No news so far today.
Bird News Wednesday 10th February
The first winter Glaucous Gull was on the sea at Portstewart (John Clarke)
A Black-throated Diver was at Carnalea, Bangor and 5 Twite were at Ballymacormick Point.
An adult Med. Gull was at the off road car parks on Seacliffe Road, Bangor. (Tom Ennis)
Purple Sandpiper, Guy Hamilton:
Rook, Juliet Fleming:
Bird News Tuesday 9th February.
A Med Gull was seen at Whitehouse Lagoon.(David Stirling)
11 Whooper Swan where in a field nr Comber.(Stephen Maxwell)
A Whimbrel was at Ballymacormick Point.(Richard Weyl)
Yesterday 22 Pink-footed Geese where seen in fields around Larne Lough.(Cameron Moore).
Our thanks to Linda Thompson for this photo of a Treecreeper.
Bird News Monday 8th February
A Brambling is visiting a garden in Lurgan, see pictures below. (Michael Henderson).
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling at Aberdelghy Golf Course near Derriaghy today. (Suzanne Belshaw).
Thanks to Michael Henderson for the pictures of the Brambling and to Suzanne Belshaw for the picture of the Great Spotted Woodpecker:
Bird News Sunday 7th February
An adult Kumliens Gull was at Clea Lake, Keady this evening. Also present were 2 first winter Iceland Gulls, the adult Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid and 6 argentatus Herring Gull (Brian McCloskey)
A female Merlin was at South Island, Greyabbey (Sam Thomas)
The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at Belfast Waterworks (Stuart McKee)
Kumliens Gull, Brian McCloskey:
Bird News Saturday 6th February
A first winter Iceland Gull was seen off Loughshore Park, Belfast Lough (Brian Murphy)
Up to 17 Twite were on the beach east of Briggs Rocks and around the Caravan Park at Groomsport. (Richard Weyl / Sam Thomas). Fourteen Purple Sandpipers were also there.
The Marsh Harrier was seen again at Portmore Lough RSPB this morning. (Ed O'Hara). The bird made several appearances during the afternoon. (Michael Latham).
A Red Kite was in the Antrim hills. (Kenny Moore).
16 Purple Sandpipers were at Newcastle Harbour, 1150 Scoter were offshore. Yesterday 17 Whoopers were with Greylags, Mute Swans and Lapwings at Farranfad. (Andrew Crory).
3 Whooper Swans were in a flooded field at Drone Hill Road near Banbridge. (Mike McLaughlin).
Thanks to Michael Latham for the pictures of the Marsh Harrier and the Siskin and to Mike McLaughlin for the picture of the Sparrowhawk:
Bird News Friday 5th February
A Woodcock was flushed at Kilfennan Valley Park, Derry (Theo Campbell, Richard Smith, David Hill)
RSPB Portmore Lough had 1 Great White Egret, 1 Marsh Harrier,1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine, 3 Smew and 5 Tree Sparrow. (Tony Dodds)
The first winter Glaucous Gull was at Portstewart (Donna Riddell)
Our thanks to Mike McLaughlin for the photo off the Sparrowhawk. Also to Christine Cunningham for the Yellowhammer.
Bird News Thursday 4th February
A Great White Egret flew over the A6 Glenshane Road near Ballynahone Bog, last seen heading in the direction of Bellaghy (Andrew Crory)
The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at Belfast Waterworks (Stuart McKee)
At Lough Beg, the female Smew and two Great Northern Divers were present (David Steele)
14 Yellowhammer were visiting a garden in Banbridge (Mike McLaughlin)
The Great White Egret was still at Portmore Lough (Richard Caves)
This afternoon at River Lagan, Flatfield, Moira were 212 Greylag Geese and 154 Whooper Swan (Jim Wells)
Ring-billed Gull, Stuart McKee:
BTO NI Training and Events Spring 2021
Unfortunately, due to ongoing uncertainty around lockdown, BTO NI has taken the decision to cancel our planned spring field events, details of which were distributed in January.
However, we do have a great programme of upcoming online events, please see below for details.
Online Training and Events Programme
Spring 2021
All events and sessions will be held on the Zoom platform.
All events are FREE of charge!
If restrictions on outdoor gatherings permit, we may hold informal field outings in association with the Bird ID and BTO Projects courses from April on. All field outings will be entirely outdoors, socially-distanced and limited to twelve participants. They will be subject to whatever NI Executive restrictions are in place at the time.
Date | Time | Description | Booking Link |
Sat 6th Mar | 10:00-12:00 | Garden BirdWatch (GBW) Training | |
| Wed 10th Mar | 15:00-17:00 | Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Training | |
Thu 18th Mar | 19:00-20:30 | NI Seabird Report Launch | |
Sat 27th Mar | 10:00-12:00 | Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Training | |
| Sat 3rd Apr Sat 10th Apr Sat 17th Apr | 10:00-12:00 | Bird ID and BTO Projects Training 1 – three online modules, complemented by supported self-study exercises and optional field outings | |
| Tue 6th Apr Tue 13th Apr Tue 20th Apr | 10:00-12:00 | Bird ID and BTO Projects Training 2 – three online modules, complemented by supported self-study exercises and optional field outings | |
| Tue 18th May Tue 25th May Tue 1st June | 19:00-21:00 | Bird ID and BTO Projects Training 3 – three online modules, complemented by supported self-study exercises and optional field outings |
--
Stephen Hewitt
British Trust for Ornithology
Northern Ireland Officer
07784546403
My usual working days are Monday to Wednesday inclusive.
Bird News Wednesday 3rd February
A Great Spotted Woodpecker is visiting a garden near Stoneyford outside Lisburn. (Seamus O'Hara).
A Long-tailed Duck and Great Northern Diver were off Myroe, 103 Whoopers and 3 Greylags were on the fields. (Martin Deehan).
3 Iceland Gull were at Clea Lake, Keady this evening with circa 45 Herring Gull.
The Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret and Smew were still at Portmore (Adam McClure)
Bird News Tuesday 2nd February
The red head Smew was still at Portmore Lough this morning (Comghal McQuillan)
Great White Egret, David Stirling:
The Great White Egret was still at Portmore Lough this afternoon (David Stirling)
Three Iceland Gull and 4 argentatus Herring Gull were at Clea Lake, Keady, this evening.
Smew, Comghal McQuillan:
Iceland (3) and Herring Gulls, Clea Lake:
argentatus Herring Gull, Clea Lake:
Bird News Monday 1st February
A Black-throated Diver was off Whitehead this morning.(Ian Enlander)
The female Smew was showing well in small lagoon off viewing platform at RSPB Portmore Lough, also Great White Egret and Marsh Harrier at same spot.(Colin Mayes)
A 3rd winter Glaucous Gull and a juv Iceland Gull seen at Enniskillen dump. (Brad Robson)
Our thanks to Katherine Martin for the photo of the Whooper Swans. Also to Christine Cunningham for the Jay.
Bird News Sunday 31st January
A red head Smew was at Portmore Lough (Garry Armstrong) The Great White Egret was also seen again this morning. (Gerard McGeehan & Shirley Dunlop).
950 Common Scoter were off the public car park at Tyrella, also present in the area were: 500 Brent Geese, 2000 Golden Plover, 1000 Lapwings, 160 Sanderling, 120 Curlew, 60 Ringed Plover, 150 Skylark, 12 Tree Sparrows, 2 Twite. 15 Stock Doves in Killough was an increase from seven two weeks ago and the most seen here in 16 years, also 15 Tree Sparrows at garden feeders (Chris Murphy)
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at Belfast Waterworks (Wilton Farrelly).
The male Black Redstart was on Greencastle beach near the lifeboat station. (John Spottiswood).
950 Common Scoter were off the public car park at Tyrella, also present in the area were: 500 Brent Geese, 2000 Golden Plover, 1000 Lapwings, 160 Sanderling, 120 Curlew, 60 Ringed Plover, 150 Skylark, 12 Tree Sparrows, 2 Twite. 15 Stock Doves in Killough was an increase from seven two weeks ago and the most seen here in 16 years, also 15 Tree Sparrows at garden feeders (Chris Murphy)
Thanks to John Spottiswood for the picture of the Black Redstart and to Donna Riddell for the picture of the Glaucous Gulls at Portballintrae:
Bird News Saturday 30th January
The Marsh Harrier and the Great White Egret were both at Portmore Lough RSPB this morning. (Garry Armstrong)
1w Iceland Gull and adult argentatus Herring Gull:
Three Glaucous Gulls were at the mouth of the river Bush , Portballintrae (John Clarke)
62 Tree Sparrow were visiting a garden at Kilraughts Road, Ballymoney (Derek McIntyre)
Between Donaghadee and Groomsport were an adult Little Gull (north of Donaghadee), 30 Stock Dove (Portavoe), 3 Whimbrel and an adult Mediterranean Gull (Brigg’s Rocks) and 3 Jack Snipe (Sheep Point). (Richard Weyl)
Gull numbers at Clea Lake, Keady have reduced significantly. This evening circa 50 birds were present with the best been one Iceland Gull and 3 agentatus Herring Gulls.
Portaferry had 14 Sandwich Terns yesterday (John Wilson Foster)
Glaucous Gull, John Clarke:
Bird News Friday 29th January
A Mediterranean Gull was with Black-headed Gulls at Bangor Marina. (Derek Polley).
2 Long-tailed Ducks and 9 Slavonian Grebes were off Newtownards Sailing Club in Strangford Lough, another 17 Slavonian Grebes were in Greyabbey Bay. (Richard Weyl).
The Spotted Redshank was with a large flock of geese and waders at high tide, in a field at the 12 Arches end of Dundrum South Inner Bay today. (David Nixon).
Bird News Thursday 28th January
An adult Little Gull was at Ballyholme Beach this evening. (Richard Weyl)
A garden in Banbridge had two Red Kite over and 8 Yellowhammer (Mike McLaughlin)
Tree Sparrow in a garden near Hillsborough, Juliet Fleming:
Bird News Wednesday 27th January.
A flock of 40+Tree Sparrow where visiting a garden outside of Banbridge.(Mike McLaughlin)
Two first winter Glaucous Gulls were at Corbally reservoir near Portrush.(John Clarke)
Two Slav. Grebes where at Macedon Point.(Joe Lamont)
Our thanks to Christine Cunningham for this image of a Red-breasted Merganser.
Bird News Tuesday 26th January
22 Pink-footed Geese were at Steele’s Point, Larne Lough (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop)
An adult hybrid Herring Gull x Glaucous Gull, 2 1w Iceland and 2 1w Glaucous with at least 20 Argentatus Herring Gull were at Clea Lake, Keady this evening.
Below is a picture of the hybrid Herring x Glaucous Gull from Clea Lake:
Bird News Monday 25th January
5 Twite are at Sand Bay, Larne (Ed Simpson)
10 Tree Sparrow were visiting a garden at Killinchy Road, Comber (Dave Weir)
Red Kite, Dromara, Shona McVea:
Jay, Dave Weir:
Reed Bunting, Mike McLaughlin:
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