Bird News Monday 1st September 2025

 The Spoonbill is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning along with 10 Ruff. (Joe Sweeney, Missy Zepeda).

Two Swifts were over the M2 between Antrim and Belfast. (Alan Fitzsimmons).

Yesterday a Swift was over Galgorm in Ballymena. (Richard Gray).

A Swift was over Ballygally on the Antrim coast this afternoon. (Paula Campbell).

There was no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper at Lady Bay, 2 Ruff were at Portmore. (Sean Gibson).

Garron Point for a couple of hours this evening in moderate southwesterlies had a single Great Skua and 60+ Storm Petrels, the ‘Stormies’ mostly heading north offshore, one every couple of minutes or so, a few lingering, also Brent Geese on the move, total 150 flew south. (David Steele)

Bird News Sunday 31st August 2025

2 Ospreys still at the Bann Estuary (Garry Armstrong et al).

Greenish Warbler still on Tory, Donegal for 3rd day (Anton Meenan).

Spoonbill and several Ruff still at Belfast Lough WoW Reserve (Daniel Newton). Also Peregrine there (Michael Latham / Derek Polley)

St John’s seawatch 0830-1030 produced Storm Petrel, 3 Great Northern Diver, 3 Common Scoter (Chris Veale).

7+ Arctic Skuas (3+ pale, 4+ dark), Great Northern Diver Magilligan Point (Garry Armstrong / Wilton Farrelly / Bob Watts / Philip West / Daniel Newton / Sean Gibson).

2 Curlew Sandpiper, 10+ Mediterranean Gulls at Myroe. c60 Brent Geese, Ruff and Whimbrel at Ballykelly (Garry Armstrong, Daniel Newton et al).

Green Sandpiper Shaws Bridge, Co Armagh (Joe Devlin).

Garron Point from 1250-1850 in strong southerlies had one Leach’s Petrel, four Storm Petrels, one Sooty, 5,000+ Manx, five Arctic Skuas, four Arctic Terns, five Common Terns, 54 Sandwich Terns and 35 Brent Geese (David Steele)

This evening, the Pectoral Sandpiper and 25 Ruff were at Lady Bay (John Cusack)

Swifts at Castlerock, over M2 and 2 at Ballykelly (Bob Watts et al).

First summer Mediterranean Gull, Antrim Marina, Gareth Platt:

Spoonbill, Michael Latham:

Bird News Saturday 30th August 2025

7 Brent Geese over Kinnegar (Stuart Cossey).

The Little Ringed Plover is still at Belfast Lough RSPB (Michael Latham). Also juvenile Peregrine caught a Dunlin and flew off (Leia Getty). Little Stint still present at rear of reserve, also Spoonbill still and 2 Whimbrel (Kevin Kirkham). 2 Little Stints late afternoon (Leia Getty).

The Greenish Warbler is present for its second day on Tory, Co Donegal (Anton Meenan).

Tree Pipit mid morning over fields, White Wagtail Bar Hall Bay also Whimbrel at Ballyquintin Point. Whimbrel Kearney (Bob Watts).

Pectoral Sandpiper still Lady Bay with 8 Ruff (Garry Armstrong).

Osprey on the Bann Estuary (Mark McCullough). 2 Osprey this evening , Ruff, Mediterranean Gull, 2 Arctic Terns (John Spottiswood / Alwyn).

Pectoral Sandpiper, Michael Latham:

Little Stints, Leia Getty:

Bird News Friday 29th August 2025

 The Spoonbill and at least 18 Ruff were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). A Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper were also present. (Stephen Riddell). Also a single Whimbrel present. (Stuart McKee). A Peregrine was present this afternoon. (Leia Getty).

A Red Grouse and a Wheatear were at Fardross Mountain in Co. Tyrone. (Colin Bell).

A Little Stint was at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this afternoon. (Daniel Newton).

At least 12 Ruff at Lady Bay, the Pectoral Sandpiper was not seen but may have been present this morning. (Jim Wells).

The Pectoral Sandpiper was still at Lady Bay this afternoon. (Richard Caves).

An Osprey was off the hide at the Barmouth, an Arctic Skua was present this afternoon. (John Spottiswood).

Ramore Head between 2-4pm had 2 Great Shearwaters, 1 Little Egret, 1 Puffin and 2 Bonxie. (Dennis Weir).

A three hour sea watch from Fanad Head this afternoon produced 4 Wilson’s Petrel, 6 Sabines Gulls, 1 Long Tailed Skua, 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Bonxies, 1 Great Shearwater and 4 Sooty Shearwaters. (Wilton Farrelly/ Jamie Bliss).

A seawatch at Glencolmcille, Donegal from 10.30 to 3 o’clock had 50 Sabines Gulls, 3 Long Tail Skuas, a Pomarine Skua, 3 Great Skuas, 15 Great Shearwaters, 11 Sooty Shearwaters. (Gerard McGeehan, Anthony McGeehan).

Ruff, Gerry Bond.

Knot, Gerry Bond.

Bird News Thursday 28th August 2025

No sign yet of the Temmicks Stint today (Sean Gibson et al)

Two Whimbrel and 10 Ruff were the best at RSPB WoW, early morning (Daniel Newton)

A Marsh Harrier was at Portmore Lough RSPB early morning (Sean Gibson)

10 Ruff, a Little Ringed Plover and a Common Sandpiper were at RSPB WoW (Derek Polley)

14 Ruff, 2 Curlew Sandpiper are at Inch, Donegal. 2 Little Stint are at Blanketnook (Chris Ingram)

The Pectoral Sandpiper and 15 Ruff were at Lady Bay (Richard Caves)

Swifts are still been reported. 

Pectoral Sandpiper, Richard Caves:

Little Ringed Plover, Stuart McKee:

BTO NI Birdwatchers’ Conference

Saturday 1st November 2025

We're back at the wonderful Lough Neagh Discovery Centre for the BTO NI annual conference! Join us for a day of bird-related talks, birdwatching, and socialising at Oxford Island Nature Reserve, near Craigavon.

With talks on NI's rare breeding birds, Red-necked Phalarope Conservation in Co. Mayo, bioacoustic monitoring of seabirds, NI's Whooper Swans, and more. Come along to hear about bird research, monitoring, and conservation work happening in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Tickets are £25, or £10 for a young person's or low-income ticket, and includes tea/coffee and lunch.

Find more details and book your place here: https://www.bto.org/our-work/events/bto-northern-ireland-birdwatchers-conference-2025

Bird News Wednesday 27th August 2025

8 Ruff at Belfast Lough (Jake Grant). 10 Ruff, 2 Whimbrel early afternoon (Stuart McKee / Bob Watts).

2 late Swifts near Ballymac on the Lisburn/ Dundrod Road (Richard Gray).

Pectoral Sandpiper still present with 12+ Ruff at Lady Bay (Tom Garner).

2 Green Sandpipers and 22 Ruff at Lough Beg also a late Swift (David Steele).

Temminck’s Stint this evening at Portmore Lough (Sean Gibson).

Temminck’s Stint: Aaron Long:

Pectoral Sandpiper, Paul Hunter:

Bird News Tuesday 26th August 2025

 The Pectoral Sandpiper and 8 Ruff were still at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh. (Tony Dodds). The bird was still present this afternoon. (Juliet Fleming)

In Donegal Inch had a Marsh Harrier and 13 Ruff and Blanket Nook had 2 Little Stint and 4 Ruff. (Theo Campbell, Chris Ingram).

The Pectoral Sandpiper and 10 Ruff were still at Lady Bay this evening, a female Hen Harrier was over Ballyvannon Road. (Sean Gibson).

Two Osprey still at Bann with Peregrine and four Ruff. Two dark morph Artic Skua and a Wheatear at Magiligan. (Garry Wilkinson, NIOC).

Between 30 and 40 Mediterranean Gulls were at Ratallagh shore between Cloughy and Portavogie. (Graham McElwaine).

Pectoral Sandpiper, Juliet Fleming.

Bird News Monday 25th August 2025

The female Garganey is still preset on the main lake, Castle Espie (Jonny Clark)

11 Ruff are at Inch, Co Donegal (Chris Ingram)

The Pectoral Sandpiper at Lady Bay has been identified from photographs as present on Thursday 21st August (Richard Caves / Oscar Campbell). The bird was still present today (Richard Caves \ Sean Gibson)

An Osprey and 3 Ruff were at the Bann Estuary. An Arctic Skua was off Portstewart (Stephen Riddell)

An Osprey was seen at Oxford Island at 11am (Colin Kennedy)

4 Bonxie were at Kilclief (Tim Davis)

The Spoonbill and a Ruff were at the Quoile (Aaron Long)

A seawatch at St John’s Point, Co Down between 3:30 and 5:30, had an Arctic Skua and a Storm Petrel (Aaron Long)

Garganey, Castle Espie, Jonny Clark:

Pectoral Sandpiper, Richard Caves:

Osprey, Colin Kennedy:

Bird News Sunday 24th August 2025

Juvenile Long-tailed Skua and adult Arctic Skua with 100s of Kittiwake and terns at Killard Point by 7am (Stuart Cossey).

Pectoral Sandpiper still at Lady Bay with 8 Ruff. (Dermot Hughes / Gerard McGeehan/ Comghal McQuillan).

Nearby Marsh Harrier at Portmore Lough which was still present this evening (Dermot Hughes /  Ken Simpson / Charlie MacFarlane).

Ringtail Hen Harrier at Reedy Flats (Garry Armstrong).

Juvenile Little Ringed Plover, 9 Ruff and Common Sandpiper at Belfast Lough (Stuart McKee).

Red Kite in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham).

Osprey still Bann Estuary (per John Clarke / Karl Martin)

Adult Little Gull at Cloghfin Port, north of Black Head, Islandmagee this evening (Ian Enlander).

Marsh Harrier and Red Kite at Inch, Co Donegal (Michael Savage).

Osprey, Karl Martin:

Pectoral Sandpiper, Comghal McQuillan and Richard Caves:

Bird News Saturday 23rd August 2025

The Pectoral Sandpiper was still at Lady Bay along with 10 Ruff. (Michael Latham). The bird was still present this afternoon. (Richard Caves, Nigel Moore, Chris Veale).

A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Portmore. (Michael Latham).

2 Curlew Sandpipers were off the hide at the Barmouth, an Osprey was also present. (John Clarke).

A juvenile Corncrake was in a garden in Cookstown yesterday. 

An Osprey was over Strangford. (Stuart Cossey).

Pectoral Sandpiper.

Michael Latham

                                                                          Nigel Moore

                                                                       Richard Caves

                                                                       Richard Caves

Bird News Friday 22nd August 2025

RSPB WoW had the Little Ringed Plover and 6 Ruff. Kinnegar has a Whimbrel and White Wagtail (Stuart Cossey)  Later in the afternoon, two Little Ringed Plover and the Spoonbill were present (Gerard McGeehan). There are also increasing numbers of Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits (Tom Ennis / Laura Kerr) 

There are now 3 Osprey at the Barmouth, mid morning (Ian Mercer)

The Spoonbill is back at the Quoile (Dermot Hughes) An Osprey was also seen later early afternoon (Dan Baillie)

25 Ruff were at Lady Bay (Chris Hamilton)

Early evening a Pectoral Sandpiper was with the Ruff, at Lady Bay  It subsequently flew towards Portmore RSPB (Garry Armstrong)

Two Sooty Shearwaters, Balearic Shearwater, four Storm Petrels, four Arctic Skuas and two Arctic Terns amongst other seabirds off Galboly / Garron Point this evening (David Steele)

A Whale watching trip out of Killybegs late afternoon had 1 Great and 2 Arctic Skuas, 6 Sooties and 4 Storm Petrel. Also seen were 2 Fin Whale, at least one Humpback and several Minke (Derek Brennan)

Pectoral Sandpiper, Garry Armstrong:

Bird News Thursday 21st August 2025

 Two Red Kites were in the Antrim hill. (Kenny Moore, Ian Dickey).

32 Ruff were at Lady bay this morning. (Ed O'Hara). There were still 25 present this evening. (Richard Caves)

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve had 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 9 Ruff, a Common Sandpiper and there were still 4 Swifts present. (Derek Polley)

A Red Kite was seen from the train at Lurganare north of Newry. (Stuart Cossey).

Two Ospreys were still at the Barmouth. (Alwyn Spence).

A Green Sandpiper is at Portmore this evening. (John Cusack).

Ruff, Juliet Fleming.

Ruff, Richard Caves.

Bird News Wednesday 20th August 2025

Juvenile Garganey Castle Espie present for 3rd day (Dave Weir).

20+ Ruff at Lady Bay (David Clarke / John Pyper).

Spoonbill, Little Ringed Plover and 7 Ruff at Belfast Lough WoW (Jake Grant / Gerard McGeehan).

65+ Mediterranean Gulls between Portavogie and Cloughy (Dermot Hughes).

Bird News Tuesday 19th August 2025

Yesterday Rathlin had a Hen Harrier and a Corncrake was seen in flight (Ric Else)

A Mediterranean Gull was seen at Whitehead seafront (Kevin Kirkham)

The first Wheatears of the autumn have been moving through Rathlin (Ric Else)

Two Osprey were at the Barmouth this afternoon (Jim Wells)

14 Ruff were at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh (Chris Veale)

Blanketnook, Co Donegal had a Little Stint, a Wood Sandpiper and 14 Ruff (Derek Brennan)

Whimbrel, Bann Estuary, Gerry Bond:

Bird News Monday 18th August 2025

 The Spoonbill and 3 Ruff were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). The Spoonbill and Ruff were still present this afternoon along with the Little Ringed Plover and 3 Common Sandpipers. (Derek Brennan).

An Osprey was seen again at the Barmouth. (Ian Dickey). Two Ospreys were present early afternoon. (John Clarke).

Four Great Spotted Woodpeckers are visiting a garden on Windmill Road, Annahilt. (Andy Bingham, Garry Wilkinson).

Three Ruff were still at Lady Bay and another Ruff on the pools at Portmore. (Richard Caves).

A Balearic Shearwater went past Galboly / Garron Point this evening with the Manx ‘stream’…also a single Arctic Skua. (David Steele).

Inch in Donegal had 2 Wood Sandpipers, a Little Stint and 14 Ruff. (Derek Brennan).

Bird News Sunday 17th August 2025

The Osprey is still at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).

Spoonbill and Ruff still at Belfast Lough WoW also Little Gull at Kinnegar Shore (Daniel Newton). Great White Egret again early afternoon (Callum Beal).

4 Ruff Lady Bay (Ian Young).

Little Gull at the east end of Reedy Flats also female type Marsh Harrier (Garry Armstrong / Ed O’Hara / Michael Latham). 

Osprey flew south over Mullaghboy, Islandmagee towards Whitehead at 1229 (Kevin Kirkham).

Wood Sandpiper, 2 Great White Egrets and Garganey at Lough Beg (David Steele).

Negative news on the Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Myroe Levels but a lot of work going on on the field  it was in (Mervyn Guthrie).

Ruff, Richard Caves:

Spoonbill, Stephen Maxwell.

Bird News Saturday 16th August 2025

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was still at Myroe this morning (Michael Latham)

Two Ruff are at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh (Tom Garner)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Harbour Meadows, Belfast (Stuart Cossey)

The Great White Egret was in the Kinnegar area this morning before flying towards RSPB WoW (Stuart Cossey)

One of the Ospreys was showing well at the Bann Estuary this morning (Mel O’Hagan)

A trip to Tory Island had over 120 Corys Shearwaters, a Pomarine Skua, Grey Phalarope, a Willow Warbler and 2 Chiffchaff (Derek Brennan)

39  Shearwater were seen early evening passing Fanad Head (Wilton Farrelly)

The Wood Sandpiper was still at Church Island, Lough Beg (Ivan Quail)

An Arctic Skua and a Great Skua were off Galboly, Co Antrim this evening (David Steele)

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (and Sanderling and Knot), Ronald Surgenor:

Bird News Friday 15th August 2025

The Great White Egret and Ruff were still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). The Great White Egret was still present this afternoon along with the Spoonbill and Common Sandpipers. (Jake Grant, David Stirling). The Little Ringed Plover was also present this afternoon. (Stuart McKee).

Two Ospreys were again at the Barmouth this morning. (Jonny Rosborough). One Osprey was present this evening. (Ben McCook).

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper and a female Garganey were at Myroe. (Mervyn Campbell).

Five Ruff and a Little Gull were at Lady Bay. (Richard Caves).

The Osprey was still at Portmore. (Sean Gibson).

Another Wood Sandpiper is at Lough Beg, on the open mud at Church Island, dropped in this afternoon. Also present were 2 Great White Egrets, 22 Ruff and 10 Swift. (David Steele).

There is a report of an Osprey at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. Birdguides).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Mervyn Campbell.

Ruff, Richard Caves.

Little Gull, Richard Caves.

Bird News Thursday 14th August 2025

A Great White Egret was at RSPB WoW. The Spoonbill and a Ruff were also present (Daniel Newton)

The Great White Egret was still present at 10am along with the Little Ringed Plover (Jake Grant)

A Green Sandpiper was on Rathlin this morning (Ric Else)

An Osprey remains off the hide at the Bann Estuary (John Clarke)

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was again at Myroe with the Golden Plover flock. A Ruff was also present (Sean Gibson / Ian Young)

Lough Beg this evening had  Great White Egret, 2 Green Sandpiper and 10 juvenile Ruff (David Steele)

A small flock of Fieldfare were in barley stubble at Myroe. (Rhys Jones).

Great White Egret, Spoonbill and Grey Heron, Daniel Newton:

Osprey, John Clarke:

Great White Egret, RSPB WoW, Alan Fitzsimmons:

Bird News Wednesday 13th August 2025

A Buff-breasted Sandpiper was at Myroe. Also Quail nearby (Aaron Long / Ian Young). 

Single Ruff still at Belfast Lough WoW early morning also c5 Common Sandpipers (Daniel Newton).

Red Kite over house near Annahilt (Garry Wilkinson).

2 Ospreys at the Barmouth (Ian Dickey).

Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Aaron Long:

Red Kite, Garry Wilkinson:

Bird News Tuesday 12th August 2025

 The Osprey was upstream from the hide at the Barmouth this morning. There were 2 Ospreys present mid morning.(Jonny Rosborough).

The Spoonbill and 4 Common Sandpipers are at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Jake Grant). Also single Ruff early morning (Daniel Newton).

The Osprey was seen again from the hide at Portmore between 12 and 1 o'clock. (Robbie Hughes).

A Wood Sandpiper (a new bird) was in the southwest corner of Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

Osprey, Stephen Riddell.

Wood Sandpiper, David Steele.

Bird News Monday 11th August 2025

The Little Ringed Plover and a Ruff were at RSPB WoW this morning (Daniel Newton). The Spoonbill, 2 Little Ringed Plover and a number of Ruff were there late morning. There was also a high count of 8 Common Sandpiper (Jake Grant)

A Reed Warbler was off the hide at the Quoile (Garry Wilkinson)

A Garganey, 2 Green Sandpiper and 6 Ruff were at Lough Beg (David Steele)

At least 3 Quail were off the Carrowclare Road, Limavady (Derek Brennan / Theo Campbell). On no account should any of the fields be entered.

Spoonbill, Jake Grant:

Bird News Sunday 10th August 2025

The Osprey is still at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).

The Osprey is still present at the Barmouth (Ian Dickey).

The Spoonbill has returned to Belfast Lough WoW also Little Ringed Plover and Ruff (Daniel Newton).

Juvenile Marsh Harrier and ringtail Hen Harrier east end of Reedy Flats (Garry Armstrong).

Storm Petrel from a 45 minute seawatch off Copeland (Steven Fyffe).

4 Whimbrel Ballyquintin Point. Common Sandpiper Kearney (Bob Watts).

At damp fields south of Poyntzpass this afternoon, there was a green sand and over 80 pied wagtails. Green sand stuck to the drains (Dermot Hughes).

A female Peregrine hunting crows on a farm on the Loanends Road this morning (Lydia Heaney).

Bird News Saturday 9th August 2025

An Osprey was at the Barmouth at 6.30 this morning. (Kenny Moore). 2 birds yesterday evening according to local fishermen (per John Clarke). The Osprey is still present at 10.30. (Ian Dickey).

Late news from yesterday evening of a Quail calling at Crindle (Richard Donaghey).

Sub-adult spoonbill at Quoile hide at 10:30am. (Dermot Hughes).

Dark phase Arctic Skua off the hide at the Barmouth. (Michael Latham).

The Little Ringed Plover, Ruff and Whimbrel were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Daniel Newton).

Five Stock Doves near Glenwherry between Larne and Ballymena. (Jim Wells).

About 50 Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke).

Yesterday evening 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Storm Petrels were off Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

The Quail was still calling around Crindle near Myroe. (Sean Gibson)

A Green Sandpiper was on the River Maine at Slaght this evening. (David Steele).

Arctic Skua, Michael Latham.

Bird News Friday 8th August 2025

An Osprey and 4 Mediterranean Gull were at the Barmouth. A Ruff was on the Bann estuary (Theo Campbell)

A Goosander was at Glynn (Sean Gibson)

A Ruff and 2 Common Sandpiper were at RSPB WoW (Stuart Cossey)

An Osprey was at Portmore RSPB this evening (Garry Armstrong)

2 Arctic Skua were off Magilligan (Sean Gibson)

Whimbrel, Dundrum Inner Bay, David Clarke:

Bird News Thursday 7th August 2025

 The Little Ringed Plover is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning. (Daniel Newton). The Spoonbill is also still at the reserve. (Jake Grant).

An Osprey was at the Bann Estuary. (John Clarke).

Two Wood Sandpipers, four Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, Water Rail with chick and a Viking Gull were at Blanket Nook/Inch in Donegal. (Theo Campbell, Chris Ingram).

A flock of 8 Twite were on Fairhead. (Jim Wells)

Carrigart in Donegal had four Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Gull and a juvenile Cuckoo. (Oscar Campbell).

19 Mediterranean Gulls at Myroe this pm plus a further 3 at Ballykelly. (All adult or 2nd year birds.) (Matthew Tickner).

An Arctic Skua was near Rinagree and a Wheatear was at Harbour Hill, Portstewart on the north coast. (Juliet Fleming).

Arctic Skua, Juliet Fleming.

Bird News Wednesday 6th August 2025

2 Wood Sandpipers at Inch, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).

Arctic Skua from Ramore Head, also a Wheatear (Juliet Fleming).

Osprey and Red Kite in the Antrim Hills, the former heading towards Woodburn (Michael Latham).

3 Arctic Skuas off Portstewart Strand (Jonny Rosborough).

Little Gull at Lady Bay (Sean Gibson).

Wood Sandpiper, 13 Ruff (2 juveniles), Garganey and juvenile Mediterranean Gull at Lough Beg this evening (David Steele).

Dark phase Arctic Skua off Rinagree Point (Tom Garner).

Red-necked Phalarope at Blanket Nook, Co Donegal (Derek Brennan).

Arctic Skua, 60 Whimbrel and 9 Common Scoter past Portstewart this evening (Matthew Tickner).

Osprey, Michael Latham:

Wood Sandpiper, Derek Brennan: