Bird News Friday 5th May

Three dark-bellied Brent were at Kinnegar Shore (Daniel Newton).

The juvenile Dark-bellied Brent was still at Dundrum South Inner Bay as were 10 Light-bellied birds. (David Nixon).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Gosford Forest Park. Good numbers were in Markethill today. (John Anderson)

An Osprey was at the south end of Lough Beg this afternoon (Davy Hunter)

Four Swifts were over Carrickfergus (Gerard McGeehan)

A Garden Warbler was at Lusty Beg, Lower Lough Erne (Dot Blakely).

2 Swifts were over Avoniel Leisure Centre on Belfast. (Daniel Newton).

3 Swifts were in Church Square in Banbridge this evening. (Karen Elliott).

On Rathlin the first Swifts of the year arrived this evening (at least 2). The first Whitethroats arrived on the 3rd, with at least 4 present that day. Otherwise fairly quiet at the moment. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Brents at Kinnegar shore: The numbers have increased and there are now 12 Brents:- 2 Dark-bellied adults, 6 Pale-bellied adults, 4 Pale-bellied first-summers. The new arrivals could be a family group (Adult pair plus 4 young). (Tom Ennis).

Thanks to Michael O'Dwyer for the picture of a Stonechat.