N. IRELAND

HIGHLIGHTS: Five Velvet Scoters were on Belfast Lough (27th). There were 42 Slavonian Grebes on Strangford Lough (19th), where the Spoonbill remained. A Bittern was at Lough Ross, Co Armagh (20th). The Great White Egret remained on Lower Lough Erne. A Kumlien’s Gull was at Belfast Lough RSPB (25th). An increasing number of Iceland Gulls were reported, plus a few Glaucous Gulls and good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls. The long-staying Ring-billed Gulls were reported from the Round 0, Enniskillen and Carrickfergus. The Green-winged Teal was seen throughout at the Ecos Centre in Ballymena. A Smew was on Drumgay Lough, Enniskillen (11th). About 24 Goosanders were noted. There were 20 Stock Doves at Aghalee, Co Armagh. In a good year for Waxwings, flocks were reported on a regular basis from all over the province. The Black Redstart remained at Whitehead, where Twite increased to 50. Ian Graham