nibirds: December 2024

Bird News Tuesday 31st December 2024

Late news from Sunday of a Swallow along the beach at Groomsport east of the harbour (Tom Ennis).

Cattle Egret still viewable from the A6 at Toome at the same site as yesterday (Dave Weir).

Adult Bonaparte’s Gull and 1st winter Iceland Gull present at Tweeds Port this afternoon at high tide (Ian Young).

Drake Ring-necked Duck with the Tufted Duck flock this afternoon at Lough Beg (David Steele).

Chiffchaff in Bangor West killed by a cat (Richard Weyl).

Drake Goosander and a Red Kites at Corbet Lough this afternoon (Jeff Higgott).

Bird News Monday 30th December 2024

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Inner Bay. Newcastle Harbour had 5 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Red-throated Diver and only 20 Common Scoter (Michael Latham)

A Cattle Egret was viewable from the A6 at Toome, from this location (Steven Farquhar): https://maps.app.goo.gl/1bph9kgu8LLMU5Qg8

A Red Kite was at Tullymurry, between Clough and Downpatrick (Hugh Thurgate)

The Green Sandpiper was again at Creightons Green Reservoir in the Holywood Hills. Portmore Lough - had 2 Pinkfeet & 5 Barnacles with the Greylags, the Great Egret & an impressive Starling murmuration this evening. (Jeff Higgott)

Spotted Redshank and Greenshank, Michael Latham:

Bird News Sunday 29th December 2024

The redhead Goosander was roosting on Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Daniel Newton).

A Great White Egret and a ring-tail Hen Harrier were at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Michael Latham).

6 Purple Sandpipers were on Newcastle beach. (Mel O'Hagan).

The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull was still at Millisle. (Daniel Newton).

The 2 Swallows are still at the Ropewalk in Killough. (Bob Watts).

A Slavonian Grebe was off Hazelbank in Belfast Lough. (Steven Farquhar).

A single Cattle Egret was in fields by the A6 at Lough Beg. (David Steele).

The 1st winter Iceland Gull was again at Tweed Port, Carnfunnock on the Co. Antrim coast. (Brian Halligan).

A male and female Great Spotted Woodpeckers were near Helen's Bay. (John McClean).

Iceland Gull, Brian Halligan.

Male & female Great Spotted Woodpeckers, John McClean.

Great White Egret, Michael Latham.

Bird News Saturday 28th December 2024

Late news from yesterday of Hen Harrier and Merlin at Portmore Lough RSPB (Sean Gibson).

Female Ring-necked Duck showing well with Pochards by causeway to Inch Island, Co Donegal at Bank End. Also Great White Egret from Tready hide (John Spottiswood).

Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver from Carnlough Harbour. 3 Great Northern Divers from Madman’s Window car park south of Glenarm (Steven Farquhar).

Drake Goosander still at Corbet Lough but no sign of Green Sandpiper (Richard Gray).

Great Northern Diver Portrush Harbour and 43 Purple Sandpipers at Portrush Coastal Zone (Aaron Long).

3 Pinkfeet still with the Greylags flock just east of Creighton Green Reservoir, Hollywood Hills but no sign of Green Sandpiper (Jeff Higgott / Gilly Irwin).

Bird News Friday 27th December 2024

Carnlough had 2 Black-throated, 1 Red-throated and 1 Great Northern Diver (Michael Latham)

The three Pink-feet were with a Greylag flock in the Holywood Hills (Wilton Farrelly)

The two Swallows remain at Killough ropewalk (David Clarke / John Pyper)

28 Purple Sandpiper were at Ramore Head (Timothy Davis)

A Great Northern Diver was in the surf off Runkerry beach, Portballintrae. (Paul Tout)

Bird News Thursday 26th December 2024

A Green Sandpiper and 2 male Bramblings were at Creightons Green Reservoir, 3 Pinkfeet were with the goose flock in the Holywood Hills. (Billy Miskelly).

25+ Yellowhammers were in fields near Islandhill outside Comber. 8 Slavonian Grebes are with a Goldeneye flock north of Newtownards Sailing Club. 5 Slavonian Grebes were in Greyabbey Bay south. 2 Great Northern Divers and an Otter were at Kircubbin Yacht Club. 4 Mediterranean Gulls and a Sandwich Tern were at Cloughy. 3 Mediterranean Gulls and a Carrion Crow were at Ratallagh, another Mediterranean Gull was at Portavogie. (Bob Watts, Wilton Farrelly, Philip West).

Whitehead this morning (08.20 - 09.00) had 119 Red-throated Diver + 6 Great Northern Diver flying into Belfast Lough. Also 200+ auk, mainly Razorbill. (Ian Enlander).

The Green Sandpiper was still at Corbett Lough outside Banbridge. (David McCreedy).

About 25 Greater Scaup were in flight at the mouth of the Moyola River. (Aaron Long).

3 redhead Goosanders were on the River Maine at Slaght outside Ballymena. (David Steele).

A Brambling was at the junction of the Ballynahatty Road and the Edenderry Road in Belfast. (John O'Boyle).

2 Bramblings and 3 Blackcaps are in a garden in Whitehead. (Cameron Moore).

An adult White-tailed Eagle was seen at Upper Lough Erne. (Gavin Thomas).

3 Slavonian Grebes were off Hazelbank in Belfast Lough.

2 Red-throated Divers and a Black-throated Diver were off Bangor west, below Stricklands Glen. (Philip Watson).

A Carrion Crow was on Kinnegar shore. (Chris Brits).

Bird News Wednesday 25th December 2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2 Swallows remain along the Ropewalk at Killough (John Scovell / Jill Sampson).

Crossbills at Killylane Reservor (Paul Tout).

Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull Still at Millisle (Gareth Platt).

Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull, Gareth Platt:

Bird News Tuesday 24th December 2024

We wish everyone a Happy Christmas.

A Black-throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Divers were at Carnlough this morning. (Aaron Long / Jeff Higgott)

A Red-throated Diver was off Blackhead (Timothy Davis)

A Velvet Scoter, 2 Slavonian Grebe, a Carrion Crow and a Great Northern Diver were at Glynn. (Aaron Long / Jeff Higgott)

The Spotted Redshank was again feeding in the channel running through Dundrum South Inner Bay. (David Nixon)

3 Red Kites were 2 miles east of Banbridge this afternoon. (Mike McLaughlin)

The Great White Egret was still off the Tready Hide, Inch, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Rowallane Gardens, Saintfield (Juliet Fleming)

An Iceland Gull was at Dundrum / Murlough (Taylor Swabb)

Red Kite, Mike McLaughlin:

Greenshank, Rod Gillan:

Bird News Monday 23rd December 2024

One of the Green Sandpipers was still in the flooded field at Myroe, approximately 50 Yellowhammers were in the stubble fields. (Martin Deehan).

A dark-bellied Brent was with 18 pale-bellied Brent at Horse Island in Strangford Lough. (Ivan Quail & Nicky Lynn).

A Carrion Crow or hybrid was at Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Stuart Cossey)

The 2 Swallows are still in Killough. (Katherine Laird, David Stirling).

Bird News Sunday 22nd December 2024

Adult Bonaparte’s Gull and 1st winter Iceland Gull at Carnfunnock Bay. Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull yesterday at Millisle (Jeff Higgott).

2 Woodcock in woodland near Belfast City Airport (Stuart Cossey).

2 Green Sandpipers at Myroe (Gerry Bond).

Common Chiffchaff at Bishops Gate, Downhill Demesne (John Spottiswood).

Iceland Gull, Jeff Higgott:

Bonaparte’s Gull, Jeff Higgott:

Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull, Jeff Higgott:

Green Sandpiper, Gerry Bond:

Bird News Saturday 21st December 2024

A Great White Egret was off the Crogahan Hide, Oxford Island (Aaron Long)

A Chiffchaff was at the Discovery Centre, Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)

Two Great Northern Diver were the best off Newcastle Harbour (Michael Latham)

The adult Bonaparte's Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull were at Tweeds Port, Co Antrim (Ivan Quail)

The Spotted Redshank was again at the high tide roost at Dundrum Inner Bay (Michael Latham)

Spotted Redshank, Michael Latham:

Bird News Friday 20th December 2024

The 2 Swallows are still present at the Ropewalk in Killough. (John Scovell, Joanie Stephenson, Chris Murphy).

A Black Redstart was on rocks at bottom of wall of Carrickfergus Castle, far side from car park. (Donna Darlington)

The Green Sandpiper was seen again at Corbett Lough outside Banbridge. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).

2 Cattle Egrets were in fields at the south west corner of Lough Beg near the A6 this afternoon. 4 Great White Egrets and 32 Ruff were around the lake. (David Steele).

A tristis type Chiffchaff was at Oxford Island. (Birdguides).

Bird News Thursday 19th December 2024

The Snow Goose still viewable in the Barnacle Goose flock at Dunfanaghy New Lake, Co Donegal (Andy Ellard).

Male Merlin on the edge of Coleraine (Richard Donaghy).

1000 Golden Plover in Comber Estuary with another 400 off Ringnell Road off Nendrum (David Clarke).

2 Red Kites and 12 Buzzard feeding in field along Gall Bog Road outside Banbridge (David McCreedy).

Male Ruff with c1000 Lapwings & Golden Plovers in field opposite McNabbs, Killough but no sign of the Swallows (Chris Murphy).

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Lagan Meadows (Mel O’Hagan).

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker in a garden near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).

Merlin, Richard Donaghy:

Buzzard, David McCreedy:

Bird News Wednesday 18th December 2024

A number of Red Kite have been along the Gall Bog Road near Dromore, Co Down (Shona McVea)

A Great White Egret has been photographed at Lough Erne Resort (Damien Mooney)

The Great White Egret was still at Portmore (Juliet Fleming)

Great White Egret, Juliet Fleming:

Peregrine, Magheracross, Stephen Riddell:

Bird News Tuesday 17th December 2024

Two Swallows were still around the Ropewalk at St Anne's church in Killough. (Chris Murphy).

A Brambling was at Oxford Island. (Glen Calvert)

A Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver were at Magilligan, 60 Whooper and 300 Brent were at Myroe. (Dylan Thomas).

Ring-necked Duck, Juliet Fleming.

Buzzard, Juliet Fleming.

Brambling, Glen Calvert.

Greenshank, Dylan Thomas.

Whoopers, Dylan Thomas.

Bird News Monday 16th December 2024

Crossbill west over David Lloyd gym, Dundonald 1030 (Bob Watts).

No sign of recent redhead Goosander along Kinnegar shoreline from car park to Dirty Duck at high tide (Bob Watts).

20 Fieldfares feeding in hawthorn at Ecos Centre, Ballymena (Rod Gillan).

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker in garden near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).

Woodcock, John McClean:

Fieldfare, Rod Gillan:

Bird News Sunday 15th December 2024

The Great White Egret was viewable from the View Point at Inch, Donegal. A drake Lesser Scaup was seen from the causeway (Theo Campbell)

Yesterday the Great White Egret was still at Keeble, Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Inner Bay (Daniel Newton)

The Great White Egret and a Merlin were at Portmore. The Slavonian Grebe was still behind the pub at Gawleys Gate and a Great Northern Diver at Lady Bay. (Alan Dickson)

The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull was at the pool at Millisle. 3 Purple Sandpiper were also present (Aaron Long)

The Slavonian Grebe was still at Glynn (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop)

41 Whooper Swans were at Corbett Lough although there was no sign of the Green Sandpiper. A Black-tailed Godwit was at Loughbrickland Lake (Mike McLaughlin).

The female Ring-necked Duck was still at Corbally. A Mediterannean Gull was at Portballintrae (John Clarke)

Spotted Redshank, Daniel Newton:

This Finnish Common Gull has returned to Antrim Marina. It was ringed as a juvenile in Finland on the 6th August 1995 so is 29 years old:

Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull, Aaron Long:

Bird News Saturday 14th December 2024

The Great White Egret was still at Portmore. (Michael Latham).

The Spotted Redshank is still at Dundrum Inner Bay. (Daniel Newton).

Four Bramblings are in the Antrim hills. (Aaron Long).

A Great White Egret was in a flooded field at the side of the Nicholl garage at Toome. (Philip West).

A Great White Egret was opposite the outer breakwater at Kinnegoe Marina at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

A Slavonian Grebe was off Glynn in Larne Lough. (Aaron Long).

The Slavonian Grebe was still behind the pub at Gawleys Gate, Lough Neagh. (Michael Latham).

The Snow Goose is still with the Barnacle flock at Dunfanaghy in Donegal, the Cackling Geese were not seen but may still be present. (Chris Ingram).

Slavonian Grebe, Michael Latham.

Bird News Friday 13th December 2024

Great White Egret and a distant White-tailed Eagle from Tready Hide, Inch, Co Donegal (Chris Ingram).

Single Pink-footed Goose on Rathlin (Ric Else).

An update of a sighting of the escaped Golden Eagle today:

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHawkwalksni%2Fposts%2Fpfbid026fS6o6F6PmoGKHp6gRAQuugpRKajv3CGUXVZ96m7dk91PKqzAtcdrV1Tz8p3MARHl

Bird News Thursday 12th September 2024

Yesterday a dead Little Auk was found at Mill Bay, Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

The Great White Egret was still at Keeble Lough, Rathlin (Nathanael Poffley)

The Snow Goose was again with 400 Barnacle Geese at Dunfanaghy New Lake, along with a Cackling Goose. The juvenile Sea Eagle with wing tag Green 47 was at Inch Levels, as was a single Pink-foooted Goose with the Greylags. (David Nixon & Graham McElwaine)

This afternoon a Great White Egret flew upstream towards Hilden from Lambeg (Garry Wilkinson)

Circa 20 Whooper Swans were present late yesterday afternoon in the first lagoon to the south of Glynn Railway Station on Larne Lough. (Adrian Kernohan)

A Golden Eagle from a falconry centre has gone missing around the Magheramourne area: https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHawkwalksni%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0dACcjVC1rrTtAakCieJTjzTjR151FDpPwgRMpweDMcz7syTr2yGYpMafVzebozaFl&show_text=true&width=500

Snow Goose, David Nixon:

Cackling Goose, David Nixon:

Bird News Wednesday 11th December 2024

A common Chiffchaff was at the Black Glen near Castlerock. (John Spottiswood).

A Dipper was feeding on the Glen Stream steps, a tributary to the Fairy Glen River in Rostrevor. (David Cooper).

A Slavonian Grebe was off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough. (Stuart McKee).

A Great White Egret was at Ballygill North on Rathlin. (Ric Else).

Red Kite, Tim Jess.

Bird News Tuesday 10th December 2024

Slavonian Grebe still at Gawleys Gate and Great Northern Diver at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh (Dermot Hughes).

Great White Egret at Todd’s Corner, Lough Neagh (David McCreedy / Mike McLaughlin).

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Lagan Meadow (Mel O’Hagan).

Female type Ring-necked Duck still at Corbally Road Reservoir (John Clarke).

Approximately 150 Whooper Swans at Flatfield outside Moirabearly afternoon (Juliet Fleming).

130 Whooper Swans in then fields between Nutgrove and Farranfad Road this morning (Dave Weir).

Great White Egret still from Tready Hide, Inch, Co Donegal (Juliet Huggins).

Goldeneye, Terry Hanna:

Bird News Monday 9th December 2024

The Green Sandpiper was still at Corbett Lake (David McCreedy)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was still visiting a garden near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson)

The Great White Egret was still at Inch, Co Donegal.

45 Whooper Swans were in fields along the Cusher river, near Mountnorris. (Dave Weir)

Jack Snipe and 10 Purple Sandpipers on Rathlin (Ric Else)

Bird News Sunday 8th December 2024

The female type Ring-necked Duck was still on Corbally Reservoir outside Portrush. (Aaron Long).

The Green Sandpiper was still at Corbett Lough outside Banbridge. (Ian Young).

14 Pinkfeet were with Greylags in fields near Anne's Point on Strangford Lough. (Richard Weyl).

Several Bramblings and a male Hen Harrier were in the Antrim hills. (Michael Latham).

A Common Chiffchaff was in Belvoir Forest. (Dermot Hughes).

A Mediterranean Gull was at Kinnegar sewage works. (Daniel Newton).

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker is visiting a garden in Derryboye. (John Johnston).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was ar Sandy Bay in Larne. (Cameron Moore).

Great Spotted Woodpecker, John Johnston.

Brambling, Michael Latham.

Bird News Saturday 7th December 2024

Late news from yesterday of 8 White-fronted Geese over Rathlin, also 7 Fieldfare, 12 Purple Sandpipers, Mediterranean Gull (Ric Else / Hazel Watson). 12 Purple Sandpipers still today Church Bay (Ric Else).

Little Gull at Kinnegar (Stuart Cossey).

Female/1st W drake Ring-necked Duck still at Corbally Reservoir near Portrush (Rod Gillen).

Ring-necked Duck, Rod Gillan:

Bird News Friday 6th December 2024

The Snow Goose is back at Dunfanaghy New Lake this morning.

A female Brambling is s visiting a garden in Ballymena (Jeff Larkin)

A Green Sandpiper is on the flooded field beside railway sidings at Myroe (Mervyn Campbell)

The female Ring-necked Duck is still at Corbally Reservoir. 100+ Purple Sandpiper are at the Coastal Zone, Portrush (John Clarke)

A juvenile Red-throated Diver was at Victoria Park, Belfast. The bird may not be in good health. (Harry Byron)

Red-throated Diver, Harry Byron:

Purple Sandpipers, John Clarke:

Bird News Thursday 5th December 2024

A Great White Egret and a Marsh Harrier were at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Ian Dickey).

A Slavonian Grebe and a redhead Goosander were off Glynn Station in Larne Lough. (Ian Enlander).

The redhead Goosander was still close to Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Gilly Irwin). The bird was still present this afternoon. (Derek Polley).

The Green Sandpiper is still at Corbet Lough outside Banbridge. (Theo Campbell, Martin Deehan).

A Snow Goose, presumably the bird seen recently at Dunfanaghy in Donegal, has moved to Tory Island. (Anton Meenan).

The female Ring-necked Duck is still at Corbally Reservoir outside Portrush. (John Spottiswood).

The 2 Swallows are still present in Killough and went to roost at 3.30pm. (Chris Murphy).

Bird News Wednesday 4th December 2024

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle (wing-tagged No 47) and 4 Ruff at Inch Lake, Lough Swilly, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell / Martin Deehan).

Drake Ring-necked Duck, 4 Goosander, 1+ Scaup on Lough Fern, Co Donegal this morning (Ralph Sheppard).

Adult Gyrfalcon of presumed captive origin as very approachable still at large in the Ballymena area. Captive birds are known from the vicinity.

2 Swallows (Adult & juvenile) still hawking insects along the Ropewalk at St Anne’s Church, Killough (Chris Murphy).

Wigeon, Terry Hanna:

Bird News Tuesday 3rd December 2024

The Green Sandpiper remains at Corbet Lake, Co Down. Also seen was a Red Kite (David McCreedy)

The Great White Egret was still along the Lagan Towpath, between Hillsborough and Hilden. A Green Sandpiper was also present. (Eric Randall)

The female Ring-necked Duck is still at Corbally Reservoir (Stephen Riddell)

Great White Egret, Eric Randall (mobile phone pic):

Ring-necked Duck, Stephen Riddell:

You can see more local bird pics at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Bird News Monday 2nd December 2024

The Ring-necked Duck was still on Corbally reservoir outside Portrush this morning. (Stephen Riddell).

A Great White Egret was with Little Egrets on a dredged section of the Lagan between Lisburn and Hilden this morning. (Eric Randall). The Great White Egret was 200 metres from the Lisburn Civic Centre this afternoon. (Leia Giesel).

A Green Sandpiper was at Corbet Lake outside Banbridge this morning. (David McCreedy).

An Iceland Gull was at Ramore/Lansdowne in Portrush. (John Clarke).

3 Twite were at Whitehead Boatyard. (Cameron Moore).

A Snow Bunting flew over Glenbane Road near Omagh this afternoon. (Clive Mellon).

Ring-necked Duck, Stephen Riddell.