Bird News Saturday 18th February

The three Waxwing are still at Ward Park, Bangor (Michael Latham). The birds were still present at the rear of the library at 2.30pm. (Nigel Moore).

The two Black-necked Grebes are still at the east end of Reedy Flats. The seven Russian Whitefronts and a Barnacle were also present. (Daniel Newton, Michael Latham).

The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at the Round O in Enniskillen. (Ronan Owens).

The Black Redstart was at the harbour in Newcastle and  the Spotted Redshank is still at Dundrum.  (Ed O'Hara).

A Great Northern Diver was near the hide at the Barmouth. (John Clarke).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough this morning. (Cameron Moore).

The male Smew was at Gawley's Gate, Lough Neagh. (Richard Caves).

Thanks to Michael Latham for the picture of the Waxwings and to Richard Caves and Michael Latham for the pictures of the Smew and to Michael Latham for the picture of the Black-necked Grebes:

Richard Caves

Richard Caves

Michael Latham

Michael Latham

Bird News Friday 17th February

Two Black-necked Grebes, drake Smew, Merlin, two Barnacle and seven Russian White-fronted Geese all at the East end of Reedy Flats (Richard Gray / Ed O’Hara).

Great Northern Diver off pier/moles Castlerock Barmouth, also four Common Scoter (John Spottiswood).

Late news from yesterday of 100+ Common Snipe, one Jack Snipe and ringtail Hen Harrier at Ross Lough, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh (Godfrey McRoberts).

Three Bohemian Waxwings in Ward Park, Bangor this afternoon between the library and the play park (Helen Clarke).

Two adult Mediterranean Gulls at Kinnegar Shore this evening (Daniel Newton).

Black-throated Diver from Kirkubbin (David Sterling).

Thanks to Ed O’Hara for the Black-necked Grebe and Russian White-fronted Geese and to John Spratt, Ferruginous Duck(from a few weeks ago) for their photos:

Bird News Thursday 16th February

A Common Sandpiper was at Sainsbury’s, Lough Foyle, Derry (John Spottiswood)

The Black Redstart is still at St John’s Point, Co Down (David Stirling)

An adult Grey-bellied Brent (ringed) and an adult Dark-bellied Brent were among 520 Brents in Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy)

Kingfishers, River Lagan, Tim Jess:

Bird News Wednesday 15th February

 Yesterday a Common Scoter was on the River Lagan near Mickey Taylor's Lock. (Philip McErlean).

The two Barnacle Geese and a Peregrine were at Reedy Flats. (Ed O'Hara)

Thanks to Philip McElean for the picture of the Common Scoter, to David Hunter for the picture of the Curlew and to Ed O'Hara for the picture of the Barnacle Goose:

Bird News Tuesday 14th February

Two drake and one redhead Goosander Randalstown below the weir (Dermot Hughes).

The ringtail Hen Harrier was near the hide at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. It appears to have a deformed bill. (Kenny Moore / Garry Wilkinson / Michael McCandless).

The drake Smew seen in flight west of Emerson sand pit car park, also seven Russian Whitefronted Geese still present at Ardmore, along the southern shore of Lough Neagh (Garry Wilkinson).

A redhead Goosander was at the mouth of the river in Glenarm this afternoon (Ginny McKee).

Thanks to Garry Wilkinson for the Hen Harrier and to Ed O’Hara for the Russian White-fronted Geese photos:

Bird News Monday 13th February

 A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at the river outflow on Newcastle beach. (Dermot Hughes).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (James Andrew).

Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve this morning had 60+ Snipe. One of the adult Mediterranean Gulls was still at Kinnegar shore. A second adult Mediterranean Gull, a new bird, was on Kinnegar pool. (Bob Watts).

The seven Russian Whitefronts, two Barnacles and a Peregrine were at Todd's Corner, Ardmore on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Ed O'Hara).

The male Smew was 200 metres west of Emerson's sand quay before moving further west to Todd's Corner, at Ardmore on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Ed O'Hara).

The adult Ring-billed Gull is still at the Round O in Enniskillen. (Jeff Larkin).

A ringtail Hen Harrier was at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Gerry Judge).

At Lough Beg today a male Green-winged Teal was at Church Island and the two Ring-necked Ducks were still at the south end of the lake. Also seen over the day were two Great Egrets, ten Ruff, 70 Northern Pintail, 85 Northern Shovelers and 1,800 Eurasian Teal. (David Steele).

Thanks to Gerry Judge for the picture of the Hen Harrier, to David Steele for the pictures of the Green-winged Teal and Ring-necked Ducks and to David McCreedy for the pictures of the Russian Whitefronts and the Barnacles:

Bird News Sunday 12th February

Yesterday a female Goosander was still on the River Maine about 400m upstream from the viaduct. (Derek Polley)

An adult Med Gull was at the Closet River, Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong)

The Great White Egret is still at Reedy Flats (Garry Armstrong)

Two Mediterranean Gulls and a Sandwich Tern are at Kinnegar Shore (Lindsay Hodges)

Two Carrion Crow, a 1w Mediterranean Gull and a Purple Sandpiper were between Briggs Rocks / Orlock Point, Groomsport (Bob Watts)

At least eight Goosanders (three males and five redheads) on the River Main at Slaght this morning. (David Steele)

Up to three Russian White-fronted Geese were near Burt, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

 

Bird News Saturday 11th February

The Great White Egret, 7 Russian Whitefronts and 2 Barnacles are still at Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh. (Garry Armstrong, David McCreedy).

6 Slavonian Grebes Newtownards Yacht Club. Female Merlin Islandhill (Wilton Farrelly / Bob Watts).

37 Slavonian Grebes, an additional 29 in Greyabbey Bay and two at Horse Island in addition to the six mentioned above. Also 1W Little Gull at Herring Bay, a Black-throated Diver at Kircubbin and three Jack Snipe at Horse Island (Richard Weyl).

Spotted Redshank showing well at Ballycarry (Ivan Quail).

Two adult Mediterranean Gulls still Kinnegar Shore 1225 (Daniel Newton).

Great Northern Diver in the Bann Estuary (John Clarke).

Sinensis Cormorants at both Ardglass and Killough with two juvenile Dark-bellied Brent Geese still Killough (Chris Murphy).

Two Great White Egrets, 12 Ruff, single Merlin and Peregrine at Lough Beg (Gerard McGeehan).

Six Goosanders (three males and three redheads) along the River Main at Slaght near Ballymena. Also a Green Sandpiper, Great Spotted Woodpecker and two Carrion x Hooded Crow hybrids (David Steele).

An adult Ring-billed Gull was at the Round ‘O’ Enniskillen and a 2w Iceland Gull at Enniskillen Dump (Ronan Owens).

Thanks to Michael Latham and David McCreedy for the Great White Egret and to Juliet Fleming for the Pintail photos:

Bird News Friday 10th February

Whitehead from 7.45 - 8.30am this morning had 107 Red-throated and 4 Great Northern Diver flying into Belfast Lough. (Ian Enlander).

A Great White Egret, the 7 Russian Whitefronts, 2 Barnacles, 2 Pinkfeet, a Hen Harrier and a Merlin were at Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (Ed O'Hara). A Marsh Harrier was also seen. (John Lambe). The Great White Egret was still present up to 5pm. (David McCreedy).

Two Mediterranean Gulls were at Kinnegar. (Daniel Newton).

Seven Purple Sandpipers were near the coastal zone in Portrush this morning. (Juliet Fleming).

Two continental Cormorants, an adult in breeding plumage and an immature, were at the south end of Lough Beg. The two Ring-necked Ducks were also present. (David Steele).

Thanks to Ed O'Hara for the picture of the Russian Whitefronts, to David Clarke and David McCreedy for the pictures of the Great White Egret and to David Steele for the picture of the continental Cormorant:

David Clarke

David McCreedy

Bird News Thursday 9th February

Seven Russian White-fronted Geese still at the East End of Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh (Ed O’Hara).

A pair of Ring-necked Ducks at the south end of Lough Beg late afternoon (David Steele).

The Spotted Redshank was again in the channel across the road from Dundrum South Inner Bay. Also a high count of 28 Grey Plover at Green Island in North Inner Bay (David Nixon).

Two juvenile Dark-bellied Brent Geese in Killough Harbour. A male Merlin and two Kestrels at Enler River behind the petrol station, Comber (Chris Murphy).

Thanks to David Nixon for the Spotted Redshank and to David McCreedy for the Pink-footed Goose photos:

Bird News Wednesday 8th February

Yesterday there were 17 Slavonian Grebes between Mountstewart and Horse Island. A high count of 284 Pintail were between the Maltings and the gasworks buildings Mountstewart. (John O'Boyle & David Nixon).

The Spotted Redshank was still at Ballycarry (Ed O’Hara).

At least one possibly two Black Redstarts at St John’s Lighthouse (David Stirling).

Gull at Waterworks which observer considered showed some features of Caspian mid afternoon (Stuart McKee).

Six Purple Sandpipers at Ballyhornan yesterday (Terry Hanna).

The drake Ferruginous Duck remains at Ballysaggart Lough (via Birdtrack).

Thanks to Terry Hana for the Purple Sandpiper photo:

Bird News Tuesday 7th February

 The Long-tailed Duck is still at the coastal zone in Portrush. (Stephen Riddell).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Mount Stewart. (Michael McCandless)

A male and two red head Goosanders were on Corbet Lough outside Banbridge. (Mike McLaughlin).

Two Pinkfeet were still at Knockninny, Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh. (Ronan Owens).

A leucistic Black-headed Gull was at Lurgan Park. (Suzanne Belshaw)

Thanks to Stephen Riddell for the picture of the Long-tailed Duck and to Suzanne Belshaw for the picture of the leucistic Black-headed Gull:

Bird News Monday 6th February

Three Pink-footed Geese with 100+ Greylags at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh, Co Antrim (Ed O’Hara).

Long-tailed Duck off Coastal Zone, Portrush (Richard Donaghey).

Thanks to Robin Harper for the Treecreeper and to Ivan Dalglish for the Lesser Redpoll photos:

Bird News Sunday 5th February

Two Great White Egrets were at Lough Beg, viewable from the Creagh offslip (Ivan Quail)

The Spotted Redshank was in the channel behind Dundrum Inner Bay (Garry Armstrong)

Two Black-throated Divers were at Carnlough (Daniel Newton)

A Green Sandpiper was at the north end of Ardilea (Wilton Farrelly)

The Slavonian Grebe is still at Glynn (Daniel Newton)

The Glaucous Gull was still at the Premier Inn / Burger King  Coleraine (Ivan Quail)

Seven Stock Dove were at Ballyquinton / Templecooey, Outer Ards (Bob Watts)

The Black Redstart and a Purple Sandpiper were at Whitehead (Linda Thompson)

The Long-tailed Duck was at Portstewart (Johnny Rossborough)

A sinensis Cormorant was at Ardglass (Wilton Farrelly)

A Spotted Redshank was at Ballycarry. Also Crossbill and Red Grouse in the Antrim Hills (Michael Latham).

Three Brambling (male and two females) and Great Spotted Woodpecker in the Antrim Hills (Richard Gray).

Dark-bellied Brent Goose still Killough (Chris Murphy).

Thanks to Wilton Farrelly for the sinensis Cormorant, Michael Latham for the Spotted Redshank & Black-throated Divers, and Linda Thompson for the Purple Sandpiper photos:

Bird News Saturday 4th February

The male Smew, 7 Russian Whitefronts and the ringtail Hen Harrier were at the east end of Reedy Flats, Lough Neagh. (Garry Armstrong, Daniel Newton).

The Ferruginous Duck was at Ballysaggart Lough again this morning. (John Spratt).

A single Pinkfoot was with Greylags and Whoopers on the Closet Meadows at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong, Ed O'Hara)

The Spotted Redshank was again at Ballycarry (Gerard McGeehan / Shirley Dunlop)

A female Ring-necked Duck and a Great White Egret were at the south end of Lough Beg. (Richard Hunter).

The Black Redstart was still at St John's Point. (David Stirling).

Bird News Friday 3rd February

A Barn Owl was seen on the Upper Ballynahinch Road early this morning (Garry Wilkinson)

5 Russian White-fronts, 1 Barnacle Goose and 1 Pinkfoot were with 200+ Greylags at Reedy Flats Lough Neagh Co Armagh (Ed O'Hara)

A Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy)

The Slavonian Grebe was still at Glynn (Cameron Moore)

A sinensis Cormorant was off RSPB WoW / D3 (Dermot Hughes)

A Black Redstart has been reported at Tullyhill, Kilclief, Co Down.

sinensis Cormorant, Dermot Hughes:

Bird News Thursday 2nd February

A high count of 36 Common Snipe at Belfast WoW (Derek Polley).

Spotted Redshank still at Larne Lough but no sign of the Whitehead Waxwings (Cameron Moore).

A mixed flock of Twite and Linnet at Whitehead boatyard (John McLean).

24 Twite at Ball’s Point (Richard Donaghey).

Drake Ferruginous Duck still at Ballysaggart Lough behind the island viewed from the school car park. Herds of 22 Whooper Swans at Reedy Flats and 28 at Ardmore. A female Merlin and Red Kite at Drumkeeragh Forest. Two drake Goosander at Begney Lough, Dromara (Garry Wilkinson).

Three Pink-footed Geese at Flatfield and a Water Rail in front of the hide at Portmore Lough (Mike McLaughlin and David McCreedy).

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the Spotted Redshank, to John McLean for the Twite and Linnet and Mike McLaughlin for the Pink-footed Goose and Bullfinch:

Bird News Wednesday 1st February

 The Ferruginous Duck was still at Ballysaggart Lough this morning. (Clifford Sharpe)

A large flock of at least 100 Siskin were in Straid village. (Dave Craig).

The Russian Whitefront, 2 Pinkfeet and a Barnacle Goose were with Greylags at Reedy flats this morning. (Ed O'Hara).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was visiting a garden in Ramone Park in Portadown. (Robbie Clarke).

Thanks to Clifford Sharpe for the picture of the Ferruginous Duck, to John McClean for the pictures of the Woodcock, to Christine Cunningham for the picture of the Yellowhammer, to Juliet Fleming for the picture of the Eider and to Ed O'Hara for the picture of the Russian Whitefront: