Bird News Sunday 19th April

A Black Kite was seen on Tuesday in Co Londonderry. Details On separate blog post. (Marc Ruddock and Mark Lewis)

The Spoonbill was still on Strangford Lough, offshore from Mount Stewart (low tide), in front of Chapel Island. (Keith Bennett)

A dark bellied Brent was at Cloughy, a Whimbrel and White Wagtail at Kearney (Philip West)

The Great White Egret was still at Lough Beg, Co Derry, in the bay south of Church Island. Also 10 Ruff in the bay north of Church Island. (Keith Bennett)

Two Cuckoos were at Murlough Bay, Newcastle. (Stuart and Liz McQueen)

A Wood Warbler was singing from tall tree perches along the Hillsborough Road in Lisburn. (Dougie Gamble)

The Little Gull was still at the Quoile Pondage (Ian Jackson)

Blackers Rock along the west shore of Lough Neagh had at least 20 singing Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 4 Blackcap and numerous Willow Warbler (Godfrey McRoberts)

The Newry Canal between Scarva and Poyntzpass had a Swift, Sand Martin, 21 Chiffchaff, 32 Wilow Warbler, 5 Lesser Redpoll, a Reed Bunting and 2 Sedge Warbler (Fulton Somerville).

A Cuckoo called briefly at Eshywulligan, Roslea, County Fermanagh today.  A House Martin was also seen (Clive Mellon)

A Puffin was seen on Copeland Island this weekend. (Margaret Adamson)

Yesterday two Red Kites were seen at Musgrave Park, Stockmans Lane at about 2:30pm. They were moving east above Boucher Road  towards the City centre. (Phil Molloy)

Thanks to Stuart McQueen for this picture of a Cuckoo at Murlough:

Bird News Saturday 18th April

The first summer Mediteranean Gull was still at RSPB Belfast Harbour WOW (Stuart McKee)

The drake Ring-necked Duck and a Sedge Warbler were at Ballyherly Loug, Co Down. The Spoonbill is still at Anne's Point. (Richard Weyl) At 6:30 the Spoonbill was feeding offshore from Mount Stewart (low tide), in front of Chapel Island. (Keith Bennett)

The adult lLttle Gull was still at the Quoile Pondage, Co Down, from the Castle Island hide. Also 3 Common Terns. (Keith Bennett)

A Grasshopper Warbler was ringed at Portstewart Strand this morning. (Richard Donaghey/John Clarke).

4 White Wagtail were around the Discovery Centre at Oxford Island this morning, 2 Common Tern were in Kinnegoe Bay. (Garry Armstrong).

A Red Kite was over the A1 dual carriageway at Dromore this morning. (Garry Armstrong).

A 1st winter and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull were at Ballycastle. (Colin Guy).

At Lough Beg a Great White Egret was in the bay just to the south of Church Island. 3 Garganey (2 male and a female were in the south-west corner along with 2 Pintail, 12 Shoveler, several thousand duck (mainly Mallard, Teal and Wigeon). 40/50 Black-tailed Godwit, and 2 Whimbrel. Several Blackcap, Willow Warbler and a few Redshank and Lapwing were also noted (Godfrey McRoberts).

2 Swifts were over Belfast Waterworks this evening. (Larry Toal).

A Cuckoo, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were all present at Murlough, County Down this afternoon. (Terry Jones).  
 

You can share rare and scarce bird news and pictures of local birds via email nibirds@live.co.uk

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the picture of a Kestrel, to Derek Polley for the picture of the Little Gull (with a Black-headed Gull), and to Colin Guy for the picture of the 2nd winter Iceland Gull, also below is a picture of one of the White Wagtails from Oxford Island:

 

 

Bird News Friday 17th April

A 1st summer Hobby was on Tory Island today, photographed by Anton Meehan yesterday. (Chris Ingram).

The Little Gull was at Collectors bay, opposite the Castle Island hide at the Quoile. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at the Quoile Centre across the river on a dawn chorus. At the Quoile were 3 Pintail, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, Swallow, Sand Martin, House Martin, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. There were still good numbers of Wigeon, Shoveler and Teal present. (Derek Polley).

A Ruff was off the hide at the Barmouth. (David Hill).

Several Blackcap were at Upperlands Dam in south County Londonderry (David Morrow). 

20 Swallow were at Killyleagh and House Martins back at a breeding colony (Spencer and Joan Marshall).  

Yesterday Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB had a Jack Snipe, 2 Common Sandpiper and a notable arrival of Blackcaps (Brad Robson).

The 1st winter Iceland Gull was still at Ballycastle Marina. A Chough was at Roonivoolin, Rathlin. . Also Willow Warblers were very numerous and at least 50 Wheatears were present on the island’s eastern area. (Colin Guy).

At Oxford Island this evening, there were 14 Swift, a Sedge Warbler, two Common Terns and 2 Common Sandpiper. (James O'Neill).

Thanks to David Hill for the pictures of the Ruff and the Goldcrest and to Dick Glasgow for the pictures of the Wheatear and the Linnet.

Bird News Thursday 16th April

Moyola, Waterfoot, Co.Antrim had 3 Whimbrel and one Common Sandpiper, surprisingly, no hirundines over L Neagh. (Dermot Hudges)

7 Whimbrel went West at Ramore Head (Derek McIntyre) 

This evening a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling and two chipping Snipe at Whitehead Jubilee Wood (Adam McClure)

The first summer Mediteranean Gull was still at the RSPB WOW Reserve (Stuart McKee)

A Ruff and 15 Black-tailed Godwits at Glynn (Hill Dick/Peter Robinson)

The juvenile dark-bellied Brent was still in Killough Harbour. Also a Whimbrel. (Chris Murphy)

Yesterday at Carn Hill windfarm Woodburn Co Antrim had 2 Jack Snipe , 35 Common Snipe and 20 Wheatear.(Dermot Hudges)

Our thanks to Margaret Adamson who found this leucistic Chaffinch at Mountstewart Co Down. Also to Richard Gowen for the picture of a Blackcap taking a break on board a survey ship in the Irish Sea:

Bird News Wednesday 15th April

10 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler and 5 Blackcap were between Scrabo Tower and the North Quarry (Dot Blakely).

4 Wheatear were at Knocklayde in north Antrim. (Dick Glasgow).

A first summer Mediterranean Gull was at Belfast Harbour WOW Reserve. (Wilton Farrelly / Stuart McKee)

A Chough was heard on the causeway coastal path between the Giants Causeway and Dunseverick today. (Norma Wallace).

A Common Sandpiper and 3 Chiffchaff were at Sion Mills (Brian Hegarty).

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Wheatear, Karl Martin for the picture of the Chiffchaff and Neil Cartmill for the picture of the Meadow Pipit.

Bird News Tuesday 14th April

A second-summer male Marsh Harrier was at the yacht club end of the Quoile Pondage (Billy Miskelly)

11 White Wagtail, a Common Sandpiper, Blackcap, 2 Swallow and lots of Willow Warbler wee at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB Reserve (Brad Robson)

Approx 1000 Golden Plover in summer plumage at Bann Estuary, Castlerock.  (Sandy McWilliams and Stuart McQueen)

A Cuckoo was heard calling between 18 - 20hrs this evening on the Coleraine campus of the University of Ulster. (Ken and Dorothy Perry)

Thanks to Noeni Bryars for this pic of a Common Sandpiper from Belfast WOW yesterday:

Bird News Monday 13th April

A 1st winter Iceland Gull, adult and juvenile Dark-bellied Brents 700 Pale-bellied Brents and 1,000 Golden Plovers were in Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy).

A Common Sandpiper was at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (Gerard McGeehan).

4 Wheatear were at Knocklayde in north Antrim. (Dick Glasgow).

Thanks to Noeni Bryars for the picture of the Tree Sparrow and to Dick Glasgow for the pictures of the Goldfinch and the male and female Wheatears.

 

 

Ring Ouzel - Glenarm

The Ring Ouzel was seen again today on the outskirts of Glenarm. The garden where it has been is private and off the road. However the owner, Damian Clarkin, is happy to accept visitors if they make a prior arrangement with him. His email address is: damian@dreamhouse.wanadoo.co.uk

The bird has been present for a week now.

Bird News Sunday 12th April

The adult Little Gull was still at the Quoile Pondage, Co Down, from the Castle Island hide. Also a House Martin present (Keith Bennett)

The Avocet was still at Ballycarry, circa one mile north of the bridge (Caneron Moore)

The adult and juvenile Dark-bellied Brent Geese were among 640 Pale-bellied in Killough Harbour. c.1,000 Golden Plover also. (Chris Murphy)

On the Antrim side of Belfast Lough a Whooper Swan, 160 Pale-bellied Brent, 3 Sandwich Tern and a Buzzard (in flight at sea) were at Greenisland Sea Park (Gerard McGeehan)

3 Wheatear were at the near to the soon to be opened RSPB seabird centre in Rathlin. On Thursday last 59 Willow Warblers, 8 Blackcaps and 7 Chiffchaff were singing whilst cycling around the west and north of Lower Lough Erne (Gary Prescott)

Willow Warblers and Swallows are now widely reported.

Gary Prescott, the 'Biking Birder' would like to publicly thank all whom he met on his tour in NI. Gary is cycling around every RSPB and WWT Reserve in the UK! You can see more at: https://m.facebook.com/bikingbirder2015refsrc=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fbikingbirder2015

Below is a pic of the male Ring Ouzel that has been seen on the outskirts of Glenarm (Damian Clarkin) and a Willow Warblwr pic from Gary Prescott:

Bird News Saturday 11th April

The Avocet is still in the main channel N of Ballycarry bridge, Larne Lough (Keith Bennett)

A Ring Ouzel has been visiting a garden on the outskirts of Glenarm for the past week.(Damian Clarkin) see pic below

The Avocet spent most of the day at Steele's Point a mile and a half north of Ballycarry Bridge on the Island Magee side (Cameron Moore). 


4 White Wagtails where at Drumfad Bay, Millisle.(Richard Weyl)

A pair of Ruddy Duck were at Portmore Lough, Antrim. (Keith Bennett)

In Killough Harbour the adult and juvenile Dark-bellied Brent Geese still among 570 Pale-bellied. Also 1000 Golden Plovers, 400 Common Gulls, 100 Herring Gulls, 1 Greenshank and 4 Sandwich Terns (Chris Murphy)

A 2nd winter Glaucous Gull flew past White Rocks, Portrush and 1st winter Iceland Gull was in Ballycastle Marina.(Colin Guy)

A Jack Snipe was at Copeland Bird Observatory.

Bird News Friday 10th April

The Avocet and Green-winged Teal were at Ballycarry Bridge at 7.30am (Cameron Moore).see pic. below The Avocet was still present this afternoon (Stuart McKee)

A 1st Winter Glaucous (probably the Portballintrae bird) and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull were on rocks between Giant’s Causeway and Runkerry Point(Colin Guy)
 

A first year Iceland Gull was at Whitehead Harbour (Stuart McKee)

Ad and juv Dark-bellied with 542 Pale-bellied Brent Geese in Killough Harbour (Chris Murphy)

An adult Med. Gull was on the grass at Groomsport harbour.(Ivor McDonald)

Late news from yesterday..BANN ESTUARY had 950 Golden Plovers, 255 Black-tailed Godwits, 230 Sanderling; MYROE 70 Pale-bellied Brent, 5 Little Egrets; BALLYKELLY 25 Pintail, 150 Ringed Plovers, 2 Red-throated Divers and 1 Little Egret. (Hill Dick/Peter Robinson)

Thanks to Cameron for this pic of the Avocet from last night: Also to Dick Glasgow for the Crossbill. David Hill for the Long-tailed Tit.

Bird News Thursday 9th April

A Red Kite is on Rathlin, viewable from the path to the RSPB centre. (George Stewart)

An Avocet is at Ballycarry. It was on the Whitehead side of the bridge (David Stirling) (The bird was showing distantly on the south side of the bridge, late afternoon - Neal Warnock)

A Ruff was at Glynn (Neal Warnock)

A Red Kite was seen near Moorfields, Ballymena (Adam McClure)

A Jack Snipe was at Ballyquintin, Co Down. (Keith Bennett)

At Lough Beg the male Ring-necked Duck was seen again at Mullagh. 2 Whimbrel (the first of the spring) were also present (David Steele)

The Red Kite was also seen at the East Light on Rathlin, with several singing Willow Warblers also present (Derek McIntyre)

A Swallow was at Armoy (Dave Allen)

 

At Cappanagh there were 2 Male Wheatear, a pair of Stonechat, a pair of Reed Bunting and 3 Redpoll (Ray Bennett and Brenda Campbell)

Portstewart Strand this morning had 20+ Willow Warbler (the majority singing), 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Wheatear (6 male/2 female), c30 Swallow and 15 Lesser Redpoll. Interestingly a Dunnock was at Copeland Bird Observatory on Tuesday which is a rare spring record there. (Richard Donaghey)

Thanks to David Stirling for the Avocet pics:

Bird News Wednesday 8th April

A 1st winter Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Tyrella with 40 Pale-bellied Brent Also at Tyrella today: 74 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Northern Divers, 186 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 pairs of Eider, 260 Scoter and 510 Sanderling (Chris Murphy).

200 Golden Plover were in flight at Groomsport and 18 Sandwich Tern on Cockle Island (Jim Whitla, Fulton Somerville).  

At Larne Lough 108 Pale-bellied Brent, a Kingfisher and Little Egret were at Glynn and 50 Twite and a Red-throated Diver at Island Magee (Cameron Moore).

Thanks to Chris Murphy for the picture of the Dark-bellied Brent, the left hand bird, Karl Martin for the picture of the Stonechat, Gareth Buchanan for the picture of the Grey Wagtail, to Stephen Maxwell for the picture of the Black-tailed Godwit and to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Chiffchaff.

 

 

 

 

Belfast WOW Reserve Monday 13th April

The RSPB Belfast’s Window on Wildlife (WOW) will be closed on Monday, 13 April. 


The visitor centre will be in use all day for an event to celebrate the recent refurbishment.  


However the two hides will be open all day as usual.

Bird News Tuesday 7th April

A Green Sandpiper was in a ditch off the Aughnaskeagh Road a little east of Waringsford, Co Down, yesterday morning. (Ron Price)

Swallows continue to be reported. One was at Ballinderry (Tom Trouton)

Willow Warblers are also now being reported in bigger numbers. One was on the Comber Greenway, Dundonald (Harry Byron) and others were at Craigavon Balancing Lakes, Lower Lough Erne and Enniskillen.

A White Wagtail was at Drumfad Bay today. (Richard Weyl)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was again drumming in the woods across and west of the Quoile Centre this morning. 9 Sand Martin were in at Ballyhornan Bay. (Dougie Gamble)

A Grey Plover in summer plumage was at the Bann estuary this afternoon. (John Clarke)

A Red Kite was over the houses at Scarva Street in Banbridge (Fulton Somerville)

The Connswater in Belfast near the footbridge to Victoria Park had 27 Black-tailed Godwit (many in summer plumage) and a Common Sandpiper (John Pyper)

A Barn Owl flew across the road at Kilroot at 9.45pm this evening. (Robert McDowell)

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in Tollymore forest park,l (Norma Wallace)

Briggs Rocks had a  first year Mediterranean gull. Also in the general area were 4 Wheatears and 5 Swallows (Colin Guy)

One of the Black-headed Gulls ringed by Adam McClure in Antrim has turned up in Ruga, Latvia. You can read more at:

http://bhgullsni.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/our-second-foreign-recovery.html

You can see local bird pics at www.nibirdpics.blogspot.co.uk and you can report rare or scarce birds / send in pics via nibirds@live.co.uk

Thanks to David Hunter for this pic of a female Stonechat and Dick Glasgow for the Sand Martin:

Bird News Monday 6th April

A Great Spotted Woodpecker is at Tempo Manor, Tempo, Co. Fermanagh. This is the second year they have been here. (John Langham).

Two Swallows were at Cairncastle. (David Ledsham). Another was at Slievetrue Road outside Straid. (George Stewart).

The juvenile Kumlien's Gull was at Lurgan Park Lake this morning. (Birdguides).

A Willow Warbler was along the Lower Bann north of Coleraine this morning, the bird was ringed.(Richard Donaghey/John Clarke).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at the Quoile Centre today in the woods across the water from the centre building, a Blackcap was also heard. (Karen Elliott).

3 Buzzards were soaring over Scarva. (Derek Polley).

2 Mediterranean Gull (first and second-summers) were at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (Tom Ennis).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was along the River Lagan at Newtownderry. (Des Price).

Black Head area today had 2 Wheatear, 1 Swallow and 5 Sandwich Tern. (Ian Enlander).

The adult Ring-billed Gull was still at Portrush East Strand. (Gareth Bareham).

Thanks to John Langham for the picture of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, Christine Cassidy for the picture of the Black Guillemot, John Clarke for the picture of the Willow Warbler and Gareth Buchanan for the picture of the Grey Wagtail.

 

 

Bird News Sunday 5th April

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at Oxford Island. (Ed O'Hara).

The Kumlien's Gull was still at Lurgan Park Lake. (Garry Armstrong)

On the east side of Strangford Lough a total of 60 Slavonian grebe, 7 black-throated diver,13 great-northern diver and 5 red-throated diver. 

At Marlfield 5 great-northern diver, at Ringburr Point 2 black-throated diver, south of Gransha Point 5 black-throated diver and 4 great-northern diver, at Kircubbin 4 great-northern diver, between Kircubbin and Greyabbey Bay 48 Slavonian grebe and 5 red-throated diver, at Chapel Island 5 Slavonian grebe and at off Newtownards Sailing Club 7 Slavonian grebe. (Richard Weyl)

Fanad Head had a 1st winter Kumliens Gull, two Glaucous Gulls and two Iceland Gulls. (Wilton Farrelly).

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard again on the far side of the Quoile River opposite the Visitors Centre. A Swallow was also present (Warren Fowles). 

A House Martin was at Mullenakill to the west of Peatlands Park (Darryl McConnell).

A 1st summer and five adult summer Mediterranean Gulls were at Glynn. A Crossbill was at Altnahinch dam. Yesterday a 2nd. summer Mediterranean Gull was at the Belfast Lough WOW reserve and a Long Tailed Duck was off Lough Shore Park in Belfast Lough. (Stuart McKee).

Below are the Kumlien's Gull from Lurgan Park and a Chiffchaff from Oxford Island, pictures of the Mediterranean Gulls and Long Tailed Duck from Stuart McKee and a picture of a Meadow Pipit from Dick Glasgow.

 

 

 

 

 

Bird News Saturday 4th April

2 Great Spotted Woodpecker were at Downpatrick, far side of river opposite Quoile Countryside Centre. (Keith Bennett)

The Little Gull was still at the Quoile Pondage, Co Down - yacht club end (Keith Bennett)

On Strangford Lough 12 Slavonian Grebe where at Greyabbey bay and 6 Black-throated Diver at Gransha Point.(Richard Weyl)

A 1st winter Med. Gull was at Whitehouse Park Co. Antrim.(Joe Lamont) see pic. below

The 1st winter Kumlien's Gull is still present at Lurgan Park.(Birdguides)

Med Gull(bird in foreground)Joe Lamont.

Bird News Friday 3rd April

At Lough Beg a male Ring-necked Duck was at Mullagh and 8 Ruff along the western shore (David Steele).

Killough harbour had 608 Brent, 20 Widgeon,4 Little Egret, a Greenshank,1200 Golden Plover,90 Turnstone and 400 Common Gull.(Chris Murphy)

Sanderling flock - Karl Martin.

Bird News Thursday 2nd April

The first year Iceland Gull again today at Ballysaggart Lough (aka The Black Lough), Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. (David Knight)

2 Manx Shearwater went past Portmuck this morning (Ian Enlander)

Two 1st year Mediteranean Gulls were at the Belfast RSPB WOW reserve (Stuart McKee)

14 Sand Martin, a Swallow and 50 Whooper Swan were at Lough Shark (Fulton Somerville)

A Sandwich Tern and several Red-throated Diver were at Ballyhornan (Warren Fowles)

A 1stW Glaucous Gull flew past Ramore Head . The 1stW Glaucous and Iceland Gulls are still at Portballintrae (Colin Guy)

A Great Northern Diver, Red-throated Diver, Eider, and 15 Manx Shearwater were off Killough Pier. 300 Brent Geese, 2 Little Egret and 3 Greenshank were in Killough Harbour. (Tim Murphy)

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for this picture of a male Siskin and David Knight for the Iceland Gull:

Bird News Wednesday 1st April

Poyntzpass to Scarva this morning had 52 Whooper Swans, 4 calling Water Rails, 2 Ravens, 3 Sand Martins, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Redwings and 12 Bullfinchs. (Fulton Somerville)

Little Egrets were seen at the Floodgates and at Ann's point, Strangford Lough this afternoon (David McCormick)

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this pic of a Sparrowhawk and Fulton Sommerville for the Redwing: