Bird News Thursday 31st December

A drake American Wigeon is at Drumgay Lough, Enniskillen. A Long-tailed Duck was also present. (Brad Robson)

The Twite flock remain at Whitehead Boat Club (Linda Thompson)

Two Long-tailed Duck were off Newtownards Sailing Club, 5 Slavonian Grebe in Greyabbey Bay and 6 Jack Snipe at Portavogie. (Richard Weyl)

40 Skylark and 3 Tree Sparrow were at Sheepland Windmillc Co Down (David Clarke)

The Long-tailed Duck was still in the channel at Myroe (Martin Deehan)

We would like to wish all contributors and readers a happy New Year and a healthy 2021.

Hybrid Ring-billed Gul \ Common Gull, Tony Dodds:

Twite, Linda Thompson:

Bird News Wednesday 30th December

A Sandwich Tern was at Drumfad Bay on the Outer Ards (Guy Hamilton)

A first year Marsh Harrier is at Portmore Lough (James O’Neill). The Great White Egret was also present (Michael Latham)

A female Merlin, the Long-tailed Duck and circa 600 Brent were at Myroe this morning. There was no sign of the Black Brant (Theo Campbell / Richard Smith)

An adult, a 2nd winter and a juvenile Iceland Gull, and an adult Glaucous Gull were at Enniskillen Dump. The male Ring-necked Duck was still at Kilmore Lough, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh (Brad Robson)

At Belfast Lough a Slavonian Grebe and two Long Tailed Duck were on the sea off Giants Park also a high count of 1800 Dunlin on the shore (Stuart McKee)

Great White Egret, Michael Latham:

Marsh Harrier, Michael Latham:

Bird News Tuesday 29th December

A first winter Iceland Gull was on rocks at Portstewart Promenade (S Riddell).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in the woodland on the way up to Helens Tower in Clandeboye Estate. (James Andrew).

The Bufflehead was still present at the Quoile, it was seen distantly at the yacht-club end. (Michael Latham / James Rankin)

7 Whooper Swans were at Corbet Lough outside Banbridge. (Mike McLaughlin).

A high count of 54 Gadwall were at the Billy Neill Playing Fields, Dundonald (Ross McIlrath)

Bird News Monday 28th December.

 No fresh news to-day.

Bird News Sunday 27th December

12 Twite and 14 Purple Sandpipers were at Portrush (Theo Campbell / Richard Smith).

A Black-throated Diver was off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough and an adult Mediterranean Gull was on the shore. (Stuart McKee).

A Long-tailed Duck was in the channel at Myroe this afternoon. (Mervyn Guthrie).

The Bufflehead was still at the Quoile Pondage. (Tony Donaldson).

Thanks to Mervyn Guthrie for the picture of the Long-tailed Duck, to Kevin Kirkham for the picture of the Siskin and to Tony Donaldson for the pictures of the Bufflehead:

Bird News Boxing Day

A Sandwich Tern was at Ballyholme. (James Andrew)

An untagged Red Kite was seen over fields beside Buskhill Rd,nr Newry Co Down at 11:00 and then later at 12:30-12:40. (Naomi Moore.)

A 1st year Little Gull and 2 Jack Snipe where at Portavogie and the hybrid Ring-billed Gull at Millisle.(Richard Weyl) 

Our thanks to Juliet Fleming for this photo of a Black Guillemot taken in Victoria Park, Belfast.

Bird News Christmas Day

15 Twite are at the Boatyard, Whitehead (Ian Enlander)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden in Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)

A high count of 24 Tree Sparrow were visiting a garden at Kilraughts Road, Ballymoney (Derek McIntyre)

A Peregrine was at Millisle (Guy Hamilton). Another was at Kinnegar (Gilly Irwin)

High counts of 50 Skylarks, 80 Reed Buntings, 40Yellowhammers and 50 Tree Sparrows were in stubble beside Sheepland Windmill stump (Chris Murphy)

Twite, Ian Enlander:

Red-throated Diver, Newcastle, Michael Latham:

Bird News Thursday 24th December

The Ring-billed Gull was still at the Waterworks on Antrim Road in Belfast. (Stuart McKee)

The drake Bufflehead was still at The Quoile this morning, towards the Yacht Club end. A Red-throated Diver was also on the Pondage. (Michael Latham)

The Long-tailed Duck was still on the Connswater at Victoria Park (Jonny Clark). This bird is vest looked for on a high tide.

A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at the Ecos Park, Ballymena. (Jeff Larkin)

The Great White Egret was in a field along side the canal beside the Railway Bridge north of Jerretspass (Frank Carroll)

The Spotted Redshank was feeding in the channel running through Dundrum South Inner Bay this afternoon. (David Nixon)

Two Tree Sparrow were on Lough Shore Road, Portaferry (John Wilson Foster)

Six Whooper Swans and a Red-throated Diver were at Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy)

You can see more local bird pics at: http://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/ 

Long-tailed Duck, Jonathan Clark:

Ring-billed Gull, Stuart McKee:

Bird News Wednesday 23rd December

The Black Brant was still on the turf fields at Myroe. 9 Grey Plovers and 3 Stock Doves were in an adjacent field. (Jeff Larkin)

The drake Bufflehead was again at The Quoile today (Tony Donaldson)

A Red Kite was at Rathfriland (Mike McLaughlin)

A drake Manadarin is at the Silent Valley reservoir.

We would like to wish all users of the NI Birds Blog, a happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year. We would also say a massive thank you to everyone who sends us rare and scarce bird sightings and photographs - this Blog would not exist without your contributions! Many thanks, Garry, Ian and Wilton.

Drake Bufflehead, Tony Donaldson:

Bird News Tuesday 22nd December

The drake Bufflehead was at the Quoile along with two Pink-footed Geese and three Whoopers (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop)

A Little Auk was seen at Portstewart.(John Clarke)

2 Long-tailed Duck where in Killough harbour.(Chris Murphy)

2 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Great Northern and 3 Red Throated Divers off Macedon Point.(Stuart McKee)

Our thanks to Richard Caves for the photo of Whooper Swans. Also to Ric Else for the stunning pic of a male Hen Harrier seen on Rathlin to-day. 

Bird News Monday 21st December (winter solstice)

The drake Bufflehead is still at the Quoile (Tony Donaldson)

The Bufflehead was off the far side of the Quoile Pondage from the yacht club, also present were a Whooper Swan and 2 Pinkfeet; High counts of 990 Shelduck and 300 Eider were off Castle Espie (Chris Murphy)

The Goosander and a Slavonian Grebe where at Glynn, there was no sign of the American Wigeon. 2 Twite were at Sandy Bay, Larne. (Neal Warnock) 

2 ad Glaucous Gull and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull were at Enniskillen dump. (Brad Robson)
 

Our thanks to Tony Donaldson for the photograph off the Bufflehead(right bird)along with a Goldeneye.

Bird News Sunday 20th December

A Long-tailed Duck was by the bridge at Victoria Park in Belfast. (Jonathan Clarke).

The Bufflehead was still at the yacht club end of the Quoile. (Ian Graham).

The American Wigeon was still at Glynn in Larne Lough and 2 Red-throated Divers were off Carnlough. (Michael Latham)

A flock of Twite were at Sandy Bay in Larne. (Linda Thompson)

42 Whooper swans were feeding in a flooded field at the Comber end of the Greenway this afternoon. (Chris Shaw)

The Black Brant, 9 Pink-feet and a Long-tailed Duck were at Myroe today. (Neal Warnock)

A Pintail was at Dungannon Park Lake (David Shilliday)

Thanks to Philip West and Michael Latham for the pictures of the American Wigeon, to Jonathan Calrke for the picture of the Long-tailed Duck and to Linda Thompson for the picture of the Twite:

Philip West

Michael Latham

Bird News Saturday 19th December

The American Wigeon is still at Glynn in Larne Lough. The female Goosander and 3 Slavonian Grebes were also present (Garry Armstrong).

7 Twite were feeding on the beach by the boatyard in Whitehead. (Garry Armstrong).

The Swallow was still at Castle Espie this morning. (Juliet Fleming).

A Peregrine was around Drumfad Bay in Millisle (Guy Hamilton).

An adult Ring-billed Gull was at Antrim Road Waterworks in Belfast. (Stuart McKee).

2 juv Iceland Gulls & a juv Glaucous Gull were at Killybegs (Brad Robson).

2 Waxwings were in Ballymoney. (Toby Edwards).

An Iceland Gull and 6 Purple Sandpipers were on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

The Great White Egret and Marsh Harrier were still at Portmore RSPB Reserve, a Great Spotted Woodpecker was next to the carpark at Ardress House. (Seamus, Rory & Sean O'Hara)

Thanks to Michael Latham for the pictures of the American Wigeon, Goosander and Twite and to Ric Else for the picture of the Iceland Gull:

Bird News Friday 18th December

 The drake American Wigeon and female Goosander were both still off Glynn in Larne Lough. (Brian Halligan).

The Great White Egret and Marsh Harrier still present at RSPB Portmore Lough reserve.(Richard Caves)

The Red Kite was still present in the Antrim hills. (Kenny Moore).

A Med Gull was at Whitehead and 8 Twite beside the boatyard.(Cameron Moore)

A Snow Bunting was on Divis Mountain today 2pm.(Albert Boyle.)

A Brambling was reported from a garden in Eglinton Co.Derry.(Pamela Hardeman)

The Black Brant was still at Myroe today.

Our thanks to Cameron Moore for the pic of the Med.Gull. Also to Richard Caves for the Marsh Harrier.

Bird News Thursday 17th December

A Swallow was at Castle Espie (Jonny Clark)

The drake American Wigeon was still at Glynn (Guy Hamilton)

Three Great Northern Divers, a Merlin, and high counts of 40 Tree Sparrows and 6 Yellowhammers were in Killough today (Chris Murphy).

The drake Bufflehead was still at the Quoile, between the hide and the Yacht Club. (Suzanne Belshaw)

Thanks to Guy Hamilton for the picture of the American Wigeon and to Alastair McLean for the picture of the Twite:

Bird News Wednesday 16th December

The drake American Wigeon was showing well this morning at Glynn. (Brian Halligan)

Four Great Northern Diver and a Purple Sandpiper were at Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy)

An adult Glaucous Gull was at Enniskillen Dump this afternoon (Brad Robson)

Many thanks to all who send in pictures. You can see more pics of local birds at: http://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Greenshank, Terry Hanna:

Male Sparrowhawk, Kevin Kirkham:

Bird News Tuesday 15th December

The Bufflehead was still viewable distantly near the hide at the Quoile Pondage. Later the bird could be seen distantly from the old pier at the end of the Quoile River walk. (Garry & Gayle Wilkinson).

An Iceland Gull and a Glaucous Gull were both at Portballantrae (S Riddell)

A Red Kite was in the Antrim hills. (Kenny Moore).

The coastal path between Strickland's Bay and Carnalea had a Red-throated Diver and a Purple Sandpiper this morning. (Derek Polley).

A Ring-necked Duck is at Kilmore Lough near Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh. (Brad Robson).

A drake American Wigeon is off Glynn in Larne Lough. (Cameron Moore)

The Great White Egret and a Jack Snipe were at Portmore Lough RSPB (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop)

A Common Chiffchaff was at the Bann Estuary and 2 Crossbills flew over (John Spottiswood)

Thanks to Cameron Moore and Ian Enlander for the pictures of the American Wigeon, to Brad Robson for the picture of the Ring-necked Duck, to David Hill for the picture of the Great Northern Diver and to Richard Caves for the picture of the Red-throated Diver:

Bird News Monday 14th December.

2 Woodcock where at Canal Wood between Jerretspass and Drumatine, a Kingfisher also seen close by. (Frank Carroll)

3 Twite at the boatyard in Whitehead. 2 Whooper Swans and 2 Ravens at Glynn. (Guy Hamilton/ Tom Ennis.)

1000+Knot where at Murlough Co.Down.(Mike McLaughlin)

Killough had 4 Great Northern Diver,  Ardglass had 5 Purple Sandpiper.(Fulton Somerville)

Our thanks to Guy Hamilton for the photo off a Redshank. Also to Mike McLaughlin for the flock off Knot in flight

Bird News Sunday 13th December

The Bufflehead, 2 Pink-footed Geese and 2 Jack Snipe were at the Quoile. Another 5 Jack Snipe were with 50 Snipe at Tullyratty Dam. (Richard Weyl)

The Black Brant was still at Myroe (Theo Campbell)

An adult Little Gull was at Killough Pier (Chris Murphy)

Jay, Juliet Flemng:

Bird News Saturday 12th December

The Bufflehead is still at the Quoile, in the area near the hide. (Garry Armstrong). The two Pinkfeet were also still present. (Kevin Kirkham)

The Black Redstart was seen again around the boatyard at Ballylumford and the Great White Egret was still at Ballycarry Bridge. (Cameron Moore)

A Slavonian Grebe was off Seapark and a Great Northern Diver and Long-tailed Duck off Carrickfergus (Brian Sutton)

A Sandwich Tern was seen at Millisle (Chris Shaw)

Four Goosander were on the River Maine, Ballymena (Mervyn Campbell)

Scaup, Castle Espie, Alastair McLean:

Goosanders, River Maine, Ballymena, Mervyn Campbell:

Bird News Friday 11th December

The Bufflehead was still present on the Quoile this morning. Two Pink-footed Geese were also present.

The Great White Egret was still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (Cameron Moore).

Bird News Thursday 10th December

The drake Bufflehead was still on The Quoile (Theo Campbell)

A male Brambling was at Runkerry Wood, Portballintrae (Dennis Weir)

The Great White Egret was still at the west end of Lower Lough Erne. A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was also at Enniskillen dump (Brad Robson)

12 Purple Sandpipers were at the Countryside Centre, Portrush (Juliet Fleming)

Great White Egret, Brad Robson:

Greater Scaup, Castle Espie, Jonny Clark:

Bird News Wednesday 9th December

The Bufflehead was still at the Quoile (Tony Donaldson)

A Red Kite was in the Antrim hills, see picture below. (Kenny Moore).

Whitehouse Lagoon this morning had a group of 36 Snipe on the mudflats. (Ian Enlander).

Thanks to Kenny Moore for the picture of the Red Kite and to Terry Hanna for the picture of the Great White Egret:

Bird News Tuesday 8th December

The male Bufflehead is still showing at the Quoile (Tony Donaldson) The bird was close to bank beyond the hide(which is locked at present) a Chiffchaff was visiting a garden in Killough(Chris Murphy)  

Steele’s Point Larne Lough had 15 Pink-footed Geese with the Greylag (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop)

Yesterday. Glossy Ibis was seen flying at Whitehead. (Warren McConnaughie)

Our thanks to Warren for the photo of the Glossy Ibis.  

BTO Appointments

BTO NI is delighted to announce three new additions to their voluntary Regional Network, which is the first port of call for local BTO volunteers and supporters. There is a new Tyrone Regional Representative - Steven Fyffe, Tyrone WeBS Local Organiser - Ciara Laverty and NI Youth Representative - Dara McAnulty. 

Steven has a family farm in Tyrone and conducts WeBS counts and BBS there. He is also a ringer. Ciara lives in Tyrone and works for the Lough Neagh Partnership; she is an enthusiastic WeBS participant, both in her spare time and for her job. Hopefully a good Tyrone team with local knowledge and backgrounds will improve engagement in a county in which BTO has struggled to attract volunteers in the past.

BTO has also appointed Dara McAnulty as a Youth Representative, based in Co. Down, but with the remit to work throughout Northern Ireland. As Dara is under 18 we won't be providing his contact details, but he is keen to begin the work of promoting BTO, and our surveys and science, to the next generation of birders here. 

Ciara has set up a Tyrone Birding Facebook page at the following link, which will include updates on BTO events and courses in the county: https://www.facebook.com/TyroneBirding

Please feel free to contact Steven and Ciara at the following email addresses:

• sfyffe@hotmail.co.uk
• ciarablaverty@gmail.com 

Bird News Monday 7th December

A female Brambling was visiting a garden in Ballymena (Jeff Larkin)

The Bufflehead was still off the hide at the Quoile this morning. (Tony Donaldson / Garry Wilkinson)

2 Black-throated Diver, 8 Common Scoter and 1 Slavonian Frebe were off Hazel Bank, Belfast Lough. (Dave Alen) A Long-tailed Duck and Great Northern Diver were also seen in the afternoon (Stuart McKee)

A male Brambling was in a Chaffinch flock in Hillsborough (Owen Beckett)

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at the Ecos Park, Ballymena (Jeff Larkin)

The Black Brant was still with the Brent flock at Myroe,  the Barnacle was with the Whooper and Greylag flock. 5 Pinkfeet and 15 Grey Plover were also present.  (Garry Armstrong)

3 Twite were with the Linnet flock at Sandy bay, Larne today. (Neal Warnock)

The Great White Egret was still at Ballycarry (Terry Hanna)

Male Brambling, Kenny Moore:

Great White Egret, Ballycarry, Terry Hanna:

Bird News Sunday 6th December

The Bufflehead was still showing but distant off the hide at the Quoile upto 4pm. It could also be seen from the Quay up river (Garry Armstrong / Billy Miskelly / Daniel Newton et al). A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also n the area (Seamus O'Hara \ John Spottiswood) 

The Great White Egret is still at Ballycarry (Paul McCullough)

The Great White Egret was at Dromantine lake again, in the Scots Pine. (Karen Elliott)

Between Greyabbey Bay and Mountstewart a Long-tailed Duck, 2 Black-throated Diver, 3 Slavonian Grebe and 2 Jack Snipe. (Richard Weyl)

4 Yellowhammers were coming to a feeder at Loughinisland (Andrew Crory)

The Long-tailed Duck was in Killough Harbour whilst in the area a count of 32 Snipe was a site record (Chris Murphy)

Great White Egret, Ballycarry, Anne Guichard:

Bird News Saturday 5th December

An adult male Bufflehead was at the Quoile, it was along the far side between the hide and the yacht club. (Tony Donaldson).

A Snow Bunting was on Cavehill, Belfast (Stephen Dunbar)

The Great White Egret was still at the west end of Lower Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh (Brad Robson)

The Black Brant was again with the Brent Geese at Myroe (Richard Donaghey)

The Great White Egret was still at Ballycarry Bridge and 20 Pinkfeet were on Islandmagee. (Cameron Moore).

There is a report of a White-tailed Eagle been seen near Comber.

A first winter Iceland Gull was at Enniskillen dump (Wilton Farrelly).

A Red Kite was at Glenhead Road in Co. Antrim. (Gillian McKillp).

A Woodcock flew over Windmill Road outside Hillsborough. (Garry & Gayle Wilkinson).

The female Goosander was off Glynn Station in Larne Lough. (Brian Halligan).

5 Twite were at the boatyard in Whitehead, a Purple Sandpiper was also present. (Paul McCullough).

The Spotted Redshank was at the Moneycarragh River roost in Dundrum Inner Bay south. (David Nixon).

A Chiffchaff was in a garden in Killough. (Chris Murphy).

Thanks to Tony Donaldson for the pictures of the Bufflehead, to Stephen Dunbar for the picture of the Snow Bunting, to Richard Donaghey for the picture of the Black Brant and to David Nixon for the picture of the Spotted Redshank: