Bird News Thursday 3rd April 2025

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).

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).

Little Gull, Ed O’Hara & Comghal McQuillan:

Bird News Wednesday 2nd April 2025

 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).

Bird News Tuesday 1st April 2025

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: