Bird News Thursday 31st October

12 Twite were at Ramore Head and circa 10 Scoter headed east this morning. (Matthew Tickner)

A Red Kite was over the Dromara Road, Dundrum this morning (Wilf Swain)

The Spotted Redshank was still at RSPB WoW (Derek Polley)

2 White-rumped Sandpipers were seen this moring at Myroe (Brian Hegarty)

Myroe had c550 Whooper Swans, 14 Greylag Geese, 1 Carrion Crow, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Snow Bunting; Magilligan Point had 3 Red-throated Diver and 1 Great Northern Diver (Ken Perry/John Clarke/James McDowell/Hill Dick)

Late this afternoon, a juvenile American Golden Plover was also seen at Myroe (Richard Donaghey)

16 Sandwich Terns were at Portaferry Marina (John Wilson Foster).

On Tuesday 29th a single Snow Bunting was on Slieve Muck. (Stephen Bingham).

Thanks to Brian Hegarty for this pic of one of the juvenile White-rumped Sandpipers:

Thanks to Richard Donaghey for this pic of the juvenile American Golden Plover:

Redpoll, Wilf Swain:

Bird News Wednesday 30th October

A White-rumped Sandpiper was at RSPB WoW this morning (Gerard McGeehan / Carol Gillespie)

Another White-rumped Sandpiper was on the turf fields at Myroe this morning. A Snow Bunting and a Jack Snipe were also seen at Myroe. (Jeff Larkin)

A Great White Egret is at the west end of Lower Lough Erne (Brad Robson).

A Barn Owl flew over the Cushendall Road at the Ballymena end at 6p.m. this evening. (Ginny McKee).

At least two Whimbrel were at Grey Point this afternoon. (Philip McErlean).

A high count of 35 Little Egrets were at Church Island, Lough Beg this afternoon, also 20+ Ruff in the area. (David Steele).

Thanks to Jeff Larkin for the first picture of the Snow Bunting, to David Knight for the second Snow Bunting picture, to Philip McErlean for the picture of the Whimbrel, to Mervyn Campbell for the picture of the Merlin, to Stuart Cahoon for the picture of the Sparrowhawk and to Thomas Campbell for the pictures of the White-rumped Sandpiper and the Fieldfare:

Bird News Tuesday 29th October

Six Snow Buntings were at Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh. (David Knight)

A Red Kite flew over Prospect Rd Carrickfergus this morning (Pauline Majury)

45 Pink-footed Geese were at Steels Point, Islandmagee 2pm today. A possible Bean Goose was seen at great distance. (Joe Lamont / Cameron Moore)

A Merlin & 12 Redwing/Fieldfare were at Myroe/Foyle. Another Merlin and a flock of 30 Fieldfare were at Binevenagh, County Derry (Christine Cassidy / Lindsay Hodges)

Fieldfare, Lindsay Hodges:

Bird News Monday 28th October

The Pallas’s Warbler has been looked for without success (Brian McCloskey / Stuart McKee)

Seven Pink-footed Geese flew over Killough in direction of Dundrum early this morning; 14 Whooper Swans continue to roost on Strand Lough (Chris Murphy)

A Common Sandpiper was feeding on the shore just above the Stockbridge Rd,Donaghadee.(Ian Graham)

Bird News Sunday 27th October

A Pallas’s Warbler has been found at Kearney, Co Down this morning. It is in the largest garden where the Red-breasted Flycatcher was two years ago (Richard Weyl). The bird was still present at 10:20am (Hal McCullough). The bird was still showing at 16:30 but can be elusive. Please respect the privacy of residents.

At least five White-rumped Sandpipers were at Myroe this morning, feeding in the drainage channel (Daniel Newton)

Two Snow Buntings were at Ramore Head. Three Greenland Whitefronts also flew over (Daniel Newton)

Two female or  juvenile  Garganey were at Lough Beg today (David Steele)

There were 7 Purple Sandpipers at the back of Newcastle Pier this morning. (Michael Latham)

The Spoonbill seems to have returned to Strangford Lough. It was seen flying up past Mount Stewart at 2:45 (Jonny Andrews)

A Barred Warbler was on Tory Island (Anton Meenan) and a drake American Wigeon at Gortahork (Derek Brennan).

Two Ruff were in a flooded field at Kirkiston. (Richard Weyl).

Thanks to Tony Dodds for the pictures of the Pallas's Warbler, to Jonny Andrews for the picture of the Spoonbill, to Michael Latham for the picture of the Purple Sandpipers, to Christine Cassidy and Lindsay Hodges for the pictures of the White-rumped Sandpipers and American Golden Plover from yesterday and to Daniel Newton for the picture of the Snow Bunting:

Bird News Saturday 26th October

Two Snow bunting were at Ramore Head in Portrush at lunchtime, they were at the bottom of the grass slope beside the bowling club. Three Lapland Bunting flew over and 12 Twite were on the shore beside the childrens playpark. (John Clarke).

A Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped and ringed on Copeland, also seen were a Hen Harrier, Sparrowhawk, 4 Buzzard, Redwing and a Great Northern Diver. (Richard Donaghey).

The seven White-rumped Sandpipers were still at Myroe, two American Golden Plovers were also present along with 11 Slavonian Grebes. (Birdguides/ Neal Warnock).

A Red Kite was at Glenwherry on the A36 road from Larne to Ballymena . (David Gillespie).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Hillsborough forest near the new wooden bridge at far pond area to the right just into the forest itself. (Garry Wilkinson).

An adult or near adult White-tailed Eagle was seen on Lower Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. (Brad Robson).

Thanks to Richard Donaghey for the picture of the Yellow-browed Warbler and to Jonny Rosborough for the first picture of the White-rumped Sandpiper and to Neal Warnock for the next two White-rumped Sandpiper pictures:

Bird News Friday 25th October

2 House Martin were seen briefly over Killough this morning (Chris Murphy)

The Short-toed Lark was still on Tory Island (Brian McCloskey)

A Merlin flew in off the sea at Ramore head this afternoon it flew along the cliff edge a couple of times before heading inland. Also seen was a pod of approx 10 whales (possibly Pilot Whales) accompanied by Bottle-nosed and Common Dolphins (John Clarke)

Birders in County Armagh might like to consider following the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Twitter page for the Armagh region. It can be found on Twitter at @BTO_Armagh. There will be regular updates on BTO surveys, activities and general birding in the Armagh region.

Kingfisher - David Hunter

Little Egret  - Wilf Swain

Bird News Thursday 24th October.

A Great Egret is on Rathlin Island, it's the third Egret species seen this year.(Tom McDonnell.)

St John's Point had 1 Red Throated Diver, 10 Skylark and 2 Buzzard. Photos form St John's Point, Newcastle had 7 Red Throated Divers and c300 Common Scoter. (Fulton Somerville)

Two Snow Bunting were seen at Binevenagh.(Jonny Rosborough)

At least 5 White-rumpled Sandpipers were in the drainage channels at Myroe. Also seen was a Peregrine and flocks of Whooper Swans arriving at Myroe and Magilligan,  also a single Pink-footed Goose at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke/Hill Dick)

A Short-toed Lark and Lapland Bunting were on Tory Island (Anton Meenan)

Snow Bunting photo was kindly sent in by Jonny Rosborough. 

Bird News Wednesday 23rd October

Copeland Bird Observatory today had a female Hen Harrier, single Great and Arctic Skuas and 2 Manx Shearwaters. (Chris Acheson).

5 White-rumped Sandpipers were still at Myroe, a Merlin and a Peregrine were also present. (Stuart McKee & Nigel Moore)

Thanks to Jonny Andrews for the picture of the Snow Bunting and to Fulton Somerville for the picture of the Little Egrets:

Bird News Tuesday 22nd October

A possible Asiatic House Martin was seen at Fair Head. It flew over to the north-west of Loch na Cranagh mid-afternoon but there has been no further sign since (Adrien Pajot)

Seven White-rumped Sandpipers were in the drainage ditch at Myroe (Theo Campbell)

A Great White Egret was at Inch, Co Donegal (Jamie Bliss)

Four Snow Buntings were at Ramore head today, with 3 Twite and 18 Purple Sandpipers a little to the east at Portandoo. (Matthew Tickner)

2 Twite were at Whitehead harbour, Belfast Lough (Paul McCullough)

Sanderling, Mervyn Campbell:

Twite, Paul McCullough:

Bird News Monday 21st October

Over all seven White-rumped Sandpipers were at Myroe today. (Mathew Tickner & Gareth Bareham). Five White-rumpled Sandpipers were counted at Myroe this morning. (Gerard McGeehan). Yesterday four White-rumped Sandpipers were at Myroe (Ian Dickey).

Also around Lough Foyle were 115 Little Egrets and 5 Mediterranean Gulls. (Matthew Tickner & Gareth Bareham).

A Merlin was at the lighthouse at St John's Point this morning. (Chris Murphy).

Jerrettspass to Poyntzpass this morning had 1 Water Rail, 30 Skylarks, 3 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, 6 Whoopers, 2 Ravens and a Dipper. (Fulton Somerville).

Rathlin today had what may be the first record of Pintail for the island as well as three Barnacle and three Pink-footed Geese. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Six Swallows were on Copeland this morning. (Chris Acheson).

White-rumped Sandpiper, Mervyn Guthrie and Barnacle Geese, Ric Else:

Rathlin Island Birding / NIOC

Bird News Sunday 20th October

The 3 Snow Buntings are at Ramore Head, Portrush again today. (Paul and Niall Mulvenna)

The White-rumped Sandpiper was again seen at Myroe (Derek Brennan)

A Hoopoe was photographed at a private garden in Comber today.

14 Whooper Swans and a Long-eared Owl were at Strand Lough, Killough, this evening (Chris Murphy).

You can see photos of more of NI's birds at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

White-rumped Sandpiper, Derek Brennan:

Snow Bunting, Paul & Niall Mulvenna:

Bird News Saturday 19th October

The adult White-rumped Sandpiper was again at Myroe this morning.

Juvenile Sabine's Gull, 3 Barnacle Geese, Great Skua, Arctic Skua and our first Brambling of the autumn all at the west end of Rathlin island this morning. (Ric Else)

The three Snow Buntings were at Ramore Head, Portrush (Jonny Rosborough)

Amazingly it seems that the Nighthawk has been photographed in London earlier today (Lewis Newman)

Slightly further afield ...The Dowitcher sp. seen at Dundalk has been confirmed as a Short-billed.


Our thanks to Jonny Rosborough for this image of one of the Snow Buntings at Ramore.

Bird News Friday 18th October

The three Snow Bunting were still at Ramore Head this afternoon along with 5 Twite and a Wheatear (Richard Donaghey \ Nigel Moore)

Rathlin today had Merlin, Hen Harrier, Blackcap, 40 Redwings & an unusual abundance of Great Tits (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

A Barn Owl was seen on upper Ballynahinch Road, Co Down (Garry Wilkinson)

The Nighthawk was looked for at different times today, without success.

Snow Bunting, Nigel Moore:

Snow Bunting, Mervyn Campbell:

Bird News Thursday 17th October

The Nighthawk was feeding along the river at Galgorm at 15:22, just below the Weir. The bird was also seen feeding on the river this evening. (Killian Mullarney et al).

A count on Strangford Lough last week recorded 20,950 Brent Geese. Of these 23.5% were juveniles (WWT).

The Three Snow Bunting we’re still at Ramore Head, Portrush (Mervyn Campbell)

Thanks to Ronald Surgenor for the pictures of the Nighthawk, to Thomas Campbell for the picture of the Red Kite and to Cameron Moore for the pictures of the Pink-footed Goose and Curlew Sandpiper:

Bird News Wednesday 16th October

The Nighthawk was seen flying late this afternoon but was not seen roosting (Stevie Knox). The bird showed again shortly after 6pm and fed actively along the river (Stuart McKee)

A Lapland Bunting flew over the slope of Croaghan, County Antrim this morning. (Clive Mellon)

Yesterday a first winter Glaucous Gull was at Mount Stewart, Strangford Lough in the afternoon (Dave Allen)

A Garden Warbler was on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

5 Twite were at Whitehead Boatyard (Ian Enlander)

Many thanks to eveyone who has contributed news, photos and updates of the Nighthawk in the last 10 days.

Thanks to Stevie Knox for this pic of the Nighthawk from this afternoon:

Bird News Tuesday 15th October

The Nighthawk was again showing this morning (Lee Fuller). However mid morning, the bird disappeared up river and as yet has not been relocated (James O’Neill) The bird is back roosting in the horse field. This afternoon it moved further upstream to roost. This evening the bird was feeding along the river from 18:05. (Aidan Kelly)

A Red-backed Shrike, Yellow-browed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat were on Tory Island. (Chris Ingram).

Three Snow Buntings were at Ramore Head, see pictures below. (Christine Cassidy & Lindsay Hodges).

Rathlin today had two Whooper Swans, a  Merlin, Crossbill and the first Fieldfares of the autumn. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Ballycarry Bridge had three Curlew Sandpiper and two Twite were at Whitehead Boatyard (Cameron Moore)

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for the pictures of the Snow Buntings and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Little Egret:

Bird News Monday 14th October

The Common Nighthawk continues to show well roosting on a branch on the ground in its usual field at Corbally Road, Ballymena. (Jeff Larkin).Bird left roosting at 18.15 and feed until dark.

A flock of 30+Redwing where showing on Newry canal.(Fulton Somerville)

A Kingfisher was at Carrick.(Paul McCullough)

Photo below kindly sent in by Thomas Campbell is of two Long-tailed Duck seen at the Barmouth.
Also to Ric Else for the Mistle Thrush from Rathlin.

Bird News Sunday 13th October

The Common Nighthawk was in its usual field off Corbally Road near Ballymena. (Ed O'Hara). The bird was still present at 1.20pm. The Nighthawk left its roost at 6.25 this evening. (heather Larkin).

A juvenile American Golden Plover flew over the Nighthawk field calling. (Birdguides).

A White-rumped Sandpiper was at Myroe, a Carrion Crow was also present. (Theo Campbell).

The Black-throated Diver was showing distantly off Carlough this morning. (Jeff Larkin).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was between Portstewart and Portrush and a flock c25 Twite were at Ramore Head. (John Clarke).

Portmore had a Hen Harrier, Water Rail, 2 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap. (Ed O'Hara).

A Slavonian Grebe was in Greyabbey Bay and 3 Mediterranean Gulls in a ploughed field at Kirkiston. (Richard Weyl).

The Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal had 23 Chough, 5 Great Northern Divers and a Merlin. (Christine Cassidy & Ray Brogan).

3 Snow Buntings were on Ramore Head in Portrush this evening. (Colin Guy).

Thanks to Ed O'Hara for the pictures of the Nighthawk and the Hen Harrier, to Mervyn Campbell for this montage picture showing the flight of the Nighthawk and to Christine Cassidy for the pictures of the Great Northern Diver and the Merlin: