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| Goldfinch - Wilfred Swain. |
Bird News Monday 5th March.
A Glaucous Gull was off the Barmouth Hide foraging with other gulls at high tide this afternoon and was then seen in flight over the River Bann heading towards Coleraine (Ken Perry and Tyrone Nelson).
Bird News Sunday 4th March
An adult Yellow Legged Gull was at Kinnegar shore (Wilton Farrelly)
Three Pink-footed Geese were with Whoopers and Greylags at Oxford Island (Brian Murphy)
A Woodcock flew over the River Lagan in Lisburn at the weir between the Union and the Moore's Bridge (Eric Randall)
A Jack Snipe was seen on waste ground close to RSPB WiW, Belfast (Daniel Newton)
A Goosander was at the Bann Estuary (Richard Donaghey)
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in Portglenone Forest yesterday (Greg Moorehead)
Blackcaps are been reported widely. Two were in a garden at Scarva (Fulton Somerville)
If you know the origin of this ringed Bar-tailed Godwit, please contact Gareth Platt at: plattgareth@yahoo.co.uk
If you know the origin of this ringed Bar-tailed Godwit, please contact Gareth Platt at: plattgareth@yahoo.co.uk
Bird News Saturday 3rd March
An adult Mediterranean Gull was at The Round O, Enniskillen. (Wilton Farrelly).
Two male Blackcaps were visiting a garden in Comber. (Chris Shaw).
Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Golden Plover, to David McIlveen for the picture of the Sanderling, to David Hunter for the picture of the Redwing and to Raymond Elkin for the picture of the Yellowhammer:
Two male Blackcaps were visiting a garden in Comber. (Chris Shaw).
Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Golden Plover, to David McIlveen for the picture of the Sanderling, to David Hunter for the picture of the Redwing and to Raymond Elkin for the picture of the Yellowhammer:
Bird News Friday 2nd March
No fresh news to-day.
Our thanks to James O'Neill for the Water Rail pic.
Our thanks to James O'Neill for the Water Rail pic.
Bird News Thursday 1st March
Last night, a Barn Owl was seen about 8pm at Coragh, Loughgall, Co Armagh (Dennis Lavery)
An Iceland Gull was in Coleraine (John Clarke)
5 Snow Bunting were on the cliff path at Portstewart near the old Strand Hotel building site. Same area had hundreds of waders including Golden Plover and a Red-throated Diver just off shore as well as Redwings on the coast (Garry Wilkinson)
An Iceland Gull was in Coleraine (John Clarke)
5 Snow Bunting were on the cliff path at Portstewart near the old Strand Hotel building site. Same area had hundreds of waders including Golden Plover and a Red-throated Diver just off shore as well as Redwings on the coast (Garry Wilkinson)
A Jack Snipe was at Keeble, Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)
Thanks to John Clarke for this pic of the Iceland Gull and David Cassells for the Great Spotted Woodpecker from Dromore:
Thanks to John Clarke for this pic of the Iceland Gull and David Cassells for the Great Spotted Woodpecker from Dromore:
Request For Volunteers To Help With Heronry Census 2018
2018 is the 90th anniversary of the UK Heronries Census and BTO are hoping to achieve a full survey of all current and historical nest sites across Northern Ireland. That of course means more volunteers are needed! The survey method is straightforward and details will be provided. If you are interested in being part of this major survey, please contact Ian Enlander directly for further information email: ian.enlander1@hotmail.com. There is no need for existing heronry volunteers to get in touch.
I am particularly keen to hear from people who can cover the following areas which have a number of historical sites in them and are currently unallocated.
Key sites - Cookstown - Desertmartin.
Other sites - Augher - Clogher - Fivemiletown Loughgall - Benburb - Coalisland - Stoneyford - Dundrod - Crumlin - Randalstown - Toome - Clough - Dundrum - Armoy - Ballycastle - Bushmills Ballykelly - Limavadey - Dungiven.
A great chance for a good days birding while helping with this important survey programme.
I am particularly keen to hear from people who can cover the following areas which have a number of historical sites in them and are currently unallocated.
Key sites - Cookstown - Desertmartin.
Other sites - Augher - Clogher - Fivemiletown Loughgall - Benburb - Coalisland - Stoneyford - Dundrod - Crumlin - Randalstown - Toome - Clough - Dundrum - Armoy - Ballycastle - Bushmills Ballykelly - Limavadey - Dungiven.
A great chance for a good days birding while helping with this important survey programme.
Bird News Wednesday 28th February
Late news for yesterday was that an adult Mediterranean Gull was at Lurgan Park. On Monday the Smew was still at Portmore Lough (Suzanne Belshaw)
Thanks to Suzanne Belshaw for the pics of the Smew and the Med Gull:
Thanks to Suzanne Belshaw for the pics of the Smew and the Med Gull:
Bird News Tuesday 27th February
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Glynn (Joe Lamont)
The Green-winged Teal was still at the Ecos Centre, Ballymena (Adam McClure)
Some late news from Saturday. 4 Crossbill were seen at Slieveanorra forest, Co. Antrim (Godfrey McRoberts)
Bird News Monday 26th February
The 3rd year Glaucous Gull was still on Rathlin today (Ric Else and Hazel Watson)
A flock of at least 36 Stock Doves were today along the Ballyrolly Road, near Clough, Co Down. (David Nixon)
Blackcap, Linda Thompson:
Goldfinch, Wilf Swain:
Blackcap, Linda Thompson:
Goldfinch, Wilf Swain:
Bird News Sunday 25th February.
Ardglass had a 1st winter Iceland Gull and an ad Med. Gull.(Garry Armstrong )
An ad Med Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull where on the river at Strand Rd, Coleraine.(John Clarke)
A Black-throated Diver at Marlfield and the Iceland gull still at Portavogie. (Richard Weyl)
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Merchant's Quay, Newry.(David Knight)
There were two Red Throated Divers and a Great Northern off Portstewart Head( Sean Hickey )
14 Yellowhammers where on the concrete area in front of East Down Farmers(Paul Mulvenna)
An early Whimbrel and a Glaucous Gull where on Rathlin Island(Richard Else/Hazel Watson)
Our thanks to David Knight for the pic of the Iceland Gull and also to Paul Mulvenna for his pic of the two Yellowhammers,bottom pic is from Ric Else of the Whimbrel from Rathlin Island.
An ad Med Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull where on the river at Strand Rd, Coleraine.(John Clarke)
A Black-throated Diver at Marlfield and the Iceland gull still at Portavogie. (Richard Weyl)
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Merchant's Quay, Newry.(David Knight)
There were two Red Throated Divers and a Great Northern off Portstewart Head( Sean Hickey )
14 Yellowhammers where on the concrete area in front of East Down Farmers(Paul Mulvenna)
An early Whimbrel and a Glaucous Gull where on Rathlin Island(Richard Else/Hazel Watson)
Our thanks to David Knight for the pic of the Iceland Gull and also to Paul Mulvenna for his pic of the two Yellowhammers,bottom pic is from Ric Else of the Whimbrel from Rathlin Island.
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Bird News Saturday 24th February
Yesterday an adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 juvenile Iceland Gulls were at Enniskillen dump. (Brad Robson).
Thanks to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Goldcrest and to Christine Cunningham for the picture of the Wigeon:
Thanks to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Goldcrest and to Christine Cunningham for the picture of the Wigeon:
Bird News Friday 23rd February.
A Black Redstart was seen at Helens Bay,bird seen at carpark at coast guard cottages which takes you down to the boat house at shore line.(Ronnie/Lillian Snoddy) coast guard cottages are at the bottom of Coastguard Ave which is off the Craigdarragh Rd
A Spotted Redshank was at Myroe Co. L'derry this afternoon.(G Bareham/M.Tickner)
The Green-winged Teal remains at the Ecos centre in Ballymena.(Richard Gray).
A Red Throated Diver was in the bay at the first tee at the Old Course Portstewart at 2-30. (Sean Hickey).
A Spotted Redshank was at Myroe Co. L'derry this afternoon.(G Bareham/M.Tickner)
The Green-winged Teal remains at the Ecos centre in Ballymena.(Richard Gray).
A Red Throated Diver was in the bay at the first tee at the Old Course Portstewart at 2-30. (Sean Hickey).
The Ring-billed Gull was still at Carrick harbour (Joe Lamont)
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Black Redstart - Ronnie Snoddy.
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Bird News Thursday 22nd February.
An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Troopers Lane, Carrickfergus.(G.McGeehan)
A Red Kite was flying over the A1 at the quarry at Banbridge at 4.30pm.(Karen Elliott)
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Portavogie. (David Nixon).
At Inch Lake,Co.Donegal, the male Smew was viewable close to the floodgates. Blanket Nook had 15 Pink-footed Geese. (Hill Dick/Peter Robinson).
A female Scaup was at Belfast Lough RSPB reserve. (Derek Polley).
A Red Kite was flying over the A1 at the quarry at Banbridge at 4.30pm.(Karen Elliott)
A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Portavogie. (David Nixon).
At Inch Lake,Co.Donegal, the male Smew was viewable close to the floodgates. Blanket Nook had 15 Pink-footed Geese. (Hill Dick/Peter Robinson).
A female Scaup was at Belfast Lough RSPB reserve. (Derek Polley).
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| Long - tailed Tit - Wilfred Swain. |
Bird News Wednesday 21st February
In excellent conditions on the east side of Strangford Lough there were 69 Slavonian Grebe (6 at Horse Island, 54 between Kircubbin and Greyabbey and 9 off Newtownards Sailing Club), 4 Black-throated Diver at Kirbubbin and a Mediterranean Gull at Newtownards Sailing Club.
(Richard Weyl).
A pair of Ravens were at Belfast City Hall. (Paul McCullough).
Thanks to Noel Austin for the picture of the Water Rail, to Christine Cunningham for the picture of the Yellowhammer and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Meadow Pipit:
A pair of Ravens were at Belfast City Hall. (Paul McCullough).
Thanks to Noel Austin for the picture of the Water Rail, to Christine Cunningham for the picture of the Yellowhammer and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Meadow Pipit:
Bird News Tuesday 20th February
Yesterday a juvenile Iceland Gull was at Enniskillen dump. (Brad Robson).
The Turtle Dove was still in Doagh and the Green-winged Teal was at the Ecos Centre in Ballymena. (Brian McCloskey & Mark Stewart).
A 1st winter Iceland Gull and a 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull were at Waterworks Park in Belfast. (David Knight).
A 2nd calendar year female Hen harrier was hunting along the shore of Lough Neagh from Reedy Flat to Ardmore, this is possibly the bird that has recently been at Portmore. (James O'Neill).
Thanks to Mark Stewart for the picture of the Turtle Dove, to James O'Neill for the picture of the Hen Harrier, to David Knight for the picture of the Ring-billed Gull, to David Hill for the picture of the Sanderling and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Buzzard:
The Turtle Dove was still in Doagh and the Green-winged Teal was at the Ecos Centre in Ballymena. (Brian McCloskey & Mark Stewart).
A 1st winter Iceland Gull and a 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull were at Waterworks Park in Belfast. (David Knight).
A 2nd calendar year female Hen harrier was hunting along the shore of Lough Neagh from Reedy Flat to Ardmore, this is possibly the bird that has recently been at Portmore. (James O'Neill).
Thanks to Mark Stewart for the picture of the Turtle Dove, to James O'Neill for the picture of the Hen Harrier, to David Knight for the picture of the Ring-billed Gull, to David Hill for the picture of the Sanderling and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Buzzard:
Bird News Monday 19th February.
The Glossy Ibis, 3 Little Stint and the Great White Egret where still at Lough Beg, there was also 22 Ruff and a Great Northern Diver(Matthew Tickner/Gareth Bareham)
A Med Gull and a Sandwich Tern where at Kinnegar shore along with a number of freshly arrived Lesser-backed Gulls.(Kevin Kirkham)
The Glossy Ibis is still present at the RSPB Portmore Lough reserve.
A fem. Goosander was in Groomsport harbour this morning.(George Hall)
14 White-fronted Geese flying west and a Barnacle Goose where on Rathlin Island.(Ric Else/Hazel Watson)
A Med Gull and a Sandwich Tern where at Kinnegar shore along with a number of freshly arrived Lesser-backed Gulls.(Kevin Kirkham)
The Glossy Ibis is still present at the RSPB Portmore Lough reserve.
A fem. Goosander was in Groomsport harbour this morning.(George Hall)
14 White-fronted Geese flying west and a Barnacle Goose where on Rathlin Island.(Ric Else/Hazel Watson)
Bird News Sunday 18th February
A 1st winter Glaucous Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull were in Ardglass harbour this morning. A large mixed flock of Yellowhammers and Linnets is beside East Down Farmers. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown).
The Spoonbill was at Anne's Point this morning, a Black-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Divers and 3 Slavonian Grebes were off Kirkubbin Yacht Club, 18 Slavonian Grebes were in Greyabbey bay south and another 7 Slavonian Grebes were off Newtownards Sailing Club. (Garry Armstrong).
A first winter Iceland Gull was in Larne harbour. (Neal Warnock).
A Black-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver were north of Portaferry. (Michael Latham).
The hybrid Ring-billed Gull was at Millisle, the 2 Ruff were still at Kirkiston and the Iceland Gull was still at Portavogie. (Richard Weyl).
The Ring-billed Gull was at Carrickfergus harbour. (Paul McCullough).
Thanks to Kevin Kirkham-Brown for the picture of the Glaucous Gull, to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Buzzard to Michael Latham for the picture of the Black-throated Diver and to Paul McCullough for the picture of the Ring-billed Gull:
The Spoonbill was at Anne's Point this morning, a Black-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Divers and 3 Slavonian Grebes were off Kirkubbin Yacht Club, 18 Slavonian Grebes were in Greyabbey bay south and another 7 Slavonian Grebes were off Newtownards Sailing Club. (Garry Armstrong).
A first winter Iceland Gull was in Larne harbour. (Neal Warnock).
A Black-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver were north of Portaferry. (Michael Latham).
The hybrid Ring-billed Gull was at Millisle, the 2 Ruff were still at Kirkiston and the Iceland Gull was still at Portavogie. (Richard Weyl).
The Ring-billed Gull was at Carrickfergus harbour. (Paul McCullough).
Thanks to Kevin Kirkham-Brown for the picture of the Glaucous Gull, to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Buzzard to Michael Latham for the picture of the Black-throated Diver and to Paul McCullough for the picture of the Ring-billed Gull:
Turtle Dove
A Turtle Dove has been identified at a house in Doagh, Co. Antrim. The bird has been visiting the rear garden for over two weeks but has only been positively identified today.
The bird is only viewable from inside the house, the garden is surrounded by high fencing and the bird is only present intermittently.
The home owners have agreed to allow access to their home for birders to view the bird but this is strictly by prior agreement only. Please note there will be no access to the house tomorrow, Sunday.
If you wish to visit to try to see the bird please call Tom or Eleanor on 07815 699853.
The address is in Brook Meadows in Doagh.
The bird is only viewable from inside the house, the garden is surrounded by high fencing and the bird is only present intermittently.
The home owners have agreed to allow access to their home for birders to view the bird but this is strictly by prior agreement only. Please note there will be no access to the house tomorrow, Sunday.
If you wish to visit to try to see the bird please call Tom or Eleanor on 07815 699853.
The address is in Brook Meadows in Doagh.
Bird News Saturday 17th February
Yesterday 2 2nd winter Glaucous Gulls were at Garron Point on the Antrim coast. (Gavin Ferguson).
Today the 2 2nd winter Glaucous Gulls, a 1st winter Glaucous Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull were south of Garron Point and an adult Glaucous Gull to the north of the Point. (Stuart McKee & Garry Armstrong).
The Green-winged Teal is still at Ballymena Ecos park. (Jeff Larkin).
An Iceland Gull was at Portvogie and 2 Black -throated Divers south of Gransha Point. (Richard Weyl).
A 3rd winter Glaucous Gull was at Ushet Lake on Rathlin, 3 White-fronted Geese flew over the island. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).
A Slavonian Grebe was of Macedon Point in Belfast Lough. (Michael Latham).
8 Sandwich Terns were at Portaferry this afternoon. (Ian McKee).
A 3rd Winter Glaucous Gull was near Runkerry Point. A 2nd Winter Iceland Gull was near Dunseverick Harbour. Also seen there was a large flock of Twites containing at least 60 birds. (Colin Guy).
A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was Belfast Lough RSPB reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton).
A Little Egret was in Lurgan Park. (Phil Webb).
The Glossy Ibis was still at Portmore RSPB reserve. The Great White Egret and a Hen Harrier were at Mullagh, Lough Beg. (Richard Donaghey).
As well as the Glossy Ibis the red head Smew was also still present at Potmore RSPB reserve. (Linda Thompson)
Thanks to Gavin Ferguson for the picture of the Glaucous Gull, to Phil Webb for the picture of the Little Egret to Noel Austin for the picture of the Water Rail, to Paul Mulvenna for the picture of the Dipper, to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Cormorant and to Linda Thompson for the pictures of the Glossy |Ibis and the Smew:
Today the 2 2nd winter Glaucous Gulls, a 1st winter Glaucous Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull were south of Garron Point and an adult Glaucous Gull to the north of the Point. (Stuart McKee & Garry Armstrong).
The Green-winged Teal is still at Ballymena Ecos park. (Jeff Larkin).
An Iceland Gull was at Portvogie and 2 Black -throated Divers south of Gransha Point. (Richard Weyl).
A 3rd winter Glaucous Gull was at Ushet Lake on Rathlin, 3 White-fronted Geese flew over the island. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).
A Slavonian Grebe was of Macedon Point in Belfast Lough. (Michael Latham).
8 Sandwich Terns were at Portaferry this afternoon. (Ian McKee).
A 3rd Winter Glaucous Gull was near Runkerry Point. A 2nd Winter Iceland Gull was near Dunseverick Harbour. Also seen there was a large flock of Twites containing at least 60 birds. (Colin Guy).
A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was Belfast Lough RSPB reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton).
A Little Egret was in Lurgan Park. (Phil Webb).
The Glossy Ibis was still at Portmore RSPB reserve. The Great White Egret and a Hen Harrier were at Mullagh, Lough Beg. (Richard Donaghey).
As well as the Glossy Ibis the red head Smew was also still present at Potmore RSPB reserve. (Linda Thompson)
Thanks to Gavin Ferguson for the picture of the Glaucous Gull, to Phil Webb for the picture of the Little Egret to Noel Austin for the picture of the Water Rail, to Paul Mulvenna for the picture of the Dipper, to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Cormorant and to Linda Thompson for the pictures of the Glossy |Ibis and the Smew:
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