nibirds

Bird News Sunday 9th June

At least one of the Garganey was present at RSPB WoW early afternoon (Mark Elliott / Stuart McKee)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Delamont, Killyleagh (Anne and Gerald Kane)

In the Antrim Hills, Whinchats, Spotted Flycatchers and Cuckoos were all seen this morning. (Michael Latham)

Fox with Hooded Crow, Wilf Swain:

Spotted Flycatcher, JonnyRosborough:

Cuckoo, Michael Latham:

The two drake Garganey are still at RSPB WoW (Garry Armstrong).

A flock of 70 Sanderling were at Murlough this afternoon. (Angus Kennedy)

Several Cuckoos and Spotted Flycatchers were in the Antrim hills. (Michael Latham)

There will be a boat trip along the North Coast and around Rathlin on Monday 10th June. The main purpose of the trip is to monitor Peregrines and seabirds. Contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for further details.

Many thanks to all those who share pictures with us and you can view more pictures of Northern Ireland's birds at: https://nibirdpics.blogspot.com/

Male Stonechat, Thomas Campbell:

Meadow Pipit - Wilf Swain:

Sanderling - Angus Kennedy:

Spotted Flycatcher - Michael Latham:

Bird News Friday 7th June

A White-tailed Eagle flew past Knockniiny, Upper Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh this morning (Robert Scott)

A Corncrake continues to be heard on Rathlin.

A Marsh Harrier was again at Portmore Lough (Stephen Dunbar)

Those of you interested in the wildlife of Co. Donegal might like to visit the following blog which has a wealth of information on the birds and other wildlife of the beautiful Sheskinmore SPA, west of Ardara and Portnoo: https://sheskinmore.wordpress.com/

Drake Garganey, RSPB WoW, Derek Polley:

Drake Garganey, Mervyn Campbell:

Bird News Thursday 6th June.

The two Garganey are still present at the WOW Belfast reserve (Derek Polley)

Two Cuckoos were calling at Shillanavogey this afternoon - (Lilian Cummings).

Thanks to Lilian for the pictures of the Cuckoo and the Stonechat:

Bird News Wednesday 5th June

A male and female Garganey were present at Belfast WOW reserve this morning. (Chris Sturgeon).

This evening there were two male Garganey at WOW. (Wilton Farrelly).

A Marsh Harrier was hunting over the reed-beds at Portmore. (Maria Mulholland).

Thanks to Nigel Moore for the picture of the Garganey from WOW, to Kenny Moore for the picture of the Wheatear and to Christine Cunningham for the picture of the Snipe:

Donegal Corncrake Tours

Donegal Corncrake Nights Return

Following on from the success of a series of Corncrake Tours which took place in Donegal last year there will be a number of evening talks, and night-time excursions to hear this elusive and increasingly rare bird. Lead by a local wildlife expert these events provide an excellent opportunity for people to learn more about the once common Corncrake whose distinctive call was for older generations the sound that heralded the coming of summer.

The Corncrake is emblematic of species decline and a worthy symbol of environmental action whose conservation might hold the key to a brighter greener future. Donegal along with the other main nesting area of west Mayo and Galway are the last two remaining Corncrake breeding ranges in Ireland, holding the last hope of the survival of this species on the island.

The Corncrake is a Summer visitor arriving in April. It likes to stay hidden in long grasses, amongst tall weeds or in damp places. To attract a female the male will begin 'calling' occasionally during the day on and off again, but more regularly at dusk reaching a steady peak around midnight and continuing till dawn. This call is a loud repetitive grating sound of 'krek krek'.

The upcoming Corncrake events will provide a wonderful insight for those who wish to learn more about this amazing bird, alongside the chance of hearing the Corncrake's peculiar mating call. These Corncrake nights will take place in Falcarragh, beginning at 10pm on each of the following Saturdays; the 8th & 22nd June and the 6th & 20th July. Those interested in attending should call 00 353 74 918 0994 or 00 353 86 822 0404.

If you see or hear a Corncrake in Donegal please report it to the Corncrake Conservation Project; for Glencolmcille to Falcarragh and the Islands call John on 00 353 083 132 2378 / or / for Dunfanaghy to Inishowen call Andy on 00 353 85 800 6635

Bird News Monday 3rd June

An American Golden Plover was at Mill Bay on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

The male Garganey was still at Belfast WOW reserve this morning. (Robert Hughes).

Unusually a female Yellowhammer visited an urban garden in Newtownards. (Ian McKee).

Thanks to Ric Else for the pictures of the American Golden Plover and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Bullfinch:

Bird News Sunday 2nd June

Four Mediterranean Gull were at RSPB WoW this afternoon (Brian Murphy)

2 Spotted Flycatcher were at Glynn. Capanagh had a Cuckoo (Gerard McGeehan and Shirley Dunlop)

A Carrion Crow was at Doon Bay Rathlin Island with Hooded Crows and Ravens (John Spottiswood)

A Little Gull was at Ballygalley this evening (Neal Warnock)

Bird News Saturday 1st June.

Swallows - Thomas Campbell.

Sedge Warbler - Annette Elkin.

Bird News Friday 31st May

A drake Garganey is at the Belfast WOW Reserve (Jeff Larkin).

The male Garganey seen again today at the southwest corner of Lough Beg and an inland Kittiwake was also seen. (David Steele).

An Osprey was at Copeland Bird Observatory today. (Copeland Bird Observatory).

The Lesser Yellowlegs was not present at Castle Espie today.

Thanks to Daniel Newton for the picture of the Garganey at Belfast WOW:

Kestrel Talk

Bird News Thursday 30th May

A Lesser Yellowlegs is at Castle Espie (Fiona Walton). The bird was present to at least 5pm. The bird frequents the centre freshwater lagoon. For hours of opening, see: https://www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/castle-espie

Jonathan Clark:

Mike Walton:

Wilton Farrelly:

Bird News Wednesday 29th May

A Common Quail was singing at Kebble, Rathlin this afternoon. (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

Two Reed Warbler were at Oxford Island (Dot Blakely)

A male Great Spotted Woodpecker was in a garden in Bryansford (Eric and Joanne Mansell)

Bird News Tuesday 28th May

This morning an Osprey was in flight over Dundrum Inner Bay South. It flew off southwards. (Danny Bailie)

Yesterday evening a Cuckoo was calling at the base of Carn Tochair in the townland Slaughtneil near Maghera. (Julie Tolerton).

A Cuckoo was seen at midday today at Murlough, Co.Down. (Ian McKee).

A 1st year Glaucous Gull was at Ramore Head. (Colin Guy).

Bird News Monday 27th May

The Glossy Ibis was seen at Portmore Lough this morning. (Cheryl & Jim McKeown)

The Cuckoo was still at Capanagh (Kenny Moore)

An adult Little Gull and the Glossy Ibis were seen from the viewing platform at Portmore Lough RSPB Reserve this afternoon (Brad Robson)

A Wood Sandpiper was in the southwest corner of Lough Beg, present for 40 minutes, calling and singing then flew off at 1640. (David Steele)

Our thanks to Michael Latham for the photo of a Spotted Flycatcher.

Bird News Sunday 26th May

Late News for yesterday was that the Glossy Ibis was still at Portmore in the afternoon (Linda Thompson). The bird was still present this morning along with an Osprey (Mark and Karen Elliott)

The Capanagh area had Spotted Flycatchers, Whinchats and a Cuckoo (Michael Latham)

Glossy Ibis, Mark Elliott:

Spotted Flycatcher, Michael Latham:

Bird News Saturday 25th May

The Glossy Ibis was showing again at Portmore Lough this morning (Kevin Kirkham).

A Cuckoo was on Rathlin, see picture below. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

A Bonxie was also on Rathlin today, see picture below. (Stephen Dunbar).

A Red Kite was over the M1 between Belfast and Moira. (Daniel Moore).

Thanks to Stephen Dunbar for the pictures of the Puffin and the Great Skua, to Ric Else for the picture of the Cuckoo and to Wilf Swain for the picture of the House Martin:

Bird News Friday 24th May

The Glossy Ibis was still at Portmore Lough RSPB Reserve this morning (Richard Hunter) The Ibis was still present this evening and a drake Garganey was also present. (Michael Latham)

A Red Kite was over the M1 at the Oxford Island junction. (Colin Mayes).

A pair of Common Crossbills were an unusual sight at the Ecos Park. (Jeff Larkin)

A drake Garganey was at the south west corner of Lough Beg (Richard Hunter)

4 Crossbill were in Randalstown forest this evening. (Richard Hunter)

Our thanks to David Hunter for the pic of the Swallow, to Michael Latham for the pictures of the Glossy Ibis and the Garganey and to Thomas Campbell for the pictures of the Kestrel, Skylark and Meadow Pipit:

Escaped Harris Hawk

An escaped Harris Hawk has been seen in a garden near Killinchy, see picture below. (Andrew Gault).

Bird News Thursday 23rd May

The Glossy Ibis is still at Portmore Lough RSPB this evening. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown).

A Ruff was at Belfast WOW reserve this morning and Common Tern numbers are around the 230 mark with display and mating etc. 4 Mediterranean Gulls were also seen. (Derek Polley).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker has been visiting a garden in Ballynahinch over the past few days, see picture below. (Ian Jackson).

Thanks to Ian Jackson for the picture of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, to Wilf Swain for the picture of the Meadow Pipit and to Jeff Silvers for the picture of the Eider: