Bird News Thursday 31st March.

An eagle species was seen of Blackhead,Islandmagee to-day, with the description received more likely to have been a White-tailed.

A Swallow and 50 Redwing were at Sion Mills (Brian Hegarty).

 A singing Willow Warbler and singing Reed Warbler were at the wooded area at Kinnegar (Aaron Devlin).

3 Manx Shearwater off Burial Island Co.Down.(Richard Weyl)

Rathlin Island has a Merlin, 2 Chough, and a White-fronted Goose.(Colin Guy)

Wheatear - Christine Cassidy.  

Bird News Wednesday 30th March

A male Green-winged Teal was at the Quoile Pondage. (Tim Murphy).

20 Greenland Whitefronts were at Lough Beg this morning but there was no sign of the Spoonbill (Richard Hunter)

Late news for yesterday and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at Corbally Reservoir, Portrush in the evening. The 6 Greenland Whitefronts were still at the field near Portballintrae (Colin Guy).

Yesterday at Lough Beg a white Black-tailed Godwit was with a flock of 350 Black-tailed Godwits. The bird was predominately white but with a few darker feathers on the breast and on the upper wings when seen in flight, so not a true albino. Also present were 20 Ruff, 2 Greenshank, 50 Redshank, 30 Golden Plover, 15 Curlew and up to 100 Lapwing. 5 Pintail, 15 Shoveler and 40 Greylag Geese present amongst larger numbers of Teal, Wigeon and Tufted Duck. A female Hen Harrier and a Peregrine were hunting along the western shoreline. (Godfrey McRoberts).

A Scandanavian Rock Pipit was at the north end of Cushendun Bay A Great Northern Diver was offshore as well as 4 Canada Geese. (Colin Guy).

In Donegal the drake Ring-necked Duck was still at the causeway at Inch Island Lake, also the drake American Wigeon was in the bay in front of the hide. (Birdguides).

142 Greenland Whitefronts and 37 Greylag Geese were at Myroe, 7 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and 2 Slavonian Grebes were off shore. (Stuart McKee).

Belfast Lough WOW RSPB reserve had 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Pintail, a Sparrowhawk and a Red-breasted Merganser. (Stephen Maxwell).

Yesterday 2 Little Egrets and 2 Carrion Crows were at St. Cooey's Wells, Outer Ards, near Portaferry. A third Little Egret was on the marshland at the southern end of Kircubbin. (Chris Acheson).

14 Greenland Whitefronts, the Pink Footed Goose and 2 Greenshank were at Ballycarry (Gerard McGeehan)

A male Hen Harrier was seen near Boho Island, Co Fermanagh (Ian Beggs)

Thanks to Colin Guy for the pictures of the Greenland Whitefronts and the Scandanavian Rock Pipit and to Stephen Maxwell for the picture of the Mediterranean Gull:

 

 

 

 

Bird News Tuesday 29th March

A White-tailed Eagle was seen flying north from Toome at 12:00 today (Colm Cunningham)

A 1st summer Iceland Gull was at the Inver River mouth, Glynn. (Neal Warnock)

A Swallow was at the Quoile Pondage and a Chiffchaff at Lough Money (David Nixon)

At least seven goosanders were on the River Main at Slaght near Ballymena this morning. (David Steele)

The two adult Mediteranean Gulls were still on show at RSPB Belfast WOW Reserve:

Bird News Monday 28th March

Lough Beg had the Spoonbill, female Smew, 3 Ruff, 21 Greenland White-fronts & 2 Sand Martins (Neal Warnock)

The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at Carrickfergus Harbour.

2 Med Gulls were still showing on the raft at Belfast RSPB WOW. A Little Gull was also present. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown)

Spring migrants continue to be reported. 3 very vocal Chiffchaff were at Prehen House, Prehen Park, Derry (Christine Cassidy), 22 Sand Martin were at Victoria Bridge in Tyrone (Brian Hegarty) and Chiffchaff of the season this afternoon in Randalstown Forest (Linda Thompson).

6 Greenland White Fronted Geese were in a field off the road down to Portballintrae from Portrush (Colin Guy)

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the pics of the Little Gull and the pair of Med Gulls:

Bird News Sunday 27th March

The female American Wigeon was still in Dargan Bay this morning (Birdguides).

Summer visitors are now starting to return....3 Sand Martin and a Swallow were at Belfast Waterworks. One Chiffchaff was singing at Ligoniel Dams. (Larry Toal). A Willow Warbler was on the Inver river in Larne.(Gavin Ferguson)

Yesterday the Glossy Ibis was still in flooded fields by the bridge at Toome. (Birdguides).

Two second summer Med Gulls and two adult summer Meds were at RSPB WOW Reserve. Two Ruff also. (Stuart McKee/Gareth Platt)

A Red Kite was seen at Magherlin Co. Armagh (Bobby Hanna).

The Spoonbill was still at Mullagh, Lough Beg today, also present were 3 Swallows and 3 Sand Martins.(David Steele).

Yesterday - 13 Greenland White Fronted Geese were with Greylag's on the Myroe Levels, also 350 to 400 Brent Geese. (Gareth Platt) 



White-fronted Geese- Annette Elkin Part of flock from Lough Macnean Co.Fermanagh.

Mediterranean Gull - Gareth Platt



Willow Warbler - Gavin Ferguson.

Bird News Saturday 26th March

A female American Wigeon was reported in Dargan Bay. (Birdguides)

14 Greenland White Fronted Geese and a Pinkfoot were with Greylags in fields a mile north of Ballycarry Bridge, 4 Little Egrets were also present. (Cameron Moore)

2 Wheatear were at Kinnegar shore (Gilly Irwin)



Some of the White-fronted Geese currently at Larne Lough,this pic. was kindly sent in by Linda Thompson.

Bird News Friday 25th March

Two Sand Martin were feeding along the Lower Bann at the Loughan, Coleraine, this afternoon (Richard Donaghey)

3 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adult, 1 second year), a Scaup, 4 Ruff and 2 Pintail were at Belfast RSPB WOW (Gerard McGeehan/Karl Martin)

2 House Martins were at Marblehill in Donegal (Denis Chambers).

A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at Ballyquintin Farm-Ballyquintin Point, along with 70 Brent geese, 10 Herring gull, 5 Turnstone, 2 Curlew and 2 Shelduck.

An escaped Ruddy Shelduck was at Antrim Marina. (Chris Smith).

A sub-adult Little Gull was at Millisle. Although far from ideal conditions at least 12 Slavonian Grebe were at Greyabbey Bay South. 2 adult Mediterranean Gull were displaying at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (Tom Ennis, Tony Donaldson).

A Sand Martin was at Katesbridge. Also a singing Blackcap was in Portadown this morning.(James O'Neill).

Three Twite were at Glenarm, County Antrim including a colour-ringed bird which was ringed at Machrihanish Bird Observatory in Scotland. (Neal Warnock) 

Thanks to Karl Martin for the picture of the Mediterranean Gull at Belfast RSPB reserve, to Neal Warnock for the picture of the Twite and to Bill Guiller for the picture of the Red Kite.

 

 

 

 

 

Bird News Thursday 24th March

A first winter Little Gull was feeding at Groomsport Beach (Geoff Jones)

Six Greenland Whitefronted Geese where at Larne Lough, coming from Port Muck past Earl's shop they where best viewed from the Gobbins Road which appear's on your left hand side.    (Cameron Moore)

Yeaterday Sandy Bay, Larne had six Purple Sandpiper, one Sanderling, two White Wagtail, 30 + Brent flying north a Gannet and a Peregrine (Gavin Ferguson)

A Spoonbill was at Mullagh, Lough Beg this evening - a 1st summer bird. Also: a male Green-winged Teal and female Smew at the sw corner, 21 Greenland whitefronts at the Creagh, 1100 Black-tailed godwits, 20 Ruff and a ringtail Hen Harrier on the western shoreline of Lough Beg. (David Steele)

Today at Ballykelly were 11 Little Egrets; Myroe had 350 Brent Geese, 30 Greylag Geese, 8 Whooper Swans and 4 Little Egret ; Bann Estuary held 135 Black-tailed Godwits ;The Ring-billed Gull is still showing at East Strand Car Park, Portrush. (Hill Dick/Peter Robinson)

Thanks for Cameron for these pics of the Whitefronts:

Bird News Wednesday 23rd March

4 Ruff, 2 Pintail and 2 Med Gull were at at RSPB Belfast WOW Reserve. (Gerard. McGeehan).

A pair of Blackcaps were in a garden in Greyabbey. (Matt Rainey).

Great Spotted Woodpeckers were heard drumming in Rostrevor near Cloughmor, this morning. (Mark Cooper, David Cooper, Sean Tinnelly).

Thanks to Noeni Bryars for the picture of the Treecreeper, to Denis Chanmbers for the picture of the Dipper and to Peter Wedderburn for the picture of the Grey Wagtail all taken in Glenarm Forest and to Wilfred Swain for the picture of the Buzzards.

 

 

Cuckoo Records

Mark the return of Spring by listening out for the Cuckoo!

Help in recording what is for many the distinctive sound of Spring – the call of the cuckoo. If you see or hear a cuckoo please submit your record online. The Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) is asking for people to report when they see or hear a Cuckoo using the newly launched online recording facility.

The Cuckoo is a rapidly declining species Red Listed as a bird of conservation concern in the UK. They arrive from Africa in April and May and sing throughout the Spring. They are much more likely to heard than seen. Their calls are distinctive but can be mistaken for Collared Dove and Woodpigeon.

More information on the Cuckoo can be found on the Priority Species of Northern Ireland website.

If you see or hear a Cuckoo then please visit http://www2.habitas.org.uk/records/submit-cuckoo-record/ and submit your record.

Bird News Tuesday 22nd March

A Chiffchaff was singing in Bessbrook Wood this morning. (Frank Carroll)

The Red Kite was seen again between the Moira Roundabout and Maze on M1. 5 Buzzards were also seen. (Paul Allen)

A pair of Long-tailed Duck were off Carrickfergus Castle today (Cameron Moore)

Thanks to Wilfred Swain for this pic of a male Sparrowhawk:

Bird News Monday 21st March.

2 Med Gulls and a Willow Warbler where at the RSPB Belfast Harbour estate reserve.(Julian Greenwood)

The adult Med Gull was still at the Pickie Park at Bangor Marina,. 10 Purple Sandpipers where on the rocks on the outside of the harbour wall.(John Edwards)

18 Buzzards where seen around Portadown to-day, proving that the bird has become a much commoner sight in recent years. (Paul Allen)

80 Fieldfare were at the top of Knockagh Road (Billy Hamilton).

90 Barnacle Geese were at Malin Head and 2 first winter Glaucous Gulls were at Greencastle harbour today (Colin Guy)

Thanks to Colin Guy for this pic of one of the Glaucous Gulls:

Bird News Sunday 20th March

I A Mediterranean Gull was on rocks outside Pickie breakwater, Bangor, this morning. (Julian Greenwood)

8 Twite were at Whitehead this morning (Brian Murphy)

5 Sandwich Tern and a Grey Plover were at Ballymacormick Point, Co Down (Wilton Farrelly)

A pair of Peregrine Falcons were engaging in courtship at Greencastle, Carlingford Lough - well away from any nest site. (Jim Wells)

A female Brambling was in a garden today at Richhill (Andrew Poots)

A Red Kite (not tagged) was at Munie Road just above Carnageer, Glenarm this afternoon. It was circling loosely with three Buzzards and drifted north towards Carnlough. (Colin Urwin)

A Red Kite was still present just west of the Moira roundabout (Wilton Farrelly)

On the east side of Strangford Lough still 70 Slavonian Grebe (58 between Greyabbey Bay and Kircubbin and12 off Newtownards Sailing Club) and the Spoonbill south of Anne's Point. (Richard Weyl)

The adult Ring-billed Gull was still in Carrickfergus. (Garry Armstrng)

A Wheatear was south of Glenarm (Philip West)

Thanks to Linda Thompson for this pic of Twite at Whitehead and to Guy Hamilton for the female Eider:

Bird News Saturday 19th March

26 Slavonian Grebe were at Greyabbey Bay South. (Wilton Farrelly).

At least two Red Grouse were near the summit of Slieveanorra. (Roger Woodward) 

10 Sandwich Terns were at Portaferry marina. (John Wilson Foster).

Malin Town, Donegal had an American Wigeon, 1000+ Barnacle Geese, 10 Greenshank, 4 Great Northern Divers and 2 Little Egret. Malin Head had 6 Whoopers, a Great Northern Diver. Inch Levels had 3 Barnacle Geese, 1000 Whoopers, 500 Greylag, 2 Whitefronts and 4 Black Swan (Gerard McGeehan).

 Today Ballykelly had 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Little Egret; Myroe 140 Whooper Swans, 6 White-fronted Geese, 12 Greylag Geese and 200 Bar-tailed Godwits....also 5 Hares; Bann Estuary held 300 Golden Plovers.(Peter Robinson/ Hill Dick/ Fermanagh RSPB Group).

A drake Goosander flew long the seafront at Portballintrae today heading towards the River Bush, 11 Redwing were on Rathlin. (Colin Guy)

Thanks to Wilf Swain for the picture of a Little Egret.

Bird News Friday 18th March

A Mediterranean Gull was in the swan park at Bangor Marina .(Derek Polley) see pic below

Yesterday ...the SW corner of Lough Beg and Paddy’s Dub held 2,000+ wildfowl mostly Teal and Wigeon with 30 Pintail and 50 Shoveler along with smaller numbers Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall and Shelduck. Waders present included 200 Black tailed Godwit, 10 Ruff, 12 Dunlin along with Redshank and Lapwing. 50+ Common Snipe with 2 Jack Snipe also seen.(Godfrey McRoberts)

The Red Kite was along the M1 at Moira. A Peregrine was seen flying across the motorway at Flatfield, both Friday (Richard Gray)

The Spoonbill was at  Anne's Point and  a whimbrel at Ballyquintin Point. (Richard Weyl)

The male Smew was at Inch Island, Donegal. (Pete Wedderburn)

Med Gull, Derek Polley:

Drake Smew, Pete Wedderburn:

NI Seabird Report

Launch of 2015 NI Seabird Report

Borders with an interest in seabirds are invited to the launch of the 2015 NI Seabird Report at 5.30pm on Thursday 24th March 2016 at the offices of Belfast Harbour Commissioners. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet others interested in seabirds, and to see the superb Harbour Offices!  This is a free event, that is open to all BTO friends.

Details of the evening, and how to book can be found here:  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/dmbpdziukzonrz2/AAC9v-ze85kFrBTHPT3ZNz4la?dl=0

If you would like to go please get in touch with Kerry Leonard at kerry@sterna-environmental.com 

Flightline

As per our post below, the telephone service Flightline will cease from tomorrow.

http://nibirds.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/flightline-to-close.html?m=1

We thank George and Pat for their 36 years of service and the support they have provided all birders during that time. 

Bird News Thursday 17th March

A Happy St Patrick's Day to all.

Larne Lough this morning produced 9 Mediterranean Gulls, 8 adults & a 2nd summer (Neal Warnock)

Two Mediterranean Gulls were at RSPB Belfast WOW reserve this morning (Derek Polley)

The male Smew was still showing at Inch, Co Donega, close to Farland Bank (Brian Murphy)

Greyabbey Bay had 10 Slavonian Grebes - 2 in summer plumage. Kircubbin had 8 Great Northern Divers  (Tom Ennis / Ray Bennett / Carol Gillespie)

The Black Redstart was still present at Newcastle Harbour.

Twelve Twite were still at Whitehead and one Carrion Crow at Carrickfergus Castle this afternoon (Gavin Ferguson)

You can see more pictures of local NI birds at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks to Angus Kennedy for this pic of a Buzzard from Roe Valley and Gavin Ferguson for the Carrion Crow:

Boat Trip to Islay Tomorrow

A boat trip is going to Islay & Jura tomorrow morning (St Patrick's day) to look for Golden Eagle, White-tailed Eagle and the large flocks of Barnacle and Greenland-Whitefronts. Two spaces remain and if you wish to go, please contact Jom Wells on 07856 235144.

If you have not travelled to Islay and Jura before, they are magical islands for wildlife with spectacular scenery. 

Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre Opening

Yesterday the ribbon was cut at one of Northern Ireland’s most unique tourist destinations, the Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, following a major refurbishment programme. The Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre will re-open to the public on Thursday, 24 March - just in time for the Easter holidays.

The refurbishment has seen a complete upgrade of the visitor centre and, for the first time, it will be possible to access the ‘upside down’ lighthouse built on Rathlin’s cliffs. 

In summer, the seabird colony is a real assault on the senses – the sight, sound (and smell!) of tens of thousands of birds, including puffins, razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes, jostling for space is unique in NI.

The Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre will be open from 10am until 5pm every day until the end of September. Admission is free for RSPB members, £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.

For more information about the Seabird Centre visit www.rspb.org.uk/rathlinisland or head to www.greatlighthouses.com to find out more about the Great Lighthouses of Ireland trail.