nibirds
Report sightings to: Email nibirds@live.co.uk, Text: 07973 403 146 or 07870 863 782 or Twitter: @nibirds See local bird pics at: www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk
Islay Boat Trip
Bird News Monday 17th February 2025
The Avocet was still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. A Mediterranean Gull was following the Stena ferry but there was no sign of the Iceland Gull. (Bob Watts).
A Black-necked Grebe and a Great White Egret were at Reedy Flats. (Clifford Sharpe).
A male Ring-necked Duck is on Craigavon Lakes. (Noreen Foster).
A Green Sandpiper was along River Maine at Slaght outside Ballymena this evening, two female Goosanders were also present. (David Steele).
Ring-necked Duck, Stephen Foster.
Bird News Sunday 16th February 2025
Adult Iceland Gull at Belfast Lough WoW Reserve (Michael Latham). Avocet again mid afternoon (Daniel Newton).
1st winter Glaucous Gull at Portstewart promenade this morning (Stephen & Donna Riddell).
Drake Red-crested Pochard still at Lurgan Park Lake (Steven Fyffe).
No sign of White-billed Diver 0930-1500 Galboly (Garry Armstrong et al).
Whimbrel still wintering on Rathlin also 8 Purple Sandpipers (Ric Else).
Glaucous Gull, Donna Riddell:
Bird News Saturday 15th February 2025
Bird News Friday 14th February 2025
The Avocet remains at Belfast RSPB WoW Reserve. Adult Iceland Gull flew onto reserve and still present 1121 at least then foraging behind ferry Belfast Harbour late afternoon (David McCreedy / Kevin Maguire / Stuart Cossey).
4 Great White Egrets, Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruff and 36 Pintail at Lough Beg (David Steele).
The leucistic Great Black-backed Gull is still at Ardglass Harbour (Chris Murphy).
Iceland Gull, David McCreedy:
Bird News Thursday 13th February 2025
The White-billed Diver was seen again close inshore from the layby at Galboly this afternoon. (David Steele).
The Avocet was at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve again this morning. (Laura Kerr).
The Black Redstart is still around the bandstand in Portstewart this morning. (John Spottiswood).
An adult Iceland Gull was feeding with Black-headed Gulls at the Stena terminal in Belfast Lough. (Dermot Hughes).
The Great White Egret was at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Zach & Alastair Prentice).
White-billed Diver, David Steele.
Avocet, Laura Kerr.
Bird News Wednesday 12th February 2025
The Black Redstart was still present at Killough c11am (Warren Fowles).
Drake Red-crested Pochard remains at Lurgan Park Lake (Jim Wells).
Drake Smew still at ToddsCorner, near Ardmore on the southern shore of Lough Neagh (Jim Wells).
Avocet again at Belfast Lough WoW RSPB Reserve this afternoon (Scott Boyd /Gerard McGeehan).
6+ Goosander (2m 4f) along River Maine at Slaght near Ballymena (David Steele).
Bird News Tuesday 11th February 2025
The Black Redstart is still at Portstewart this morning. (Stephen Riddell).
One of the Black Redstarts was showing well on the beach at the south end of Killough. There is the possibility that the second bird could also have been present. (David Nixon, Anne Feltham).
The Great White Egret was at Portmore Lough RSPB this afternoon. (Jim Wells).
Black Redstart, Stephen Riddell.
Bird News Monday 10th February 2025
Drake Smew still at Todd’s Corner, Ardmore on the south shore of Lough Neagh (Aaron Long).
Bird News Sunday 9th February 2025
Bird News Saturday 8th February 2025
The Black Redstart is still at Portstewart this morning. Merlin at Magheracross. (Stephen Riddell).
2 Slavonian Grebes off Kinnegar Shore (Daniel Newton).
Drake Smew off Todd’s Corner, Ardmore Point. Stock Dove and female Merlin at Reedy Flats (Michael Latham).
Drake Red-crested Pochard still at Lurgan Park Lake (Richard Maxwell).
Mediterranean Gull Groomsport (Bob Watts).
Adult Mediterranean Gull at the north end of Donaghadee Beach (David Nixon).
Female Ring-necked Duck still Corbally Reservoir (Aaron Long).
Great Spotted Woodpecker at Shandon Park Golf Club, Belfast (Philip Cullen).
Slavonian Grebes, Daniel Newton:
Bird News Friday 7th February 2025
An adult Iceland Gull was foraging behind an arriving ferry in Belfast Lough. (Stuart Cossey).
The Red-crested Pochard is still at Lurgan Park Lake. (David McCreedy).
A possible Golden Eagle was seen flying over Ballyboley Forest this morning. (Roger Woodward).
The male Ring-necked Duck was still off Long Point at Lough Beg. (David Steele).
A Mediterranean Gull was on Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Daniel Newton).
Red-crested Pochard, Ed O'Hara.
Red-crested Pochard, David McCreedy.
Ring-necked Duck, David Steele.
Mediterranean Gull, Daniel Newton.
Bird News Thursday 6th February 2025
Black Redstart still at Portstewart Bandstand but mobile (Robert Plant).
Drake Smew still at Todd’s Corner, Lough Neagh and the drake Red-crested Pochard at Lurgan Park Lake (Robert Hughes).
30+ Twite still at Ramore Head (Stephen Riddell).
50+ Purple Sandpipers around the Coastal Zone, Portrush (Jules Fleming).
Twite, Stephen Riddell: