Bird News Friday 5th October

The Buff-bellied pipit was seen again today on the seaweed east of Carrickfergus Castle.

Along the Antrim coast the adult-winter Bonaparte's Gull and a Wheatear were at Carnfunnock Bay. 2 Mediterranean Gull (adult and second-winter), 7 Greenshank, 14 Whooper Swan and 18 Bar-tailed Godwit were at Glynn. A Kingfisher was along the river there (Cameron Moore).

14 Whooper Swan were at Portstewart Point and 6 Wheatear, a Raven and 400 Golden Plover between there and Portrush (Lowell Mills).

200 Golden Plover were unusually on Tesco's roof in Antrim! (Mark Smyth)

Briggs Rocks today had 23 Whooper Swans in two flocks and a pale phase Arctic Skua. About 2pm a Lapland Bunting landed on the shoreline and fed for 10 mins before flying off towards Orlock Point (Colin Guy)

A Barnacle Goose was with a flock of Brent Geese at Balls Point, Lough Foyle. 2 Little Egret were at Ballykelly RSPB Nature Reserve. 6 Wheatear were still at Ballykelly, see pictures below. (Christine Cassidy)

For those interested, an Eastern Kingbird, the first for the Western Palearctic, was found today by Hugh Delaney on Inishmore, Galway.

Thanks to Tom McCreery for the picture of a Goldfinch, Noel Austin for the pictures of a Redpoll and a Reed Bunting and Christine Cassidy for the Barnacle Goose and Wheatear pictures.

 

 

 

 

Bird News Thursday 4th October

A Water Pipit was at Ramore Head and the Glaucous Gull at Ballintoy, Co Antrim.

At Strangford Lough a Wheatear and a Black Guillemot were at the Netwalk in Killyleagh (Spencer and Joan Marshall).   

Last night at 11.10pm a Long-eared Owl was along Gransha Road in Bangor (Billy Miskelly).  

Brigg's Rocks up to lunchtime had 8 Pink-footed Geese, 57 Brent Geese, 2 Whooper Swans, 27 Skylarks, 26 Goldfinches, 2 Redpolls, 6 Red-throated Divers and 1 Peregrine, all flying past. The point itself has a flock of 60 Linnets and 2 Twite. (Colin Guy).         

St John's Point this morning had an adult Little Gull, 60 Skylarks and small numbers of Swallows and House Martins departing. 2 Goldcrests were in Kelly's Wood. Rossglass had 1 White Wagtail on the shore and 3 Jays high off the sea and watched flying far inland. (Chris Murphy).      

A flock of more than 250 Goldfinch were at Copeland Bird Observatory on Tuesday. (Mike Pringle).    

The escaped Ring Necked Parakeet was seen again around Stranmillis yesterday evening, it has been in the area since at least July. (Michael McLaughlin).         

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for today's picture of a Dunlin and a Turnstone.

 

Bird News Wednesday 3rd October

A Green Sandpiper was at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (Gerard McGeehan).

8 Buzzard were at the Tidebank at the north end of Strangford Lough (Dot Blakely).

A notable movement of Chaffinch were noted passing south along the River Bann in Coleraine. 3 Grey Heron and a Sparrowhawk were at Coleraine Rose Garden football pitch (Lowell Mills).

Six Wheatear and 2 Swallow were at Ballykelly (Christine Cassidy)

Thanks to Cheistine for the pic of the Wheatear below and to Stephen Maxwell for the pic of a Guillemot at Carrickfergus. You can see more bird pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Bird News Tuesday 2nd October

The Buff bellied Pipit has again been seen this afternoon at Carrickfergus Castle (Gerard McGeehan)

The Bonaparte's Gull was at Sandy Bay, Larne. An Ad med gull, juv common tern and 2 whoopers were there last night (Neal Warnock).

A female Merlin was at Magilligan Point today, see pictures below. (Christine Cassidy).

This afternoon 6 Pink Footed Geese flew over Ballymacormick Lagoon and a Lapland Bunting was flushed just west of Briggs Rocks and flew off towards Groomsport. (Colin Guy).

An escaped Parakeet, possibly a Ring-necked Parakeet, was on a crane at Annadale Embankment in Belfast before being chased off by Starlings. (Robert Scott)

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for the pictures of the Merlin, Noel Austin for the Golden Plover pictures and Stephen Maxwell for the Curlew picture. You can check out more NI bird pictures at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Bird News for Monday 1st October

The  Buff bellied Pipit was still at Carrickfergus Castle this morning (upto 8:30). It was on seaweed just to the east of the castle (W Farrelly). The bird was not seen later in the day. This is Northern Ireland's second record, the first being at Lough Beg.
Some pics are below (taken via a mobile phone!):

At Larne Lough 10 Little Egret were seen from Ballycarry Bridge. A Wheatear was at Sandy Bay (Stephen Foster).

A Barn Owl was at the Waterside in Derry near the roundabout at the new bridge at 3.15am (Hazlitt Harkness).

Buff-bellied Pipit - Carrickfergus!!

A Buff-bellied Pipit has been found today at Carrickfergus Castle, Co Antrim. The bird was feeding on seaweed on the lough side and was found by Stuarty McKee.

Thank You!

We have now passed over three hundred thousand views to the NI Birds blog and thank you to everyone who has contributed sightings of rare or scarce birds, sent in pics or just been one of those viewers. We have decided to try an updated format if you are wondering about the change! We are following a format similar to our successful bird pics blog (www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk) and matching that currently on your smartphone. As always, please feel free to email us feedback, news or items that may be of interest to NI birders. Many thanks again and lets hope that what remains of the Autumn delivers us some good birds!
Ian, Garry and Wilton.

Bird News Sunday 30th September

Two adult Grey-bellied Brant, were at the Maltings, Newtownards.

An adult Black Brant was at Greyabbey.

A Leach's Petrel was showing well off the sea wall at Myroe Levels, Lough Foyle at 3:55 (Neal Warnock)

The Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport (Stephen Maxwell)

50 Golden Plover and 2 female Goldeneye were at Oxford Island today (Mark Killops)

An Osprey was seen flying south of Sandy Bay, Larne.

A high site count of 56 Pink-footed Geese flew south-east over Mullagh, Lough Beg at 10am. 2 Greenland White-fronted Geese and 8 Ruff were also at Mullagh (David Steele).
A Wheatear, 2 White Wagtail and 3 Pale-bellied Brent were on the beach at Millisle (William Smyton).
A dark morph Arctic Skua and a Grey Plover were off the harbour at Groomsport (George Gordon)
A Great Skua was feeding off Waterfoot Beach, Co Antrim (John Loughlin)
Two Med Gull were at Whiteabbey.
Skernaghan Point, Islandmagee, Co Antrim had 1 Wheatear and 40 Linnet (Ian Enlander)
A Long-eared Owl was at Monea, Co Fermanagh (Brad Robson)
A Wheatear was in a Garden at Newtownabbey (Cecil Smith)

The Forsters Tern was still at Soldiers Point, Co. Louth

Thanks to Rob McAllister for the picture of a Shag, Stephen Maxwell for the Ring-billed Gull and Cecil Smith for a Wheatear (in his garden!)

Bird News for Saturday 29th Sept.

The 3 Buff-breasted Sandpiper remain at Myroe.

A sea-watch from Ramore Head between  07.15-12.15 had 2RT Diver, 1GN Diver,2 Sooty Shearwater 2 Leach's Petrel,26 Whooper Swan,5 Brent Geese,35 Widgeon, 30 Teal, 35 Tufted Duck,a Goldeneye, 9 RB Merganser, 11 Golden Plover, 1 Grey Pharlarope,15 Great Skua, 1Pom.Skua, 5 Arctic Tern(N.Warnock)

2  Pink-Footed Geese, 48 Greylag, 9 Little Egret, 3 Whooper Swan and 2 Greenshank were one mile north of Ballycarry Bridge (Cameron Moore).

Moneyslane,nr Castlewellan Co Down had three Red Kite and four  Buzzard.(A Prentice)

Our thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the picture of the Coal Tit (top) and to Christine Cassidy for the Ringed Plovers.

Bird News Friday 28th September

Three Buff-breasted Sandpipers were at Myroe Levels. (Bird Guides).

The Ring Billed Gull, 2 Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk were at Groomsport, a Buzzard was at Craigantlet and a Jay was on the Belmont Road in Belfast. (Stephen Maxwell).

Thanks to Stephen for this picture of the Ring Billed Gull at Groomsport.

Black Brant at Ballykelly

Many thanks to Christine Cassidy for this picture of the Black Brant seen today at Ballykelly. The bird is on the left side of the picture, to the rear of the main group of Pale-bellied Brent. The bold white neck collar is also clearly visible despite the distance.

Bird News Thursday 27th September

A Black Brant, an adult Mediterranean Gull, Dark-bellied Brent and 2 Jay were at Ballykelly. A Buzzard and 2 Little Egret were also at Lough Foyle (Theo Campbell \ Christine Cassidy)

The Glaucous Gull (pic below) was still at Ballintoy. A 2nd winter Iceland Gull flew over Portrush Golf Course this morning and the Ring Billed Gull was still at East Strand Car Park (Colin Guy)

The adult-winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport and 2 Red-throated Diver were offshore (George Gordon)

Thanks to Tom McCreery for this pic of a Coal Tit and to Colin Guy for the Glaucous Gull. You can see more bird pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Sanderling - worth watching (updated)

Many thanks to everyone for comments on the ringing of Sanderling. The bird was ringed by Jeroen Reneerkens Zackenberg either passing through Iceland in spring or on the Greenland breeding grounds (Stewart Holohan).

Birdwatch Ireland also gave feedback referencing an excellent video on You Tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JZk8ie36vI&feature=share

This amazing footage was taken in Greenland this summer by a Dutch team (led by Jeroen Reneerkens) who have been monitoring breeding Sanderling in Greenland for the past 6 summers. Sanderling breed in the high Arctic and migrate long-distances, wintering further south, often seen feeding along sandier shores. Based on recent colour-ringing resightings, Jeroen's work has confirmed that some of the Greenland population overwinters in Ireland (where peak counts of around 3,000 birds have been recorded on I-WeBS counts) with others moving through as they head further south to Southern Europe and Africa.

Thanks again to David Hill for the pic:

Bird News Wednesday 26th September

The third-winter Glaucous Gull is still at Ballintoy harbour along with 7 Twite.

At Grey Point north Down this morning, were 8 Arctic Skuas, 6 Manxies and a Red-throated Diver (Eric Randall). Later 2 Manx Shearwater, 2 Red-throated Diver, 3 Arctic Skua, 20 Gannet (only 2 adult), lots of Kittiwake, 4 Arctic Tern and a Common Tern were also at Grey Point (Stuart McKee).

200 Oystercatcher, Curlew, Dunlin and Redshank were at Bann Estuary. One of the Redshank was taken by a Peregrine Falcon (Francis Duffin)

5 Wheatear, a Raven, 75 Golden Plover, a Sandwich Tern, Curlew and Stonechat were between Portrush and Portstewart. Yesterday a Norwegian ringed Black-headed Gull was in Coleraine (Lowell Mills)

Thanks to everyone for flagging the colour ringed Sanderling from yesterday which we are following up on. Christine Cassidy has kindly sent in pics below of some Brent at Lough Foyle. Many of our Brent are also part of a colour ringing programme.

Bird News for Tues. 25th September

8 Whooper Swan flew over Prehan Park, Co Derry heading in the direction of the Foyle.(C.Cassidy)

 Our thanks to David Hill who braved yesterday's weather to photograph these Sanderling. As you can the extreme right hand bird has coloured rings and flags , if anyone knows where the bird has been ringed please contact the blog.  

Bird News Monday 24th September

The adult-winter Ring-billed Gull was still at Groomsport.         

No other news today, which is hardly surprising considering the weather. Here are todays pictures, a Merlin at Myroe from Stuart McKee and a young Peregrine near Groomsport from Vivienne Beck.

 

 

Successful Curlew Breeding In Co. Fermanagh

                                      BEST BREEDING SEASON FOR YEARS     

The familiar haunting call of the Curlew is evocative of a healthy, productive countryside but this once common resident of our meadows and uplands has suffered a massive decline in recent years. Now our largest wading bird, with the trademark-curved beak is making a comeback in the wonderful wilds of Lower Lough Erne Islands Reserve! The RSPB has worked hard to create the right conditions on the islands for the benefit of these beautiful birds and this area of Fermanagh is recognised as one of the best wet grassland sites in Northern Ireland for breeding waders.     

This success is the direct result of considerable investment and partnership working in the area. The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) through the Natural Heritage Grants Programme has supported the work on the islands of Lower Lough Erne for many years. Since 2011, significant additional funding has been received to deliver two major restoration projects within the Lough Erne Islands. Funding from SWARD via the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme, and from Fermanagh District Council has helped us to undertake scrub clearance, install predator-proof fences and develop interpretation for visitors at Lusty More and White Island. The Halting Environmental Loss Project (HELP) funded scrub removal on a number of islands including Horse, Ferny and White Island South. HELP is delivered with funds from the European Regional Development Fund via the INTERREG IVA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.       

  RSPB Area Manager for Fermanagh Reserves, Brad Robson said “ The HELP project has already been in place for almost two years and will run until the end of 2014. Both projects are part of the RSPB’s vision to halt biodiversity loss and to save nature. Local contractors have been employed to deliver much of the habitat management elements of the projects and there has been considerable help from local landowners and farmers”.     

This year the RSPB recorded an increase in the wader population to 192 breeding pairs. This included the threatened Curlew, which signifies an important boost to the number of these distinctive birds on the island of Ireland. Birdwatch Ireland has estimated that there are only 200 pairs of Curlew left in the Republic; this year there were 39 pairs on the reserve, of which 26 pairs successfully hatched young. This is the highest total since 2006 and the first year that the population has increased since 2005, firmly establishing that these Fermanagh birds are vital to the population as a whole.     

Other waders also recorded an increase, including; Lapwing, which showed the highest breeding total in twenty years; Redshank which reached their highest total ever recorded, Snipe and Dunlin.  

Research suggests that the main causes of the decline in the rest of Ireland and the UK have been changes in land management practices and issues about the impact of predation. Non-breeding birds can be seen on other RSPB reserves such as Belfast Harbour and Lough Foyle , many will have arrived from northern Scotland and Europe to spend the winter months on our shores. Our natural environment is an amazing asset and through taking action on crucial issues both worldwide and more locally the RSPB works to ensure these amazing and special places and species are protected for future generations.    

For more information, please contact:    
Brad Robson , Fermanagh Area Manager RSPB Fermanagh Reserves.   
Brad.robson@rspb.org.uk 02866341456

Bird News for Sunday 23rd Sept.

A juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper is still at Myroe Levels

At Strangford Lough a Black Brant was off Castle Espie (Dot Blakely).

At Dundrum Inner Bay North a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, Grey Plover and 10 Greenshank were at Ardilea (Jeff Larkin).
Along the Antrim shore of Lough Neagh 2 Whooper Swan were near Lady Bay (Paul Toner).

3 Chiffchaff and 2 Bullfinch were at Belfast Harbour Lagoon and a female Merlin, adult Mediterranean Gull and Little Egret at Myroe Levels (Stuart McKee).

The adult-winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport. 2 Red-throated Diver and 2 Wigeon flew east.
The Fosters Tern was again at Soldiers Point, Dundalk.

Our thanks to Rob McAllister for this lovely image of a Wheatear.

Bird News Saturday 22nd September

A Greater Spotted Woodpecker was at Mount Stewart high in an oak, east of the lake by inlet stream. (Keith Bennett).

An adult Iceland Gull was at Briggs this morning briefly. (Colin Guy).

At Greyabbey Bay there were 2 Slavonian Grebe. At Burial Island were 18 Red-throated Diver and 11 Common Scoter between 11.30 and 12.30. (Richard Weyl).

Rathlin Island had 4 chiffchaff, 1 blackcap, 5 siskin, 2 wheatear, 4 white wag, 2 chough, 1 little egret. Lots of finches on island (Neal Warnock)

An adult Mediterranean Gull and 1 Greenshank were in Mount Stewart bay, 1 Knot was at Portavogie and 2 Little Egrets at the Floodgates. (Keith Bennett).

The juvenile, (moulting to first-winter), Spotted Redshank was at Belfast Harbour Lagoon. In south Down 11 Little Egret, 12 Greenshank and a first-winter Mediterranean Gull were at Dundrum Inner Bay, see pictures below. (Stuart McKee).         

Yesterday a Great Skua was a mile off Donaghadee on the way out to Copeland (Francis Duffin).   

7 Whooper Swan flew over Derry and on Thursday a few late Swift were also noted there (Stephen Davis).

Thanks to Tom McCreery for another couple of great pictures of a Rock Pipit and a Stonechat and to Stuart McKee for the pictures of the 1st winter Mediterranean Gull and to David Nixon for the picture of the Grey Phalarope from Myroe yesterday.

 

 

 

 

Bird News Friday 21st September

The Bonapartes Gull was seen at Sandy Bay, Larne this afternoon (Neal Warnock)

A juvenile Grey Phalarope was showing in the channel at Myroe. 6 Buzzard were at the Levels (David Nixon).

Briggs Rocks near Groomsport had 4 Red-throated Diver, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Wheatear (Colin Guy)

This Pink-footed Goose was taken at Inch Lake Co Donegal to-day by David Hill.

BTO Conference - Sat 10th November 2012, Oxford Island

The annual BTO conference is on Saturday 10th November at Oxford Island. There are a wide range of speakers from the BTO, RSPB and other Conservation Organisations throughout Ireland. If you wish to attend or learn more about the event, please contact Shane Wolsely at: shane.wolsey@bto.org
A provisional programme is below:

Bird News Thursday 20th September

The Grey Phalarope was still at Craigavon Balancing Lakes, in the northeast corner of the North Lake (Jeff Larkin)

The adult-winter Ring-billed Gull was at Groomsport (George Gordon)

The Ring-billed Gull was still at the east end car park, Portrush.

Thanks to Alistair Prentice for this pic of a juvenile Coot and to Tom McCreery for the Stonechat. You can see more pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Grey Phalarope

Thanks to Joe Devlin for these pics of the Grey Phalarope at the north Craigavon Balancing Lake (taken yesterday).

Bird News Wednesday 19th September

The Grey Phalarope is still showing well on the north Balancing Lake in Craigavon this morning. (Clifford Sharp). The bird was at the east end of the North lake at 5:50pm (Keith Bennett)

Briggs Rocks near Groomsport had 2 adult Mediterranean Gull, 12 Pink-footed Geese, 6 Pale-bellied Brent, a Red-throated Diver and a pale morph Arctic Skua (Colin Guy).

Yesterday Ramore Head over two and a half hours had 2 Red-throated Diver, 15 Manx Shearwater, 35 Leach's Petrel, at least 26 Grey Phalarope, 4 Great Skua, 2 Arctic Skua and 4 Puffin (Hill Dick)

A Stock Dove was at Belvoir Park Forest this morning (Adam McClure)

At Kilmore Quay, Lisnaskea was a Water Rail and a Little Grebe with a very late family of chicks. An extremely photogenic Hedgehog is visiting a garden in Fivemiletown. Photographers are welcome so email us and we will put you in touch with Colin (Colin Bell)

An American Golden Plover was at Termonfeckin, County Louth.

Thanks to Robert McDowell for this picture of a Dipper from Glenarm Forest, and to Zach McCreery for the pic of a Sanderling. You can see more excellent pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk