Ruddy Duck

Also at Oxford Island, Lough Neagh yesterday we had three male Ruddy Ducks on display from one of the bird hides.  Ruddy Duck were introduced in Ireland and Britain from North America and are now looked upon as being a species of nuisence due to the fact that it is interbreeding with the White-headed Duck from Southern Europe, hence threatening the survival of this rare duck.

Great Crested Grebe

I travelled north yesterday morning to Antrim to see the Great Grey Shrike at Slievenacloy, just west of Belfast City.  Afterwards I went on to Oxford Island Nature Reserve on the south side of Lough Neagh where there were numerous pairs of Great Crested Grebes displaying and holding territories.