Bird News Thursday 21st May

TA Great Spotted Woodpecker in was in Ballyholme. (Frederick Hayward)

Three Cuckoo were at Murlough, Co Down (Stephen Maxwell)

A pair of Spotted Flycatchers were at the entrance to Springwell forest along with 12 Crossbill. An Iceland Gull was on the river beside Dunnes store in Coleraine. (John Clarke)

A first-summer Little Gull was at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (Stuart McKee)

A family party of 2 adult and 5 juvenile Raven was at Scrabo Hill (Dot Blakely)

Yesterday (as well as the Gannet) 3 Whimbrel, a White Wagtail, 3 Turnstone and 7 Dunlin were at Lower Lough Erne Islands RSPB (Brad Robson)

The pair of Hooded Mergansers are still on Tory Island. The male is definitely not ringed. (Chris Ingram)

Thanks to Noel Austin and Stephen Maxwell for the Cuckoo pics:

Cuckoo, Noel Austin:

Cuckoo, Stephen Maxwell:

Bird News Wednesday 20th May

2 Spotted Flycatcher were beside the car park at Glenarm Forest this afternoon. (Richard Donaghey).

A Gannet was at Lower Lough Erne, Co. Fermanagh this morning. Originally seen near Ferny Island it flew down to Devenish and remained close to the public jetty in the afternoon. This is the third county record. The first was picked up injured in a field in Upper Lough Erne in the 1980s then Fionnbarr Cross and Peter Taylor found the second county record also at Devenish Island on 8th October 2013. See pictures below. (Fionnbarr Cross/Brad Robson).

A Yellowhammer was at the beginning of the lane leading to the Giant’s Ring (just off the Ballynahatty road) in Belfast this morning. (Andrew Frazer).

3 Whimbrel were in Killough Harbour this evening (Chris Murphy)

2 Ruff were at Lough Beg (Tim Murphy).


The Curlew Sandpiper was still at Carrickfergus, see picture below. (Cameron Moore).



Thanks to Brad Robson for the pictures of the Gannet, Cameron Moore for the picture of the Curlew Sandpiper, to Dick Glasgow for the picture of the Merlin and to Eric Phillips for the picture of the Bullfinch.

 

 

 

Bird News Tuesday 19th May

A late report of a female type Marsh Harrier was seen at Lough Aghery which is located just outside Dromara Co Down. The bird was seen on  the 16th, but could be hopefully be still in the area (Gerard McLaughlin)

A Reed Warbler was at Oxford Island (Fulton Somerville)

A Spotted Flycatcher was seen this afternoon in Derrymore Wood Bessbrook. (Frank Carroll)

Two Hooded Merganser were on Tory Island today (Anton Meehan per Chris Ingram)

Thanks to Gerard for the pic of the Marsh Harrier:

Marsh Harrier - Gerard McLaughlin.

Bird News Monday 18th May

A Curlew Sandpiper was opposite Magowan tyres in Carrickfergus.(Cameron Moore) see pic's below


St John’s Point: 20 Arctic Terns, 10 Common Terns and 10 Sandwich Terns feeding offshore; 7 Swallows coming off the sea appeared to be late arriving migrants. 5 Wheatear where on Ardglass golf course this evening. (Chris Murphy)

Curlew Sandpiper - Cameron Moore.

Ravens - Stephen Maxwell.

BTO House Martin Survey 2015

There are still squares available for the BTO House Martin Survey 2015.

A very easy and relaxed survey to complete, the primary aim of this year’s survey is to estimate the current UK population, using a method that is repeatable so that we can measure future changes in population size. We will also be trying to fill the gaps in our current knowledge about House Martin breeding ecology and to find out if it varies geographically. The survey builds on a small-scale study of House Martins carried out between 2009 and 2013.

It is based on randomly selected 1-km squares, which will be used to produce robust population estimates. We anticipate that there will be an additional survey in 2016, which will involve regular observation of nests over the course of the breeding season, recording details of the timing of nest activity and breeding success.

First visits should be made from 1st June and visits can be made at any time of day (apart from the first and last hours of daylight when birds may be roosting).

If you would like to get involved, please visit http://blx1.bto.org/housemartins/squares to request a square or for more information, visit http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/house-martin-survey/house-martin-survey-2015/faq

House Martins taking a break from nest building. Photograph by Doug Welch

Bird News Sunday 17th May

A Garden Warbler was singing at Crom, Co Fermanagh (Keith Bennett)

Male great spotted woodpecker, Craigagh Wood, Glendun (Neal Warnock)

4 Spotted Flycatcher were ringed on Copeland Bird Observatory (Richard Donaghey)

A Spotted Flycatcher was at Rowallabe House yesterday (Stuart McQueen)

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for the images of the Stonechat and Sandwich Tern and Noel Austin for the Cuckoo pic:

Bird News Saturday 16th May

A Wood Warbler was at Tollymore Forest (Gregory Moorehead) 

3 Cuckoo at Capanagh (Gavin Ferguson)

2 Greenshank at Quoile Pondage (Chris Murphy)

A female Marsh Harrier was at Sheskinmore in Donegal (Brad Robson)

2 Common Tern at Whitehouse Lagoon (Jim McKeown)

3 Tree Sparrows were at Kinnego Marina (Colin Bell) 

Late news from yesterday - Garden 

Warbler between Lagan Towpath and River Lagan; it flew across Towpath into grounds of Malone Golf Club 150 metres towards Belfast from Drum Bridge (Joe Furphy)

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the Great Tit image, Gregory for the Wood Warbler and Gavin for the Cuckoo.

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.