Bird News Thursday 16th October 2025

The Black Tern and the Great White Egret were still at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

A flock of up to 40 Twite were seen briefly at Ramore Head in Portrush. (Juliet Fleming).

A single Ruff was at Tidebank in Newtownards this morning. (Kerry Leonard).

A Merlin was at Myroe. (John Spratt).

An Osprey flew past Croaghan hide at Oxford Island. (Steve Brennan).

A Spotted Redshank, possibly a returning bird, is in the channel in Dundrum Inner Bay South. 3 juvenile Curlew Sandpipers were in the north Inner Bay. (David Nixon)

Possibly as many as 3 Yellow-browed Warblers are on Tory in Donegal. (Anton Meenan)

Off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough were 6 Velvet Scoter, 5 Slavonian Grebes, 7 Red-throated Divers and a Common Scoter looking towards Kinnegar but moving down the Lough slowly. (Stuart McKee, Dermot Hughes).

2 Pectoral Sandpipers were at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

Pectoral Sandpiper, David Steele.

BTO NI Autumn Wetland Birding

 

Develop your Autumn Wetland Birding skills at BTO NI's event this Saturday 18th October.

 At the Barmouth Bird Hide on the Bann Estuary, meeting in Castlerock.

Three spaces have become available for our birding event this weekend! Join us for some relaxed wetland birding to enjoy autumn's avian delights and practice Wetland Bird Survey techniques. Whether you’re new to birdwatching or more experienced, come along to learn from others and share your knowledge. All from the comfort and shelter of the Barmouth Bird Hide. 

It's free but booking is essential, please find more details and booking here: 

https://www.bto.org/our-work/events/autumn-wetland-birding-castlerock-northern-ireland

Bird News Wednesday 15th October 2025

Harlequin still at Port Arthur Beach, Donegal (Samuel Weber).

American Golden Plover still with flighty Golden Plover flock at Lough Beg also Little Stint and Slavonian Grebe. AGP relocated at Church Island in the afternoon…also single Pectoral Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper and Jack Snipe (David Steele).

Merlin at Ballyquintin Point (Bob Watts). 3 Pinkfeet on Monday (Hugh Thurgate). 

2 Chiffchaffs and male Blackcap Bar Hall Bay (Bob Watts).

7+ Mediterranean Gulls in bay near Knockinelder car park. 20+ Mediterranean Gulls south end beach Cloughey (Bob Watts).

2 Pinkfeet and a Chiffchaff Kearney (Bob Watts).

Red-necked Grebe in Dundrum Bay (Darrell Prest).

Ringtail Hen Harrier and Kestrel on Divis (John O’Boyle).

Juvenile Arctic Tern, Black-throated and c12 Red-throated Divers Mill Bay Inch. c13 Ruff, F Scaup and 3 juvenile White-rumped Sandpipers,Inch Lake..1 Grey Plover, juvenile American Golden Plover Blanket Nook (Theo Campbell / Paul McSwiggan).

11 Mediterranean Gulls at Ballyholme Bay (Anthony McGeehan).

American Golden Plover, David Steele:

BTO NI Birdwatchers Conference

 

Just a reminder of this BTO event at Oxford Island on the 1st November. Details here: https://www.bto.org/our-work/events/bto-northern-ireland-birdwatchers-conference-2025?dm_i=1L9X,91WAW,7CXHV0,11UFLD,1

Bird News Tuesday 14th October 2025

A Great White Egret is at Oxford Island (Ed O’Hara)

A Pied Flycatcher was in the magic bush, West Town, Tory. A Long-eared Owl was also present. (Anton Meenan)

Inch Lake, Donegal had four juvenile White-rumped Sandpipers off the Tready hide. Over 1500 Greylags arrived today. (Derek Brennan)

A Yellow-browed Warbler was on Rathlin Island, near the school (Dean Jones) Also on Rathlin were several flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare as well as Long-tailed Tits and two Crossbill (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

Yesterday a male Hen Harrier and 21 Twite were on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

The juvenile American Golden Plover was still at Blanketnook, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

A Short-eared Owl was on Rathlin (Jonathan Mann / William Oswald)

12 Common Scoter were off Magilligan (William Smiton)

Another American Golden Plover was with the large Golden Plover flock at Lough Beg  Two Pectoral Sandpiper were also present (David Steele)

Macedon Point, Belfast Lough had a Red-necked Grebe and two Slavonian Grebe. 13 Common Scoter were also present along with high counts of 90 Red-breasted Merganser and 3500+ Eider (Stuart McKee)

A red head Goosander and Slavonian Grebe were at Glynn (Jeff Larkin)

American Golden Plover, Derek Brennan:

Bird News Monday 13th October 2025

 The Harlequin Duck was seen again this morning in the area between Bloody Foreland and Meenacladdy in Donegal.

A Black Tern is at Kinnegoe Marina at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting the fields at St John's Point this morning. (Dan Baillie)

A Lapland Bunting was at Fair Head. (Ian Young).

Singles of Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper continuing at Lough Beg, also two Pinkfeet still. (David Steele).

An American Golden Plover was at Blanket Nook in Donegal. (Derek Brennan).

Black Tern, Ed O'Hara.

Bird News Sunday 12th October 2025

Female Harlequin still present at Bloody Foreland, Donegal at same site as yesterday evening having flown in from west. Moved east to rock pool at Meenacladdy mid morning (Sean Farrell / Garry Armstrong / Philip West / David Steele).

The female / immature Marsh Harrier still at Copeland Bird Observatory. Also juvenile Merlin, single Blackcap and Chiffchaff (David Stirling).

Grey-cheeked Thrush still on Tory (Eamon Larissey). Please note none of the gardens on Tory should be entered and we rely on the goodwill of local observers providing updates on interesting sightings. All gardens can be viewed adequately from the exterior.

3 White-rumped Sandpipers in the drainage channel at Myroe. Summer plumaged Black-throated Diver, 20 Red-throated Diver and 4 Slavonian Grebes at the Ballykelly end of Myroe (Garry Armstrong / Philip West / David Steele).

6 Crossbill, White-fronted Goose and a Wheatear on Rathlin. Also 2 Hen Harrier including a male, a single Twite, a probable migrant Treecreeper and a flock of 25 Coal Tit (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Harlequin, Philip West:

White-rumped Sandpiper with Dunlin, Michael Latham:

Bird News Saturday 11th October 2025

A Cettis Warbler was ringed on the RSPB Harbour Meadows Reserve this morning (Jim McNair / Stuart Cossey / Jasmijn Hofman)

One of the Harlequin Ducks was seen this morning at 9am in north Donegal (Jim Dowdall / Tom Shevlin)  The bird continued to move west towards Bloody Foreland mid morning. The bird was last seen here, early evening: https://maps.app.goo.gl/zn9y13dXmTL6SpXAA?g_st=ipc

Two Great White Egret were off Croghan Hide, Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)

A Little Stint was at Myroe (Mark McCullough)

Two White-rumped Sandpipers were in the drainage ditch at Myroe. A Wood Sandpiper was at the Eglington Embankment along with 5 Pink-feet (Dean Jones)

A drake Lesser Scaup was at Portmore Lough (Garry Armstrong)

A Red-eyed vireo is on Arranmore, Donegal c. 300m SW of harbour in mature sycamores. Also over 150 Crossbill were seen (Matthew Tickner) https://maps.apple.com/place?coordinate=54.988210,-8.498830&name=Marked%20Location&map=h

A high count of 40 Red-throated Dicer were in Dundrum Bay along with 16 Common Scoter and 300 Knot (Gary Wilkinson)

A Great White Egret was opposite the Castle Island Hide, the Quoile (Warren Fowles)

A female / immature Marsh Harrier and 25 Twite were on Copeland Bird Observatory (David Stirling)

A Great White Egret was at Lough Beg and a Wheatear at Divis Mountain (Dakota Reid / Martin Clift)

The Grey-cheeked Thrush was again seen at the east end of Tory Island, also 2 Lapland Buntings and Willow Warbler (Tony Dodds / Billy Miskelly / Sean Gibson). Also present on the island a Common Rosefinch (Anton Meenan).

43 Twite and a Crossbill on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Little Stint, Mark McCullough:

Red-eyed Vireo, Matthew Tickner:

Grey-cheeked Thrush, Mark Stewart:

Bird News Friday 10th October 2025

The 2 Harlequin Ducks are still at Magheroarty and the Grey-cheeked Thrush is still on Tory in Donegal. (Wilton Farrelly)

A Slavonian Grebe was on Corbally Reservoir near Portrush this morning. (John Clarke).

A Red Kite was on the Larne side of the Sandy Knowes roundabout early this afternoon. (George Stewart).

A Slavonian Grebe is at Lough Beg. Also single Glossy Ibis, five Great White Egret, singles of Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank and Swallow. (David Steele).

About 30 Whoopers were at Strand Lough, Killough, this morning. (Ann Feltham).

31 Pinkfeet and a Whimbrel were at Kearney on the outer Ards. (Richard Weyl).

Two Great White Egret and 6 Ruff were at Lough Beg. (Richard Gray, Garry & Gayle Wilkinson).

A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Portmore. (Sean Gibson).

65 Sandwich Terns were roosting in Killyleagh Harbour.  3 Ruffs were in the bay ak Kilclief and the leucistic Great Black Backed Gull is back in Ardglass Harbour. (David Nixon & Philip McHaffie)

Four Little Gulls (three adults, one juvenile) off Magilligan Point. (David Steele).

Bird News Thursday 9th October 2025

The Grey-cheeked Thrush is still present at the east end garden, Tory Island (Aaron Long / Ian Young)

A Black Tern was at Oxford Island this morning (Ed O’Hara)

Two Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Ruff were next to the Kilclief GAA pitch (David Stirling)

A Red-eyed Vireo has been found in Graces Garden, Tory Island (first garden in East Town) (Aaron Long / Ian Young)

A Black Tern is at Kinnego Marina, Oxford Island (Richard Gray)

A second and third Red-eyed Vireo have been now found at Anton’s West Town Garden, Tory Island. (Robert Vaughan)

A White-tailed Eagle was seen over Carnlough, Co Antrim this morning (Keith Glasgow)

Two Harlequin Duck are at Magheroarty, Co Donegal (Aaron Long, Robert Vaughan, Ian Young). This is the first Irish record of this species.

A Tree Pipit was heard flying over Aranmore, Donegal. there was no sign of the Blackpoll Warbler today (Matthew Tickner)

4 Whooper Swan flew over Dunmurry this afternoon, heading toward Lough Neagh (Chris Acheson)

Red-eyed Vireo, Aaron Long:

Harlequin Ducks, Aaron Long:

White-tailed Eagle, Keith Glasgow:

Bird News Wednesday 8th October 2025

Grey-cheeked Thrush showing well on Tory, Co Donegal at east end of island also 1w Red-backed Shrike still present in Grace’s garden (Anton Meenan).

Blackpoll Warbler still present same area on Arranmore, Donegal 1pm (Matthew Tickner)

No sign yesterday 0745-noon of Swainson’s Theush at Malinmore More, Co Donegal.

Redwing over David Lloyd gym Dundonald at 1025 (Bob Watts).

Juvenile Sabine’s Gull past St John’s Point, also flock of 30+ Swallows through (David Stirling).

Green Sandpiper from the Blackstaff Road near Dundrum (David Stirling).

Pinkfoot of unknown origin with feral Greylags at the feeding station on Hillsborough Lake (David Nixon).

New Little Stint at Church Island, Lough Beg (David Steele).

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull Antrim Marina (Gareth Platt).

Great White Egret at Ardmore, Lough Neagh (David Knight).

Male Merlin mobbed by finches and crows at Ballygally Castle (Paula Campbell).

Great White Egret at Lady Dixon Park along the River Lagan (Tim Jess).

2 Red Kite in the Antrim Hills (Ivan Cullen).

Blackpoll Warbler, Matthew Tickner:

Pink-footed Goose, David Nixon:

Kittiwake, Gareth Platt:

Great White Egret, Tim Jess:

Islay Boat Trip

 There is one seat available for the boat trip to Islay on Saturday 11th October. If interested you can contact Jim Wells on 07856 235144 for full details.

Bird News Tuesday 7th October 2025

The Grey-cheeked Thrush is still on Tory this morning. (Chris Ingram). A Red-backed Shrike is present this afternoon. (Derek Brennan).

A ringtail Hen Harrier and a Great White Egret were at Oxford Island this morning. (Ed O'Hara).

The Blackpoll Warbler was present again in the same area on Arranmore in Donegal. At least 350 Barnacles were seen passing the island.  (Matthew Tickner).

A Long-tailed Skua was seen from the Belfast to Cairnryan ferry. (Birdguides).

Two Little Gulls were at Magilligan. (Stephen Riddell).

50 Whoopers, Strand Lough, Killough (John Scovell)

3 Little Stints together Myroe Levels in drainage channel this evening with 4 Dunlins. Towards north (Roe Estuary) end of the site favouring a small rocky area of the near bank by the netted turf lawn. (John Spottiswood).

16 Pink Footed Geese and 1 Grey Plover were at Ballycarry bridge, Larne lough. (Cameron Moore).

Blackpoll Warbler, Matthew Tickner.

Little Gull, Stephen Riddell.

Wheatear, David Hill.

Purple Sandpipers, Juliet Fleming.

Whooper Swans, Juliet Fleming.

Bird News Monday 6th October 2025

Blackpoll Warbler on west side of Arranmore, Co Donegal in short turf and ditch sides around ruined buildings 200m to the south of Lighthouse on Arranmore, 1530 -1545. Also c 100 Barnacle Geese  in several parties this morning over the island. (Matthew Tickner).

Grey-cheeked Thrush on Tory, Co Donegal for 2nd day (Anton Meenan).

Swainson’s Thrush still present at Glencomcille, Malin More, Co Donegal (per Joseph Doolan).

A Corncrake on Rathlin this morning. First Merlin of the autumn yesterday also a small flock of Twite (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Great White Egret and ringtail Hen Harrier at Oxford Island NNR (Ed O’Hara).

Ringtail Hen Harrier at Portmore Lough (Richard Caves).

3 Purple Sandpipers near the Coastal Zone, Portrush (Juliet Fleming).

4 Common Terns Kinnegar Shore (Mel O’Hagan).

Grey-cheeked Thrush, Anton Meenan:

Bird News Sunday 5th October 2025

Whoopers are arriving now in good numbers, including in the fields near the stables at Myroe, (Stephen Riddell),15 over Cliftonville heading south, (Ricky McQuillan), 6 over Derrytrasna on the south shore of Lough Neagh, (Pat Flowerday), 20 at Portmore, (Ed O'Hara), and 20+ over Cloughmills, (Derek McClean).

Siberian Chiffchaff Bar Hall Bay along path to Ballquintin Farm near crest of hill in garden edge,  the bird was calling frequently. 32 Mediterranean Gulls were at the south end of Cloughey beach. (Bob Watts).

Ballyquintin Farm on the outer Ards  had a Stock Dove and 16 Whoopers. A single Pinkfoot flew into Bar Hall Bay. 2 Chiffchaff, male Blackcap, 8+ Goldcrest, 2 Wheatear and a calling Whimbrel were along the path to the farm from Bar Hall Bay. (Bob Watts,  Richard Weyl).

A Chiffchaff was at Templecowey. (Richard Weyl).

31 Barnacles and 3 Whitefronts were over Magilligan. (Stephen Riddell).

Ramore Head 07:30 - 10:30. 2 Adult Pomarine Skua, 4 Arctic and 8 Great Skua, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 8 Leach’s Petrel, 3 European Storm Petrel, 3 Arctic Tern, 41 Great Northern Diver, 11 Red-throated Diver, 24 Whooper Swan, 163 Barnacle Geese, 5 Whitefronts, 10 Brent, 3 Pintail, 3 Common Scoter, 174 Tufted Duck, 48 Wigeon, 2 Teal, 11 Red-Breasted Merganser and 4 Purple Sandpiper. (Dean Jones, ChrisVeale).

58 Whoopers, a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Ballycarry Bridge. There was no sign of the Glossy Ibis. (Cameron Moore  Dave Craig).

A Pectoral Sandpiper was at Church Island, Lough Beg. (David Steele).

Rathlin today had 87 Barnacles, 37 Whoopers and 11 Storm Petrels. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).