Bird News Monday 23rd June 2025

Song Sparrow singing from Anton Meenan’s East garden, Tory Island. Still present 1452 (Rob Vaughan). Singing and showing off and on 1955-2041 (Brian McCloskey / Vic Caschera et al).

White Stork of unknown origin from Lismore Road outside Downpatrick chased by a gull across fields towards Downpatrick (Chris McNally). No sign this evening (David Stirling).

White-rumped Sandpiper still on the Bann Estuary from Portstewart (Donna & Stephen Riddell).

Spoonbill reported to still be present at Belfast Lough WoW (Birdguides).

Song Sparrow, Robert Vaughan:

White-rumped Sandpiper, Donna & Stephen Riddell:

Bird News Sunday 22nd June 2025

The White-rumped Sandpiper is still at the Bann Estuary. (Dean Jones).

Two 2nd calendar year Little Gulls were on Kinnegar shore. Another 2nd calendar year Little Gull was at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve, there was no sign of the Spoonbill or the Little Ringed Plover. (Daniel Newton).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the pools at Portmore. (Garry Armstrong).

The Spoonbill and the Little Ringed Plover were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Jeff Larkin). The Spoonbill and Little Ringed Plover were still present this evening. A 2nd calendar year Little Gull was at Kinnegar shore. (Mel O'Hagan).

Mediterranean Gull, Richard Caves.

Little Gull, Michael Latham.

Mediterranean Gull, Michael Latham.

Bird News Saturday 21st June 2025

The Spoonbill and Little Ringed Plover are still at RSPB Wow. A Little Gull and Whimbrel were also present (Stuart Cossey / Garry Armstrong / Richard Gray)

Two Little Gull are at Kinnegar Shore (Daniel Newton)

A Barn Owl was seen near Kilroot Power Station last night (George Stewart)

The White Stork seen at Portadown Station yesterday appears to be unringed. 

White Stork, Zach Prentice:

Bird News Friday 20th June 2025

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover and 2nd calendar year Little Gull at Belfast Lough WoW this morning (Daniel Newton). Spoonbill still this evening (Michael Latham)

A presumed escaped White Stork was at Portadown Railway Station (Zack Prentice)

Gobbins to Muck Island and the Maidens Boat Trip

Two seats are available for the boat trip from Carrickfergus to the Gobbins, Muck Island and the Maidens at 5.30pm this Saturday (21st June). Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for full details.

Bird News Thursday 19th June 2025

The Spoonbill was still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Jonny Rosborough). It was still present at 1pm. (Derek Polley).

A summer plumaged Great Northern Diver was at Groomsport. (Jonny Rosborough).

A pair of Carrion Crows or Carrion x Hooded hybrids were at Downshire railway halt in Carrickfergus. (Sarah McCann).

Two Common Sandpipers were at Lady Bay this afternoon. (Richard Caves).

An adult Little Ringed Plover is at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this evening. (Daniel Newton).

Both the Spoonbill and the Little Ringed Plover were still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this evening. 

Bird News Wednesday 18th June 2025

The Spoonbill was still at RSPB WoW this morning (Daniel Newton)

The immature Marsh Harrier and a tagged White-tailed Eagle were at Inch, Donegal this morning (Michael Huggins)

A White-tailed Eagle was in the Antrim Hills (Kenny Moore)

A Little Gull was at Lough Beg (Ian Thompson)

The White-rumped Sandpiper was still at the Bann Estuary this evening (Matthew Tickner)

A Spotted Flycatcher was at the Navan Centre, Armagh (Carolyn Cairns)

An Osprey spotted fishing at Corbet Lough, Banbridge at 20.00 tonight. After catching a fish it headed towards River Bann. (Tommy McClimonds)

Bird News Tuesday 17th June 2025

The Spoonbill was still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Jonny Rosborough). It was still present at 10 pm this evening. (Jim Wells).

The male Garganey is still at Portmore. (Chris Hamilton).

A Great White Egret was in Dundrum Inner Bay south near the bridge to Murlough Nature Reserve. (Eric & Joanne Mansell).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Glynn in Larne Lough. (Gerard McGeehan).

Bird News Monday 16th June 2025

Drake Garganey still at Portmore Lough this afternoon (Richard Caves).

Spoonbill still at Belfast Lough WoW this afternoon (Graham Richardson / Kevin Kirkham).

2 2nd calendar year Little Gulls Kinnegar (Kevin Kirkham).

White-rumped Sandpiper again this afternoon Bann Estuary towards old pier (John Spottiswood).

Long-eared Owl with fledged young at Castle Espie (Jonathan Clark).

Long-eared Owls, Jonathan Clarke:

Garganey, Richard Caves:

Bird News Sunday 15th June 2025

The Spoonbill remains at RSPB WoW (Chris Veale)

A female Marsh Harrier was off the Croaghan Hide, Oxford Island (Ed O’Hara)

A Whimbrel was at Killough (Chris Murphy)

A drake Garganey was at Portmore RSPB (Michael Latham)

Great Spotted Woodpeckers have been visiting gardens in Muckamore, Annahilt and Ballyskeagh with young. (Richard Thompson / Garry Wilkinson / Pauline McKee)

A White-rumped Sandpiper was found at the Bann Estuary, from the hide, this afternoon (John Spottiswood)

The Great White Egret is still at Lough Beg (David Steele)

The Osprey was at Portmore again this afternoon (Nicky Lynn / Ivan Quail)

Two Little Terns were seen briefly this afternoon at RSPB WoW (Stevie Brennan)

An Osprey was seen over Copeland Bird Observatory. (OxNav Research Group)

Returning Greenshank have been reported from a number of locations.

White-rumped Sandpiper, foreground, John Spottiswood:

Spoonbill, Paul Hunter:

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jonathan Cooke:

Bird News Saturday 14th June 2025

The Spoonbill is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). The bird was still present at 5.00 this afternoon. (Tom Ennis, Gareth Ennis).

At least 5 Little Terns and 20+ Corncrakes were on Tory in Donegal. (Derek Brennan).

Black-tailed Godwit & Swift, Stephen Maxwell.

Bird News Friday 13th June 2025

The Spoonbill is still present at Belfast Lough WoW (Dan Barry). Also a Little Tern late morning (Stuart McKee). A Little Gull from early afternoon (Michael Latham).

The drake Ring-necked Duck was still at Inch, Co Donegal yesterday (RBA).

Great Spotted Woodpecker with two juveniles in a garden near Annahilt (Garry Wilkinson).

Hen Harrier briefly on Rathlin for 2nd day (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

No sign of the Stilt Sandpiper at Lough Beg but a 2nd calendar year Little Gull (Aaron Long / Mel O’Hagan).

A Black Redstart was possibly heard singing in North Belfast (Eric Randall).

Spoonbill, Michael Latham (1 & 2), William Smiton (3), Jonathan Cooke (4):

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Garry Wilkinson:

 

Bird News Thursday 12th June 2025

The Stilt Sandpiper is now at Lough Beg, in the bay north side of Church Island. View from the observation area at the end of Long Point Wood (take boardwalk from the Church Island car park). (David Steele). The bird was still present at 8pm but often behind vegetation (Richard Gray)

A Spoonbill is at RSPB WoW. The bird was still present early evening (Derek Polley / Holly Owen / Stephen Dunbar / Alan Fitzsimmons)

The Marsh Harrier is still at Inch, Co Donegal (Chris Ingram)

Spoonbill, Aaron Long: