Temminck's Stint At Myroe

Bird News Sunday 31st July

A Temmincks Stint was at Myroe this morning, at one of the pools (Philip West).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Hillsborough Forest Park this evening. (Gerard McLaughlin)

Thanks to Andy Dickson for the picture of a fledgling Long-eared Owl visiting his garden in Ballinahinch, to Dessie Loughrey for the picture of the Buzzard and to James McDowell for the picture of the Whitethroat:

 

 

Bird News Saturday 30th July

The Wood Sandpiper was still at Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve this morning. (Garry Armstrong).

7 Common Sandpiper where along the Newry canal.(Frank Carroll)

2 Cuckoos were on the shoreline at Briggs Rocks yesterday evening (Colin Guy)

Bird News Friday 29th July

A Little Egret was on the River Lagan near Lisburn. (Brian Johnson).

The Wood Sandpiper was still at Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve. (RSPB).

Thanks to David Hill for the pictures of the juvenile Wheatear and the Whitethroat.

Bird News Thursday 28th July.

The Wood Sandpiper was still present at the RSPB Belfast Harbour reserve, a Common Sandpiper was also present.(Derek Polley)

Five female Garganey were at Lough Beg this evening, the two Ospreys were also seen again (David Steele)

Long-eared Owl - Andy Dickson. 

Bird News Wednesday 27th July

The Wood Sandpiper was still at the RSPB WOW Reserve (Gerard McGeehan, Tom Ennis)

A Reed Warbler was calling off Kinnego Hide at Oxford Island this morning. (Adam McClure)

2 adult Osprey were at Lough Beg today, also a Green Sandpiper on the River Bann between Lough Beg and Toome. (Matthew Tickner, Gareth Bareham).

2 Choughs were at the southern end of Rathlin. (Colin Guy).

The King Eider was seen again at Murvagh Bay, Co Donegal (Chris Ingram)

Thanks to Linda Thompson for the pictures of the Buzzard and the Sand Martin.

 

Bird News Tuesday 26th July

 The Wood Sandpiper was still at Belfast RSPB WOW reserve - staying on the west shore and often hidden. A Common Sandpiper was also present. 100+ Common Tern were apparently incubating eggs while other Common Tern young were fledged. Kinnegar pool had 4 Common Sandpiper while the beach had 30+ Knot. Whitehouse Lagoon had 750 Redshank at roost. (Ian Enlander).

3 Red Grouse were at Clabby Mountain, Co Fermanagh this evening. (Colin Bell).

Bird News Monday 25th July

The Wood Sandpiper was still at the RSPB Belfast WOW reserve. Also a Wood Sand and a Common Sand were at Kinnegar Pool with 3 Sanderling at Kinnegar shore. (Stuart McKee).

At RSPB WOW were 60 Knot, 1 Greenshank and a 1 Common Sandpiper (Derek Polley) 

Thanks to Neil Cartmill for this pic of a Common Sandpiper at RSPB WOW and Linda Thompson for the female Reed Bunting:

Bird News Sunday 24th July

At Oxford Island the Little Gull was still off Croaghan Hide and unusually for the site 5 Sanderling dropped in with a flock of Dunlin. (Garry Armstrong)

The Whooper Swan was seen again on the River Lagan, circa 1 mile downriver of the Island Centre (Trevor Rutherford)

A Ruff was with c35 Lapwings on flooded former peat workings at Magherlane Rd, Randalstown, this afternoon (Brian Sutton)

A Wood Sandpiper was at Belfast WOW Reserve (Gerard McGeehan)

2 Green Sandpipers were at The Quoile from the Castle Island Hide and 2 dark morph Arctic Skuas were off St. Johns Point (Jeff Larkin)

An eclipse male King Eider was at inner Donegal bay at the south end of Murvagh Beach this afternoon, also 1 Whimbrel (Brad Robson)

Thanks to David Hill for this pic of a male Reed Bunting:

Bird News Saturday 23rd July

A Little Gull was off the Croaghan hide, Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)

There were 5 rafts of Manx Shearwaters (30-40 individuals in each) at the mouth of Belfast Lough as seen from the Stena ferry when passing Kilroot power station this morning (Ian McKee)

Kinnegar Shore in the afternoon had a light bellied Brent, an adult Mediterranean Gull and three Sanderling. Good numbers of waders including Knot and Bar-tailed Godwits were also present (Wilton Farrelly)

13 Greenshank, 7 Little Egret and a Common Sandpiper were at Glynn (Gerard McGeehan)

A 2nd year Mediterranean Gull was at the Bann Estuary. (Jeff Larkin)

A Western Sandpiper is present at Tacumshin, Wexford.

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this pic of a Kingfisher:

Bird News Friday 22nd July

8 Sanderling were at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (Stuart McKee).

Thanks to Ronnie Snoddy for the picture of the juvenile Cuckoo from Cultra on the 19th.

Bird News Thursday 21st July

The Little Ringed Plover was present briefly again in the area east of the RSPB WOW reserve. In the reserve itself were a Whimbrel, three Greenshank and two Common Sandpipers. (Stuart McKee). The Little Ringed Plover was still present at lunchtime (Dennis Weir)

Thanks to Norman Milligan for this pic of the Little Ringed Plover:

Bird News Wednesday 20th July

8 Little Egret were at Dundrum Coastal Path. (Jim McKeown)

Three Mediteranean Gulls were at Belfast WOW Reserve (Brian Murphy)

An adult LIttle Ringed Plover was at the small pool with the yellow cone in rough ground 300 metres east of RSPB WoW centre. First seen circa 4pm and still present 20.35 this evening. (Norman Milligan)

A dark phase Arctic Skua was harassing terns at the Barmouth, Castlerock (Colin Guy)

A Greater Sand Plover was seen early this morning at Tacumshin, Co Wexford. 

Bird News Tuesday 19th July

There is no fresh news so far today.

Bird News Monday 18th July

 At Hillsborough Lake a Common Sandpiper was at the spot where the ducks are fed this evening. (Gary Wilkinson).

A Spotted Flycatcher was at the eastern end of Rathlin. (Colin Guy).

Thanks to Ian Jackson for the picture of the Gannet

Bird News Sunday 17th July.

Kearney Co Down had.. a Cuckoo, Merlin, several Whimbrel and 3 Carrion Crows.(Garry Armstrong/Phillip West)

Kinnegar shore had a flock of 50 Knot and around 30 Bar-tailed Godwits, with a lot of them in stunning summer plumage(GA/PW).

About 400 shearwaters were in Belfast Lough this afternoon, off Eden, seen from the Stena ferry. (Robert Scott).

A Kingfisher was at Knock Bridge, on the Newry side 100 yards from the Knock Bridge at Mullahead Road near Bleary. (Paul Allen).

Thanks to Karl Martin for the picture of the Common Sandpiper and to John Moore for the picture of the Black Guillemot.

 

Bird News Saturday 16th July

A Glossy Ibis was seen at 8:50 south of Armoy to east of the B44 in Co. Antrim, flying south. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown).

This morning two Crossbills were at Clabby Mountain Co Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

Bird News Friday 15th July

2 Sanderling in summer plumage, 2 Common Sandpiper,1 Whimbrel,1 Greenshank, 150 Redshank, 12 Bar-tailed Godwit in sum. plum. where all at the RSPB Belfast Harbour reserve.(Stuart McKee)

Ailsa Craig Boat Trip

There will be another boat trip to Ailsa Craig this Saturday. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for further details.

Bird News Thursday 14th July

2 Common Sandpiper, a Kingfisher and a Buzzard where at Kinnegar shore.(Gilly Irwin)

12 Greenshank where at Glynn Co.Antrim.(Gerald McGeehan)

Yesterday Lough Beg between 3-5pm had a pair of Whooper Swans with 2 cygnets. Birds were on the Antrim shore opposite Mullagh Point. Also present in SW and Paddy Dub area were 3 Little Egrets, 2 Canada Geese, 20 Curlew, 1 Greenshank, 1 Ruff and a Kestrel. A female Garganey was with Mallard in the bay to the south of Church island. (Godfrey McRoberts).

Thanks to Jason Bain for the picture of the Kingfisher.

 

 

 

Bird News Wednesday 13th July

An Osprey was at Lough Beg today. A Ruff and a female Garganey were in the southwest corner. (David Steele).

A Common Sandpiper was at Whitehead seafront. (Adam McClure).

An adult Pomarine Skua flew past Bloody Foreland in Donegal. (Birdguides).

Thanks to Linda Thompson for the pictures of the Spotted Flycatcher and the Chiffchaff and to Karl Martin for the pictures of the juvenile Wheatear and the Puffins.

 

 

 

 

Bird News Wednesday 13th July

An Osprey was at Lough Beg today. A Ruff and a female Garganey were in the southwest corner. (David Steele).

A Common Sandpiper was at Whitehead seafront. (Adam McClure).

An adult Pomarine Skua flew past Bloody Foreland in Donegal. (Birdguides).

Thanks to Linda Thompson for the pictures of the Spotted Flycatcher and the Chiffchaff.

 

 

Bird News Wednesday 13th July

An Osprey was at Lough Beg today. A Ruff and a female Garganey were in the southwest corner. (David Steele).

A Common Sandpiper was at Whitehead seafront. (Adam McClure).

An adult Pomarine Skua flew past Bloody Foreland in Donegal. (Birdguides).

Boat Trip To Ailsa Craig

There will be a boat trip to Ailsa Craig tomorrow, leaving from Cushendall Boat Club at 9am.


Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for full details.

Bird News Tuesday 12th July

The Grasshopper Warbler is still reeling at Oxford Island, see picture below. (Garry Armstrong).

Thanks to David Hill for the pictures of the Sedge Warbler and the Reed Bunting

Sedge Warbler

Reed Bunting

Grasshopper Warbler



 

Bird News Monday 11th July

Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve had a Mediterranean Gull and chick, 3 Common Sandpipers, 35 Knot and a juvenile Sandwich Tern. (Derek Polley)

Thanks to David Hunter for the  picture of Curlew and to Derek Polley for the piture of the Mediterranean Gull and chick .

 

 

Bird News Sunday 10th July

Yesterday a Balearic Shearwater was off Kinnegoe in Belfast Lough. (Birdguides).

At Oxford Island this morning a Grasshopper Warbler was still reeling, 3 Common Sandpipers were off Croaghan Hide and several Reed Warblers were in the reed bed around Kinnegar Hide. (Garry Armstrong).

Thanks to John Moore for the picture of the Sand Martin, also below is a picture of one of the Common Sandpipers from Oxford Island.

Bird News Saturday 9th July

A young Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden to the west of Portadown, (Peadar Ó Conghaile).

Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve at high tide had the two pairs of Mediterranean Gulls with chicks, a Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpipers and 33 Knot, a Kittiwake also dropped in briefly. The Common Sandpiper was also still at Kinnegar. (Garry Armstrong).

2 Red Kites were over the A1 between Dromore & Banbridge this afternoon.(Karen Elliott).

Thanks to Linda Thompson for the pictures of the Mediterranean Gull and the Tufted Ducks both taken at Belfast Lough WOW reserve.

Bird News Saturday 9th July

A young Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden to the west of Portadown, (Peadar Ó Conghaile).

Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve at high tide had the two pairs of Mediterranean Gulls with chicks, a Whimbrel, 3 Common Sandpipers and 33 Knot, a Kittiwake also dropped in briefly. The Common Sandpiper was also still at Kinnegar. (Garry Armstrong).

2 Red Kites were over the A1 between Dromore & Banbridge this afternoon.(Karen Elliott).

Bird News Friday 8th July

An Osprey was seen this morning from the Stenaline ferry flying in the direction of Belfast. (Paul Cronin).

A Corncrake was calling near the Lakeside View caravan park in Annahilt, Hillsborough. (Paddy Proctor).

A 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull was at Dundrum Inner Bay South, see picture below.(David Nixon).

2 Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve with another at Kinnegar. (Daniel Newton).

Thanks to Noeni Bryars for the picture of the Mediterranean Gull and Chick from Belfast Lough WOW reserve, to Jeff Silvers for the picture of the Puffin from the Copeland Islands and to David Nixon For the picture of the Dundrum Mediterranean Gull.

 

 

Bird News Friday 8th July

An Osprey was seen this morning from the Stenaline ferry flying in the direction of Belfast. (Paul Cronin).

A Corncrake was calling near the Lakeside View caravan park in Annahilt, Hillsborough. (Paddy Proctor).

A 2nd summer Mediterranean Gull was at Dundrum Inner Bay South, see picture below.(David Nixon)

Thanks to Noeni Bryars for the picture of the Mediterranean Gull and Chick from Belfast Lough WOW reserve, to Jeff Silvers for the picture of the Puffin from the Copeland Islands and to David Nixon For the picture of the Dundrum Mediterranean Gull.

 

 

Bird News Friday 8th July

An Osprey was seen this morning from the Stenaline ferry flying in the direction of Belfast. (Paul Cronin).


Thanks to Noeni Bryars for the picture of the Mediterranean Gull and Chick from Belfast Lough WOW reserve and to Jeff Silvers for the picture of the Puffin from the Copeland Islands.

Bird News Thursday 7th July

A Pomarine Skua was off Ramore Head, Portrush.(Ian Enlander).

The Ring-billed Gull was back at the Round O in Enniskillen - see picture below. (Robert Scott)




Whitethroat - Linda Thompson.

Ring-billed Gull - Robert Scott

Bird News Wednesday 6th July

21 Black-tailed Godwits and a single Bar-tailed Godwit, all in summer plumage, were at the Bann Estuary. (Colin Guy).


A White-tailed Eagle was on Lower Lough Erne. (Irish Birding).

Bird News Tuesday 5th July

At least two Ospreys and possibly a third were at Lough Macnean in Co. Fermanagh. (Amy Burns)

Bird News Monday 4th July

Yesterday an Osprey was seen briefly over the Portna Road in Kilrea. (Irish Birding).

Bird News Sunday 3rd July

A female Blue-winged Teal was in Church Bay at Lough Beg. (David Steele).

A Common Sandpiper was at Kinnegar in Belfast Lough. (Daniel Newton).

Two Greenshank, one in summer plumage, and two summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwits were at Glynn in Larne Lough. (Gerard McGeehan).

A Common Sandpiper was along the Clanrye River, Newry Estuary this morning. (Frank Carroll).

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the pictures of the adult and young Mediterranean Gulls and to Jason Bain for the picture of the Buzzard.