bridge St, Belfast (Chris Murphy).

436 Barnacle Geese (feral) at Ballymoran Bay, Killinchy, Strangford Lough an exceptionally large flock (Chris Murphy). Later in a field off Whiterock Road opposite Willow Brook Farm (Dave Weir).

Great White Egret and a male Kestrel at Reedy Flats (Ed O’Hara).

Short-eared Owl at Divis (Stuart Cossey).

Approximately 60 Waxwings at Mullaghboy, Islandmagee (Jonathan Cooke).

Great Northern Diver at Newcastle Harbour, also 6 Red-throated Divers (David McCreedy / Mike McLaughlin).

Waxwings, Jonny Hanna:

Barnacle Geese, Dave Weir:

Red-throated Diver, Michael Latham:

Bird News Thursday 4th January

Up to 3 Waxwing were at the Methodist Church, Larne, this morning (Ian Dickey \ Garry Wilkinson \ Nigel Moore \ Marty McClenaghan)

130 Waxwing were seen flying towards the sewage pumping station at Ballycarry. A Brambling was visiting a private garden in Whitehead (Cameron Moore, Kenny Moore). Circa 70 Waxwing were seen close by at Ballystrudder (Paul Tout)

The Bonaparte's Gull is again on the beach in front of Ballygally Castle Hotel this morning (Jeff Larkin \ Garry Wilkinson \ Nigel Moore \ Marty McClenaghan)

Two Great White Egrets were off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island and the Long-tailed Duck was still at Todds Corner, Ardmore. (Garry Armstrong)

The Great Northern Diver was showing well at Oxford Island (Clifford Sharpe)

4 Great White Egrets were at Portmore today (Michael Latham)

A single Snow Bunting was at Hare's Gap, Slievenaglogh in the Mournes (Frank O'Connor)

Purple Sandpipers are still been seen between Whiteabbey and Hazelbank (Tim Davis)

A male Great Spotted Woodpecker was at RSPB WoW (Derek Polley)

Two first winter Iceland Gulls were at The Round O, Enniskillen (Ronan Owens)

Bonapartes Gull, Garry Wilkinson:

Great White Egret, Michael Latham:

Brambling, Cameron Moore:

Nigel Moore, Waxwing, Larne:

Waxwings, Islandmagee, Jonny Hanna:

Bird News Wednesday 3rd January

A juvenile Iceland Gull was at Portballintrae Harbour this morning. The hybrid gull resembling an Iceland Gull was still at Corbally Reservoir. (Stephen Riddell).

The Long-tailed Duck is still at the Quoile. (Aaron Long).

Three male Goosanders were at Begney Lough this morning. (Chris Rankin, Dave & Amy Weir).

The Bonaparte's Gull was on the shore near the Ballygally Hotel. (Stuart McKee)

Around 90 Waxwings were at the pumping station at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (Cameron Moore). A flock of approximately 180 Waxwings flew southwards past Islandmagee New Cemetery on Low Road at 12.15. (Philip McErlean).

The Long-tailed Duck was still at Todd's Corner and a Great White Egret to the east of Emerson's sand quay at Ardmore, Lough Neagh. (Garry Armstrong, Ed O’Hara).

A male Lesser Scaup was in the centre of Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Garry Armstrong, Ed O’Hara).

A Great Northern Diver was off the breakwater at the back of the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara). 200+ Greater Scaup were off Croaghan Hide at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

Two Slavonian Grebes were off Glynn in Larne Lough. (Kevin Kirkham).

There are still 4 Great White Egrets at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Garry Armstrong).

The Spotted Redshank was at the high tide roost and a juvenile Dark-bellied Brent was with the Brent flock in Dundrum Inner Bay south, a Merlin was also present. 32 Grey Plover were at the Green Island roost in the North Inner Bay. (David Nixon, Mervyn Boyd).

Iceland Gull, Stephen Riddell.

Long-tailed Duck, Aaron Long

Goosander, Amy Weir.

Bird News Tuesday 2nd January

Adult Bonaparte’s Gull flew from Halfway House car park to in front of Ballygally Castle at 1150 briefly before flying south towards Larne (Tom Garner). Little Gull subsequently but no further sign of Bonaparte’s Gull (Aaron Long / Mel O’Hagan). Bonaparte’s Gull seen earlier at 1022 at Ballygally Castle ans 3 Great Northern Divers (Jeff Higgott).

3 Great White Egrets at Portmore Lough RSPB, also Common Chiffchaff at the viewing platform (Ed O’Hara).

Adult Yellow-legged Gull at Whitehouse Park (Stuart McKee).

12 Pink-footed Geese at Flatfields (Garry Armstrong).

2 Iceland Gulls reported at Corbally Res but one might be a hybrid (John Clarke).

3 Slavonian Grebes and a single Great Northern Diver at Glynn (Aaron Long / Jeff Higgott).

Circa 20 Waxwing flew north over Lunnon Road, Mullaghboy, Islandmagee at 1440 (Kevin Kirkham).

19 Waxwings at Ballycarry Bridge c3pm (Jonathan Cooke / Cameron Moore).

5 Waxwings at Larne Methodist Church early afternoon (Jeff Higgott).

125 Purple Sandpipers Portrush (Dennis Weir).

5 Barnacle Geese with the Whitefront and Greylag Goose flock at Big Isle, Co Donegal. 16 Pink-footed Geese at Blanket Nook, Co Donegal. 2 Barnacle Geese at Donnybrewer, Co Derry (Richard Gray).

Red-throated Diver with fishing tackle caught around its chest off Lough view car park (Gerry Judge).

Drake Goosander at Begney Lake near Dromora this afternoon (David Nixon).

Drake Goosander near the mouth of the Inver River in Larne (Brian Halligan).

A 1st winter Iceland Gull at the Round O, Enniskillen (Ronan Owens).

2 Twite at Whitehead Boatyard (Jeff Higgot).

Red-throated Diver, Gerry Judge:

Bonaparte’s Gull, Jeff Higgott:

Twite, Jeff Higgott:

Purple Sandpiper, John Fraser:

Bird News Monday 1st January 2024

Waxwings were widely reported throughout the day in the Larne and Islandmagee areas, involving over 150 birds. Birds were seen at the following sites:

* Over 50 Waxwing are along the Low Road, north west of Ballycarry

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QrNHnWEzqgakyJNYA?g_st=ic

* 60 Waxwing are along Millbay Road, Islandmagee:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/mfSAAzZmRDV5M5Tj7?g_st=ic

* 6 Waxwing were a mile before Portmuck (Ivan Quail / Nicky Lynn)

* Over 15 Waxwing were along Lough Road, Ballycarry (just east of Ballycarry Bridge).

* 3 Waxwing were seen at Ransevyn Drive, Whitehead

* 17 Waxwing were at Larne Methodist Church.

Thanks for all who reported the many Waxwing sightings above including Albert Boyle, Gayle & Garry Wilkinson, Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn, Michael Latham, David Nixon, Linda Thompson, Philip West and Bob Watts.

The female Long-tailed Duck was in the channel at Myroe (Stephen Riddell / Raymond Fulton)

Three Waxwing and the Long-tailed Duck were at Todd’s Corner, Lough Neagh (Ed O’Hara)

Glynn had the male Goosander, 3 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Common Scoter and a Long-tailed Duck (Ivan Quail / Nicky Lynn et al)

The Bonaparte’s Gull was still at Ballygally Hotel this afternoon (Garry Armstrong)

Carnlough had a Black-throated Diver and 5 Common Scoter (Ivan Quail / Nicky Lynn)

A Black-throated Diver was at Tyrella (Chris Murphy)

A Black-throated Diver was at Newcastle (David Stirling)

2 Snow Buntings were along Abbacy Road north of Portaferry. The Long-tailed Duck was still at the Quoile and a good count of 15 Yellowhammer Shore Road, Killyleagh (Derek Polley)

The Spotted Redshank was again at the Moneycarragh roost, South Inner Bay, Dundrum, this afternoon. (Graham McIlwaine)

12 Twite were at Whitehead Boatyard and 2 Purple Sandpiper at Port Davey (Garry Wilkinson)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker has been visiting a garden near Gilford (Joel McKee)

Two Slavonian Grebe were seen off Castle Espie (Kevin Kirkham)

41 Sanderling were at Tyrella Beach (Hugh Thurgate)

5 Waxwing were on the A2 at Campsie, close to City of Derry Airport (Richard Gray)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden in Dungannon (Billy Stewart)

An adult Med Gull was at Kinnegar Shore today (Jeff Higgott)

Can we wish all Blog users a happy new year and also thank everyone for their sightings, pictures and news in the last 12 months.

Bonaparte's Gull, Michael Latham: