A male Brambling was visiting a garden in Banbridge (David McCreedy)
A male and female Brambling were at the Helens Bay Organic Gardens today (John McClean)
The Little Gull was still present on Rathlin (Ric Else)
Brambling, David McCreedy:
Belfast Lough RSPB WoW Reserve
Daniel Newton had a meeting with the RSPB on Saturday 20th January about the ongoing problems at RSPB WoW reserve and below are the notes from that meeting:
MEETING NOTES – RSPB BELFAST WOW
SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY 2024
Present: Tim McCann Visitor Experience Manger RSPBNI; Daniel Newton NI Birds Group.
Following the fallout from recent acts of vandalism at RSPB Belfast Window on Wildlife, a positive meeting was held between Daniel Newton and Tim McCann on Saturday morning. Along with the issues surrounding the criminal damage, a number of concerns that have been raised by members of the NI Birds group were discussed and addressed.
Recent Vandalism and Access to Hide 2.
Damage to both hides have occurred in recent months. Along with graffiti, windows have been smashed and locks and door handles have been damaged. The cleaning of the former is inconvenient, the costs of the latter are steep. The Harbour Police initially advised the reserve to lock the gate to Hide 2. This was never intended to be a viable long-term solution and was agreed RSPB are doing everything to ensure a solution is reached very soon.
Since Christmas, the gate has remained unlocked. Police have reaffirmed their efforts to include the hides in their regular patrols, which is welcome. The RSPB has looked into placing cameras at both hides and, although the aim is to keep access to Hide 2 available at all hours, the proposal of key or keypad access at the gate has not been ruled out. (Note 1)
Daniel suggested that the contact details for the warden and the local police liaison should be placed in the hides so that any suspicious or criminal behaviour can be reported quickly by visiting birders.
Repair of Hide 1
The RSPB are waiting on the hide manufacturers to replace the locks on the hide doors. Vandals have been gaining access to the hide by smashing the portal window within the door. Daniel and Tim both agreed that this window was unnecessary, (Note 2) and that perhaps the best way forward would be to weld a steel plate over this access point.
RSPB site staff are also considering air-locked (Note 3) gated access to Hide 1, although, to be clear, nothing has been fully agreed or consented to as yet.
Ongoing issues with Viewing Screens
The viewing screens at WOW are sometimes unusable due to condensation (Note 4) whilst the double-glazed nature cause issues for photographers and make scope views blurry. The RSPB are actively seeking solutions from the hide manufacturers for this and are looking at maybe fitting openings into the screens to allow clear unobscured views. They are also looking at adding a viewing platform on top of the existing hide. (Note 5) Nothing has been agreed or promised yet, but the RSPB want to make it clear that they are actively looking at the area around both hides as a priority.
It was noted that birders have been using the bank behind Hide 1 to view over the screens. Daniel and Tim took a walk around the site and, at present, realise the health and safety concerns in doing this and ask birders not to do this. However, the idea of making a small, safe designated path to this point was raised and will be looked into.
Impact of Development D3
The main cause for concern with the D3 development is the track leading to Hide 2. At present, the RSPB only have access over land 1.6m from the fence. The majority of the track and the line of trees belong to D3 and it is unclear what Belfast Harbour Estate want to do with them. We both agreed that it would be a travesty if we were to lose this track and that the current temporary fencing would be an acceptable boundary. The RSPB are currently strongly petitioning the Belfast Harbour Commission to allow the RSPB to manage this area.
State of Track to Hide 2
As per the point above, the RSPB do not own the track to Hide 2. They would like to repair the path but are unable to allocate any of their budget to do so until this issue is resolved.
Water Levels
The management of RSPB Belfast WOW are keenly aware that the issue of water levels is an annual source of conflict, especially during the months of August and September when the requirements of the breeding terns need to be balanced against the desire to drop levels to allow habitat for small waders on Autumn passage. This is a fine balance and one that it is hard to judge. To answer a regular question, the RSPB can remove water using the sluice, but are unable to add water. This leads to the fear that the reserve will completely dry out as it did a few summers ago.
Daniel articulated that NI Birds Group visitors don’t wish to see levels dropped dangerously low, but just hope to see enough exposed mud for small waders such as Little Stints and Sandpipers to feed. RSPBNI staff are willing to listen to members and learn from any mistakes, but also reiterate that they have to stay within agreed site management guidelines. Hopefully we can find that balance between us. (Note 6)
Harbour Meadows
Works are currently suspended on the Harbour Meadows until the next financial year (2025). However, Tim wanted to make clear that RSPBNI site staff have big ambitions for this area, pending approval. Daniel understood that access to this area was necessarily limited but at minimum, due to the height of the hedge, an elevated observation point would be appreciated if possible. Again, this was for consideration but no promises were made.
Summary
The most important thing that Tim wanted to get across was that both himself and Aoife (the warden) represented a new broom for the reserve.
They are willing to listen to ideas for the future of the reserve and to find ways to engage the birding community. During a walk around the reserve Daniel and Tim discussed several areas where work could be done or habitat could be added. Tim wanted to make clear that his door is always open to fair and honest discussion. However, he has been trolled online by at least one member of the NI Birds community who has stepped well over the line and targeted his young daughter. This is completely unacceptable and must not continue.
It was also mentioned that they would love to start getting in birders to give presentations as they did in the distant past. The reserve has already started holding evenings for local history groups and would like members of the NI Birds group to get involved. Daniel said that he felt that there were several birders who might be more than willing to give talks, be it about local birding issues or their own birding holidays. Daniel agreed to sound out the group so, if you are interested, please contact Tim or just talk to Daniel.
Finally, Tim expressed a desire to form a small forum that would involve representatives of the RSPB management and NI Birds group to perhaps meet quarterly to discuss ongoing issues with the reserve and maintain a good dialogue between both parties. Again, Daniel agreed to sound out some local members of the group to see if this could be set up. If anybody would be interested, let him know.
What was most apparent from the meeting is that, despite differences, the RSPB and NI Birds share goals and the best way to achieve this is by a strong line of communication.
Daniel Newton
Notes:
1 Cameras were trialled a couple of years ago however the annual cost for monitoring the cameras was deemed prohibitive by Area Manager when measured against the cost of minor vandalism.
2 The purpose of this window is to permit a visitor to check if others are using the hide in advance of entry to reduce incidences of unnecessary disturbance.
3 Not necessarily air locked. Perhaps refer to it as a secure entrance pod.
4 Think we agreed on condensation as the team regularly clean the windows and apply them with Rainex. Unfortunately, the condensation still gathers despite our best efforts
5 This won’t happen if the new entrance pods and refitting the glass with shutters works better.
6 During 2023 HPAI killed circa 400 breeding seabirds on the site. Many terns commenced to relay later in the season (into August) whilst their progress was being monitored closely by site staff. During late August the sluice was finally opened with the intention to significantly lower water levels; however, a wide sand bank prevented the lagoon from draining within the intended short timescale. Subsequently a manually dug channel was eventually completed that permitted the water to discharge as intended through the sluice.
Bird News Tuesday 30th January
A Firecrest was trapped and ringed at the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve in Belfast. (Debbie Nelson).
The Iceland Gull is still at Portballintrae this morning. (Nigel Moore, John Clarke).
Nine Velvet Scoter were off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough. (Stuart McKee).
The Black Redstart was still at Whitehead seafront. (Cameron Moore).
A Red-throated Diver was between the road bridge and the foot bridge on the Margey River in Ballycastle, present for a week. (Patrick Barton, Michael Barton).
A Chiffchaff was at Sea Park in Helens Bay today. (Gary Gray)
Firecrest, Debbie Nelson.
Greenshank, David Clarke.
Iceland Gull, John Clarke.
Great Northern Diver, David Hill.
Chiffchaff, Gary Gray.
Bird News Monday 29th January
A juvenile Glaucous Gull and 2 Iceland Gulls are at Portballintrae. (John Clarke).
Two Great White Egrets and a Pinkfoot are at Reedy Flats. (Ed O'Hara).
The Waxwing flock was still at Connswater in Belfast this morning. (Albert Boyle).
A Great Spotted Woodpecker visited a garden in Comber. (Dave Weir).
A flock of approximately 20 Waxwings flew over Craigyhill, Larne. (Stephen Foster).
Waxwing, Albert Boyle.
Great Spotted Woodpecker, Amy Weir.
Bird News Sunday 28th January
The Waxwing flock is still at Connswater in Belfast. (Stephen Dunbar).
The Spotted Redshank and 15+ Grey Plover were at Dundrum Inner Bay. (Michael Latham).
A 1st winter Little Gull was at Mullagh, Lough Beg this morning. (Richard Hunter).
The single Pinkfoot was still at Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Comghal McQuillan).
A male Brambling is visiting a garden in Larne. (Linda Thompson).
An adult Iceland Gull was south of Garron Point on the Antrim coast. (Ivan Quail & Nicky Lynn).
Two Black-throated Diver were in Red Bay, Waterfoot. A Pinkfoot and a male Pintail were on the river at Waterfoot. A Whimbrel was at the carpark south of Cushendall. (Ivan Quail & Nicky Lynn).
The Long-tailed Duck is still in the channel at Myroe. (John Spratt, Mervyn Guthrie).
2 Pairs of Scaup were on Larne train station pool. (Paula Campbell).
A Mediterranean Gull was at the Bann Estuary. (John Spottiswood, Dean Jones).
Brambling, Linda Thompson.
Spotted Redshank, Michael Latham.
Long-tailed Duck, Mervyn Guthrie.
Bird News Saturday 27th January
A Chiffchaff was near the entrance to Kinnegar water treatment works. (Daniel Newton).
A male Ring-necked Duck was with the Tufted Duck flock at Lough Beg today, also seen around the lake were a 1st-winter Little Gull, two Cattle Egrets, five Great Egrets and a flock of 13 Pink-footed Geese. (David Steele).
A Long-tailed Duck was in the channel at Myroe. (Donna Riddell).
3 Pinkfeet were at the Closet meadows at Oxford Island and another Pinkfoot was at Reedy Flats. (Ivan Quail & Nicky Lynn).
The 3 Twite were still at the boatyard in Whitehead. (Leia Giesel).
A female Brambling and a Great Spotted Woodpecker are visiting a garden near Castle Park in Bangor. (Barry McKee).
A Great White Egret is at Mullagh, Lough Beg. (Richard Gray).
A Glaucous Gull was at Portballintrae. (Michael Latham).
Brambling, Barry McKee.
Great Northern Diver, Juliet Fleming.
Glaucous Gull, Michael Latham.
Twite, Leia Giesel.
Lisburn RSPB Group Talk
On Tuesday 30th January Seamus Burns, RSPB Area Manager for NI West, will be speaking to the RSPB Lisburn Local Group about the Birds of Lough Beg.
All are welcome at Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church at 7.30pm. See Home - Lisburn Local
Bird News Friday 26th January
20 Waxwings are still near Connswater in Belfast. (Stephen Dunbar).
5 Great White Egrets are at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve this morning. (Ian Dickey, Richard Caves).
3 Purple Sandpipers were at Millisle. (Pat McKeefry).
An Iceland Gull was at Portballintrae. (John Clarke).
2 or 3 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver were in Glenarm Bay. (Garry Wilkinson).
The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull was in Millisle this morning. (George Gordon).
A Pink-footed Goose was with the Greylag flock at Flatfields between Lisburn and Moira. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).
The Black Redstart and 3 Twite were still at Whitehead seafront. (Cameron Moore).
Kestrel Oxford Island, Comghal McQuillan.
Great White Egret, Richard Caves.
Buzzard, Alastair McLean.
Bird News Thursday 25th January
A Peregrine was seen flying over Windsor Park heading towards Divis. (Garry Wilkinson).
The flock of Waxwings was still at Connswater in Belfast this morning. (William Smiton).
24 Yellowhammers were at Ballynafoy Road near Loughbrickland. (Mike McLaughlin).
A male Goosander was at Begney Lough outside Dromara. (David Nixon).
Five Pinkfeet were with Whoopers and Greylags at Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Ed O'Hara).
Waxwings, William Smiton.
Bird News Wednesday 24th January
Both 1w and 2w Little Gulls remain at Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson.
7 Velvet Scvoters flew into Eider flock in line with Kilroot pier viewed from Macedon Point (Dermot Hughes).
5 Twite at Portmuck (Adam McLure).
Canada Goose with Greylag flock at Closet Meadow, Oxford Island NNR. Presumed smaller race seen recently at Reedy Flats (Ed O’Hara / David McCreedy).
20 Waxwings still between James Ellis Bridge and Victoria Park (Philip McErlean).
Adult Mediterranean Gull at Whitehead seafront (Cameron Moore).
Great White Egret from the hide at Randalstown Forest (Maria Mulholland).
A Snow Bunting was at Crockbrack in the Sperrins. (David Steele).
Waxwings, Philip McErlean:
Lesser Redpoll, Robert Plant:
Canada Goose, David McCreedy:
Bird News Tuesday 23rd January
Waxwings still present between James Ellis Bridge and entrance to Victoria Park (Stephen Dunbar).
2 drake and a female Goosander on Begny Lough this morning (Dave Weir).
Both the 1w & 2w Little Gulls remain on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Little Gulls, Ric Else:
Bird News Monday 22nd January
Waxwings in Coleraine Road, Portstewart near the Texaco petrol station (John Clarke).
Waxwings still present between James Ellis Bridge and the entrance to Victoria Park, East Belfast (Stephen Dunbar).
Female Goosander at Lough Corbet (David Stirling).
4 Great White Egrets still at Portmore Lough RSPB (Richard Caves).
First winter and second winter Little Gulls on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Great White Egrets, Richard Caves:
Great Spotted Woodpecker, John Johnson:
Blackcap, John Johnson:
Waxwing, Tim Jess:
Bird News Sunday 21st January
8 Waxwings were still at the corner of Rathgill Park in Bangor. (Richard Weyl).
19 Waxwings are still at James Ellis Bridge in Belfast. (Stephen Dunbar, Philip West)
The Bonaparte's Gull was still at Ballygally this morning. (Adam Wilson).
A Slavonian Grebe was off Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Dominic Mitchell & Gaz Richards).
At least 3 Great White Egrets are still at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Aaron Long).
The adult Iceland Gull was still at Portballintrae. (Shirley Dunlop, Gerard McGeehan, Simon Morton).
A male Goosander was at the mouth of the Glenarm River this afternoon. (Jason Bain).
Two Woodcock flew over Acreback Road, Whitehead. (Adam McClure).
Bonaparte's Gull, Daniel Newton.
Goosander, Jason Bain.
Bird News Saturday 20th January
Female Ring-necked Duck off Croaghan Hide, Oxford Island (Ed O’Hara).
7+ Pink-footed Geese amongst the Whooper & Greylag flock on Whinney Hill, Craigantlet (Daniel Newton).
Glaucous Gull still at Portballintrae on rocks near the car park. Also adult Iceland Gull present or possibly the probable Glaucous/Herring Gull hybrid reported in the area recently (Donna & Stephen Riddell).
4 Great White Egrets still at Portmore Lough RSPB (Michael Latham).
Still 13 Waxwings at James Ellis Bridge, East Belfast (Dominic Mitchell & Gaz Richards).
2 Slavonian Grebes from Hazelbank (Dominic Mitchell & Gaz Richards).
8 Waxwings corner of Rathgill Parade, Bangor (Billy Miskelly).
25 Yellowhammers Ballyhenry Road, Comber (Chris Murphy).
40+ Waxwing on Ballynahatty Road flew towards Edenberry (Dave Allen).
Small race Canada Goose, Michael Latham & Ed O’Hara:
Great White Egrets, Michael Latham:
Pink-footed Goose, Daniel Newton:
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