Bird News Thursday 1st June

The male Ruff is still at RSPB WoW (Derek Polley / Daniel Newton). A Kittiwake also showed briefly this morning (Derek Polley)

Yesterday the Osprey was seen again at Seagahan Dam, Co Armagh (per John Anderson)

A Curlew Sandpiper is still at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke)

Curlew Sandpiper, John Clarke:

Kittiwake, RSPB WoW, Derek Polley:

Bird News Wednesday 31st May

Late news for the 29th May, a Night Heron was seen at the Sixmilewater, Antrim, at the weir (Emma Picken)

Three Cuckoo and a Bonxie were on Rathlin (Bob Watts \ Derek Polley)

Two Little Tern were at Cockle Island, Groomsport (John McClean). One was still present this evening (Michael Latham)

A Black Tern was off the Croghan Hide, Oxford Island today. (Stephen Brennan)

Two Crossbill were at Cappanagh (Jason Bain)

Four Whinchat were in theAntrim Hills (David McCreedy)

Jay, Sean McAliskey:

Crossbill, Jason Bain:

Night Heron, Emma Picken:


BTO NI's Wild Weekend - Last chance to book!

Last chance to book - booking closes on Sunday 4th June so don't miss out!

To book, use the link below:

https://www.bto.org/community/events/202306-bto-nis-wild-weekend-2023?dm_i=1L9X,8A9EV,3DBWHR,Y24FH,1

Bird News Tuesday 30th May

The male Ruff is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW Reserve this morning (Daniel Newton).

Cuckoo calling on Rathlin (Viviana Biazzo).

Common Tern, Alastair McLean:

Red-breasted Merganser, Jason Bain:



Bird News Monday 29th May

A Curlew Sandpiper was at the Bann Estuary. It is still in full winter plumage, next to the old railway bridge/pier. The Little Stint was also present. (Dean Jones).

Several Whinchat in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham).

Cuckoo and probable Reed Warbler at Lough Corry, Co Fermanagh (Colin Bell).

A Cuckoo heard this evening Oughtagh Bog, Killaloo, Co Londonderry (Stephen Davis).

Whinchat, Michael Latham:


Little Stint, Dean Jones:


Hen Harrier, Linda Thompson:


Whinchat, David Clarke:





Bird News Sunday 28th May

The male Ruff was still at RSPB WoW Belfast (Daniel Newton)

A summer plumaged Little Stint in with good numbers of Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Sanderling at Bann Estuary. (Dean Jones)

Three Cuckoo were up the Antrim Hills (Bill Guiller)

A male Whinchat and a Cuckoo were at Murlough NR (David Peers)

An escaped Harris Hawk has been seen near Holywood. If you know of anyone looking for the bird, please let us know.

The Osprey was back at the middle Woodburn reservoir around 8:30pm this evening. (Michael McCandless)

Cuckoo, Bill Guiller


Bird News Saturday 27th May

A Stock Dove at Cleggan on Rathlin is a late spring record (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

A male Ruff is at RSPB WoW (Stephen Farquhar).

Reed Warbler still singing at Castleroe Riverside Park, Coleraine (John Spottiswood).

Several Cuckoos in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham).

Cuckoos, Michael Latham:




Bird News Friday 26th May

The Wood Sandpiper remains at Glebe Lough, Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson) 

Yesterday a Cuckoo was heard at Bonds Glen, Claudy (per Stephen Davis)

Circa 20 calling male Corncrake are reported on Tory this spring. (Anton Meenan)

The Golden Eagle was again half way between Annahilt and Ballynahinch, over fields that were recently cut, being mobbed by corvids (Garry Wilkinson)

A Reed Warbler was singing at Castleroe, Coleraine (John Clarke)

Cuckoo, Antrim Glens, Mike McLaughlin:


Cuckoo, Jason Bain:

You can see more pictures of local birds at: http://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Bird News Thursday 25th May

A Wood Sandpiper on Rathlin this afternoon at Glebe Lough, just the second island record (last in 2009). Also a Bar-tailed Godwit this morning which was the first record this year (Hazel Watson / Ric Else).

A male Whinchat in the Antrim Hills near Carnalbanagh (David Clarke).

Whinchat, David Clarke (photographed from the car):


Wood Sandpiper, Hazel Watson:


Common Scoter, Juliet Fleming



Bird News Wednesday 24th May

The Golden Eagle reported yesterday between Anahilt and Ballinahinch was seen again this morning, been mobbed by a Buzzard (Greg Heaney)

A Cuckoo was calling in Drumkeeragh Forest this morning (Terry Hanna)

Yesterday a Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a private garden in Rathfriland (Chris Veale)

Late news of an Osprey seen at Potterswall dam in Antrim seen yesterday by local fishermen (per Richard Hunter)

An Osprey was at Seagahan Dam, Co Armagh this morning per local anglers (John Anderson).

Blackcap, Terry Hanna:



Bird News Tuesday 23rd May

Adult or subadult Golden Eagle near Ballynahinch en route from Anahilt (Greg Heaney).

Curlew Sandpiper with Dunlin and other small waders in the Bann Estuary this afternoon (John Clarke).

Curlew Sandpiper, John Clarke:



Inishtrahull Trip

There are 3 seats available for the boat trip from Portstewart to Inishtrahull this Saturday - May 27th. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for full details. 

Bird News Monday 22nd May

At the weekend, a Cuckoo was seen at Crossdernott Bog, Co. Tyrone and 2 Cuckoo were calling at Davagh Forest, Cookstown (Godfrey McRoberts)

2 Dark-bellied Brent were with 21 Brent seen off Castle Espie (Nathan Gilbert)

A Stock Dove and Cuckoo were at Tollymore (Keith Bates & Julie Hillman)

6 Crossbill, a Cuckoo and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Bannagher Gln, Co Derry (Theo Campbell \ P McCarron)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a private garden at Trillick (Rev Ivan Foster)

Yesterday Rathlin had 2 Corncrake, Long-eared Owl, 2 Sanderling, a White Wagtail and a Cuckoo (Nathan Gilbert)

This afternoon the Osprey was seen again at Woodburn (Finn Carragher)

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Rev Ivan Foster:

Bird News Sunday 21st May

A Barn Owl flew across the road near Ballynahinch over the Ballynahinch to Lisburn Road at 1am this morning caught on the dashcam footage (Paul Mulvenna).

An Osprey over Lough Beg heading towards the Bann Estuary (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop).

Whinchat and Yellowhammer on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Cuckoos were reported today in Capanagh and Glencairn.

Black Guillemot, Jason Bain:

Stonechat, Jason Bain: