Bird News Saturday 4th January 2025

A White-billed Diver was on the Antrim coast. Found about 13.40 moderately close inshore along the rocky coast at Galboly (about a mile north of Garron Point). Watched for c.30 minutes during which time it drifted offshore and became distant in the outermost part of Red Bay then finally seen in flight in the outer bay and lost to view in the direction of Cushendun. (David Steele).

The Brambling was still at the middle carpark at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

The Great White Egret and 2 Ruff were at Inch in Donegal. A White-tailed Eagle was on the castle and causeway. (Martin Deehan, Theo Campbell).

The Brambling is still at Edenderry, feeding with Chaffinchs along the roadside. (Sean Gibson).

5 Slavonian Grebes were off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough. (Dermot Hughes).

The Snow Goose, Todds Canada Goose and 2 Cackling Geese were still among 800 Barnacles at Dunfanaghy in Donegal. (Derek Brennan).

A Carrion Crow was at the hide at the Quoile and a Sandwich Tern was at Ardglass Harbour. (Aaron Long).

The Great White Egret was still at Portmore Lough RSPB. (Michael Latham).

A Merlin and a Great Northern Diver were off the hide at the Barmouth. (Mel O'Hagan).

A Carrion Crow was visiting a garden in Islandmagee. (Robert McDowell).

The Spotted Redshank and a Red-throated Diver were in Dundrum Inner Bay. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).

A boat trip into Dundrum Bay produced 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, a flyby Long-tailed Duck and several hundred Common Scoter. (Aaron Long).

A Swallow was on a farm on the Loanends Road just off the Seven Mile Straight. (Gregory Heaney).

White-billed Diver, David Steele.




Spotted Redshank, David Clarke.



Spotted Redshank, Mike McLaughlin.



Purple Sandpiper, Rod Gillan.



Bird News Friday 3rd January 2025

2 Bramblings still at junction of Edederry / Ballynahatty roads (Aaron Long).

80-90 Greenfinches at 4pm pre roost gathering in trees behind KFC at Lisburn Omniplex yesterday (Leia Giesel).

Goosander at mouth of River Carnlough. Slavonian Grebe at Glynn. Twite at Sandy Bay. Black-throated Diver still from Carnlough. 2 Great Northern Divers and 25 Purple Sandpipers from Portrush (Martin Deehan).

Great White Egret Ardmore Road shoreline, Lough Neagh 100m east of Emerson’s sand quarry (Clifford Sharpe).

Female type Ring-necked Duck back on Corbally Res (John Clarke).

2000+ Golden Plover at Newtownards Floodgates in field near flying club (Bob Watts).

Ring-necked Duck, John Clarke:


Kingfisher, David McCreedy:



Brambling, Aaron Long:





Bird News Thursday 2nd January 2025

Two Chiffchaff were at the rear of hide 2 at RSPB WoW (Ronnie Doggart / Derek Polley)

The Great White Egret was off the Croghan Hide, Oxford Island. A Brambling was also at the middle car park (Garry Armstrong)

A Black-throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Diver were at Carnlough (Aaron Long \ David Nixon \ Philip McHaffie)

2 Brambling were still around Edederry/Ballynahatty roads junction, Co Down (Dermot Hughes)

A male Hen Harrier was in the western Sperrins (Anna Warwick)

The Pink-feet were still with the Barnacles at Portmore (Juliet Fleming)

The Cattle Egret was still at the Creagh, next to the A6 at Toome (Nigel Moore)

The drake Ring-necked Duck was seen again at Lough Beg (David Steele)

75 Purple Sandpiper were on Rathlin (Ric Else)

A ring tail Hen Harrier was at Magilligan (Martin Deehan)

A drake Ring-necked Duck was at Knockninny, Co Fermanagh (Ronan Owens)

The Brambling was back in the garden at Whitehead (Cameron Moore)

Great White Egret, Portmore, Juliet Fleming:

Brambling, Cameron Moore:

Hen Harrier, Anna Warwick:


Bird News Wednesday 1st January 2025

2 Slavonian Grebes off Glynn in Larne Lough. (Aaron Long, Sean Gibson).

The redhead Goosander was still off Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough and a Jack Snipe was by the airport. (Stuart Cossey).

A Short-eared Owl and a Merlin were at Ballyquitan. (Richard Weyl).

2 Black-throated Divers were at Carnlough. (Michael Latham).

The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull and 14 Purple Sandpipers were at Millisle. (Jeff Higgott)

The Bonaparte's Gull was on the shore opposite Ballygally Castle. (Jeff Larkin).

A Velvet Scoter was in Larne Lough. (Michael Latham).

A Carrion Crow and 6 Sandwich Terns were at Portaferry. (Jeff Higgott).

The Green Sandpiper was still at Creightons Green Reservoir and 3 Pinkfeet with Greylags at Whinny Hill. (Wilton Farrelly, Bob Watts, Philip West).

6 Crossbills were at Aghmakane Wood. (John Spottiswood).

The 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Sandy Bay in Larne. (Ivan Quail & Nicky Lynn).

A Mediterranean Gull was at Whitehead. (Gerard McGeehan, Shirley Dunlop).

6 Pink footed Geese were with Nutgrove Whooper and Greylag flock near Seaforde, seen from Bucks Head Road. The Spotted Redshank was at the high tide roost in Dundrum South. (David Nixon).

A pair of Long-tailed Ducks were on Belfast Lough off Greenisland. (Roger Woodward).

Pinkfeet, David |Nixon.


Bonaparte's Gull, Michael Latham.



Velvet Scoter, Michael Latham.



Bird News Tuesday 31st December 2024

Late news from Sunday of a Swallow along the beach at Groomsport east of the harbour (Tom Ennis).

Cattle Egret still viewable from the A6 at Toome at the same site as yesterday (Dave Weir).

Adult Bonaparte’s Gull and 1st winter Iceland Gull present at Tweeds Port this afternoon at high tide (Ian Young).

Drake Ring-necked Duck with the Tufted Duck flock this afternoon at Lough Beg (David Steele).

Chiffchaff in Bangor West killed by a cat (Richard Weyl).

Drake Goosander and a Red Kites at Corbet Lough this afternoon (Jeff Higgott).

Bird News Monday 30th December 2024

The Spotted Redshank was still at Dundrum Inner Bay. Newcastle Harbour had 5 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Red-throated Diver and only 20 Common Scoter (Michael Latham)

A Cattle Egret was viewable from the A6 at Toome, from this location (Steven Farquhar): https://maps.app.goo.gl/1bph9kgu8LLMU5Qg8

A Red Kite was at Tullymurry, between Clough and Downpatrick (Hugh Thurgate)

The Green Sandpiper was again at Creightons Green Reservoir in the Holywood Hills. Portmore Lough - had 2 Pinkfeet & 5 Barnacles with the Greylags, the Great Egret & an impressive Starling murmuration this evening. (Jeff Higgott)

Spotted Redshank and Greenshank, Michael Latham:

Bird News Sunday 29th December 2024

The redhead Goosander was roosting on Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Daniel Newton).

A Great White Egret and a ring-tail Hen Harrier were at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Michael Latham).

6 Purple Sandpipers were on Newcastle beach. (Mel O'Hagan).

The hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull was still at Millisle. (Daniel Newton).

The 2 Swallows are still at the Ropewalk in Killough. (Bob Watts).

A Slavonian Grebe was off Hazelbank in Belfast Lough. (Steven Farquhar).

A single Cattle Egret was in fields by the A6 at Lough Beg. (David Steele).

The 1st winter Iceland Gull was again at Tweed Port, Carnfunnock on the Co. Antrim coast. (Brian  Halligan).

A male and female Great Spotted Woodpeckers were near Helen's Bay. (John McClean).

Iceland Gull, Brian Halligan.



Male & female Great Spotted Woodpeckers, John McClean.



Great White Egret, Michael Latham.





Bird News Saturday 28th December 2024

Late news from yesterday of Hen Harrier and Merlin at Portmore Lough RSPB (Sean Gibson). 

Female Ring-necked Duck showing well with Pochards by causeway to Inch Island, Co Donegal at Bank End. Also Great White Egret from Tready hide (John Spottiswood).

Black-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver from Carnlough Harbour. 3 Great Northern Divers from Madman’s Window car park south of Glenarm (Steven Farquhar).

Drake Goosander still at Corbet Lough but no sign of Green Sandpiper (Richard Gray).

Great Northern Diver Portrush Harbour and 43 Purple Sandpipers at Portrush Coastal Zone (Aaron Long).

3 Pinkfeet still with the Greylags flock just east of Creighton Green Reservoir, Hollywood Hills but no sign of Green Sandpiper (Jeff Higgott / Gilly Irwin).

Bird News Friday 27th December 2024

Carnlough had 2 Black-throated, 1 Red-throated and 1 Great Northern Diver (Michael Latham)

The three Pink-feet were with a Greylag flock in the Holywood Hills (Wilton Farrelly)

The two Swallows remain at Killough ropewalk (David Clarke / John Pyper)

28 Purple Sandpiper were at Ramore Head (Timothy Davis)

A Great Northern Diver was in the surf off Runkerry beach, Portballintrae. (Paul Tout)

Bird News Thursday 26th December 2024

A Green Sandpiper and 2 male Bramblings were at Creightons Green Reservoir, 3 Pinkfeet were with the goose flock in the Holywood Hills. (Billy Miskelly).

25+ Yellowhammers were in fields near Islandhill outside Comber. 8 Slavonian Grebes are with a Goldeneye flock north of Newtownards Sailing Club. 5 Slavonian Grebes were in Greyabbey Bay south. 2 Great Northern Divers and an Otter were at Kircubbin Yacht Club. 4 Mediterranean Gulls and a Sandwich Tern were at Cloughy. 3 Mediterranean Gulls and a Carrion Crow were at Ratallagh, another Mediterranean Gull was at Portavogie. (Bob Watts, Wilton Farrelly, Philip West).

Whitehead this morning (08.20 - 09.00) had 119 Red-throated Diver + 6 Great Northern Diver flying into Belfast Lough. Also 200+ auk, mainly Razorbill. (Ian Enlander).

The Green Sandpiper was still at Corbett Lough outside Banbridge. (David McCreedy).

About 25 Greater Scaup were in flight at the mouth of the Moyola River. (Aaron Long).

3 redhead Goosanders were on the River Maine at Slaght outside Ballymena. (David Steele).

A Brambling was at the junction of the Ballynahatty Road and the Edenderry Road in Belfast. (John O'Boyle).

2 Bramblings and 3 Blackcaps are in a garden in Whitehead. (Cameron Moore).

An adult White-tailed Eagle was seen at Upper Lough Erne. (Gavin Thomas).

3 Slavonian Grebes were off Hazelbank in Belfast Lough. 

2 Red-throated Divers and a Black-throated Diver were off Bangor west, below Stricklands Glen. (Philip Watson).

A Carrion Crow was on Kinnegar shore. (Chris Brits).


Bird News Wednesday 25th December 2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2 Swallows remain along the Ropewalk at Killough (John Scovell / Jill Sampson).

Crossbills at Killylane Reservor (Paul Tout).

Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull Still at Millisle (Gareth Platt).

Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull, Gareth Platt:



Bird News Tuesday 24th December 2024

We wish everyone a Happy Christmas.

A Black-throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Divers were at Carnlough this morning. (Aaron Long / Jeff Higgott)

A Red-throated Diver was off Blackhead (Timothy Davis)

A Velvet Scoter, 2 Slavonian Grebe, a Carrion Crow and a Great Northern Diver were at Glynn. (Aaron Long / Jeff Higgott)

The Spotted Redshank was again feeding in the channel running through Dundrum South Inner Bay. (David Nixon)

3 Red Kites were 2 miles east of Banbridge this afternoon. (Mike McLaughlin)

The Great White Egret was still off the Tready Hide, Inch, Donegal (Derek Brennan)

A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Rowallane Gardens, Saintfield (Juliet Fleming)

An Iceland Gull was at Dundrum / Murlough (Taylor Swabb)

Red Kite, Mike McLaughlin:

Greenshank, Rod Gillan:

Bird News Monday 23rd December 2024

One of the Green Sandpipers was still in the flooded field at Myroe, approximately 50 Yellowhammers were in the stubble fields. (Martin Deehan).

A dark-bellied Brent was with 18 pale-bellied Brent at Horse Island in Strangford Lough. (Ivan Quail & Nicky Lynn).

A Carrion Crow or hybrid was at Kinnegar shore in Belfast Lough. (Stuart Cossey)

The 2 Swallows are still in Killough. (Katherine Laird, David Stirling).

Bird News Sunday 22nd December 2024

Adult Bonaparte’s Gull and 1st winter Iceland Gull at Carnfunnock Bay. Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull yesterday at Millisle (Jeff Higgott).

2 Woodcock in woodland near Belfast City Airport (Stuart Cossey).

2 Green Sandpipers at Myroe (Gerry Bond).

Common Chiffchaff at Bishops Gate, Downhill Demesne (John Spottiswood).

Iceland Gull, Jeff Higgott:


Bonaparte’s Gull, Jeff Higgott:


Hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull, Jeff Higgott:

Green Sandpiper, Gerry Bond:





Bird News Saturday 21st December 2024

A Great White Egret was off the Crogahan Hide, Oxford Island (Aaron Long)

A Chiffchaff was at the Discovery Centre, Oxford Island (Garry Armstrong)

Two Great Northern Diver were the best off Newcastle Harbour (Michael Latham)

The adult Bonaparte's Gull and a 1st winter Iceland Gull were at Tweeds Port, Co Antrim (Ivan Quail)

The Spotted Redshank was again at the high tide roost at Dundrum Inner Bay (Michael Latham)

Spotted Redshank, Michael Latham:



Bird News Friday 20th December 2024

 The 2 Swallows are still present at the Ropewalk in Killough. (John Scovell, Joanie Stephenson, Chris Murphy).

A Black Redstart was on rocks at bottom of wall of Carrickfergus Castle, far side from car park. (Donna Darlington)

The Green Sandpiper was seen again at Corbett Lough outside Banbridge. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).

2 Cattle Egrets were in fields at the south west corner of Lough Beg near the A6 this afternoon. 4 Great White Egrets and 32 Ruff were around the lake. (David Steele).

A tristis type Chiffchaff was at Oxford Island. (Birdguides).

Bird News Thursday 19th December 2024

The Snow Goose still viewable in the Barnacle Goose flock at Dunfanaghy New Lake, Co Donegal (Andy Ellard).

Male Merlin on the edge of Coleraine (Richard Donaghy).

1000 Golden Plover in Comber Estuary with another 400 off Ringnell Road off Nendrum (David Clarke).

2 Red Kites and 12 Buzzard feeding in field along Gall Bog Road outside Banbridge (David McCreedy).

Male Ruff with c1000 Lapwings & Golden Plovers in field opposite McNabbs, Killough but no sign of the Swallows (Chris Murphy).

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Lagan Meadows (Mel O’Hagan).

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker in a garden near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).

Merlin, Richard Donaghy:


Buzzard, David McCreedy:

Bird News Wednesday 18th December 2024

A number of Red Kite have been along the Gall Bog Road near Dromore, Co Down (Shona McVea)

A Great White Egret has been photographed at Lough Erne Resort (Damien Mooney)

The Great White Egret was still at Portmore (Juliet Fleming)

Great White Egret, Juliet Fleming:

Peregrine, Magheracross, Stephen Riddell:

Bird News Tuesday 17th December 2024

 Two Swallows were still around the Ropewalk at St Anne's church in Killough. (Chris Murphy).

A Brambling was at Oxford Island. (Glen Calvert)

A Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver were at Magilligan, 60 Whooper and 300 Brent were at Myroe. (Dylan Thomas).

Ring-necked Duck, Juliet Fleming.


Buzzard, Juliet Fleming.


Brambling, Glen Calvert.


Greenshank, Dylan Thomas.


Whoopers, Dylan Thomas.



Bird News Monday 16th December 2024

Crossbill west over David Lloyd gym, Dundonald 1030 (Bob Watts).

No sign of recent redhead Goosander along Kinnegar shoreline from car park to Dirty Duck at high tide (Bob Watts).

20 Fieldfares feeding in hawthorn at Ecos Centre, Ballymena (Rod Gillan).

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker in garden near Hillsborough (Garry Wilkinson).

Woodcock, John McClean:


Fieldfare, Rod Gillan: