Updated Northern Ireland List
An updated list of the birds of Northern Ireland is viewable via the menu bar or at this link: NI List April 2020
Rarity Description Species - Update for 2020
The Committee have made the following changes to the Rarity Description species:
The following species no longer require a description:
The following species now require a description:
The following species no longer require a description:
- White-tailed Eagle
- Golden Eagle
- Tree Pipit
The following species now require a description:
- Bewicks Swan
Common Nighthawk - New to Northern Ireland
This is perhaps the most bizzare and fascinating rarity ever to occur in Northern Ireland.
On the 5th October 2019, Fergus Auld reported to Dot Blakely that whilst out fishing, he had observed a Nightjar along the River Maine at Galgorm on the 3rd October. On Sunday 6th, a number of birders took advantage of his offer to view the bird and it duely showed briefly at dusk. Some poor quality pictures were taken in the diminishing light but when circuated the following morning, Josh Jones felt that the bird was actually a Common Nighthawk ad news was shared widely about it. Later that same afternoon, the bird was actually seen by Stuart Piner who had travelled over from England for it. By dusk, circa 50 birders were on site and were rewarded with excellent views of the bird as it hawked insects over the river, often coming within a few feet of those in attendance.
The following day seen more birders visit the site and amazingly the bird was found day roosting. It then showed, often roosting in the day but also feeding along the river at dusk until Thursday 17th October. During this period, it is estimated that at least 500 birders viewed it and it stayed loyal to the same area of the river.
The bird was not seen in NI after the 17th October but amazingly it was photographed by Lewis Newman over Regents Park, London on Saturday 19th October. Unusually for an autumn migrant it was an adult male. This was the first record of ths north American species for Northern Ireland.
On the 5th October 2019, Fergus Auld reported to Dot Blakely that whilst out fishing, he had observed a Nightjar along the River Maine at Galgorm on the 3rd October. On Sunday 6th, a number of birders took advantage of his offer to view the bird and it duely showed briefly at dusk. Some poor quality pictures were taken in the diminishing light but when circuated the following morning, Josh Jones felt that the bird was actually a Common Nighthawk ad news was shared widely about it. Later that same afternoon, the bird was actually seen by Stuart Piner who had travelled over from England for it. By dusk, circa 50 birders were on site and were rewarded with excellent views of the bird as it hawked insects over the river, often coming within a few feet of those in attendance.
The following day seen more birders visit the site and amazingly the bird was found day roosting. It then showed, often roosting in the day but also feeding along the river at dusk until Thursday 17th October. During this period, it is estimated that at least 500 birders viewed it and it stayed loyal to the same area of the river.
The bird was not seen in NI after the 17th October but amazingly it was photographed by Lewis Newman over Regents Park, London on Saturday 19th October. Unusually for an autumn migrant it was an adult male. This was the first record of ths north American species for Northern Ireland.
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| Nighthawk - Jonny Andrews |
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| Nighthawk - Mervyn Campbell |
Red Eyed Vireo - New for Northern Ireland
During the Rathlin Birding Week, organised by Ric Else and Hazel Watson, a Red-eyed Vireo was found on the morning of Sunday 29th September 2019 by Wilton Farrelly. The bird was in sycamores near the east light, Rathlin Island. At times it would show well (although distantly) and was last seen on Wednesday 2nd October. During this time a Melodious Warbler and a Yellow-browed Warbler were also on the island.
Red-eyed Vireo is the most common American passerine seen in Britain and Ireland but had not previously been recorded in Northern Ireland.
Red-eyed Vireo, Ric Else:
Red-eyed Vireo is the most common American passerine seen in Britain and Ireland but had not previously been recorded in Northern Ireland.
Red-eyed Vireo, Ric Else:
American Black Tern - New for NI
On Monday 10th September 2018, Ian Dickey found an American Black Tern at the Bann Estuary. The bird was seen on and off until Tuesday 18th September. At times it gave great views but would often dissapear out to sea.
This record is the first of the sub-species for Northern Ireland and an excellent find.
American Black Tern, Ian Dickey:
American Black Tern, Stephen Dunbar:
This record is the first of the sub-species for Northern Ireland and an excellent find.
American Black Tern, Ian Dickey:
American Black Tern, Stephen Dunbar:
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Do you have an interest in
bird recording and could you help support the NIRBC? Please get in touch if you
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Bird Records for 2019
The following records for 2019, with the exception of those in red, have been assessed and accepted. If you notice any omissions or corrections, please let us know. We are particualrly interested in receiving further information about those species in red which are still under assessment. You can email in descriptions or pictures of any of the species below to: NIRBcomm@gmail.com
| SPECIES | LOCATION | DATE | OBSERVER(S) |
| Hawfinch | Gosford Forest Park | January 2019 | Clifford Sharpe |
| Lesser Scaup | Dargan Bay, Belfast, Antrim | 30th January 2019 | Tom Ennis |
| American Wigeon | Lough Beg, Antrim | 29th Jan 2019 / 21st Feb 2019 | David Steele / Jeff Larkin |
| Golden Eagle | Rathlin | 2nd February 2019 | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| Glossy Ibis | Tully Cut, Portmore, Antrim | 18th February 2019 | Nigel Ireland |
| Firecrest | Raithlin Island, Antrim | 3rd March 2019 | Ric Else/Hazel Watson |
| Chaffinch, African ssp | Gilford, Down | 31st March 2019 | Graham Patterson |
| White-tailed Eagle (2) | Boho Island, Fermanagh | 6th March 2019 | Hugh Delaney |
| Rock Pipit - Littoralis | Whitehead, Antrim | 13th March 2019 | Cameron Moore |
| Lesser Whitethroat (blythi) | Gortin, Omagh, Tyrone | From 2018 | Various |
| Golden Eagle | Rathlin | 11th April 2019 | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| Blue-headed Wagtail | Portrush | 21st April 2019 | Colin Guy |
| Tree Pipit | Rathlin | 30th April / 13th May | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| Bee-eaters (2) | Ballyquintin, Portaferry, Down | 15th May 2019 | David Thompson |
| Alpine Swift | Templepatrick, Antrim | 18th May 2019 | Majella Callaghan |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | Castle Espie, Down | 30th May 2019 | Fiona Waton \ Ross McIlrath |
| American Golden Plover | Rathin, Antrim | 3rd June 2019 | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| White-tailed Eagle | Knockninny, Co Fermanagh | 7th June 2019 | Robert Scott |
| Hobby | Antrim Hills | 11th June 2019 | Ronald Surgenor |
| Long-billed Dowitcher | RSPB WoW Belfast | 16th June 2019 | Daniel Newton |
| Golden Eagle | Fair Head, Co Antrim | 21st June 2019 | Dennis O'Sullivan |
| Woodchat Shrike | Donaghadee | 23rd June 2019 | Billy Miskelly |
| Hobby | Portmore Lough RSPB | 25th June 2019 | Joe Furphy |
| Glossy Ibis | Portmore Lough RSPB | June 2019 | Various |
| Ruddy Shelduck | Bann Estuary | 4th July | Various |
| Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail | Oxford Island | 20th July 2019 | Kevin Kirkham |
| Long-billed Dowitcher | Lough Beg | 31st July | David Steele |
| Tree Pipit | Rathlin Island | 10th August 2019 | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| Stilt Sandpiper | Rathlin Island | 11th August 2019 | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| Cattle Egret | RSPB WoW Belfast | 22nd August 2019 | Derek Polley |
| White-tailed Eagle | Rathlin Island | 28th August 2019 | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| American Golden Plover | Ballykelly | 14th September | Neal Warnock |
| Lesser Whitethroat | Portaferry | 10th September | Dermot Hughes |
| American Golden Plover | Ballykelly | 14th September | Neal Warnock |
| Hobby | Lough Beg, Antrim | 8th September | Godfrey McRoberts |
| Cattle Egret | Lough Beg, Antrim | 5th September | David Steele |
| Red-eyed Vireo | Rathlin, Antrim | 29th September | Wilton Farrelly |
| Melodious Warbler | Rathlin, Antrim | 29th September | Dennis Weir \ Stuart McKee |
| Common Nighthawk | Galgorm, Antrim | 3rd October | Fergus Auld \ Dot Blakely |
| King Eider | Carrickfergus, Antrim | 6th October | Cameron Moore |
| American Golden Plover | Ballykelly | 11th October | Theo Campbell |
| American Golden Plover | Galgorm, Antrim | 13th October | Denis O'Sullivan |
| Great White Egret | Rathlin Island | 24th October | Tom McDonnell |
| Pallas's Warbler | Kearney, Co Down | 27th October | Richard Weyl |
| White-rumped Sandpiper | RSPB WoW Belfast | 30th October | Gerard McGeehan \ Shirley Dunlop |
| Great White Egret | Lower Lough Erne | 4th October | Andrew Gallagher |
| White-rumped Sandpipers (7+) | Myroe | November 2019 | Various |
| Great White Egret | Lough Beg, Antrim | Last 6th November | David Steele |
| White-rumped Sandpipers (3) | Lough Beg, Antrim | 4th November | David Steele |
| American Golden Plover (juv) | Myroe | October / November | Michael Latham et al |
| Red-necked Grebe | Belfast Lough, Co Antrim | 16th November | Stuart McKee et al |
Bird Records for 2018
The following species have been assessed. If the record is in red, it has not yet been accepted and needs to be assessed further or further information is required. If you can assist by providing further information, please feel free to contact us at NIRBcomm@gmail.com
| SPECIES | LOCATION \ COUNTY | DATE | OBSERVER(S) |
| American Black Tern | Bann estuary | 10th Sept | Ian Dickey |
| Bairds Sandpiper | Myroe | 27th Sept | Stuart McKee |
| Gyrfalcon | Ramore Head, Co Antrim | 9th March | John Clarke |
| Hobby | Banagher Glen | 20th August | Christine Cassidy /Lindsay Hodges |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | Myroe | 23rd Nov | Derek Brennan |
| White Stork | Larne | 16th May | Colin Guy |
| American Golden Plover | Myroe | 22nd Sept | Garry Armstrong |
| American Golden Plover | Rathlin Island | 7th Sept | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| American Golden Plover | Bann Estuary | 30th October | Birdguides |
| American Wigeon | Lough Beg | 18th June | David Steele |
| Buff Breasted Sandpiper | Myroe | 18th September | Brad Robson \ Matthew Tickner |
| Buff Breasted Sandpiper | Myroe | 22nd September | Garry Armstrong \ Wilton Farrelly |
| Dotterel | Myroe | 1st May | Mervy Guthrie |
| Dotterel | Antrim Plateau | 18th October | David Steele |
| Ferruginous Duck | Oxford Island, Co Armagh | 1st April | Jeff Larkin |
| Glossy Ibis | Strabane | 2nd Jan | Brian Hegarty |
| Glossy Ibis | Portmore Lough | 19th Jan | RSPB |
| Great White Egret | Lough Beg | 9th April | David Steele |
| Great White Egret | Lower Lough Erne | 15th Oct | Peter Taylor |
| Hawfinch | Glenwherry | 15th May | Gregory Moorehead |
| Honey Buzzard | Banagher Glen, Co L'Derry | 27th July | David Steele |
| Lesser Whitethroat blythi | Gortin, Co Tyrone | Dec-18 | Various |
| Lesser Yellowlegs | Myroe | 25th November | Derek Brennan |
| Pacific Golden Plover | Myroe | 28th October | Birdguides |
| Tree Pipit (4) | Rathlin Island | April, May, August | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
| White-rumped Sandpiper | Barmouth | 22nd September | Theo Campbell |
| White-rumped Sandpiper (2) | Myroe \ Roe Estuary, Co L'Derry | 22nd September - 29th October | Neal Warnock et al |
| White-rumped Sandpiper (min 3) | Roe Estuary, Co L'Derry | 25th November | Stuart McKee |
| White-tailed Eagle | Glenariff \ Blackers Rock | 29th April | Mervyn Campbell et al |
| White-tailed Eagle | Rathlin Island | 1st May | Ric Else \ Hazel Watson |
Bird Records for 2017
Records shown in RED have not yet been accepted by NIBRC. If you have any information on these sightings, we would be pleased to receive further information:
| SPECIES | LOCATION/COUNTY | DATE | OBSERVER |
| Lesser Scaup | Belfast Lough/Down | 18th January | Stuart McKee. |
| Gyrfalcon | Gawleys Gate/Armagh | 20th January | Rob Martin |
| American Wigeon | Dundrum Inn. Bay | 4th March | David Nixon |
| Yellow-browed Warbler | Copeland Bird Obs. | 11th March | Chris Acheson |
| Water Pipit | Millisle | 9th April | Richard Weyl |
| Long-billed Dowitcher | Quoile pondage | 24th April | Tony Donaldson |
| Dotterel | Myroe/L'derry | 30th April | Neal Warnock |
| Little Ringed Plover | Lough Beg. | 2nd May | Davy Hunter |
| Black Stork | Rathlin Island | 11th May | Richard Else |
| White-winged Black Tern | Lough Beg. | 11th May | David Steele |
| Montagu's Harrer | Lough Beg. | 16th May | Chris Murphy |
| Temmincks Stint | Lough Beg. | 26th May | Billy Miskelly |
| Bonapartes Gull | Bar Mouth/L'derry | 16th June | Birds Ireland |
| Little Ringed Plover | Lough Beg. | 23rd June | David Steele |
| Golden Oriole (heard only) | Ballyroney/Down | 9th July | Dave Allen |
| Bonapartes Gull | Whitehead/Antrim | 20th July | Cameron Moore |
| American Golden Plover | Myroe/L'derry | 30th August | Hill Dick |
| Buff-breasted Sandpiper | Myroe/L'derry | 31st August | Jeff Larkin |
| Red-necked Grebe | Mullagh | 8th September | David Steele |
| Buff-breasted Sandpiper(2) | Myroe/L'derry | 10th September | Michael Latham |
| Pectoral Sandpiper | Quoile pondage | 17th September | Billy Miskelly |
| American Golden Plover | Myroe/L'derry | 3rd October | David Nixon/Trevor Wilkinson |
| Wryneck | Copeland Bird Obs. | 8th October | CBO |
| Firecrest | Kearney/Down | 17th October | Ian Graham |
| Grey-bellied Brant | Strangford Lough | 17th October | Tom Ennis/Tony Dodds |
| American Golden Plover | Bann Estuary.Derry | 22nd October | Stuart McKee. |
| Red-necked Grebe | Bann Estuary.Derry | 23rd October | Colin Guy |
| White-rumped Sandpiper | Lough Beg/Derry | 29th October | David Steele |
| White-rumped Sandpiper | Lough Beg. | 31st October | David Steele |
Red-flanked Bluetail - A species new to Northern Ireland
Red-flanked Bluetail was a new and unexpected bird for Northern Ireland in an autumn of rare birds. It was originally found on the evening of Saturday 8th October by Tim Murphy, just reward for the many hours that he has put in birding at St Johns Point and Kellys Wood. The bird was then present first thing the following morning. However it was then prone to disappearing for long periods but over the following days it was seen by most birders who visited Kellys Wood. The last report of the bird was the 13th October.
This bird represented the first record for NI and the sixth for the island of Ireland. The species has enjoyed a westward population expansion in Scandinavia in recent years but it was still an unexpected record.
Gerard Murray:
James O'Neill:
This bird represented the first record for NI and the sixth for the island of Ireland. The species has enjoyed a westward population expansion in Scandinavia in recent years but it was still an unexpected record.
Gerard Murray:
James O'Neill:
Baird's Sandpipers in 2016
Baird's Sandpiper is an extremely rare wader in NI with only 4 accepted records prior to 2016. However 2016 was marked by a further two records, including one very long staying bird.
The first bird was found on the 3rd September 2016 at Myroe and present until at least the 1st October 2016. The second bird was found by Neal Warnock at RSPB WOW on the 23rd September. Both birds were juveniles and at times showed well. The Belfast bird could however go missing in the vegetation for long periods of time.
Whilst 2016 was a good year in the UK and Ireland for Baird's Sandpiper, this was not the case for other nearctic waders. For example, there was only a single report of a Buff Breasted Sandpiper in 2016 for NI.
Baird's Sandpiper, Myroe, Garry Armstrong:
The first bird was found on the 3rd September 2016 at Myroe and present until at least the 1st October 2016. The second bird was found by Neal Warnock at RSPB WOW on the 23rd September. Both birds were juveniles and at times showed well. The Belfast bird could however go missing in the vegetation for long periods of time.
Whilst 2016 was a good year in the UK and Ireland for Baird's Sandpiper, this was not the case for other nearctic waders. For example, there was only a single report of a Buff Breasted Sandpiper in 2016 for NI.
Baird's Sandpiper, Myroe, Garry Armstrong:
New Committee Member - Stuart McKee
We are pleased to announce that Stuart McKee has joined the Northern Ireland Rare Bird Committee.
Stuart is an extremely experienced, knowledgeably and familiar birder in Northern Ireland. He has found may rarities in his time and has an active interest in bird recording in bird recording. Indeed he is one of the few birders in the field who still keeps notebooks!
Stuart is an extremely experienced, knowledgeably and familiar birder in Northern Ireland. He has found may rarities in his time and has an active interest in bird recording in bird recording. Indeed he is one of the few birders in the field who still keeps notebooks!
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