NIOC Meeting Wednesday 4th December

Bird News Saturday 30th November

The 14 Waxwing were still present at Kirk Road, Ballymoney this morning (Richard Hunter)

A Water Pipit is at Glassagh Bay, Fanad, Co Donegal (Jamie Bliss).

2 Ruff were at Kirkiston and 5 Jack Snipe were with 40 Snipe at Portavogie on the Outer Ards. (Richard Weyl).

The Great White Egret was still at the south end of Lough Beg today, two White-fronted Geese were also present. (David Steele).

Seven Purple Sandpiper were at the high tide roost at Bangor (Derek Polley)

Thanks to Thomas Campbell for the first Waxwing picture and the Buzzard picture and to Michael Latham for the second Waxwing picture:

Bird News Friday 29th November

The flock of Waxwings was still at Kirk Road in Ballymoney this morning, see pictures below. (Richard Donaghey).

The Red-necked Grebe was again off Loughshore Park, Belfast Lough this afternoon (Stuart McKee)

This morning, Belfast Lough from Loughshore Park to Macedon Point had 28 Red-throated Diver, 1 female Long-tailed Duck and 3000+ Eider (Ian Enlander).

Three Goosander, a male and two females were at Corbet Lough outside Banbridge. (Mike McLaughlin).

A flock of approximately 150 Snow Buntings was roving widely over remote moorland at the southern end of the Garron Plateau today. (David Steele).

A single Snow Bunting was still on Slieve Gullion in Co. Armagh. (David Knight).

Rathlin today had at least three Snow Buntings, two Whooper Swans and nine White-fronted Geese. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Thanks to Richard Donaghey for the pictures of the Waxwings and to Mike McLaughlin for the picture of the Goosanders:

Bird News Thursday 28th November.

Belfast Wow reserve had a Buzzard, Peregrine,Sparrowhawk, 20 Bar-tailed Godwit and 60 Snipe.(Derek Polley)

14 Waxwings are still at the site in Ballymoney on Kirk Road as reported 3 days ago; Bann Estuary had 1 Ruff. (John Clarke/James McDowell/Hill Dick)

One of the Waxwings at Ballymoney photo kindly sent in by Hill Dick:

Bird News Wednesday 27th November

Rathlin Island had a flock of 13 Snow Buntings today and also 2 Crossbills (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

A Snow Bunting was seen in the County Fermanagh uplands (Fionnbarr Cross).

Thanks to Wilf Swain for this picture of a Goldcrest which visited him at home:

Bird News Tuesday 26th November

Two Chiffchaff were along the Newry Canal this morning south of Carnbane. (Frank Carroll).

The Greenland White-fronted Goose and the Pink-footed Goose were with Greylags at Steel's Point om Islandmagee. (Cameron Moore).

On the Antrim coast a Great Northern Diver was off Ballygally and a Red-throated Diver was off Carnlough. (Ade Fox).

Thanks to Cameron for the pictures of the White-front and the Pink-foot and to Ade for the picture of the Great Northern Diver:

Bird News Monday 25th November

At least 13 Waxwing were in Ballymoney this afternoon. The birds were on the Ballymoney side of the Kirk Road, half way up the hill from the bi-pass junction (Dick Glasgow)

An adult Med Gull was at Whitehead seafront, at least 43 Pink-footed Geese were still at Brown's Bay Road, Islandmagee. 2 Tree Sparrows were in a garden in Whitehead. (Cameron Moore)

Macedon Point, Belfast Lough had a Slavonian Grebe, a drake Long-tailed Duck 12 Red-throated Diver and Loughshore had 3 Common Scoter (Stuart McKee)

Waxwings, Dick Glasgow:

Twite, Glenarm - Kenny Majury:

Mediterranean Gull, Cameron Moore:

Bird News Sunday 24th November

The Red-necked Grebe was off Loughshore Park in Belfast Lough this morning. There was also a Slavonian Grebe and a count of 31 Red-throated Divers from Macadon to Lough shore Park. (Stuart McKee)

Rathlin Island had 7 Snow Bunting and 6 Twite. (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

A Water Pipit was seen where a small stream enters the beach at Ballyfrench c1km north of Portavogie. Also present were c30 Rock Pipit and c80 Meadow Pipit. (Richard Weyl)

Six Twite were at Islandmagee Harbour. A drake Long-tailed Duck was at Fisherman’s Quay, Carrickfergus (Michael Latham)

Dundrum Bay had high counts of 1800 Common Scoter, 20 Red-breasted Mergansers, 13 Red-throated Divers and 4 Great Northern Divers; Tyrella had 1300 Golden Plover and 150 Knot (Chris Murphy)

A Pink-footed Goose was with Greylags which flew into RSPB WOW this afternoon. (Karen Elliott)

Two Scaup were at Lough Mourne. The Velvet Scoter and 2 Slavonian Grebes were still at Larne Lough. Eight Twite at Glenarm, the Black-throated Diver and 7 Common Scoter at Carnlough (Neal Warnock)

16 Twite were also seen at Glenarm (Pauline Majury)

Twite, Michael Latham:

Sparrowhawk, Annette Elkin:

Bird News Saturday 23rd November

No news so far today.

Bird News Friday 22nd November

On Rathlin a Snow Bunting flew over Kebble this morning. Woodcock are being seen almost every day. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Thanks to David Knight for the pictures of the Snow Bunting and to Mike McLaughlin for the picture of the Snipe:

Bird News Thursday 21st November.

A Peregrine was seen at Foglish Rd, Fivemiletown.(Colin Bell)


Our thanks to Lindsay Hodges for this pic of a part leucitic Fieldfare . 

Bird News Wednesday 20th November

No news so far today.

Thanks to Wilf Swain for the pictures of the Goldcrest and the Mistle Thrush:

Bird News Tuesday 19th November

In Strangford Lough 2 Slavonian Grebe were north of Horse Island. Yesterday 5 Slavonian Grebe were in Greyabbey Bay and 2 Black-throated Diver at Kircubbin. (Richard Weyl)

Yesterday, Kinturk, Lough Neagh had 5 Pink-footed Geese and a Common Sandpiper. Another Common Sandpiper was at the Intake, at Toome (John O’Boyle)

Bird News Monday 18th November.

2 Long-tailed Duck and a Great Northern Diver where on Lower Lough Erne Island reserve.(Fionbarr Cross/Amy Burns)

Sightings for Newry Canal, Gambles Bridge to Scarva.... Kingfisher 1, Raven 16, mixed flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing 100+, Whooper Swans 6. (Fulton Somerville)

A Long - eared Owl was heard at Jordanstown train station.(Paul McCullough)

Myroe today had: 1 White-rumped Sandpiper seen in flight, 60+ Slavonian Grebes, 15 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 9 Long-tailed Ducks, 12 Common Scoter, 75 Whooper Swans, c900 Golden Plover, 1 Snow Bunting and 1 Twite; Later at Magilligan Point 25 Red-throated Divers were seen flying out of Lough Foyle. (Ric Else/ Hazel Watson/ Ken Perry/ James McDowell/ Hill Dick)

Bird News Sunday 17th November

Five Long-tailed Duck (3 males, 1 female, 1 juvenile), were off Fishermans Quay, Carrickfergus (Daniel Newton/Richard Hunter).

Four Snow Buntings were on Rathlin today. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson)

The Green Sandpiper was still at Shaw's Lake, Co. Armagh. (John Spottiswood).

At least 2 Red-throated Divers and 2 Black-throated Divers were off Carlingford and more towards Black Rock off Carlingford. (Michael Latham)

The Pink-footed Goose Was at Victoria Park Sydenham again (Sam Thomas)

Thanks to David Knight for the pic of one of the Slieve Gullion Snow Buntings, to Ric Else for the picture of the Rathlin Snow Bunting, to Lindsay Hodges for the picture of the Snipe, to Michael Latham for the pictures of the Black-throated and Red-throated Divers and to Alastair McLean for the picture of the Gadwall:

Bird News Saturday 16th November

A Red-necked Grebe is showing well off Hazelbank, Belfast Lough (Stuart McKee). Two Slavonian Grebe and a Long-tailed Duck were also present.

4 ad male Long-tailed Ducks were off Carrickfergus and presumably the same Red-necked Grebe off Carrickfergus Marina at high tide (Brian Sutton)

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

Five Long-tailed Ducks were on Belfast Lough, including two drakes, between Macedon Point and Carrickfergus (Garry Armstrong)

A Velvet Scoter and two Slavonian Grebe were off Glynn Station (Neal Warnock)

A flock of 11 Snow Buntings were on Whitepark Bay beach this morning between 11 and 12 (Patrick Barton)

Two female Scoter were at Glenarm salmon cages, Great Northern and Red-throated Divers at Ballygalley, a female Goosander at Glynn, and single Pink-foot with the Greylags on Islandmagee. (Richard Grey)

A flock of 20 Snow Buntings were on Rathlin Island (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

Five Snow Bunting were at Slieve Gullion, Co Armagh (David Knight)

Two Black-throated Divers and a Twite were at Carnlough. (Neal Warnock)

A single juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper was feeding around puddles off the roadway at Myroe (Ian Enlander)

The presumed leucistic Herring Gull was seen again at Craffordsburn today (Chris Shaw)

The Pink-footed Goose flock was still at Islandmagee (Cameron Moore)

A Hen Harrier was seen near Portaferry (Stephen Dunbar)

Red-necked Grebe:

White-rumped Sandpiper, Ian Enlander:

Whoopers in flight, Thomas Campbell:

Bird News Friday 15th November.

The Greenland White-fronted Goose was at Steels Point, Islandmagee.(Cameron Moore)

2 female-type Snow Buntings where on Mullaghcarn mountain, Co.Tyrone.(Dermot Hughes)

Our thanks to Cameron for his pic of the White-front.

Bird News Thursday 14th November

A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Dundrum Inner Bay (David Nixon)

Winter Bird Tour of Ballyness Bay, Falcarragh, Donegal, Saturday 16th November

Lapwing - Liz McKenna

Ballyness Bay, a tidal estuary lying between Falcarragh, Gortahork and Magheraroarty, is an ideal location in which to appreciate the wonderful selection of birds to be found on our shores at this time of year. Protected on its seaward side by extensive sand dunes, this relatively sheltered bay and its surroundings provide an excellent habitat for a wide variety of resident bird species as well as many seasonal visitors. It is particularly good as a wintering ground for waders and waterfowl, and its shores have been designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

Those with an interest in learning more will have an excellent opportunity to gain a greater insight with a guided tour around Ballyness Bay on Saturday the 16th of November. The tour will offer the chance for people to explore some of the stunning locations around this lovely tidal landscape and learn more about the abundance of bird life it nurtures.

This event is weather dependent. It is hoped that those who come along will have an opportunity to observe some of the wildfowl, though in nature nothing can be guaranteed with certainty. It will be led by a local ecologist who has worked on various research and conservation programmes throughout Donegal. Those who wish to join in should phone (074) 918 0994 or (086) 822 0404 to reserve a place, €10 per person. As one might expect for a coastal walk in Winter you will need to wear warm clothes and sturdy, waterproof footwear, and if you have them to bring a pair of binoculars or a portable telescope. The tour will begin at 10am and should take about 3 hours. It is organised by The Glasshouses (LAN Ctr.) Cill Ulta, Falcarragh, and supported by Donegal ETB.

Bird News Wednesday 13th November

A Pink-footed Goose was with 54 Whooper Swans at Mountnorris, Co. Armagh. The Green Sandpiper was still at Shaw's Lake, Co. Armagh. (Joe Devlin).

Thanks to Wilf Swain for the picture of Wigeon:

Bird News Tuesday 12th November.

Seawatching highlights from Rathlin this morning: juvenile Glaucous Gull, adult Mediterranean Gull, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Great Skua and 1 Great Northern Diver. Also 5 White-fronted Geese present. (Ric/Hazel)

A Whimbrel was seen at Donaghadee.(Stephen Foster/Ronan Owens)

Late news from Sunday...A Golden Eagle was seen at Mullagcarbatagh, which is NE of Plumbridge in the west Sperrin mountains(Alan Faulkner/James Hamill)


Photo of Golden Eagle kindly provided by James Hamill.

Bird News Sunday 10th November

4 Red-throated Divers and 4 Black-throated Divers were between Stricklands Glen Bangor and Crawfordsburn Country Park (Sam Thomas)

A Black-necked Grebe and 49 Slavonian Grebe were off Myroe. Six White-rumped Sandpipers were also present with two also seen at the Roe Estuary.

The Spoonbill was sighted again today on Strangford Lough near Mount Stewart. (Jonny Andrews)

A Pink-footed Goose is with the Greylags at Victoria Park, Belfast. (Simon Morton).

A second winter Ring-billed Gull and 3 Long-tailed Ducks were at Inch lake, Lough Swilly today. (Matthew Tickner).

Rathlin today had 5 Purple Sandpipers, 4 White-fronted Geese, 7 Pink-footed Geese and a Great Northern Diver. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Thanks to Jonny Rosborough for this picture of a Red Kite seen in the Antrim hills and to Jonny Andrews for the picture of the Spoonbill:

Bird News Saturday 9th November

Yesterday an adult Iceland Gull was in Belfast Lough seen from the Cairnryan ferry. Towards the Scottish coast there were 2000+ Kittiwake with 5 Manx Shearwater. 4 Common Dolphin also seen (Ian Enlander)

Six White-rumped Sandpipers were still at Myroe.

Two Raven are regularly seen early morning at the Tesco, Ballygomartin, Belfast (Ivan Daglish)

A Purple Sandpiper was on the beach near to the harbour at Whitehead today (Michael Latham)

Colin Davies has posted a video of two of the Myroe White-rumped Sandpipers at:
https://vimeo.com/372041983

White-rumped Sandpiper, video still - Colin Davies

Bird News Friday 8th November

Late news from yesterday was of 15 Crossbills at Castle Archdale Country Park Fermanagh (Fionnbarr Cross).

6 White-rumped Sandpipers, a Ruff , 106 Slavonian Grebe 93 Red-breasted Merganser and 675 Whooper Swan where at Myroe.(Tom Ennis/Hill Dick/Richard Donaghey/Ken Perry)

7 White-fronted Geese where on Rathlin Island and a Snow Bunting flew over. (Ric Else/Hazel Watson)

Thanks to Nigel Moore for this picture of one of the Myroe White-rumped Sandpipers:Also to Ric Else for the pic of the White-fronted Geese.  

Copeland Bird Observatory Winter Talk

Bird News Thursday 7th November

5 White-rumped Sandpipers and 500 Whooper Swans were at Myroe this morning. (Charles Stewart).

The Greenland White-fronted Goose and a Pink-footed Goose were seen at Steels Point, Larne Lough. (Cameron Moore).

5 Snipe were the best at Belfast WOW reserve this morning. (Derek Polley).

A Pink-footed Goose  flew into Belfast WOW reserve with a group of Greylags this afternoon. (Ian Enlander).

Two Long-tailed Ducks flew past Ballycastle beach this morning, seen from the Rathlin ferry. A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Kebble on Rathlin, this afternoon. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Ramore Head had two Bottlenose Dolphins and one Purple Sandpiper. Barmouth had a Peregrine and many Sanderling. Myroe had six White-rumped Sandpipers, two Slavonian Grebes, a Peregrine and a flock of 500 Whooper Swans. (Yanina Maggiotto Nigel Moore Martin McClenaghan and Richard Smith).

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the picture of the Greenland White-front and the Pink-footed Geese, to Michael Henderson for the picture of the Jay and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Guillemot:

Bird News Wednesday 6th November

The Great White Egret was still at the south end of Lough Beg this afternoon (Richard Hunter)

Another Great White Egret was at the west end of lower Lough Erne this morning (Brad Robson)

Circa 45 Twite were just east of Ramore Head this morning. (Matthew Tickner)

The Greenland White-fronted Goose was at Steele’s Point Islandmagee again this afternoon and the Pink-footed Geese were still at Brown’s Bay Road. (Brian Halligan & Cameron Moore)

Great White Egret, Brad Robson:

Bird News Tuesday 5th November.

6 White-rumped Sandpiper are still present at Myroe, also a large count of 70 Slav. Grebe.(Colin Davies)

3 White-rumped Sandpiper still at Lough Beg, two together at Church Island and one on the spit at Mullagh, the Great White Egret also present.(David Steele).

A Black-throated Diver was opposite the Ballygalley Castle Hotel and 2 Whooper Swans were at Ballycarry Bridge. (Nigel Moore, Gayle Wilkinson, Yanina Maggiott0 & Garry Wilkinson).

There is one seat available on Friday's boat trip from Ballycastle to Islay. Please contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for more details.

Our thanks to Colin Davies for his excellent pic of one of the White-rumped Sandpipers.

Bird News Monday 4th November

On Islandmagee the Greenland White-fronted Goose was still at Steele's Point, a Pink-footed Goose along with large numbers of Greylag Geese were also present. At the Brown's Bay Road, the 53 Pink-footed Geese were still present. (Cameron Moore & Ian Enlander).

Three White-rumped Sandpipers were at Lough Beg this afternoon, in the Church Island area associating with Dunlins and large numbers of Golden Plovers and Lapwings, however the flocks are very mobile. Also 40 Little Egrets (record site count). (David Steele).

A single White-rumped Sandpiper was still in the channel at Myroe today, three Greenshank were also present and good numbers of Slavonian Grebe were still visible on the lough. (Lindsay Hodges & Christine Cassidy)

A female Brambling was with 40+ Chaffinch feeding on mast Gosford Caravan  Park (Clifford Sharpe)

A Carrion Crow was on rough ground next to Asda, Antrim (Mark Smyth)

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the pictures of the Greenland White-fronted and the Pink-footed Geese, to Lindsay Hodges for the pictures of the White-rumped Sandpiper and the Dunlin and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Mistle Thrush: