Bird News Sunday 18th October

A White-rumped Sandpiper, a Ruff, an adult Mediterranean Gull and 400 Whoopers were at Ballykelly. 118 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Great Northern and 20 Red-throated Divers were off Myroe, a Water Rail was in the channel and a Merlin on the turf fields.  (Garry Armstrong / Stuart McKee)

Rathlin still had one Yellow-browed Warbler at Kinramer, and also 4 Snow Buntings and 19 Crossbills. (Ric Else and Hazel Watson)

Approximately 300 Golden Plover wee on rocks at Portstewart with a Merlin also present. 5 Long-eared Owls were at a roost in Coleraine. (John Clarke)

Approximately 1000 Whooper Swans were on Lough Foyle at Greysteel (Christine Cassidy). 15 Whooper Swans were seen flying over Newtownabbey (Jim McKeown)

Great Spotted Woodpeckers were seen in Co Derry (Charles Stewart) and at Drum Bridge, Lagan Towpath (Richard Caves) 

A Slavonian Grebe and a Mediterranean Gull were at Ballymacormick Point. (James Andrew)

The Great White Egret was seen again at Castle Espie this afternoon (Gerard McGeehan et al)

The hybrid Ring-billed Gull was at Millisle. At Kearney 7 Pink-footed Geese were with 80 Whooper Swans. (Richard Weyl)

A Green Sandpiper was along the River Main at Slaght near Ballymena this evening (David Steele)

A Red Grouse was seen at Cove Mountain in the Mournes (Keith Dalzell)

Two Snow Abu ting were seen off Campsie Levels (P Smith)

Snow Bunting, Ric Else \ Hazel Watson:

Twite, Portrush, Mervyn Campbell:

Great Spotted Woodpecker (juvenile), Charles Stewart:

Great White Egret, Lesley Barker: