Bird News Thursday 15th December

 A female or immature Black Redstart was outside Killough Pharmacy on the MainStreet, Killough. (Andrew Crory).

The Waxwings were still in Maxwell Road, Bangor this afternoon. (Alastair McLean).

Two Snow Buntings were at Shane's Hill on the Antrim plateau this afternoon. (David |Steele).

A Chiffchaff was at Church Avenue in Killough. (Chris Murphy). 

Dusk and shortly afterwards on Rathlin produced five Woodcock, two Long-eared Owls and a Teal (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Thanks to David Clarke for the pictures of the Linnets and the Fieldfare and to Alastair McLean for the pictures of the Waxwing, Blackcap and Mistle Thrush:

Northern Ireland Bird Photography Competition 2023

 

Bird New Wednesday 14th December

The Spotted Redshank remains at Ballycarry (Ian Dickey).

The two Waxwings remain in West Bangor along Maxwell Road (Kevin O’Grady/Stuart McKee).

At Strangford Lough, nine Twite on Bird Island and on other islands a Short-eared Owl and hunting Sparrowhawk and Merlin (Hugh Thurgate & Jim McNair).

Black-necked Grebe at Corbally Reservoir, Portrush this afternoon (Donna & Stephen Riddell).

Purple Sandpiper at Whitehead (Jonathan Cooke).

Barn Owl at Ballylucas Road, Downpatrick at c2015 with a second between Annacloy and Ballynahinch at 2221 (Garry Wilkinson).

Highest ever count of ten Woodcock on Rathlin in just a few minutes from 1640 (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Waxwing (Kevin O’Grady):

Redwing & Bullfich at Castlewellan Forest Park (Alastair Maclean):

Black-necked Grebe (Donna & Stephen Riddell):

Purple Sandpiper (Jonathan Cooke):

Bird News Tuesday 13th December

 The two Waxwings were still in Maxwell Road, Bangor this morning. (Garry Wilkinson).

A Black Redstart is at Whitehead seafront. (Cameron Moore).

A Long-tailed Duck and Slavonian Grebe were off Loughshore Park. 4 Purple Sandpipers were also present (Gerard McGeehan).

This morning a female Long-tailed Duck was in Dundrum Inner Bay North, off the Murlough reserve. (Danny Bailie).

The Waxwing is still in a garden in Ballycastle. (Tom McDonnell).

A pair of Goosanders were at Randalstown. (Jonny Rosborough).

Bird News Monday 12th December

A Waxwing is present in a Ballycastle garden (Kenneth Starrs).

Two Green Sandpipers and a Greenshank at Corbett Lough with Goosanders reported earlier (David McCreedy).

Five Goosander (two drakes, three redheads) at Begney Lough near Dromora (David Nixon).

Two Waxwing still present along Maxwell Road, Bangor (Brian Redpath).

Two female and a male Goosander at Randalstown (Dermot Hughes).

Yesterday’s Little Auk warming itself inside a Donaghadee residence (per Dave Stirling):

Goosanders (David Nixon):

Waxwing, Bangor (Brian Redpath):

Great Spotted Woodpecker (female) (Juliet Fleming):

Bird News Sunday 11th December

The two Waxwings were still present this morning, Maxwell Road Bangor. (Walter, Chris and Ethan Veale).

A female Ring-necked Duck is at Crom Estate and a male was at Mill Lough outside Enniskillen in Fermanagh. (John Cusack).

Two Slavonian Grebes were off Macedon Point in Belfast Lough, there was no sign of the Long-tailed Duck. Another Slavonian Grebe was off Rhanbuoy Park in Carrickfergus. (Daniel Newton).

Five Goosander, four Green Sandpipers and a Greenshank were at Corbet Lough outside Banbridge. (David McCreedy).

A Long-tailed Duck was at Runkerry, Portballintrae this morning. (Stephen Riddell).

An Osprey was on the Margey river Ballycastle by the golf club last Friday (Ciara Ohartghaile)

A Little Auk was at a private house in Donaghadee (per David Stirling)

Thanks to everyone who has sent pictures of the Waxwings:

Brian Redpath

Michael Latham

William Smiton

Bangor Waxwings

 For anyone travelling to see the Waxwings in Bangor the birds will be struggling in this cold weather so please do not approach them too closely or chase after them if they fly. The welfare of the birds is more important than a better view or a closer photograph. This applies to all birds during this very cold weather. 

Bird News Saturday 10th December

The two Waxwings were still in Bangor. (Brian McCloskey,  Billy Miskelly).

The Bonaparte's Gull remains at Ballygally. (Ian Enlander).

The Long-tailed Duck is still of Macedon Point in Belfast Lough. (Daniel Newton).

The Spotted Redshank is still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (Ian Dickey).

A Whimbrel was at the sewage works at Seahill. (Dermot Hughes).

The Lesser Scaup is still at Dunfanaghy New Lake. (Chris Ingram).

A male Ring-necked Duck was at Knockninny refuge in Fermanagh, a female may also be present but couldn't be confirmed. (John Cusack/Brad Robson).

A Great Northern Diver was in Ballycastle harbour. (Tom McDonnell).

Thanks to Ian Enlander for the pictures of the Bonaparte's Gull and to Brian Redpath for the picture of the Waxwing:

Bird News Friday 9th December

The Waxwings are still at Maxwell Road, Bangor (Stephen Dunbar et al).

The Bonaparte’s Gull was still at Ballygally 1045-1130 at least (Kevin Kirkham)

An adult Iceland Gull is at Corbally, Portrush (John Clarke)

Four Slavonian Grebes, a Long-tailed Duck, two Great Northern Divers, four Red-throated Divers and c3000 Eider off Macedon Point (Stuart McKee).

The Osprey is still at the Bann Estuary (James McDowell).

Three Cattle Egrets are roosting at the ponds at the south end of Lough Beg at sunset whilst the Great Northern Diver is still on the main lake (David Steele).

At least three Green Sandpipers, a Greenshank and six Goosander (two males, four females) at Corbett Lough (David McCreedy).

Bonapartes Gull, Kevin Kirkham:

With this cold snap, thrushes are on the move. This bird below was part of a small flock in Moat Park, Dundonald:

Osprey enjoying th fishing at the Bann (James McDowell):

Green Sandpipers & Greenshank (David McCreedy):

Bangor Waxwings

The two Waxwings in Bangor have been well photographed over the past few days. Many thanks for our contributors below:

Jonathan Cooke:

Derek Polley:

Michael Latham:

Stephen Maxwell:

Bird News Thursday 8th December

The two Waxwings were still present all day in Maxwell Road in Bangor throughout the day (James Andrew/Ian Young et al).

The Bonaparte’s Gull was seen at 10:45, near the Ballygally Hotel and later opposite Cairncastle Primary School (Bob Watts)

A Long-earwd Owl was at Coleraine University (Ben McCook)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Magheragall, Lisburn (Richard Caves)

17 Greenland White-fronts were still on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson)

A very late Swallow was reported from Castle Ward, Co Down.

Bonaparte's Gull, David McCreedy:

Bird News Wednesday 7th December

Two Waxwing remain in Bangor West along Maxwell Road, feeding outside No 34, c100m from junction with Bryansburn Road (Jeff Larkin). Still present at same spot at 2pm (Bob Watts). Birds flew to rear of house and out of sight c3pm (per Ian Young).

The Osprey remains at the Bann Estuary (John Clarke).

145 Whooper Swans and 47 Greylag Geese went to roost at Strand Lough along with seven Common Scoter and a Merlin (Chris Murphy).

A Merlin was at Billy Neill Country Park with two Dippers along the river. (Suzanne Belshaw).

The Bonaparte’s Gull showed well again this morning at Ballygally (Tom Ennis).

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the Waxwings:

Bird News Tuesday 6th December

 The Bonaparte's Gull was still at Ballygally this morning. (Mike McLaughlin, David McCreedy).

The Green-winged Teal is still at Inch Lake in Donegal, seen from the viewing platform. (Chris Ingram).

A Great Northern Diver is at Foyle Port Marina in Derry. (John Spottiswood).

The drake Lesser Scaup was again in the SW corner of Dunfanaghy New Lake - a good viewing point just off the main road a couple of hundred metres west of Corcreggan Mill (Michael Huggins)

2 Slavonian Grebes are at Glynn, 2 Twite at Whitehead and the Spotted Redshank and Great White Egret at Ballycarry Bridge. (Dermot Hughes).

10 Twite were at Ballymacormick Point. (James Andrew).

Two Waxwing were in Bangor West today (Sean Wensley)

As well as the Spotted Redshank and Great White Egret at Ballycarry Bridge a Peregrine was also present this morning. A hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow was at Ballygally. (David McCreedy, Mike McLaughlin).

Bonaparte's Gull - Mike McLaughlin

Spotted Redshank - David McCreedy

Spotted Redshank - David McCreedy

Hybrid Carrion x Hooded Crow - Mike McLaughlin

Monday 5th December

Red Kite at junction of A8 & A57 at Ballynure, Co Antrim at 8am (Chris Hume).

Lesser Scaup still at Dunfanaghy New Lake (Ian Young).

Male and female Ring-necked Ducks along with a Great Northern Diver at Lough Beg, with Cattle Egret and Spotted Redshank at the Mullagh (David Steele).

A pair of Goosander and 21 Whooper Swans at Corbet Lough this afternoon (David McCreedy).

Three Purple Sandpipers at Longhole, Bangor (Paul Hunter).

Purple Sandpiper (Paul Hunter):

Bird News Sunday 4th December

The Bonaparte’s Gull is still at Ballygally this morning. Good numbers of Crossbills and a wing tagged Red Kite were in the Antrim hills (Michael Latham)

A Great White Egret was seen in flight at Clea Lakes, Kilkyleagh this morning (Mark Stronge).

8 Twite and at least 10 Mediterranean Gulls were at Ballymacormick Point this morning. (James Andrew).

830 Black-tailed Godwits were in a flooded field at Kirkistown. (Richard Weyl).

16 Snow Buntings were at Ballintoy harbour and a male Black Redstart was at Portstewart. (James Crymble).

A pair of Goosanders were on Corbett Lough outside Banbridge. (David McCreedy).

Thanks to Michael Latham for the pictures of the Bonaparte's Gull and the Crossbill and to Sandra McDowell for the picture of the Red Kite:

Bird News Saturday 3rd December

The Bonaparte’s Gull was at Ballygally (Neal Warnock).

The Long-tailed Duck is still off the Amici restaurant in Portstewart. (Stephen Riddell).

The female Marsh Harrier was still at Portmore Lough (Michael Latham).

A Peregrine was hunting over Cookstown town centre this morning. (Tony McCormick).

The Osprey, a different 1cy Iceland Gull and a Merlin were at the Bann estuary today. (John Spottiswood)

Two Purple Sandpipers and a high count of 207 Dunlin were at Whitehead (Cameron Moore)

A Long-eared Owl was seen at Blaris Cemetery this morning (Garry Wilkinson)

The Black Redstart was still at St John's Point Lighthouse (Chris Murphy)

This Black-headed gull was ringed in Denmark in 2015 and has been seen in Whitehead every Winter since 2015 and usually leaves by March, Cameron Moore:

Bird News Friday 2nd December

There was no sign of the Osprey at the Bann Estuary this morning but the Iceland Gull was present. (Martin Deehan).

The Osprey was seen briefly off the hide at the Barmouth this afternoon. (Mervyn Campbell).

At least 8 Slavonian Grebes we're at Greyabbey Bay, 7 Black-throated Divers and 1 Slavonian close in off Horse Island. A Jack Snipe was at Portavogie marsh and 2 Med Gull on Cloughy beach. (Dermott Hughes / John O'Boyle)

93 Whooper Swans were at Strand Lough, Killough, the two Black Redstarts were at Quay Lane, Killough (Ann Feltham). A late report of a Slavonian Grebe in Newcastle harbour on 30th November. (Leonard Charles). (Chris Murphy).

Two 1st winter Mediterranean Gulls were at Belfast Waterworks this afternoon. (Kevin Kirkham).

Black Redstart, Alastair Rae:

Common Sandpiper, Richard Caves:

Bird News Thursday 1st December

The Osprey was still at the Bann Estuary (Alwyn Spence / Stephen Maxwell/Hill Dick).

A 1st winter Iceland Gull was also at the Bann Estuary. (Hill Dick).

40 Twite were on Ramore Head, Portrush. Great Northern Divers were at Port Ballantrae, Portstewart and Portrush (Juliet Fleming)

The fields at Bishopscourt race track had a Ruff feeding in a pool with Redshanks. 115 Whooper Swans were there too. 2 Sandwich Terns were at Kilclief. Quoile Pondage was quiet (David Nixon)

The Black Restart was still at Newcastle harbour this afternoon around the NYC slipways and the old boathouse. (Trevor Rutherford).

A Kestrel was hovering over the runway at Belfast City Airport. (Rhona Bell).

2 Red-throated Divers were off the Concentrix carpark in Belfast Harbour Estate. (Derek Polley).

Thanks to Alwyn Spence for the 1st picture of the Osprey and to Hill Dick for the 2nd picture:

Bird News Wednesday 30th November

 Between 8 - 9am Whitehead seafront had 77 Red-throated Diver and 2 Great Northern Diver flying into Belfast Lough together with approx 15 Gannet and 200 Eider. (Ian Enlander).

A Long-tailed Duck is off the Amici restaurant in Portstewart. (Stephen Riddell).

The Osprey is still at the Bann estuary. (John Clarke).

The Spotted Redshank is still at Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. (Cameron Moore).

Two Black Redstarts were at Killough Harbour, on shore below The Green; Whooper Swans were heard roosting on nearby Strand Lough. Yesterday the Black Redstart was still in paddock of St John’s Point. lighthouse. (Chris Murphy)

Purple sandpipers were dotted along the shore from Eisenhower pier to Jamaica inn in Bangor, with four opposite Jamaica inn. A Carrion Crow was on the rocks immediately south of Ballyholme Yacht Club. A Great Northern Diver was to the northeast of Groomsport car park. (Steven Farquhar)

A Grey Phalarope was on the north side of Rathlin this afternoon. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

Thanks to Gerry Bond for the picture of the Red-throated Diver, to Stephen Riddell for the picture of the Long-tailed Duck, to Cameron Moore for the pictures of the Bonaparte's Gull and the Spotted Redshank and to Ric Else for the picture of the Grey Phalarope: