Northern Ireland Local Patch (2 Viewers)

[Chkm8]

Missed my first cuckoo by ten min. Arrived at coney island to be told of its brief visit during which it sat calling before taking off acroos the lough in the general direction of reedy flats. Hopefully it stayed in the area and I can get a glimpse.
Others for the day included tree creeper and spotted fly catchers.

 

[s. james]

Haven't seen or heard Cuckoo yet this year either.

Two unusual ducks in two days tho- male garganey (probably breeding, they've bred the past couple of years) last night at Portmore on the lapwing fields and female smew today in Closet Bay at Oxford Island. A female goldeneye was also present in Closet Bay.

 

[Ptarmi]

Hi folks,

I had a lovely view of a Jay this morning, in flight below me with the sun on its back!

Cuckoo has been back here with us for at least a couple of weeks now, heard it calling all last weekend. ||

Also spotted my first Hen Harrier of the season, a Cock Bird, on Sunday. :t:

Cheers
Dick

 

[bracken]

Norma, new to site. Looking to ask a Q re bird i can not identify. Where on the Forum do I post my Q ? Sighting was in Ballygawley, Co Tyrone. Not a bird watcher but fascinated by all wild life since I was a child so I have a good knowledge of most inland flora and fauna. Sorry for picking on you but am struggling to find my way around the site.
many thanks
Helen

 

[nepp]

Helen

[ Where on the Forum do I post my Q ? Sighting was in Ballygawley, Co Tyrone. Helen[/QUOTE]

Hello Helen,
Welcome to BirdForum.
You are welcome to post your query here. You'll find a number of people answering your question and at least one of them might be right!!
Norma

 

[s. james]

Peatlands park this morning...

55 singing wrens
14 song thrush (most singing)
11 singing blackcap
18 singing chiffchaffs
58 willow warblers (most singing-a few recorded by sight or "hoo-eet" calls)
3 whitethroat
6 sedge warbler
1 cuckoo (heard singing, but didn't see it)
2 ravens
1 buzzard
2 jay
4 stonechat (inc. 3 juvs.)

 

[Pluvius]

Photo of Male Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeder near Downpatrick.

 

[jredds21]

murlough bay is the place to see a cuckoo had great views and a couple of decent pics sitting on the fence by the beach

 

[Derek Polley]

Boat trip to the Gobbins

Went on a cracking trip to the Gobbins last Friday evening. It was a three hour trip leaving Bangor at 6.30 and returning at 9.30 on a beautiful evening. Good views of all 4 auks, 5 gull types ( missed common), gannet, manx shearwater cormorant and shag. You get 30 mins + at the Gobbins to look at the breeding colonies. There were only 15 - 20 puffins in view, somewhat down on the 60+ normally seen. There were only 6 passengers and if you have never been I would urge you to go on one of the two remaining trips on Friday June 12th or 26th. The cost is £16 and you can book through Brian Meharg on 075 1000 6000 or go on his website at www.bangorboat.com.

The highlight for me was the fulmar and gannet escort on the way back - they thought we were going to throw fish to them and they made some very close passes to the boat - absolutely stunning views of the gannet in particular.

 

[aegithalos]

Hbw 14

The publisher of Handbook of the Birds of the World http://www.lynxeds.com: have now added the counties of Northern Ireland to the county list under 'United Kingdom', so ordering of volume 14, and other books, I assume, is now possible (the county was a required field for addresses, and NI counties were previously conspicuous only by their absence).

Cheers,

Keith

 

[Vogeljung]

Photo of Male Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeder near Downpatrick.

Great to see this bird here up North.

 

[fisi7chella]

blue tits

I took these pics this weekend of an adult blue tit feeding 7 chicks, they all fledged except for one which died in the nest.
Adrian

 

[Ptarmi]

I took these pics this weekend of an adult blue tit feeding 7 chicks, they all fledged except for one which died in the nest.
Adrian

Brilliant photos!

 

[yew]

I came across a family of at least five if not more Bullfinches at small river close to my home in Newry. They had brought a small juvenile to the river to drink and the male stayed for a picture but females kept disappearing into hidden foliage. I could hear the very distinctive sound they make (last heard as a child) so clearly. I had forgotten how paler pink the females are and realised that two about second summer females I saw today have definitely been in my garden nearby and explain my odd looking Chaffinches. I quite often see the vivid orange coloured male but just so delighted to have discovered the whole family. I am not sure if they are the Northern Bullfinch or English ones and last poor picture one of the juveniles I think.

 

[DEREK CHARLES]

A good weekends birding with rather unusually five Brent Geese still on Strangford Lough. Two Reed Warblers showed well at Lough Cowey, Strangford Lough.
A couple of visits to the RSPB reserve in Belfast produced some nice birds, Arctic Terns including an unusual first summer, Common Terns, Wigeon, Teal, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Glaucous Gull etc etc as well as a lovely brood of young Shelduck. The Lapwings are also having a successful time on the Harbour Estate.
Had good chat with Les Street the stand in warden and he was telling us all about the improvements to the reserve that they have planned, exciting times ahead. They have appointed a new warden Chris Surgenor who will be starting shortly. Regular visitors to the reserve will know Chris well and how helpful and friendly he is.

Derek

 

[yew]

One of three juvenile Bullfinch seen today over small river and I think nest is in tree shown over river too. One juvenile was so so tiny and so beautiful but impossible to get picture as like trying to photograph a large butterfly......

 

[s. james]

Lough Beg yesterday...
2 ruff just south of Coney Island-both in almost full summer plumage which I've never seen before.
1 spotted redshank- also just south of Coney Island, was feeding with common redshank so easily picked out- very dark in colour, slightly larger and longer bill. Red base to lower mandible of bill only was the clincher. Did have a slight "half" supercilium which makes me think it might have been an immature bird.
7 whooper swans and 3 wigeon were unusual summer records for me.

 

[fisi7chella]

Lough Beg yesterday...
2 ruff just south of Coney Island-both in almost full summer plumage which I've never seen before.
1 spotted redshank- also just south of Coney Island, was feeding with common redshank so easily picked out- very dark in colour, slightly larger and longer bill. Red base to lower mandible of bill only was the clincher. Did have a slight "half" supercilium which makes me think it might have been an immature bird.
7 whooper swans and 3 wigeon were unusual summer records for me.

Never seen a ruff before, I presume you are referring to the world cup but what is G.A.W.A!!!!!!!!?
Adrian

 

[Alastair Rae]

Never seen a ruff before, I presume you are referring to the world cup but what is G.A.W.A!!!!!!!!?
Adrian

I guess it refers to the plumage colours of some travelling footie fans.

 

[s. james]

Never seen a ruff before, I presume you are referring to the world cup but what is G.A.W.A!!!!!!!!?
Adrian

Seen them there and at Lady's Bay but never in their big "manes" (or ruffs I suppose). Was pleased with the spotted redshank.

You're correct about the World Cup, it's a slightly ambitious statement though. GAWA= Green and White Army

I guess it refers to the plumage colours of some travelling footie fans.

Correct.