Bird News Saturday 31st March

A Whimbrel was at Drumfad Bay and the hybrid Ring-billed Gull was at Millisle (Richard Weyl).
An Iceland Gull and a Mediteranean Gull were at Glynn Station (Birdguides)
The adult Kumliens \ Thayers type gull was seen again at Blankenook (Chris Ingram)

Wood Pigeon does not come much closer than this! - Thanks to Alistair Prentice. You can see more of Alistairs pics at: http://www.flickr.com/people/awprentice/

Bird News for Friday 30th March.

15 Manx Shearwater were seen flying past Kearney village Co Down in the late afternoon.(K.Bennett)

At Larne Lough 2 Iceland Gulls (second-year and adult) were off Glynn. At Belfast Lough an adult Iceland Gull was at Loughshore Park (Stuart McKee).

There are now 47 Sandwich Tern on Cockle Island at Groomsport.

Bird News for Thurs.29th March.

An Osprey flew north-east over Portadown at 7.45am (Denis Doherty).

Several Wheatears were at Murlough dunes and Swallows were coming in off the sea in twos and threes at Newcastle (Harold McBride).

There are now 5 Ravens displaying over Dundonald House at Stormont House (Ian McKee).

Our thanks to Christine Cassidy for her photo of the Linnet(top) to Dave Hill for his photo of a Twite and to Stephen Maxwell for the Black-tailed Godwit(bottom)

Bird News Wednesday 28th March

In Fermanagh a Swallow was at Monea (Brad Robson).

A pair of Raven was displaying over Dundonald House in Stormont Estate in Belfast (Ian McKee).

17 Sandwich Tern were on Cockle Island at Groomsport (George Gordon).

Yesterday several Sand Martin were back at the colony at Cuilcagh Mountain (Brad Robson).

A House Martin was at Donaghadee Cricket Club (Jim Whitla).

A Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, a pair of nest building Jay, Crossbill and 5 Redwing feeding on Ivy berries were at Rea's Wood at Antrim. (Dermot Hughes)

6 Crossbill were near the Glenshane Pass, see photos below. (Bert Montgomery).

2 Red Grouse were calling at Fardross Hill near Slieve Beagh, Fivemiletown this evening. (Colin Bell).

A Raven was calling from a Scots Pine beside Ashfield Boys School in Wilshere Drive, Belfast. (Norma Perceval-Price)

12 Whooper Swan, 2 White Wagtail and a Mediterranean Gull were at Washing Bay, Lough Neagh and 100+ Tree Sparrows and a Willow Warbler were at Ardboe, Co. Tyrone. (Irish Birding)

Thanks to Alistair Prentice, Stephen Maxwell and Bert Montgomery for todays excellent picture selection. You can check out more of Alistair's pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/

Dipper - Alistair Pentice

Dipper - Alistair Prentice

Goldcrest - Stephen Maxwell

Goldfinch - Stephen Maxwell

Crosbill - Bert Montgomery

Crossbill - Bert Montgomery

Bird News Tuesday 27th March

1st w Iceland Gull was at Enniskillen Tip. A Willow Warbler was also at Monea (Brad Robson)

Along the north coast a first-winter Glaucous Gull and 13 Iceland Gull (3 first-winter, 6 second-winter, a third-winter, fourth-winter and 2 adult) were at Corbally Dam at Portrush. 80 Razorbill, 30 Guillemot and 20 Black Guillemot were at Ramore Head and 9 Whooper Swan on the water well out to sea (Tim Murphy)

Summer visitors are arriving in good numbers now, Boho, E' killen had a Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap.(I.Enlander)

3 Sand Martin were just west of Garvagh.(D.Allen)

A Willow Warbler was at the Bog Meadows.(D.Hughes)

A Swallow was seen over Kircubbin.(D.McCormack)

At Lough Foyle a Sand Martin was at Roe Estuary. A Chiffchaff, Willw Warbler, 2 Wheatear and a Buzzard were at Binevenagh (C Stewart)

A Willow Warbler was at the Quoile along with 101 Black tailed Godwits(C.Nash)

On Saturday an Osprey was at Ballysallagh Lower Reservoir at Craigantlet for half an hour before flying off towards Clandeboye (Leslie McKee)

Our kind thanks to Jeff Silvers who sent in the top photo of a skein of Brent Geese, Tony Donaldson for the mating Buzzards photo and also to Liam McCafferty who sent in the image of the two Robins

Bird News Monday 26th March

The Cattle Egret was seen again roosting on the island in Hillsborough Lake. (Bird Guides).

A Snow Bunting, a Wheatear and 10+ Eider were at Ramore Head, Portrush, see the pictures below. 40+ Whooper Swan were in a field by the Sea Coast Road near Swann's Bridge in north Co. L'Derry (Stephen Maxwell).

4 Sand Martin were at Killard this morning. (Ron Price).

A Merlin was at Oxford Island and a Chiffchaff was at Minnowburn in Belfast. (Irish Birding).

4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, a Willow Warbler and 5 Reed Bunting were along the Newry Canal between Lough Shark and Scarva. (Fulton Somerville).

6 Buzzard were over Ballysillan Playing Fields in Belfast. (Andy Elliott)

7 Sandwich Tern were on Cockle Island in Groomsport. (George Gordon).

Yesterday an adult Mediterranean Gull and 2 Siskin were at Briggs Rocks near Groomsport. (Colin Guy).

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell, Robin Cunningham and Bill Guiller for todays superb pictures.

Snow Bunting - Stephen Maxwell

Snow Bunting - Stephen Maxwell

Snow Bunting - Stephen Maxwell

Wheatear - Stephen Maxwell

Sanderling - Robin Cunningham

Whoopers - Bill Guiller

Red Kite - Bill Guiller

Bird News Sunday 25th March

Afraid we could not match any of the major sightings from down south yesterday (which included Baillons Crake, Black Kite and Alpine Swift!). However birds seen today in NI included:

The Bonapartes Gull was back at Ballygally (Neal Warnock)
The Cattle Egret was still at Castle Espie (Francis Duffin et al).

A Blackcap was along the Lagan towpath near Mary Peters track (Des Price).
6 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff were along the Newry Canal south of Scarva (Fulton Somerville).
The first year male Marsh Harrier was at Lough Beg. A Peregrine, Hen Harrier and 300 Black-tailed Godwits were also seen (David Steele).
3 Crossbill, 4 Buzzard and 2 Raven were at Capanagh on the Antrim Plateau (Walter and Christopher Veale).
At Tully Hill were 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls and a Sandwich tern. A Wheatear was at Killard and 2 Sandwich Tern at Orlock Point (Richard Weyl).
3 singing Chiffchaffs were between Shaw's Bridge and Stranmillis along the Lagan this morning (Dermot Hughes)
2 Chiffchaff were at Mill Lough and a Wheatear at Knockninny Co. Fermanagh (Brad Robson)
Thanks to Mark Elliott and Mark Killops for todays pics:

Red Kite, Moneyslane - Mark Elliott

Dipper - Mark Killops

Fulmar - Mark Killops

Bird News Saturday 24th March

4 adult Mediterranean Gull, 100 Golden Plover, a Sandwich Tern and Bar Tailed Godwits were at Kilclief in south Down. (Robert Scott).

Around Strangford Lough a Chiffchaff was singing at Ballyherly Lough, a Wheatear was at Burr Point and a leucistic Common Gull was at Ganaway Bay. (Richard Weyl).

A Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaffs were singing at Oxford Island this afternoon. (Ron Price).

60 Tree Sparrows were visiting a garden in Richhill, see photograph below. (Andrew Poots).

A Little Egret was beside Castle Espie WWT. (Jim McKeown).

3 Chiffchaffs were at Quay Lane, west of the quarry, in Whitehead. (Ian Enlander).

40 Whooper Swans flew north over Ramore Head, Portrush, 10+ Eider were on the sea off the head, a Buzzard was at Portstewart and a Kestrel at Portaneevy. (Stephen Maxwell).

Yesterday 5 Whooper were with up to 400 Mute Swans in fields be Inch Lake in Donegal. (Robin Cunningham).

Thanks to today's photographers Robin Cunningham, Andrew Poots, Stephen Maxwell, Bert Montgomery and David McCool.

Whoopers - Robin Cunningham

Whoopers - Robin Cunningham

Tree Sparrow - Andrew Poots

Kestrel - Stephen Maxwell

Fulmar - Stephen Maxwell

Little Egret - Bert Montgomery

Brent - David McCool

Oystercatcher - David McCool

Bird News for Friday 23rd March

A Cattle Egret was on the main pool at Castle Espie this morning, could be the same bird that has been roosting over the winter at Hillsborough Lake.

The Richard's Pipit was showing very well on the beach at Killard . 2nd winter Iceland & 1st winter Kumlien's gull both at Ardglass. (C.Sharpe )

At Larne Lough 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, an adult Iceland, Little Egret, Greenshank and Sparrowhawk were at Glynn (Joe Lamont)

A 1st summer Med.Gull was at Kilclief Co.Down(D.Nixon)

3 House Martin were seen at Ballygawley Co.Tyrone (E.O'Hara)

Two hundred thousand thanks

Many thanks to everyone who contributes sightings, pictures and posts. The contributions are much appreciated and not just by the team running this website. Indeed this week we reached 200,000 visitors to this blog so many thanks to all vistors and contributors!
If you would like to contribute, please contact us at: nibirds@live.co.uk

Bird News Thursday 22nd March

A pair of Greater-spotted Woodpeckers were at a forest in Co Down this morning, drumming frequently. (Ron Price)
At Glynn this afternoon there were 28 Bar-tailed Godwit and at Sandy Bay there was a Purple Sandpiper, 57 Turnstone & a male Wheatear (Adam McClure)
A Raven was perched on the roof of Dundonald House in Stormont Estate (Ian McKee).
A Buzzard was over Woodstock/Ravenhill Avenue in Belfast (Fulton Somerville).
A Little Egret was in a field between Limavady and Ringsend (Sylvia McDonald).
A Chiffchaff was at Oxford Island (George Gordon) and another at Armagh (Alistair Prentice)
A Buzzard and a Raven were above Main Street, Tempo, Co Fermanagh. (Colin Bell)
The 2nd winter Iceland Gull was still at McConnells Weir, Belfast (Birdguides)

As usual, many thanks to all who contribute photographs. You can contribte photographs and sightings of rare and scarce birds to nibirds@live.co.uk

Grey Heron - Bill Guiller

Greylags and Whoopers, Myroe - Christine Cassidy and Dermot McLaughlin

Song Thrush - Alistair Prentice

Woodpigeon - Alistair Prentice

Buzzard, Myroe - Christine Cassidy and Dermot McLaughlin

Bird News Wednesday 21st March

The blue phase Snow Goose is still at Lough MacNean Co Fermanagh (Brad Robson)

The 2nd-winter Iceland Gull is still at McConnell's Weir, Belfast (Birdguides)
A Ruddy Duck was at the lake at Mount Stewart (Mike Crossley).
A Peregrine and 3 Sparrowhawk were at Cookstown (Tony McCormick).
The second-winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport. 2 Sandwich Tern were on Cockle Island a  Brambling in a garden in Ballyholme. (George Gordon)
Two Sand Martin were seen at the Braidwater, Ballymena (Irish Birding)
A 2nd-winter Iceland Gull was in Dargan Bay, Belfast (Bird-guides)
A male Wheatear was at Sandy Bay in Larne (Colin Guy)

The Crane was seen again around Bettystown, Co. Louth (Irish Birding)

Thanks to Alistair Prentice for this great pic of Black Guillemot at Newcastle.

Bird News Tuesday 20th March

An Osprey was at Loughbrickland. (Don Scott).

6 Ruff were in the south west corner of Lough Beg. (David Steele).

A Chiffchaff was near the Quoile Bridge on the main road to Downpatrick. (Karl Hamilton).

A Red Kite was at Greyabbey today. (John Foster).

Thanks to Craig Nash, Angus Kennedy, Stephen Maxwell, Alistair Prentice and Bill Guiller for todays pictures.

Mediterranean Gulls - Craig Nash

Dipper - Angus Kennedy

Gannet - Angus Kennedy

Gannet - Angus Kennedy

Coal Tit - Stephen Maxwell

Song Thrush - Stephen Maxwell

Robins- Alistair Prentice

Buzzard - Bill Guiller

Gobbins Boat Trips

If you are considering booking a boat trip (or a group visit) to the Gobbins, please contact Brian Meharg who runs a boat out of Bangor. Such trips offer excellent chances to see Puffin on the cliffs.

Brian's trips can be booked at:
http://bangorboat.com/index.html

Bird News Monday 19th March

A Canada Goose, a white phase Snow Goose and 40 Greenland Whitefronts were on Seacoast Rd, Myroe Levels. 5 Pink feet, 4 Barnacles and 1 Greenland Whitefronts were at Longfield Levels. (Neal Warnock)

A Raven was at Castle Park in Bangor (Derek Polley).
The second-winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport and a Brambling in a garden in Ballyholme. (George Gordon)

The two Chiffchaff were still calling at Daisy Hill, along with a Blackcap (Frank Carroll)

In Donegal 85 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank, 10 Wigeon, 30 Teal, 24 Whooper Swan, 27 Pale-bellied Brent and 18 Shelduck were at Blanket Nook (Stephen Davis)

Keep an eye out for a Crane as a bird has been in Co Louth seen heading north!

Redshank - Zach McCreery

Greylangs and Brent, Annes Point - David McCormick

Turnstone - Zach McCreery

Bird News for Sunday 18th March

4 Iceland Gull (2 ad,2nd winter and a 1st winter) were at Runkerry Point. An ad Iceland Gull was at Strand Rd jetty, Coleraine. 3 Iceland Gull and a 1st winter Med Gull at Bann estuary. 10 Iceland Gull and a Glaucous Gull at Corbally reserve.5 Snow Bunting and a 1st winter Iceland Gull were in a stubble near entrance to Giant's Causeway.(N.Warnock)

One of the Tundra Bean Geese was still at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh along with 2 Pink -footed Geese and 3 Pink -footed Geese were with 30 Whooper Swan just north of Portmore Lough.(G.Armstrong)

At Ballyquintin Point the Short-eared Owl roosting in its usual spot and a Merlin. The 4 Russian whitefronts still at Annes Point.(R.Weyl)

A female Marsh Harrier was seen in flight over Portadown (Denis Doherty)

At Larne Lough a first-winter Glaucous Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gull (2 adult and a first-year), a Greenshank and a Little Egret were off Glynn. 2 Dippers were along the river there. On the Antrim side of Belfast Lough 3 Long-tailed Duck and 5 Red-throated Diver were at Greenisland Sea Park. 3 Buzzard, a Kestrel and a Red Grouse were at Capanagh on the Antrim Plateau (Shirley Dunlop, Gerard McGeehan).




On the Down side of Belfast Lough a male Wheatear was at Briggs Rocks and 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls in flight at Orlock Point (Colin Guy).

An Iceland Gull was still at McConnell's weir in Belfast.(P.West)

A Sparrowhawk was along High Street in Belfast (Ricky McQuillan).

5 Golden Plover and 2 Kestrel were at Llendrum Wind farm,nr Fivemiletown Co Tyrone this afternoon. (C.Bell)

Our thanks to Alistair Prentice who sent in these lovely image of a Grey Wagtail (top)and to Andrew Poots who sent in the photo of the Yellowhammer, our thanks also to B.Guiller for the bottom photo of a Buzzard.