Bird News Saturday 15th September 2026

An immature Marsh Harrier was at Todd’s Point, Ardmore, Lough Neagh. The bird subsequently moved to Reedy Flats (Garry Armstrong) A Whimbrel was also there (Oscar Campbell)

Melmore Head Donegal in 2 hrs this morning had 14 Cory's, 7 Sooty, c3000 Manx, 1 Bonxie, 1 Arctic Skua, 9 Whimbrel & 2 Great Northern Diver (Eric Randall)

An Osprey was at Canmore Viewpoint, near Fivemiletown this afternoon (Colin Bell)

Bird News Friday 14th August 2026

 An immature Marsh Harrier was at Starbog Road in the Antrim hills, heading west. (Clive Mellon).

A Chough was at the Bann Estuary. (Tomas Hand).

An Osprey was at Castle Island hide at the Quoile. (Ann-narie Smyth).

A Mediterranean Gull was at McDonald's at Sprucefield outside Lisburn at lunchtime. (Suzanne Belshaw).

A juvenile Wood Sandpiper and six Common Sandpipers were at Lady Bay. (Garry Armstrong).

A Whimbrel was at Orlock Point. (Jonathan Fallows).

A pelagic from Teelin in Donegal 8am to 3pm: approximate totals, 30 Cory’s, 4 Sooty, 17 Great Shearwaters, 100+ European Storm Pet8, 3 Wilsons Petrels, 4 Great Skuas, an Arctic Skua. Also 2 Minke Whales, Common Dolphins and 2 Sunfish. (Wilton Farrelly et al).

Osprey, Ann-marie Smyth.




Mediterranean Gull, Suzanne Belshaw.



Bird News Thursday 13th August 2026

Male Wheatear at Penny Burn, Lough Foyle shore, Derry (John Spottiswood).

Spotted Redshank still at north end Lough Mourne with 2 Greenshank, 1 Redshank and 1 Common Sandpiper - a nice Tringa-fest. Also 12 Clouded Yellow (Dermot Hughes / Ian Enlander).

Bird News Wednesday 12th August 2026

An Osprey flew over the Ormeau Road, Belfast this morning (Stuart Cossey)

3 Ruff were at Inch, Co Donegal (Chris Ingram)

The juvenile Spotted Redshank was still at Lough Mourne, Carrickfergus (Ivan Quail)

A juvenile Wood Sandpiper was at Lough Beg (David Steele)

A Green Sandpiper was in Killough Harbour this evening (Chris Murphy)

The Peregrine breeding season is winding down. It was not an outstanding one but we are aware of 53 pairs fledging 116 young. The Sperrins and Fermanagh did well but it was a poor year in Down and Armagh. The dominance of quarries continued with no fewer than 37 successful nests. That compared to 8 coastal sites with young and another 8 successful natural inland cliffs. Three persecution incidents (all in quarries) were identified. If you have details on any breeding you can forward to Jim Wells at 07856 235144

Bird News Tuesday 11th August 2026

 An Osprey was at Lough Muck near Omagh. (Mary Arundell).

Yesterday the Little Ringed Plover was still present on Rathlin. (Ric Else).

A Whimbrel was showing well at the Barmouth hide this morning. The Osprey was not seen. (Rev Rhys Jones).

A Kestrel was at Garry Bog near Ballymoney. (James Armour)

Kestrel, James Armour.



Bird News Monday 10th August 2026

2 calling Quail still at Myroe, one from Carrowclare Road. Also 2 juvenile Wheatears, 7 Mediterranean Gulls and probable Green Sandpiper (Theo Campbell / Paul McSwiggan).

Single distant Osprey at Bann Estuary this morning (Ian Dickey).

Osprey flew over Altnahinch Dam, North Antrim but didn’t appear to hang around (David Steele).

Storm Petrel off St John’s Point this morning (Daniel Bailie).

Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpipers, Mediterranean Gull and winter plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit on the Bann Estuary. Wader numbers still reasonable but much reduced compared to yesterday (John Spottiswood).

Osprey over Islandmagee heading SW over Belfast Lough towards Donaghadee (Kevin Kirkham).

2 Whimbrel at Lady Bay this afternoon (Richard Caves).

Whimbrel, Richard Caves:




Bird News Sunday 9th August 2026

A Balearic Shearwater went west past Fanad Head this morning (Wilton Farrelly)

A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was in the harbour at Rathlin. (Ric Else)

Two Osprey are at the Bann Estuary (John Clarke)

The Bann Estuary also had a good passage of waders including 12 Whimbrel (John Spottiswood)

Two Wheatear were at Killard Point (Dermot Hughes)

A juvenile Spotted Redshank and two Green Sandpiper were at Lough Mourne, Co Anyrim (Ivan Quail)

A Wood Sandpiper and a Mediterranean Gull were at the Bann Estuary this afternoon (Matthew Tickner)

A possible Lesser Yellowlegs was reported from the Quoile (Michael Stevenson)

Little Ringed Plover, Ric Else:


Water Rail, Portmore, Charlie MacFarlane:



Bird News Saturday 8th August 2026

A Ruff was off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

Yesterday evening over 200 Swifts were over Whitehead. (Ian Enlander).

A Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and two Ruff were in the centre of Reedy Flats, another Ruff was at the east end. (Garry Armstrong).

A Spotted Flycatcher was in Larchfield Estate outside Hillsborough. (Garry Wilkinson).

Twelve Mediterranean Gulls were at Cloghy beach. (Dermot Hughes). Yesterday Three adult Mediterranean Gulls were on the beach including a bird which was ringed in Belgium. (Graham McElwaine)

The Pectoral Sandpiper is still at Lough Beg this evening, on the western shoreline south of Church Island. (David Steele).

A single Ruff is still at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW. (Shane Brighton).

A Ruff, two Common Sandpipers and three Wheatears were at Myroe. (Steven Farquhar).

Swifts, Ian Enlander.



Bird News Friday 7th August 2026

Single Ruff amongst hundreds of Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit at Belfast Lough WoW (Stuart Cossey).

Adult Baird’s Sandpiper, Sheskinmore Lough, Co Donegal.

A Red Kite was over Baileysmill, between Ballynahinch & Lisburn, this morning (Andrew Upton).

Little Stint at Blanketnook, Donegal (Chris Ingram, Theo Campbell).

Single Great White Egret at Glynn with 2 at Magheramorne (Chris Holland, Warren Fowles).

Osprey from the Castle Island hide at the Quoile (Dermot Hughes).

3 Spotted Flycatchers at Kelly’s Wood near St John’s Point (Ann Feltham).

Green Sandpiper, small pond behind Downpatrick golf driving range (Chris Murphy).

Bird News Thursday 6th August 2026

3 Green Sandpiper were at the Blackstaff, Dundrum. St John’s point had a family of Spotted Flycatcher and a singing Stock Dove in Kelly’s Wood. A juvenile Whinchat was towards the old church on the left. (Dermot Hughes)

An Osprey was seen flying southeast past Ballee High School Ballymena at 1630 - possibly following the River Main to Lough Neagh (Richard Gray)

The best at RSPB WoW was a Common Sandpiper (Derek Polley)

The adult Pectoral Sandpiper was again at Lough Beg. Seven Ruff were also present (David Steele)

A Wheatear was at Coney Island, Co Down (Chris Murphy)

A high count of 2200 moulting Eider were off Macedon Point, Belfast Lough (Stuart McKee)

One, possibly two Quail were calling at the north end of Carse Road, Ballykelly (Martin Deehan)

Pectoral Sandpiper, David Steele:



Bird News Wednesday 5th August 2026

 A migrant Wheatear was at the Floodgates at Newtownards. (Bob Watts).

The Pectoral Sandpiper was seen again at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

Bird News Tuesday 4th August 2026

Arctic Skua south past Galboly in misty conditions (David Steele).

2 Common Sandpipers Barton Bay (Richard Caves).

Osprey still at the Barmouth (Jim Wells et al).

Common Sandpiper, Richard Caves:



Bird News Monday 3rd August 2026

The adult Pectoral Sandpiper was still off Church Island, Lough Beg, with Lapwings. There was no sign of the Little Ringed Plover. (David Steeel)

Three Mediterranean Gull were at Groomsport (Bob Watts)

The Osprey has again been reported from the Bann Estuary.

Bird News Sunday 2nd August 2026

A Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and 2 Common Sandpipers were off Croaghan hide at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

A Whimbrel was at Kearney. (Bob Watts).

A summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit was at Kinnegar shore. A Grasshopper Warbler was at Harbour meadows. (Stuart Cossey).

A Pectoral Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover were on the mudflat at Church Island, Lough Beg, keeping close company with an adult male Common Ringed Plover. (David Steele).

Pectoral Sandpiper, David Steele.


Little Ringed Plover, David Steele.





Bird News Saturday 1st August 2026

Fanad Head, Donegal, 0815-0945: 19 Cory’s Shearwaters, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, single Storm Petrel (Wilton Farrelly).

Great Shearwater from the Tory ferry.

Arctic Skua and juvenile Mediterranean Gull off Garron Point from Galboly (David Steele).

Bloody Foreland, Donegal 0720-1120: 120 Cory’s Shearwaters, 16 Sooty Shearwaters, 4 Long-tailed Skuas, 3 Pomarine Skuas, 3 Great Skuas, 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Puffin, 7 Arctic Terns, Red-throated Diver, Manx Shearwaters moving at c2000 per hour (Derek Brennan, Ingrid Drumcoe, Ralph Shepphard, Chris Ingram).

Quail again at a private site in the Sperrins (Robert Vaughan).

Bird News Friday 31st July 2026

A first summer Hobby was seen in the Sperrins, close to the Glenroan Portal Tomb (Robert Vaughan)

Two Mediterranean Gulls were at Portrush East Strand car park (Stephen Riddell)

A Common Sandpiper was on the main lake at Castle Espie (Jonathan Clark)

An adult Ruff and 3 Common Sandpiper were at RSPB WoW (Gerard McGeehan)

A Kestrel was at Ballynoe, Downpatrick (Garry Wilkinson)

A Chough and two Rock Doves were at store Head (Thomas Cullen)

18 European Storm Petrel were seen from the Cairnryan to Larne ferry this evening (Steven Farquhar)

A juvenile Ruff was at Lough Beg this evening (David Steele)

Common Sandpiper, Jonathan Clark:



Bird News Thursday 30th July 2026

 The Osprey was still at the Bann Estuary this morning. (James McDowell, Searlas Anderson).

Last night a Quail was singing in fields behind Burnfoot near Inch in Donegal. (Derek Brennan).

A Red Kite flew over the A8 outside Ballyclare this morning. (Jemma Davies).

A Red Kite was on Colin Mountain (Belfast hills) at 10 15 this morning (Ivan Cullen).

A seawatch from Rocky Point in Donegal this morning, 8.20-10.50am, wind West F3-4, had 126 Cory's Shearwaters, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 pale phase Pomarine Skua. Manx Shearwaters passing at roughly 1200/ hour. (John O'Boyle).

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve had 4 Common Sandpipers, 3 Knot and 640+ Black-tailed Godwits. (Derek Polley).

A male Harrier species flew from the Saintfield direction over Carryduff this morning. (Philip West).

Osprey, Searlas Anderson.



Bird News Wednesday 29th July 2026

 Long-eared Owl in Larne garden (Peter McCausland).

Long-eared Owl, Peter McCausland:



Osprey, James McDowell:



Bird News Tuesday 28th July 2026

An Osprey was at the Bann Estuary this morning (Stephen Riddell)

A Common Sandpiper was at RSPB WoW (Bob Watts)

A Little Stint was at the Bann Estuary this afternoon (Gerard McGeehan)

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Ballypatrick Forest (Tomás Hand)

Twelve Ruff and five juvenile Greenshank were at Church Island, Lough Beg. Earlier at Banagher Forest West Gate, eight Crossbills and a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen (David Steele)

Osprey, James McDowell:



Bird News Monday 27th July 2026

 Yesterday evening an Osprey was at the Bann Estuary. (James McDowell).

An Osprey flew south over Castle Espie this morning. (Jonny Clarke).

A Sooty Shearwater flew north west off Rathlin this morning. (Ric Else, Hazel Watson).

The Osprey was seen again at the Bann Estuary today. (Pat Hull, John Spottiswood).

The Quail is still calling from the wheat field opposite the big house on the road out to Ballyquintin Point. (Bob Watts).

Stock Doves were at Ringdufferin, Islandmore on Strangford Lough and Clea Lough. (Hugh Thurgate).

A single female Mandarin Duck was at Lough Beg this evening, thefirst observation of the species since last August which suggests arriving to complete post-breeding moulting. (David Steele).

Osprey, Jonny Clarke.



Bird News Sunday 26th July 2026

Bloody Foreland, Donegal in WNW5 6.30-9.30: 1585 Manx Shearwater, 10 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Cory’s Shearwater, 100 Fulmar, 1 Bonxie, 30 Kittiwake, 5 Sandwuch Tern, 15 Arctic Tern, 1 Great Northern Diver, 23 Whimbrel (Chris Ingram).

8 Ruff, 6 Greenshank, female type Goldeneye from Long Point, Lough Beg (Richard Gray).

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull and Sanderling at Belfast Lough WoW Reserve (Daniel Newton).

Whimbrel at Ballyquintin Point yesterday (Mo Rainey).

2nd cy Mediterranean Gull and Whimbrel at Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood).

Quail calling from wheat field opposite the big house on road out to Ballyquintin Point (Dermot Hughes / Michael Latham).

Fanad Head, Donegal 0720-1445: single Pomarine, Arctic and Great Skuas, 2 Great and 15 Sooty Shearwaters, Blue Fulmar (Stephen Dunbar).

Adult Puffin found dead yesterday near the entrance to Turnley’s Estate, north of Carnlough (Keith Glasgow).

Cuckoo, Ian Dickey:




Bird News Saturday 25th July 2026

A Quail was calling in the Sperrins, close to the private site where one was reported previously (Jamie Bliss)

The best in a one hour sea watch from Fanad Head, Donegal this morning were six Sooty Shearwater. (Wilton Farrelly)

Two Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpiper were at the Blackstaff River, Dundrum (Michael Latham)

A Long-eared Owl was around the Barmouth hide today (Dylan Thomas)

A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was in Church Bay, Rathlin. A Sooty Shearwater was also seen. (Ric Else)

Green Sandpipers, Michael Latham:

Phone pic of the Barmouth Long-eared Owl, Dylan Thomas:


Bird News Friday 24th July 2026

An adult Mediterranean Gull was in the East Strand carpark in Portrush. (Stephen Riddell).

Mediterranean Gull, Stephen Riddell.



Bird News Thursday 23rd July 2026

15 Mediterranean Gulls at Ballykelly this morning (Stephen Riddell).

2 Common Sandpipers, Arctic Tern, Sandwich Tern fledgling and 2 Common Terns ringed at Dublin Port in June 2024 (Derek Polley). Also this evening Ruff, juvenile Mediterranean Gull, 2 Knot, 3 Redshank, 89 Curlew, 693 Black-tailed Godwit. All RSPB WoW. (Stuart McKee, Daniel Newton).

Red Kites at Shillanavogy, Co Antrim and over a housing estate at Ryan Park just north of Roselawn (Hugh Thurgate).

Sanderling, John Clarke:



Bird News Wednesday 22nd July 2026

A Quail was calling today on the Ards peninsula off the Ballyquinton Road, Portaferry (Hugh Thurgate, Jim McNair)

A dark morph Arctic Skua was off the West Light, Rathlin (James Crymble)

Another Quail was in the Craigantlet Hills (Stuart Cossey)

Bird News Tuesday 21st July 2026

 Crossbills are widespread  and numerous today at Jenkin Forest, Co Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

A Common Sandpiper is at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Chris Hamilton).

A family  of Spotted Flycatchers were in Drumkeeragh Forest, Co.Down. (Dermot Hughes).

Bird News Monday 20th July 2026

Single Glossy Ibis again on shoreline of the small island at Long Point, Lough Beg…it’s an adult type in bright maroon breeding plumage therefore must be a new bird (flock of four seen recently were all dull 1st-summer types) (David Steele).

Clouded Yellow just south of Kearney yesterday by the rocky shore feeding on sea radish (Liam O’Hara).

Eclipse drake Pintail on the main lake at Castle Espie WWT (Jonathan Clark).

Crossbills at Gortin Glen Forest Park, Co Tyrone near the cafe/play park (Colin Bell).

Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel at Blackstaff Creek, Dundrum (Richard Caves).

Pintail, Jonathan Clark:


Common Sandpiper, Richard Caves:




Bird News Sunday 19th July 2026

Two Green Sandpiper and 8 Common Sandpiper were at the Blackstaff Creek, Dundrum (Dermot Hughes)

A Whimbrel was present with 128 curlews at high tide roost at Green Island, Inner Dundrum Bay this afternoon (Maurice McNeely)

Common Sandpiper, Richard Caves:



Bird News Saturday 18th July 2026

A juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 2 Common Sandpipers were at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh. (Garry Armstrong).

190+ Mediterranean Gulls at the south end Cloghy beach and about 20 more near Portavogie. 80% adults. (Dermot Hughes).

A Red Kite was over Culcavy outside Hillsborough. (Garry Armstrong).

An eagle species, probably White-tailed, with wing tags, was at the mouth of the River Maine, Lough Neagh. (Sam Andrews).

Bird News Friday 17th July 2026

2 Knots, 2 Sanderlings, singles of both Dunlin and Turnstone, 300 Redshanks, 10 Black-tailed Godwits, Greenshank and 5 Tufted Ducks Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood).

Pale phase Arctic Skua just west of Ramore Head at 5pm (Mel O’Hagan).

Roseate Tern NW of Letterkenny at Tramore Strand at 750pm (Rare Bird Alert).

Bird News Thursday 16th July 2026

Jenkin Forest, Co Fermanagh had good numbers of Crossbill, Great Spotted Woodpecker and a juvenile Cuckoo (Colin Bell)

Spotted Flycatchers were at Kiltariff Hall, Rathfriland. (Shelagh Henry)

Ruff, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 3 Common Terns ringed at Dublin port, also 11 Teal ducklings (Derek Polley)

A Red Kite was in the Antrim Hills (Chris Hamilton)

A Common Sandpiper was at Lady Bay (Richard Caves)

Bird News Wednesday 15th July 2026

 An Osprey was at Castle Island hide at the Quoile this morning. (Harvey Hughes).

Five Whimbrel were at Dundrum Inner Bay South with further singles at Green Island and Ardilea. (David Nixon)

Osprey, Harvey Hughes.



Bird News Tuesday 14th July 2026

5 Greenshank at the Bann Estuary (John Spottiswood).

A Spotted Flycatcher at Davagh Forest, Cookstown, Co Tyrone (Godfrey McRoberts).

Glossy Ibis and a Ruff from Long Point, Lough Beg (Ivan Quail).

Spotted Flycatcher in Annahilt garden (Garry Wilkinson).

Bird News Monday 13th July 2026

A Wood Sandpiper was atLough Beg, at 08.30 feeding in a wet muddy area but 08.45 started calling then flew high south (David Steele)

Two Common Sandpiper were at Lady Bay (Michael Latham)

A juvenile Mediterranean Gull was at RSPB WoW. A second year was at Macedonian Point (Stuart McKee)

A Great Northern Diver was calling this afternoon, offshore from the Police Station at Newcastle (Ann-Marie Smyth)

A Quail was heard singing at a sensitive site in the Sperrins (Robert Vaughan)

Quail, Sperrins, Robert Vaughan:



Bird News Sunday 12th July 2026

A Pectoral Sandpiper is at the Bann Estuary by old wooden pier, also 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a juvenile Greenshank. The Pectoral Sandpiper is still present at 2.30. (John Spottiswood).

Yellowhammer, Michael Latham.



Bird News Saturday 11th July 2026

Common Sandpiper at Lady Bay (Garry Armstrong).

Best off Magilligan Point this afternoon a single Red-throated Diver (Aaron Long).

2 Red Kites over Bryansford (Joanne Mansell).

Group of 3 Mediterranean Gulls (juvenile, adult winter and second summer) flew north past Garron Point (from Galboly). Manx Shearwaters passing north at c. 1,000 per hour (David Steele).

2 Great Northern Divers off Newcastle this evening one in breeding plumage (Mel O’Hagan).

Mull Trip

There are 3 seats available for the boat trip from Ballycastle to Mull on Friday 17th July. Great opportunity to watch Sea Eagles being fed close to the boat. Contact Jim Wells on -07856235144 for full details.

Bird News Friday 10th July 2026

A Green Sandpiper and two Common Sandpiper were at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh (Garry Armstrong)

Two Reed Warbler were at the Quoile (Ann-Marie Smyth)

2 Mediterranean Gulls (Ad & 3rd cal yr) were at the mouth of the Dundrum Channel and a high count of around 300 Sandwich Terns (Stephen Foster)

A Ring-necked Parakeet was in a garden in Lurgan (David Cassells)

It may interest observers to know that there have been sightings of two migrant dragonfly species at Craigavon Lakes in recent days - Lesser Emperor and today Red-veined Darter. (Brian Nelson)

Reed Warbler, Ann-Marie Smyth:

Ring-necked Parakeet, David Cassells:




Bird News Wednesday 8th July 2026

Whooper Swans at Traad Point, Ballyronan (Mark Smyth). A minimum of 6 successful broods at Lough Beg (Dermot Hughes).

Yellowhammer in Waringstown (Clive Higginson).

Bird News Tuesday 7th July 2026

Rathlin this year has had four calling Corncrake (per RSPB)

A Red Kite was in the Antrim Hills (Chris Hamilton)

A pair of Spotted Flycatchers were close to Antrim town centre (Mark Smyth)

Bird News Monday 6th July 2026

 The Temminck's Stint was not seen today, previous report was an error. 

Red Kites were seen over the A1 at both Banbridge and Dromore this afternoon. 

The Quoile had the Spoonbill, 2 Common Sandpipers, and a Reed Warbler. (Dermot Hughes).

Bird News Sunday 5th July 2026

The drake Ring-necked Duck is still in Kinnegoe Bay at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong) The bird was still present at 11:15 (Shane Brighton)

A  Temmincks Stint was at Portmore. (Shane Brighton).

Temminck's Stint, Shane Brighton.



Bird News Saturday 4th July 2026

Drake Ring-necked Duck at Kinnegoe Bay, Oxford Island NNR (Garry Armstrong).

4 fledged Mediterranean Gulls at Belfast Lough WoW (Stuart McKee).

19 Mediterranean Gulls at Kerrykeel, Co Donegal (Wilton Farrelly).

Ring-necked Duck, Daniel Newton:


Mediterranean Gull, Stuart McKee:



Bird News Friday 3rd July 2026

A Turtle Dove has been reported from a garden in Ballyclare. 

At Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve two adult Mediterranean Gulls with a juvenile at roadside hide, on the far shore another 3 adult Mediterranean Gulls also 3 1st summer and 3 2nd summer Mediterranean Gulls and an unaccompanied juvenile Mediterranean Gull. Two Common Sandpipers at least one summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit also present. (Stuart McKee).

Bird News Thursday 2nd July 2026

Yesterday a 2nd year Mediterranean Gull was at Church Bay, Rathlin (Ric Else)

Two Great Skua and the 2y Mediterranean Gull were on Rathlin today (Ric Else)

Three Stock Doves, 2 adults and a young bird, were feeding with Wood Pigeons, in a field off Ardilea Road, near Clough (David Nixon)

Bird News Wednesday 1st July 2026

Ruff in nearly full summer plumage, 2 Common Sandpipers at Belfast Lough WoW (Gerard McGeehan). Also 15 Mediterranean Gulls including 2 2nd calendar year (Bob Watts).

A group of Crossbill over Mullaphad Forest, Co Fermanagh (Colin Bell).

Bird News Tuesday 30th June 2026

 A Common Sandpiper and two Knot were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart Cosey)

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Slievenacloy outside Lisburn. (Chris Hamilton).

A Green Sandpiper dropped into Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

s Monday 29th June 2026

A Spotted Flycatcher was in the Belfast Hills (David Clarke)

Two Common Sandpiper were at Donard Cove, Newcastle (Andrew Upton)

A Quail was calling in the Antrim Hills (Kevin Kirkham)

Two Mediterranean Gulls and a Greenshank were at the Quoile (Chris Murphy)

Spotted Flycatcher, David Clarke:



Bird News Saturday 27th June 2026

The Osprey was seen again at Gibbs Island in Strangford Lough. (Suzanne Atkinson).

A Storm Petrel was 6 miles from Larne Harbour this morning. (Darrell Prest).

Unfortunately  a dead Barn Owl was on the A1 hard shoulder southbound between the Sprucefield and Hillsborough roundabouts. (Suzanne Belshaw).


Bird News Friday 26th June 2026

The second year Bonaparte’s Gull was still at Blanketnook, Donegal (Chris Ingram)

Bird News Thursday 25th June 2026

Lesser Emperor dragonfly at East Light, Rathlin still present today for 3rd day (David Nixon / Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

2nd calendar year Arctic Tern, Common Sandpiper, 3 Sandwich Tern chicks, 9 Mediterranean Gulls including 2nd calendar year bird (Derek Polley / Bob Watts).

Cuckoo at Slievenacloy NR (David Clarke).

Spoonbill flew over Killough at 2113 (Chris Murphy).

2nd calendar year Bonaparte’s Gull still at Blanket Nook, Donegal (Derek Brennan).

Bird News Wednesday 24th June 2026

 The 4 Glossy Ibis were still at Lough Beg this morning, also one pair of Whoopers with 1 cygnet.(Hugh Thurgate).

At least 1 young Mediterranean Gull has fledged at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart McKee).

There was no sign of the Blue-winged Teal off Long Point at Lough Beg this afternoon. Two pairs of Whooper Swans, one with one cygnet and the other with three cygnets were present. A pair of Spotted Flycatchers were at Megargy outside Magherafelt. (Godfrey McRoberts).

Bird News Tuesday 23rd June 2026

Possible Hobby being mobbed by Swallows heading towards Annahilt (Garry Wilkinson).

Female/immature male Blue-winged Teal still at Lough Beg viewable from Long Point with small group of Shoveler (Leia Getty). Still present 6pm (Bob Watts). 

2nd calendar year Bonaparte’s Gull at Blanket Nook, Donegal (Derek Brennan).

2 Crossbills over Fivemiletown garden (Colin Bell).

Bird News Monday 22nd June 2026

A female Blue-winged Teal was showing well from the Long Point viewing area, Lough Beg, associating with a small group of Northern Shovelers (David Steele). The bird was still present at 7:25pm (Daniel Newton).

An Arctic Skua and a Minke were off Portstewart this morning (John Clarke)

Seats are available for tomorrow's boat trips to Gobbins and Muck island. Boats leave Bangor at 1pm and 5.30pm. Great chance to see and photograph seabirds, including Puffins. Contact Jim Wells on -07856235144.

A Chough has seen and photographed from Tor Head, Co Antrim (Suzanne Atkinson)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was in a garden at Ballywalter yesterday (Rosemary McKibbon)

Blue-winged Teal, David Steele:



Bird News Sunday 21st June 2026

A Whooper Swan flew over Portballintrae. (Ian Dickey)

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Michael Latham.




Bird News Saturday 20th June 2026

White-tailed Eagle at the Quoile (David Stirling).

Yesterday 4 mobile Glossy Ibis still at Lough Beg eastern shore (David Steele).

Bird News Thursday 18th June 2026

 A Common Sandpiper, 5 Mediterranean Gulls and 80 Sandwich Terns were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Derek Polley).

Yesterday a Red-throated Diver was off Benone beach. (Jim O'Hara).

Red-throated Diver, Jim O'Hara).



Bird News Wednesday 17th June 2026

Pair of Great Skua on Rathlin yesterday but sadly no sign of breeding activity so far (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Spotted Flycatcher in garden near Hillsborough (Juliet Fleming).

White-tailed Eagle at the Quoile (Dixon Onderdonk).

Great Skuas, Ric Else / Hazel Watson):

Spotted Flycatcher, Juliet Fleming:



Bird News Tuesday 16th June 2026

There are now two Night Heron reported by the owner at a private site near Lisburn. Unfortunately access to the site is not currently possible. (This is the first sighting since the previous one circa 2 weeks ago)

5 Crossbill were on Rathlin yesterday (Ric Else)

A high count of 88 Sandwich Terns  were at RSPB WoW (Jake Grant)

An Osprey flew steady southwest over Murley Mountain near Clabby (Tyrone / Fermanagh border), early evening (David Steele)

Bird News Monday 15th June 2026

A European Turtle Dove was reported in Robinson Road in Bangor yesterday on eBird with a good description. (Holly McCormack)

The Osprey was seen again at Gibbs Island in Strangford Lough. (Paul Megahey, David Stirling)

A Hobby was at Murley Mountain, near Clabby (Tyrone / Fermanagh border). (David Steele).

Bird News Sunday 14th June 2026

Drake Lesser Scaup in Kinnegoe Bay, Oxford Island NNR (Garry Armstrong).

Unconfirmed report of female Black Duck Millisle (Rod Kerr per eBird). 

2cy female Red-footed Falcon still present at same site near Jenkinstown, Co Louth (Brian Hegarty). Apparently no sign since this morning.

Marsh Harrier being mobbed by nesting Black-headed Gulls at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).

White tailed Eagle in the Antrim Hills this morning  (Warren McConnaughie).

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Loughry College, Cookstown, Co Tyrone (Godfrey McRoberts).

Whimbrel over Killough (Chris Murphy).

4 Whimbrel on Tory, Co Donegal (Eric Randall).

Marsh Harrier, Michael Latham:



Bird News Saturday 13th June 2026

The Red-footed Falcon was still at Jenkinstown, Co Louth (Michael Latham)

Two Arctic Tern were at RSPB WoW (Michael Latham)

A Common Sandpiper was at Ardglass (Chris Murphy)

Red-footed Falcon, Michael Latham:



Bird News Friday 12th June 2026

The Red-footed Falcon remains near Jenkinstown in Co. Louth. (John Kenny). The bird was still present early afternoon. (Guy Hamilton, Terry Hanna).

The Osprey was seen again around Gibb's Island in Strangford Lough. (Paul Megahy, David Stirling).

An Osprey is at Corbett Lough outside Banbridge. (David McCreedy).

A Red Kite with a purple wing tag was on the west shore of Lough Neagh. (Philip McErlean).

Four Glossy Ibis are at Lough Beg this evening. (David Steele).

A hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow was around the Four Winds, Belfast this evening. (Aaron Long).

Red-footed Falcon, Terry Hanna.



Red-footed Falcon, Guy Hamilton.