Northern Ireland Bird News Sunday 16th February

[Jabberwocky]

A Common Crane flew over Murlough Sand Dunes, heading south, this morning (Garry Armstrong)

Portrush East Strand had a Glaucous Gull, Ring-billed Gull in the car park +3 Snow Bunting (Gerard McGeehan)

A Peregrine was flying around "Castle Court" shopping complex in Belfast city center this morning, (Rob McAllister)

60 Razorbills, 10 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Black-throated divers + 60 Eiders were at Greyabbey this morning. (James Robinson)

4 Goosander ( 1 male + 3 female ) were at Lough Island Reavy Reservoir this morning (Frank Carroll)

The Spoonbill was still at Castle Espie. (Kevin Kirkham-brown)

Along the Armagh shore of Lough Neagh the male American Wigeon was at Reedy Flat, a Pink-footed Goose at Ardmore Point and the Glossy Ibis at Closet Meadows (Jeff Larkin)

The flock of 20 Twite was present again past Patton's Marsh, Newtownards, together with half a dozen reed buntings and four Little Egret (Lindsay Hodges)

The flock of Twite on Portstewart beach has grown to 30 birds (John Clarke)

At Greyabbey Bay and Herring Bay were 9 Black-throated Diver, 3 Great-northern Diver, 3 Red-throated Diver and 13 Slavonian Grebe. South of Gransha Point were 5 Black-throated Diver and 9 Great-northern Diver. Between Marlfield and Killileagh were 20 Great-northern Diver. A Slavonian Grebe was at Newtownards Sailing Club. (Richard Weyl)

Newcastle had 20+ Great Northern Diver whilst Ardglass had 2 Red-throated Diver and 3 Great Northern Diver (Ed O'Hara)

A Red Kite flew over the road at Millbrook Lodge, Ballynahinch. A Jack Snipe was on the shore off Dundrum Bay Inner near the Blackstaff River mouth. (Clive Mellon)

[roger dickey]

What a great selection. Looks like you're benefitting from the westerlies as we are on the south coast. Unfortunately we are getting large numbers of casualties amongst the auks.

Spoonbill at CE was unheard of when I was there!

Many thanks - I'll get across one day to visit again.

[Matelot Birder]

I notice with interest that among your sightings are a few good rarities.
I may be wrong but I dont recall seeing any of these on any of the rare bird alert sights, sich as Birdguides.
Do you know if they conciously leave Northern Ireland off ?

[Jabberwocky]

Don't think so, though I note that not all reported on NI Birds Blog are posted on Irish Bird Sightings or Rare Bird Alert; see below Jan alert:

Rare Bird Alert Weekly round-up: 22 - 28 Jan 2014

Tyrone’s super showy Pacific Diver still in situ.