Bird News Wednesday 4th July

No news so far today.

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this picture of a Swift:

Bird News Tuesday 3rd July.

On Friday a Barn Owl was hunting and screeching behind a house on Windmill Road, Hillsborough (Julie & Victor Clingen). On Saturday a Barn Owl was seen hunting along a garden hedge at 10pm Magheradartin Road, Hillsborough (Louise & Derek McGregor) and possibly the same owl on the Magheradartin Road just after midnight (Gayle & Garry Wilkinson)

Whitethroat - Alistair McLean

Bird News Monday 2nd July

No news today.

Many thanks to Wilf Swain for this pic of a Black Guillemot:

Bird News Sunday 1st July

A Roseate Tern was on the back shore at RSPB WoW this morning (Garry Armstrong)

A flock of Crossbills were seen at Capanagh (Michael Latham)

Last night two Long-eared Owls were along Glenkeen Road, Aghadowey. (Ian Frazer)

Female Crossbill, Michael Latham:

Whitethroat, Jonny Rosborough

Bird News Saturday 30th June

No news so far today.

Thanks to Thomas Campbell for the pictures of a Puffin and Manx Shearwaters taken on a trip around the Copeland Islands:

Bird News Friday 29th June.

There was a family off Spotted Flycatchers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker beside car park lay-by at saw mills clandeyboye estate today (Harry Byron)

The Ruff still present at the WOW reserve in Belfast along with a Greenshank and 3 Common Sandpiper.(Daniel Newton)

A male Hen Harrier was seen near Lisnakea.(Brian Sutton)

Spotted Flycatcher - Harry Bryon.

Bird News Thursday 28th June

The male Ruff and a Common Sandpiper were at RSPB WoW today (Derek Polley).

A Red Kite was over Ballydrain Road near Comber this morning. (Ernie Parton).

Thanks to Thomas Campbell for this pic of a Whinchat:

Bird News Wednesday 27th June

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker has been visiting a garden between Crossgar and Killyleagh for most of the last two weeks. (Paul Megahey).

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Swift and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Buzzard:

Bird News Tuesday 26th June

2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen on the drive up to Seaforde House, Co Down (Richard Caves)

The male Ruff was still at RSPB WoW this morning (Michael Irvine)

Thanks to David Hunter for this pic of a Common Tern:

Bird News Monday 25th June.

The Ruff was still at the WOW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton)

Slightly further afield... An Osprey was seen at Lough Nacung, nr. Gweedore Co. Donegal. (Adam McClure)

Tree Sparrow - Dick Glasgow

Peregrine - Cameron Moore

Bird News Sunday 24th June

The summer plumaged Ruff was still present at Belfast Lough WOW reserve this morning. (Garry Armstrong). This afternoon five Sanderling, the Ruff, a first summer Med Gull and a Roseate Tern were present (Stuart McKee)

A Stock Dove was also present at Belfast WOW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton).

A Cuckoo and several Whinchat were in the Antrim hills above Cushendun. (Michael Latham).

A Manx Sherwater was seen in the middle of Lough Neagh at 6am last Wednesday morning. (Patrick Devlin)

Thanks to Thomas Campbell for the picture of the Whitethroat and to Andrew Poots for the picture of the Spotted Flycatcher:

 

 

Bird News Saturday 23rd June

There was a 2nd calendar year Little Gull at the West Ardmore Road, south shore of Neagh yesterday. (James O’Neil)

A Ruff in nearly full breeding plumage was among Lapwing at RSPB WOW. (Brian Douglas)

An early morning trip over the Antrim Hills produced Whinchats, several Spotted Flycatchers and a Cuckoo (Michael Latham)

Late news of a Manx Shearwater on Lower Lough Erne Co Fermanagh on Tuesday in the strong north westerly winds, a 2nd county record (Fionnbarr Cross per Brad Robson)

Whinchat, Michael Latham:

Ruff, Brian Douglas:

Bird News Friday 22nd June

Yesterday a leucistic Starling that could be mistaken for a Rose-coloured Starling was in Belfast, see pictures below. (Alan Wiggins).

Thanks to Alan Wiggins for the pictures of the leucistic Starling and to Ian Jackson for the picture of the Swift:

Bird News Thursday 21st June

Seven Crossbill were at Slieveanorra, Co Antrim (Brian Murphy)

A Spotted Flycatcher and young were at Derrymore Wood, Bessbrook (Frank Carroll)

A Black Swan was at Inch, Co Donegal (Gareth Platt)

Thanks to Alastair McLean for this pic of a Sedge Warbler:

Bird News Wednesday 20th June

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Ballyskeagh, near Lisburn this evening (Robert Scott)

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this picture of a male Hen Harrier from Co Antrim:

Bird News Tuesday 19th June

No news so far today.

Thanks to David Steele for the picture of the eclipse American Wigeon at Lough Beg yesterday and to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Whinchat:

 

 

Bird News Monday 18th June

An eclipse male American Wigeon was with seven male Eurasian Wigeon in Church Bay, Lough Beg. (David Steele)

Bird News Sunday 17th June

A Little Gull was still present at the Bann Estuary this morning (Brian Murphy)

Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen at Oxford Island (R Illingworth)

The Rosy Starling influx continues with birds reported throughout Britain and Ireland so keep a look out for one with your local Starlings.

Great Skua, Rathlin - Linda Thompson:

Wilf Swain - Sparrowhawk:

Bird News Saturday 16th June

A Stock Dove and 3 Knot were at Belfast Lough WOW Reserve this morning. (Garry Armstrong).

This morning a Great Skua was on the water off the west lighthouse, Rathlin, having killed an auk. Several hours later a pair of Great Skuas was seen at Kebble, Rathlin. (Ian & Philip McKee).

Bird News Friday 15th June

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Eshywulligan, Co Fermanagh. (Clive Mellon)