Bird News Monday 21st July 2025

The Spoonbill and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull were at RSPB WoW (Bob Watts). A Little Gull, ann Arctic Tern and the Little Ringed Plover were also present. Dunlin numbers were up to a recent high count of 87 (Jake Grant)

A 90 minute morning seawatch from Fanad Head had 45+ Storm Petrel, a Bonxie and 2 Sooty Shearwater (Wilton Farrelly)

Redshank and Knot, Castle Espie, Jonathan Clarke:



Bird News Sunday 20th July 2025

Cattle Egret still at the point at Blanketnook, Co Donegal also adult and juvenile Mediterranean Gulks (Chris Ingram).

Spotted Flycatcher at Cloughey (Jim Cunningham).

Whimbrel are on the move with 5+ at Ballymacormack Point today (Bob Watts) and 13 on Rathlin yesterday (Ric Else / Hazel Watson). 

Subadult Golden Eagle in the Antrim Hills (Aaron Long / Ian Young / Sean Gibson).

For cetacean buffs 2/3 Humpback Whales (reports of up to 7 in the bay in the past week), lots of Minke but no sign by early afternoon of any Orca at Donegal Bay. Probably closer views from the Mulaghmore end (Brian McCloskey / Derek Brennan / Jamie Bliss). 4 Humpbacks from St John’s Point Lighthouse this evening but no sign of Orca (Stephen Dunbar).

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Colin Bell:



Bird News Saturday 19th July 2025

The Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover and 2 Little Gull were at RSPB WOW. Waders such as Dunlin, Knot & Common Sandpiper continue to increase in numbers. Another Little Gull was on Kinnegar Shore. (Daniel Newton)

A Cattle Egret was still in fields at the Moyle end of Blanketnook, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

A Red Kite and four Red Grouse were in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham)

A Red Kite was seen over Bryansford (Eric Mansell)

3 Stock Dove were on Mew Island, Copelands (Michael Latham)

It may interest birders to know that the Orca ‘Aquarius’ was seen in Donegal Bay today. Two Humpback were also seen from St John’s Point, Donegal (Stephen Dunbar)

Red Grouse, Michael Latham:









Bird News Friday 18th July 2025

Cattle Egret at Moyle end of Blanket Nook, Co Donegal in field with cattle (Chris Ingram).

Spoonbill actively feeding this morning at Belfast Lough WoW also Little Ringed Plover and Ruff still, also 5+ Common Sandpipers, 2 Little Gulls (Laura Kerr / Jake Grant).

Wader flocks are building up with increased numbers of commoner waders including Dunlin and Greenshank reported.

Arctic Tern, Michael Latham:



Bird News Thursday 17th July 2025

RSPB WoW this morning had 3 Little Gulls, the Spoonbill, a Mediterranean gull,  the Little Ringed Plover and the Ruff. An Arctic Tern was also present (Jake Grant / Derek Polley / Ronnie Doggart)

The Marsh Harrier and 4 Ruff were at Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan)

Bird News Wednesday 16th July 2025

Marsh Harrier still Inch, Co Donegal (Theo Campbell).

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff still at Belfast Lough WoW also 5 Common Sandpipers (Gerard McGeehan). Also a Little Gull (Jake Grant). 3 Little Gulls this evening (Wilton Farrelly).

A White Stork spent most of the Wellington Rec v Crusaders game yesterday in Larne on top of the floodlights (Thomas Fulton). One reported in flight over Whitehead this afternoon (per Adam McClure).

A Red Kite over Annsborough, Co Down at 3pm being chased by gulls (Ann-Marie Smyth).

5 Mediterranean Gulls at the Bann Estuary this evening  (adult, 2 2nd cy, 2 juvs) (John Spottiswood).

White Stork, Thomas Fulton:



Bird News Tuesday 15th July 2025

The Spoonbill was still present this morning at RSPB WoW along with the Little Ringed Plover and the male Ruff. 6 Dublins Common Sandpipers and a Knot were also present (Jake Grant / Lillian Ferguson / Brian Murphy)

Four Little Gull were at RSPB WoW this afternoon (Michael Latham)

A Red Kite was near Mallusk (John Clarke)

4 Ruff were at Church Island, Lough Beg (Richard Gray)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Bryansford (Eric Mansell)

Waders such as Greenshank, Knot, Whimbrel and Dunlin now seem to be migrating again with various sighting reports.

Spoonbill, Michael Latham:

Little Gulls (3), Michael Latham:

Bird News Monday 14th July 2025

Late news from yesterday of 6 Whimbrel and c50 Swift heading south from Copeland Bird Observatory (David Stirling). 

Yellowhammer singing near Bright, Co Down (David Clarke).

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeder in garden near Hillsborough (Juliet Fleming). Another at Silent Valley car park (Ann-Marie Smyth).

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, 2cy Little Gull, 3 Common Sandpipers still at Belfast Lough WoW (Bob Watts).

Mediterranean Gull with PKPA ring also a Whimbrel in the Bann Estuary (John Clarke).

Juvenile Cuckoo and Great Skua Rathlin (James McDowell).

60+ Swifts at Lough Mourne, Carrickfergus (Ian Enlander).

A Whimbrel at Kearney this afternoon (Graham McElwaine).

Cuckoo, James McDowell:

Great Skua, James McDowell:

Yellowhammer, David Clarke:


Great Spotted Woodpecker, Juliet Fleming:



Mediterranean Gull, John Clarke:

Bird News Sunday 13th July 2025

The Spoonbill continues at RSPB WoW (Colin Palethorpe)

A Common Sandpiper was on Newcastle Beach this morning (Mel O’Hagan)

Four adult Mediterranean Gull and three juveniles were at the Bann Estuary (John Clarke)

A Yellowhammer was singing on the Cornakinnegar Road between Lurgan and Aghagallon, the first for many years. (Brian Nelson)

Returning waders continue to be seen with Turnstone and Knot noticeable in particular.

Mediterranean Gulls, John Clarke:



Great Spotted Woodpecker, Juliet Fleming:



Bird News Saturday 12th July 2025

The White-rumped Sandpiper remains at the Bann Estuary, at the Barmouth on the Castlerock side. The bird is alone. (Richard Donaghey).

Great Spotted Woodpeckers at Murlough House, Dundrum (Conor Mansell) and in garden on peanut feeder Lambeg (Noeni Bryars).

Bird News Friday 11th July 2025

The Spoonbill and Little Ringed Plover are still at RSPB WoW. 3 Mediterranean Gulls and the Ruff are also present. Common Sandpiper are also still present. (Jake Grant / Laura Kerr)

A Red Kite was in Ballynahinch (Martin Rooney). Another was seen at Ulster University (John Clarke)

A juvenile Montagu's Harrier has been seen and photographed up the Antrim Hills (Per Kenny Moore)

Tory Island today had two Sooty Shearwater, 2 Storm Petrel and 3 Little Terns (Robert Vaughan)

The Whooper Swan was again at Stoneford Reservoir, Dougie Gamble:

Spoonbill, David McCreedy:


Bird News Thursday 10th July 2025

The Little Ringed Plover, 2 Little Gulls, Ruff and 5 Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning, the Spoonbill wasn't seen. (Jake Grant). The Spoonbill reappeared at 12.15. (Derek Polley).

Three Red Grouse were at Jenkin Forest in Co. Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

A Whooper Swan was at Stoneyford Reservoir this afternoon. (Ivan Cullen).

Dark-bellied Brent, Juliet Fleming.




Bird News Wednesday 9th July 2025

 There was no sign of the Green Sandpiper at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning, the Spoonbill, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover and a Little Gull were present, another Little Gull was at Kinnegar shore. (Daniel Newton Sean Gibson). The Green Sandpiper is showing again at 11.45. (Gerard McGeehan). Seven Common Sandpipers were present this afternoon. (Bob Watts).

The WoW reserve this evening had the Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, 3 Little Gulls, and 4 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 adults and a 2nd year. There was no sign of the Green Sandpiper. Two adult Mediterranean Gulls were also at Kinnegar shore. (Philip West).

The Marsh Harrier is still at Inch in Donegal. (Theo Campbell).

Two Great Northern Divers were seen on a boat trip off Portballintrae and a Great Skua off Portrush. (John Clarke).

A 1st year Mediterranean Gull was at Magilligan. (Stephen Riddell).

A Brent Goose was at Bushfoot near Portballintrae. (Juliet Fleming).

Two Red Kites were in the Antrim Hills. (Michael Latham).

Bird News Tuesday 8th July 2025

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover and Ruff at Belfast Lough WoW (Adam McClure/Daniel Newton). All still present this evening plus a Common Sandpiper and a Knot (Michael Latham). Green Sandpiper late evening (Daniel Newton).

Osprey seen flying over Bann Estuary with fish 0830 (Stephen Riddell).

Osprey and 5 male Ruff at Lough Beg (David Steele).

A Little Tern from the train near Kinnego (Garry Wilkinson).

Summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver off Briggs Point, Groomsport (Jeff Silver).

Summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver at Glenarm (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop).

2 Adult Mediterranean Gulls Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood).

Great Northern Diver, Jeff Silver:

Ruff, Daniel Newton:



Bird News Monday 7th July 2025

 A White-tailed Eagle was seen again in the Antrim Hills. (Kenny Moore, Ian Dickey).

The Spoonbill, a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Jake Grant). There were also 3 Little Gulls present this evening. (Wilton Farrelly).

A Yellowhammer was singing in fields at the back of Billy Neill Country Park in Belfast. (Bob Watts).

White-tailed Eagle, Sandra McDowell.



Bird News Sunday 6th July 2025

An Osprey is off the Discovery Centre, Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong). An Osprey was also at Portmore at lunchtime (Garry Armstrong)

The best in a 4 hour morning seawatch of Fanad Head, Donegal were circa 40 Storm Petrels (Stephen Dunbar / Jamie Bliss)

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Newcastle beach this morning (Mel O’Hagan)

Red Kites were near Lurgan (Leia Getty) and Dundrum (Michael Latham)

At RSPB WoW, there was at least one Little Ringed Plover, the Spoonbill and 2 Little Gulls (John Spottiswood)

A White-tailed Eagle was in the Antrim Hills (Gerard McGeehan, Sandra McDowell)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden in the Ballymarlagh area of Ballymena. (Ginny McKee).

Bird News Saturday 5th July 2025

Roseate Tern and Spoonbill at Belfast Lough WoW (Michael Latham). Also 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper (Martin Deehan). No sign of Roseate Tern at 4pm but additional sightings of Little Gull, 3 Mediterranean Gulls, Arctic Terns and 2 Knot (Michael Latham).

Juvenile Cuckoo at Murlough NNR (Stuart Cossey).

Osprey at the Bann Estuary this evening (Mark McCullough).

Adult Pomarine Skua off Fanad Head this morning (Wilton Farrelly).

Great White Egret from Ballycarry Bridge this evening on western side of mudflats (Steven Fyffe).

Albino Swallow on Ardmore Road outside Lurgan Southern shore of Lough Neagh (Joe O’Hagan).

Roseate Tern & Little Ringed Plover, Michael Latham:




Bird News Friday 4th July 2025

 The Little Ringed Plover, Spoonbill, eclipse male Garganey and 4 Common Sandpipers were at Belfast Lough RSPB Wow reserve today. (Bob Watts). A Little Tern was present this afternoon. (Leia Getty, Dot Blakely). The Spoonbill was still present this evening. (Tim Davis).

One of the Little Gulls was at Kinnegar shore. (Stuart Cossey).

Corncrakes were still calling on Rathlin last night, 3 Great Skuas were around the seabird centre this morning. (Derek Polley).

An Osprey and a Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary. (Matthew Tickner).

Bird News Thursday 3rd July 2025

At least one Little Ringed Plover and a Little Gull were at RSPB WoW this morning (Daniel Newton) The Spoonbill was present late morning as well. Waders hare continuing to migrate with eg four Common Sandpiper and 2 Knot also present at WoW (Derek Polley)

This evening, 2 Little Tern and 3 Little Gulls were at RSPB WoW (Aaron Long)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden in Coleraine (Shaun Hartin)

This evening, a drake Garganey and 2 Ruff were at Lough Beg (David Steele)

Bird News Wednesday 2nd July 2025

Spoonbill, 2 Little Gulls and 6+ Common Sandpipers at Belfast Lough WoW this morning (Daniel Newton). Also the eclipse drake Garganey (Richard Gray). Little Ringed Plover also reported early afternoon and 2 seen this evening (Daniel Newton).

A second brood of 3 Long-eared Owlets at Castle Espie (Castle Espie WWT).

Immature female Marsh Harrier and adult Mediterranean Gull still at Inch, Co Donegal (Michael Huggins).

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Robert Boyle:



Bird News Tuesday 1st July 2025

The Little Ringed Plover, Spoonbill and eclipse male Garganey were all still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. The two Little Gulls were at WoW this evening. (Daniel Newton).

A fisherman has reported an Osprey at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke).

A Water Rail was calling from the reedbed at Billy Neill Park and a Yellowhammer was singing in the fields behind. (Karl Martin).