Bird News Friday 15th May

A male Garganey was at Edgepole Island, Upper Lough Erne (Brad Robson)

c.1,000 hirundines (mostly Sand and House Martins) at Quoile Pondage, 4pm. Also 3 Pintail. Pomarine Skua, St John’s Point, 6pm (Chris Murphy)

Two Cuckoo and a Grasshopper Warbler were at Moorfields this morning (Adam McClure)

Late news from yesterday - 2 Cuckoo at Capanagh (Linda Thompson) and a Ring Ouzel was on Rathlin (Birdguides)

Thanks to Jeff Silvers for this photo of Shelduck at Groomsport and to Linda for the shot of the Capanagh Cuckoos: 

Bird News Thursday 14th May

A female Whinchat was at Ballyquintin Point (Keith Bennett)

2 White Wagtail and a Whimbrel were at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB Reserve (Brad Robson)

A Spotted Flycatcher was in Kilcranny Wood, Coleraine this morning and in combination with the reed bed there were 40+ singing Sedge Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, c15 Blackcap, c20 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff and 4 Stonechat.  A male Cuckoo was at the Bann Estuary yesterday and a Merlin the previous day.  (Richard Donaghey) 

Tory Island today had a Pomarine Skua and a Great Northern Diver from the boat. A Hobby, Merlin, 2 Bonxie, 14 Collared Dove, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Shelduck, 2 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, a Wood Warbler, Blackcap, 5 Sedge Warbler, 2 goldcrest, 4 Whinchat, a Redstart, 5 Spotted Flycatcger, 3 Whitethroat and a Garden Warbler (Chris Ingram and Theo Campbell)

Whitethroat and Whimbrel at Blackhead (Adam McClure)

Sedge Warbler Myroe Levels (Charles Stewart)

Many thanks to Dick Glasgow for the shot of the Yellowhammer:

Bird News Wednesday 13th May

4 Dunlin were in flight at Emerson's sandpit along the Armagh shore of Lough Neagh (David Clarke)

23 Whimbrel were at Maghery, on the south-west shore of Lough Neagh today (David Nixon)

There was a Whimbrel at Orlock Point this afternoon (David McCormick)

A 2cy Iceland Gull was at Ardglass Harbour, a pair of Wheatears and 2 pairs of Stonechats were at Sheepland (Chris Murphy)

Thanks to Angus Kennedy for the photos of the waders: 

Bird News Tuesday 12th May

A male Wheatear and several Reed Buntings were at Sprucefield (Michael Loughridge)

Late news from last night - a Red Kite was over Ballyboley Forest (Wilbert Hollinger)

Bird News Monday 11th May

A 2cy Iceland Gull was at St. John's Point (Chris Murphy)

2 Whimbrel, a White Wagtail, 2 summer Bar-tailed Godwit, 10/20 Arctic Tern, a Sandwich Tern and 200 Common Tern were at Belfast Harbour Lagoon. Yesterday the male Garganey was present but secretive (Tom Ennis).

A possible Hobby was along the new carriageway to Larne at the turnoff for Ballynure (David Henderson).

Late news from Saturday - 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, a Cuckoo and a flyover Whimbrel were at Eshywulligan County Fermanagh (Clive Mellon)

Many thanks to Christine Cassidy for the photo of the Sparrowhawk:

Bird News Sunday 10th May

A Spotted Flycatcher was ringed this morning on Copeland Bird Observatory.

At least 3 Spotted Flycatchers at Kelly's wood, St John's point (Keith Bennett)

St John’s Pt from 10:15 to 11:15 had 21Red-throated, 1Black-throated and 3 Great Northern Divers, all passing north. Also 1Greenland Wheatear, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Spotted Flycatcher (Kelly’s Wood). A Whimbrel and 7 Sandwich Terns were in Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy)

4 Swift were over Ards Hospital (Mark Harrison)

A Hobby was reported over Knockmore Road, Lisburn (Kev Kirkham-Brown)

Yesterday, a Chough was on Rathlin Island - see photo below (Dora Ferguson and Stephen McAuley)

Thanks to Dora for the photo of the Chough and to Dick Glasgow for the images of the Dunnock and Yellowhammer:

Bird News Saturday 9th May

A Cuckoo was calling at Cairncastle first thing this morning (David Ledsham)

A Ruff and drake Garganey were at Portmore RSPB (Keith Bennett)

A Cuckoo was at Muckle Rocks near Mullaphad this morning (Colin Bell)

2 Cuckoo were at Murlough in south Down (Shelagh Henry).

A Cuckoo and Red Grouse were at Cappanagh - see photos below (Angus Kennedy)

Yesterday a Whimbrel was at Eshywulligan in Fermanagh (Clive Mellon) and a Whitethroat at Whitehead (Shirley Dunlop).

There was no sign of the Snowy Owl yesterday.

Bird News Friday 8th May

Swifts are now being widely reported across the country, including 5 at the old Ebrington Barracks, Derry (Christine Cassidy) & 3 at Ormeau Road (Robert Scott).

A Cuckoo was calling near Moorfields this morning (Adam mcClure). 

A kingfisher was at the bridge at Strand Lough (Declan Clarke).

Many thanks to Noel Austin for the Cuckoo pic and to Christine for the Black Guillemot:

Bird News Thursday 7th May

A SNOWY OWL was at Gortalughany, Co. Fermanagh this morning. Second county record, the first being in Feb 2013. Park at Gortalughany  car park IH167300 and walk along the single track road checking fence lines and prominent look out spots in the area.  Please close any gates (Brad Robson)

Three Swift were at Ballysillan Playing Fields (Andy Elliott)

Many thanks to Brad for the photo of the Snowy Owl and Karl Martin for the pic of the Black Guillemot:

Bird News Wednesday 6th May

A Whinchat was at Altnahinch on Monday 4th May (Joe Lamont)

6/7 Pomarine Skua flew north-east across Lower Lough Erne (Peter Taylor).

Kearney Point along the Outer Ards has 5 Whimbrel, 3 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Turnstone, 3 Sandwich Tern, 60 Golden Plover, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, 2 Reed Bunting, Bullfinch and Gannets (Dot Blakely).

10 Swift were over Whitehead this morning (Ian Enlander) and 6 were seen at Gracehill this evening (John Loughlin and Irene Miller)

The Newry Canal between Scarva and Poyntzpass had 13 Chiffchaff, 36 Wilow Warbler, 26 Blackcap and29 Sedge Warbler (a high count for there). Lough Shark had 150 hirundines, 4 Swift and a Jay (Fulton Somerville).

A Common Sandpiper was at Upperlands Dam (David Morrow).

You can report rare or scarce bird news via nibirds@live.co.uk  twitter @nibirds  or Flightline 02891 467408.

Thanks to Joe Lamont for this pic of the Whinchat and to Dick Glasgow for the shot of the Linnet:

Bird News Tuesday 5th May.

A 1st summer Iceland Gull and a Glaucous or Glaucous/Herring Gull hybrid where at Ardglass harbour.(Tim  Murphy)

170 Whimbrel were at Ellis's Gut in the south-east corner of Lough Neagh (Stephen and Noreen Foster).

Mill Bay on the Island Magee side of Larne Lough had a Red-throated Diver, 5 Whimbrel, 7 Twite and a Carrion Crow (Cameron Moore).

Sparrowhawk - Christine Cassidy.

Little Grebe - Stephen Maxwell.

Whimbrel - Cameron Moore.

Bird News Monday 4th May

A male Common Redstart was at St John's Point and an Arctic Skua flew north. (Tim Murphy)

A Wood Warbler was singing close to the entrance gates to Belfast Castle. Through the gates and up the road to the left about 75 m. Seen at 8.00 and 9.45. (Larry Toal)

3 Swifts were in flight at Cloughfern, Newtownabbey. (Jim McKeown)

A Garden Warbler was in song beside the ancient ruins at Inishmcsaint, Lower Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh. (Brad Robson).

This morning 14 Whimbrel were at Corkey Point to the west of Ardmore on the south shore of Lough Neagh and 8 White Wagtails were around the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island. (Garry Armstrong).

A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at the River Bush at Portballintrae. (Colin Guy).

Mullagh at the south end of Lough Beg had 150 White Wagtail, a Grasshopper Warbler, female Ruff and 120 Whimbrel (David Steele).  

Yesterday a second-winter Iceland Gull was at the mouth of the Bush at Portballintrae and a Twite at the pier (Simon Morton).

Thanks to Bill Guiller for the picture of the Crossbill, to Noel Sofley for the pictures of the Jay and the Song Thrush, to Stephen Maxwell for the Black-tailed Godwit and to Angus Kennedy for the picture of the Fulmar.

 

 

 

 

 

Bird News Sunday 3rd May

A drake Garganey is at Belfast RSPB WOW Reserve (Gerard McGeehan)

6 Whimbrel were on the seashore at Whitehead (Ian Enlander)

A Cuckoo, 2 Blackcap, 3 Wheatear, 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 8 Brent Geese, 4 Shelduck, 23 Turnstone, 8 Whimbrel, 30 Dunlin and 10 Ringed Plover were at St Johns's Point, Co Down (Tim Murphy)

Along the Tyrone shore of Lough Neagh 60 Whimbrel, a drumming Snipe, 3 Red-breasted Merganser. 2 pair of Scaup, 2 pair of Goldeneye and 30 Pochard (mostly male) were at Blackers Rock (Godfrey McRoberts).

 21 Arctic Tern were back on Cockle Island at Groomsport (George Gordon).

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this pic of a female Sparrowhawk: Also to Nigel Moore for the Common Sandpiper.

Bird News Saturday 2nd May.

Not a lot of news to-day as you would expect with the weather.

Slightly further afield in Co. Donegal..1000 Golden Plover and 2 Sparrowhawk where at Inch.(Christine Cassidy)

Meadow Pipit - Noel Austin.

Jay  - Jane McLaughlin.

Bird News Friday 1st May

Last night a Cuckoo was at Crocknagrally Pony Trail nr Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone. (Colin Bell).

5 Whimbrel were at Sandeel Bay near Orlock Point (George Henderson).  

A Swift was at Killyleagh (Spencer and Joan Marshall).

131 Whimbrel went through Lough Erne today (largest flock 94); also 17 White Wagtails, 6 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Shelduck. (Brad Robson).

50+ Whimbrel were near the M1 bridge over the River Blackwater at 3.00p.m. (Birdguides).

A 1st winter Iceland Gull flew in from the sea at White Rocks, Portrush. (Colin Guy).

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Yellowhammer and to Bert Montgomery for the picture of the Black Guillemot at Long Hole, Bangor.

Bird News Thursday 30th April

Washing Bay, Lough Neagh Co Tyrone had 120 Tufted duck, 15 Scaup, 2 Goldeneye, a Pochard, 4 Gadwall, a Whooper Swan and 28 whimbrel. During a BBS survey at Glasdrumman, Ballynahinch, there was a Stock Dove in display flight. (Dermot Hughes)

Two Cuckoos were on the Ballyloughlin Road, Dundrum. (John Bradley)

A male Great Spotted Woodpecker was at Mount Stewart, Ards. In oaks ca 100m NW of lake. (Keith Bennett)

A Cuckoo was last night at Crocknagrally Pony Trail nr Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone (Colin Bell)

Dick Glasgow's video clips of the Cuckoos in the Antrim Hills, on Tuesday are at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gnu2fHwR9gY

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for this pic of a Raven at Scrabo and Noel Austin for the Wheatear:

CBO - Help Needed

CBO have received a grant to replace the old and corroding roof on the observatory buildings, and we have purchased a new Kingspan Trapezodial insulated and Firesafe roof as its replacement.

The new roof panels, and associated builders materials, will be delivered to the quay-side at Donaghadee on Saturday morning, 9th May, at 9.00 am.

This is one of the biggest jobs undertaken by the observatory for many years and CBO urgently need help to deliver the panels and materials to the observatory buildings. They plan to have teams present at the harbour (throughout the morning) and on the island (throughout the day) – ideally we need up to thirty people.

If you are capable of helping - at any stage during the day (9.00 am – 5.00 pm) – and would like to find out more, or to volunteer, contact:

Wesley Smyth

Mobile: 07837 44 92 64

Email wesleysmyth06@aol.com

Bird News Wednesday 29th April

An immature Marsh Harrier was at the Bann Estuary at 10am this morning. Also present were 1 Knot and 3 Whimbrel. (Richard Donaghey).

The summer plumaged Spotted Redshank was in Dundrum South Inner Bay, as were 61 Brent Geese and a few Whimbrels. (David Nixon).

At least 4 Cuckoos were calling in the Antrim hills yesterday. (Dick Glasgow).

A Cuckoo was heard calling this evening in Big Gortgole Forest, Portglenone along the river bank (possibly 2). With large numbers of swallows feeding low over the river due to heavy rain. (Peter McAllister). 

Thanks to Noel Austin for the first picture of a Cuckoo from Murlough Nature Reserve and to Dick Glasgow for the second Cuckoo picture and the Stonechat picture:

 

 

Bird News Tuesday 28th April

A female Marsh Harrier flew from left to right past the hide at the Quoile Pondage towards the wooded area on the far side (Garry Wilkinson).

A pair of Goosander was still along the River Main at Slaght near Ballymena. Mullagh at the south end of Lough Beg had 300 White Wagtail. 120 Whimbrel and a male Ring-necked x Tufted Duck resembling a Ring-necked Duck (David Steele).  

7 Common Tern were at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast (Gerard McGeehan).

A Swift was at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB (Brad Robson).

15 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Snipe, 1 Stock Dove, 8 Teal, 3 Shelduck, 15 House Martin and 1 Swift were at Strand Lough, Killough. On 23/04/15 there was a Jack Snipe there. (Tim Murphy).

Corbally Reservoir, Portrush, had a 1st summer Iceland Gull; Larrybane had a Twite and 2 Wheaters; Ballintoy had 3 White Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 2 Raven, and a Common Sandpiper. (Peter Robinson + Coleraine RSPB Group).

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the pictures of the Jay and the Mistle Thrush

Bird News Monday 27th April.

A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling in the NW corner of Lough Beg, 2 suspected  Jack Snipe where  in rush pasture.(Gareth Bareham)

7 Whimbrel, 21 Brent Geese, 2 Greenshank, 60 Golden Plover and 45 Dunlin were in Killough Harbour. 1 drake Eider and 8 Sandwich Tern were in the outer bay.(Tim Murphy)

 1 adult summer Little Gull, 1 Pochard, 1 Goldeneye, 40 Tufted Duck, 1 Sandwich Tern and 60 Common Tern were at the Quoile Pondage. 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker could be heard drumming from the hide.(Tim Murphy)



Yesterday a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen at Brackagh Moss,nr Portadown.(Paul Allen) see photo below.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Paul Allen.

White Wagtail - Stephen Maxwell.