Bird News Thursday 9th March

A first winter Glaucous Gull was in Rathlin Harbour  Also seen on the island were a male Hen Harrier a female Merlin, Goldeneye, Pochard and10 Ravens flying high towards Mull of Kintyre (Colin Guy)

The first winter Kumliens Gull, 2 Med Gulls and a Ruff were at RSPB WOW Reserve (Brad Robson, Tom Ennis, Stephen Maxwell and Derek Polley)

There were approx 85 Pinkfeet at Inch Wildfowl Reserve, Co Donegal today (Eddie Manthorpe)

A Water Rail was calling along the Newry Canal opposite Gorughwood. (Frank Carroll) 

Myroe had c250 Brent on the lawn grass fields; 4 Little Egrets, and off the sea embankment 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver and 6 Common Scoter. Bann Estuary held 275 Golden Plover and 60 Sanderling. (Hill Dick/Peter Robinson) 

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was calling at Drum Manor, Cookstown this afternoon (Dermot Hughes) 

Thanks to Terry Hanna for this pic of a Red Kite from near Downpatrick and Rod Gillan for the Golden Plover pic: