Bird News Sunday 25th October

A Great White Egret was at Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough (Nicky & Ivan, Cameron Moore)

The Ring-necked Duck & 15 fly over Greenland White-fronts were at Lough Mourne, Co Antrim. A Slavonian Grebe was at Glynn (Neal Warnock)

A Wheatear and 2 Mediterranean Gulls (a 2nd winter and a 1st winter) were at Rossglass. A Kestrel, 2 Redpoll and a Goldcrest were at St John's Point. (Tim Murphy)

A juvenile Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Beg. The female type Smew was still present (David Steele)

A pair of Red Kites were flying over fields between Soldierstown Road, Aghalee and the Motorway. 9 Whooper Swans were with three young just past Gawleys Gate. (Ralph Walker)

The Pink-footed Goose and a Barnacle Goose were a mile north of Ballycarry Bridge on the Island Magee side. (Cameron Moore)

A Short-eared Owl was near Ballymacormick  Lagoon this afternoon (Colin Guy)

Martin Garner - Many of our readers will be familiar with Martin from his time living here in NI with Sharon and the girls. Martin found many rarities in NI, regularly contributes on local bird ID (even on species that are not rare!), is a member of the NIBARC, and through his Birding Frontiers blog provides many though provoking articles. Some of you will also know that Martin has recently been ill. He has however provided a public update on his condition at http://bigddt.com/2015/10/24/i-got-stuff-to-do/ 

We all wish him and his family well in the difficult period ahead.

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the pics of the Great White Egret:

Bird News Saturday 24th October.

The long staying Spoonbill was seen again of the hide at Castle Espie. (Angus Kennedy) see pic below.

This morning at llendrum wind farm, Fivemiletown one Red Grouse and a Pine Martin.(Colin Bell).

c.200 Golden Plover where on the roof of the Tesco warehouse in Antrim.(Mark Smyth)

A Snow Bunting was on Melmore Head, Co.Donegal today and a 2 hr seawatch produced 20 Great Northern Divers, 1 Bonxie, 1 Manx Shearwater, 16 Golden Plover, 4 Common Scoter and a Tufted Duck.(Eric Randall)

Leach's Petrel - Lisnaskea

This Leach’s Petrel was found last night in Main Street, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh. It seem to be uninjured, just confused and spent the night in a cardboard box. It is going to Donegal later to be returned back to the sea. (John Young)

Bird News Friday 23rd October

The Spoonbill was at Islandhill, Strangford Lough along with 14 Little Egret. 2 Pinkfeet were with 38 Greylags in fields near Castle Espie (Gerard McGeehan).

The Ring-necked Duck was with 20 Tufted Duck at Lough Mourne (Joe Lamont).

The juvenile/first-winter Glossy Ibis was along the western shore of Lough Beg. The female/immature Smew was also present (David Steele).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was along the seafront at Whitehead (Cameron Moore).

A juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper was at Inch Lake in Donegal. (Irish Birding/David Hunter).

Thanks to Chris Easton for the picture of a Purple Sandpiper, to Christine Cassidy for the picture of the Sparrowhawk, to David Hunter for the pictures of the Whooper Swans and the White-rumped Sandpiper(left hand bird) and to Gareth Platt for the pictures of the Ring-billed Gull and the partial albino Jackdaw:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bird News Thursday 22nd October

Portrush East Strand Car park had the Ring-billed Gull and a Mediterranean Gull. (Chris Easton)

15 whooper swans were on a stubble field at Ballyquintin, Co Down. (Keith Bennett)

RSPB Belfast WOW had 330 Teal, 100 + Lapwing, a Stonechat, 2 Little Egret, 1 Ruff, 1 Buzzard and 5 Gadwall (Derek Polley)

A Dipper was singing at Tempo Park, Co Fermanagh (Colin Bell)

A Kingfisher was seen along the Newry Canal just north of Newry this morning, A Water Rail was also heard. (Frank Carroll)

A seawatch from Bloody Foreland Co Donegal had 4 Leach's Storm-petrel, 13 Pomarine Skuas, 6 Arctic Skuas, 7 European Storm-petrels, 55 Great Northern Divers, 177 Great Skuas & 465 Sooty Shearwaters (Chris Ingram, Ralph Sheperd & Theo Campbell)

Thanks to David McCormick for this pic of first winter Black-headed Gulls at Kiltonga and Jason Bain for the Fieldfare in flight:

Bird News Wednesday 21st October

The juv/first-winter Glossy Ibis, one of the Great White Egret and a female / immature Smew were at Lough Beg (David Steele)

A Peregrine was flying West along the coastal path between Stricklands Glen and Carnalea. (Derek Polley)

Many thanks to Annette Elkin for this pic of a Redshank and Jason Bain for the Merlin:

Talk this Evening - Eric Dempsey

Eric Dempsey is giving a talk this evening, at 7:30 at the NIOC meeting at the Ulster Museum, Belfast. His 'Don't Die in Autumn' talk features extracts from his new and highly regarded book. Everyone is welcome.

Eric is also the author of a number of key books about birds and birding around Ireland and this promises to be a great talk.

Bird News Tuesday 20th October

A juvenile/1st winter Glossy Ibis and one of the Great White Egrets was in the south west corner of Lough Beg. (David Steele).

A Red Kite was seen from the M1, just south of Moira. (Richard Hunter).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was along Newcastle Promenade. (Leonard Charles).

A Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Mourne, Co Antrim and 8 Little Egret at 40 Acre Bay in Larne Lough (Joe Lamont).

25/30 Crossbill were in spruce at the entrance to Gosford Forest (Clifford Sharpe).

A Snow Bunting was at Ramore Head this evening. (Colin Guy).

The count of Lough Foyle produced a Greenland White-fronted Goose, 4 Pink-footed Geese, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 7 Red-throated Diver and 17 Little Egret (Matthew Tickner, Gareth Bareham).

For anyone interested, a juvenile Pallid Harrier is at Annagh Marsh, Co Mayo for its second day.

Bird News Monday 19th October.

The 2 Great White Egret,3 Little Egret a Pink-footed Goose and 28 Ruff were at Lough Beg.(Matthew Tickner/Gareth Bareham)

At Larne Lough the Pink-footed Goose was seen again at Steel's Point and 2 Whooper Swan seen flying south.(Cameron Moore)

Slieveanorra Co Antrim had 2 Buzzard and 4 Red Grouse.(Chris Easton)

5 Whooper Swans flew East-West over Killylane Reservoir (near Larne) around 3pm.(Philip McErlean) see pic below


Yesterday 15 Redwing and 6 Fieldfare were at Church Island, Lough Beg (John Spratt) and 3 Pink-footed Geese and 4 Barnacle Geese at Blanket Nook in Donegal (Brad Robson).

Bird News Sunday 18th October

Yesterday the Quoile Pondage had 10 Whooper Swans (Tony Donaldson)

A Green Sandpiper and 5 Pink-footed Geese were at Mullagh (David Steele)

3 Whooper Swan were at Stoneyford Reservoir. The Whooper Swan along the Lagan at Lisburn is still present - it has been there all summer. (Vernon Carter)

8 Whooper Swans were at Seacoast Road, Eglinton, Derry, (Christine Cassidy & Ray Brogan)

Yesterday 5 Buzzards were at Moneypenny's Lock  Portadown, County Armagh. A short video of a Buzzard is at: https://youtu.be/SqLmHkFnVbQ  (Paul Allen)

Thanks to Tony for the top pic of the Whooper Swans and Christine for the lower pic:

Tony Donaldson:

Christine Cassidy:

Bird News Saturday 17th October

4 Snow Bunting were at Knockmore, Co Fermanagh (Brad Robson)

A high count of over 550 Lesser Redpoll have been ringed on Copeland In the last month.

8 Greenland White-fronted Geese flew in at Ballintoy (Colin Guy)

The south-west corner of Lough Beg had a male Greeen-winged Teal, female Garganey and 2 juvenile Merlin. 27 Ruff were at Paddy's Dub (David Steele)

At Strangford Lough an Arctic Skua was off Killyleagh. On Thursday 2 Great White Egret were at Whiterock (Hugh Thurgate).

A day trip to Islay from Ballycastle today had Redwing, Whooper Swans, 14 Greenland Whitefronts, 1 Pink footed Goose, over 20,000 Barnacle geese, Hen Harriers and a Great Northern Diver (Margaret Adamson)

 

BTO NI Birdwatchers Conference

The BTO NI Birdwatchers conference is only a few weeks away. You can see more information at:

http://www.bto.org/news-events/events/2015-11/bto-ni-birwatchers-conference

Bird News Friday 16th October

A Merlin was at Myroe (Christine Cassidy & Ray Brogan).

Late yesterday afternoon a Short-eared Owl was seen along the beach north of Ballywalter (martin McClenaghan, Ronnie Snoddy).

A high count of 15 Jay flew over a farm between Whitehead and Kilroot (Ian Beggs).

5 Whooper Swan were at Moira.

Yesterday 4 Mediterranean Gulls (2 adult and 2 2nd winter) were in Killough Harbour. Today a migrant Jay was at St John's Point. Also an adult Ring-billed Gull, 2 Ruff and 20 Greylag Geese were at Lurgangreen and a Spotted Redshank was at Dundalk Docks. (Tim Murphy).

 Thanks to Christine Cassidy for the picture of the Merlin and to Jason Bain for the pictures of the Stonechat and the Buzzard:

 

 

Bird News Thursday 15th October

Yesterday morning (14 Oct) at St John’s Point, Razorbills were passing north at a rate of 1200/hour plus 6 Red-throated Divers (south), 10 Brent Geese (south), 10 Common Scoter, 1 Goldeneye, 1 Wigeon. Other evidence of visible migration included: 1,000 Starlings, 250 Skylarks, 20 Linnets, 20 Reed Buntings, 12 Tree Sparrows, 40 Lapwings, 4 Pied Wagtails, 1 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrushes, 4 Great Tits, 10 Redpolls, 2 Greeenfinches, 20 Swallows, 50 Meadow Pipits, 1Snipe, 4 Stonechat. Also 3 Buzzards, 1 or 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Merlins and 2 Kestrels (Chris and Tim Murphy)

A Buzzard that was seen on Rathlin Island yesterday had unusual colouration and a striking red tail with a tail band (Jim Wells / Gerry Bond). Any comments about this bird or similar birds elsewhere are welcome.
The Buzzard appears to be a possible Steppe Buzzard, dark trailing edge to uniformly brownish upperwing and broad subterminal band on tail (Forsman The raptors of Europe and the Middle East) These feature appear to be shown well in the photograph, Steppe Buzzard appears in N and E Europe and is a long distant migrant, with winds coming from the east over the last week this would seem to give the bird more credence.      

Thanks to Gerry Bond for the Buzzard pic below. More pics are on our bird pics blog:

Bird News Wednesday 14th October

2 Wheatear and 20 Ringed Plover were at Portmuck (Norma Perceval-Price)

A second-winter Iceland Gull and the adult Ring-billed Gull were at Portrush. Late news was of a Long-tailed Duck at Ramore Head on Sunday (Matthew Tickner)

Tree Sparrows were visiting feeders at a house in Dunmurry (Lena McCann)

Thanks to Derek Polley for this picture of a Black Guillemot at Bangor and John Clarke for the Portstewart Yellow-browed Warbler (http://causewaycoastrg.blogspot.co.uk/)

Bird News Tuesday 13th October

Redwings were heard over the Grosvenor Road, Belfast last night (Clive Mellon) A few Redwing were also over Belfast City Centre last night (Andy Elliott)

Three Purple Sandpiper were east of the Long Hole in Bangor (Derek Polley)

Yesterday 38 Pintail were seen from the Flood Gates, Newtownards (Margaret Adamson)

A Snow Bunting was still at Myroe (Christine Cassidy)

A Pink-footed Goose was with 43 Greylag Geese and 14 Little Egret at Ballycarry (Gerard McGeehan)

A very large Shag roost at Cloghfin Jetty near Whitehead had 340 birds counted this evening (Ian Enlander)

Rathlin Island had 1 Snow Bunting, 2 Yellowhammers and 1 Whooper Swan (Colin Guy). Colin's last record of Yellowhammer on Rathlin was also in October but in 2011. A pic of that bird is below.

3 Wheatear and 26 pale bellied Brent Geese at Tyrella. (Tim Ryan)

You can see a picture of the Yellow-browed Warbler from Portstewart Strand at: http://causewaycoastrg.blogspot.co.uk/

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this pic of the Myroe Snow Bunting and Colin Guy for the Rathlin Island Yellowhammer:

You can see more local bird pictures at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Bird News Monday 12th October.

9 Pink-footed Geese where at Castle Espie.(Stephen Maxwell) see pics below.

Another 5 Pink-footed Geese where at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh. 5 Swallow where also seen. (James O'Neill) see pic below

A 1st winter Med. Gull was at Portrush east strand car-park.(Colin Guy) see pic below. 

Our thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the two pics of the  Pink - footed Geese and the Peregrine. Also thanks to Colin Guy for the 1st winter Med. Gull at Portrush and also to Jason Bain for the Hen Harrier attacking a Hooded Crow.  Bottom pic is of the 5 Pink-footed Geese at Reedy Flats taken by James O'Neill. 

Bird News Sunday 11th October

A Yellow-browed Warbler was at Portstewart Strand/Bann Estuary this morning. There was also 1 Long-eared Owl, 2 Sparrowhawk, 6+ Redwing, c30 Light Bellied Brent and c65 Barnacle Geese. Yesterday a Merlin was present with c300 Lapwing, c12 Reed Bunting & c20 Chaffinch. (Richard Donaghey/John Clarke).

The Spoonbill was roosting on one of the Rocky islands off Castle Espie. 8 Pink-feet were also feeding in a stubble field. (Adam McClure).

This afternoon 1 Red Grouse and 18 Golden Plover were at Lendrum Wind Farm, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone. (Colin Bell).

An adult Mediterranean Gull, 7 Little Egret, 17 Grey Heron, 9 Greenshank, 10 Brent Geese, 1 Shelduck and 2 Carrion Crow were in Killough Harbour. A 2nd winter Mediterranean Gull was in a field on the outskirts of Killough and 2 Wheatear were at Tyrella. (Tim Murphy).

An adult argentatus Herring Gull was at Kinnegar Shore along with twelve late Sandwich Tern (Stuart McKee)

Thanks to Angus Kennedy for the picture of the Pink-footed Geese, to Mark Elliott for the picture of the Grey Wagtail and to Cameron Moore for the picture of the Grey Heron:

 

 

Bird News Saturday 10th October

3 Whooper Swans were feeding in a stubble field near Aghalee this morning. (Ralph Walker).

A female Merlin was on Cockle Island at Groomsport (George Henderson).

Lough Beg had 5 Ruff, Peregrine, Merlin 2 Little Egret, 2 Buzzard, 150 Golden Plover and 2 Dunlin (Gerard McGeehan)

A Chiffchaff was at Kearney. (Richard Weyl).

Thanks to Jason Bain for the picture of the Bar-tailed Godwit taken at Kinnegar shore and to Tony Donaldson for the little & large picture of a Buzzard and Chaffinch taken at the Quoile.

Bird News Friday 9th October

A second winter Mediterranean Gull was at Mill Quarter Bay in Co Down today and 14 Sandwich Terns (one a first year bird) were at nearby Kilclief Bay. (David Nixon).

A Jack Snipe was at Blackwater Bridge north of Lough Fea. On 6th a Whimbrel was at Sea Park (near Helens Bay) (Richard Weyl).

A juvenile Gannet flew west along the south shore of Lough Neagh at Reedy Flat at 5pm this evening. (James O'Neill).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was just north of Pickie in Bangor (David McCleary).

2 Jay were along Knockagh Road at Woodburn (Billy Hamilton).

4 Wheatear were at Ramore Head in  Portrush. (Stephen Maxwell).

Tonight at 8.20pm a Barn Owl flew across the Lower Ballinderry Road, Lisburn. (Tim Ryan).

An adult winter plumaged Yellow-legged Gull was resting on rocks 800m north-west of St John's Point Lighthouse at midday. There was also 1 Merlin, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard, 50 Skylark and 3 Goldcrest. (Tim Murphy).

Thanks to David for this picture of the Mediterranean Gull and to Stephen for the picture of the Wheatear.

 

 

Bird News Thursday 8th October

No news so far today.

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for this picture of a Wheatear taken on Rough Island, Strangford Lough.

Bird News Wednesday 7th October

The Spoonbill was at Island Hill, Strangford Lough, around 15:30 this afternoon. (Philip McErlean)

Also at Island Hill were 2000+ Brent G eese with many family groups along with  a thousand Golden Plover, two Wheatear and a Peregrine (Noeni Bryars)

The Bann Estuary had 4 Swallow, 3 Whooper Swan, 3 Pale-bellied Brent, a Wheatear, Merlin, Peregrine, Kestrel and Buzzard (Theo Campbell)

Redwing were seen and heard in flight over Ballyholme in Bangor last night and this morning (George Henderson)

A second winter Med Gull was in a ploughed field Lomond Road, Myroe. Also 1200 Golden Plover and a Wheatear were present (Stuart McKee)

Thanks to Philip McErlean for this pic of the Spoonbill and Noeni Bryars for the Wheatear:

You can see more bird pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk 

Bird News Tuesday 6th October

A Snow Bunting was at Myroe, Lough Foyle today. (David Hill).

In Fermanagh the juvenile Pale-bellied Brent was still at Muckross, Lower Lough Erne (Brad Robson).

St John’s Pt. from 8.00-9.00 had 500 Razorbills (north), very small numbers of Guillemot and Black Guillemot (north), flock of 10 Red-breasted Mergansers (north),1Arctic Skua (north), 1 Great Northern and 3 Red-throated Divers (south) plus a few Manx Shearwaters and Sandwich Terns. c.200 Skylarks flew inland. Also 3 Stonechats, 1 Wheatear, 1 Kestrel, 1Goldcrest and c.100 Linnets. Eight Jays flew north in a single file high over Killough Road, Downpatrick at mid-day. (Chris Murphy)

Thanks to David for this picture of the Snow Bunting and the picture of the Linnets.

Bird News Monday 5th October

Two Richards Pipits were still at the football pitch on Tory (Seamus Feeney)

A juvenile Pale-bellied Brent was at Muckross, Lower Lough Erne (Fionbarr Cross)

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this pic of a Buzzard feeding on a Rat. You can see the full sequence on our bird pics blog ( www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk ):

Bird News Sunday 4th October

There are now 3 Richards Pipits around the football pitch on Tory. (Robert Vaughan).

A Wheatear, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Swallow, 1 Kestrel and 40 Skylark were at St John's Point, with a migrant House Sparrow at the Lighthouse. 3 Ruff, 1 Water Rail, 2 Snipe and 35 Teal were at Strand Lough. (Tim Murphy).

The 2 Great White Egrets and the Pectoral Sandpiper were still in the south west corner of Lough Beg. (Birdguides).

Thanks to Jason Bain for this pic of a Sandwich Tern at Kinnegar:

Bird News Saturday 3rd October

2 Great White Egret were at Church Islabd, Lough Beg. (Keith Bennett)

The two Richards Pipits were still around the football pitch on Tory (Robert Vaughan)

Two Snow Buntings were at Myroe this morning (Christine Cassidy and Dermot McLaughlin)

Thanks to Pauline Majury for this pic of a Wheatear and Christine Cassidy for the Snow Buntings:

Bird News Friday 2nd October

A Yellow Browed Warbler is in Portrush, at the same place as last year, opposite the Ramada Hotel (Colin Guy and Stuart McKee).

The 2 Richard's Pipits were still on Tory Island. (Birdguides).

Thanks to Colin for this picture of the Yellow Browed Warbler

Bird News Thursday 1st October

Three Snow Buntings were at Myroe, also an adult Med Gull,three Wheatear and about 200 Skylark (Stuart McKee)

Two Great White Egrets and a Pectoral Sandpiper were in the south west corner of Lough Beg (David Steele)

Two Richards Pipits and a Yellow Wagtail were on Tory Island (Chris Ingram) a Yellow-browed Warbler was also present (Robert Vaughan)

A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull, 1 Peregrine, 1 Brent Goose, and 7 Little Egret were in Killough Harbour. 80 Skylark and 5 House Martin flew north, 10 Skylark and 15 Swallow flew south. (Tim Murphy)

The Ring-billed Gull was still at East Strand car park, Portrush (Christine Cassidy and Lindsay Hodges)

The Red Kite was at Antrim Boat Club again this morning (John Loughlin)

If you have any rare or scarce bird news, you can share via nibirds@live.co.uk  twitter: @nibirds or text 07973 403146.

Thanks to Jason Bain for this pic of a Meadow Pipit and Christine Cassidy for the Ring-billed Gull: