Red Crested Pochard
Thanks to Stephen Foster for this study of the Red Crested Pochard at Lurgan Park Lake.
Bird News Saturday 10th December
The Cattle Egret was present again on the island in Hillsborough Park Lake this afternoon, it was only visible from the eastern side of the lake. (Garry Armstrong).
The Great Northern Diver was present again on the Craigavon Balancing Lakes and the Long Tailed Duck, a Water Rail, 3 Ruddy Duck and 6 Scaup were at Oxford Island, see the pictures below. (Ed O'Hara, Mark Killops, Mark McMullan).
The male Red Crested Pochard was still at Lurgan Park Lake. (Stephen Foster).
An immature Marsh Harrier was at Portmore Lough and 4 Greenland Whitefronts in the fields between Portmore and Lough Neagh. (Paul Toner).
A Grey Phalarope was seen down to 20 feet from a boat at the back of Muck Island off Island Magee. (David Galbraith).
A first winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Ardglass and 2 Pintail at the Quoile Pondage. (Keith Bennett/ Tim Murphy)
9 Twite and a Purple Sandpiper were along the seafront at Whitehead. (Cameron Moore).
An adult Little Gull and 2 Great Northern Divers were off St John's Point and a Black Throated Diver and 3 Great Northern Divers were off Newcastle.
12 Purple Sandpipers were at Blackrock.
A Red Kite was at Ardnabannon and a Buzzard at Ballylough.
145 Sanderling were at Ballykinler with 750 Common Scoter off shore.
Thanks to Ed O'Hara and Stephen Maxwell for todays pictures:
Great Northern Diver - Ed O'Hara
Water Rail - Ed O'Hara
Long Tailed Duck - Ed O'Hara
Treecreeper - Stephen Maxwell
Robin - Stephen Maxwell
The Great Northern Diver was present again on the Craigavon Balancing Lakes and the Long Tailed Duck, a Water Rail, 3 Ruddy Duck and 6 Scaup were at Oxford Island, see the pictures below. (Ed O'Hara, Mark Killops, Mark McMullan).
The male Red Crested Pochard was still at Lurgan Park Lake. (Stephen Foster).
An immature Marsh Harrier was at Portmore Lough and 4 Greenland Whitefronts in the fields between Portmore and Lough Neagh. (Paul Toner).
A Grey Phalarope was seen down to 20 feet from a boat at the back of Muck Island off Island Magee. (David Galbraith).
A first winter Glaucous Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Ardglass and 2 Pintail at the Quoile Pondage. (Keith Bennett/ Tim Murphy)
9 Twite and a Purple Sandpiper were along the seafront at Whitehead. (Cameron Moore).
An adult Little Gull and 2 Great Northern Divers were off St John's Point and a Black Throated Diver and 3 Great Northern Divers were off Newcastle.
12 Purple Sandpipers were at Blackrock.
A Red Kite was at Ardnabannon and a Buzzard at Ballylough.
145 Sanderling were at Ballykinler with 750 Common Scoter off shore.
Thanks to Ed O'Hara and Stephen Maxwell for todays pictures:
Great Northern Diver - Ed O'Hara
Water Rail - Ed O'HaraLong Tailed Duck - Ed O'Hara
Treecreeper - Stephen Maxwell
Robin - Stephen MaxwellBird News for Friday 9th December.
A visit to Farland Bank at Inch Co Donegal this morning produced 50 Canada Geese and 100 Fieldfare(see photo below) plus a few Redwings in the fields on approach, along with a couple of Bullfinches. Three RB mergansers were fishing on the seaward side, plus an otter playing around in the water close to the outlet into the sea!(R.Hill)
Bird News for Thursday 8th December
Along the north coast a Little Auk was close inshore to the east of Ramore Head. A Great Northern Diver was in Portrush Harbour and a Pomarine Skua battling the gales at Portballintrae (Colin Guy).
4 Greenland White-fronted Geese were with Greylag and Whooper Swans in the fields west of Portmore Lough (Paul Toner).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport.
4 Greenland White-fronted Geese were with Greylag and Whooper Swans in the fields west of Portmore Lough (Paul Toner).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport.
Bird News Wednesday 7th December
At Strangford Lough 160 Pintail were at the Maltings (Des Price).
At Larne Lough a Jack Snipe, 22 Snipe and 2 Little Egret were on the south side of Ballycarry Bridge. A Barnacle Goose, 41 Greylag, 78 Pale-bellied Brent and a Whooper were at Church Bay. 3 Twite were along Whitehead seafront near the boat compound (Cameron Moore).
The Great Northern Diver was still at Craigavon lakes (James O'Neill)
The second winter Ring-billed Gull and a Red-throated Diver were at Groomsport (George Gordon).
The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir (Irish birding)
A Great-crested Grebe was off Antrim Boat Club, Lough Neagh today and a flock of 40+ Lapwings in a field behind the Junction 1 Outlet, Antrim (John Loughlin).
At Larne Lough a Jack Snipe, 22 Snipe and 2 Little Egret were on the south side of Ballycarry Bridge. A Barnacle Goose, 41 Greylag, 78 Pale-bellied Brent and a Whooper were at Church Bay. 3 Twite were along Whitehead seafront near the boat compound (Cameron Moore).
The Great Northern Diver was still at Craigavon lakes (James O'Neill)
The second winter Ring-billed Gull and a Red-throated Diver were at Groomsport (George Gordon).
The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir (Irish birding)
A Great-crested Grebe was off Antrim Boat Club, Lough Neagh today and a flock of 40+ Lapwings in a field behind the Junction 1 Outlet, Antrim (John Loughlin).
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| Blackcap, Derek Polley |
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| Bar-tailed Godwits, Killard - Craig Nash |
Bird News Tuesday 6th December
A Great Northern Diver was on the north lake of Craigavon Balancing Lakes. (Tom Ennis).
An adult Little Gull was off St John's Point and a female or immature Black Redstart was at Killough Quay.
The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull is still at Groomsport.
A Common Crossbill was at Springwell Forest. (Richard Donaghey).
A Sparrowhawk is a daily visitor to a back garden at Bellarena, Magilligan, Co. Derry, see picture below. (Charles Stewart).
Late news from the weekend was of 7 Little Egrets at a high tide roost with 12 Grey Herons in a sheltered field on Murlough Estate on Saturday. (Christopher Shaw).
Thanks to Charles Stewart, Alistair Prentice and Craig Nash for todays pictures.
Sparrowhawk - Charles Stewart
Bullfinch - Alistair Prentice
Buzzard - Craig Nash
An adult Little Gull was off St John's Point and a female or immature Black Redstart was at Killough Quay.
The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull is still at Groomsport.
A Common Crossbill was at Springwell Forest. (Richard Donaghey).
A Sparrowhawk is a daily visitor to a back garden at Bellarena, Magilligan, Co. Derry, see picture below. (Charles Stewart).
Late news from the weekend was of 7 Little Egrets at a high tide roost with 12 Grey Herons in a sheltered field on Murlough Estate on Saturday. (Christopher Shaw).
Thanks to Charles Stewart, Alistair Prentice and Craig Nash for todays pictures.
Sparrowhawk - Charles Stewart
Bullfinch - Alistair Prentice
Buzzard - Craig Nash Bird News Monday 5th December
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groosport Harbour (Gut Hamilton)
A female Blackcap was in a garden in Finaghy this morning (Clive Mellon). Numbers of wintering Blackcaps seem to be down at present so any other records would be welcome.
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| Ring-billed Gull : Guy Hamilton |
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| Grey Plover, Killard - Craig Nash Report your bird sightings to: nibirds@live.co.uk |
Bird News Sunday 4th December
The Cattle Egret left the roost at Hillsborough Island lake at 8:20am (Frank Carroll)
Two male Goosander were at Waterfoot (Brenda Campbell)
The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at Kiltonga, Newtownards (Stephen Maxwell)
A Brambling was visiting a garden at Islandmagee (Robert McDowell)
A juvenile Marsh Harrier, 13 Greenland White-fronted Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were at Lough Beg (David Steele).
A first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast and a Great Northern Diver off Loughshore Park (Stuart McKee).
The Long-tailed Duck was still at Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)
In Donegal, the white phase Snow Goose was still at Inch levels along with 5 Tundra Bean Geese (Tim Murphy)
Two male Goosander were at Waterfoot (Brenda Campbell)
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| Goosander, Waterfoot - Brenda Ca |
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| Ring-billed Gull, Kiltonga - Stephen Maxwell |
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| Male Brambling - Robert McDowell |
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| Brambling - Robert McDowell |
An adult winter Mediterranean Gull was in Donaghadee harbour this afternoon (James Robinson
25 Crossbills were in Woodburn Forest, Co. Antrim today (Neal Warnock)
The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir (Philip West)
A juvenile Marsh Harrier, 13 Greenland White-fronted Geese and a Pink-footed Goose were at Lough Beg (David Steele).
A first winter Mediterranean Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast and a Great Northern Diver off Loughshore Park (Stuart McKee).
The Long-tailed Duck was still at Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)
In Donegal, the white phase Snow Goose was still at Inch levels along with 5 Tundra Bean Geese (Tim Murphy)
Bird News Saturday 3rd December
A male Long Tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver were off the Kinnegoe hide at Oxford Island, see Ed O'Hara's picture below. (Jason Starbucks/Ed O'Hara).
The Cattle Egret was roosting on the island at Hillsborough Park lake at 3.00 this afternoon. (Irish Birding).
A ring tail Hen Harrier was on Big Copeland and 4 Sandwich Tern were at Burial Island. (Richard Weyl).
The Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport, see Stephen Maxwell's photo below, a Red Throated Diver was also present, and a Buzzard was at Ballymacormick Point. (Stephen Maxwell/George Gordon).
A second winter Ring Billed Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast and a Long Tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver and Black Throated Diver were offshore. (Stuart McKee).
Yesterday a Tree Sparrow was visiting a garden in Castlerock. (Mervyn Guthrie).
Long Tailed Duck - Ed O'Hara
Ring Billed Gull - Stephen Maxwell
The Cattle Egret was roosting on the island at Hillsborough Park lake at 3.00 this afternoon. (Irish Birding).
A ring tail Hen Harrier was on Big Copeland and 4 Sandwich Tern were at Burial Island. (Richard Weyl).
The Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport, see Stephen Maxwell's photo below, a Red Throated Diver was also present, and a Buzzard was at Ballymacormick Point. (Stephen Maxwell/George Gordon).
A second winter Ring Billed Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast and a Long Tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver and Black Throated Diver were offshore. (Stuart McKee).
Yesterday a Tree Sparrow was visiting a garden in Castlerock. (Mervyn Guthrie).
Long Tailed Duck - Ed O'Hara
Ring Billed Gull - Stephen MaxwellBird News for Friday 2nd December
A Rough-legged Buzzard was seen to-day at Mountstewart Co.Down. Found at the gasworks building car park it was then released. Hopefully it will stay in the area for a while, RLB is an extremely rare bird in Ireland and notoriously hard to catch up with.(Hugh Thurgate)
The Cattle Egret was at its roost on the island at Hillsborough around 4.20 this evening. It was tucked in on the NE bank, standing on the ground preening and not perched in the branches. (Dermot Hughes)
The Ring-necked Duck was still at Lough Cowey.
5 Great Northern Diver and a Black-throated Diver were at Ramore Head. 73 Whooper Swan in various parties were noted arriving along the north Antrim coast from the direction of Islay (Colin Guy).
In south Down 300 Lapwing were in the fields opposite the brickworks (Declan Clarke).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (George Gordon).
The Cattle Egret was at its roost on the island at Hillsborough around 4.20 this evening. It was tucked in on the NE bank, standing on the ground preening and not perched in the branches. (Dermot Hughes)
The Ring-necked Duck was still at Lough Cowey.
5 Great Northern Diver and a Black-throated Diver were at Ramore Head. 73 Whooper Swan in various parties were noted arriving along the north Antrim coast from the direction of Islay (Colin Guy).
In south Down 300 Lapwing were in the fields opposite the brickworks (Declan Clarke).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (George Gordon).
Goosander and Merganser photos.
Our thanks to Cecil Smith who took the top photograph of a Red-breasted Merganser at Macedon Point yesterday and also to Jeff Larkin who took the photo of the Goosander which is currently at Waterfoot, nice to have a comparison.
Bird News for Thursday 1st December.
A Slavonian Grebe was at Reedy Flats Co.Armagh.(J.Devlin)
2 tree sparrow at Moneyslane & off Newcastle were c.300 common scoter, 2 great-crested grebe & 3 great-northern diver off Newcastle.(A McClure)
Woodcock (x1) - Downhill Demesne (National Trust). Disturbed the resting bird when walking through the woodland. Treecreeper (x2) - Downhill Demesne (National Trust). One bird was searching for food on Birch and Oak trees. The second was on a Horse chesnut tree.( Richard Donaghey )
A Black Redstart was at the lighthouse at St John's Point (Ken Douglas).
A Barn Owl was at Finnebrogue (Joe Lindsay).
3 Great Northern, 2 Black-throated and a Red-throated Diver were close inshore at Killyleagh (Spencer and Joan Marshall).
Around Strangford Lough a Little Egret, 500 Golden Plover and 20 Pintail were at the Floodgates. At the Comber Estuary 4 Little Egret, 60 Linnet, a Greenshank, 1,000 Knot, 1,000 Golden Plover, 200 Whooper Swan, a Grey Plover and 60 Shoveler were seen from the Montgomery hide at Castle Espie. 300 Barnacle Geese were at Ballydorn and a flock of 200 Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Chaffinch at Reagh Island. 6/8 Guillemot, 2 Black Guillemot and 3 Razorbill were at Sketrick Island (Derek Polley).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport.
A Barn Owl was at Finnebrogue (Joe Lindsay).
3 Great Northern, 2 Black-throated and a Red-throated Diver were close inshore at Killyleagh (Spencer and Joan Marshall).
Around Strangford Lough a Little Egret, 500 Golden Plover and 20 Pintail were at the Floodgates. At the Comber Estuary 4 Little Egret, 60 Linnet, a Greenshank, 1,000 Knot, 1,000 Golden Plover, 200 Whooper Swan, a Grey Plover and 60 Shoveler were seen from the Montgomery hide at Castle Espie. 300 Barnacle Geese were at Ballydorn and a flock of 200 Greenfinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Chaffinch at Reagh Island. 6/8 Guillemot, 2 Black Guillemot and 3 Razorbill were at Sketrick Island (Derek Polley).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport.
Bird News Wednesday 30th November
The Ring-necked Duck was still at Lough Cowey. On the Outer Ards between Quintin Bay and Burial Island there was an excellent count of 38 Great-northern Diver, 3 Red-throated Diver and 6 Sandwich Tern. (9 of the G-n Diver were in Quintin Bay, 14 in Knockinelder Bay, 7 in Cloughy Bay, 5 at Portavogie and 3 at Burial Island). Another 2 Sandwich Tern were at Portaferry. (Richard Weyl)
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at Kiltonga, Newtownards this afternoon (Craig Nash)
9 Little Egret were at Larne Lough. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Sandy Bay, 2 Kingfisher a the Inver River and 2 Jay flew across the road at Red Hall (Cameron Moore).
Several very late Swallow were at Donaghadee Harbour (Mike Crossley).
4 Twite were in Bangor (Name unknown)
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (George Gordon)
A female Scaup was at Collectors Bay at the Quoile Pondage and a large flock of Fieldfare and Redwing along Castle Island Road (Spencer and Joan Marshall).
An adult Mediteranean Gull was at Waterloo Bay, Co. Antrim (Gavin Ferguson)
30 Common Scoter and a Long-tailed Duck were off Whiteabbey (Irish Birding)
An adult Ring-billed Gull was at Kiltonga, Newtownards this afternoon (Craig Nash)
9 Little Egret were at Larne Lough. An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Sandy Bay, 2 Kingfisher a the Inver River and 2 Jay flew across the road at Red Hall (Cameron Moore).
Several very late Swallow were at Donaghadee Harbour (Mike Crossley).
4 Twite were in Bangor (Name unknown)
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (George Gordon)
A female Scaup was at Collectors Bay at the Quoile Pondage and a large flock of Fieldfare and Redwing along Castle Island Road (Spencer and Joan Marshall).
An adult Mediteranean Gull was at Waterloo Bay, Co. Antrim (Gavin Ferguson)
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| Mediteranean Gull - Gavin Ferguson |
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| Grey Wagtail, Myroe - Stuart McKee |
Bird News Tuesday 29th November
A male Long Tailed Duck was near Ballintoy harbour. (Colin Guy).
The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull, 6 Red Throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Diver were at Groomsport. (george Gordon).
The Cattle Egret returned to roost on the island at Hillsborough Park lake at 4.10 this afternoon.
The female Long Tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir in Belfast.
The 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull, 6 Red Throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Diver were at Groomsport. (george Gordon).
The Cattle Egret returned to roost on the island at Hillsborough Park lake at 4.10 this afternoon.
The female Long Tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir in Belfast.
Bird News Monday 28th November
The Cattle Egret was seen again this morning at Hillsborough Lake, leaving the roost at 8:06 (Peter Phillips) and then returning at 4 pm (Clifford Sharpe). Keep your eyes peeled on the fields around Hillsborough. It is amazing that no one has reported a white bird in their field during the day!
At Larne Lough 2 Purple Sandpiper and a second winter Ring-billed Gull were at Sandy Bay. A Barnacle Goose was at 40 Acre Bay (Cameron Moore).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport (George Gordon).
Yesterday the male Ferruginous Duck was at Lurgan Park Lake (Ivor McDonald).
A Little Egret was at Glynn Station and another at Ballycarry (Stuart McKee)
The two Bean Geese were still at Inch Levels, Co. Donegal (Chris Ingram). A further five were at Lurgan Green, Co. Louth yesterday (Gerard McGeehan)
Many thanks to Cecil Smith for the photo below of Fieldfares and a Redwing:
At Larne Lough 2 Purple Sandpiper and a second winter Ring-billed Gull were at Sandy Bay. A Barnacle Goose was at 40 Acre Bay (Cameron Moore).
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport (George Gordon).
Yesterday the male Ferruginous Duck was at Lurgan Park Lake (Ivor McDonald).
A Little Egret was at Glynn Station and another at Ballycarry (Stuart McKee)
The two Bean Geese were still at Inch Levels, Co. Donegal (Chris Ingram). A further five were at Lurgan Green, Co. Louth yesterday (Gerard McGeehan)
Many thanks to Cecil Smith for the photo below of Fieldfares and a Redwing:
Bird News Sunday 27th November
The Cattle Egret was seen again this morning on the wooded island at Hillsborough Lake. It was then seen again at 2:45 before disappearing. It then flew in at 4:15 from the direction of the village, to presumably roost for the night (Tim Murphy).
A juvenille American Golden Plover was at the lawn fields, Myroe
18 Crosbill were at Crocknagrally Forest Co Tyrone this afternoon (Colin Bell)
The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir (Tim Murphy)
Three Buzzard were at Craigantlet (Stephen Maxwell)
30 Common Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver were off Whiteabbey (Irish Birding)
At Strangford Lough at Little Egret and 500 Golden Plover were at the Flood Gates (Jim Whitla).
Late news was of a Black Redstart visiting a garden in Conlig from Wednesday to Friday (Janet Rhodes).
The two Bean Geese were still at Inch Levels Co Donegal (Birdguides)
A juvenille American Golden Plover was at the lawn fields, Myroe
18 Crosbill were at Crocknagrally Forest Co Tyrone this afternoon (Colin Bell)
The female Long-tailed Duck was still at Lagan Weir (Tim Murphy)
Three Buzzard were at Craigantlet (Stephen Maxwell)
30 Common Scoter, a Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver were off Whiteabbey (Irish Birding)
At Strangford Lough at Little Egret and 500 Golden Plover were at the Flood Gates (Jim Whitla).
Late news was of a Black Redstart visiting a garden in Conlig from Wednesday to Friday (Janet Rhodes).
The two Bean Geese were still at Inch Levels Co Donegal (Birdguides)
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| Fieldfare - Ed O'Hara |
Bird News Saturday 26th November
A CATTLE EGRET has been seen today at the wooded island at Hillsborough Lake (Jason Starbuck / Drew Middleton). This could possibly bethe Kinnegar bird.
Cattle Egret, Hillsborough Lake - Jason Starbuck
A Swallow was at Ballywalter, a 1st w Mediterranean Gull (with no ring) and 2 Sandwich tern at Drumfad Bay south of Millisle and a Greenland white-front south-east of Anne's Point. (Richard Weyl)
A Greenland White Fronted Goose and 6 Stock Dove were seen in flight near the Quoile Centre. The second winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport. (Chris & Tim Murphy).
A Little Egret was at Cloony Road in Londonderry. (Irish Birding).
A Jay was at Stranmillis towpath - see picture below. (Cecil Smyth).
Cattle Egret, Hillsborough Lake - Jason Starbuck
A Swallow was at Ballywalter, a 1st w Mediterranean Gull (with no ring) and 2 Sandwich tern at Drumfad Bay south of Millisle and a Greenland white-front south-east of Anne's Point. (Richard Weyl)
A Greenland White Fronted Goose and 6 Stock Dove were seen in flight near the Quoile Centre. The second winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport. (Chris & Tim Murphy).
A Little Egret was at Cloony Road in Londonderry. (Irish Birding).
A Jay was at Stranmillis towpath - see picture below. (Cecil Smyth).
Bird News for Friday 25th November.
The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport Harbour. At least 20 Twite were just to the west of Briggs Rocks. At least two are colour ringed and if you manage to read them please let us know (George Gordon).
A Sparrowhawk was at Queen Street in Belfast City Centre (John Young).
A Sparrowhawk was at Queen Street in Belfast City Centre (John Young).
Bird News for Thurs. 24th November
A Long-tailed Duck was at the Lagan weir in Belfast.(R.Sturgenor)
A female Brambling, 60 Goldfinch, 18 Lesser Redpoll and 13 Chaffinch were in a garden in Scarva (Fulton Somerville).
A female Brambling, 60 Goldfinch, 18 Lesser Redpoll and 13 Chaffinch were in a garden in Scarva (Fulton Somerville).
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| Woodcock, near Gortin - Tyrone Nelson |
Bird News Wednesday 23rd November
25,000-30,000 Starlings, a Sparrowhawk & a Peregrine at Slievegarran & 30 Stock Dove at Closkelt near Castlewellan, Co. Down (Adam McClure, Neal Warnock & Lynne Peoples)
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport Co. Down (Birdguides)
Another Desert Wheatear has been found, this time in Waterford. There must be one somewhere along our coast!
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport Co. Down (Birdguides)
Another Desert Wheatear has been found, this time in Waterford. There must be one somewhere along our coast!
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| Long-tailed Tit - Alistair Prentice |
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