Bird News Saturday 31st July

2 Little Tern are at the Barmouth (Theo Campbell).

A Common Sandpiper was on the pool at Kinnegar shore. (Bob Watts).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at the East Strand Car Park, Portrush (Simon Morton)

A Sooty Shearwater was seen from the Larne - Cairnryan ferry (John Spottiswood)

Yesterday 3 Common Sandpipers were at Loughshore, Jordanstown, (Dakota Reid) and another was at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh. (Richard Caves).

Bloody Foreland in Donegal this morning had 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 435 Manx Shearwaters, a Bonxie, 2 Red-throated Diver, 21 Puffins and a juvenile Cuckoo. (Chris Murphy).

Thanks to Richard Caves and Dakota Reid for the pictures of the Common Sandpipers:

Richard Caves

Dakota Reid

 

Bird News Friday 30th July

A seawatch at Bloody Foreland, Co Donegal had a Cory's Shearwater, Balearic, 3 Bonxie, Arctic Skua and 637 Manx (Ralph Sheppard)

Yesterday, a significant summer count of 46 Whooper Swans were at Kinturk, Lough Neagh (Ciara Laverty)

A Green Sandpiper was this morning by the Blackstaff River, near the Blackstaff Road bridge. (Danny Bailie).

A single Brent Goose was on the shore at Ballykelly. (Martin Deehan).

Bird News Thursday 29th July

A Mediterranean Gull was at Ballymacormack Point, Groomsport. (James Andrew)

The Glaucous Gull was still at the Burger King in Coleraine (John Clarke)

Glaucous Gull, John Clarke:

Tree Sparrow, Lough Foyle, Lindsay Hodges:

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

2021 BTO Local Events

Please see below a list of BTO events for 2021. If you are interested in any of the events, please contact Stephen Hewitt at: stephen.hewitt@bto.org

Bird News Wednesday 28th July

The female Montagu's Harrier was seen again on the 22nd July in the Antrim Hills (Jonny Rosborough)

Montagu's Harrier, Jonny Rosborough:

Sedge Warbler, Thomas Campbell:

Montagus Harrier spotted in Antrim Hills.

Last week a female Montagus Harrier was photographed in the Antrim Hills by Michael Latham, it is only the 5th record for Northern Ireland and the first female for the province.

  

Bird News Tuesday 27th July.

6+ Bar-tailed Godwit where at Wow reserve a Common Sand. a Snipe and 25+ Turnstone where at  Kinnegar Pools.(Bob Watts) Yesterday 15 Bar-tails in summer plumage and 4 in non breeding plumage where seen at the Wow reserve.(Tom Ennis/Andrew Miller)

A Red Kite flew over Hillsborough this afternoon.(Garry Wilkinson)  

Our thanks to Ian Enlander for the photo of these Common Terns taken at Whitehead. Also to Tim Jess for the Kingfisher.

Dear BTO NI Supporters

Events Programme

Please see an attached programme of upcoming training courses and other events. BTO courses are a great way of learning more about birds and how you can put your birding skills to good use locally in some enjoyable projects. The first of these events are two Wetland Bird Survey training courses at the end of August, so do book soon!

BTO NI Birdwatchers' Conference

I very much hope to be able to get back to the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre (LNDC) for the annual Birdwatchers' Conference in November. We've provisionally booked the Islandview Room as usual, and are very grateful for the cooperation and help of LNDC staff. A normal conference relies both on restrictions permitting and there being sufficient demand from supporters. With that in mind we'd be grateful if you could take the time to complete a short questionnaire on conference options at the following link: https://forms.gle/24EZwCcNhHsHS9Ah7. Please send in responses by 31st August, as we hope to make a final decision on the nature of the conference in early September.

Last Call for BBS Data

It looks like we've had a good year for Breeding Bird Survey coverage, but if you have any outstanding data to submit, please do so before 31st August. A tutorial video on submitting your data online can be viewed here. Thanks to all BBS surveyors and Regional Organisers for your fantastic work. 

Sign up for e-Newsletter

Finally, if you haven't already done so, please remember to sign up for our e-Newsletter so you continue to receive updates from BTO NI.

Best wishes,

Stephen

--

Stephen Hewitt

British Trust for Ornithology

Northern Ireland Officer

07784546403

Please sign up for the BTO NI e-Newsletter!

BTO Northern Ireland

@BTO_NIreland

Opinions expressed in this e-mail are not necessarily those of the BTO.

BTO staff are not authorised to enter into contracts via e-mail.

Bird News Monday 26th July

Three Green Sandpipers were on the River Main at Slaght, Ballymena (David Steele)

An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the East Strand Car Park, Portrush this morning (Stephen Riddell).

A 1st summer Little Gull was at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

Mediterranean Gull, Portrush, Stephen Riddell:

Bird News Sunday 25th July

Two Whimbrel were roosting in Belfast Lough RSPB reserve at high tide. Three Common Sandpipers were at the pool at Kinnegar. Another Whimbrel was at Ballymacormack Point. (Garry Armstrong).

The Green Sandpiper was still at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh along with a Whimbrel and two Common Sandpipers. (Garry Armstrong).

A summer plumaged Mediterranean Gull and three Carrion Crow were at Glynn Station in Larne Lough. (Dakota Reid).

A Shoveler was an unusual record at Rue Point on Rathlin, also 60+ Sand Martin were at Ushet. (Ian Enlander).

Thanks to Tim Jess for the picture of the Kingfishers and to Dakota Reid for the picture of the Common Tern:

Bird News Saturday 24th July

The Green Sandpiper was still at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh this morning. (Garry Armstrong).

An adult Mediterranean Gull is at the Ecos Centre, Ballymena (Jeff Larkin)

Our thanks to Mark Weir for the photo of a Sparrowhawk and to Michael Latham for the picture of the Kestrel:. 

Green Sandpiper

Bird News Friday 23rd July

A Hobby was seen this evening at the Slievetrue Road, Carrickfergus (George Stewart)

The two Ruff were still at RSPB WoW and  4 Common Sandpiper were at Kinnegar Pools (Stuart McKee/Bob Watts)

A Balaeric Shearwater was seen from the Rathlin ferry this morning. (Ian Enlander)

A Red Kite at the junction of the Lisglass/Slievetrue road near Woodburn forest Carrickfergus.(George Stewart)

This afternoon a pale phase Arctic Skua flew over RSPB WoW (Tom Ennis)

Our thanks to Michael Henderson for this pic of a Reed Warbler.

Rosy Starlings 2021

So far, 2021 has seen a record equalling influx of Rosy Starlings to Northern Ireland, part of an ongoing invasion of the species into Britain and Ireland. The last significant invasions were in 2002 (7 sightings), 2003 (4 sightings) and 2004 (3 sightings). In the intervening years, numbers have been remarkably low. Reports to date in 2021 include:

    Craigantlet, 8th June

    Broughshane, 12th June

    Dundonald, 13th June

    Newtownards, 15th June

    Coleraine, 15th June

    Ballyclare, 16th June

    Rathlin, 19th June

    Ballycastle, 2nd July (unconfirmed)

As always, it is worthwhile checking out your local Starling flocks.

Rosy Starling, Coleraine, John Clarke:

Bird News Thursday 22nd July

A Green Sandpiper and Pochard were at Killough Harbour. A high count of 25 Little Egret were also present. Two Spotted Flycatcher were in Kelly’s Wood. (Chris Murphy)

Two Ruff and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at an extremely dry RSPB WoW (Derek Polley)

Over 20 Spotted Flycatcher were seen around Carrick Lough, Creeslough, Co Donegal (Mike McLaughlin)

Yesterday 5 Whimbrel were at Dundrum South Inner Bay and today 2 Common Sandpiper were at Kinnegar Lagoons. (David Nixon)

On Lough Beg, 3 adult Whoopers and 4 Cygnets were seen (Godfrey McRoberts)

Spotted Flyctcher, Mike McLaughlin:

Carrion Crow, Portaferry - Amy Weir

Bird News Wednesday 21st July

The two Ruff were still at RSPB WoW, Belfast (Bob Watts)

The Least Tern was seen at the Little Tern colony at Baltray, Co Louth today (Gerard Murray)

A Common Sandpiper was on the saline lagoon at Castle Espie (Ross McIlrath)

Sedge Warbler, Michael Henderson:

Bird News Tuesday 20th July.

Slightly further afield. ..29 Whimbrel where at Ards Forest Park, Donegal (Mike McLaughlin)

Our thanks to Tim Jess for the photo of a Yellowhammer

Bird News Monday 19th July

A Mediterranean Gull was on the rover at Strand Road, Coleraine (Stephen Riddell)

A Common Sandpiper was at Castle Espie (Ross McIlrath)

A Feas Petrel was seen off Kilcummin, Co Mayo (Oscar Campbell)

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Carrickfergus harbour (Zoe Anderson)

Mediterranean Gull, Stephen Riddell:

Bird News Sunday 18th July

A Marsh Harrier was at Portmore Lough (Ian Clarke)

Three Whimbrel were at Kearney (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop, Carol Gillespie, Ray Bennet)

A Sabines Gull is off the Barmouth, Castlerock (Stephen Dunbar)

A Whimbrel and Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Castle Ward (Kevin Kirkham)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Jubilee Farm, Glynn (Tim Davies)

Sabines Gull, Stephen Dunbar:

Marsh Harrier, Ian Clarke:

Bird News Saturday 17th July

The Green Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper were at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh this morning. (Ian Enlander).

Thanks to Tim Jess for the pictures of the Kingfisher and Yellowhammer and to John Mason for the pictures of the Sedge Warbler and the Great Crested Grebe:

Bird News Friday 16th July

The Great White Egret was viewable distantly from the Strand viewing point, Lough Beg (Michael Latham)

A Lesser Whitetroat was in song, (not seen,)  in scrub lower Wolf Hill above Ligoneil Dams GR IJ 294 773. (Dermot Hughes, Vincent Toal, Larry Toal).

The Green Sandpiper still present at Ladys Bay.(Richard Caves)

A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker continues to visit a garden outside Hillsborough. (Juliet Fleming).

A Corys Shearwater was seen flying east off Fanad Head this evening (Oscar Campbell)

Thanks to Juliet Fleming for the picture of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and to Raymond Houston for the picture of the Kingfisher. Also to John Mason for the photo of the two Black-tailed Godwits.

Bird News Thursday 15th July

The Egyptian Vulture has been seen again at 1:15, just west of Dunfanaghy New Lake - 55°09'33.0"N 8°01'25.2"W

https://goo.gl/maps/dDdZT5E7ncrAWHdn7 - (Aidan Kelly). The bird was seen regularly in the afternoon in the area west of the New Lake and towards the dunes. 

The Green Sandpiper was still at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh. (Kevin Kirkham),

Thanks to Mike McLaughlin for the pictures of the Egyptian Vulture, to Michael Latham for the picture of the juvenile Wheatear and to John Mason for the picture of the Little Egret:

Barn Owl Survey

Ulster Wildlife has launched its annual Barn owl survey for July and August.

 If you would like to take part or want more information, please contact us at barnowls@ulsterwildlife.org

 

Bird News Wednesday 14th July

An adult Egyptian Vulture was in the sand dunes behind Tramore Strand, Dunfanaghy up to circa 12 o'clock. The bird subsequently drifted east. (Shane Farrell). The bird showed around 3pm at the west end of the New Lake. The bird was last seen at 4:15 around the Purt Lough area (Robert Vaughan)

A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden outside Hillsborough. (Juliet Fleming).

The two Ruff and two Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB reserve. (Ed O'Hara).

The Bonaparte's Gull was still at Lough Beg, a female or juvenile Garganey was also present. (David Steele).

Thanks to Ed O'Hara for the picture of the Ruff and to John Mason for the pictures of the Jay and the Great Spotted Woodpecker:

.

Bird News Tuesday 13th July

 A summer plumaged Spotted Redshank was at Belfast Lough RSPB reserve, the two Ruff were also still present. (Bob Watts)

Loughshore, Jordanstown had a Med gull at the cafe and 2 carrion crows along the shore. (David Stirling)

The Fieldfare was seen again at Billy Neill's playing fields, Dundonald, along with 12 Mistle Thrush.(Chris Shaw).

A Corncrake was calling at a site near Portstewart. (Susie McDonagh).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Carrickfergus harbour this afternoon. (Paul McCullough).

Our thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the image of the Spotted Redshank, currently at the Wow RSPB reserve and to Paul McCullough for the picture of the Mediterranean Gull

Bird News Monday 12th July

The Green Sandpiper was at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh again, a juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 3 Common Sandpipers were also present. (Garry Armstrong).

The Bonaparte's Gull was showing again off Mullagh Point in Lough Beg this evening, an Osprey was also present. (David Steele).

A hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow was paired with a pure Hooded Crow at Ardglass harbour. (John Spottiswood).

Thanks to John Spottiswood for the picture of the hybrid Crow:

 

Bird News Sunday 11th July

The 1st summer Bonaparte's Gull was at the south end of Lough Beg, off Mullagh Point, the Great White Egret and five Ruff were also present. (David Steele). 

The two Ruff and four Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Garry Armstrong).

A Greenshank and two Common Sandpipers were at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh. (Ed O'Hara).

Twelve Greenshank were off the hide at the Barmouth this afternoon. (John Spottiswood). 

Thanks to William Smiton for the picture of the Yellowhammer:

Bird News Saturday 10th July

An adult summer plumaged Little Gull was off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

Lady Bay had a 2nd year Mediterranean Gull and 4 Common Sandpipers but there was no sign of the Green Sandpiper. (Garry Armstrong).

Four Common Sandpipers were at the Newry Estuary this morning. (Frank Carroll).

A Common Sandpiper was on the beach at Kearney.(Derek Polley)

Two Corncrakes were calling on the Isle of Doagh in Donegal. (Christine Cassidy, Dermot McLaughlin).

Thanks to Michael Latham for the picture of the Whinchat:

Bird News Friday 9th July

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this afternoon had the two Ruff and a Common Sandpiper. (Tom Ennis).

The Least Tern was still at Portrane (Gerard McGeehan)

Thanks to Alastair McLean for the picture of the Stonechat: