In Co.Down: The run of good birds in Northern Ireland continues with the first record of Blue Budgie being recorded at the RSPB Reserve. It followed a period of South Westerley Winds and the bird is unringed, wary and immaculatey blue. We never predicted it in our last Bird Report so our congratulations go to Ronald Surgenor for this great find. So far it has attracted 15000 visitors and many more are expected over the weekend. They have opened the Oddysey Car Park for Birders and shuttle buses are running between there and the Reserve. Photographers are warned not to approach the exhausted Budgie.
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Bird News Tuesday 20th March
In Co.Down: The run of good birds in Northern Ireland continues with the first record of Blue Budgie being recorded at the RSPB Reserve. It followed a period of South Westerley Winds and the bird is unringed, wary and immaculatey blue. We never predicted it in our last Bird Report so our congratulations go to Ronald Surgenor for this great find. So far it has attracted 15000 visitors and many more are expected over the weekend. They have opened the Oddysey Car Park for Birders and shuttle buses are running between there and the Reserve. Photographers are warned not to approach the exhausted Budgie.
Arent we glad its not like this all the time
Comeing down from Downpatrick
Stopping off at St. John's Point to look for suppressed warblers
Out all day birdwatching
And the craic was average
Stopped off at Strangford Lough to look at Rough Legged Buzzard
Early in the morning
Drove through Shrigley taking pictures off Lesser Scaup
And on to Killyleagh for the Forsters Tern
Stopped off for Sunday papers at the Lecale District, just before Coney Island
No sign of the Franklins Gull
On and on, over the hill to Ardglass
In the harbour, winter sunshine, magnificent
And Kumliens Gulls shining through
Stop off at Ardglass for a couple of jars of
Mussels and some potted herring gulls in case
We need to suppress birds before dinner
On and on, over the hill and the craic is average
Heading towards Coney Island, to look at Symbol the hybrid goose
I look at the side of your face as the sunlight comes
Streaming through the window in the winter sunshine
And all the time going to Coney Island I'm thinking,
Coney Island really is shite
£1 million pound Painting!
Ian Dickey is a dab hand with the paint brush and he has let us preview his latest painting entitled the "Crying Gilly" It only took him a day and a half to paint and already its been valued at over £1 million pound. Ian has asked us to say that he doesnt want anymore begging leetters especially from people called Larry McGarrys!
Gull Wars Continue
He's been hibernating for a while but CIDERBOSS has been carrying out covert operations deep in gull territory...............
In the war against gulls we have to prepare for the offensive.
Here are our free range hens (chick 1 and 2) relaxing before being sent on active service.
Chicks a and b have been sent out on reconnaissance to keep an eye on dastardly Derk.
In the war against gulls we have to prepare for the offensive.
Here are our free range hens (chick 1 and 2) relaxing before being sent on active service.
Chicks a and b have been sent out on reconnaissance to keep an eye on dastardly Derk.
Once more unto the breach....
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with gullish dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the chicken;
Stiffen the feathers, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the beak
Like the brass cannon; let the comb o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled cock
That passage was actually written by a cockerel but Shakespeare stole it...... but then he nicked everything he ever did from everybody else. Just like the nobirds team and the way they nicked our old website and kicked us of the Not Interesting Boring Association committee, stole our tenners and didn't give us a bird report. Scum.
Here's a pic of a Gold Swift by Sam Millar
Or close the wall up with gullish dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the chicken;
Stiffen the feathers, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the beak
Like the brass cannon; let the comb o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled cock
That passage was actually written by a cockerel but Shakespeare stole it...... but then he nicked everything he ever did from everybody else. Just like the nobirds team and the way they nicked our old website and kicked us of the Not Interesting Boring Association committee, stole our tenners and didn't give us a bird report. Scum.
Here's a pic of a Gold Swift by Sam Millar
Ah, it's moth time again
Thank god for that - I was about to have an aneurysm looking at all the gull photos
Check out Sam Millar's website
http://millar153.wordpress.com
Check out Sam Millar's website
http://millar153.wordpress.com
Creepy Nostalgia
How can you get nostalgic about a plastic bag. How can you have any feelings but hatred and loathing for seagulls? Have a look below at the emotional crisis Stephen Maxwell is going through....
Turkey Vulture, Newcastle Co. Down
........although equally it could have been taken by Sam Millar at Shenandoah last year. It's hard to tell. Check out Sam's website
http://millar153.wordpress.com
http://millar153.wordpress.com
I was in a forgiving mood...
......I woke up today, looked out the window and saw this Hawfinch. I'd been feeling bad about banning Ken Clegg from my house so I gave him a call and he popped round to take a few snaps. All was fine, I counted the biscuits before he arrived, he bought two biscuits for 17p each and I still two packets of Crunch Creams left when he walked out the door. Little did I realise that whilst I was using the toilet Ken had stolen a packet and cunningly set a mirror beside the remaining packet to dupe me. I've called the police again so no doubt they'll have to go through the whole process of lifting him, interrogating him, beating him up, water-boarding etc etc but to be honest they don't mind - it's one of the perks of the job. Ken is a threat to every biscuit in the UK.
Spot the Difference
Many people have been asking me lately " How can I tell the difference between an Eagle Owl ( Bubo bubo ) and a Cairn Terrier? "
It is simple really ... eye colour. Thanks to Stephen Maxwell
It is simple really ... eye colour. Thanks to Stephen Maxwell
Monday, 19 March 2012
Bird News Monday 19th March
Thanks to Ian Dickey for this picture of a rather angry looking mob of Sandpipers!In Co.Londonderry:
The White Phase Snow Goose, a Canada Goose (interesting!!) and 40 Greenland Whitefronts were at Seacoast Road Myroe (Neal Warnock)
5 Pinkfeet, 4 Barnacles and a Greenland Whitefront were at Longfield Point (Neal Warnock)
In Co.Down: The 2ndw Ringo was still at Groomsport and a Brambling at nearby Ballyholme
Here's a couple of shots from Alistair Prentice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/
Email: nisightings@googlemail.com
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....if you don't look at this, you're mental - Binocularface
'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions
Visit us at Facebook here
Follow us on Twitter here
....if you don't look at this, you're mental - Binocularface
'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions
More from Van the Man
Coming down from Downpatrick
Stopping off at St John's Point
Out all day birdwatching
And the craic was good
Thanks to Stephen Maxwell
Stopping off at St John's Point
Out all day birdwatching
And the craic was good
Thanks to Stephen Maxwell
Auld News fram the dae befoor todae
Here's some 24 hour old bird news and pics from Gavin Ferguson - it's not my fault....ok, then it is.
"Thirteen Raven and eight Buzzard seen today at Sallagh Braes, Larne. Also three Buzzard soaring above Craigyhill estate in Larne this afternoon as well. Few pics attached,
Gavin"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgonagle/
"Thirteen Raven and eight Buzzard seen today at Sallagh Braes, Larne. Also three Buzzard soaring above Craigyhill estate in Larne this afternoon as well. Few pics attached,
Gavin"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcgonagle/
More Shocking News
Our restaurant spy Snoozy McSnoozy has contacted us to tell us that International Gull Guru Orcilla Hadrick was out stuffing her face at the new Gull Restaurant in Newcastle on Saturday Night. Apperently it was shocking, she started with Thayers Pate went on to have Kumlien Steak (well done) with a side of Boapartes Legs and then pudding was an Iceland Soufle and all washed down with 6 bottles of Pinot Gullo. Any wonder all the rare gulls in NI have done a bunk.But fair play to Orcilla she got up on Sunday morning and put the heels on and legged it to Groomsport where she sent us this photo of a very nervous looking Ring Billed Gull.
Ring Necked Duck photos
Thanks to Mike Nesbitt for these photos of the male Ring Necked Duck at Lough Money. We are sure its a different Mike Nesbitt to the one running for the Leadership of the UUP however the photos are taken in Co.Down where Mike is an MLA and they are shite.... a bit of a linky thing happening there i think! But Mike says they may be shite but they are better than the Nobirders photos and he has a point, Mike for Leader hurrah!!
Sunday, 18 March 2012
From Our Man on the Poop Deck.
Sunday
5 Bells
It would appear that the RSPB weren't bluffing when they announced they were introducing new security measures aimed at keeping foxes out of the Harbour Reserve this Spring.
From our resident fifth columnist Perry Scope.
5 Bells
It would appear that the RSPB weren't bluffing when they announced they were introducing new security measures aimed at keeping foxes out of the Harbour Reserve this Spring.
From our resident fifth columnist Perry Scope.
Bird News SUnday 18th March
In Fabulous Co. Down:
The usual 3 Larry McGarrys were kicking around Dundrum. One was still bumming about later (D. and O. Hadrick)
2 Mediterranean Gulls, a small flock of redpoll and a Treesparrow at castle espie today (Chris Henry)
The male Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Money and the 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull at Groomsport. A 1st and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull were at Ardglass (D. Charles and M. O'Callaghan)
2 adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Orlock. The Iceland Gull was still at McConnells Weir
A Short Eared Owl was at Ballyquintin and the 4 Russian Whitefronts at Greyabbey (Richard Weyl)
Symbol the Goose formerly known as Grey Bellied was still hybriding around Killough.
In Co. Antrim
4 Iceland Gull were at Runkerry Pt., an adult Iceland at Strand Rd. Jetty, Coleraine, a 1st winter Med Gull at the Bann Estuary, 10 Iceland and a Glaucous Gull at Corbally Reservoir, Portrush (N. Warnock) 5 Snow Bunting and a 1stw Iceland Gull were near the Giants Causeway
3 Pinkfoot were at Portmore Lough
A Glaucous and 3 Mediterranean Gull were at Glynn. 3 Long Tailed Duck were off Greenisland
In Co. Armagh:
A Tundra Bean and 2 Pinkfoot were near Reedy Flat (hey didnt i see them on Saturday!!)
A Marsh Harrier was over Portadown
Late News from Yesterday!!!!
The 4 Russian whitefronts still at Annes Point. At Chapel Island 2 Slavonian grebe and another 6 at Greyabbey Bay. A group of 5 black-throated diver south of Gransha Point. (Richard Weyl)
Thanks to Andrew Poots for this Tree Sparrow pic
The usual 3 Larry McGarrys were kicking around Dundrum. One was still bumming about later (D. and O. Hadrick)
2 Mediterranean Gulls, a small flock of redpoll and a Treesparrow at castle espie today (Chris Henry)
The male Ring-necked Duck was at Lough Money and the 2nd winter Ring-billed Gull at Groomsport. A 1st and a 2nd winter Iceland Gull were at Ardglass (D. Charles and M. O'Callaghan)
2 adult Mediterranean Gulls were at Orlock. The Iceland Gull was still at McConnells Weir
A Short Eared Owl was at Ballyquintin and the 4 Russian Whitefronts at Greyabbey (Richard Weyl)
Symbol the Goose formerly known as Grey Bellied was still hybriding around Killough.
In Co. Antrim
4 Iceland Gull were at Runkerry Pt., an adult Iceland at Strand Rd. Jetty, Coleraine, a 1st winter Med Gull at the Bann Estuary, 10 Iceland and a Glaucous Gull at Corbally Reservoir, Portrush (N. Warnock) 5 Snow Bunting and a 1stw Iceland Gull were near the Giants Causeway
3 Pinkfoot were at Portmore Lough
A Glaucous and 3 Mediterranean Gull were at Glynn. 3 Long Tailed Duck were off Greenisland
In Co. Armagh:
A Tundra Bean and 2 Pinkfoot were near Reedy Flat (hey didnt i see them on Saturday!!)
A Marsh Harrier was over Portadown
Heres my list from today. (Off the Newry Canal near Tandragee) (A;istair Prentice)
Three Buzzard being harassed by a Sparrowhawk
4 Lesser Redpoll
Five Long Tailed tit
A Mistle Thrush building its nest
One Dipper
One Kingfisher
A pair of Greywagtail
Two Redwing
Dozens of Great, blue and coal tits
Dozens of Wren and Dunnock
One Grey Heron
AND...a Chiffchaff calling from a hedge...
Late News from Yesterday!!!!
The 4 Russian whitefronts still at Annes Point. At Chapel Island 2 Slavonian grebe and another 6 at Greyabbey Bay. A group of 5 black-throated diver south of Gransha Point. (Richard Weyl)
Thanks to Andrew Poots for this Tree Sparrow pic
Email: nisightings@googlemail.com
Visit us at Facebook here
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....if you don't look at this, you're mental - Binocularface
'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions
Visit us at Facebook here
Follow us on Twitter here
....if you don't look at this, you're mental - Binocularface
'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions
Saturday, 17 March 2012
Bird News Paddy's Day
Begorrah, oi'll have a pint of te black stuff, top of the morning to ye etc. etc.
In Wonderful Co. Down:
2 x buzzard, dundonald, 1 x buzzard, near castleward (Stephen Maxwell)
In Co. Armagh:
A Mealy Redpoll was at Oxford Island and the Bean Goose and 2 Pink-footed Geese were at Reedy Flat (D. Charles and the Chef)
Here's a Yellowhammer pic from Andrew Poots:
In Wonderful Co. Down:
2 x buzzard, dundonald, 1 x buzzard, near castleward (Stephen Maxwell)
In Co. Armagh:
A Mealy Redpoll was at Oxford Island and the Bean Goose and 2 Pink-footed Geese were at Reedy Flat (D. Charles and the Chef)
Here's a Yellowhammer pic from Andrew Poots:
Email: nisightings@googlemail.com
Visit us at Facebook here
Follow us on Twitter here
....if you don't look at this, you're mental - Binocularface
'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions
Visit us at Facebook here
Follow us on Twitter here
....if you don't look at this, you're mental - Binocularface
'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions
Good Mourning!
Did you like that? It's before twelve o'clock here so....oh I give up. Here's a pic by Linda Roth of a couple Mourning Doves photographed in Ballynahinch.......ok, they were taken in south east Michigan. Thanks Linda!!
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