Bird News Friday 15th May 2026

Yesterday the immature White-tailed Eagle and Pink-footed Goose remained on Rathlin (per Ric Else)

At the Rathlin Seabird Centre today, the White-tailed Eagle and two Great Skua were seen (Aidan Donohoe)

High wader counts included 320 Dunlins, 250 Sanderlings, 80 Ringed Plovers and 37 Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary. (In butterfly news 4 Cryptic Wood Whites by the path to the hide). (John Spottiswood)

The Spoonbill, and a high count of 100 Black-tailed Godwits and two drake Pintail were at the Quoile. A Garganey was reported from there on the 12th. (Chris Murphy)

Roseate Tern at Belfast Lough WoW Reserve (Stuart Cossey).

A Glossy Ibis was at Portmore RSPB and a further 2 were seen flying over to the North West (Clive Mellon)

Bird News Thursday 14th May 2026

5 Purple Sandpipers continuing on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

2 Cetti's Warblers still singing either side of 11, Downpatrick Rd, Killough. Spoonbill feeding in front of Quoile hide. Looks like another no-show for breeding terns on Swan Is, Strangford Lough (Chris Murphy).

Single Arctic Tern at Belfast Lough WoW RSPB Reserve (Derek Polley). 4 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls (Jake Grant).

Spoonbill, Terry Hanna:

Bird News Wednesday 13th May 2026

Two dark phase Arctic Skua were at the Bann Estuary (John Clarke)

A Spotted Flycatcher was along the canal towpath, Portadown (Clifford Sharpe)

A Leaches Petrel went past Copeland BO (Thomas Miller)

An Osprey was at Strand Lough, Killough early afternoon  one was reported from the Quoile yesterday (Chis Murphy)

A seawatch from Fanad Head this morning for 90 minutes had 2 Arctic Skua and a Basking Shark (Jamie Bliss)

Greenland Wheatear, Bann Estuary, John Clarke:

Leaches Petrel, Thomas Miller:

Bird News Tuesday 12th May 2026

Yellow-legged Gull found by Robert Vaughan at the weekend continuing on Tory, Co Donegal also approximately 20 calling Corncrake (Anton Meenan).

Dotterel in the Mournes near Slieve Muck (per Katy Bell).

Corncrake, Anton Meenan:

Yellow-legged Gull, Anton Meenan:

Dotterel, per Katy Bell:

Bird News Monday 11th May 2026

The Bann Estuary still had 200 Whimbrel and a Pink-footed Goose (John Clarke)

The Chough was still present on Copeland (Thomas Miller)

Bird News Sunday 10th May 2026

White Stork flew over Downpatrick towards Tyrella at 8am (Ciara Lavery).

Ruddy Shelduck overhead outside Broughshane (Hugh Thurgate).

2 Wood Sandpipers at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham / Alan Dickson). Also a Marsh Harrier (Charlie MacFarlane). Adult Little Gull on the pools in front of the viewing platform quite possibly the Lady’s Bay bird (Chris Rankin).

Common Sandpiper at Sheep House pier, Rathlin (Patrick Barton). 2 Great Skua (Leia Getty).

Adult Little Gull at Lady’s Bay (Michael Latham).

Wood Sandpipers, Michael Latham:

Marsh Harriers, Michael Latham:

Little Gull, Michael Latham:

Bird News Saturday 9th May 2026

Yesterday there were at least 4 Corncrake (inc 3 calling males) on Rathlin (Ric Else)

Two Little Auk were on the sea with other auks on the way to Rathlin (Stuart Cossey)

An immature tagged (77) White-tailed Eagle was in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham)

A male Whinchat was at Keeble, Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

A Little Gull and 8 Whimbrel were at Lady’s Bay, Lough Neagh (Mike McLaughlin / David McCreedy)

A Lesser Whitethroat was at the thatched house before Fanad Lighthouse (Michael O’Clery)

The Spoonbill was again at the Quoile. A late Pintail was also present (Mel O’Hagan / Shane Brighton / Nia Potapova)

A Barn Owl was in the Belfast Hills early morning (Ivan Cullen)

3 Whimbrel were at Carnlough (David Gillespie)

A White Stork was seen flying over the Quoile this morning (Natasha Reid)

A Garden Warner was seen and heard in Dromara (Justin Childs)

White-tailed Eagle, Michael Latham:

Turnstone, Robert Boyle:

White Stork, Natasha Reid:

Bird News Friday 8th May 2026

Bonaparte’s and Little Gulls, both 2nd calendar year remain at Inch Lake, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell / Martin Deehan).

Single Black-throated, 2 Great Northern and 14 Red-throated Divers from west end of Tyrella, Dundrum Bay all in summer plumage (Chris Murphy).

Pinkfoot still on Rathlin (Hazel Watson /Ric Else).

Bird News Thursday 7th May 2026

 A Fieldfare was near Drumcree outside Portadown.(Hugh Thurgate).

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning had 5 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls and an Arctic Tern. (Derek Polley).

The Spoonbill is still off the hide at the Quoile. (David Stirling). The Ruff was also still present. (Tim Jess).

The White-tailed Eagle was seen again around Church Bay on Rathlin. (Ric Else).

A Little Ringed Plover was at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 635 Dunlins, 165 Sanderlings, 95 Ringed Plovers and 60 Whimbrels Bann Estuary this evening. (John Spottiswood). Whimbrels later increased to 106. (John Spottiswood).

Also at Lough Beg a male Garganey western shoreline and four Glossy Ibis in flight (these likely different to flock of eleven seen recently). (David Steele).

Little Ringed Plover, David Steele.

Spoonbill, Tim Jess.

Ruff, Tim Jess.

Bird News Wednesday 6th May 2026

The Spoonbill is still at the Quoile. (Ann Feltham).

The 1st year Bonaparte's Gull is still at Inch in Donegal. (Chris Ingram).

The Mediterranean Gull is still present this evening at Inch Lake on the island by Farland Bank. (Searlas Anderson).

Ailsa Craig Boat Trip

There are 2 seats available for Friday's (May 8th) landing and Gannet feeding boat trip to Ailsa Craig. Great photo opportunities. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for further details. 

Bird News Tuesday 5th May 2026

 The Spoonbill is opposite the hide at the Quoile and the Ruff is at the yacht club end. (David Nixon).

A Little Stint was near the hide at the Barmouth, 200+ Whimbrel also present. (John Clarke).

The 1st year Bonaparte's Gull is still at the causeway at Inch in Donegal, a Little Gull was also present. (Derek Brennan)

The count of Common Terns at RSPB WoW is now up to 24 (Jake Grant)

Spoonbill, David Nixon.

Bonaparte's Gull, Derek Brennan.

Bird News Monday 4th May 2026

2nd calendar year Bonaparte's Gull and 2nd calendar year Little Gull at the causeway at Inch in Donegal. (Theo Campbell,  Chris Ingram).

The Ruddy Shellduck was off Long Point, Lough Beg. (Ivan Quail).

The Spoonbill is still at the Quoile, near the yacht club. A Ruff was also present. (Michael Latham).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Victoria Park about 13.00. (Bernard Parniewicz).

At least 3 Corncrakes are on Rathlin. (Ric Else).

The Cetti’s Warbler is still calling at Lough Cowey. (David Stirling).

Another Wood Sandpiper (a new bird) at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

Two Great Northern Divers, 8 Red-throated Divers at the west end of Tyrella. Also 38 Whimbrel and two Basking Sharks. (Chris Murphy).

A White Wagtail was at Castlerock mole. (John Spottiswood).