Bird News Saturday 30th November 2024

Two Slavonian Grebe were off Kinnegar (Kevin Kirkham). Also redhead Goosander (Daniel Newton).

Juvenile and subadult “N” White-tailed Eagles over Farland Bank, Inch Lake, Co Donegal. Also Great White Egret (Theo Campbell / Chris Ingram).

70 White-fronted Geese from Manorcunningham viewpoint, Co Donegal (Stuart Cossey). 

2 Richardson’s Cackling Geese and Todd’s Canada Goose but no sign of the Snow Goose amongst the Barnacles at Dunfanaghy New Lake (Stuart Cossey). Snow Goose again mid afternoon also 67 Whitefronts (Chris Murphy).

Drake Goosander and Slavonian Grebe off Glynn (Michael Latham).

Hybrid Ring-billed Gull still present on railings near shallow pool at Millisle seafront (George Gordon).

Grey Plover at Ballyfrench beach (Aaron Long).

Great White Egret and 2 Merlin at Portmore Lough RSPB with Slavonian Grebe in the bay behind the Gate Inn (David McCreedy / Mike McLaughlin).

Snow Bunting and Merlin at Magilligan (Natalie Montgomery / Tom Garner).

Great Northern and 25 Red-throated Divers on Belfast Lough boat trip (Jim Wells).

Goosander, Michael Latham:

Slavonian Grebe, David McCreedy:

Goosander, Stephen Riddell:

Snow Bunting, Tom Garner:

A Bird for All Seasons - Robert McDowell

 Viewers may be interested in this newly published book from local birder, Robert McDowell:

The book is available from Shanway Press (info@shanway.com) and from booksellers in Carrickfergus, Larne and the Gobbins Centre, Islandmagee.

Bird News Friday 29th November 2024

Two White-tailed Eagle are still at Inch, Co Donegal. One is a near adult. (Chris Murphy)

A high count of 87 Whoopers were at Whinney Hill, Holywood, this morning (Dave Weir)

The two Cackling and small race Canada Geese were still at Dunfanaghy New Lake this afternoon (Stuart Cossey)

Two Swallow were still at Killough (John Scovell)

The Goosander was still at Kinnegar this morning (Dot Blakely)

White-tailed Eagle, Chris Murphy:

Bird News Thursday 28th November

Late news from yesterday of ringtail Hen Harrier on Rathlin (Nathaniel Poffley).

Great White Egret and 80 Whooper Swans Lough Beg. 670 Whooper Swans Toome Complex (Chris Murphy).

Whooper Swans, Garry Wilkinson:

The NI Birds Blog Team would like to send our heartfelt condolences to friends and relatives of Bill Guiller, who has sadly passed away. He contributed sightings on a regular basis over the years and his excellent photos of Pallid and Montagu’s Harrier are particularly fondly remembered.

Bird News Wednesday 27th November 2024

The Snow Goose,2 Richardson's Cackling and the Todd's Canada Goose were still present at Dunfanaghy New Lake, Donegal (Theo Campbell / Martin Deehan)

12 Long-tailed Duck were at Mullaghdearg, Kincasslagh, Donegal (Dermot Hughes)

A flock of Crossbills and a Merlin were at Bienevenagh (John Clarke)

A male and female Pintail were at Inch, Donegal near the Tready Hide. (Raymond Fulton)

Crossbill, John Clarke:

Stonechat, Rod Gillan:

Bird News Tuesday 26th November 2024

Single Brambling and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Temple Road, 5 miles West of Garvagh (Dennis Weir).

Redhead Goosander still Kinnegar opposite barracks (Bob Watts).

Snow Goose, 2 Richardson’s Cackling Geese and Todd’s Canada Goose still to rear of Dunfanaghy New Lake, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).

Female Surf Scoter amongst c160 Common Scoter at Tramore Bay, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).

Drake and redhead Goosander at Begney (David Nixon).

The Black Redstart remains at Newcastle Harbour (Richard Caves).

Snow Goose, Mike McLaughlin:

Black Redstart, Richard Caves:

Red-throated Diver, Richard Caves:

Bird News Monday 25th November 2024

A Cattle Egret was roosting on the island at the North Balancing Lake, Craigavon and flew north towards Oxford Island (Derek Charles)

The Marsh Harrier is still at RSPB Portmore (Kenny Moore)

A male and 2 female Goosander were on Corbet Lake this morning (David McCreedy)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Rowallane Gardens (Kevin O’Grady)

An unconfirmed report of a Crane from this site at Drumbo yesterday: https://maps.app.goo.gl/arDFGQDR8XnNHdDWA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

The bird has been looked for this morning without success. 

A male and female Long-tailed Duck were off Greenisland (Roger Woodward)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden in Carrickfergus (Cameron Moore)

Dunfanaghy New Lake, Donegal had 650+ barnacles, c20 Greenland Whitefronts, 1 Canada Goose, 2 Cackling Geese and the Snow Goose. Lough Fern, Milford had 1 Goosander and a male Ring-necked Duck (Jamie Bliss)

An immature Iceland Gull flew over Rathlin Harbour this evening. The Great White Egret was still at Keeble Lough (Ric Else)

A Cattle Egret flew over Hillsborough Forest towards Culcavy at 3.45pm approximately (Gayle & Garry Wilkinson)

The Black Redstart was still at Newcastle Harbour (Chris McNally)

Goosanders, Lough Corbett, David McCreedy:

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Cameron Moore:

Bird News Sunday 24th November 2024

Snow Goose, 2 Richardson’s Cackling Goose and Todd’s Canada Goose still at Dunfanaghy (Theo Campbell/Chris Ingram/Brian Hegarty).

Black Redstart at Newcastle Harbour (Chris Veale). Also 5 Great Northern Divers (Richard Caves.

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker visiting Magheragall garden (Richard Caves).

Red Grouse at Cavehill, Belfast (Stuart Cossey).

Drake Green-winged Teal at Black Glen Pond, Castlerock (John Spottiswood).

Male and female Goosanders flew west past Bayshore car park (Nathan Gilbert).

Redhead Goosander at Quarterland Bay, Strangford Lough (Hugh Thurgate).

Yesterday on Rathlin subadult male Hen Harrier at Kebble and Great White Egret with the first annual record of Goldeneye (Ric Else).

A Barn Owl seen flying past the primary school in Templepatrick this evening (Gregory Heaney).

3 Cattle Egret feeding with cattle in field at Aghacommon, Craigavon (Pat Flowerday).

Redhead Goosander at Ben dearg,  Killard (Chris Murphy).

Black Redstart, Chris Veale (1) & Richard Caves (2 & 3):

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Richard Caves:

Hen Harrier, Ric Else:

Green-winged Teal, John Spottiswood:

Goosander, David Stirling:

Bird News Saturday 23rd November 2024

The Black-necked Grebe was at the west end of Reedy Flats (Ian Young)

A Brambling was at Tweeds Port, Co Antrim (Ivan Quail)

A Brambling was also at Strangford (David Stirling)

There are now 3 Canada Geese at Dunfanaghy along with a pale phase Snow Goose (Dermot Hughes)

Only one Green Sandpiper was seen at Corbet this afternoon but 2 male and 2 red head Goosanders also present (Mike McLaughlin / David McCreedy)

Portmore Lough had the Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier and Great White Egret. (Aaron Long / Michael Latham)

The Great White Egret was still at Myroe (Mervyn Guthrie)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Magheragall, near Lisburn (Richard Caves)

Marsh Harrier, Michael Latham:

Great White Egret, Mervyn Guthrie:

Bird News Friday 22nd November 2024

Snow Bunting yesterday on Rathlin (Ric Else).

Hen Harrier at Portmore Lough RSPB early afternoon (Conor McCoy).

Redhead Goosander still off Kinnegar (Stuart Cossey).

77 Whooper Swans at Whinney Hill (Stuart Cossey).

Possible Hoopoe at c230pm being chased over Hazelbank roundabout by 2 Magpies. Looked for in the park but no further sign (Adam McClure).

3 Green Sandpipers at Corbet Lough (David McCreedy).

Wing-tagged (blue) immature White-tailed Eagle at Inch,Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).

2 Great Northern Divers, 25 Red-throated Divers and 4 Mediterranean Gulls on Belfast Lough boat trip (Aaron Long/Jim Wells et al).

4 Mediterranean Gulls at the Groomsport end of Ballyholme beach this morning (Ian Enlander).

Common Redpoll (only redpoll present) with a roving flock of Goldfinch, Chaffinch & Tits at Lagan towpath, Hilden (Derek Charles).

Green Sandpipers, David McCreedy:

Bird News Thursday 21st November 2024

The small race Canada Goose and Richardsons Cackling Goose were still at Dunfanaghy New Lake (Ian Young)

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)

A Snow Bunting was on Rathlin.

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.

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.

Great White Egret with Grey Heron, John Clarke:

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)

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:

Great White Egret, Gerry Bond:

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:

Twite, Rod Gillan:

Bird News Sunday 10th November 2024

A Merlin and a Ruff were at the Bann Estuary. (Dean Jones).

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.

Greenshank, Richard Caves.

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.