Bird News Monday 31st October

Six Greenland White-fronted Geese were at Lough Beg, together with the Curlew Sandpiper (David Steele)

A Snow Bunting was at Ramore Head (Paul Scott)

St John's Pt in fresh south, south-easterly 8.30 to 9.30 this morning: 1 Bonxie, 1 Arctic Skua, 1 Little Gull juv, 3 Arctic Terns, all juvs, 2 Manxies (late), 1 RTD, 1GND. All going south except the Arctic skua (Chris Murphy)

Many thanks to Stephen McCandless for the superb shots below:

Snow Bunting, Bangor, 14th October - Stephen McCandless

Cattle Egret, Kinnegar Pool, 25th October - Stephen McCandless

Bird News Sunday 30th October

A female or immature Goosander was in the channel at Myroe, a second winter Mediterranean Gull in the fields and 600 Golden Plover on the mudflats (Stuart McKee).

A Curlew Sandpiper and 2 Greenland White Fronted Geese were at Lough Beg (David Steele).

2 Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Tern were at Brown's Bay on Island Magee (Cameron Moore).

A drake Ferruginous Duck, perhaps the returning bird, and a drake Red Crested Pochard of unknown origin were at Lurgan Park Lake. (Ed O'Hara).

11 Twite were at Killough, they were feeding on daisy seed heads by the small car park at the bottom of the road leading to the coastguards cottages, also in Killough a Migrant Hawker Dragonfly and an Otter were at the brickworks. (Chris Murphy).

On the Outer Ards Burial Island had a 1st winter Little Gull, 2 Arctic Tern, 200 Kittiwake and a Great Northern Diver, Ballyquintin Point had a Jack Snipe, Chiffchaff, Merlin, 3 Great Northern Diver, a Red Throated Diver, 14 Common Scoter and 300+ Kittiwake. Quintin Bay had 2 Sandwich Tern, Sheep Point had 10 Twite with Linnets and a Great Northern Diver was at Kircubbin. Yesterday 30 Whooper Swan were in flooded stubble near Kirkiston, Cloughy Bay had 3 Sandwich Tern and a Sanderling was at Millisle. (Richard Weyl).

The Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport, 11 Red Kites were at Manse Road, Drumgooland, Co. Down and another 2 Red Kites were at Ballynahinch Road near Dromara. (Stephen Maxwell).

In Donegal a Lesser Canada (Cackling) Goose was with 44 Barnacle Geese near Malin. 2 Little Egret and 14 Greenshank were also noted and 21 Chough and 3 Sanderling were at Five Finger Strand. 600 Barnacle Geese, 2 Chough, a Merlin and 3 Raven were at Malin Head (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).

Late news - on Thursday a Lapland Bunting and Yellowhammer were at the south end of Rathlin and 3,000 Kittiwake and 10 Arctic Tern in Rathlin Sound (Colin Guy).

Thanks to Alistair Prentice, Ed O'Hara and Slawomir Starzynski for todays pictures.

Little Egret - Slawomir Starzynski

Ferruginous Duck - Ed O'Hara

Red Crested Pochard - Ed O'Hara

Sparrowhawk - Alistair Prentice

Buzzard - Alistair Prentice

Bird News Saturday 29th October

A juvenille Rose-coloured Starling was observed in a garden at Dromore Road, Ballinahinch, Co. Down at 2:30pm, for 15 mins. If looking for this bird, please observe the privacy of residents etc. (Ian Jackson)
Ian Jackson has kindly confirmed that there is no problem in birders visiting his garden at number 7 Dromore Road were the bird was seen today but do consider other residents when parking etc.

4 Sandwich Tern were at Portaferry and an adult Little Gull at Ballyquinton Point (W Farrelly).

An adult Little Gull and an adult Mediterranean Gull were at Briggs Rocks, a Twite was at Ballymacormick Point and 20 Red Throated Diver were off Groomsport. (Richard Weyl).
A Merlin was at St. Johns Point (Frank Murphy)

Bird News for Friday 28th October

A blue phase Snow Goose was with Greenland White fronts at Lough MacNean Co Fermanagh, best viewed distantly from high ground at Hanging Rock.(B.Robson)

Thanks to Brad for these shots.

  

At Myroe to-day, three Scaup were at the lake and many hundreds of golden plover in many separate flocks seemed to be arriving from the northeast (David Hill) (there probably is an American amongst them!)

Bird news for Thurs. 27th October

A Long-tailed Duck was at Drain's Bay. Larne Lough and a juv. Arctic Tern at Browns Bay(K.Leonard)

There is a report of a Rough-legged Buzzard (a 'fly by' bird, heading south!) at St John's Point at 1.30pm. A Merlin was also present (Warren Fowles).

At Larne Lough the male Goosander and 10 Little Egret were at Ballycarry Bridge. 26 Whooper Swan, a Kingfisher and 2 Greenshank were off Glynn (Cameron Moore).

2 Buzzard were at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (R McQuillan).

Yesterday 7 Crossbill, 60 Redwing and 20 Fieldfare were at Castle Caldwell in Fermanagh (Brad Robson).

Many thanks to Joe Lamont for this picture of the Cattle Egret from Tuesday. No further reports this week!

Cattle Egret, Kinnegar Shore - Joe Lamont

Bird News Wednesday 26th October

No positive word on the Cattle Egret today
The 2^nd winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport. At Orlock Point were were 2 Tree Sparrows, a Blackcap and at least one Twite (a mixed group of 6 Twite/Linnets flew over, with both species calling). (Clive Mellon)
A Pink-footed Goose was at Beleek, Co. Fermanagh (Brad Robson) 
A male Pintail was at Portmore Lough, 2 buzzard, 2 sparrowhawk & over 20,000 Starlings at Slievegarran near Castlewellan (Adam McClure)
At Lough Foyle 450 Pale-bellied Brent, 1,500 Golden Plover, 15 Grey Plover and a Wheatear were at Roe Estuary/Balls Point (C Stewart).

Around Belfast 150 Black-tailed Godwit were at the flooded playing fields along Cliftonville Road (David Clarke) and a male Kestrel at Sydenham Conservation Area (R McQuillan).

Many thanks to Chris Murphy for details of the count below:
Many birds moving south at St John's Pt from 08:00 to at least 10:30 in bright, calm conditions : Brent Goose c.4,000, Scoter 12, RBMerg 1 Razorbill c.450, Guilemot 5; Black Guillemot 7; unidentified auks c.100 Gt N Diver 8: 6 south and 2 north (5 in fsp), RTD 2 Manx Sh'water 2, Arctic Tern 2: 1ad and 1juv Merlin 1, Skylark 140, Siskin 31, Redpoll 1, Tree Sparrow 1, Grey Wag 1, Pied Wag 3, Meadow Pipit 8, Wheatear 1.
Inland from Lighthouse to Point Road, Killough between 10:30 and 11:00 Lapwing 15, Curlew, 12, Golden Plover 90, Greenshank 3, Med Gull 1(1st winter), Common Gull 200, Buzzard 1, Kestrel 1, Raven 5, Rock Pipit 4, Stonechat 2, Redpoll 8, Tree Sparrow 40, House Sparrow 10, Reed Bunt 4, Chaffinch 6, Skylark 40, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 4
Killough: 1 Little Egret, 88 Curlew, 59 Ringed Plover, 9 Redpolls Yesterday morning (25th) at St John's Point: 1 peregrine, 5 swallows (leaving), 40 skylarks (arriving), 1GND, 1 RTD, 2 Black Guillemots, 1 RBM.

A Red Grouse was at Lendrums Windmill Farm, Fivemiletown,Co Tyrone this morning (Colin Bell)

Bird News Tuesday 25th October

The Cattle Egret, the first record for Northern Ireland, was at Kinnegar shore this afternoon. (Joe Lamont/Danny Boyd).

The Bonapartes Gull was back at Sandy Bay, Larne (Neal Warnock)

A Short Eared Owl was at Myroe intakes. (Gerry Bond).

5 Swallow were over Newcastle this evening, (Adam McClure).
At Oxford Island a female or immature Hen Harrier was at Croaghan Island and Kinnegoe Bay. Up to 3,000 Starlings went to roost in the reed beds at Kinnegoe Bay. (Stephen Hewitt).

Thanks to Danny Boyd and Gerry Bond for these excellent pictures.

Cattle Egret - Danny Boyd

Short Eared Owl - Gerry Bond

Cattle Egret!!!

A Cattle Egret is currently on Kinnegar Shore \ Kinnegar Pools (Joe Lamont, Danny Boyd et al)

Cattle Egret - Danny Boyd

Bird News Sunday 23rd October

A juvenile Sabines Gull was at Ballyquintin Point, Co Down at 9.30 heading south. Also from 9.30 to 11.30 10 Great-northern Diver, 8 Common Scoter, a Sandwich Tern and a Greenland Wheatear. 9 Sandwich tern at Granagh Bay and one at Portaferry. 300 golden plover at Kirkiston (Richard Weyl)

The Ring-billed Gull and an adult Mediteranean Gull were at Gromsport Harbour. A Little Egret was at the Floodgates, Newtownards and a Slavonian Grebe was at Greyabbey Bay South (Keith Bennett)

6 Little Egret and 140 Wigeon were on the Comber Estuary (Paul Murphy) 

A 1st winter Little Gull was at Ballyhalbert beach this morning. At least six sandwich terns there as well.  (James Robinson)
A Great Skua was at St John's Point (Chris Murphy)

A first winter Iceland Gull and an adult Mediteranean Gull were at Kinnegar Shore (Stuart McKee)

Iceland Gull - Stuart McKee

You can report your sightings to: nibirds@live.co.uk

Yellow-browed Warbler, 2nd October, Copeland Island - Neville McKee

Bird News Saturday 22nd October

The Ring-necked Duck was seen this morning at the Quoile. 18 Whoopers were also present (Paul Scott)

A Juvenile Sabines Gull, first seen at Killough Harbour and then St John’s point and a Red-throated Diver in Ardglass Harbour. (Jason Starbuck, Stevie Stewart and Scott Young)

The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport Harbour today (T Dunlop)

At Larne Lough 59 Whooper Swan and six young were at Glynn as well as a second winter Mediterranean Gull, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Golden Plover. A Dipper was at the Glynn River and Sandy Bay had an adult Mediterranean Gull, 18 Dunlin, 30 Ringed Plover and a Common Scoter (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).

2 Arctic Skua were at St John's Point (Chris Murphy).)

Rock Pipit - Stephen Maxwell

Bird News for Friday 21st October.

A male Ring-necked Duck along with 14 Whooper Swan were at the Quoile Pondage.(D.Nixon)

A male Goosander in eclipse plumage was at Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough.(N.Warnock)

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was again present at Groomsport car park.

Our thanks to Stephen Maxwell who sent in this photo of a Red Kite(one of five) at Drumgooland, nr Castlewellan Co Down.

Bird News for Thursday 20th October

A Snow Bunting put a brief appearance at Orlock Point this morning. (R.Price)

An Iceland Gull and a Ring-billed Gull were at at Portrush.(Irishbirding)

8 Pink footed Geese were at Myroe.(Irishbirding)

Copeland Bird Observatory had a Coal Tit (unusual there), 3 Goldcrest, 11 Blackbird, 2 Redwing, 42 Lesser Redpoll, 15 Greenfinch, 32 Chaffinch, 2 Twite, 19 Meadow Pipit, 9 Siskin, 95 Starling, 2 Sparrowhawk, a Hen Harrier and 2 Arctic Skua (Kerry Leonard).

The second winter Ring-billed Gull still showing at Groomsport car park.

51 Whooper Swan with 8 young as well as 21 Greylag and Barnacle Goose were at Larne Lough (Joe Lamont). A Gadwall and 51 Whooper were off Glynn (Cameron Moore).

Yesterday at Lough Foyle at Snow Bunting was at Balls Point and a Wheatear and 10 Whooper Swan at Magilligan (George Henderson).

Bird News Wednesday 19th October

Along the north coast a Pomarine Skua and 40 Twite were at Ballykelly. 25 Twite were at Donnybrewer, a Little Egret at Faughanvale and a male Common Scoter and Scaup in the channel at Myroe Levels. (Matthew Tickner/Gerry Bond).

In Tyrone a Merlin, 3 Red Grouse and 8 Crossbill were at Plumbridge. (Ralph Sheppard).

A very late Swift and 2 juvenile Swallow, one of them being hunted by a Merlin, were over Killough. (Chris Murphy).

The second winter Ring Billed Gull was still at the car park at Groomsport harbour. (Chris Guy).

Last night at 8.30pm a Barn Owl was near the roundabout in Crossgar. (Joan & Spencer Marshall).

This morning 28 Whooper Swans flew over Sion Mills in Tyrone, also seen were 30 Fieldfare and smaller numbers of Redwing. (Hazlett Harkness).

A flock of 20 Redwing were feeding in Markethill this morning. (Alistair Prentice).

Thanks to Gerry Bond for this excellent Common Scoter shot taken at Myroe today.

Common Scoter - Gerry Bond

Bird News Tuesday 18th October

Ramore Head from 2pm had an adult Sabine's Gull, 6 Manx Shearwater, 9 Arctic Tern, 39 Pomarine Skua, 8 Great Skua, 9 Arctic Skua, 29 Grey Phalarope, 6 Great Northern Diver, 4 Red-throated Diver, 20 Barnacle Geese, 10 Whooper Swan, 140 Kittiwake and 5 Red-breasted Merganser. A Merlin was on the Skerries (Stuart McKee, Matthew Tickner, Colin Guy).

A Pomarine Skua, Long-tailed Skua and Great Skua were at Portstewart Head (Colin Guy).

The second winter Ring-billed Gull was still at the car park at Groomsport Harbour and an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Pomarine Skua, an Arctic Skua and 2 Sandwich Tern off Ballymacormick Point (Richard Weyl).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Killough Harbour (Tim Murphy).

12 Whooper Swan were at Brown's Bay on Island Magee as well as 2 Red-throated Diver and 3 Arctic Tern (Cameron Moore).

Last week a Barn Owl was along Old Dromore Road in Hillsborough. Another Barn Owl was at Larchfield (Garry Wilkinson)

Bird News Monday 17th October

A Black Tern was off the hide at the Bar Mouth at Castlerock this morning. (Irish Birding).

At Larne Lough 2 Mediterranean Gull, an adult and a second winter were at Sandy Bay and 3 Greenshank off Glynn. (Cameron Moore).

The second winter Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport. (George Gordon).

Yesterday a Pomarine Skua was at Ramore Head. (Matthew Tickner). A Merlin and Arctic Skua were at St John's Point. (Chris Murphy). A great Northern Diver and a Red Throated Diver were at Larne Lough. (Cameron Moore).

Also yesterday 2 Buzzard were being mobbed by Crows at Carrowreagh Road, Dundonald. (Stephen Maxwell).

Bird News Sunday 16th October

A ring tail Hen Harrier was at Reedy Flat, in the south shore of Lough Neagh, the bird had a red tag on the left wing and a white tag on the right wing. Also present was a Peregrine and 30 Tree Sparrows. 12 Whooper Swan in two family parties of 2 adults and 4 young were at Ardmore. (Ed O'Hara).
Rathlin Island had an eclipse male Goosander, 2 Pink Footed Geese, a Jack Snipe, 2 Twite and 7 Fieldfare. (Neil Warnock).
A 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull was around the Harbour Office at Groomsport this morning. (James Robinson).
11 Pink Footed Geese and 18 Little Egret were near Castle Espie this afternoon. (Norma Perceval-Price).

Along the outer Ards aBlackcap, Wheatear, Merlin, 10 Common Scoter, 4 Red Throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and 100 Skylark were at Ballyquintin. A Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest were at Templecowey and a swallow was at Kearney. (Richard Weyl).

3 Arctic Terns were at Macedon Point on the Antrim side of Belfast Lough. (Stuart McKee).

4 Swallow, a Spotted Redshank and 3 Black Tailed Godwit were at Killard and a Stonechat and Greenshank were at St John's Point this afternoon. (Adam McClure).

Thanks to Ian Jackson for these excellent Guillemot shots taken in Newcastle today.

Guillemot - Ian Jackson

Guillemot - Ian Jackson

Bird News Saturday 15th

A Chiffchaff was singing all morning at Killeter, Co. Tyrone. (Tony McCormack).

Castle Espie today had 4,000 Brent Geese, 590 Wigeon, 250 Eider, 78 Shelduck, 23 great Crested Grebe, 20 Teal, 19 Little Egret, a Peregrine as well as Greenshank, Bar Tailed Godwit, Black Tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Lapwing and Curlew. (Robin Vage).

A Snow Bunting and a Red Throated Diver were at Magilligan Point in poor weather, see photos below. (Mark Killops).

Snow Bunting - Mark Killops


Red Throated Diver - Mark Killops

Bird News Friday 14th October

A Mediterranean Gull was at Carrickfergus and two Long-tailed Duck were at Hazelbank, Whiteabbey (Irish Birding)
At the Bann Esturary was an adult Little Gull. A Snow Bunting was at Magilligan Point and 3 Twite at Ballintoy (Neal Warnock) 
38,000 Pale-bellied Brent were back in Strangford Lough - a quarter of them at the top end were juveniles (Kerry Mackie).
A Greenland Wheatear was at Killough and last night Redwing were passing over at 11pm (Chris Murphy).
9 Little Egret were on the Comber Estuary (Paul Scott)
Redwings are migrating through NI at present. 15 were seen at Forestside this morning (Dermot Hughes)
A Barn Owl was seen in flight between Portadown and Armagh (Fulton Somerville)
Please report your sightings to nibirds@live.co.uk  .Many thanks.

Wheatear - Alistair Prentice

Whoopers

For the last few weeks, Whooper Swans have been returning to Ireland. Birds can be seen migrating, even over our towns and cities. The main sites to look for these birds include the Foyle (e.g. Longfield, Faughanvale, Ballykelly and Myroe), Lough Beg (particularly around Toome) and upper Lough Erne. Many thanks to David Hill for the pictures below, who had 400 birds today at the Faughan Bridge, near Campsie.

Bird News Thursday 13th October

The adult Bonaparte's Gull was at Whitehead before flying off towards Carrickfergus. 18 Red-throated Diver were also seen and an adult Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Egret and 2 Greenshank were at Glynn in Larne Lough (Cameron Moore).
From Corbetts Dunes, Dundrum, Co. Down, a Velvet Scoter was in the Common Scoter flock (circa 1400 birds). A 2nd Winter Med Gull was seen opposite the Minnerstown Tavern (Chris Murphy)

At Strangford Lough 1,500 Golden Plover and a juvenile Wheatear were at the Floodgates (Dot Blakely).

Many thanks to Alistair Prentice for this picture of a Snow Bunting at Ramore Head, last Monday:

The NI BTO Conference at Oxford Island

To book a place, go to:  http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u182/booking_forms/btoirelandconf_2011.pdf

Bird News Wednesday 12th October

A juvenile Pallid Harrier was seen at St Johns Point, around 10am, before flying off towards Rossglass (Chris Murphy)
A Red Grouse was seen flying over the road just north of the Ponderosa Bar on the Glenshane Pass. (W Farrelly)
The wing tagged White Tailed Sea Eagle was at Crom Estate in Co. Fermanagh again this morning, see photo below. (Stephen Scarlett/Stuart Jennings).
Along the north coast 350 Pale Bellied Brent, 1500 Golden Plover, 5 Whooper Swan, 300 Dunlin, 10 Knot, a Buzzard, 25 Bar Tailed Godwit and 175 Lapwing were between Balls Point and Myroe. (C Stewart).
Around Strangford Lough a Dark Bellied Brent and 5 Littel Egret were at the Floodgates, a Slavonian Grebe was at Greyabbey Bay south and 4 Common Tern and a Manx Shearwater were at Portavogie. A total of 12 Swallow were also seen. (D Allen/C Mellon).
An Eagle has been reported to the RSPB near Kilroot Power Station 2 days ago. It is not known if it was wing tagged. (Sam Tully).

At Oxford Island 5 Whooper Swan were at Closet Bay. A flock of 1,000 Starlings went to roost in the reed bed at Kinnegoe Bay between 6.00 and 6.40p.m. A juvenile Lesser Black Backed gull, apparently injured, had a small blue ring woth a white 5 on the left leg. (Stephen Hewwitt)

White Tailed Eagle - Stuart Jennings

Thanks to Alistair Prentice for these superb Golden Plover shots

Golden Plover - Alistair Prentice

Golden Plover - Alistair Prentice

Bird News Tuesday 11th October

The adult Bonapartes Gull was still at Sandy Bay, Larne, this morning (Jeff Larkin)
A Raven was being mobbed by Jackdaws at Adelaide Park, Malone Road in Belfast (R McQuillan).
A Twite was at Luke's Point, Ballyholme (George Gordon).
Castle Espie today held 1 Merlin, circa 5000 Light Bellied Brent Geese, 282 Wigeon, 200 Eider, 8 Little Egret, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 5 Shelduck, 90 Curlew and 18 Redshank. (Robin Vage)

Bonapartes Gull - Jeff Larkin

Bird News Monday 10th October

An adult winter Bonaparte's Gull was at Sandy Bay, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim, it was feeding offshore. (Neal Warnock)

Along the north coast 2 Snow Buntings, 3 Gannet and 4 Sandwich Tern were at Benone Strand. (C Stewart).

A Snow Bunting was at Ramore Head, Portrush and the adult Ring Billed Gullwas at the East Strand carpark. (Matthew Tickner).

Copeland Bird Observatory had a Merlin, 650 Chaffinch and 80 Skylark flying west, 5 Arctic Skua, a Great Skua, an Arctic Tern, 2 Common Scoter and 11 Whooper Swan. (David Galbraith).

A female or immature Hen Harrier flew past the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Stephen Hewitt et al).

A peregrine was at Kirkiston. (Francis Duffin).

In south Down the adult Mediterranean Gull was at Killough Harbour as well as 4 Arctic Tern and a Great Crested Grebe. 2 Arctic Tern were at Tyrella beach and 2 Whooper Swan at Bishopscourt. (Chris Murphy).

2 Jay were at Circular Road in Belfast. (stephen Maxwell).

Bird News Sunday 9th October

A Garden Warbler and 7 Twite were on Rathlin. A Pomarine Skua and a Bonxie were seen from the Ferry (Neal Warnock)
A Dark-bellied Brent was at the Maltings, Strangdford Lough (Paul Scott)
A 2 hour seawatch at Copeland Bird Observatory produced 10 Whooper Swan, a Balearic Shearwater, 4 Manx Shearwater and an Arctic Skua (David Galbraith).
Magilligan Point had 18 Whooper Swan, 120 Sanderling, 65 Dunlin, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 45 Bar-tailed Godwit, a Grey Plover and Red-throated Diver (C Stewart).
2 Dipper were at Crumlin Glen (Vernon Carter).
2 Wheatear were at Luke's Point near Ballyholme Yacht Club (George Henderson).
An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Myroe Levels (Stuart McKee).
The Pink-footed Goose was still at Kearney as well as 200 Skylark and a Peregrine Falcon. 2 Wheatear, a Merlin and 200 Golden Plover were at Kirkiston (Richard Weyl).  

Meadow Pipit - Stephen Maxwell

Shorebird Identification

Contact lizfarnan@allianceyouthworks.org.uk if you would like to book a place on the free event below:

Bird News Saturday 8th October

A juv Black Tern was on the beach at Portavogie(I.Graham/R.Weyl)

A Pink-footed Goose was at Kearney, Co. Down (I Graham)
Dark-bellied Brent were at the Maltings and Greyabbey, Strangford Lough, Co. Down. (I Graham \ W Farrelly)

In south Down the first winter Spotted Redshank, 450 Golden Plover, a Sanderling, Ruff, 7 Greenshank. 2 bar-tailed Godwit, a Pink-footed Goose, adult Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Merlin and a few Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin were at Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy).

At the north end of Strangford Lough 1,000 Pale-bellied Brent were at Islandhill and 8 Little Egret at Rough Island (Ricky McQuillan).

A Merlin was at Burial Island and a Whimbrel and Arctic Tern at Orlock Point (Richard Weyl).

A flock of 250 Goldfinch were at Blackhead Co.Antrim (I.Enlander)

Our thanks to Stephen Maxwell who kindly sent in the above photograph of a Wheatear at Islandhill Co.Down.

You can report your bird sightingings to: nibirds@live.co.uk or 028 91467408

Bird News for Friday 7th October

Ramore Head between 07.30-18.00 had, 1 juv. Long-tailed Skua, 50 Pom. Skua, 49 Great Skua, 12Arctic Skua, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 65 Leach's Petrel, 5 Storm Petrel, 8 Sabine's Gull, 34 Grey Pharlarope, 165 Arctic Tern, 25 R B Merganser, 27 RT Diver, 17 G N Diver, 13 Barnacle Geese, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 48 Wigeon, 21 Teal, 180 Tufted Duck,.(N.Warnock)

A Black-throated Diver flew north at Copeland Bird Observatory at 11am. 200 Razorbill were off Mew Island (Neville McKee).

A first winter Spotted Redshank, Little Egret and 200 Golden Plover were at Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy).

As well as the Black Tern a Red-throated Diver was off Whitehead (Cameron Moore).

In Donegal a Snow Bunting and 2 Golden Plover were at Malinmore (Vernon Carter).

1 Black Tern and an Arctic Tern were at Whitehead this morning, this afternoon 20 Swallow were getting ready for the off.(I.Enlander)

Bird News Thursday 6th October

Late news from Monday was of a Yellow Wagtail at Pond Park Nursing home in Lisburn. (Anne Scott).

Ramore Head, Portrush over the day had 4 Sabines Gull, 2 Long Tailed Skua,
67 Pomarine, 64 Great Skua, 31 Arctic Skua, 2 Leach's Petrel, a Storm Petrel, 2 Sooty Shearwater, 5 Arctic Tern, 9 Grey Phalarope, 2 Great Northern Diver, 14 Red-breasted Merganser, at least 60 Barnacle Geese, 120 Brent and 25 Purple Sandpiper (Neal Warnock, Stuart McKee, Matthew Tickner).

11 Pomarine Skua landed at Portrush East Strand and 4 Leach's Petrel and 40 Barnacle Geese were also seen (Colin Guy).

A Black-throated Diver, 3 Red-throated Diver and a Black Tern were off Whitehead (Cameron Moore).

Copeland Bird Observatory had 5 Arctic Skua, a Pomarine Skua, a Great Skua, 500 Razorbill, 600 Kittiwake, 20 Puffin and an immature Hen Harrier (Neville McKee).

A small flock of Redwing, Fieldfare, Blackbird and Mistle Thrush was at Inch Abbey, Downpatrick. (Spencer & Joan Marshall).

A Wheatear, Lapwing and Golden Plover were at Kirkiston (Richard Lord).

A 10 hour seawatch in Donegal at Melmore Head produced 120 Great Skua, 75 Pomarine Skua, 12 Arctic Skua, 5 Long-tailed Skua, 120 Sooty Shearwater, 15 Grey Phalarope, 67 Barnacle Geese, 8 Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Diver (Eric Randall).

2 Sooty Shearwater, 2 Great Skua and a Great Northern Diver were at Rocky Point and a Swallow at Ardarragh in Donegal. (Vernon Carter).

3 Crossbill were at Crocknagrally Pony Trail at Mullaphad in Co. Tyrone. (Colin Bell).

Brent Geese, Strangford - Guy Hamilton

Chough records - Can you help?

We have received the request below from Donnell Black regarding our few remaining Chough. Can you help?

I’m recording sightings of NI chough to build a picture of their movements. Our one pair of chough fledged two young on Rathlin Island again this year. To the best of our knowledge the birds leave N. Ireland each autumn and return the following spring. I am interested in all sightings and aim to collect as much information as possible. Information of interest to me would include:

Time and date of sighting?
Any previous or following sightings?
Grid ref of sighting?
Did you have the scope on the bird?
Did you see any leg rings?
Have you any photos?
What was the bird doing when you sighted it?

You can pass the information on to ourselves or Donnell direct on:

Donnell Black

RSPB Agri-Environment Officer
Tel: 028 90699091
donnell.black@rspb.org.uk

Chough, Fair Head - Donnell Black

Bird News Wednesday 5th October

Copeland Bird Observatory had an immature Little Gull (their first of the year), 300 Kittiwake, 300 Razorbill and 30 Gannet. In the evening 40 Pale-bellied Brent flew south (Neville McKee).
21 Little Egret seen from Island Hill, Comber & 5 Greenshank at Butterlump Stone, Newtownards (Adam McClure)
At Strangford Lough 122 feral Canada Geese, 387 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Greenshank were at Ballymorran Bay. A juvenile Peregrine Falcon was at Islandhill (Des Price).

The Fermanagh White-tailed Eagle was today seen near Portora, Enniskillen.

A Little Stint was at the Myroe intakes (Gerry Bond)

Dunlin and Little Stint - Gerry Bond

Little Stint - Gerry Bond

Stonechat - Richie Lort

Bird News for Tuesday 4th October.

At Dundrum Inner Bay South this morning were 6 Little Egret & 28 Redwing. A further 98 Redwing, a Wheatear, Merlin, Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel & a Peregrine were at St. John's Point.(A.McClure)

Copeland Bird Observatory had 2 male Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, 20 Lesser Redpoll, 200 Goldfinch, 7 Hooded Crow, 2 Carrion Crow, a hybrid Hooded x Carrion, 8 Jackdaw that appeared to come from the direction of Scotland and 250 Kittiwake going south about half of them juvenile. Yesterday 2 female Blackcap, 400 Goldfinch, 50 Lesser Redpoll, 30 Linnet, 10 newly arrived Robin, 70 Swallow and 5 House Martin were seen (Neville McKee).

Last night a Barn Owl was in a garden at Aghnaleck near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).

Our thanks to Guy Hamilton who took this photo of the Ring-billed Gull yesterday,which can be seen at the East Strand car park Portrush