N. IRELAND

HIGHLIGHTS: Two Bewick’s Swans were at Oxford Island (6th). A Lesser Scaup was on Belfast Lough (18th-24th). The Ring-necked Duck remained at Templewater NT. The Green-winged Teal was seen throughout at the Ecos centre, Ballymena. Smew were at Portmore Lough and on Lower Lough Erne. A few Goosanders were reported, including eight on the River Maine, Randalstown and five on Lower Lough Erne (27th). The long-staying Spoonbill remained at Castle Espie. A Great White Egret was in the Lower Lough Erne area throughout, with two at Castle Archdale, Co. Fermanagh (26th). Three Jack Snipe were on Lower Lough Erne (5th). Three Ruff were at Dundrum inner bay, Co. Down (8th). Green Sandpipers were at Lady Bay, Co. Armagh (7th) and near Cullyhanna Co. Armagh (10th). A few Glaucous Gulls were reported, including two at Corbally Reservoir, Portrush (25th) and one in a school playground (17th). There were only a few Iceland Gull records. Ring-billed Gulls remained at Carrickfergus and Enniskillen, with a new bird at Whitehouse Lagoon (7th). A Little Gull was at Larne Lough (1st). A White-tailed Eagle flew over Lower Lough Erne (13th). A Gyrfalcon of unknown origin was at Gawleys Gate, Co. Armagh (20th). Flocks of Waxwings were reported from every county, including 60 at Lisburn (28th) and 60 at Cushendall (18th). Great Spotted Woodpeckers were at Tollymore Forest Park (21st) and Oxford Island (29th). Black Redstarts were at Whitehead throughout and at Annalong harbour (14th). Thirty Twite remained at Whitehead, with 50 at Copeland Island Bird Observatory (21st). Any records/sightings can be sent to nibirds@live. co.uk or via Twitter@nibirds