Northern Ireland Local Patch (1 Viewer)

[Derek Polley]

Wte

Looks like a splendid bird. Must have been a bit of a shock to see this. I dipped out on the one near Craigavon so have still to see one here. Did see one from the hydrofoil along the Danube en route from Vienna to Bratislava and they are a big and impressive bird. And the presence of mind to get a half decent photo - well done!

 

[rdspalm]

White Tailed Eagle

Here are a couple more record shots. In the panic to assemble the camera and lens I did not get time to set the speed so photos were not the best.

Richard

 

[Pluvius]

2 curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Pectoral Sandpiper at the RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve today with Pec giving good views right in front of main hide.

 

[MargaretM]

2 curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Pectoral Sandpiper at the RSPB Belfast Harbour Reserve today with Pec giving good views right in front of main hide.

What great photographs!!

 

[DEREK CHARLES]

Hello Richard,
Lovely shots! What time did you see the Eagle at Myroe. It was seen and photographed at the Bann Estuary in the afternoon, not that far away as the Eagle flys!

Derek

 

[rdspalm]

Thanks Derek,

We saw the Eagle at about 10am. It was sitting in shallow water about 50yds from the bank. Then it took off and flew round the bay. I was frantically putting my 500ml lens onto the camera before it flew out of range.

Richard

 

[Pluvius]

Was out at Killard outside Strangford and saw a Corncrake.

 

[DEREK CHARLES]

hello Craig,
great shot of the Pec! Well done on the Corncrake too.

derek

 

[Derek Polley]

Curlew sandpiper

Got these shots at the RSPB Harbour reserve last Thursday. The solo bird in the water was clearly a curlew sand, and the same bird is in the frame with the ringed blackwit. However I was unsure of the one on the edge and was trying to talk myself and others into the pectoral sand which had been very elusive. This despite it not ticking all the boxes. Anthony soon put me right!! PS last The point is that there is enormous variations in plumage betwen the two curlew sands, and you can never be sure. I was convinced that I was looking not only at two different birds bit at two different sandpipers. PS last 2 swallows were at Dundrum on Sept 22nd

 

[nialltkeogh]

Derek,

The bird in the first picture is indeed a Pec Sand...no doubt about it!

Regards,
Niall

 

[Derek Polley]

Derek,

The bird in the first picture is indeed a Pec Sand...no doubt about it!

Regards,
Niall

When Anthony McGheean said it was a curlew sand, who was i to doubt, does anyonr else have an opinion?

 

[aegithalos]

When Anthony McGheean said it was a curlew sand, who was i to doubt, does anyonr else have an opinion?

It's a pectoral sand. Short beak, streaked breast, yellowish legs. Curlew sand has long beak, unstreaked breast (maybe a bit at the sides), black legs.

Cheers,

Keith

 

[Peter Phillips]

When Anthony McGheean said it was a curlew sand, who was i to doubt, does anyonr else have an opinion?

If the first shot is NOT a Pec Sand I am giving up!

AMcG must have been looking at the other bird?

 

[Derek Polley]

Pectoral/curlew

I owe Anthony an apology re the curlew/ pectoral id. We had been watching the pec on and off for nearly an hour right in front of the observation room. When Anthony came in I asked him for his opinion but by that stage the curlew sand was in view and Anthony correctly sorted it out. In my defence the hide was in a state of excitement due to the visit of David Lindo - The Urban Birder - and I was basking in the reflected glory of a visiting celebrity. Sorry for the misunderstanding and the impugning of Anthony's good name. I think I owe him a B . On the plus side, I now have two ticks where I thought I had one!!

 

[timwootton]

Ah - well that's cleared that up. Well done all.

 

[s. james]

They're all just funny dunlins anyway...

Swallow today near Antrim.

 

[s. james]

First whoopers (11) at Reedy Flat on 6th October. There were also 16 swallows and a late willow/chiff there that same week.

4 redwing today near Waringstown.

 

[rdspalm]

Good numbers of Whoopers and Brent on Lough Foyle and over at Inch & Blanket Nook. Infact these Donegal spots are really good at present. Was at Inch & Blanket Nook last Saturday. See West Donegal thread.

 

[Derek Polley]

Birding on Translink

Went by train from Bangor to Derry on Friday 24th October and decided to see what birds we could see on the way. The list was surprisingly long – 30 - despite only identifying the bigger species. We had lots of LBJs that remain a mystery. List was made up of Cormorant, Heron, Little egret, Mute and Whooper swan, Brent goose, Shelduck, Teal, Mallard, Tufted duck, Coot, 4 Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, 2 Kestrel, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew. Redshank, Turnstone, Black-headed gull, Herring gull, Greater black-backed gull, Wood pigeon, Blackbird, Magpie, Rook, Jackdaw, Hooded crow and Starling. The run from Coleraine into Londonderry was the best bit and in Summer would add a few to the list, although we might not get as many waders and ducks. We had a super day and were able to add Great tit and Collared dove in Derry as we walked round the walls. Any day which is a 4 raptor day is good and despite eye strain on the return journey from Coleraine to Antrim we were unable to add Barn owl to the list

 

[s. james]

That is one excellent train list Derek!

Any interesting winter visitors about yet? Bramblings, waxwings etc? Haven't even seen any redpoll or siskin at OI yet. See on one of the other threads that there's been a big influx of waxwings into Scotland.