Bird News Monday 28th April 2025

A drake Garganey is at the Quoile. It is still present this evening. (Dan Baillie / David Stirling)

Swifts were seen over Lisburn this morning (Leia Giesel) and Ormeau / Lagan Meadows (Stuart Cossey)

A Garden Warbler was in song and seen along the Lagan towpath between Shaw's Bridge and Edenderry, Belfast. (Note plenty of Blackcaps also around). In Riverside bushes. (Dave Allen). https://maps.app.goo.gl/sjHXh5fx5LSFq5Jx6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

A male Ruff was at the high tide roost at Dundrum Bay north at 11:30 (Maurice McNeely)

Another Wood Warbler is on Rathlin near the Chapel. A Marsh Harrier is also present (Ric Else)

The drake Ring-necked Duck was at the south end of Lough Beg (Davy Hunter)

A camera lens hood has been found at Ballyheirnan Bay (Pacific Diver site). Please drop us an email if you believe it’s yours and we will try and get it back to you.

Whitethroat, Terry Hanna:

Wheatear (between Kinnegar and WoW), Paul Hunter:

Bird News Sunday 27th April 2025

The Little Gull is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Daniel Newton). At least 4 Mediterranean Gulls were also present. (Stuart McKee, Daniel Newton).

12 White Wagtails were at Todds Corner, Ardmore. (Chris Veale).

A Wood Warbler and Tree Pipit were at Kinramer, Rathlin this morning. Also another Tree Pipit near the East Lighthouse yesterday. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

The Cetti's Warbler was still near McNabbs Waste at Strand Lough. (David Stirling).

A Fieldfare was also on Rathlin. (Stuart Cossey).

2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese still at Bann Estuary. (John Spottiswood).

Swifts were seen over Finaghy. (Clive Mellon).

Male Ring-necked Duck, 20+ Swifts and 3 Ruff at Inch in Donegal. (Theo, Campbell/Chris Ingram).

An adult Little Gull and several Swift were at Portmore. (Garry Armstrong, Aaron Long).

A Carrion Crow was at Fair Head. (Clare Lickfold).

Wood Warbler, Ric Else.

Tree Pipit, Ric Else.

Little Gull, Michael Latham.

Mediterranean Gull, Michael Latham.

Little Gull, Aaron Long.

Bird News Saturday 26th April 2025

A drake American Wigeon is at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh (Garry Armstrong)

Both Cettis Warblers weee singing at Killough this morning (Chris Murphy)

Two Dark-bellied Brent were at the Bann Estuary (Dean Jones)

20 White Wagtail were at Todd’s Corner, Ardmore, Lough Neagh (Garry Armstrong)

A flyover Cattle Egret was reported from Portmuck this morning (Clare Lickfold)

2 Swift were over Lisburn this morning (Andrew Upton)

The Ring-necked Duck, a Great White Egret, 2 Arctic Terns and 20 White Wagtails were at Lough Beg (David Steele)

Rathlin had 3 Corncrake, a Pink-footed Goose and 15 White Wagtails (Stuart Cossey)

A high count of Whimbrel was 220 at Bannfoot, Lough Neagh (Clive Mellon)

The Bee-eater has been looked for from first light without success.

Cuckoo’s and Whitethroats are now widely reported.

Drake American Wigeon (left bird), Ed O’Hara:

Bird News Friday 25th April 2025

 The Little Gull was on Kinnegoe shore in Belfast Lough this morning. (Brian Douglas).

A Cuckoo was at Murlough. (Aidan Rodgers).

A flock of 14 Arctic Terns at Lough Beg this afternoon, also two Swifts, 60 Whimbrel migrating through and Ring-necked Duck still present. (David Steele).

A Bee-eater was at Bunbeg, Donegal. It was present most of the day but disappeared late afternoon before reappearing late this evening (Martin Deehan / Derek Brennan et al)

Grasshopper Warbler, Glen Calvert.

Bee-eater, Derek Brennan.

Bird News Thursday 24th April 2025

No sign of either Little Ringed Plover or Pectoral Sandpiper at Belfast Lough WoW early morning (Daniel Newton). Little Gull, 4 Common Terns, 5 Mediterranean Gulls - 2 pairs and 2cy at lunchtime (Mel O’Hagan / Stuart McKee). 3 Swifts (Derek Polley).

Cetti’s Warbler closest to Killough village still present (Chris Murphy).

2 Corncrakes now present on Rathlin (Ric Else/ Hazel Watson).

Dark phase Arctic Skua past St John’s Point (Warren Fowles).

Cuckoo calling at Cappanagh (Jimmy Christie). 

Unconfirmed report of Ring Ouzel picked up twice by Merlin early morning at Carrick Lough, Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone (Lee Bantting).

Bee-eater posted on Facebook photographed on 22nd April in garden just outside Ballymena for 5 minutes but flushed by Hooded Crow and not seen since (Stewart Rosborough).

Numerous Crossbills including a group of 15 and 2 Cuckoos at Jenkin Forest, Co Fermanagh (Colin Bell).

Grasshopper Warbler, Juliet Fleming;

Whimbrel, Richard Caves:

Bird News Wednesday 23rd April 2025

A Little Ringed Plover is at RSPB WoW (Adam McClure)

A Pectoral Sandpiper was also at RSPB WoW (Gerard McGeehan)

A Swift was over Holywood (Nathan Gilbert)

A Yellow Wagtail was at Killard Point this morning (Dan Baillie)

The Pink-footed Goose remains with Greylags at Waterfoot (Stephen Farquhar)

Two first summer Little Gulls are at RSPB WoW (Stuart McKee)

Two Great White Egret are at Dundrum Inner Bay. A Cettis Warbler was heard again at Killough (David Clarke / John Pyper)

8 Long-tailed Duck and circa 35 Common Scoter were on the Foyle at Magilligan this afternoon. Circa 30 White Wagtail were along the shore (Matthew Tickner)

A very grey Willlow Warbler, possibly an acredula, was at Ballymacormick Point (Bob Watts). Another bird was photographed at Craigavon lakes which looks almost certainly the Scandinavian race where 4 possibly 5 present (Ed O’Hara)

The Dotterel was still on Slieve Donnard (per Andrew Crory)

A Cuckoo was at Murley Mountain, Clabby, this evening (Colin Bell)

Whimbrel and Common Sandpipers are now widely reported as migrating through at present. Also, Grasshopper and Sedge Warblers are back in many breeding locations.

Great White Egret, David Clarke:

Whimbrel, David Hill:

An extremely grey looking Willow Warbler at Craigavon Lakes, Ed O'Hara:

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

Bird News Tuesday 22nd April 2025

Yesterday a Ring Ouzel was on a power line on Greencastle Road, Greencastle, County Down. (Megan Kelly).

Two Grasshopper Warblers and a Reed Warbler were at Harbour meadows in Belfast. The Little Gull and a Common Tern are at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart Cossey).

Cuckoos calling this morning at Altikeeragh. (Michael Latham).

4 Grasshopper Warblers at Portballintrae. (Stephen Riddell).

This morning 20 Red Throated and 1 Great Northern Diver off lough shore Park in Belfast Lough. At RSPB  WoW now 1 1st summer Little Gull, 1 Mediterranean Gull on porcupine island two on road side island also 1 first summer Mediterranean Gull on far shore, Common Tern around same area and a Whimbrel in the far corner. (Stuart McKee).

A male Yellowhammer is singing again in fields behind Billy Neill Country Park in Belfast, a Water Rail was also calling. (Bob Watts).

A Whimbrel is at the Barmouth and a Grasshopper Warbler is reeling below the golf tee on Barmouth Road. (James McDowell).

4 Whimbrel, 3 in flight towards Belfast Lough, were at Ballymacormack Point, a Wheatear was also present. (Caroline Russell).

A Dotterel is on Slieve Donard per TBennett. (Andrew Crory).

2 Common Sandpipers were at the hide at the Barmouth. (David Hill).

Jay, John Johnston.

Sedge Warbler, Comghal McQuillan.

Common Sandpiper, David Hill.

Bird News Monday 21st April 2025

2nd calendar year Little Gull and adult Mediterranean Gull at Belfast Lough WoW (Stuart McKee). Common Tern this evening (Daniel Newton).

Late news from yesterday of Rathlin’s first Corncrake for the year and Sedge Warbler singing (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Ring Ouzel picked up on call by Merlin app in Portaferry garden (Greg Sachno). 

Cetti’s Warbler still singing from near the brickworks, Killough. 4 Whimbrel St John’s Point (Garry Wilkinson / Nigel Moore).

No sign of Pacific Diver all day in Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Co Donegal (Wilton Farrelly).

Reeling Grasshopper Warbler Dunburren, Co Armagh (John Spottiswood).

Cuckoo at Carnmore Viewpoint, Co Fermanagh (Colin Bell).

Corncrake and 3 Great Skuas on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Grasshopper Warbler still reeling at Woodburn (Chris Hamilton).

3+ Reed Warblers singing at Lough Cowey, Portaferry (Ian Young).

Drake Ring-necked Duck at Lough Beg, also Russian White-fronted Goose, Cattle Egret, 2 Common Terns and 40 Whimbrel (David Steele).

Female Goosander with pair of Red-breasted Mergansers at Lady Bay (Garry Armstrong).

Blackcap, Michael Latham:

Bird News Sunday 20th April 2025

The two Cettis Warblers were dining this morning at Downpatrick Road, Killough (Chris Murphy)

The Pacific Diver was still at the east end of Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Donegal (Jamie Bliss / Daniel Newton). 57 Long-tailed Duck were also present.

A Grasshopper Warbler was the best on Rathlin (Ric Else)

Common Sandpipers are widely reported. One was at Victoria Park (Paul Hunter) and four were at Woodburn Reservoir (Sean Gibson et al)

Woodburn had male and Female Crossbill, a fly-over Pink-footed Goose and 3 reeling Grasshopper Warbler (Sean Gibson, Ian Young and Aaron Long)

The drake Ring-necked Duck was off the Tready Hide, Inch (Derek Brennan)

The Russian White-front was still at Lough Beg, also 32 Whimbrel, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and c.100 White Wagtails. (David Steele)

60+ Whimbrel were at Ballyquinton, Co Down along with 7 White Wagtails (Dermot Hughes / Richard Weyl)

A Reed Warbler was at Lough Cowey (Richard Weyl)

Four Long-tailed Duck and 9 Red-throated Diver were at Loughshore, Belfast Lough (Gerard McGeehan)

A first winter Little Gull and Common Sandpipers were off the Tready Hide, Inch (Steven Farquhar)

Pacific Diver, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Michael Latham:

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 Saturday 19th April 2025

The Pacific Diver was still at the east end of Ballyheirnan beach in Donegal. (Aaron Long). The bird moved to the west end of the beach this afternoon. (Wilton Farrelly)

The Cetti's Warbler and a Water Rail were still near Killough Brickworks. (Andrew Crory)

50+ White Wagtails were in a reseeded field in the centre of Reedy Flats. (Garry Armstrong,  Ed O’Hara).

A Stock Dove was at the east end and more White Wagtails were in the field with the excavator. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).

A Garden Warbler was at Share Centre near Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

A Great Northern Diver in summer plumage and 17 Red-throated Diver, many in summer plumage too, were at Minerstown, Dundrum Bay, Down. Reported Hoopoe at Maghera looked for without success. (Chris Murphy).

A Russian White-front was at Lough Beg this afternoon. Also Osprey, female Merlin, adult summer Spotted Redshank, 20+ White Wagtails and two ‘Greenland-type’ Wheatears. (David Steele).

2 subadult Little Gulls and a Barnacle Goose were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Steven Farquhar).

3-400 hirundines, mostly Sand Martins, 4 Sandwich and 2 Common Terns, 2 Dunlin and a Common Sandpiper were at  the Quoile. (Chris Murphy).

A Grasshopper Warbler was at the Giants Causeway Organ Pipes. (Chris McNally).

Russian Whitefront, David Steele.

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Bird News Friday 18th April 2025

The Pacific Diver is still at Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Co Donegal this morning (Stephen Dunbar).

2 Bonxies the first of the year also adult male Merlin, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, adult Mediterranean Gull, Wheatears and White Wagtails on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson). 17 Pinkfeet in off the sea, 3 Common Sandpipers, c30 Purple Sandpipers (Dean Jones).

No sign of the Hoopoe in the Maghera area this morning with local fields searched extensively (Mike McLaughlin / David McCreedy).

Green Sandpiper in Blackstaff Creek, Dundrum Upper Bay (Stuart Cossey).

Female Ruff from the hide at the Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood).

Pacific Diver, Stephen Dunbar:

House Martin, Glen Calvert:

Bird News Thursday 17th April 2025

A Cuckoo was at Altikerragh (John Clarke)

A Common Sandpiper was at the Barmouth (Ian Young). A Ruff and Common Sandpiper were off the hide (John Clarke)

A Pacific Diver was at the east end of Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad, Donegal (Robert Vaughan)

A Corncrake was a new arrival at Tory Island this morning (Anton Meenan)

A Little Ringed Plover was at Inch, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

A singing Sedge Warbler was at the Bann Estuary (Martin Deehan)

One of the Cettis Warblers was at Killough. Best at the Quoile was the two Pink-footed Geese and a Common Sandpiper (Chris Murphy)

A new Little Ringed Plover was at Lough Beg this afternoon (David Steele)

There is an unconfirmed report of a Hoopoe at Maghera, Castlewellan, Co Down at this location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fYbvYvdAuVFgrQJZ6?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

Bird News Wednesday 16th April 2025

 The 2 Pinkfeet and a Common Tern were at the Quoile. (David Stirling).

A Common Sandpiper is along the  River Maine at Slaght…the wintering Green Sandpiper appears to have finally gone after a nearly nine month stay (since July). (David Steele).

Bird News Tuesday 15th April 2025

Influx of 50+ White Wagtails at the south end of Rathlin also a Dark-bellied Brent Goose (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Carrion Crow Belmont Park near bottle banks (Bob Watts).

Carrion Crow by Waterfront Hall (Stuart Cossey).

10+ White Wagtails in Portballintrae (Stephen & Donna Riddell).

Many Crossbills Binevenagh (John Clarke).

Little Ringed Plover with 5 Ringed Plover viewed from Long Point Wood, Lough Beg (David Steele).

Drake Lesser Scaup and Iceland Gull Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).

White Wagtail, Donna Riddell:

Crossbill, John Clarke:

Bird News Monday 14th April 2025

The Little Ringed Plover remains at Lady Bay (Kevin Kirkham / Daniel Newton)

Belfast WOW this morning had a Ruff developing into breeding plumage, the Little Gull and 3 pairs of Med Gulls (Clive Mellon)

A male Black Redstart was in a garden in Larne (Tom and Jemma Davies)

Two Tree Pipits were at Keeble, Rathlin this evening (Ric Else)

Two Pink-footed Geese were off the hide at the Quoile (Leia Getty)

A Grasshopper Warbler was at Roslea, Co Fermanagh (Clive Mellon)

Little Ringed Plover, Juliet Fleming:

Bird News Monday 14th April 2025

The Little Ringed Plover remains at Lady Bay, this morning (Kevin Kirkham)

Bird News Sunday 13th April 2025

The Cetti’s Warblers were singing at the same two locations as yesterday (Chris Veale)

A Cuckoo was at Murlough, Co Down (Daniel Newton / Jenny and Dougie Gamble)

The Long-tailed Duck remains at the Quoile (Chris Veale / Michael Latham)

Yesterday over 50 Wheatear were on Rathlin along with 10 White Wagtail and 7 Fieldfare. (Ric Else / Hazel Watson). A Red Kite (non-breeding) was also seen and was present today.

A male flyover Ring Ouzel was at Murlough, Co Down. A Whitethroat was also calling. (Stuart Cossey)

A Sedge Warbler was singing at Rea’s Wood, Antrim (Chris Hamilton)

A Little Gull and three Mediterranean Gulls were at RSPB WoW (Tom Garner)

The Little Ringed Plover was at Lady Bay again (Conor McCoy)

The first Common Terns are back at Portmore (Garry Armstrong)

A drake Lesser Scaup was off the Farland Bank, Inch, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

The best at Lough Beg was a Whimbrel and two White Wagtails (David Steele)

A Green Sandpiper and four ‘redhead’ Goosanders were still on the River Main at Slaght (David Steele)

Long-tailed Duck, Michael Latham:

Bird News Saturday 12th April 2025

There are now two Cettis Warblers along the Downpatrick Road, just outside Killough. One100m east of McNabbs and the other about 300m further towards Killough. Both were picked up singing at the same time. (Philip West / Wilton Farrelly)

Yesterday 2 Osprey were reported over Ballymena.

A Little Ringed Plover is at Portmore (Michael Latham). Possibly the same Little Ringed Plover was at Lady Bay this afternoon (Aaron Long)

An immature male Long-tailed Duck is at the Quoile (Dermot Hughes). A male Ruff is also present (Wilton Farrelly). A Great White Egret was also seen (Stephen Farquhar)

A Little Gull is at RSPB WoW (Stuart Cossey)

4 Whimbrel were at Ballyquinton and 5 at Kearney. 3 White Wagtail and a Common Sandpiper were also present (Bob Watts)

A Common Sandpiper was at Loughbrickland Lake (Juliet Fleming). Another Common Sandpiper was at Lady Bay (Michael Latham)

Two Whimbrel were at Portstewart (John Clarke)

Three Whimbrel and two Common Sandpiper were on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

Great White Egret, David Stirling:

Little Ringed Plover, Michael Latham:

Bird News Friday 11th April 2025

Cetti’s Warbler back singing at Strand Lough, Killough (Chris Murphy).

Female Ring Ouzel midday at Goles Glen but no sign of the Hawfinch (David Steele).

Common Sandpiper on the River Lagan by Cutters Wharf and a Mediterranean Gull flew upriver calling (Stuart Cossey).

Ruff and 8 Whimbrel on the Bann Estuary (Dean Jones).

Grasshopper Warbler and Common Whitethroat at Dargan Road, Belfast (Kevin Mawhinney).

15 Purple Sandpipers Portstewart (malso Whimbrel (Mike Dawson / John Clarke).

Common Sandpiper from Quoile Pondage this evening also Pintail, Greenshank and Whooper Swan (Chris & Tim Murphy).

Bird News Thursday 10th April 2025

The Little Gull was still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). Still present this afternoon. (Derek Polley).

A Common Sandpiper and a Ruff were at the Bann Estuary. (John Spottiswood, Robert Hughes).

A Stock Dove was near Broomhedge Filling Station outside Lisburn. (Sean Gibson)

Four Mediterranean Gulls were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stephen Maxwell, Derek Polley).

At least 2 Yellowhammers were in fields behind Billy Neill Country Park and 3 Water Rails in the reed bed at the north end of the lake.. (Bob Watts).

At least 3 White Wagtails were at Portballintrae. (Stephen Riddell).

A Cuckoo was at Altnahinch in the Antrim Hills. (David Steele).

The Ruff and Little Gull were on the mud opposite the hide at the Quoile. A Water Rail was calling at Strand Lough. (Garry Wilkinson).

White Wagtail, Stephen Riddell.

Bird News Wednesday 9th April 2025

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:

Bird News Tuesday 8th April 2025

 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.

Wheatear, Juliet Fleming.

Bird News Monday 7th April 2025

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:

Bird News Sunday 6th April 2025

A Cetti's Warbler is at Strand Lough. (Chris Veale).

A Little Ringed Plover is at the Quoile Pondage. (Chris Murphy).

One of the Little Gulls was still at Craigavon south lake, another 2 Little Gulls were off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

The Little Gull is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Daniel Newton, Kevin Kirkham). Also 2 Mediterranean Gulls on the breeding platform. (Kevin Kirkham).

8 White Wagtails and 15 Wheatear are on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

A Stock Dove was at Ballyquintin. (Bob Watts).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Inner Bay south, a Barnacle Goose was also present. (Dan Baillie).

Drake Green-winged Teal paired up with a female Teal from the hide at the Quoile Pondage. (Tim Murphy).

A Glaucous Gull is at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke).

A Dark-bellied Brent was at Station Road, Killough at 7.30pm (Chris Murphy).

Bird News Saturday 5th April 2025

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:

Bird News Friday 4th April 2025

 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.