Two male Goosander were on Begney Lough, Dromara (David Nixon)
Dundrum Bay had 200+ Common Scoter and a high count of 31 Red-throated Diver (Dave Weir)
Bird News Thursday 21st November 2024
The small race Canada Goose and Richardsons Cackling Goose were still at Dunfanaghy New Lake (Ian Young)
Bird News Wednesday 20th November 2024
80 Common Scoter on Lough Foyle (Gilly Irwin).
Wing-tagged Red Kite flew over Dromore Road near Ballynahinch (Gregory Heaney).
Bird News Tuesday 19th November 2024
Yesterday a male Hen Harrier was on Rathlin (Ric Else)
A juvenile Little Gull was at Magilligan. An extremely late Arctic Tern was also present. (John Clarke)
100+ Purple Sandpiper were at the Coastal Zone Portrush (Gilly Irwin)
Little Gull, John Clarke:
Bird News Monday 18th November 2024
3 Twite were with the Linnet flock at the boatyard in Whitehead. (Cameron Moore).
An adult Black-throated Diver was off the Barmouth at the Bann Estuary. 6 Great Northern Diver and 80+ Gannets were off Castlerock. 4 Slavonian Grebes were off Myroe. (Derek Charles).
A Great Northern Diver was at Portballintrae this morning. (Stephen Riddell).
A Swallow was over Castle Espie this morning. (Jonny Clarke).
The redhead Goosander was still close in off Kinnegar shore, close to Kinnegar barracks. (Bob Watts).
A Great Spotted Woodpecker continues to visit a garden outside Hillsborough. (Juliet Fleming).
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Juliet Fleming.
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Bird News Sunday 17th November 2024
A male Ring-necked Duck, 11 Ruff, the White-rumped Sandpiper and a Great White Egret were off Long Point at Lough Beg. (Aaron Long).
The female Marsh Harrier, 2 Great White Egrets and a Brambling were at Portmore. 160 Whoopers were at the mouth of the Ballinderry River. (Chris & Rachel Veale).
A Great White Egret was off Croaghan hide and the Chiffchaff was singing again outside the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).
A Slavonian Grebe was off Hazelbank in Belfast Lough. (Michael Latham).
Now 2 Swallows at the Ropewalk in Killough. (Joanie Stevenson).
A pair of Goosanders were on the Inver River between the road and rail bridges. (Adam McClure).
2 Swallows were at Waterfoot. (Ivan Quail & Nicky Lynn).
4 Fieldfare were near Mount Stewart this afternoon. (Jennifer Martin).
A Great White Egret and 42 Purple Sandpipers were on Rathlin. (Ric Else).
2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers were in Tollymore. (Mel O'Hagan).
2 Red Kites were seen from the Lighthouse Road viewpoint near Castlewellan. (Riona Ni Aodha).
Bird News Saturday 16th November 2024
A redhead Goosander was off Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Dermot Hughes).
A female or immature Pintail was on Lurgan Park Lake. (Derek Charles).
A Swallow was on the Ropewalk in Killough. (Joanie Stevenson, Chris Murphy).
A Common Chiffchaff was singing near the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong, Clifford Sharpe).
A female Marsh Harrier and 2 Great White Egrets were at Portmore. (Michael Latham).
The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Inner Bay. (Aaron Long).
A Chiffchaff was on Rathlin. (Ric Else).
A Cattle Egret was a mile north of the blue bridge at Toome. Lough Beg had a White-rumped Sandpiper, a Great White Egret and 8 Pinkfeet. (Derek Charles)
A Red-throated Diver was close to the seawall at Kinnegar Barracks in Holywood. (Jonathan Clark).
20 Twite were at the boatyard in Whitehead. (Tim Davis).
Red-throated Diver, Jonathan Clark.
Marsh Harrier, Michael Latham.
Great White Egret, Michael Latham.
Bird News Friday 15th November 2024
The drake Lesser Scaup and a White-rumped Sandpiper were off the Tready Hide, Inch, Donegal (Theo Campbell / Chris Ingram)
A White-tailed Eagle was at the Roe Estuary (Mervyn Campbell). It subsequently moved upriver and could be seen in trees above the Roe bridge over the Seacoast Road.
A Black-throated Diver and the hybrid Ring-billed Gull were at Millisle, Co Down (Richard Weyl)
The juvenile female Lesser Scaup was still at Kinnegoe Bay, Oxford Island (Derek Charles)
8 White-fronted Geese and a Mediterranean Gull on Rathlin (Ric Else/ Hazel Watson)
Drake Pintail, Alastair McLean:
Bird News Thursday 14th November 2024
A Hoopoe as seen in a garden at the Maze on Tuesday but no sign yesterday (Daniel Henderson).
Female Lesser Scaup still from Kinnegoe Hide, Oxford Island (Tony Dodds / Ian Young).
Great White Egret, ringtail Hen Harrier and female Merlin at Reedy Flats (David McCreedy).
Black-necked Grebe at west end of Reedy Flats (Derek Charles).
Short-eared Owl at the rear of Slieve Gallion in the Sperrins, Co Derry (Adam McClure).
Great White Egret still at Myroe (John Clarke).
Marsh Harrier at Portmore Lough RSPB (Karma Tsering / Barbara Reverd).
Hoopoe, Daniel Henderson.
Bird News Wednesday 13th November 2024
There was no sign of the Barred Warbler at Belfast Lough RSPB reserve up until lunchtime. (Aaron Long).
A Goosander was reported in Randalstown. (EBird).
A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Lough Mann near Ballynahinch, 10 Whoopers were in fields between Farranfad and Nutgrove. (Dave Weir).
A female Lesser Scaup was off the Kinnegoe hide at Oxford Island. (Derek Charles).
Greenshank, Guy Hamilton).
Bird News Tuesday 12th November 2024
The Great White Egret was still at Myroe (Gerry Bond)
Great White Egret, Gerry Bond:
The 2 Black-throated Divers are still in Carnlough Bay with a 'red-head' Goosander also present. (Jeff Larkin)
A Barred Warbler was near Hide 2, RSPB WoW. (Eli Philip)
61 Purple Sandpiper were near the Coastal Zone, Portrush (Juliet Fleming)
Barred Warbler, RSPB WoW, Eli Philip:
Purple Sandpipers, Juliet Fleming.
Bird News Monday 11th November 2024
Great White Egret at Myroe (John Clarke).
Red-necked and 3 Slavonian Grebes off Macedon point with a female Common Scoter distantly off Dargan (Stuart McKee).
Twite flock still at Ramore Head (Rod Gillan).
3 female Long-tailed Ducks off Helen’s Bay (Philip Watson).
A late Arctic Tern at Cultra (Richard Weyl).
Sandwich Tern still at Loughshore Park Jordanstown (Tim Davies).
Merlin on fence posts at Reedy Flats (Robbie Hughes).
Great Spotted Woodpecker near entrance to Marble Arch caves, Co Fermanagh (Derek Charles).
Great White Egret, John Clarke:
Bird News Sunday 10th November 2024
A Merlin and a Ruff were at the Bann Estuary. (Dean Jones).
Greenshank, Richard Caves.
The flock of Twite are still at Ramore Head in Portrush. (Chris Hamilton).
A Short-eared Owl was at Ballyquintin. (Richard Weyl).
The Red-necked Grebe was distantly off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough, at least 25 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver, 12 Scaup and a single Common Scoter were also present. (Philip West, Wilton Farrelly, Garry Armstrong).
A Brambling flew over Kinnegar shore. (Stuart Cossey).
A ring-tail Hen Harrier was at Portmore. (Michael Latham, Alan Dickson).
3 Common Scoters were in Dargan Bay in Belfast Lough. (Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn).
The 2 Black-throated Divers were still at Carnlough this morning. (Stephen Foster). Also present were a Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and 3 Common Scoter. (Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn).
3 Ring-necked Ducks, a Cattle Egret and 5 Great White Egrets were at Lough Beg. (David Steele).
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Oxford Island. (Marian O'Hara).
2 Mediterranean Gulls and 3 Purple Sandpipers were on Rathlin. (Ric Else, Hazel Watson).
Hen Harrier, Michael Latham.
Bird News Saturday 9th November 2024
The Black Redstart was still at Portstewart this morning (Ian Young)
A Yellow-browed Warbler was calling in this area near Belvoir, off Galwally Avenue, Belfast (Stuart Cossey) https://maps.app.goo.gl/7YB4CRLALu2Lj89H9?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
A Slavonian Grebe was showing off the Shore Road Car Park, Whiteabbey (David McCreedy / Mike McLaughlin)
A Todd’s Canada Goose was with circa 600 Barnacle Geese at Malin Head (Theo Campbell / Chris Ingram)
The Double-crested Cormorant was again at Doon Lough, Co Leitrim (John Spottiswood)
An extremely late Willow Warbler was at Groomsport (Mel O’Hagan / Ivan Quail / Nicky Lynn)
It’s worth noting that a Pallid Swift was seen on Islay today and another in Carlow.
Black Redstart, Portstewart, Rod Gillan:
Bird News Friday 8th November 2024
8 Pinkfeet and 10+ Ruff from Long Wood viewpoint Church Island, Lough Beg this morning but no sign of the Golden Plover flock nor the associated White-rumped Sandpipers. Note shooting in area. (Aaron Long).
Black Redstart still at Portstewart (Jonny Rosborough).
Snow Bunting at Ramore Head (Jonny Rosborough).
No sign of Barred Warbler at Ballymacormick Point by 1230 (David McCreedy).
Dipper with dark belly at Downhill similar to one from 2021 so Black-bellied not ruled out (John Spottiswood).
Bird News Thursday 7th November 2024
The Black Redstart was still at Portstewart this morning. (John Clarke).
The Barred Warbler was seen again at Ballymacormick Point this morning. (William Smiton).
At least 2 of the White-rumped Sandpipers are still with the Golden Plover flock at Church Island, Lough Beg, at least 8 Ruff are also present. (Ian Young).
8 Ring-necked Parakeets are at Belfast Waterworks. (Stuart McKee).
A Carrion Crow is being seen regularly in Castle Park in Bangor. (Becci).
A Merlin was at Ben Dearg in Kilclief this morning. (Chris McNally).
6 Crossbills were at Fardross Glen, near Clogher, Co Tyrone this morning. Just behind the Carleton Trail no 11 sign. (Colin Bell).
About 20 Twite were at Ramore Head in Portrush. A single Purple Sandpiper was also present. (Richard Caves)
A Snow Bunting was on the road south of Tor Head - top of the hill (Keith Glasgow).
Black Redstart, Stephen Riddell.
Twite, Richard Caves.
Purple Sandpiper, Richard Caves.
Bird News Wednesday 6th November 2024
3 Slavonian Grebes west from Macedon Point early morning. The Red-necked Grebe was with the Eider flock (Stuart Cossey).
Spotted Redshank, David Nixon:
The Shore Lark is still at Clermont Carn, Co Louth in very foggy conditions this morning (Andrew Crory). It flew high north just at 1230 and no further sign (Peter Philips).
The Barred Warbler is still present at Ballymacormick Point, Groomsport this morning (Clifford Sharpe). Still present early afternoon also male Blackcap (Stuart Cossey).
Female type Black Redstart Harbour Hill, Portstewart (Richard Donaghey).
Spotted Redshank at the roost Dundrum South Inner Bay. If the returning bird then it’s 5th winter (David Nixon).
3+ White-rumped Sandpipers with the Golden Plover flock at Church Island, Lough Beg (David Steel).
Barn Owl on successive evenings c1740 in Coleraine at University Corner, Cromore Road (Peter Hough).
Black Redstart, Stephen Riddell:
Bird News Tuesday 5th November 2024
The Shore Lark was still at Clermont Carn, Cooley Peninsula, Co Louth this morning, at the RTE transmitter. (Aaron Long). The bird was still present at 2:30 (Mike McLaughlin / David McCreedy / Eamon Larrisey)
The Barred Warbler was still present this morning at Ballymacormick Point, Groomsport (Martin Deehan). It was last seen at 1:45 but is elusive (Des Higgins)
Location for viewing the Barred Warbler: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZrgpidTYTeNRLNHS6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Runkerry Wood, Bushmills (Richard Donaghey)
2 Snow Buntings were at Ramore Head this morning (Juliet Fleming / John Clarke)
At least six Slavonian Grebe were off Myroe this morning (Stephen Riddell)
At least 70 Twite were at Ramore Head this morning (John Clarke)
4 Velvet Scoter flew past Groomsport in to Belfast Lough earlier today. A Black Brant x Pale-bellied Brent was at Rugh Island, Strangford Lough. Behind Islandhill there were 7 Pink-footed Geese (one an adult) with the Greylags (Anthony McGeehan)
55+ Whoopers were at Whinney Hill, Holywood (Tom Ennis)
Shore Lark, Aaron Long:
Shore Lark, Mike McLaughlin:
Snow Bunting, Juliet Fleming:
Bird News Monday 4th November 2024
The Barred Warbler is still present this morning in the same area of Ballymacormack Point though elusive. (Aaron Long). The bird is still being seen occasionally up to lunchtime at least. (Stuart McKee, Dermot Hughes, Richard Weyl).
A juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper is at the Roe Estuary, Lough Foyle. (David Hunter).
The Snow Buntings are still at Ramore Head, 25 Twite are also present. (John Clarke).
A Ruff is at the Bann Estuary. (John Spottiswood).
A Shore Lark was at the RTE mast on Cleremont Carn in the Cooley Mountains in Co. Louth. (David Knight).
The Red-necked Grebe was still present distantly with the Eider flock in Belfast Lough. (Ian Young).
There are two seats available for the boat trip from Ballycastle to Islay on Saturday 7th November. Please text Jim Wells on 07856235144 for more details.
Mediterranean Gull, Stephen Foster.
Shore Lark, David Knight.
Bird News Sunday 3rd November 2024
Barred Warbler 1st winter at Ballymacormick Point for 2nd day becomes the 6th NI record and the 1st mainland record since the 1971 individual in a quarry between Portstewart and Coleraine (Wilton Farrelly / Bob Watts et al).
Cattle Egret in trees at Closet River, Oxford Island NNR (Garry Armstrong). Slavonian Grebe also reported here (Birdguides).
Slavonian Grebe off Kinnegar Shore also 1w Mediterranean Gull (Kevin Kirkham).
Slavonian Grebe at Hazelbank (Michael Latham).
Red-necked Grebe still with Eider flock from Hazelbank (Michael Latham). 3 Slavonian Grebes and 1w Mediterranean Gull (Kevin Kirkham).
At least 1 White-rumped Sandpiper still from Long Wood view point at Lough Beg and a drake Ring-necked Duck (Daniel Newton).
11 Twite at Newcastle Harbour and Common Sandpioer just south (Daniel Bailie). Adult Mediterranean Gull at Newcastle (Stephen Foster).
Female Marsh Harrier and Great White Egret at Portmore Lough RSPB
2 Snow Buntings still Ramore Head (Martin Deehan).
Snow Bunting below peak of Slieve Gullion (John Spottiswood).
Grey Plover at Belfast Lough WoW Reserve this morning (Jonny Clark).
Pair of Crossbill at Banagher Forest (Marian O’Hara).
Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull again at Millisle (Richard Weyl).
Barred Warbler, Ronald Surgenor:
Crossbill, Marian O’Hara:
Bird News Saturday 2nd November 2024
Six or seven Snow Bunting are at Ramore Head this morning (Stephen Dunbar / Aaron Long)
Crossbill, Michael Latham:
A White-tailed Eagle remains at Inch, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell)
Unusually 10 Brent Geese were at Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)
The Great White Egret and a juv Marsh Harrier are at Portmore Lough (Alan Dickson and Kevin Kirkham)
2 juv White-rumped Sands still with Golden Plover and Lapwing flock, Long Wood viewpoint Lough Beg, Co Derry. 30+ Ruff also present. (Bob Watts)
The Red-necked Grebe was still of Macedon Point, Belfast Lough. A Slavonian Grebe was also present (Stuart McKee)
8 Crossbill were at Ballycarton Wood, Limavady. A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Windyhill Road (Michael Latham)
A Yellow-browed Warbler was trapped and ringed on Copeland. A second bird was then ringed late afternoon (Chris Acheson / Adam Ringland)
Rocky Point, Donegal between 11-11.50am had 64 Great Shearwater, 8 Sooty Shearwater, 5 Manx Shearwater, 6 Red throated Diver and 1 Great Northern Diver in a fresh southerly breeze. (John O'Boyle)
A second year Mediterranean Gull was at Newcastle (Stephen Foster)
A Great White Egret was seen in flight at Oxford Island, possibly going to roost (Dermot Breen)
Yellow-browed Warbler, Copeland BO:
Crossbill, Michael Latham:
Bird News Friday 1st November 2024
Two Slavonian Grebes were off Hazelbank in Belfast Lough this morning. (Aaron Long).
Two Snow Buntings are on Ramore Head in Portrush. (John Clarke).
A White-rumped Sandpiper and a Ruff were off the hide at the Barmouth. (John Spottiswood).
A female Long-tailed Duck, 2 female Scaup and a Whooper were off Hazelbank in Belfast Lough. (Stuart Cossey).
A single Great White Egret was at Lough Beg. (Chris Hamilton).
A Red Kite was in the Antrim hills. (Michael Latham).
Yesterday a Fieldfare was on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson)
A single juvenile Dark-bellied Brent was with Brent in Killough Harbour. A leucistic Great Black-backed Gull was in Ardglass Harbour. (David Nixon).
A Spotted Redshank and six Great White Egrets were at Lough Beg this afternoon. (David Steele).
Bird News Thursday 31st October
Snow Bunting at Ramore Head (Tom Garner). 60 Twite near car park (Robert Plant).
Adult and 1st winter Little Gulls at Magilligan Point this morning (Stephen Riddell).
Great White Egret and Merlin at Reedy Flats this morning (David McCreedy).
Barnacle Goose of unknown origin amongst the Brent Geese at Strangford Lough at Castle Espie WWT (Jonathan Clark).
Slavonian Grebe off Macedon Point (Aaron Long).
2 White-rumped Sandpipers still at Lough Beg near Church Island also 3 drake Ring-necked Ducks and 9 Whitefronts flew south (David Steel).
Pinkfoot still on Rathlin (Nathanael Poffley).
Snow Bunting, Robert Plant:
Twite, Robert Plant:
Bird News Wednesday 30th October
A Red-necked Grebe was off Macedon Point, about 4:00 pm with the tide well out and it was feeding and moving gradually towards Loughshore Park (Stuart McKee)
Yesterday 3 Snow Bunting were seen on Slieve Croob (per Aaron Long)
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen off the Belmont Road, Belfast (Philip West)
6 Snow Buntings were on Ramore Head, Portrush (John Clarke)
A male snow bunting on the summit of Slieve Commedagh this morning. (Dan Baillie)
Two juvenile White-rumped Sandpipers were at Lough Beg this afternoon, with the plover flock in the Church Island area. Two male Ring-necked Ducks and six Pinkfeet were also seen. (David Steele)
Snow Bunting, Ramore, John Clarke:
Yellowhammers, Bushmills, Robert Plant:
You can see more pics of local birds at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/
Many thanks to everyone who shares local bird sightings, news and pictures.
Bird News Tuesday 29th October 2024
Two Slavonian Grebes and two Sandwich Terns were off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough, a Whooper flew north up the Lough. (Kevin Kirkham).
More than 40 Twite were near Ramore Head in Portrush this morning. (Juliet Fleming).
A female Merlin was hunting at Ballywildrick near Articlave. (John Spottiswood).
Two Great Skuas were chasing gulls off Whitehead, a Great Northern Diver was also present. (Kevin Kirkham).
Two Black-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver and a Red-throated Diver and two Whoopers were off Carnlough. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).
A pair of Snow Buntings were on the pathway at Slieve Croob in Co. Down. (Ann-Marie Smyth).
Twelve Twite were at the plover roost outside Portstewart. (John Clarke).
A 2nd year Mediterranean Gull and an adult Little Gull were on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).
Snow Buntings, Ann-Marie Smyth.
Twite, John Clarke.
Red-throated Divers & Twite, Juliet Fleming.
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