Bird News Saturday 12th October.

The Nighthawk is still present, usual location.(Garry Armstrong). The Nighthawk was still present as of 14.40 roosting in ash tree in usual field with horses (Mark Stewart)


A Garden Warbler was trapped on Copeland Islands.(Christopher Acheson)

Pair of Common Scoter seen off Macedon Point, Belfast Lough.(Ian Enlander)

A Long-tailed Duck and Mediterranean Gull were at Ganaway Bay and 2 Pink-footed Geese were with 40 Whooper Swans in a flooded field at Kirkiston on the Outer Ards. (Richard Weyl).

  A Black-throated Diver was seen off Carnlough.(Ric Else/Hazel Watson)

A Hen Harrier was hunting over Portmore Lough, along with 6 Whooper Swan.(Michael Latham)


Our thanks to  Linda Thompson for the Nighthawk and toThomas Campbell for this photo of 3 Bar-tailed Godwits.Bottom photo is of the Garden Warbler kindly sent in by Christopher Acheson.

Bird News Friday 11th October

The Nighthawk is still present this morning roosting in the same field off Corbally Road, Galgorm. (Billy Miskelly). The bird was still present roosting in the field at 1:30pm. (Terry Hanna). The bird was present to 7.15pm. (Michael Cowning).

A juvenile American Golden Plover was at Ballykelly (Theo Campbell)

A Pectoral Sandpiper was flushed from the shoreline at Mullagh, a Hen Harrier was also in the area.(David Steele)

Yesterday afternoon a Red Kite was seen  flying near Glenwherry between Antrim and Larne. (David Gillespie)

Our thanks to Dot Blakely, to Terry Hanna and to Michael McCrum for the pics of the Nighthawk.

Bird News Thursday 10th October

The Nighthawk was showing again this morning, roosting in the horse field. (Billy Miskelly). The bird was still in the same field at 10:45 (Paul McCullough) The Nighthawk is still roosting in an ash tree by the usual field at 16:15 (BirdGuides). The bird flew out from its roost at 18:33 (Ian Stevenson)

Late News for yesterday was that a Lapland Bunting was on Ramore Head (Dennis Weir) and the Spotted Redshank was at RSPB WoW (Gerard McGeehan)

Thanks to Jonny Andrews for the first picture and to Mervyn Campbell for the second picture of the Nighthawk:

Bird News Wednesday 9th October

The Nighthawk is currently day roosting in the same field as yesterday at Galgorm (Paul Lynch). Mid morning, the bird was again flushed from its roost by horses and relocated in ash tree on the opposite side of the River Maine.the bird was still present at 2:30pm. The bird is still roosting circa 100m North of the Bridge at 17:50 (Fran O’Connell). The bird left it’s roost at around 18:40 and spent most time feeding close to the weir. It continued to show throughout the remaining light, in the area.

The Nighthawk is an adult male due to the bright white throat, the thick white bars near the base of the primaries and the blackish primaries (Jeremy Bensette per Donny Moore)

A Black-throated Diver is at Carnlough. (Neal Warnock).

A Merlin was hunting along the Helen's Bay shore this afternoon. (Philip Watson).

A flock of 7 Little Egrets flew north over Lurgan this morning. (Stephen Foster).

A Red Kite was seen from the M2 heading north just before Templepatrick turn off, Co Antrim. The Kite was gliding west at circa 3:30 pm. (Kevin Kirkham).

A late Swallow was seen yesterday along the main road south of Ballynahinch. (Derek Polley).

There has been no sign of the juvenile King Eider today.

Today's pictures of the Nighthawk come from: 1) Jonny Rosborough, 2) Kevin Kirkham, and 3) Stuart McKee and thanks to Thomas Campbell for the pictures of the Red Kite and the Kestrel.

NIOC Talk

Bird News Tuesday 8th October

The Nighthawk was showing this morning at 7am (John Dempsey and Neill Hunt). It has now been found roosting and has shown well all morning (Neal Warnock). The bird left its roost at 7.00pm giving excellent views until dark. It is now believed that the bird has been present in the area since the 13th September. 

The location to access the area is: https://goo.gl/maps/JxhxSumEYEBjxFcr8 and the bird is usually 200m / 300m upstream from here.

The juvenile King Eider was present off Carrickfergus all day today. (per Neal Warnock).

Jerrettspass to Poyntzpass this morning had 6 Raven, 2 Skylark, 1 Swallow, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Dipper. (Fulton Somerville).

A Red Kite flew up-river at Moore's Bridge, Lisburn 1.30p.m. today. (Dougie Gamble).

Thanks to Jonny Rosborough for the first picture, to Mervyn Campbell for the second picture and to Stephen Maxwell for the third picture of the Nighthawk:

Bird News Monday 7th October.

The Common Nighthawk was seen at 3.44pm and seen well, same location as before.The bird was seen again at 19.00 until dark by circa 50 birders. This is the first record for NI and only the 3rd for Ireland.

The King Eider was seen again this morning at Rhanbouy Park, Carrickfergus before heading NE and out of sight.(Neal Warnock)

Nighthawk, Stuart Piner:

Nighthawk, back of camera shot, John Edwards:

Nighthawk

The 'Nightjar' seen along the river at Galgorm is now regarded as a Nighthawk. Video stills of the bird are below. A video of the bird by Niall Mulvenna can also be seen here: https://youtu.be/7lSn9YTLDsw

Last night the bird was seen between 18:55 and 19:15 at this location. It is best to park downstream at the bridge and walk up (wellies are required):

Dropped pin

Near Ballymena

https://goo.gl/maps/fTGRG1LW4Wq55HRz6

Juvenile King Eider Carrickfergus

This afternoon Cameron Moore found this juvenile King Eider off Rhanbuoy Park in Carrickfergus. The bird was still present at 18:15 (Gerard McGeehan et al)

Bird News Sunday 6th October

The King Eider found by Cameron Moore at Carrickfergus was still showing to at least 6:15.

The Nightjar was seen again this evening along the River Maine near Galgorm. (Paul, Niall & Cara Mulvenna & Dot Blakely). Video of the bird from Niall Mulvenna is at: https://youtu.be/7lSn9YTLDsw

Two Pectoral Sandpiper were at the Mullagh, Lough Beg (David Steele)

A Yellow-Browed Warbler is on Fanad Head, Donegal in the village just east of the Lighthouse Tavern (Wilton Farrelly).

A Hen Harrier was quartering the reed bed at Portmore this afternoon. (Kevin Kirkham & Clare Barnett).

Seven Pink-footed Geese were at Islandhill, Strangford Lough (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop).

Approximately 50 Pink-Footed Geese were on one of the stubble fields at Myroe, County Londonderry. (Mervyn & Susanne Guthrie).

A Snow Bunting was at Fair Head, see picture below. (Stephen Dunbar)

Thanks to Jason Bain for the picture of the Turnstone, to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Guillemot, to Dot Blakely for the still of the Nightjar and to Stephen Dunbar for the picture of the Snow Bunting:

Below is a video frame of the Nightjar:

Bird News Saturday 5th October

A Nightjar has been seen over the last two nights along the River Maine at Corbally Road, Galgorm. The observer has offered to provide exact directions to the sighting location . (Fergus Auld).

A Red Kite was on the Antrim Plateau North of Shane's Hill Rd, Glenwherry. (Garry Wilkinson & Kevin Kirkham).

6 Whooper Swans were at Derrytagh North on Lough Neagh this afternoon. (Douglas Gamble).

8 Whooper Swans flew over Portavo Reservoir, Donaghadee around 4pm this afternoon. (David McCormick).

Flocks of Redwing were heard over Crom Castle in Fermanagh last night and 30 birds were seen this morning. (Paul Lynas).

Thanks to Jason Bain for the picture of the Bar-tailed Godwit and to Douglas Gamble for the picture of the Whooper and Mute Swans:

Bird News Friday 4th October

A Great White Egret was on the north shore of lower Lough Erne Fermanagh found by Andrew Gallagher. It was still present on view from main road A47 west of Kesh also occasionally shore viewable from car park at crossing to Lusty beg island (Brad Robson)

3 Swallow were foraging along Whitehead seafront this morning. (Ian Enlander).

Just an update on the Red -eyed Vireo on Rathlin, was looked for to-day but no luck, it was however very windy so could still be present

Bird News Thursday 3rd October

Belfast RSPB WOW Reserve had 1 Ruff and 1 Kingfisher. A female Stonechat was at the makeshift car park opposite Concentrix on Airport Road. (Derek Polley).

 Thanks to Fulton Somerville for the picture of the Sanderling, to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Brent Geese, and to Stephen Maxwell for the picture of the Curlew Sandpiper and the Ruff:

Bird News Wednesday 2nd October

The Red-eyed Vireo was still present on Rathlin, though very elusive at times and more mobile.  There was no sign of the Melodious Warbler. The Yellow-browed Warbler was reported early morning but not seen since. (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

This morning around 09.30 Dundrum Inner Bay had a female Goosander at the mouth of the Corrigs  River and a Pink-footed Goose about half way along the Inner Bay South. The Goosander was still there at 14.45 (Danny Bailie)

At St John’s Pt this morning a Redstart, two Chiffchaffs and four Goldcrests were in Kelly’s Wood (Chris Murphy)

9 Whooper Swans flew over Prehen Park at 9.20am this morning (Christine Cassidy)

9 Whooper Swans arrived on Lough Erne Fermanagh this morning & 1 Greenshank this afternoon (Brad Robson, Amy Burns, Fionnbarr Cross, Peter Taylor)

The American Golden Plover reported earlier at Portstewart has been seen again and is no longer regarded as one. (Ken Perry and John Clarke)

Many thanks to Mervyn Campbell for this pic of a Peregrine at RSPB WoW:

Bird News Tuesday 1st October

The Red-eyed Vireo and a Yellow-Browed Warbler were near the East Light on Rathlin (Stuart McKee / Dennis Weir / Paul Collin)

The hippolais Warbler on Rathlin was seen well this morning and is now regarded as a Melodious Warbler.

An Arctic Skua was off Magilligan Point. A ring-tail Hen Harrier and a 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull were at Myroe and 40 Pink-footed Geese passed there in flight. Probably the same group of Pink-feet was again seen overhead at Ballykelly and 15 Whoopers were on the mudflats there. (David Nixon & Philip McHaffie)

Pink-footed Geese have been passing through in good numbers in the last few days eg Rathlin (102 on Sunday, 230 on Monday and 153 today), Myroe (40 today) and Magilligan (90 today).

Back of the camera shot, Melodious Warbler, Ric Else \ Hazel Watson:

Bird News Monday 30th September

The Red-eyed Vireo was still showing near the East Light, Rathlin (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop)

The probable Icterine Warbler was seen again on Rathlin this morning (Stuart McKee)

Rathlin also had a Lapland Bunting.(Ric Else)

31 Pink-footed Geese were at Lough Beg today, six at Mullagh and a flock of 25 flying high east. Yesterday another 16 Pink-feet flew east and two Sandwich Terns and a Green Sandpiper were also seen. (David Steele)

24 Whooper Swans flew south over Castleroe, Coleraine this evening. (Clive Mellon)


Our thanks to Christine Cunningham for this image of a Whooper Swan family.

Red-eyed Vireo on Rathlin

Thanks to Ric Else for these pictures of the Red-eyed Vireo on Rathlin, a first record for Northern Ireland.

Bird News Sunday 29th September

A Red-eyed Vireo is on Rathlin Island at the East Light. The bird was still showing in the sycamores at 1:45. (Wilton Farrelly)

A probable Icterine Warbler was on Rathlin Island this evening. (Dennis Weir).

A White-tailed Eagle was on Lower Lough Erne on the island opposite the road just outside Belleek from 8am to930am (Ivan Cullen and Gerard Barkley).

A Red Kite with a red wingtag was perched on a telegraph pole on the Shilnavogey Road, near the end of the road which joins the A36 around 10am. (Tom Swann).

The Spotted Redshank and a Ruff were at RSPB WOW reserve this morning, see picture below. (Michael Latham).

A Spotted Flycatcher, Blackcap and Willow Warbler were at Kearney, a Whimbrel was at Orlock. (Richard Weyl).

A Great-spotted Woodpecker was at Galloon, Upper Lough Erne today. (Sarah McCaffrey).

Back of camera shot, Ric Else:

Spotted Redshank - Michael Latham

Red Kite - Gregory Moorehead

Bird News Saturday 28th September

Bloody Bridge had 20+ Red Throated Divers, Newcastle Harbour had a White Wagtail, Rock Pipit and 6 Sanderling. (Robert Hart, Michael Richardson and Fulton Somerville)

Rathlin today had a juvenile Sabine's Gull, Pink-footed Goose, Arctic and Great Skuas, Hen Harrier, 25 Twite and a Mediterranean Gull. (Wilton Farrelly).

Three Hen Harriers were in the Antrim hills. (Michael Latham).

4 Pink-footed Geese were at Malin Beg in Donegal. (Brad Robson).

Thanks to Thomas Campbell for the pictures of the Common Scoters, Bar-tailed Godwit and Greenshank and to Michael Latham for the picture of the Hen Harrier: