nibirds: 2025

Bird News Friday 16th May 2025

Little Tern at Belfast Lough WoW 0720 also the drake Garganey still present near the visitor centre (Daniel Newton). 2 Little Gulls and 6 Mediterranean Gulls at 11am but no sign of the Little Tern (Ian Enlander).

White Stork of unknown origin near Glarryford yesterday evening and this morning but not since. In silage fields at crossroads of Killagan/Bellaghy Roads. Farmer said bird was unworried by his presence (Derek McClean).

Garganey; William Smiton (1), Ian Enlander (2 & 3), Stephen Maxwell (4):

Little Tern, Daniel Newton:

White Stork, Derek McClean:

Yellow-legged Gull, Mel O’Hagan:

Bird News Thursday 15th May 2025

Drake Garganey and Ruff remain at Belfast Lough WoW (Richard Gray). Also Little Gull and 2 Arctic Terns (Derek Polley).

Osprey over Portmuck towards the Gobbins (Adam McClure).

Cuckoo flew through Billy Neill CP; unusual here (Bob Watts).

A late Redwing on Tory (Jim Wells et al).

A new Wood Sandpiper at Lough Beg this evening, also Ruff & Reeve, 2nd calendar year Little Gull (David Steele).

Yellow Wagtail at Kinnego Marina, Oxford Island (Darren Headley).

Bird News Wednesday 14th May 2025

A drake Garganey is at RSPB WoW, Belfast (Amy Minnis). A Ruff and Arctic Tern are also present (Stuart Cossey)

The drake Garganey was still present at RSPB WoW this evening, to the west of the visitor centre (Michael Latham / Stuart McKee)

The drake American Wigeon was still at Lough Beg. Two pairs of Eurasian Wigeon were also present (David Steele)

David Steele, American Wigeon:

BTO NI's Big Nature Day

BTO NI's Big Nature Day

Saturday 7th June, at Oxford Island, Co. Armagh

Join us for a day of interactive workshops for people of all ages to develop their wildlife skills and learn from others.

There'll be some bird-focussed workshops - nest finding, birdsong identification, a celebration of Garden BirdWatch in Northern Ireland, and a ringing demonstration - but also an opportunity to explore other things like plants, pollinators, and pond life.

We at BTO NI would be really grateful if you could pass this on to any people you know or groups you’re part of that might be interested. This event is aimed at both those new to nature and those more experienced, to explore wildlife together in a sociable, friendly, and fun environment!

Booking is essential! More info, programme, and booking: https://www.bto.org/community/events/202506-bto-nis-big-nature-day

Bird News Tuesday 13th May 2025

2 Spotted Flycatchers were at Slievenacloy this afternoon. (Sean Gibson).

A pair of Dippers were at Billy Neill Park. (Karl Martin).

A Garden Warbler was at Ely Lodge Forest in Co. Fermanagh. (M Duffy).

An Osprey was at Portmore this evening. (Daniel Newton).

Sedge Warbler, Karl Martin.

The Birds of Donegal - Book Launch

NI Birds viewers are invited to the launch of THE BIRDS OF COUNTY DONEGAL, RESIDENTS, REGULARS AND RARITIES by Ralph Sheppard, with illustrations by Robert Vaughan and paps by Cóilín MacLochlainn.

It will be Launched by Eric Dempsey as part of Le Chéile don Dúlra (Together for Nature), a festival of events at Glenveagh National Park to celebrate, National Biodiversity Week, 4pm, on Thursday 22 May Marquee, Glenveagh National Park. RSVP is required by Friday 16 May to: corkuniversitypress@ucc.ie

Bird News Monday 12th May 2025

An Osprey was at Church Island, Lough Beg. A Little Gull was also present. (Chris Murphy)

A ringed White Stork has been seen at Termon, Co Donegal (per Daniel Maloney)

The first summer Little Gull was still at RSPB WoW (Stuart McKee)

The Fairy Bridges, Bundoran, had a male and female Surf Scoter and a Velvet Scoter (Derek Brennan)

A drake Garganey was at Portmore RSPB (Richard Caves / Sean Gibson)

A drake Garganey was also at the Quoile (David Stirling)

A Yellow Wagtail was hear calling when flying north, over Copeland BO (Ben Sheldon)

Drake Surf Scoter, Derek Brennan:

Garganey, Portmore, Richard Caves:

Bird News Sunday 11th May 2025

A White-rumped Sandpiper is at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke).

A male Garganey is on Craigavon north lake. (Ed O'Hara).

1, possibly 2, Quail calling around this location at Moneyreagh, Co Down. (Please do not enter the fields) https://maps.app.goo.gl/HKuQqZwVZxRc4v7B9g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy (Simon Morton).

4 Whinchats were on the Old Cushendall Road. (Chris Veale).

3 Garden Warblers were at Ely Forest, Co. Fermanagh. (Ian Young, Sean Gibson).

A Ruff was on the rocks of the small island off the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

6 pairs of Mediterranean Gulls, the 1st year Little Gull, 7 Whimbrel and a Kittiwake were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart McKee).

14 Crossbills were near Clabby. (Colin Bell).

A male American Wigeon, a new Wood Sandpiper and the Great White Egret were at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

Garganey, Ed O'Hara.

Garganey, Garry Armstrong.

American Wigeon, David Steele.

Bird News Saturday 10th May 2025

The Marsh Harrier was still at Portmore. (Aaron Long ) A Wood Sandpiper has also dropped into Portmore and a Great White Egret was to the right of the viewing platform.(Michael Latham).

The Little Gull was still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Daniel Newton).

Marsh Harrier, Michael Latham:

Bird News Friday 9th May 2025

The Red-footed Falcon at Altnarichard was looked for without success this morning. (Mervyn Campbell).

A White-tailed Eagle was in the Antrim Hills. (David Clarke).

A female Marsh Harrier was at Lough Cowey. (David Stirling).

Two Wood Sandpipers at Lough Beg this evening…new birds…total seven at Lough Beg in the past week (David Steele).

A Little Tern is at Portmore. (Garry Armstrong).

A female Marsh Harrier was at Portmore this afternoon. (Karl Martin).

A Spotted Flycatcher was in a garden at Annahilt. (Garry Wilkinson).

White-tailed Eagle, David Clarke.

Marsh Harrier, Karl Martin.

Bird News Thursday 8th May 2025

A female Red-footed Falcon plus either another Red-footed Falcon or a Kestrel (too distant), from Altarichard Car Park, Slievenora at 7.40am (Chris Murphy). The bird was seen in the same area early afternoon (Ian Young)

The Little Gull remains at RSPB WoW (Adam McClure / Derek Polley)

6 Purple Sandpipers were at the Portballintrae end of Bushfoot Strand (Chris Murphy)

There are two seats available for the 5:30pm round Rathlin boat trip tomorrow. Contact Jim Wells, 07856235144 for further details.

Cuckoo, William Smiton:

Bird News Wednesday 7th May 2025

The White Stork was seen flying east near Moy this morning (Richard Caves) https://maps.app.goo.gl/YLuFQVxWb3YhyQxCA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

A female Marsh Harrier was at Portmore Lough RSPB. (Chris Veale). The Marsh Harrier still present at 2.30 this afternoon. (Stevie Brennan).

A Spotted Flycatcher was singing in the Larchfield Estate near Hillsborough. (Garry Wilkinson).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Castle Espie and a Dark-bellied Brent was with a group of Pale-bellied Brent. A Little Gull was at the Quoile. (Tom Ennis, Joan Smyth)

White Stork, Richard Caves.

Bird News Tuesday 6th May 2025

A female Ring Ouzel was at the east end of Tory Island (Anton Meenan)

Lough Beg had an adult White-tailed Eagle, immature Marsh Harrier and Little Gull (David Steele)

Two Curlew Sandpiper are at Blanketnook (Derek Brennan)

The Spotted Redshank was still at Castle Espie this evening. (Wilton Farrelly / Philip West)

Whimbrel continue to be seen in good numbers. A high count of over 100 were in a field north of Portadown (Brian Nelson)

The Pacific Diver was again in Ballyheirnan Bay, Fanad (Jamie Bliss)

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Castlecoole, Enniskillen (M Duffy)

A White Stork has been reported feeding in a ploughed field at Collegeland, Co. Armagh (Lenny Harbison)

Bird News Monday 5th May 2025

A female Common Scoter was in Kinnegoe Bay at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

The Pacific Diver is back at Ballyheirnan Bay, Canada in Donegal. (Wilton Farrelly).

The male American Wigeon was still in the centre of Reedy Flats. (Aaron Long).

The Osprey was seen again over the viewing platform at Portmore. (Adam McClure).

A Marsh Harrier was at the Barmouth yesterday evening. (Mark McCullough).

A Wood Sandpiper was seen briefly at Portmore. (Ivan Quail, Nicky Lynn).

No sign of any Wood Sandpipers at Lough Beg this evening however a strong migration of 250+ Whimbrel, with many departing high to the northwest. Also a Great White Egret present. (David Steele).

Davagh Forest near Cookstown had two Spotted Flycatchers and two Cuckoo's. (Godfrey McRoberts).

An Arctic Tern was at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this evening. (Daniel Newton)

Common Sandpiper, Derek Polley.

Arctic Tern, Daniel Newton.

Bird News Sunday 4th May 2025

The two Wood Sandpiper and the Little Gull are still at the Quoile (Chris Veale). This afternoon, presumably one of the Wood Sandpiper’s was close to the Boat Club. The Little Gull and Whooper were also present (Kevin Kirkham)

A summer plumaged Spotted Redshank is at Castle Espie (Chris and Tim Murphy)

A Spotted Flycatcher was in Finnobrogue (Chris Murphy). Another Spotted Flycatcher was at Barr Hall Bay (David Stirling) and one was on Rathlin (Ric Else)

There are now four Wood Sandpiper at Loug Beg (David Steele)

The drake American Wigeon was again at the centre of Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh (Garry Armstrong)

A Wood Sandpiper was at Portmore early afternoon (Dermot Hughes)

An Osprey was fishing at Portmore this afternoon (Conor McCoy). It was present to 8:15 (Chris Veale)

The Osprey was seen again at the Bann Estuary this afternoon (Ben McCook)

Late news is of a Yellow Wagtail on April 30 at Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, Co Antrim (Ian Ruppenthal)

Spotted Redshank, Chris Veale:

Wood Sandpiper, Portmore, Richard Caves:

Cuckoo, Murlough, Paul Hunter:

Bird News Saturday 3rd May 2025

Two Wood Sandpipers and the adult Little Gull are at the Quoile this morning. (David Stirling).

The Osprey is still at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke)

Four Garganey, two males and two females, are off the viewing platform at Inch in Donegal. (Derek Brennan).

A 2nd year Glaucous Gull was at the Barmouth. (Theo Campbell).

The female Ring Ousel is still showing on Rathlin today. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

The Little Gull and at least six Mediterranean Gulls are at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Karl Martin).

An Osprey was near Rossharbour, Lower Lough Erne. A Ring-billed Gull was at the Round O in Enniskillen. (John Cusack).

Ring Ousel, Ric Else.

Little Gull, Karl |Martin.

Mediterranean Gulls, Karl Martin.

Bird News Friday 2nd May 2025

A Little Gull was at RSPB WoW this morning (Daniel Newton)

Ten Mediterranean Gulls (including a 2nd year pair) are at RSPB WoW (Daniel Newton / Juliet Fleming / Adam McClure)

Whimbrel have been reported in large numbers. 300+ were at Malin Head yesterday (Ronan McLoughlin)

A Wood Sandpiper was at the Quoile. A Little Gull and Whooper Swan were also present. (Chris and Tim Murphy)

Whimbrel, Killard, Terry Hanna:

Mediterranean Gull, RSPB WoW, Juliet Fleming:

Bird News Thursday 1st May 2025

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve had the Little Gull, Common Sandpiper, 8 adult and a 2nd calendar year Mediterranean Gulls and an Arctic Tern. (Derek Polley, Ronnie Doggart, John Fraser).

An Osprey is at the Bann Estuary. (James Algeo-Orr, Richard Donaghey)

A female Ring Ousel is on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Two Mediterranean Gulls were off the hide at the Quoile. (David Stirling).

A Wood Sandpiper, female Ruff and Great White Egret are at Lough Beg. (David Steele).

Cuckoo, Stevie Brennan.

Bird News Wednesday 30th April 2025

One of the Cettis Warblers was close to McNabbs, Killough. A Reed Warbler was also singing closeby (Chris Murphy)

A male Whinchat was on Rathlin this morning (Ric Else)

A Garganey was at Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan)

Another Cettis Warbler has been found, this time at Lough Cowey, Co Down. (Dermot Hughes)

Cuckoo, Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler and Swifts are now widely reported.

There are reports that the Bottle-nosed Dolphin at Portaferry was been harassed by Jet Skiers. If anyone observes this behaviour, please video and pass to the PSNI as this is a wildlife crime.

Willow Warbler, Terry Hanna:

Bird News Tuesday 29th April 2025

On Saturday a Reed Warbler was trapped and ringed on Copeland. (Chris Acheson).

3 Cuckoos were at Peatlands Park. (Ed O'Hara).

A Tree Pipit was seen and heard near Omagh. (Clare Lickford).

2 Tree Pipits were at Keeble on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

A single Red Grouse was at Murley Mountain near Fivemiletown. (Colin Bell)

Swifts are now being reported from many areas.

Reed Warbler, Chris Acheson.

Cuckoo, Ed O'Hara.

Swift, Jonathan Cooke.

Tree Pipit, Ric Else.

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.