Bird News Friday 16th January

A Peregrine was at Bangor Marina (Derek Polley).

Killough had 3 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 male Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Shelduck. Tyrella Beach had 19 Twite, 25 Tree Sparrow and 60 Linnet. (Tim Murphy)

Thanks to David Hunter for the pictures of the Tufted Duck and the Coot.

Dead Seabirds

Bird News Thursday 15th January.

Hillsborough Lake this morning had..1 Kingfisher,5 pairs of Gadwall  a Grey Wagtail at manmade waterfall ( Garry Wilkinson)

A Red Kite has been around the junction of Manse and Glencregagh Roads at Knockbreda in Belfast for the last few days (Maureen Waterstone).


Blackcaps are now appearing in peoples gardens throughout the province, Tony Donaldson photographed this one in his garden this morning.

Big Garden Birdwatch

The world’s biggest wildlife survey needs you!

 

For the past 36 years the RSPB has been asking people to count the birds which visit their garden to help create a 'snapshot' picture of bird numbers in the UK.

Of the 127,700 birds counted in Northern Ireland during last year’s Birdwatch, house sparrows were the most commonly seen. Despite the wet and windy conditions during the two-day Birdwatch, these birds were spotted in 66 per cent of gardens.

More unusual sightings which have been reported to RSPB Northern Ireland during previous Birdwatch surveys include red kite, great spotted woodpecker and even a peregrine falcon!

If you’d like to get involved in Big Garden Birdwatch 2015 it couldn’t be easier. Just spend one hour counting the birds you see at any time during the 24 or 25 January.

When the Birdwatch kicks off you'll be able to use the online bird counting tool to identify and record the birds as you see them directly on your laptop, tablet or smartphone. You can also take part with pen and paper and then enter your results on your computer or by filling in a paper survey form and posting it to the charity.

Participants are also asked to log some of the other wildlife they see in their gardens – from squirrels to hedgehogs - to help build an overall picture of how important our green spaces are for giving all types of animals a home.

You can register to take part in Big Garden Birdwatch 2015 now at www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Bird News Wednesday 14th January

Orlock Point this morning had c12 Yellowhammers, 20+ Reed Buntings, c150 Linnet, c100 Skylark, & 1 Woodcock. (Michael Richardson, James Whitla, Robert Hart & Fulton Somerville)

The Quoile Pondage had a1st winter male Scaup, 1 Gadwall, 3 Pintail. The Quoile river opposite Inch Abbey had a Little Egret and a Whooper Swan. Also, at the Quoile Pondage on 7/01/15, there was a probable adult 'sinensis' Cormorant opposite the hide (Tim Murphy)

Thanks to Noeni Bryars for the Redshank / Ringed Plover pic and Pauline Majury for the Goldcrest:

Bird News Tuesday 13th January

The  red-head Goosander was still at the weir in Randalstown this morning. (Dermot Hughes).

One of the Siberian Chiffchaffs was still near the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Tom McCreery).

The Black Redstart was still at Portmuck on Islandmagee, see picture below. (Cameron Moore).

Sights around Killough over the last few days:
9/01/15 Killough: 7 Stock Dove.
11/01/15 Killough: 1 adult male Peregrine.
13/01/15 Killough: 30 Blackbird including a leucistic bird , 15 Collared Dove, 64 Ringed Plover, 110 Redshank, 3 Little Egret, and 3 Great Northern Diver showing well by the pier.

A stubble field near Clare, Co. Armagh had: - 33 Skylark, 35 Linnet, Snipe, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Raven and all 5 thrush species. (Fulton Somerville).

The Black Redstart was at Newcastle Harbour. About 1,000 Common Scoter (some of them close) were off the Harbour in choppy conditions, and good numbers of Great Northern and Red-throated Diver were also present. 2 male and a fem/imm Goosander were at Lough Island Reavy and single Red Kites at Moneyslane, Katesbridge and Banbridge (Richard Gray, Garry Wilkinson).  

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the picture of the Black Redstart, to Tom McCreery for the picture of the Jay and to Fulton Somerville for the picture of the Greenshank.

 

 

Bird News Monday 12th January.

19 Red-throated Diver and an adult Mediterranean Gull were off Whitehead (Gerard McGeehan).


 A pair of Goshawk was seen in flight at the Four Winds in Castlereagh heading towards Comber. 4 Woodcock were at Monlough and a Yellowhammer along Knockbracken Road. A Greenshank was at Whitehouse Lagoon (David Clarke).

Brent Geese - Stephen Maxwell.

Little Egret - Stephen Maxwell.

NIOC Sam Penny Memorial Lecture

Bird News Sunday 11th January

East of Orlock, Co Down was a Snow Bunting in a stubble field with c80 Skylark and a Whimbrel at Orlock point. (Richard Weyl)

The five Long-tailed Duck are still west of RNI Yacht Club, Cultra, Co Down (Wilton Farrelly)

A first winter Iceland Gull was briefly on the beach at Millisle at 2.45pm before flying inland (Guy Hamilton)

The Green-winged Teal was still at Ballycarry bridge along with 7 Little Egret (John Loughlin and Irene Miller)

The Black Redstart was still at Portmuck on Island Magee (Billy Hamilton)

The Spotted Redshank was at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast (Gerard McGeehan)

6 Twite were still at Glenarm car park (Pauline Majury)

Late news for yesterday was that the first winter Iceland Gull was still at Larne (Gavin Ferguson)

The Black Redstart was still showing at Newcastle Harbour (Robert Scott)

Thanks to Pete Wedderburn for this pic of Curlew on Belfast Lough and Gavin Ferguson for the Iceland Gull:

Bird News Saturday 10th January.

The Green-winged Teal was still at Ballycarry Bridge Co Antrim. (Cameron Moore) see photo below

A Red Throated Diver was in Belfast Harbour near the oil rig (Chris Henry)

A Gadwall was with 60 Tufted Duck on the sewage ponds at Kinnegar. (Gilly Irwin)

Our thanks to Cameron Moore for the photo of the Green-winged Teal. (The bird is the back bird with the white strip going vertically). Also to Angus Kennedy for providing two pics, first is a Curlew in flight the second a male Stonechat.

Bird News Friday 9th January

5+ Crossbills were at Ballyboley Forest, Co. Antrim yesterday afternoon. (Thom Shannon).

A 1st winter Mediterranean Gull was at East Strand, Portrush. (Hill Dick).

5 Greylags were on Rathcoole playing fields. (Jim McKeown).

2 Goldcrest were feeding along the Toome Lock walk. (Celine Boyle).

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for the picture of the Eider.

Bird News Thursday 8th January

Late news for yesterday was that at least one Siberian Chiffchaff was at Oxford Island (Michael Norton)

An adult Iceland Gull was at the Barmouth of the Bann Estuary (Hill Dick, Theo Campbell)

The owner of the Snowy Owl seen recently in Whiterock is Harry Hamill. It is still missing so any news of its whereabouts would be greatly appreciated as it may not survive in the wild. His phone number is (028) 97542928 should anyone have further information.

Thanks to Michael Norton for this pic of the Siberian Chiffchaff. You can see more bird pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk

Bird News Wednesday 7th January

Late news for yesterday is that the Ring-billed Gull was still at Portrush East Strand carpark (Patrick Barton)

A Little Egret flew across Rosetta Road in East Belfast this morning. (Robert Scott).

The Green-winged Teal was on the north side of Ballycarry Bridge in Larne Lough. Also at Ballycarry were 10 Little Egret, a Carrion Crow and 7 Snipe (Cameron Moore). 

The first-winter Iceland Gull, 6 Pochard and 4 Gadwall were at Antrim Road Waterworks in Belfast (Dot Blakely). 

140 Whooper Swans were in the fields between Comber and Newtownards (Derek Polley). 

Yesterday the Black Redstart was still at Newcastle Harbour (Stuart McKee).

Thanks to Patrick Barton for this picture of the Ring-billed Gull. You can see more pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk :

Copeland Bird Observatory Winter talks at the Ulster Museum

Tuesday 20th January 2015 at 7.30 pm - Copeland Shearwaters - 60 years of recording and tracking Manx Shearwaters on CBO.

From metal rings to satellite tracking — the story of the development of the Manx Shearwater colony on Copeland Bird Observatory - Presented by Neville McKee

Neville McKee has been active with the Copeland Bird Observatory – boy and man – since its establishment in 1954. In this special presentation Neville will review how the Manx Shearwater colony on Lighthouse Island, home base of CBO, has grown from a few hundred birds in the 1950s to a nationally important colony of over 3500 pairs today.

Neville will describe how the 60 year Copeland Shearwater study has seen over 32,000 birds ringed and how the astonishing wealth of information obtained has aided our understanding about the life-cycle of these  incredible birds. He will review many highlights including how CBO ringing data proved one bird to be over 50 years old, and why Copeland birds were chosen by Oxford University to participate in state-of-the-art tracking projects.

An astounding local Natural History story— not to be missed!

Admission to CBO winter meetings at the Ulster Museum is free and open to all. The meetings  commence at 7.30 pm, and finish at 9.45 pm.

Bird News Tuesday 6th January

The Little Egret was still in Orangefield Park today along the Knock River, east Belfast. (Robert Scott)

A Winter Thrush Survey between Scarva and Loughbrickland produced 41 Fieldfare, and 10 Redwing (Fulton Sommerville)

Today on Benbradagh mountain, Dungiven there were approx 25 Golden plover, 5 raven, Buzzard and a single Snow Bunting which flew onto the laneway. (Peter McAllister/Donna Rainey)

On Saturday past (3rd) there were 33 Snow Bunting on Benbradagh mountain. Seen by Donna Rainey.

You can report scarce or rare bird sightings via nibirds@live.co.uk - twitter @nibirds - text 07973403146 - or Flightline 02891 467408. 

Thanks to Robert Scott for this picture of the Little Egret, Cameron Moore for the Twite and Fulton Sommerville for the Redwing:

Bird News Monday 5th January.

A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at the Waterworks, Antrim Rd, Belfast ( David Knight) see photo below

Yellowhammer - Michael Richardson.

Purple Sandpipers - James O'Neill.

Iceland Gull - David Knight.

Goldeneye - Stephen Maxwell.

Siberian Chiffchaffs at Oxford Island

David McAllister has advised that there were a least 4 possibly 5 presumed Siberian Chiffchaffs this mornining at Oxford Island. Sightings were at the entrance to the small carpark on left before the discovery centre, 1 just outside the discovery centre on the grass area opposite the cafe, 2 in the woodland area,1 beside the Croaghan hide and the other further along the path towards Closet hide. The last sighting was in the wildlife garden area.

If anyone has heard any of these birds call, we would be pleased to receive details.

Thanks to David for the pics of birds seen today:

Bird News Sunday 4th January

The Black Redstart was still at Newcastle harbour. 3 male and 4 female Goosander were at Lough Island Reavy (Ian Graham)

A Little Egret was again in Orangefield Park, East Belfast (Rhona Galway)

On Strangford Lough, at Greyabbey Bay were 6 Slavonian Grebe and at Ringburr Point 3 Black-throated Diver and 6 Great-Northern Diver. (Richard Weyl)

This afternoon Loughbrickland had a pair of Kingfishers, 5 Cormorants and a Common Snipe. Corbet Lake had 59 Whoopers, 30 Tufted Duck, 73 Teal, 1 Pochard, 1 Goldeneye and 3 Redshank (Fulton Somerville & Janet McKevitt)

The Green-winged Teal was still at Ballycarry and a drake Garganey was 1.6km north on the east shore (Birdguides)

Five Long-tailed Duck were at Cultra (Wilton Farrelly)

The Spotted Redshank was at Whitehouse Lagoon (Birdguides)

5 Common Scoter, 3 Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver were at Carnlough. 4 Long-tailed Duck were at Greenisland Sea Park (Gerard McGeehan)

An adult Mediterranean Gull was at Newcastle promenade and the Black Redstart at the harbour (Dermot Hughes).

At Larne Lough a Greenshank, 5 Goldeneye and 25 Greylag were at Glynn and a Kingfisher at Ballycarry Bridge. 3 Bullfinch and 7 Tree Sparrow were at Island Magee (Billy Hamilton)

As well as the Black Redstart at Newcastle harbour, there was as a Kingfisher and offshore there were around 20 red throated divers. At Minerstown, there was a flock of around 30 Twite and a yellow-wing-tagged Red Kite. A male Great-spotted Woodpecker was at Tullymore Forest Park. There was a Long-eared Owl and Woodcock at Holymount Forest outside Downpatrick this evening (James O'Neill)

Thanks to Tom McCreery for the pic of the Black Redstart and Stephen Maxwell for the pic of three Ruddy Duck:

Black Redstart - Tom McCreery:

Ruddy Ducks, Stephen Maxwell:

Bird News Saturday 3rd January.

The Snowy Owl seen yesterday is an escaped bird, the bird had jesses, still a wonderful sight to see in your garden.

The Sibe Chiffchaff was still present at Oxford Island.(several reports)

A Long-tailed Duck and 258 Scaup where at Dargan Bay in Belfast (Joe Lamont). The adult Ring-billed Gull was at Portrush East Strand. Whiterocks car park nearby had 2 pair of Bullfinch, 4 Song Thrush, 3 Linnet. a pair of Stonechat. Greenfinch, Blue Tits, Robin and Dunnock (all feeding in buckthorn).( David Clarke,/ John Pyper)

A Long-eared Owl was hunting behind Asda, Downpatrick at 6pm (Chris Murphy).

2 Purple Sandpiper were at Skernaghan Point, Brown's Bay and 13 Little Egret at Ballycarry this morning (Adam McClure)

This morning at Llendrum wind farm, Fivemiletown had 1 Red Grouse,1 Golden Plover and 2 Raven. (Colin Bell)

A good count of 80+Skylark where at Orlock Co.Down (David McCormick)

Our thanks to Dessie Loughrey for this lovely pic of a Sanderling. To Stephen Maxwell for the 1st pic of the Siberian Chiffchaff. Also to Nigel Moore for the  2nd Sib. Chiffchaff pic.and Long-tailed Tit and also to Cameron Moore for the Twite, this photo was taken at Ballylumford. Bottom pic. taken by Karl Martin of a Stonechat

Snowy Owl In Whiterock, Killinchy

A Snowy Owl of unknown origin spent several hours in a garden in Whiterock near Killinchy this morning before flying off towards Strangford Lough. (Ken Johnston)

Bird News Friday 2nd January

There are now 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs at Oxford Island, both birds were feeding on the left at the entrance to the Discovery Centre one-way system. A Pink-footed Goose and 27 Whooper Swans were with the Greylag flock on the Closet Meadows. (Garry Armstrong).

The Siberian Chiffchaffs were still present at Oxford Island until 4.20p.m. (Kevin Kirkham-Brown)

A male Surf Scoter was off Newcastle Harbour. (Dermot Hughes).

In Antrim 3 male and 2 female Bullfinch were in Steeple Road close to the railway station, 3 Goldcrest were in Castle Gardens. (Celine Boyle).

In south Down an adult Mediterranean Gull, 2 Little Egret, 88 Wigeon and 82 Oystercatcher were at Killough Harbour (Tim Murphy).

The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at the East Strand car-park in Portrush. (Birdguides).

A juvenile Glaucous Gull was at Dunseverick harbour. (Birdguides).

Yesterday a lone Whooper Swan, possibly injured, was at the Broadwater. (Mark Killops).

The Black Redstart was at Newcastle Harbour two Great Northern and 6 Red-throated Divers were off shore, a Red Kite was near Bannbridge and four Goosanders, 2 male and 2 female, were at Lough Island Reavey. (Stuart McKee).

Thanks to Mark Killops for the picture of the Whooper Swan, to Neil Cartmill for the picture of the Redshank and to Stuart McKee for the picture of the Goosanders, also a couple more pictures of the Siberian Chiffchaff and a Song Thrush from Oxford Island.

 

 

 

 

   

Bird News New Year's Day 2015

The Siberian Chiffchaff is still present at Oxford Island.(Birdguides)

A 1st winter Glaucous Gull was at Hazelbank, Belfast Lough along with 3 Common Scoter and a Little Egret.(Kevin Kirkham-Brown)

The first-winter Iceland Gull was at Larne Harbour.(see photo below)

A Brambling was with Chaffinch along Hillhead Road and an adult Mediterranean Gull at Whitehouse Lagoon (Stuart McKee).

 The Iceland Gull was also seen at Sandy Bay and a Spotted Redshank was at Whitehouse Lagoon (Shirley Dunlop.

 A Kingfisher and Little Egret were at Ardglass Harbour and a Carrion Crow and 3 Snipe north of Kilclief (Warren Fowles).



Our thanks to James O'Neill for the Sib. Chiffchaff. Also to Janet Ross for the Grey Heron. Stuart McKee for the Iceland Gull