Bird News Monday 6th May

An apparent Ashy-headed Yellow Wagtail was on Rathlin this evening. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

19 Whimbrel were at Dundrum Inner Bay. (Aaron Long).

A male Garganey and the female Marsh Harrier were at Portmore Lough RSPB reserve. (Michael Latham). The female Marsh Harrier was still present at 4.30, there was no sign of the Garganey. (Garry Wilkinson).

2 Ruff and 2 White Wagtails were in the rushy pool in the middle of Reedy Flats. (Clifford Sharpe).

4 Whimbrel were around Orlock Point. (Steven Fyffe).

Yesterday a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Turnstone were at Toome, 3 Fieldfare were at Slieveanora and 5 Pinkfeet at Lough Beg. (Chris & Tim Murphy).

A Common Sandpiper was at Dungonnell Dam, Cargan. (Ginny McKee).

A Red-throated Diver was off Kinnegar shore. (Dan Barry).

A Wood Sandpiper was at Lough Beg, also present were two Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, two Sanderling (among a strong passage of Dunlins and Ringed Plovers), 50 Whimbrel and 15 White Wagtails. (David Steele).

A pair of Ravens have bred near Belfast City Centre with young now close to fledging. (Richard Gray).

Apparent Ashy-headed Yellow Wagtail, Hazel Watson.

Wood Sandpiper, David Steele.

Garganey, Michael Latham.

Marsh Harrier, Michael Latham.

Sedge Warbler, Terry Hanna.

Bird News Sunday 5th May

2 Long-tailed duck are still off Kinnegar barracks. 8 Whimbrel and 4 Common Sandpiper were at Kinnegar shore (Stuart Cossey)

A Marsh Harrier was at Portmore this morning (Ryan Holgate)

A Cuckoo at Bann Estuary yesterday evening (John Spottiswood).

4 Garden Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Sedge Warbler & Fieldare ringed at Copeland BO today, also Whinchat, Short-eared Owl & Cuckoo seen (David Sterling).

Around Newcastle; Cuckoo calling from Bloody Bridge, with 2 Common Sandpipers and a Wheatear Blackrock (Stephen Foster).

4 Common Sandpipers in the harbour side of Portballintrae (Chris Rankin).

Male Yellow Wagtail near farmhouse at Ballyquintin Point also 2 Garden Warbler in hedges near entrance and a Whinchat (Richard Weyl). Whinchat still present at 1530 with 6 Greenland Wheatear in vicinity and several Whimbrel but no further sign of Yellow Wagtail or Garden Warblers (Bob Watts).

2 Dark-bellied Brent Geese with c50 PB Brent Geese Cloughy Bay (Richard Weyl).

12 Great Northern Divers in summer plumage from Tyrella public car park and a pod of Bottle-nosed Dolphins (Chris Murphy).

8 Greenland Wheatear, 7 Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, 2 Great Northern Divers St John’s Point, 2 Spotted Flycatchers at Kelly’s Wood. Whimbrel at Killough (Bob Watts).

Iceland Gull still at Portballintrae (Donna & Stephen Riddell).

A Cuckoo at Fairy Water Bogs (Steven Fyffe).

Flock of 70 Whimbrel at Reedy Flats (Garry Armstrong).

3 Wheatear, 15 Whimbrel, Grey Plover and Jack Snipe at Ballymckormick Point (James Andrew).

Drake Garganey at Lough Beg this morning, also Turnstone, 70 Whimbrel, 17 White Wagtail, 5 Pink-footed Geese (David Steele).

Cuckoo at Benevanagh Forest (Tom Garner).

3 Cuckoo at Keel Point, Dundrum (Rhona Bell).

26 Whimbrel at Lady Bay this evening (Garry Armstrong).

32 Whimbrel, 9 Common Sandpipers and 6 Purple Sandpipers on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

Garden Warbler, David Stirling:

Spotted Flycatcher, David Stirling:

Sedge Warbler, David Stirling:

Fieldfare, David Stirling:

Iceland Gull, Stephen Riddell:

Bird News Saturday 4th May

A Wood Sandpiper and 3 Ruff were in the centre of Reedy Flats (Garry Armstrong)

3 Whinchat were on Copeland today (CBO)
 

A summer plumaged Great Northern Diver was off Tides restaurant, Portstewart(Natalie Montgomery)

A Dark-bellied Brent was off Loughshore car park. The north foreshore Belfast lough also had a  Common Scoter and 6 Red Throated Diver (Stuart McKee)

Fourteen Turnstone, 52 Dunlin, two Whimbrel, four Pink-footed Geese, a Cuckoo and 24 White Wagtails were at Lough Beg today. (David Steele)

Yesterday two Ravens were in and around City Hall, Belfast yesterday afternoon (Seamus O'Hara)

Bird News Friday 3rd May

 A single Whimbrel was on the shore at Carnalea in Bangor. (Mark Coyle).

A cuckoo was calling again near Gortin Lakes outside Omagh. (Ian McKee).

A pair of Whinchat were at Murlough, Co. Antrim. (Adam McClure).

A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at Valley Park, Newtownabbey this morning. (Andrew Upton).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Portmore Lough RSPB Reserve. (David McCreedy).

A male Common Scoter was at Lough Shark. (Joe Devlin).

A summer plumaged Great Northern Diver was at Fisherman's Row in Killough and an immature was off Rossglass. (Tim Murphy).

15 Whimbrel and a Grasshopper Warbler were between the Giants Causeway and Runkerry. (Clive Mellon).

2 Cuckoos were at Murlough Nature Reserve, Co. Down. (Tim Davis).

Rathlin today had a Whinchat, 3 Fieldfare, 9 Twite, 3 Grasshopper Warblers and a Corncrake. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

80 Whimbrel, a Cuckoo and a Grasshopper Warbler were at the Bann Estuary. (John Spottiswood).

Wheatear, Michael Latham.

Whinchat, Ric Else.

Bird News Thursday 2nd May

Unusually two Raven were at the Scottish Provident, Donegal Square in Belfast city centre (Ricky McQuillan)

A Whinchat is on Tory (Anton Meenan)

4 Dark-bellied Brent (2ad, 2 juv), were with 400 Brent Geese are in Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy)

A Cuckoo was calling early this morning between Gortin Lakes and Gortin Glen Forest (Ian McKee)

The Garganey was looked for at The Quoile without success.

Yesterday 3 Wheatear were at Ballynulto, near Ballymena (Enda Crossett)

Two Med Gulls were at RSPB WoW (Stephen Maxwell) and another at RSPB Portmore (Chris Rankin)

Four male Ruff and a Common Sandpiper were at Lough Beg this evening and a Turnstone was seen on Tuesday. (David Steele)

There is an unconfirmed report that a Chough was at Haw Road, Ballycastle, yesterday.

Iceland Gull, Portballintrae, Juliet Fleming:

Wheatear, Edna Crossett:

Just to confirm we do not publish pictures of birds at nest sites at this time of year.

Bird News Wednesday 1st May

At least one female Marsh Harrier still at Portmore Lough RSPB (Aaron Long).

Whimbrel at Lady Bay (Aaron Long).

Drake Garganey at Quoile in Collectors Bay then flew towards Quoile Yacht Club at 1330 visible from first parking place between the hide and yacht club (Daniel Bailie / Chris Murphy). Earlier immature White-tailed Eagle with wing tag sporting letter N (Daniel Bailie).

2 Arctic and 26 Common Terns at Quoile (Chris Murphy).

An hour seawatch at St John’s Point this morning produced 7 Common Scoter, 15 Red-throated Diver, 7 Whimbrel, 29 Sandwich Terns and 3 Bottle-nosed Dolphins. Sedge Warbler and Stock Dove in Kelly’s Wood. 2 Common Sandpipers Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy).

Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler on Rathlin (Ric Else / Hazel Watson).

A late Whooper Swan with 2 Mute Swans at Finnebrogue (Chris Murphy).

At least one Dark-bellied amongst c300 Brent Geese at Killough (Chris Murphy).

Iceland Gull at mouth of River Bush. Grasshopper Warbler and several Sedge Warbler Portballintrae. 18 Whimbrel Dunseverick (Juliet Fleming).

A Cuckoo heard this afternoon at Peatlands Park at Derryhubbert Bog (Philip McErlean).

Swift over Derry railway station (John Spottiswood).

Flock of 30 Whimbrel still at Culmore Country Park (David Hill).

Grasshopper Warbler in Ballycastle Forest (James McDowell).

Cuckoo still at Ballymacormick Point close to the Ballyholme entrance (James Andrew).

Garganey, Aaron Long & Chris Murphy

Whimbrel, David Hill:

Bird News Tuesday 30th April

23 Red-throated Divers in 30 minute seawatch from St John’s Point this morning (22 in 3 minutes) (Chris Murphy).

2 Swifts over RSPB WoW Reserve this morning (Jonathan Clark). 2 Mediterranean Gulls, Common Sandpiper, 5 Common Terns early afternoon (Bob Watts).

2 female Marsh Harriers still at Portmore Lough RSPB (Nigel Moore).

2 Wheatear this afternoon at Ballynulto (E. Crossett).

Pochard, David Hunter:

Goldcrest, David Hunter:

Bird News Monday 29th April

Two female Marsh Harrier were at Portmore RSPB this morning (Ed O’Hara)

Yesterday two Whimbrel were at Ballymacormick Point, Bangor (Dave Weir)

8 Swift were at Dunclug, Ballymena (Gareth Platt)

A Common Scoter was on the River Lagan at Moreland's Meadow this afternoon. (Philip McErlean)

A Cuckoo flew over middle road, north of Ballystrudder, Islandmagee this afternoon. There were six Whimbrel at Ballycarry Bridge. (Kevin Kirkham)

A Pectoral Sandpiper and 2nd cy Little Gull were at Blanketnook (Derek Brennan)

Two Swifts were at Inishcreenry, Upper Lough Erne, this afternoon (James Robinson)

A Swift was over the Belmont arena of Belfast this evening (Simon Morton)

Six Twite were on Rathlin (Ric Else)

House Martins and Whitethroats are now widely reported.

Marsh Harriers, Ed O'Hara:

Common Scoter, Philip McErlean:

Marsh Harrier, Richard Caves:

Bird News Sunday 28th April

A Whinchat was at Ballintoy. (Clive Mellon).

A pair of Long-tailed Duck was off Kinnegar shore. (Stuart Cossey).

A Common Tern was at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Daniel Newton).

A summer plumaged Black-throated Diver was off Newtownards Sailing Club. (Bob Watts).

A Tree Pipit flew north over Keeble on Rathlin. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

At least 4 Reed Warblers were at Lough Cowey. (Wilton Farrelly).

4 Swift were over Lurgan this morning.(Steven Fyffe).

30+ Whimbrel were at Lady Bay, Lough Neagh. (Michael Latham).

50+ Whimbrel were at Killard Point. (Stuart Cossey).

A single Pinkfoot was at Ballyquitan. (David Stirling).

3 Cuckoo were at Altikeeragh. (Tom Garner).

A Green Sandpiper was at Lough Cowey. (Billy Miskelly).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker is frequenting a garden between Bleary and Gilford. (Joel McKee).

Portmore Lough RSPB this afternoon had a female Marsh Harrier, 2 Arctic and 6 Common Terns, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Swift and a Cuckoo. (Garry Armstrong).

60 Whimbrel were at the Bann Estuary this afternoon. (James McDowell).

A Cuckoo was near Brookborough, Co. Fermanagh. (Colin Bell).

The Cattle Egret was still on Brankin's Island Road this afternoon, 20 Whimbrel were in the same field. (Richard Caves).

A  Tree Pipit was on Rathlin today. Yesterday there was a Brambling and 40+ Whimbrel. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson).

A Dark-bellied Brent was in the narrows close to Portaferry. (Wilton Farrelly).

2 Dark-bellied Brent were among 298 Brent in Killough Harbour. 61 Whimbrel were at the causeway at the Quoile with 2 Common Terns in Collectors Bay, yesterday 14 Common Terns were present. (Chris Murphy).

Whimbrel, Richard Caves.

Dark-bellied Brent, Portaferry.

Bird News Saturday 27th April

A male Ring-Necked Duck was off Mullagh, Lough Beg (Richard Hunter)

A Cuckoo was at Creggan between Omaha and Cookstown (Anna Warwick)

30 Whimbrel were moving around Feumore Road area, north of Portmore lough. (Sean Thompson)

4 Whimbrel were at Ballyquinton Point and a further 4 at Templecowey. 6 were at Kearney along with a Greenland Wheatear (Bob Watts)

A Great Northern Diver was in flight in the middle of Reedy Flats, single Ruff and 5 Whimbrel at the east end, 17 Whimbrel at Todds Corner, Ardmore. (Garry Armstrong)

55 Whimbrel were at Dunseverick (Clive Mellon)

A Cuckoo was near Glen village, Donegal. (Elaine Huey)

The drake Lesser Scaup and over 200 Whimbrel were at Blanketnook, Donegal (Derek Brennan / Ralph Sheppard)

49 Whimbrel and a Ruff were at Killard beach (David Stirling)

A Spotted Flycatcher was in a Dromore, Co Down, garden on the early date of 23 April (T and E Rutherford)

The Pink-footed Goose was at Waterford (Jonathan Cooke)

The Cattle Egret was in the usual field on the Brankin's Island Road this afternoon. (David McCreedy)

58 Whimbrel were roosting beside estuary/causeway at Quoile Pondage. 3 were at Killough. (Chris Murphy)

Around Portadown were 15 Whimbrel on fields beside Bann north of Portadown and 3 Swift (Brian Nelson)

Davagh Forest, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone this afternoon had a Great Spotted Woodpecker, 3 Cuckoo and 2 male Crossbill (Godfrey McRoberts)

A Dark- bellied Brent was with 21 Brent on Newcastle beach this afternoon. Another was with 100+ Brent on Ballykinlar Point in Dundrum North Inner Bay, where there also were 2 Whimbrel. (David Nixon)

Dark-bellied Brent Goose, David Nixon:

Cattle Egret, David McCreedy:

Bird News Friday 26th April

A male Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail was on Rathlin this evening. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson)

There was no sign of the Osprey at Woodburn Reservoir this morning, a Common Sandpiper and a male Great Spotted Woodpecker were present. (Paul Hilton).

10 Whimbrel, 65 White Wagtails and 6 Purple Sandpipers were at Kearney, at least 4 Reed Warblers and a Sedge Warbler were at Lough Cowey on the Outer Ards. (Dermot Hughes)

A Cuckoo and 6 Whimbrel at Ballymckormick Point and 3 Purple Sandpiper at Seacliff Road in Bangor. (James Andrew).

30 Whimbrel were at Killard this afternoon. (Richard Caves).

A Cuckoo and Red Grouse were at Shilnavogy. (Garry Wilkinson)

Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail, Hazel Watson.

Common Sandpiper, Paul Hilton.

Whimbrel, Richard Caves.

Bird News Thursday 25th April

The Osprey (unringed)  remains fishing away at Woodburn Upper and Middle dam (Michael Latham).

Grasshopper Warbler still at Portballintrae this morning, also Whimbrel and Iceland Gull (Juliet Fleming).

2 Cuckoos at Altikeeragh (Stephen & Donna Riddell).

2 summer plumaged Spotted Redshanks still at Castle Espie (Nathan Gilbert).

23 Whimbrel were in a grassy area by the carpark of Culmore Country Park this evening. (Stephen Davis).

Osprey, Michael Latham (first three), David McCreedy (fourth), Bill Guiller (fifth & sixth)

Cuckoo, Donna Riddell:

Wheatear, Guy Hamilton:

Grasshopper Warbler, Juliet Fleming:

Whimbrel, Juliet Fleming:

Iceland Gull, Juliet Fleming:

Bird News Wednesday 24th April

 The Osprey is still at Woodburn reservoir outside Carrickfergus, a Common Sandpiper was also present. (Aaron Long). The Osprey was still present this afternoon. (Ricky McQuillan).

9 Pinkfeet were at Glynn in Larne Lough. (Paula Campbell).

A Glaucous Gull was at Portballintrae. (Stephen Riddell).

30 Whimbrel were at Rossglass near Killough. A male and 2 female Wheatear were at St John's Point. (David Clarke).

A Cuckoo was calling at Davagh Forest, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone this morning. 2 Wheatear and Sand Martins in disused gravel pits along the Slaght Road, Lough Fea. (Godfrey McRoberts).

About 100 Whimbrel were at Killard, also a Wheatear. A Dark-bellied Brent was at Millquarter Bay,

(Graham McElwaine).

Whimbrel, David Clarke.

Wheatear, David Clarke.

Bird News Tuesday 23rd April

 A Cuckoo and Grasshopper Warbler were calling along Doon Road in Co. Fermanagh. (Paul Reed).

An Osprey is at Woodburn Upper Reservoir outside Carrickfergus. (Daniel Newton).

At least one of the Spotted Redshanks is still on the tidal pools at Castle Espie. (Dave Weir).

10 Whimbrel and a Mediterranean Gull were at Belfast Lough RSPB WoW reserve. (Stuart McKee).

A Jack Snipe was at Slieve Gallion west. (Adam McClure).

A Whimbrel and 3 Purple Sandpipers were on Rathlin today. (Ric Else & Hazel Watson)

Two adult-summer Little Gulls were at Lough Beg this evening, with the Black-headed Gulls in the western meadows (yesterday’s bird was out over the main lake and probably a different individual). Also 100+ White Wagtails still in the area. (David Steele).

Spotted Redshank, Dave Weir.

Osprey, Kevin Kirkham.

Osprey, Daniel Newton

Osprey, Garry Wilkinson.