Bird News Monday 31st March 2025

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.

Bird News Sunday 30th March 2025

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:

Rathlin Bird Report 2024

 

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

 Our seventh annual report covers just about everything ornithological that occurred on Rathlin during 2024. Inside you'll find details of all 156 bird species recorded during the year, including one addition to the island’s all-time list. Plus a Raven nest soap opera, some fascinating movements of ringed birds, and more colours of wagtail than ever before!

 Ric Else and Hazel Watson

Bird News Saturday 29th March 2025

A Long-tailed Duck was off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island again this morning. A single Pinkfoot was still with the Greylags at Reedy Flats. (Garry Armstrong).

Two Sandwich Terns and a Mediterranean Gull were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart Cossey).

150 Greenland White-fronted Geese quite low south over Bann Estuary hide at 12:00 also 5 Sandwich Terns present. (John Spottiswood).

The Great White Egret and 2 Swallows were at Portmore. (Michael Latham).

Two swallows over the lake at Mount Stewart Co. Down. (James McClung)

Two Pinkfeet were in flight with a flock of Greylags over Sandy Bay in Larne this morning. (Joe Burns)

Great White Egret, Michael Latham.

Bird News Friday 28th March 2025

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:

Bird News Thursday 27th March 2025

 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).

Bird News Wednesday 26th March 2025

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:

Wheatear, Stephen Riddell:

Sandwich Tern, Juliet Fleming:

BTO NI Spring Birding Support Scheme

 

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.**

Bird News Tuesday 25th March 2025

 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 Camps 2025

 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!

To apply visit https://www.bto.org/community/events/youth-events/bto-bird-camp 

Deadline to apply is 30th March. For any questions about camp, email youth@bto.org"

Bird News Monday 24th March 2025

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:

Bird News Sunday 23rd March 2025

The female Lesser Scaup was off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island again, several House Martins were among a flock of Sand Martins. (Garry Armstrong).

A Wheatear was at Bar Hall Bay. A Swallow was at Cloughy. (Bob Watts).

4 Greater Scaup were at the north west corner of Lough neagh viewed from the end of Ballymaguigan Nature Reserve. (Aaron Long,  Mel O'Hagan).

Lough Beg at Church Island had 2 Great White Egret, Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin all in small numbers and min 10 Pintail. The south end had 1 Great White Egret, 1 Cattle Egret and a Merlin (Aaron Long, Mel O'Hagan, Gerard McGeehan & Shirley Dunlop).

A Sandwich Tern was at Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough and a Pinkfoot was at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh. (Daniel Newton).

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

16 Pintail and 2 Swallows were in Collector's Bay at the Quoile. (Chris Murphy).

2 singing Willow Warbler, 1 Sand Martin and 1 Swallow at Broadwater, Moira today. (Andrew Upton)

Bird News Saturday 22nd March 2025

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).

Bird News Friday 21st March 2025

 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.

Bird News Thursday 20th March 2025

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:

Great White Egret, Paul Hunter:

Mediterranean Gull, Neil Reid:

Red Kite, Garry Wilkinson:

Bird News Wednesday 19th March 2025

 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).

Bird News Tuesday 18th March 2025

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:

Ring-necked Duck, Ed O’Hara:

BTO Breeding Heron Census

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.

That would suggest there are potentially a lot of herons looking for new homes. The BTO census involves annual resurveys of known sites but doesn't include searching for new sites (although a few are found each year by surveyors).

If you know of or find a nesting site, please check the location against known sites on the BTO system -https://app.bto.org/colonies/public/vacant-sites.jsp. If the site is unknown, or if you aren't sure if it is a new site, email me [ian.enlander(AT)hotmail.com] details including site area, grid ref (preferably 10 fig) and, if possible, best estimate of active nest totals. 

You can find out more about the BTO heronry census at https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/heronries-census/about-heronries-census 

The most recent report on the UK census is at https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/heronries_census_2024_summary_final.pdf 

Many thanks, 

Ian Enlander. 

NI BTO Heronries Census regional organiser

Bird News Monday 17th March 2025

 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).

Bird News Sunday 16th March 2025

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:

Ring-necked Duck, Garry Armstrong:

Glaucous Gull, Michael Latham:

Bird News Saturday 15th March 2025

A Long-tailed Duck was off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong). The bird moved into Closet Bay. (Clifford Sharpe).

A Great Northern Diver was off Portmuck on Islandmagee. (Kevin Kirkham).

22 Slavonian Grebe were on the east side of Strangford Lough, 18 in Greyabbey Bay and 4 off Newtownards Sailing Club. (Richard Weyl).

The Iceland Gull is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Daniel Newton,  Dakota Reid, RSPB Youth Network).

The male Ring-necked Duck, probably the bird from the Balancing Lake, was off Kinnegoe hide at Oxford Island. (Danny Gibson).

A 1st year Glaucous Gull was off the hide at the Barmouth. (Mel O'Hagan).

Ring-necked Duck, Danny Gibson. 

Glaucous Gull, Mel O'Hagan. 

Iceland Gull, Leia Giesel.

Bird News Friday 14th March 2025

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:

Iceland Gull, John Clarke & James McDowell:

Bird News Thursday 13th March

 14 Purple Sandpipers were on the rocks below the promenade in Portstewart. (John Spottiswood).

An adult Iceland Gull was seen in Belfast harbour from the Belfast to Cairnryan ferry. (Andrew Kelly).

There was no sign of the female Ring-necked Duck on Rathlin this morning but at least 12 Purple Sandpipers were in Church Bay. (Hazel Watson).

2 Wheatears were on Rathlin this morning. (James McDowell).

The Iceland Gull was seen briefly at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve, a Whimbrel was also present. (Derek Polley).

A Whimbrel was at Donaghadee. (Stephen Foster).

The adult Ring-billed Gull was at the Round O in Enniskillen. (Ronan Owens).

Fieldfare, James McDowell.

Bird News Wednesday 12th March 2025

No sign of Ring-necked Duck at Craigavon Balancing Lakes but 5 Sand Martin over south lake (Ed O’Hara / Clifford Sharpe).

12+ Yellowhammer in stubble field adjacent to Giants Ring best viewed from bank (Dave Allen).

Female Ring-necked Duck still at Craigmacagan Loch on Rathlin also 7 Twite the first of the year (Ric Else /Hazel Watson).

Adult Iceland Gull again at Belfast WoW this evening (Daniel Newton).

Golden Eagle again in the Antrim Hills (Enda McAuley).

Glaucous Gull at the Bann Estuary this evening but no sign of Iceland Gull (John Clarke).

Booted Eagle (1999)

*Joint IRBC and NIRBC announcement:* 

Both committees have independently reviewed the record of Booted Eagle seen at various locations in ROI and NI and subsequently in the UK in 1999/2000. 

The record was placed in Category D at the time, however in light of recent new information, both committees have independently determined that the record should be upgraded to *Category A* . The BOURC is currently reviewing the category of this individual and other records of Booted Eagle in Britain. 

For Northern Ireland this means that the records from Rathlin (22-24th August 1999) and Bangor (9th April 1999) accepted.

Glaucous Gull, John Clarke:

Red-throated Diver, Richard Caves:

Bird News Tuesday 11th March 2025

 The male Ring-necked Duck was still on the north Balancing Lake in Craigavon this morning. (Ed O'Hara). The Ring-necked was still present this afternoon. (Comghal McQuillan).

The female Ring-necked Duck is still on Rathlin this morning. (Ric Else, Hazel Watson).

Both Glaucous and Iceland Gulls were at the Barmouth. (Stephen Riddell).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at the Black Lough outside Dungannon. (Tony Dodds).

Two Sand Martins and four Great White Egrets were at Lough Beg this morning. (David Steele).

Ring-necked Duck, Ed O'Hara.

Ring-necked Duck, Comghal McQuillan.

Bird News Monday 10th March 2025

Drake Ring-necked Duck still on the north Balancing Lake at Craigavon (Ed O’Hara).

19 Purple Sandpipers with 13 Sanderling on small rocks in the harbour at Portballintrae (Garry Wilkinson).

Female Ring-necked Duck still on Craigmacagan Loch, Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Chiffchaffs have arrived in numbers and calling and singing birds are being widely reported.

Chiffchaff, Donna Riddell:

Ring-necked Duck, Ric Else:

Bird News Sunday 9th March 2025

The male Ring-necked Duck was still on the north Balancing Lake in Craigavon. (Ed O'Hara). There are now 2 male Ring-necked Ducks on the north Balancing Lake. (Joe Devlin).

The 2 Short-eared Owls were still at Ballyquitan Point on the outer Ards. (Michael Latham). At least one still present this afternoon. (Robbie Hughes).

There was no sign of the Goosander at Billy Neill CP this morning, but there was a singing Chiffchaff. (Daniel Newton).

The 2 Great White Egrets were still at Portmore. (Ed O'Hara).

The Great White Egret is still at Clea Lakes. A male Goosander was on Loughislandreavey near Kilcoo GAA club. (Dave Weir).

The Black Redstart was still on the beach at Quay Lane in Killough. (Bob Watts).

Approx 15 Purple Sandpipers at the Coastal Zone, Portrush this morning. (Richard Caves).

A Golden Eagle was in the Antrim hills. (Daniel Newton).

The Ring-billed Gull is still at the Round O in Enniskillen. (Brian Hegarty).

Chiffchaffs are widely reported today.

Short-eared Owl, Jonathan Cooke.

Purple Sandpiper, Richard Caves.

Short-eared Owl, Michael Latham.

Ring-billed Gull, Brian Hegarty.

Bird News Saturday 8th March 2025

Female Ring-necked Duck still at Craigmacagan Loch, Rathlin (Hazel Watson / Ric Else).

Yesterday 2 Grey Plover at Castleward Bay near Strangford (Garry Wilkinson).

Drake Ring-necked Duck still on the north Balancing Lake at Craigavon (Ed O’Hara).

3 Common Scoter off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island NNR (Garry Armstrong).

Short-eared Owl at Ballyquinton Point (Daniel Newton). 2 Short-toed Owls sitting together 12 noon (Bob Watts / Stephen Dunbar). 3 Short-eared Owls (Stephen Dunbar).

Chiffchaffs calling in N Belfast & Newtownabbey (Kevin Rice), also Kearney (Bob Watts).

Whimbrel with Curlew Kinnegar Shore (Kevin Kirkham).

Great White Egret still at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).

3+ Yellowhammer Castlerock on farmland at south end of Sea Road (John Spottiswood).

2 Mediterranean Gulls south end Cloughey beach (Bob Watts).

Drake Goosander on Billy Neill lake this evening (Chris Shaw).

Short-eared Owl, Daniel Newton, Bob Watts:

Ring-necked Duck, Ed O’Hara: