Bird News Saturday 30th June

No news so far today.

Thanks to Thomas Campbell for the pictures of a Puffin and Manx Shearwaters taken on a trip around the Copeland Islands:

Bird News Friday 29th June.

There was a family off Spotted Flycatchers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker beside car park lay-by at saw mills clandeyboye estate today (Harry Byron)

The Ruff still present at the WOW reserve in Belfast along with a Greenshank and 3 Common Sandpiper.(Daniel Newton)

A male Hen Harrier was seen near Lisnakea.(Brian Sutton)

Spotted Flycatcher - Harry Bryon.

Bird News Thursday 28th June

The male Ruff and a Common Sandpiper were at RSPB WoW today (Derek Polley).

A Red Kite was over Ballydrain Road near Comber this morning. (Ernie Parton).

Thanks to Thomas Campbell for this pic of a Whinchat:

Bird News Wednesday 27th June

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker has been visiting a garden between Crossgar and Killyleagh for most of the last two weeks. (Paul Megahey).

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Swift and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Buzzard:

Bird News Tuesday 26th June

2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen on the drive up to Seaforde House, Co Down (Richard Caves)

The male Ruff was still at RSPB WoW this morning (Michael Irvine)

Thanks to David Hunter for this pic of a Common Tern:

Bird News Monday 25th June.

The Ruff was still at the WOW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton)

Slightly further afield... An Osprey was seen at Lough Nacung, nr. Gweedore Co. Donegal. (Adam McClure)

Tree Sparrow - Dick Glasgow

Peregrine - Cameron Moore

Bird News Sunday 24th June

The summer plumaged Ruff was still present at Belfast Lough WOW reserve this morning. (Garry Armstrong). This afternoon five Sanderling, the Ruff, a first summer Med Gull and a Roseate Tern were present (Stuart McKee)

A Stock Dove was also present at Belfast WOW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton).

A Cuckoo and several Whinchat were in the Antrim hills above Cushendun. (Michael Latham).

A Manx Sherwater was seen in the middle of Lough Neagh at 6am last Wednesday morning. (Patrick Devlin)

Thanks to Thomas Campbell for the picture of the Whitethroat and to Andrew Poots for the picture of the Spotted Flycatcher:

 

 

Bird News Saturday 23rd June

There was a 2nd calendar year Little Gull at the West Ardmore Road, south shore of Neagh yesterday. (James O’Neil)

A Ruff in nearly full breeding plumage was among Lapwing at RSPB WOW. (Brian Douglas)

An early morning trip over the Antrim Hills produced Whinchats, several Spotted Flycatchers and a Cuckoo (Michael Latham)

Late news of a Manx Shearwater on Lower Lough Erne Co Fermanagh on Tuesday in the strong north westerly winds, a 2nd county record (Fionnbarr Cross per Brad Robson)

Whinchat, Michael Latham:

Ruff, Brian Douglas:

Bird News Friday 22nd June

Yesterday a leucistic Starling that could be mistaken for a Rose-coloured Starling was in Belfast, see pictures below. (Alan Wiggins).

Thanks to Alan Wiggins for the pictures of the leucistic Starling and to Ian Jackson for the picture of the Swift:

Bird News Thursday 21st June

Seven Crossbill were at Slieveanorra, Co Antrim (Brian Murphy)

A Spotted Flycatcher and young were at Derrymore Wood, Bessbrook (Frank Carroll)

A Black Swan was at Inch, Co Donegal (Gareth Platt)

Thanks to Alastair McLean for this pic of a Sedge Warbler:

Bird News Wednesday 20th June

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Ballyskeagh, near Lisburn this evening (Robert Scott)

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this picture of a male Hen Harrier from Co Antrim:

Bird News Tuesday 19th June

No news so far today.

Thanks to David Steele for the picture of the eclipse American Wigeon at Lough Beg yesterday and to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Whinchat:

 

 

Bird News Monday 18th June

An eclipse male American Wigeon was with seven male Eurasian Wigeon in Church Bay, Lough Beg. (David Steele)

Bird News Sunday 17th June

A Little Gull was still present at the Bann Estuary this morning (Brian Murphy)

Two Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen at Oxford Island (R Illingworth)

The Rosy Starling influx continues with birds reported throughout Britain and Ireland so keep a look out for one with your local Starlings.

Great Skua, Rathlin - Linda Thompson:

Wilf Swain - Sparrowhawk:

Bird News Saturday 16th June

A Stock Dove and 3 Knot were at Belfast Lough WOW Reserve this morning. (Garry Armstrong).

This morning a Great Skua was on the water off the west lighthouse, Rathlin, having killed an auk. Several hours later a pair of Great Skuas was seen at Kebble, Rathlin. (Ian & Philip McKee).

Bird News Friday 15th June

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Eshywulligan, Co Fermanagh. (Clive Mellon)

Bird News Thursday 14th June

A Red Kite was soaring over Ballydugan Road half way between Downpatrick and Clough this morning. (Colin Mayes).

Belfast WOW reserve had 600+ Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, 3 Dunlin and 12 Gadwall. (Derek Polley).

Thanks to Cameron Moore for this unusual picture of a Grey Heron that has its tongue protruding through it's neck:

Bird News Wednesday 13th June

An adult Little Gull was at the Bann Estuary (Colin Guy)

A leucistic singing male Chaffinch was seen at the play park in the Stormont Estate today (Harry Byron)

Bird News Tuesday 12th June.

Wheatear - Christine Cassidy

Bird News Monday 11th June

A female Marsh Harrier flew high south over Derrycrow on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (David Knight).

Two Little Gulls were at the Bann Estuary this afternoon. (Richard Donaghey).

Thanks to Richard for the picture of the Little Gull:

Bird News Sunday 10th June

There has been an unconfirmed report of a Corncrake calling in a field between Lisburn and Saintfield. (per Garry Wilkinson)

11 Crossbill were at Loughermore Forest East (Brian Sutton)

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this pic of a Goldfinch:

Bird News Saturday 9th June

Two Red Kites were at Castlewellan Forest Park (Dara McNulty) and another was at Donaghcloney (Paul Allen)

Two Little Gull were at the Bann Estuary (Theo Campbell)

Two Red-throated diver were at Burial Island, Co Down (Richard Weyl)

Thanks to Wilf Swain for this pic of a Sparrowhawk:

Bird News Friday 8th June

Two Whitethroats were singing along the path up to Scrabo Tower. (Gemma Sandford)

Thanks to Christopher Passmore for the picture of the Cuckoo:

Bird News Thursday 7th June

At least six Mediterranean Gull chicks were on view at RSPB Belfast Lough reserve, two male Pochard were also present. (Derek Polley).

A female Cuckoo was seen in flight at Lough Fea. (Shane McGarvey).

Yesterday four Tree Sparrows were at Balls Point. (James Clancy).

Thanks to Jmaes O'Neill for the picture of the Long-eared Owl, to Derek Polley for the picture of the Arctic Tern and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Goldfinch:

Bird News Wednesday 6th June

No bird news today.

Many thanks to Dick Glasgow for this pic of a Whinchat from the Antrim Hills:

North Coast Boat Trip

A boat trip is proceeding tomorrow on what promises to be a lovely day. It will leave Ballycastle at 10am and travel along the coast to Ballintoy taking in Kenbane Head and the Rope Bridge. Then out to Bull Point for the seabirds, along the North Cliffs of Rathlin Island, Bruce's Cave, Rue Point and then Torr Head and Crockan Point. Back to Ballycastle via Fair Head. If you are interested, please contact Jim Wells at ‭07856 235144. ‬

Corncrake Night time Tours - Falcarragh

For those keen to hear the distinctive call of the secretive and elusive Corncrake there will be a unique opportunity with a series of five night time tours taking place through June and into July this year. These tours taking place in northwest Donegal will also provide a greater insight into the corncrake as they will be preceded by a talk about this once common Summer visitor which is now increasingly rare. The talk will be delivered by a local Corncrake and wildlife expert. It will take place in Falcarragh, Co. Donegal beginning at 10pm on each of the following Saturdays; 9th, 16th, & 23rd June, & 7th & 14th of July.  Numbers are limited & advance booking is required €10 per person / Call 00 353 74 918 0994 or 00 353  086 822 0404or email lancu@eircom.net. Links: http://natithegloine.com/courses.html or https://www.facebook.com/natithegloine

Corncrake - Anton Meenan

Bird News Tuesday 5th June

Three pairs at least of Ringed Plovers have successfully raised young on Murlough beach, Co Down (Garry Wilkinson)

With a recent influx of Rosy Starlings into GB, it would be worthwhile keeping an eye on your local Starlings for these colourful and rare visitors.

Many thanks to Neal Warnock and Adam McClure for keeping both Blog’s updated daily over the last two weeks.

Many thanks to Wilf Swain for this pic of a  Buzzard:

Bird News Monday 4th June

8 Crossbill were on Rathlin (Ric Esle / Hazel Watson)

Bird News Sunday 3rd June

An Arctic Skua flew north at Burial Island (Richard Weyl)

Nesting on an Antrim rooftop at the exact same spot for the third year running, the Med (male) x Common Gull (female), have successfully hatched out three chicks, for the first time ever (Gareth Platt).

Late news from yestersay - 8 Cuckoo around the Inishowen Peninsula (Christine Cassidy & Dermot Mc Laughlin)

A pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker are visiting a garden in Downpatrick (Christopher Passmore)

Bird News Saturday 2nd June

A wing-tagged Red Kite was at Knockagh Road in Newtownabbey (George Stewart).

Bird News Friday 1st June

An Osprey was on the Lower Bann today. Upstream of the Agivey bridge (Eddie Manthorpe).

A Cuckoo was at the north end of Murlough last night (Marty Rooney).

Thanks to Eddie for the Osprey photo.