The North Down Swift Conservation Group are having a Swift Walk & Talk in Donaghadee on 12 June.
Tickets are free but attendees need to register ahead of time here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swift-walk-and-talk-tickets-1987817309082
Bird News Thursday 28th May 2026
A Red Kite was at Duburren, Co. Armagh. (Aobh McAnulty, John Spottiswood).
A Little Stint was with the wader flock at the Bann estuary. (Matthew Tickner).
Bird News Wednesday 27th May 2026
8 Corncrakes and a 2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull were on Tory this morning. (Theo Campbell).
3 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart McKee).
A Quail was flushed at Kinramer on Rathlin. (James Crymble).
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Oxford Island. (Aidan Donohoe).
Spotted Flycatcher, Shelagh Henry.
Boat Trips
There are two boat trips on Saturday (30th May). Ballycastle to Mull to photograph Sea Eagles being fed by boat and Tory/Inishbofin for Corncrake, Chough and Great Skua. Contact Jim Wells on-07856235144 for full details.
Bird News Tuesday 26th May 2026
Spoonbill still at the Quoile (Chris Murphy / David Stirling). Subsequently a White-tailed Eagle (Ashley Buchanan). Female Smew this evening (Chris Murphy).
Corncrake calling Magheraorarty, Donegal (Theo Campbell).
Marsh Harrier at Portmore Lough (Aidan Donohoe).
Bird News Monday 25th May 2026
Spotted Flycatcher at Slievenacloy (Leia Getty).
At least one Garden Warbler at Ely Lodge Forest (Leia Getty).
The long-staying Pink-footed Goose remains on Rathlin feeding with 23 Greylags (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Osprey near Downings, Co Donegal (Kevin Murray).
Spotted Flycatcher, Leia Getty:
Bird News Sunday 24th May 2026
A pale phase Arctic Skua was seen of Portstewart Head this morning (Stephen Riddell)
A pair of Scaup were off the play area shore at Oxford Island (Shane Brighton)
An Osprey was reported from Corbett Lough, Bannbridge this morning (per David McCreedy)
3 Cuckoo were up the Antrim Hills (Kenny Moore)
Scaup, Oxford Island, Shane Brighton:
Bird News Saturday 23rd May 2026
Chough continues on Rathlin in Church Bay. Also Tree Pipit and 6+ Spotted Flycatchers (Ric Else /Hazel Watson / Nick Richards).
Falcon species at Portmore Lough chasing Swallows. Initial identification Merlin but behaviour sounds more reminiscent of Hobby (Leia Getty).
6 Mediterranean Gulls at Belfast Lough WoW (Bob Watts).
Small passage of Spotted Flycatcher on Copeland and Hobby yesterday flew towards Donaghadee. Whinchat and Spottes Flycatcher ringed yesterday (per Kevin Rice / Kez / David Stirling).
2+ Spotted Flycatchers in Lagan Park, Dromora (Justin Childs).
A dark phase Arctic Skua of Fanad, Co Donegal this evening (Wilton Farrelly).
Bird News Friday 22nd May 2026
A drake Scaup was at Oxford Island (Ed O’Hara)
The Chough was at the old Kelp Store on Rathlin (Ric Else)
A second calendar year Arctic Tern was at RSPB WoW (Jake Grant / Hannah Kerr)
There will be a round Rathlin boat trip on Monday morning. Weather to be very good. Great chance to see the island's seabird colonies. Contact Jim Wells on -07856235144 for full details.
Chough, Ric Else:
Bird News Thursday 21st May 2026
Arctic Terns back on the island at Strangford Lough (Dermot Hughes).
5+ Yellowhammers Castlerock including 2 singing males (John Spottiswood).
The Chough remains on Rathlin (also seen yesterday), the ring ABZ indicating an Isle of Man origin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
White Tailed Eagle again over Derryadd Bay Lough Neagh 15:45 (Ed O’Hara).
White Stork over Annalong, Co Down (BirdGuides).
Chough, Ric Else:
Whale Watch Ireland 23rd May 2026
Whale Watch Ireland 2026
Saturday 23rd May
5:00-7:00 PM
Irish Whale & Dolphin Group (IWDG) invites you to join us at a number of headlands or vantage points for Whale Watch Ireland 2026, Saturday 23rd May 5:00-7:00 PM. This annual event is free - no booking required.
While there are of course no guarantees of sightings, given reasonable weather you have a good chance of seeing some of the species that inhabit your local waters. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions on the day + sensible footwear.
Please bring binoculars (and spotting scope), stories to share and your sense of humour.
Northern Ireland locations
Location | Meet at | Leader name | Phone | |
Ramore Hd, Portrush | Portrush Coastal Zone | Rachele Kempston | 078 05626074 | |
Portmuck, Islandmagee | Car Park | Ian Enlander | 078 49853549 | |
Bloody Bridge, Newcastle | Car park | Andy Carden | 077 62019160 |
Further details and list of all watch sites at https://iwdg.ie/whale-watch-ireland-2026/
See you there
IWDG
Bird News Wednesday 20th May 2026
The Pink-footed Goose was still with the Greylags at Glebe, Rathlin (Hazel Watson)
A Pectoral Sandpiper was with the large wader flock at the Bann Estuary (Matthew Tickner)
A White-tailed Eagle went over Derryadd, Lough Neagh at 3:45, heading west (Ed O’Hara)
Two Pomarine Skua were seen from the Belfast to Isle of Man ferry.
Pectoral Sandpiper, Matthew Tickner:
Bird News Tuesday 19th May 2026
'There are 4 seats available for the boat trip to Tory and Inishbofin this Saturday (23rd May). Great opportunity to see Corncrake, Chough and Puffins. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for full details'.
White-tailed Eagle soaring over Derryadd Bay Lough Neagh. Looks like same bird at Oxford Island two days ago (Ed O’Hara).
Bird News Monday 18th May 2026
The Ruddy Shelduck was still at Long Point, Lough Beg. A Reed Warbler was also present (Dermot Hughes)
9 adult Mediterranean Gulls were at RSPB WoW (Bob Watts)
Three Reed Warbler were at Castle Espie this morning (Jonathan Clarke)
Reed Warbler, Jonathan Clarke:
Bird News Sunday 17th May 2026
Immature White-tailed Eagle at Oxford Island NNR (Gary Brown).
Cetti’s Warbler continuing at Lough Cowey (Daniel Barry).
Marsh Harrier at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).
3+ Purple Sandpipers on Rathlin still, Red Kite yesterday (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
20+ Whimbrel St John’s Point. Also 3+ presumed Greenland Wheatear Sheskinmore, Co Donegal (Sean Cole).
White-tailed Eagle, Gary Brown:
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