A winter plumaged Black-throated Diver was off Horse Island in Strangford Lough this morning. Another winter plumaged Black-throated Diver was off Kirkcubbin Sailing Club and 11 Slavonian Grebe were in Greyabbey Bay. 17 Slavonian Grebe were distantly off Newtownards Sailing Club. (Bob Watts).
The Glossy Ibis was still at Portmore Lough RSPB this morning. (Nigel Moore).
A male Ring-necked Parakeet was near the Waterworks in Belfast. (Stuart McKee).
A 2nd year Glaucous Gull was between Portrush and Portstewart. (Donna Riddell).
The Glaucous Gull was giving excellent views in Ardglass harbour.(David Nixon)
A male Crossbill was at Peatlands Park (Colin Gates)
Willow Warblers are now being reported including one at Derryboye. (Dot Blakely).
Our thanks to John Mason for the photo of the Glossy Ibis and to Jonathan Cooke for the picture of the Mediterranean Gulls
Six Black-throated Divers, two coming into summer plumage, were at Horse Island in Strangford Lough. (Dermot Hughes).
A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was in Ardglass harbour. (Chris Murphy).
A 3rd calendar year Glaucous Gull was by the wooden pier at the Bann estuary. (John Spottiswood). The Ring-billed Gull was off the hide and an adult Iceland Gull in the inner estuary. (Richard Donaghey).
Five Mediterranean Gulls were at Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve, two pairs and a single male. (Tom Ennis).
Thanks to Alastair McLean for the picture of the Pochard:
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A male Lesser Scaup is off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).
A singing Willow Warbler is at Aghmakane, Co Armagh (John Spottiswood)
The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at the Bann Estuary along with a Sandwich Tern (Martin Deehan \ Stephen Riddell)
The Black-necked Grebe was seen again at Todds Corner, Ardmore, Lough Neagh (Joe Lamont)
On Rathlin today were 20 Pink-footed Geese, a Canada Goose, an influx of Linnets, Redpoll, 2 Woodpigeons, Rook, and several flocks of Jackdaws. A Stock Dove was seen yesterday (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)
A second-winter Little Gull was feeding near Cockle Island at Groomsport (George Gordon \ David Nixon)
2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Ruff were at RSPB WoW (Derek Polley)
Drake Lesser Scaup, Ed O'Hara:
Curlew, Cecil Smyth:
With migrants now arriving and the breeding season underway, we would like to remind everyone that it is an offence to disturb any breeding birds. We understand that contributors to, or readers of this site would not deliberately disturb any wildlife. We would however remind contributors that, during the breeding season, we will not post any pictures of birds that appear to be at or near a breeding site, we also will not post pictures of birds that appear to be displaying or birds carrying nesting material or food. We will also not report raptor sightings during this period. This policy is designed to help protect all of our birds during what is a stressful and difficult time for them. As always, if anyone suspects a wildlife crime including wilful disturbance, this can be reported to the PSNI at 101.
The Ring-necked Duck is still off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island this morning. (Ed O'Hara).
The Black-necked Grebe was at Todd's Corner at the west end of Ardmore on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Ed O'Hara).
An adult winter plumaged Little Gull, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Sandwich Tern were at Groomsport. A 2nd winter Little Gull was at Ballymacormack Point. (Gerard McGeehan & Shirley Dunlop).
13 Purple Sandpipers were at Donaghadee and 1 at Ballymacornick Point (Bob Watts)
This pair of Mandarin Duck were at Kellswater Bridge, Co Antrim this morning (David Clarke):
A male Ring-necked Duck was off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island this morning. (Ed O'Hara). The bird was still present this afternoon to the left of the hide. A male Blackcap was also present. (Bob Watts).
Both Garganey are still at Lough Shark this morning although they can be elusive in the reeds. (Ian Young).
Two adult Iceland Gulls, one a Kumlien's type, were at Portballintrae. (John Clarke).
A Red Kite was along New Line Road near Ballygowan this afternoon. (David Clarke).
A Slavonian Grebe was at Pollan Bay in Lough Neagh. (Ronan Owens).
Thanks to Ed O'Hara for the picture of the Ring-necked Duck, to David Clarke for the picture of the Red Kite, to John Clarke for the picture of the Iceland Gull and to Terry Hanna for the picture of the Red-breasted Mergansers:
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Thanks to Juliet Fleming for pointing out that today is World Sparrow Day and also for the picture of the House Sparrow below, one of the most widespread and familiar birds in the world:
The RSPB are looking for volunteers to carry out breeding Twite surveys during this breeding this season.
If anyone is interested in taking part they can see details here: https://volunteer.rspb.org.uk/opportunities/29782-surveyor-not-on-a-reserve-2022-ni-twite-survey-causeway-coast-2022-03-18
Alternatively you can contact Anne Guichard , RSPB Conservation Officer - Causeway Coast, at Anne.Guichard@rspb.org.uk
House Martins are now arriving in numbers, six were around Boomers Reservoir in Lisburn this morning. (Dave Brooks).
Yesterday a Wheatear was at Brown's Bay on Islandmagee. (Dave Craig).
A Scandinavian Rock Pipit and a Merlin were at St John's Point and a female Kestrel was at Rossglass. (Bob Watts).
An untagged Red Kite was on Copeland. (David Stirling).
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in Rowallane outside Saintfield. (Alastair McLean).
The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at the Round "O" in Enniskillen, a Sand Martin was also present. (Brad Robson).
An adult female Marsh Harrier was at Ardmore on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Stuart McKee).
A female Ring-necked Duck was at Knockninny, Derrylin, Upper Lough Erne. (Ronan Owens)
A male Hen Harrier was at Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Sandra McDowell)
Thanks to Dave Craig for the pictures of the Wheatear and to Sandra McDowell for the picture of the Hen Harrier:
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The Black-necked Grebe was at Todd's Corner at the west end of Ardmore on the south shore of Lough Neagh this morning. A Merlin was at Reedy Flats. (Ed O'Hara).
Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve this morning had a Ruff, Mediterranean Gull, Pintail and Goldeneye. (Derek Polley).
A Great Northern Diver was off Dunseverick this morning. (Juliet Fleming).
This afternoon 10 Greenland White-fronts were with 30 Greylags on the turf fields at Myroe. (Mervyn Guthrie)
Thanks to Mervyn Guthrie for the picture of the White-fronts, to Juliet Fleming for the picture of the Fulmar abd to Robin Cunningham for the pictures of the Red-breasted Merganser and the Great Northern Diver:
The Water Pipit still showing on Ballyfrench beach.(Derek Polley)
The female Marsh Harrier was reported from the west end of Ardmore, and the summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe was at the east end of Reedy Flats.
Our thanks to everyone for taking time out to report both Sand Martins and Chiffchaff, they are now widely reported.
Our thanks to Donna Riddell for the photo of these Kittiwakes.
The White-tailed Eagle was again over Church Bay on Rathlin, two Peregrines and two Sparrowhawks were also seen. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).
The first Swallow of the spring was off the Croaghan hide at Oxford Island, up to 30 Sand Martins were also present. (Ed O'Hara/Bob Watts).
The Ring-billed Gull is still at the Round "O" in Enniskillen. (Robert Vaughan).
The Ring Ouzel is still in the same field on Ballard Road outside Newry. (John Spottiswood).
The two Ruff and at least two Mediterranean Gulls were still at Belfast Lough RSPB WOW reserve. (Kevin Kirkham).
4 Yellowhammers were between Dundonald and Comber and a Raven was at Scrabo Country Park. (Ricky McQuillan).
A Chiffchaff was at Lower Lough Erne RSPB reserve. (Brad Robson).
Thanks to Ric Else for the picture of the White-tailed Eagle, to Alastair McLean for the picture of the Gadwall, to Noeni Bryars for the picture of the Siskin and to David McCreedy for the picture of the Snow Bunting:
A Merlin was hunting off the Croaghan hide at Oxford Island, two House Martins and two Sand Martins were also off the hide and a Chiffchaff was singing in bushes beside the hide. (Ed O'Hara).
The adult Ring-billed Gull is back at the Round "O" in Enniskillen. (Brad Robson).
3 Carrion Crows were at Orlock Point. (Bob Watts).
The Black Redstart was still between Donaghadee and Orlock. (Derek Polly, Michael Latham).
A Ruff, Pintail and male Goldeneye were still at Belfast Lough RSPB. (Noeni Bryars).
The Ring Ouzel was still at Ballard Road outside Newry this evening. (John Spottiswood).
A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was in Ardglass harbour. (Chris Murphy).
Thanks to Michael Latham for the pictures of the Black Redstart and to Ed O'Hara for the picture of the House Martin:
A Med Gull, 2 Ruff and a Pintail still at RSPB WOW reserve.(Ian Young)
The male Black Redstart was still on the shore opposite 142 Warren Rd, Donaghadee.(George Gordon)
A Wheatear was at Briggs Rocks, Co Down(Richard Weyl)
A Chiffchaff was at Oxford Island.(Ed O'Hara)see pic below
30 Pink-footed Goose remain at Islandmagee. (Cameron Moore)
4 Sand Martin west of Ardmore Point, Lough Neagh along with 200 Scaup.(John Spottiswood)
