Thursday 20th May News

Whooper Swan - 1, Bann Estuary, Co. Londonderry
Whooper Swan - 1, Quoile Pondage, Co. Down
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1, along the western shore of Lough Beg
Little Gull - 1, 1st summer, Quoile Pondage, Co. Down
Cuckoo - 2, Crosstagherty near Ballymoney, Co. Antrim
Yellow Wagtail - 1, in the field beside thecentre at the Giant's Causeway
Reed Warbler - 1, Crosstagherty near Ballymoney, Co. Antrim


We wanted something rare but be careful what you wish for! - this Blue-winged Goose turned up on Strangford Lough today. We welcome any suggestions that could turn this into a genuine vagrant!

Thanks to Craig Nash for the photo and sighting













For more info on Blue-winged Goose click here

Blast from the Past
Until a rarity turns up (we're not picky) expect more of the same. Here's a cracker - Montagu's Harrier, Belfast Harbour Estate, April 2006.




















































British Isles Update
The total number of species recorded on the combined Britain and Ireland list in 2010 has now climbed to 346, with the addition of the following six species ;-
1) European Storm Petrel (several in the West Country);
2) BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER (one at Rutland Water this week was the first for Leicestershire);
3) BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR (a female on Great Saltee Island, County Wexford);
4) MELODIOUS WARBLER (one briefly in North Wales)
5) ICTERINE WARBLER (one at Gibraltar Point, Lincs)
6) Common Rosefinch (the first of the year was a singing male at Gibraltar Point)
Lee G R Evans
British Birding Association

For the latest UK news visit the rarebirdsinbritain blog


Republic of Ireland
Little Ringed Plover - 1. adult, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny

For the latest Irish news visit irishbirding