Bird News Wednesday 4th November

A Marsh Harrier was at St John’s Point, Co Down this morning, a Swallow was in Killough and 16 Greylag flew north east over Killough at mid-day.  (Chris Murphy)

A Long-eared Owl was hunting over long grass fields along Windmill Road on left approx 1mile from the Pheasant Restaurant near Annahilt  at 3.10pm. (Garry Wilkinson)

A Short Eared Owl area east of Ramore Head in Portrush this afternoon, being harassed by a couple of Herring Gulls. (Dougie Gamble)

A Merlin and a Short-eared Owl were at Myroe this morning. (Annette Elkin/David Hill).

One Short-eared Owl was at Ballymacormick Point this afternoon being harassed by 21 Lapwings - the Owl flew off south. (Stuart McQueen). There were two Short-eared Owls hunting at Ballymacormick this evening. (James O'Neill).

17 Pink-footed Geese were still at Reedy Flats on the south shore of Lough Neagh. (James O'Neill).

A flyover Snow bunting and a Jack Snipe were at Dunnaree Hill, County Tyrone this afternoon, (Clive Mellon).

A male Ring-necked Duck and 2 Gadwall were at Kinnegar sewage pools (Tom Ennis) and a male Scaup and 9 Gadwall off Kinnegar shore (Robin Vage).

36 Whooper Swans flew over Corbally Reservoir,Portrush. Magilligan Point had 2 juvenile Arctic Terns, 26 Whooper Swans and 2 Red-throated Divers. (Colin Guy).

A Marsh Harrier flew over the Quoile Pondage in front of the hide at 15:55pm today Shortly after around 20 Whooper Swans arrived looked like they were settling for the night. (Tony Donaldson).

Today Ballykelly had 5 Red-throated Diver, 340 Whooper Swans, 1 Spotted Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 3 Little Egret and !50 Skylarks. At Myroe, the Short-eared Owl and Merlin were still showing this afternoon, also 2 Buzzard, 3000 Golden Plovers and 2 Little Egret. Ball's Point had 47 Brent and 7 Pink-footed Geese. (Hill Dick/Peter Robinson).

Thanks to David Hill for these pictures of the Short-eared Owl at Myroe.

Bird News Tuesday 3rd November

4 Short-eared Owls were at Myroe this morning (David Nixon & Philip McHaffie) They were still present at 2:15pm tight again best fence posts (Christine Cassidy and Lindsay Hodges)

Two Short-eared Owls were reported from Ballymacormick Point, Co Down (Nigel Moore, Gary Wilkinson, Derek Polley). Amazingly 5 Short-eared Owls were seen going to roost at Ballymacormick Point / Groomsport, this evening (John Edwards / Aaron Devlin)

Loughshore Park, Belfast Lough, Co Antrim had a Long-tailed Duck and a 2nd year Med Gull (Gerard McGeehan).

A male Black Redstart was in Palatine Row, off Palatine Square, Killough (Chris Murphy)

4 Little Egret were at Gowland Islands in Strangford Narrows.

Thanks to Nigel Moore for this top pic of one of the Ballymacormick Point SEO's and Christine Cassidy and Philip Mchaffie for the other pics of the Myroe SEOs!

Nigel Moore:

Christine Cassidy:

Philip Mchaffie:

Bird News Monday 2nd November

The Short-eared Owl was still showing well at Ballymacormick Point, Groomsport this morning (despite the mist). (Stuart McQueen) see pic below
The Owl was still present this afternoon.(Donny Moore) see pic below

Today Fair Head, Ballycastle, had a juvenile Hen harrier and 3 Chough.( Patrick Barton)

Larne Lough had 9 Pink-footed Geese along with 45 Greylag at Steel's Point a mile north of Ballycarry Bridge on the Island Magee side (Cameron Moore).

A late Swallow was on the east side of Killough Bay (David Clarke).

Yesterday, 14 Pink footed Geese,where in stubble fields on Straid Rd, Ballintoy. 1 Fieldfare on Isle Rd, Lisnagunogue.

Thanks to both Stuart and Donny for this pics of the SEO:

Bird News Sunday 1st November

The Spoonbill was at Mount Stewart bay, viewable from the Gasworks, Strangford Lough along with 3 Little Egrets and 2 Herons (Keith Bennett)

13 Tundra Bean Geese are at Inch Levels this morning (Chris Ingram)

At least one Short-eared Owl is at Ballymacormick Point, Co Down (Garry Armstrong) this bird was still present this afternoon (Stuart McQueen)

A Short-eared Owl and a Merlin were at Ballintoy harbour (Gerard McGeehan)

Another Short-eared Owl was at Myroe (Christine Cassidy and Ray Brogan)

A Short-eared Owl was also at Selshion Bog, Portadown this morning. Also on Wednesday 28 Oct there was a juvenile Swallow round a house in Portadown in the early morning (Brian Nelson)

A Whimbrel was at Ballymacormick Point. (Richard Weyl)

The 4 Whoopers were still on the Lough at Glynn Halt this morning again. (Linda Thompson)

A flock of 17 Pink Feet were at Reedy Flat, Lough Neagh (James O'Neill)

Portrush had an Iceland Gull and 7 Twite (Gerard McGeehan)

This morning a very late Wheatear was SE of Slemish (Larry Toal)

The juvenile male Ring-necked Duck was with 300 Tufted and 40 Pochard at Lough Beg although not easy to pick out as it has more subtle markings than an adult female. Also present were the female/first-winter Smew, 3 Merlin, a juvenile Hen Harrier and 4 Little Egret (David Steele)

A female Merlin flew in off the sea at Ballymacormick Point (Warren Fowles)

You can share rare and scarce bird news and pics via Email: nibirds@live.co.uk  Twitter: @nibirds  Text: 07973403146  Flightline: 02891467408  Many thanks to all contributors.

Thanks to Christine Cassidy for this pic of the Short-eared Owl at Myroe and James O'Neill for the Pink Feet:

 

Ballymacormick SEO's

Up to four Short-eared Owls were reported today at Ballymacormick Point. The birds could however be highly mobile, if searching for them. Some pics of them are below:

Stephen Maxwell:

Aaron Devlin:

James O'Neill:

Bird News Saturday 31st October

I'm Up to four Short-eared Owls were reported today in total, at Ballymacormick Point, Co Down (Stephen Maxwell, James O'Neill, Arron Devlin and Warren Fowles) - See separate posting on these birds.

Two Whimbrel and 8 Red-throated diver were also present at Ballymacormick Point (James O'Neill)

A Snow Bunting was at Myroe (Christine Cassidy & Lindsay Hodges)

In Donegal an adult Little Gull was at Downings (Clive Mellon)

A Short-eared Owl was seen flying at Kiltoot (Gerard McGeehan)

Today at Portavogie were 4 Jack Snipe with 30 Snipe. Yesterday a Mediterranean Gull was at Orlock Point. (Richard Weyl)

A Long-eared Owl was seen at 06:05 this morning on a post between St Johnston and Newtoncunningham Co Donegal (Bruan Hegarty)

A Swallow was near Kearney point this  afternoon (Guy Hamilton)

A Tundra Bean Goose was seen in stubble fields between Inch Lake and Burnfoot (Chris Ingram)

A Whooper Swan and 31 Pink-footed Geese were in stubble fields near Ballintoy Church (John Wilkinson)

At Larne Lough a male Goosander, 4 Greenshank and a Peregrine were at Glynn (Cameron Moore)

The Newry Canal near Scarva had 20 Whooper Swan, a Water Rail, 5 Jay, a Raven, 5 Long-tailed Tit and a Fieldfare (Fulton Somerville)

2 Brent Geese, 2 Whooper Swans and 5 Twite which were last week at the mouth of the Glenarm river (Pauline Majury)

4 Whooper Swans and 2 Snipe were seen at Glynn Halt this morning (Linda Thompson)

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell for this pic of one of the SEO's and Pauline Majury for the Whoopers:

Bird News Friday 30th October

2 Ruff were at Belfast Harbour Lagoon (Tom Ennis).

The Short-eared Owl was still at Ballymacormick Point near Groomsport. Some Twite were also present (John Pyper).

A Hudsonian Godwit has been reported with Black-tailed Godwits at Lurgangreen in Louth. (Irish Birding).

There were approximately 50 Whooper Swans on stubble fields at Ballyquintin on the Outer Ards. (Keith Bennett)

Approximately 80 Twite were feeding at the base of Ramore Head near the children’s playground in Portrush. 30 Redwing flew in off the sea at Dunseverick .(Colin Guy).

Bird News Thursday 29th October

A wing-tagged Golden Eagle was over Farbreagagh Hill nr Pettigo Co Donegal today seen by Fionnbarr&Donal Cross (per Brad Robson)

A 1st winter Iceland Gull was amongst soaring Gulls over Portrush Harbour. Approximately 70 Greenland White-fronted Geese were mobile in the fields between Portballintrae and Bushmills .(Colin Guy)

A Short-eared Owl was at the Bann Estuary (Peter Welch)

Another Short-eared Owl was at Ballyquintin (Keith Bennett)

Good views were had of a Red Kite today from tow path between Moira and Broadwater. (Sandy McWilliams/Ynyr Robinson)

RSPB Belfast WOW this morning had 400+ Teal, 300+ Curlew, 60+ Wigeon, 40+ Shoveler, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Knot, Buzzard, 2 Snipe and 12 golden plover. (Derek Polley)
A Woodcock was along Heron Road in Belfast (Samuel Thomas).
 There was no sign of the Short-eared Owl at Ballymacormick Point (Warren Fowles).

 In Donegal a Blackcap was at Malinmore, 11 Pale-bellied Brent at Rocky Point, 12 Whooper Swan at Killuris Lough near Rossbeg and 115 Sanderling and Chough at Tramore Strand (Vernon Carter).

Thanks to Peter Welch for this pic of the Bann Sorth-eared Owl:

Bird News Wednesday 28th October

A late Swallow was at Washing Bay, Lough Neagh (Adam McClure)

Whitehead seafront had 10 Twite. Portmuck had 5 Red-throated Diver in winter plumage and 1 Great Northern Diver in full summer plumage. Blackhead had 2 Red-throated Divers (Ian Enlander).

The Short-eared Owl was giving good views at Ballymacormick Point. A Snipe and several Carrion Crow were also present (Warren Fowles).

At Lough Beg a Short-eared Owl and Merlin were at Paddy's Dub (Godfrey McRoberts).  

If you have any rare or scarce bird news or pictures you would like to share, please do so at nibirds@live.co.uk

Thanks to Dick Glasgow for the picture of a Red Grouse taken at Slieveanorra and a Jay from Breen Wood and to Stephen Maxwell for the picture of the Kestrel.

 

 

 

Bird News Tuesday 27th October

A Barn Owl was seen landing in the waste ground adjacent to Carrickfergus Marina/Sailing Club at 1100hrs today. It stayed about 30 mins and flew off in the direction of Belfast being given a hard time by the local gulls and crows (Nigel Thompson, Carrickfergus Harbour Master).

 

St John’s Point to Rossglass from 8.30 to 9.30 had four small parties of Starlings (total 16 birds) coming in off the sea, 70 Brent Geese, 5 Great Northern Diver (all in summer plumage), 1 juvenile Red-throated Diver, c.100 Guillemots, 8 Razorbills, 9 Black Guillemots, 2 Shelduck, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, 3 Wigeon, 19 Scoter, 170 Lapwing and 1 Merlin (Chris and Tim Murphy).

Ballykellly had 380 Whooper Swans, 129 Brent Geese, 2 White-fronted Geese; Myroe had 70 Whooper Swans, 43 Brent Geese, 500 Golden Plover, Bann Estuary had 250 Dunlin, 70 Sanderling, 40 Whooper Swans. (Peter Robinson / Hill Dick)  

A Short-eared Owl was at Inch, Co Donegal (Boyd Bryce)

Thanks to Annette Elkin for this pic of Barnacle Geese at Lissadell, Co Sligo:

Bird News Monday 26th October.

3 Twite and up to 2 Wheatear were at Ballintoy Harbour this morning (Ronnie Milligan)

Yesterday 2 Pink-footed Geese were still at Castle Espie and a single Pink-footed Goose with a Greylag at the Maltings (Ivan McDonald).

Islay Boat Trip

There are two seats available on this Wednesday's boat trip to Islay. Please contact Jim Wells on 07856235144 for more details. Over 20,000 Barnacle Geese (and a few vagrant Canada Geese) are currently on the Island.

Bird News Sunday 25th October

A Great White Egret was at Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough (Nicky & Ivan, Cameron Moore)

The Ring-necked Duck & 15 fly over Greenland White-fronts were at Lough Mourne, Co Antrim. A Slavonian Grebe was at Glynn (Neal Warnock)

A Wheatear and 2 Mediterranean Gulls (a 2nd winter and a 1st winter) were at Rossglass. A Kestrel, 2 Redpoll and a Goldcrest were at St John's Point. (Tim Murphy)

A juvenile Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Beg. The female type Smew was still present (David Steele)

A pair of Red Kites were flying over fields between Soldierstown Road, Aghalee and the Motorway. 9 Whooper Swans were with three young just past Gawleys Gate. (Ralph Walker)

The Pink-footed Goose and a Barnacle Goose were a mile north of Ballycarry Bridge on the Island Magee side. (Cameron Moore)

A Short-eared Owl was near Ballymacormick  Lagoon this afternoon (Colin Guy)

Martin Garner - Many of our readers will be familiar with Martin from his time living here in NI with Sharon and the girls. Martin found many rarities in NI, regularly contributes on local bird ID (even on species that are not rare!), is a member of the NIBARC, and through his Birding Frontiers blog provides many though provoking articles. Some of you will also know that Martin has recently been ill. He has however provided a public update on his condition at http://bigddt.com/2015/10/24/i-got-stuff-to-do/ 

We all wish him and his family well in the difficult period ahead.

Thanks to Cameron Moore for the pics of the Great White Egret:

Bird News Saturday 24th October.

The long staying Spoonbill was seen again of the hide at Castle Espie. (Angus Kennedy) see pic below.

This morning at llendrum wind farm, Fivemiletown one Red Grouse and a Pine Martin.(Colin Bell).

c.200 Golden Plover where on the roof of the Tesco warehouse in Antrim.(Mark Smyth)

A Snow Bunting was on Melmore Head, Co.Donegal today and a 2 hr seawatch produced 20 Great Northern Divers, 1 Bonxie, 1 Manx Shearwater, 16 Golden Plover, 4 Common Scoter and a Tufted Duck.(Eric Randall)

Leach's Petrel - Lisnaskea

This Leach’s Petrel was found last night in Main Street, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh. It seem to be uninjured, just confused and spent the night in a cardboard box. It is going to Donegal later to be returned back to the sea. (John Young)

Bird News Friday 23rd October

The Spoonbill was at Islandhill, Strangford Lough along with 14 Little Egret. 2 Pinkfeet were with 38 Greylags in fields near Castle Espie (Gerard McGeehan).

The Ring-necked Duck was with 20 Tufted Duck at Lough Mourne (Joe Lamont).

The juvenile/first-winter Glossy Ibis was along the western shore of Lough Beg. The female/immature Smew was also present (David Steele).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was along the seafront at Whitehead (Cameron Moore).

A juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper was at Inch Lake in Donegal. (Irish Birding/David Hunter).

Thanks to Chris Easton for the picture of a Purple Sandpiper, to Christine Cassidy for the picture of the Sparrowhawk, to David Hunter for the pictures of the Whooper Swans and the White-rumped Sandpiper(left hand bird) and to Gareth Platt for the pictures of the Ring-billed Gull and the partial albino Jackdaw:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bird News Thursday 22nd October

Portrush East Strand Car park had the Ring-billed Gull and a Mediterranean Gull. (Chris Easton)

15 whooper swans were on a stubble field at Ballyquintin, Co Down. (Keith Bennett)

RSPB Belfast WOW had 330 Teal, 100 + Lapwing, a Stonechat, 2 Little Egret, 1 Ruff, 1 Buzzard and 5 Gadwall (Derek Polley)

A Dipper was singing at Tempo Park, Co Fermanagh (Colin Bell)

A Kingfisher was seen along the Newry Canal just north of Newry this morning, A Water Rail was also heard. (Frank Carroll)

A seawatch from Bloody Foreland Co Donegal had 4 Leach's Storm-petrel, 13 Pomarine Skuas, 6 Arctic Skuas, 7 European Storm-petrels, 55 Great Northern Divers, 177 Great Skuas & 465 Sooty Shearwaters (Chris Ingram, Ralph Sheperd & Theo Campbell)

Thanks to David McCormick for this pic of first winter Black-headed Gulls at Kiltonga and Jason Bain for the Fieldfare in flight:

Bird News Wednesday 21st October

The juv/first-winter Glossy Ibis, one of the Great White Egret and a female / immature Smew were at Lough Beg (David Steele)

A Peregrine was flying West along the coastal path between Stricklands Glen and Carnalea. (Derek Polley)

Many thanks to Annette Elkin for this pic of a Redshank and Jason Bain for the Merlin:

Talk this Evening - Eric Dempsey

Eric Dempsey is giving a talk this evening, at 7:30 at the NIOC meeting at the Ulster Museum, Belfast. His 'Don't Die in Autumn' talk features extracts from his new and highly regarded book. Everyone is welcome.

Eric is also the author of a number of key books about birds and birding around Ireland and this promises to be a great talk.

Bird News Tuesday 20th October

A juvenile/1st winter Glossy Ibis and one of the Great White Egrets was in the south west corner of Lough Beg. (David Steele).

A Red Kite was seen from the M1, just south of Moira. (Richard Hunter).

An adult Mediterranean Gull was along Newcastle Promenade. (Leonard Charles).

A Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Mourne, Co Antrim and 8 Little Egret at 40 Acre Bay in Larne Lough (Joe Lamont).

25/30 Crossbill were in spruce at the entrance to Gosford Forest (Clifford Sharpe).

A Snow Bunting was at Ramore Head this evening. (Colin Guy).

The count of Lough Foyle produced a Greenland White-fronted Goose, 4 Pink-footed Geese, a Mediterranean Gull, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 7 Red-throated Diver and 17 Little Egret (Matthew Tickner, Gareth Bareham).

For anyone interested, a juvenile Pallid Harrier is at Annagh Marsh, Co Mayo for its second day.