Birdwatching near Castlederg changes dramatically through the year — from winter thrush flocks stripping the hedgerows, to curlew calls echoing across the Sperrins in spring, to the last swifts of August. Use this guide to know what to expect each month.
January
Deep winter — flocks on the move, dippers on the river
Large flocks working through hedgerow berries. Listen for thin contact calls on cold mornings. Will move into gardens when hawthorn supplies run low.
One of Ireland's earliest nesters — pairs may already be prospecting nest sites on the River Derg. Watch for them dipping on midstream rocks.
Winter flocks can be large — look for hundreds of black-and-white birds wheeling over farmland fields. The mewing 'pee-wit' call carries far across open ground.
February
First stirrings — tits singing, curlew returning to the hills
Listen for the first Blue Tit song — a repetitive two-note trill. Males start singing from late January, one of the earliest garden birds to mark the coming of spring.
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Curlews begin returning to their upland breeding grounds in February. The first bubbling call drifting across the Sperrins on a cold February morning is one of the great sounds of the Irish year.
Robins sing year-round but their song becomes especially rich and persistent from February onwards as territories are established for the breeding season.
March
Spring arrives — Lapwing display flights, the dawn chorus begins
Male Lapwings perform spectacular tumbling display flights over fields throughout March, throwing themselves around the sky with loud creaking wingbeats and the familiar 'pee-wit' call.
Dipper nests are often well underway by March. Look for the dome-shaped moss nest built over fast-flowing water under bridges on the River Derg.
Blue Tits are investigating nestboxes now. If you have a nestbox in the garden, watch for them checking the entrance hole — they often inspect several options before committing.
April
Breeding season begins — Kingfishers nesting, warblers arriving
Kingfisher pairs are excavating nest tunnels in riverbanks by April. The male carries fish to the female as part of courtship — watch for dramatic aerial chases along the River Derg.
Robins are incubating eggs by April. The male feeds the incubating female on the nest — watch for this food-passing behaviour near a nestbox or dense ivy.
Curlews are on eggs in April on the uplands — the most critical and vulnerable period for this declining species. Keep dogs close and stay on paths in upland areas.
May
Peak of spring — dawn chorus at its finest, chicks everywhere
Blue Tit parents make hundreds of trips a day feeding chicks in the nest. The timing of hatching is precisely timed to coincide with the peak of oak caterpillar abundance — nature's perfect synchrony.
Young Kingfishers are in the nest tunnel. Both parents fish intensively to feed 6–7 hungry chicks — the male and female alternate fishing trips in a remarkably coordinated system.
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Buzzard pairs soar together over woodland on warm May days, mewing constantly. Look for them circling on thermals over the Sperrin foothills — sometimes in small groups.
June
Long days — fledglings learning, Barn Owls hunting at dusk
June brings the longest days but Barn Owls are often forced to hunt in daylight to feed growing chicks. Drive country roads at dusk — the white shape drifting over the verge is unmistakeable.
Look for recently-fledged Robins in gardens — they lack the red breast entirely and are spotted brown. Parents continue feeding them for several weeks after they leave the nest.
Lapwing chicks are mobile within hours of hatching and follow their parents around fields. Adults perform dramatic distraction displays if you get too close — take the hint and back off.
July
Summer peak — young birds everywhere, first signs of autumn
Young Kingfishers from the first brood appear on the river in July, chasing each other along favourite fishing stretches. Second broods may still be in the nest tunnel. The river can feel positively busy with Kingfisher activity.
Young Buzzards are on the wing by July, making loud persistent calls near the nest site. Look for the broader, more rounded wing profile of juveniles compared to adults.
Robins go surprisingly quiet in July during their summer moult, retreating to dense vegetation. Don't be alarmed if the garden Robin seems to disappear — it returns in full song by September.
August
Late summer — waders moving south, autumn feel in the air
Curlews start to drift away from upland breeding grounds in August, gathering in flocks on farmland and beginning their southward and coastal movements. The calls become noticeably more frequent.
Young Barn Owls from late broods are still being fed in August. This is a critical month for them — juvenile mortality is high as they learn to hunt. Providing nestboxes is the single best way to help them.
Post-breeding Blue Tit flocks start forming in August, mixing with other tit species and moving through woodland and gardens in roving bands. A good time to see several species at once.
September
Autumn migration — summer visitors leaving, winter arrivals imminent
Autumn is a good time for Red Kite sightings as young birds disperse from breeding areas. Keep an eye on the sky over farmland and open countryside — the forked tail is instantly recognisable.
Robins return to full song in September after their summer moult — the rich, slightly melancholy autumn song is one of the most evocative sounds of the season. Garden territories are being re-established.
Dippers are active and vocal along the River Derg in autumn, establishing winter territories along their stretch of river. A reliable spot to watch from any bridge along the river.
October
Winter thrushes arrive — Redwings and Fieldfares fill the hedges
Redwings begin arriving from Scandinavia in early October. On clear autumn nights, stand outside and listen — the thin 'seep' call drifting down from the darkness is the sound of thousands of birds migrating overhead.
Buzzards become more conspicuous in October as leaves fall from trees, making them easier to spot when perched. Look for them on roadside telegraph poles and fence posts scanning for rabbits.
Winter Lapwing flocks build up in October on farmland around Castlederg. Look for large flocks of black-and-white birds wheeling over fields, often mixing with Golden Plovers.
November
Quiet month — garden feeders busy, Barn Owls hunting early
Barn Owls often start hunting before dark in November as nights lengthen and food becomes harder to find. The ghost-white shape drifting over a dark field at 4pm is unforgettable. Drive country roads at dusk.
Redwing flocks are working through berry supplies in earnest by November. Plant holly, hawthorn and rowan in your garden and you may attract large flocks. A garden full of Redwings on a frosty November morning is a real treat.
The Robin's autumn song is at its richest and most wistful in November. Feed them mealworms and they will quickly become the tamest bird in the garden — sometimes following you around as you work.
December
Midwinter — garden birds at feeders, Red Kites scavenging
In hard weather, Red Kites range widely looking for carrion and are more likely to be seen in unexpected places in December. The large reddish shape with the deeply forked tail is unmistakeable against a winter sky.
Garden feeders become critical in December. Keeping a feeder stocked with peanuts or sunflower hearts through the winter genuinely saves birds' lives on freezing nights when natural food is unavailable.
The Dipper is one of the most reliable birds to see in December on the River Derg — check any bridge in town. In severe cold, Dippers can be forced downstream to lower, faster water when upriver stretches freeze.