Bird News Monday 28th April 2025

A drake Garganey is at the Quoile. It is still present this evening. (Dan Baillie / David Stirling)

Swifts were seen over Lisburn this morning (Leia Giesel) and Ormeau / Lagan Meadows (Stuart Cossey)

A Garden Warbler was in song and seen along the Lagan towpath between Shaw's Bridge and Edenderry, Belfast. (Note plenty of Blackcaps also around). In Riverside bushes. (Dave Allen). https://maps.app.goo.gl/sjHXh5fx5LSFq5Jx6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

A male Ruff was at the high tide roost at Dundrum Bay north at 11:30 (Maurice McNeely)

Another Wood Warbler is on Rathlin near the Chapel. A Marsh Harrier is also present (Ric Else)

The drake Ring-necked Duck was at the south end of Lough Beg (Davy Hunter)

A camera lens hood has been found at Ballyheirnan Bay (Pacific Diver site). Please drop us an email if you believe it’s yours and we will try and get it back to you.

Whitethroat, Terry Hanna:

Wheatear (between Kinnegar and WoW), Paul Hunter:

Bird News Sunday 27th April 2025

The Little Gull is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Daniel Newton). At least 4 Mediterranean Gulls were also present. (Stuart McKee, Daniel Newton).

12 White Wagtails were at Todds Corner, Ardmore. (Chris Veale).

A Wood Warbler and Tree Pipit were at Kinramer, Rathlin this morning. Also another Tree Pipit near the East Lighthouse yesterday. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

The Cetti's Warbler was still near McNabbs Waste at Strand Lough. (David Stirling).

A Fieldfare was also on Rathlin. (Stuart Cossey).

2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese still at Bann Estuary. (John Spottiswood).

Swifts were seen over Finaghy. (Clive Mellon).

Male Ring-necked Duck, 20+ Swifts and 3 Ruff at Inch in Donegal. (Theo, Campbell/Chris Ingram).

An adult Little Gull and several Swift were at Portmore. (Garry Armstrong, Aaron Long).

A Carrion Crow was at Fair Head. (Clare Lickfold).

Wood Warbler, Ric Else.

Tree Pipit, Ric Else.

Little Gull, Michael Latham.

Mediterranean Gull, Michael Latham.

Little Gull, Aaron Long.

Bird News Saturday 26th April 2025

A drake American Wigeon is at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh (Garry Armstrong)

Both Cettis Warblers weee singing at Killough this morning (Chris Murphy)

Two Dark-bellied Brent were at the Bann Estuary (Dean Jones)

20 White Wagtail were at Todd’s Corner, Ardmore, Lough Neagh (Garry Armstrong)

A flyover Cattle Egret was reported from Portmuck this morning (Clare Lickfold)

2 Swift were over Lisburn this morning (Andrew Upton)

The Ring-necked Duck, a Great White Egret, 2 Arctic Terns and 20 White Wagtails were at Lough Beg (David Steele)

Rathlin had 3 Corncrake, a Pink-footed Goose and 15 White Wagtails (Stuart Cossey)

A high count of Whimbrel was 220 at Bannfoot, Lough Neagh (Clive Mellon)

The Bee-eater has been looked for from first light without success.

Cuckoo’s and Whitethroats are now widely reported.

Drake American Wigeon (left bird), Ed O’Hara:

Bird News Friday 25th April 2025

 The Little Gull was on Kinnegoe shore in Belfast Lough this morning. (Brian Douglas).

A Cuckoo was at Murlough. (Aidan Rodgers).

A flock of 14 Arctic Terns at Lough Beg this afternoon, also two Swifts, 60 Whimbrel migrating through and Ring-necked Duck still present. (David Steele).

A Bee-eater was at Bunbeg, Donegal. It was present most of the day but disappeared late afternoon before reappearing late this evening (Martin Deehan / Derek Brennan et al)

Grasshopper Warbler, Glen Calvert.

Bee-eater, Derek Brennan.

Bird News Thursday 24th April 2025

No sign of either Little Ringed Plover or Pectoral Sandpiper at Belfast Lough WoW early morning (Daniel Newton). Little Gull, 4 Common Terns, 5 Mediterranean Gulls - 2 pairs and 2cy at lunchtime (Mel O’Hagan / Stuart McKee). 3 Swifts (Derek Polley).

Cetti’s Warbler closest to Killough village still present (Chris Murphy).

2 Corncrakes now present on Rathlin (Ric Else/ Hazel Watson).

Dark phase Arctic Skua past St John’s Point (Warren Fowles).

Cuckoo calling at Cappanagh (Jimmy Christie). 

Unconfirmed report of Ring Ouzel picked up twice by Merlin early morning at Carrick Lough, Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone (Lee Bantting).

Bee-eater posted on Facebook photographed on 22nd April in garden just outside Ballymena for 5 minutes but flushed by Hooded Crow and not seen since (Stewart Rosborough).

Numerous Crossbills including a group of 15 and 2 Cuckoos at Jenkin Forest, Co Fermanagh (Colin Bell).

Grasshopper Warbler, Juliet Fleming;

Whimbrel, Richard Caves:

Bird News Wednesday 23rd April 2025

A Little Ringed Plover is at RSPB WoW (Adam McClure)

A Pectoral Sandpiper was also at RSPB WoW (Gerard McGeehan)

A Swift was over Holywood (Nathan Gilbert)

A Yellow Wagtail was at Killard Point this morning (Dan Baillie)

The Pink-footed Goose remains with Greylags at Waterfoot (Stephen Farquhar)

Two first summer Little Gulls are at RSPB WoW (Stuart McKee)

Two Great White Egret are at Dundrum Inner Bay. A Cettis Warbler was heard again at Killough (David Clarke / John Pyper)

8 Long-tailed Duck and circa 35 Common Scoter were on the Foyle at Magilligan this afternoon. Circa 30 White Wagtail were along the shore (Matthew Tickner)

A very grey Willlow Warbler, possibly an acredula, was at Ballymacormick Point (Bob Watts). Another bird was photographed at Craigavon lakes which looks almost certainly the Scandinavian race where 4 possibly 5 present (Ed O’Hara)

The Dotterel was still on Slieve Donnard (per Andrew Crory)

A Cuckoo was at Murley Mountain, Clabby, this evening (Colin Bell)

Whimbrel and Common Sandpipers are now widely reported as migrating through at present. Also, Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers are back in many breeding locations.

Great White Egret, David Clarke:

Whimbrel, David Hill:

An extremely grey looking Willow Warbler at Craigavon Lakes, Ed O'Hara:

You can see further local bird pics at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Bird News Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Yesterday a Ring Ouzel was on a power line on Greencastle Road, Greencastle, County Down. (Megan Kelly).

Two Grasshopper Warblers and a Reed Warbler were at Harbour meadows in Belfast. The Little Gull and a Common Tern are at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart Cossey).

Cuckoos calling this morning at Altikeeragh. (Michael Latham).

4 Grasshopper Warblers at Portballintrae. (Stephen Riddell).

This morning 20 Red Throated and 1 Great Northern Diver off lough shore Park in Belfast Lough. At RSPB  WoW now 1 1st summer Little Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull on porcupine island two on road side island also 1 first summer Mediterranean Gull on far shore, Common Tern around same area and a Whimbrel in the far corner. (Stuart McKee).

A male Yellowhammer is singing again in fields behind Billy Neill Country Park in Belfast, a Water Rail was also calling. (Bob Watts).

A Whimbrel is at the Barmouth and a Grasshopper Warbler is reeling below the golf tee on Barmouth Road. (James McDowell).

4 Whimbrel, 3 in flight towards Belfast Lough, were at Ballymacormack Point, a Wheatear was also present. (Caroline Russell).

A Dotterel is on Slieve Donard per TBennett. (Andrew Crory).

2 Common Sandpipers were at the hide at the Barmouth. (David Hill).

Jay, John Johnston.

Sedge Warbler, Comghal McQuillan.

Common Sandpiper, David Hill.

Bird News Monday 21st April 2025

2nd calendar year Little Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull at Belfast Lough WoW (Stuart McKee). Common Tern this evening (Daniel Newton).

Late news from yesterday of Rathlin’s first Corncrake for the year and Sedge Warbler singing (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Ring Ouzel picked up on call by Merlin app in Portaferry garden (Greg Sachno). 

Cetti’s Warbler still singing from near the brickworks, Killough. 4 Whimbrel St John’s Point (Garry Wilkinson / Nigel Moore).

No sign of Pacific Diver all day in Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Co Donegal (Wilton Farrelly).

Reeling Grasshopper Warbler Dunburren, Co Armagh (John Spottiswood).

Cuckoo at Carnmore Viewpoint, Co Fermanagh (Colin Bell).

Corncrake and 3 Great Skuas on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Grasshopper Warbler still reeling at Woodburn (Chris Hamilton).

3+ Reed Warblers singing at Lough Cowey, Portaferry (Ian Young).

Drake Ring-necked Duck at Lough Beg, also Russian White-fronted Goose, Cattle Egret, 2 Common Terns and 40 Whimbrel (David Steele).

Female Goosander with pair of Red-breasted Mergansers at Lady Bay (Garry Armstrong).

Blackcap, Michael Latham:

Bird News Sunday 20th April 2025

The two Cettis Warblers were dining this morning at Downpatrick Road, Killough (Chris Murphy)

The Pacific Diver was still at the east end of Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Donegal (Jamie Bliss / Daniel Newton). 57 Long-tailed Duck were also present.

A Grasshopper Warbler was the best on Rathlin (Ric Else)

Common Sandpipers are widely reported. One was at Victoria Park (Paul Hunter) and four were at Woodburn Reservoir (Sean Gibson et al)

Woodburn had male and Female Crossbill, a fly-over Pink-footed Goose and 3 reeling Grasshopper Warbler (Sean Gibson, Ian Young and Aaron Long)

The drake Ring-necked Duck was off the Tready Hide, Inch (Derek Brennan)

The Russian White-front was still at Lough Beg, also 32 Whimbrel, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and c.100 White Wagtails. (David Steele)

60+ Whimbrel were at Ballyquinton, Co Down along with 7 White Wagtails (Dermot Hughes / Richard Weyl)

A Reed Warbler was at Lough Cowey (Richard Weyl)

Four Long-tailed Duck and 9 Red-throated Diver were at Loughshore, Belfast Lough (Gerard McGeehan)

A first winter Little Gull and Common Sandpipers were off the Tready Hide, Inch (Steven Farquhar)

Pacific Diver, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Michael Latham:

BTO Breeding Heron Census

The annual BTO heronry census is underway again with reports already coming in of chicks in nests. However there are also quite a few reports of apparently abandoned heronries (including all of my regular sites) some clearly related to our recent storms. There have also been a number of sites around the Lough Neagh area (where a significant proportion of the NI population breed) which have been lost entirely or are experiencing a reduction in numbers.

That would suggest there are potentially a lot of herons looking for new homes. The BTO census involves annual resurveys of known sites but doesn't include searching for new sites (although a few are found each year by surveyors).

If you know of or find a nesting site, please check the location against known sites on the BTO system -https://app.bto.org/colonies/public/vacant-sites.jsp. If the site is unknown, or if you aren't sure if it is a new site, email me [ian.enlander(AT)hotmail.com] details including site area, grid ref (preferably 10 fig) and, if possible, best estimate of active nest totals. 

You can find out more about the BTO heronry census at https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/heronries-census/about-heronries-census 

The most recent report on the UK census is at https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/heronries_census_2024_summary_final.pdf 

Many thanks, 

Ian Enlander. 

NI BTO Heronries Census regional organiser

Bird News Saturday 19th April 2025

The Pacific Diver was still at the east end of Ballyheirnan beach in Donegal. (Aaron Long). The bird moved to the west end of the beach this afternoon. (Wilton Farrelly)

The Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail were still near Killough Brickworks. (Andrew Crory)

50+ White Wagtails were in a reseeded field in the centre of Reedy Flats. (Garry Armstrong,  Ed O’Hara).

A Stock Dove was at the east end and more White Wagtails were in the field with the excavator. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).

A Garden Warbler was at Share Centre near Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

A Great Northern Diver in summer plumage and 17 Red-throated Diver, many in summer plumage too, were at Minerstown, Dundrum Bay, Down. Reported Hoopoe at Maghera looked for without success. (Chris Murphy).

A Russian White-front was at Lough Beg this afternoon. Also Osprey, female Merlin, adult summer Spotted Redshank, 20+ White Wagtails and two ‘Greenland-type’ Wheatears. (David Steele).

2 subadult Little Gulls and a Barnacle Goose were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Steven Farquhar).

3-400 hirundines, mostly Sand Martins, 4 Sandwich and 2 Common Terns, 2 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper were at  the Quoile. (Chris Murphy).

A Grasshopper Warbler was at the Giants Causeway Organ Pipes. (Chris McNally).

Russian Whitefront, David Steele.

Ocean

Blog visitors may be interested in local showings of David Attenborough’s latest film - Ocean. 

You can learn more at:

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Tickets can be obtained at:

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Bird News Friday 18th April 2025

The Pacific Diver is still at Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Co Donegal this morning (Stephen Dunbar).

2 Bonxies the first of the year also adult male Merlin, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, adult Mediterranean Gull, Wheatears and White Wagtails on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson). 17 Pinkfeet in off the sea, 3 Common Sandpipers, c30 Purple Sandpipers (Dean Jones).

No sign of the Hoopoe in the Maghera area this morning with local fields searched extensively (Mike McLaughlin / David McCreedy).

Green Sandpiper in Blackstaff Creek, Dundrum Upper Bay (Stuart Cossey).

Female Ruff from the hide at the Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood).

Pacific Diver, Stephen Dunbar:

House Martin, Glen Calvert:

Bird News Thursday 17th April 2025

A Cuckoo was at Altikerragh (John Clarke)

A Common Sandpiper was at the Barmouth (Ian Young). A Ruff and Common Sandpiper were off the hide (John Clarke)

A Pacific Diver was at the east end of Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Donegal (Robert Vaughan)

A Corncrake was a new arrival at Tory Island this morning (Anton Meenan)

A Little Ringed Plover was at Inch, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

A singing Sedge Warbler was at the Bann Estuary (Martin Deehan)

One of the Cettis Warblers was at Killough. Best at the Quoile was the two Pink-footed Geese and a Common Sandpiper (Chris Murphy)

A new Little Ringed Plover was at Lough Beg this afternoon (David Steele)

There is an unconfirmed report of a Hoopoe at Maghera, Castlewellan, Co Down at this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fYbvYvdAuVFgrQJZ6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy