Bird News Monday 31st January

 A Brambling is visiting a garden on the Slievetrue Road in Carrickfergus. (George Stewart).

The 2 Marsh Harrier were still present at the RSPB Portmore Lough reserve, no sign of the Glossy Ibis.(Michael McCandless).

A Great White Egret was adjacent to the River Bann, at the south east corner of Lough Beg. (Graham McElwaine)

Thanks to George for the picture of the Brambling:

Bird News Sunday 30th January

The Ring Ouzel was still showing off Ballard Road, Co Armagh, in the lower field, this morning (Brian Carrothers et al)

The Green-winged Teal was at Castle Espie again (Tony Dodds) It is best seen from the cafe area or just outside the door as you enter the reserve. (Derek Polley). It was still present this afternoon. (Kevin Kirkham).

The Black Redstart is at Whitehead (Stephen Dunbar)

The Cattle Egret was at the Creagh, the two Great White Egrets were together south of Church Island, and 8 Ruff at Long Point, Lough Beg. The Green sandpiper was on the River Main at Slaght. (Richard Gray)

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum bay (Ivan Quail).

5 Goosanders were on the river at Sion Mills. (Brian Hegarty).

Two Crossbills, a male and female, were in the Antrim hills. (Michael Latham).

A male Hen Harrier flew over the Bellaghy Road near Dunloy this afternoon. (Derek McClean).

A 2nd calendar year Iceland Gull was at Enniskillen dump and a 2nd calendar year Mediterranean Gull was at Rossole Lough, Sligo Road, Enniskillen this afternoon. (Brad Robson).

Two Brambling were at Holyhill Road, Stravane (Robert Vaughan).

A Little Auk was in Ballyholme Bay before flying towards Ballymacormick Point and then towards Bangor. 

Thanks to Michael Latham for the pictures of the Crossbills, to Alastair McLean for the picture of the Bullfinch and to Cecil Smyth for the picture of the Snow Bunting:

Bird News Saturday 29th January

 The Green-winged Teal was still at Castle Espie. 2 Carrion Crows and a Stock Dove were 5 miles north of Portaferry. (Michael Latham).

The Black Redstart was still at Whitehead and 3 Snow Buntings were still at Skernaghan's Point on Islandmagee this morning. (Richard Hunter) The Black Redstart, Twite and Snow Buntings were all still present this afternoon and a Carrion Crow was at the car park at Brown's Bay. (Dakota Reid)

The Cattle Egret was still at the Creagh outside Toome. 15 Twite were at Whitehead and the Great White Egret was at Ballycarry. The 2 Velvet Scoters and a Long-tailed Duck were at Dargan. (Brian McCloskey ).

A Mediterranean Gull was at Kinnegar.(David Stirling)

Thanks to Michael for the picture of the Green-winged Teal and also of the first Carrion Crow: Thanks also to Richard Hunter for the first photos of both the Black Redstart and the Snow Bunting and to Dakota Reid for the second pictures of the Snow Bunting and the Carrion Crow.  

Bird News Friday 28th January

At Whitehead a 1 hour watch at first light had 59 Red-throated and 7 Great Northern Diver flying into Belfast Lough. (Ian Enlander)

The Black Redstart was on rocks near Whitehead boatyard and twenty Twite were also present (Garry Wilkinson).

The 3 Snow Buntings where still at Skernaghan Point.(Garry Wilkinson) 

The Green-winged Teal was still at Castle Espie. (Ed O'Hara, Comghal McQuillan).

The Ring Ouzel was still off Ballard Road but this time in the fields below / lower than Ballard road. (John Spottiswood).

The Cattle Egret and two Great White Egrets were in the south west corner of Lough Beg this evening, also a high count of 60 Little Egrets went to roost in woodland on the Antrim shoreline of Lough Beg. (David Steele).

A probable Caspian Gull was at Corbally rubbish dump outside Portrush yesterday. (Dean Jones).

Our thanks to Garry Wilkinson for the images of the Black Redstart and the Snow Bunting, also to Christine Cunningham for the Dunnock. Also to David Nixon for the Millisle Ring-billed x Common Gull.

Bird News Thursday 27th January

The Green-winged Teal was on the wader pool at Castle Espie this morning (Billy Miskelly)

A male Brambling was feeding on beech in the Ormeau Road area (Dermot Hughes)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker as at The Argory, Dungannon (Angus Kennedy)

A male Brambling was in a garden at Slievetrue road, Carrickfergus. (George Stewart)

Green-winged Teal, David Stirling:

Green-winged Teal, Mike McLaughlin:

Lesser Redpoll, Jeff Silvers:

Leucistic Cormorant, David McCreedy:

Bird News Wednesday 26th January

A Green-winged Teal is on the shingle bank at Castle Espie this morning. (Jonny Clark)

Five Goosanders (just one male today) were on the River Main at Slaght near Ballymena first thing this morning - a total of at least seven birds have been seen over the last few days. (David Steele).

The Ring Ouzel was still at Ballard Road, Lislea, outside Newry. (Peter Phillips).

An adult Iceland Gull was at RSPB WoW this afternoon (Stuart McKee)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in a garden at Lisleen Road, Castlereagh Hills (Ian Young)

Thanks to Jonny Clark for the picture of the Green-winged Teal:

Carrion \ Hooded Crow, Philip McErlean:

Bird News Tuesday 25th January

The Brambling flock was still in Clandeboye Estate. (Ian Graham).

7 Goosander, 2 male and 5 red heads, were at Corbet Lough outside Banbridge, 37 Whooper Swans were also present. (Mike McLaughlin)

A Brambling was in a garden in Brookeborough, Co Fermanagh, this morning. (John Young).

Two Brambling, a male and a female were in Stormont Estate. (Paul McCullough).

The Ring Ouzel was seen briefly in flight at Ballard Road. A Merlin and Sparrowhawk were also present. There were four goosander at Begny Lough outside Dromara and the Spotted Redshank was on the other side of Dundrum Inner Bay near the play park .A Red kite was just north of Dundrum village. (Garry Wilkinson, Nigel Moore)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker is visiting a garden near Moneymore. (Georgina Spratt)

Thanks to Adam Middleton for the picture of the Snow Bunting, to Mike McLaughlin for the picture of the Whooper Swans and to Georgina Spratt for the picture of the Great Spotted Woodpecker:

A new platform for sharing Rare and Scarce Bird News for the island of Ireland

 Irish Rare & Scarce Bird News

If someone had said to you 5 years ago that Ireland would need a news group that could handle hundreds of people, most we suspect would have shook their head in disbelief and perhaps even laughed at the notion.

 

4 years on from the (separate) start of both the Irish Rare And Scarce Birding Group on Facebook and a news group on WhatsApp, we are all now faced with the reality that the number of people who want access to instant rare bird news is not so insignificant as we might have previously thought.

At the outset of the Facebook group, one of the goals was to encourage more people into birding, and over the course of 4 years we have seen that take shape, as new faces have taken an interest.

However, some weeks back we learned for the first time that WhatsApp, in it's default setting, is limited to a number of 256 members and that the National news WhatsApp group was full to this capacity. 

There are of course, several alternative platforms which can very naturally accommodate more people than this and so we feel that, as well as making a move to include more people, the time has come for an upgrade in the platform used for the purpose of sharing rare bird news. 

We do also understand the annoyance some can feel at having to download and learn a new software or application though, and so we are providing this introductory posting to hopefully alleviate any concerns that may be out there. 

First and foremost, the platform we are using is called Band and you can find the permanent group link here: https://band.us/@irishrareandscarce 

The platform is web based and you can use it both from your desktop browser or as an app for your smartphone. 

Obviously, for bird news on the go, and for bird reporting purposes from the field, we recommend that you download and use the smartphone app, but it does mean that those who might still be logging on to their computer at the end of a day's birding can also access the platform. 

Joining is exceptionally easy, with multiple quick options at your disposal, including joining with your existing Facebook or Google accounts.

You can see more details on how the site operates at: 

https://irishrareandscarcebirdnews.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-new-way-of-sharing-rare-bird-news.html?m=1

Bird News Monday 24th January

 One of the Glossy Ibis was still at Portmore Lough RSPB this morning. (Albert Boyle).

The 20 White-fronted Geese that roost on Rathlin have been tracked to farmland at Maghernahar near Ballycastle. (Hazel Watson & Ric Else).

8 Goosander were at Begny Lough outside Dromara. (Ron Price & Michael Taylor).

A Great Skua was at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB reserve, possibly the first record for Co. Fermanagh. (Brad Robson).

The Cattle Egret was still at the Creagh outside Toomebridge this morning. (Nigel Moore).

An ad. Med Gull was at the Ecos centre,  Ballymena.(Jeff Larkin)

Thanks to Aaron Long for the picture of the Snow Buntings from yesterday: Also to Nigel Moore for the Cattle Egret.

Bird News Sunday 23rd January

The Cattle Egret was still on the north east side of the Creagh turn off, Toome (Garry Armstrong)

The Ring Ouzel was showing well at Ballard Road, Co Armagh (Brian McCloskey)

The Brambling flock (a minimum of 30 birds) was still in Clandeboye on the east side, close to the golf course. 18 Stock Dove were also present. (Wilton Farrelly)

The Great White Egret was still behind the Nicholl Garage, Toome (Garry Armstrong)

The two Velvet Scoter were still at Dargan Bay (Stephen Dunbar)

The four Snow Buntings were still at Skernaghan Point, Browns Bay (David Clarke)

Four Egyptian Geese are at Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal (Noel Newell)

The Spotted Redshank is still at Dundrum Inner Bay South, along the main channel. (Jeff Larkin).

One of the Glossy Ibis was still at Portmore Lough RSPB this morning. (Garry Armstrong).

Four Goosanders (three males and a female) were on the River Main at Slaght just south of Ballymena today and the over-wintering Green Sandpiper was also seen again (David Steele)

Two Great Northern Divers were off Castle Caldwell at Lower Lough Erne today, viewable from the black walking trail. (Seamus and Sean O'Hara)

Cattle Egret, Michael Latham:

Snow Bunting, David Clarke:

Great White Egret, Michael Latham:

Many thanks to everyone who sends in sightings and pictures.

Bird News Saturday 22nd January

The four Snow Buntings were still at Skernoghan Point, Browns Bay (Garry Armstrong / George Stewart/ Stephen Dunbar)

The two first winter Velvet Scoter are still off Dargan Bay (Kenneth Brewster)

The Cattle Egret is still at the Creagh off ramp and the Great White Egret behind the Nicholl Garage, Toome (Wilton Farrelly)

Both Glossy Ibis are still in fields east of the viewing platform at Portmore Lough - not visable from the platform but the path to hide (Richard Hunter)

20+ Brambling were still near Helen’s Tower, Clandeboye in an open area near the pylon and fence but flighty (Bob Watts)

6 male Goosander and 47 Whooper Swans were at Corbet Lough, Co Down, this morning (Mike McLaughlin)

3 Brambling are visiting a garden in Ballymena (Jeff Larkin)

2 Snow Buntings were at Ballyconagan on Rathlin this afternoon. (Hazel Watson & Ric Else).

An adult Iceland Gull was at Darkley Lough in Co. Armagh. (David Knight).

The Black Redstart was still at Whitehead seafront and the Twite flock was still at the boatyard. (Garry Armstrong).

Black Redstart, David Nixon:

Cattle Egret, Wilton Farrelly:

Glossy Ibis, Michael Latham

Snow Bunting, Garry Armstrong

Bird News Friday 21st January

At least one of the Great White Egrets was still at Ballycarry Bridge (Kevin Kirkham)

A female Brambling was at the east end of the Stormont Estate. Yesterdays bird was a male. (Paul McCullough)

20+Brambling in Clandeboye estate, Bangor.(Billy Miskelly/David Stirling)

Glaucous Gull still present at McDonalds/Burger King in Coleraine.(Adam McClure)

The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull was seen again at Millisle.(Richard Weyl)

3 Great Northern Diver on Lower Lough Erne.(Brad Robson)

The 4 Snow Buntings were showing well at Browns Bay. A Carrion Crow was in the car park. The Black Redstart and 3 Twite were seen at Whitehead Boat yard. An adult Mediterranean Gull was on the shore, north of Macedon. (David Nixon / Adrian Kernohan)

Our thanks to Paul McCullough for the photo of the female Brambling. Also to Gerry Bond for the Purple Sandpiper.

Bird News Thursday 20th January

The Snow Buntings at Browns Bay were looked for but not seen this morning, a Peregrine was present. (Kevin Kirkham). The Snow Buntings were seen again at Brown's Bay around midday, a Whimbrel was also present. (David Clarke/Ian Enlander).

The Cattle Egret was still in a field at the Creagh, Toome - over the cattle bridge to gate in field on the right. (Ian Young).

A male Brambling was seen in the Stormont Estate in Belfast. (Paul McCullough).

The Ring Ouzel was still at Ballard Road, Lislea near Newry. A single Goosander was on Corbet Lough outside Banbridge. (Garry Wilkinson & Nigel Moore).

3 Goosanders, 2 males and a redhead, were on Begney Lough outside Dromara. (David Nixon).

Thanks to David Clarke for the first two pictures of the Snow Buntings and to Ian Enlander for the third picture:

Bird News Wednesday 19th January

One of the Great White Egrets was still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough this morning. (Kevin Kirkham).

A Long-eared Owl was on Ravarnet Road outside Lisburn at 5.20am this morning. (Garry Wilkinson).

The four Snow Buntings were still at Brown's Bay on Islandmagee, at Skernaghan Point. (David Stirling)

The two Velvet Scoter and female Scaup were off Dargan, Belfast Lough (Stuart McKee)

An Iceland Gull was at the Bann Estuary.

The two Glossy Ibis were still in fields to the left of the viewing platform at Portmore Lough RSPB.

The Cattle Egret was at the Creagh and the Great White Egret behind the Nicholl Garage, Toome (Margaret Mackle).

A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Mill Bay, Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

Whooper Swans, Hillsborough Road, Moira, Juliet Fleming:

Snow Bunting, Browns Bay, Nigel Moore:

Bird News Tuesday 18th January

4 Snow Bunting are at Browns Bay, Islandmagee (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop) Because of disturbance only one was still present this afternoon. (Kevin Kirkham).

One of the Glossy Ibis was still at Portmore Lough RSPB this morning. (Philip McHaffie & David Nixon).

The Black Redstart was still at Whitehead, a Slavonian Grebe was off Macedon Point and the two Velvet Scoters were still in Dargan Bay. (Mike McLaughlin).

Two Bramblings are visiting a garden in Antrim. (Mark Smyth).

Thanks to William Smiton for the picture of the Pintail and to Mike McLaughlin for the pictures of the Black Redstart and the Turnstone:

Bird News Monday 17th January

The two Velvet Scoters and a female  Scaup were still at Dargan Bay in Belfast Lough two Long-tailed Duck were off Macedon Point. (Bob Watts).

The Ring Ouzel still on the Ballard Rd.(Joe Lamont)

A Chiffchaff was calling at Stoneyford Reservoir but there was no sign of the Iceland Gull. (Bob Watts)

Another Chiffchaff was calling at D3 RSPB Belfast reserve.(John O'Boyle)

20 Whooper Swan where in a field west of A26 near Cloughmills,( Derek McClean).

The 7 White-fronted Geese were still around Larne Lough. (Bob Watts).

There were 44 Whooper Swans on Corbet Lough this morning. No sign of the Goosanders.( Mike McLaughlin)

The Black Redstart and 14 Twite where again present at Whitehead.(David McCreedy)

5 Snow Buntings were at Skernaghan Point on Islandmagee. (Brenda Campbell)

Our thanks to David McCreedy for the photo of the Black Redstart and to Brenda Campbell for the picture of the Snow Buntings:

Bird News Sunday 16th January

The Cattle Egret was still at the Creagh, Toome. A Great White Egret was in the flooded area behind the Nicholl Garage, Toome (Ivan Quail / Nicky Lynn) Both birds were still present this afternoon (Philip West)

The two Velvet Scoter are off Dargan and a Slavonian Grebe Was off Macedon Point, Belfast Lough. (Jeff Larkin). A female Scaup was also present (Stuart McKee)

The two Glossy Ibis were still at Portmore RSPB Reserve (Garry Armstrong)

A Short-eared Owl was at Portavogie (Richard Weyl)

A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Crom and a female just east of Derrylin, Co Fermanagh (John Cusack)

Around Larne lough there were 6 Greenland white fronted geese, the black redstart was still at Whithead between the slipway and club house and there were 10+ Twite at the boatyard (Michael Latham)

A Peregrine was at Portstewart (Seamus O'Hara)

24 Whooper Swans were with 122 Greylags at Downpatrick Roa, Ardglass. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was also at Strand Lough, Killough (Chris Murphy)

Two Brambling were visiting a garden in Ballymena (Jeff Larkin)

The Ring Ouzel was seen again at Ballard Road, Co Armagh.

Two Long-tailed Duck were seen off Macedon Pint, Belfast Lough, this afternoon (Stuart McKee)

A Bank of Scotland Bank Card has been found at Portmore Lough. If it is yours, please contact: 07889 57288

Glossy Ibis, Dakota Reid:

Greenland Whitefronts, Michael Latham:

Tree Sparrow, David Miller:

Bird News Saturday 15th January

The Ring Ouzel was again at Ballard Road, Lislea near Newry. (Ian Rippey).

A Whimbrel was with a flock of Curlews at Ballyquintin on the outer Ards. (Bob Watts).

Yesterday four Jack Snipe were on one Island and a flock of sixty Snipe on another island at the Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB reserve in Fermanagh. (Brad Robson).

The Black Redstart is still at Ramore Head in Portrush. (Stephen Riddell).

The two Glossy Ibis are still at Portmore Lough RSPB. (Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn).

The Spotted Redshank was at Moneycarragh high tide roost in Dundrum Inner Bay. (Andrew Crory).

The Iceland Gull was still at Stoneyford Reservoir and 21 Ruff were at Church Island, Lough Beg, viewed from Long Point. (Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn).

A Dark-bellied Brent was at Ballyquintin. (Billy Miskelly).

2 Great White Egrets are in the south west corner of Lough Beg. (Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn).

5 Goosander were still on Begney Lough outside Dromara. 3 Pinkfeet were with Greylags and Whooper Swans between Portmore and Lady Bay. (Joe Lamont).

7 Brambling, 15 Tree Sparrows, 25 Lesser Redpoll and a Stock Dove are visiting a garden in Richill. (Andrew Poots).

20 Whitefronts left Rathlin again this morning to fly to the mainland. (Hazel Watson,  Ric Else).

The Glaucous Gull was still at Burger King in Coleraine. (Donna Riddell).

24 Whooper Swans, 243 Greylag Geese and c.500 Skylark were at Downpatrick Road, Ardglass; Dundrum Bay and adjacent fields between Killough and Tyrella (c.3 miles) had: 450 Scoter, 11 Great Northern Divers, 4 Red-throated Divers, c. 1,000 Knot, c.800 Golden Plover, 180 Curlew, 400 Lapwing, 18 Snipe, 150 Sanderling, 1 Stock Dove, 140 Fieldfare, 20 Song Thrushes, 220 Skylarks, 21 Greenfinches, 10 Yellowhammers, 32 Reed Buntings, 200 Tree Sparrows, 300 Linnets, 5 Twite, 1 Redpoll, 150 Chaffinches and 5 pairs of Stonechats. (Chris Murphy).

2 male and at least 2 female Goosanders were seen late this afternoon from the Road Bridge in Randalstown, well beyond the Railway Viaduct on the River Maine. (Tom Ennis, Andrew Miller)

Bird News Friday 14th January

The Ring Ouzel was again showing around the red slurry tanker on Ballard Road, Co Armagh (Martin Deehan).

A Black Redstart is at Ramore Head in Portrush. (John Clarke).

Four Brambling are visiting a garden in Antrim (Mark Smyth)

The two Glossy Ibis were still at Portmore Lough RSPB this afternoon. (Martin Deehan).

4 Goosanders, 3 males and a red-head, were on Begney Lough outside Dromara this morning. 36 Stock Doves were in fields at Ballyrolly Road near Clough and another 5 Stock Doves were at Drumgooland. 64 Whooper Swans and 33 Greylags were at Nutgrove and the Spotted Redshank was in the channel running through Dundrum South Inner Bay. (David Nixon, John O'Boyle).

Six Mediterranean Gulls were at Ballyholme in Bangor. (James Andrew).

An Iceland Gull was at Stoneyford Reservoir. (Suzanne Belshaw).

Thanks to John Clarke for the picture of the Black Redstart, to Suzanne Belshaw for the picture of the Iceland Gull and to Juliet Fleming for the pictures of the Sanderling and the Ringed Plover: