Bird News Thursday 27th April

The Long-billed Dowitcher is still off the hide at the Quoile this morning, see pictures below, the Ring-necked Duck and Ruff were also still present. (Tony Donaldson).

There was no sign of the Avocets at RSPB Belfast Lough reserve up to 12.30. A Ring-billed Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, the Little Gull and a Common Sandpiper were present, a Swift also flew through. (Derek Polley/Ian Enlander).

A singing Reed Warbler was at Kinnegar, a Common Sandpiper was also present. (Ian Enlander).

There were approx. 1500 Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Sanderling on the beach at Magilligan Point this morning. Also small numbers of Whimbrel at Ball's Point and Ballykelly Bank. (David Hill).

On Rathlin today the first Grasshopper Warbler of the year was singing near the harbour. The Iceland Gull was still present. Also present were 70 Black-tailed Godwits (mostly on Ushet Lough), 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper. A flock of 10 White Wagtails by Ushet Lough. 3 Redwings were still at Kinramer. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

On Tuesday an Osprey was seen in flight over Glenarm Forest. (Geraldine Seymour).

Thanks to Tony Donaldson for the pictures of the Long-billed Dowitcher, to David Hill for the pictures of the White Wagtail and the Dunlin, to Linda Thompson for the picture of the Wheatear and to Geraldine Seymour for the picture of the Osprey.