Little Gull still present at Belfast Lough WoW also Common Sandpiper (Gerard McGeehan).
Glaucous Gull off Portstewart Promenade (Stephen Riddell).
Common Sandpiper & Ruff still at Quoile Pondage but no sign of Little Ringed Plover (Paul Megahey / Bob Watts).
Ring-necked Parakeet at Lurgan Park (Felie Dinger per FB).
No sign of Cetti’s Warbler at Strand Lough, Killough today (Chris & Tim Murphy).
Little Gull, Michael Latham:
Another Ring Ouzel is on Rathlin this morning. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).
The Cetti's Warbler is still at Strand Lough this morning. (David McCreedy, Clifford Sharpe).
The male Ring-necked Duck, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, Carrion Crow and a Stock Dove were at the Quoile. The leucistic 3rd year Great Black-backed Gull was at Ardglass Harbour. (Chris Murphy).
Several Yellowhammers are in fields behind Billy Neill Country Park, a Water Rail was also seen. (Bob Watts).
A Short-eared Owl was in the Belfast hills. (Sean Gibson)
Ring Ouzel, Ric Else.
The Cetti’s Warbler is still singing from Strand Lough, Killough (Chris Murphy).
Little Ringed Plover and Ruff still from the hide at Quoile Pondage though distant. This evening no sign of LRP but flyover Green Sandpiper, 2nd calendar year Little Gull, 1 Carrion Crows, 70 Sand Martin (Chris & Tim Murphy, Doris).
The first Swift of the year seen back at a Crumlin colony yesterday (via Mark Smyth).
2nd calendar year Little Gull still at Belfast Lough WoW also 2 adult Mediterranean Gulls on raft (Bob Watts).
Male Ring Ouzel on Rathlin mid afternoon in Knockans area (Hazel Watson).
White-billed Diver 0700-0815 at Curransport, Co Donegal but no sign this evening (Derek Charles).
Late news from yesterday of a Cuckoo heard at Navar Forest (Annette Elkin).
Cettis Warbler, Stephen Dunbar & Chris McNally:
Drake Ring-necked Duck and 2 Little Gulls Craigavon South Lake (Ed O’Hara).
Adult female Ring Ouzel at Kebble on Rathlin also 3 Crossbill (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Cattle Egret at south end Lough Beg (Leia Getty). Also 5 Ruff (Joseph Griffin).
Drake Ring-necked Duck in front of hide, Ruff and 2 Pinkfeet at Quoile Pondage (Chris Murphy).
Winter-plumaged White-billed Diver from the Tory ferry (Derek Brennan).
Ring Ouzel, Ric Else:
The 3 Little Gulls are still on Craigavon north lake this morning. Increased to 6 Little Gulls on Craigavon south lake. The male Ring-necked Duck was on Craigavon south lake. (Ed O'Hara).
The Little Gull is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. Still present this evening. (Daniel Newton).
A Barn Owl was seen last night on Kilwarlin Road, Hillsborough. (Juliet & Mervyn Fleming).
19 Willow Warblers were at Duburren, Co Armagh. (John Spottiswood).
A single Whimbrel and Great White Egret were at Lough Beg. (David Steele).
A male Ruff and Wheatear were at the Quoile this evening.(Chris Murphy).
5 Wheatears and a White Wagtail were on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).
Osprey & Raven yesterday, Ric Else.
Little Gull, Ed O'Hara.
Wheatear, Ed O'Hara.
Osprey over Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
3 Little Gulls (2 adults and 2nd calendar year) on north lake at Craigavon (Ed O’Hara).
Yesterday a Barn Owl on the Downpatrick Road between Ardglass and the hospital at 10pm (Chris Murphy).
2nd calendar year Little Gull still Belfast Lough WoW at 1045 distant from centre, still present 1140 (Bob Watts). Still present 1830 (Michael Latham). Also 8 Sand Martins (Stuart Cossey).
Pair of Stock Doves St John’s Point also 1 Swallow (Chris Murphy).
White Wagtail at Killard with Sand Martins back at colonies (Dermot Hughes).
Hawfinch halfway up Goles Glen flew towards Goles Bridge but no further sign (David Steele).
Adult Drake and female/immature Ring-necked Ducks on Lough Barry, Carrybridge this evening (John O’Boyle).
Little Gull, Ed O’Hara & Comghal McQuillan:
Drake Ring-necked Duck back at Craigavon South Lake this morning with 60 Pochard. (Keith Bates & Julie Hillman)
A 1st winter Little Gull is at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Gerard McGeehan).
Common summer migrants are now being widely reported including Blackcaps and Willow Warblers at Murlough. (Shelagh Henry).
A Green Sandpiper, a rare spring record, was at the south end of Lough Beg and the Cattle Egret also still present. Eight male Ruff at Church Island. (David Steele).
Common Sandpiper along River Lagan near Albert Bridge early morning (Stuart Cossey).
4 redhead Goosander on River Maine at Slaght near Ballymena (David Steele).
3 Ring-necked Ducks including drake still at Blanket Nook, Co Donegal (RBA).
Sub adult Golden Eagle, Legavallon Road, 4 miles west of Garvagh, flying to SE (Dennis Weir).
2 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Sandwich Terns at Belfast Lough WoW (Chris Hamilton).
3 Sand Martin over lake 1310 at Billy Neill CP (Bob Watts).
2+ Sandwich Terns at Larne Lough opposite Ballylumford (Kevin Kirkham).
450+ Black-tailed Godwits in Collector’s Bay, Quoile an unusually high count (Chris Murphy).
Hen Harrier and Stock Dove on Rathlin also adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 White Wagtail, 22 Purple Sandpipers (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Two seats available for Thursday's boat trip to Islay. There is a Pied Crow and a Hoopoe on the island plus Golden Eagle and Chough at the Oa RSPB reserve. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for details.
Golden Plover, Juliet Fleming:
A Willow Warbler was singing in the fenced off cruise ship area next to Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve, 2 Sandwich Terns were on the reserve. (Bob Watts).
A Willow Warbler was singing outside Portrush. (Chris Hamilton).
The female Ring-necked Duck was still at Corbally Reservoir outside Portrush. (John Clarke).
At least 5 Willow Warblers were singing at Duburren, Co. Armagh. (John Spottiswood).
Portmuck this morning had 7 Red-throated Diver with 3 Sandwich Tern and 1 Manx Shearwater, a Blackcap was singing in a garden in Whitehead. (Ian Enlander).
A Barn Owl was near Ballysally outside Portrush. (John Clarke).
Female Ring-necked Duck, John Clarke.
Late news from yesterday that the Hoopoe remained in private gardens in Bangor in Balloo area (via Stephen Dunbar).
3 Purple Sandpipers Ramore Head (Chris Hamilton).
Willow Warbler singing Lagan Canal near Drumbeg (Juliet Fleming).
6 Sandwich Terns Cockle Island to Ballymacormack Point also Carrion Crow or hybrid (Bob Watts).
First White Wagtail of the spring on Rathlin also adult Mediterranean Gull and a record count of 52 Purple Sandpipers (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Swallow over garden near Anahilt (Garry Wilkinson).
Glaucous Gull on Wednesday Tory, Co Donegal (Anton Meenan).
6 Long-tailed Ducks from Greenisland Sea Park including a full adult male (Gerard McGeehan).
White-tailed Eagle in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham).
White-tailed Eagle, Michael Latham:
The Rathlin Bird Report 2024 is now available and free to download at Rathlin Bird Report 2024 – our 7th annual review of the island’s birds | Rathlin Stickybeak
Manx Shearwaters off Portstewart (Donna Riddell).
Wheatear and Carrion Crow at Donaghadee (Garry Wilkinson).
2 Mediterranean Gulls on Cockle Island, Groomsport (Gilly Irwin).
Cattle Egret still at the south end of Lough Beg, also Great White Egret, a dozen Swallows and 2 House Martins (David Steele).
Cattle Egret, David Steele:
The Hoopoe was seen again in Bangor this morning, in a different garden but the same area as Monday, the bird was not present in the afternoon. (Carolyn Magowan).
A Whimbrel and 3 Sandwich Terns were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Derek Polley).
5 House Martins were at Derryadd Lough, Peatlands Park today. Yesterday a Blackcap was in song at Loughgall Country Park, Co. Armagh. (Brian Nelson).
2 Snow Buntings on Rathlin. Yesterday 2 Sand Martin and adult Mediterranean Gull (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Wheatear at Ramore Head and Merlin at Amici, Portstewart this morning (Stephen Riddell).
Goosander at Ballycarry this morning (Paula Campbell).
Female Ring-necked Duck still at Corbally Res (Stephen Riddell).
6 Sandwich Terns at Kinnegar Shore (Juliet Fleming). Also a Whimbrel (Stuart Cossey).
Adult summer Mediterranean Gullnon Porcupine Island and 1st summer Little Gull roosting with Black-headed Gulls at Belfast Lough WoW (Stuart McKee). Also 3 Sand Martins (Stuart Cossey).
Green-winged Teal at Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).
8 Stock Dove in newly-seeded field Ashtree Hill Road, Laurelvale, Co Armagh (Clifford Sharpe).
Manx Shearwater from boat off Ballywalter (Roger Woodward).
Merlin, Stephen Riddell:
Would you like to increase confidence in your birdwatching skills at sites local to you this spring?
BTO NI are running a Spring Birding Support scheme to provide free opportunities for more people across NI to get out birdwatching with others and develop bird identification and survey skills. Whether you are newer to birdwatching or more experienced, you are most welcome to join us.
We’re hosting an online session on Tuesday 1st April 7-8pm to introduce the scheme and meet the friendly faces who are on hand to support you this spring. Please find more information and registration here: bit.ly/NI-spring-birding-25.
**If you are unable to attend the online introduction on 1st April, but you are interested in the Spring Birding Support we have on offer, please still sign up for this online introduction so we can send you more details.**
A 1st winter Little Gull was at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton).
The adult Ring-billed Gull was at the Round O in Enniskillen again this morning. (Ronan Owens).
There was no sign of the Hoopoe in the garden in Bangor where it was seen yesterday. (David Conn).
A flock of 8 Sandwich Terns was at Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough this morning. (Jonny Clark).
The first Puffins were back on Rathlin this morning, 2 Manx Shearwaters were offshore. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).
About 20 Crossbills and 2 Swallows were at Woodburn Reservoir outside Carrickfergus. (Gerard McGeehan & Shirley Dunlop).
BTO Youth's bird camp is back! If you or anyone you know is aged 11-17 and has an interest in birds, nature and the outdoors, join us for a weekend full of birds!!! This year's camp will be at Magherafelt from the 25-27th of April and best of all the camp is complete FREE!
Hoopoe this evening in private garden Bangor near Balloo Industrial Estate (David Conn).
2nd calendar year Mediterranean Gull on the lake and 3 Sand Martins on passage over Billy Neill CP early afternoon. Stock Dove over fields behind (Bob Watts).
Sand Martins at Bushfoot this afternoon (Juliet Fleming).
Several Wheatears and the first Sand Martin of the year on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Hoopoe, David Conn:
Female Lesser Scaup off Croaghan hide and Willow Warbler singing at Oxford Island NNR (Garry Armstrong).
Sand Martin and Slavonian Grebe at Kinnegar Shore, Mediterranean Gull at Belfast Lough WoW (Stuart Cossey). 2 Mediterranean Gulls this evening (Michael Latham).
Late news from yesterday that the female Ring-necked Duck was still at Corbally Road Res (Rare Bird Alert).
Glaucous Gull reported from Tory Island, Co Donegal (Rare Bird Alert).
Short-eared Owl this evening at St John’s Point. Long-eared Owl Downpatrick Road, Ardglass 1930 (Chris & Tim Murphy).
Probable subadult Yelliw-legged Gull on River Lagan, Belfast on 20th March (Mel O’Hagan).
Two Mediterranean Gulls were on the tern islands at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Laura Kerr, Jim Wells).
A Cattle Egret is at the south end of Lough Beg. Also present were 4 Great White Egrets and 15 Ruff. (David Steele).
Mediterranean Gulls, Laura Kerr.
Chiffchaff, David Hill.
Crossbills, David Hill.
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Snow Goose still with Barnacle Goose on Tory (Anton Meenan).
Great White Egret yesterday at Portmore Lough (Paul Hunter).
Adult Iceland Gull returned to Belfast Lough WoW at 1230 also 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Whimbrel (Derek Polley).
2 Wheatear at Portstewart Golf Club (Abraham Varghese).
Stock Dove at Springvale, Castlerock (John Spottiswood).
Male Goosander at Glassdrumman Lough and 2 Pinkfeet with Whooper Swans in fields at Ballyfannahan Bridge near Cullyhanna, Co Armagh (Joe Devlin).
Whimbrel and 13+ Purple Sandpipers on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).
Fieldfare, David Clarke:
A Snow Goose was on Tory Island. (Anton Meenan)
The adult Iceland Gull is again at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve, two adult Mediterranean Gulls were also present. (Tony Dodds).
A possible Cattle Egret was seen distantly on the island in Hillsborough Lake. (Garry Wilkinson).
Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were on the lake at the Billy Neill Country Park, Co Down, today. (Ron Price).
A Woodcock flew over Windmill Road towards Larchfield Estate near Annahilt this evening. (Garry Wilkinson).
Drake Ring-necked Duck in Closet Bay, Oxford Island NNR (Ed O’Hara).
6 Ruff and Drake Ring-necked x Tufted Duck hybrid Inch, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell et al).
Adult Iceland Gull Portstewart on rocks near convent (Stephen Riddell / John Clarke).
Sand Martin over Ballymena (Chris Hamilton).
Mediterranean Gull at Whitehouse Lagoon (Holly McCormack).
Great White Egret at Lough Beg (Jim Wells).
Iceland Gull, John Clarke:
The annual BTO heronry census is underway again with reports already coming in of chicks in nests. However there are also quite a few reports of apparently abandoned heronries (including all of my regular sites) some clearly related to our recent storms. There have also been a number of sites around the Lough Neagh area (where a significant proportion of the NI population breed) which have been lost entirely or are experiencing a reduction in numbers.
A Black-throated Diver was at Horse Island in Strangford Lough. (Richard Weyl).
Two Mediterranean Gulls were at Kinnegar sewage works this afternoon. (Gilly Irwin).
Two Ring-necked Ducks were on Castlehume Lough in Fermanagh yesterday. (Birdguides).
The Long-tailed Duck is still off Croaghan Hide at Oxford Island NNR (Garry Armstrong).
Swallow at Kinnegoe Marina, Oxford Island NNR (Ed O’Hara).
Great White Egret at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).
Yesterday 6 Sand Martins over Sixmilewater, Antrim town (Richard Gray).
2nd calendar year Glaucous Gull by wooden bridge this afternoon (John Spottiswood / Michael Latham).
Adult winter Mediterranean Gull Larne Docks (Kevin Kirkham).
Drake Ring-necked Duck on Stoneyford Res (Garry Armstrong).
Mediterranean Gull at Clea Lake (Hugh Thurgate).
Red Kite, Stevie Brennan:
Wheatear on Lunnon Road, Islandmagee (Kevin Kirkham).
Adult Iceland Gull again in the Bann Estuary (John Clarke).
Great White Egret at Inch, Lough Swilly, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell et al).
White-tailed Eagle in the Antrim Hills (Jonny Rosborough).
Female Ring-necked Duck on Corbally Res (John Clarke).
2 adult Mediterranean Gulls at the Ecos Park, Ballymena (Jeff Larkin).
An adult male Hen Harrier over Rathlin (Ric Else /Hazel Watson).
White-tailed Eagle, Jonny Rosborough:
