Ring Watching At Antrim Marina: Poor Showing!

Sunday 10 August 2014

Poor Showing!

What Last Sunday Tells Us

Last Sunday saw the first of my weekly Autumn/Winter visits at Antrim Marina to observe ringed birds, especially the Black-headed Gulls from Adam McClure's Study. I recorded 8 of these birds and a ringed Mute Swan. I emailed my findings to Adam and he sent me updated files on the 8 BHGs.

There are other birdwatchers who visit the Marina knowing about Adam's Study, but as it turns out, there were no other sightings submitted for any of the pre-mentioned BHGs. Except for 2ABA and 2ADJ , I would presume the other 6 may possibly have bred elsewhere and have now returned to the Marina for the winter. 2ABA and 2ADJ , were both seen by me on random visits during June and July and may have bred on the nearby disused torpedo platform. All in all, not a bad start to the season ahead.

Now For Today

As today's caption suggests, it was a poor turnout by the BHGs. I arrived at 09.05 this morning, the rain falling steadily, temperature 13°C and not even a breeze. Only 23 BHGs were present and 6 of these were juveniles. At no time did the total go over the 30 mark and for large periods of time, there were no gulls present at all. I recorded 4 of Adam's gulls by 09.24 and had to wait till 10.38 before I got a fifth one. By 13.00 - my departure time - not another ringed gull was recorded. I stayed on for a few minutes more as a pair of Mute Swans arrived by the slipway and I was hoping they would exit the water, but they didn't. On leaving, I discovered around 50 BHGs on the grass behind the cafe. Some were lying down and others standing, but I recorded a 6th ringed BHG, as well as two I had seen earlier.

2AAT EY37314 was seen on last week's visit.

2AAD EY37305 was originally ringed at Antrim Marina on 11/Dec/2012 as an unsexed adult. 1st observed by me on 22/Sep/2013 and last seen on 02/Mar/2014 during my weekly visits.

2AAH EY37306 was originally ringed at Antrim Marina on 12/Dec/2012 as an adult male. 1st observed by me on 25/Sep/2013 and last seen on 23/Mar/2014 during my weekly visits. I also saw this bird on a random summer visit on 22/Apr/2014.

2ADJ EY37302 was seen on last week's visit.

2AAL EY37309 was seen on last week's visit.

2AAF EY37319 was originally ringed at Antrim Marina on 12/Jan/2013 as an unsexed 1st winter (hatched in 2012). 1st observed by me on 25/Sep/2013 and last seen on 16/Mar/2014 during my weekly visits. I also saw this bird on a random summer visit on 11/Jul/2014.

The three new BHGs today takes the total to 11 individuals in two weeks. Over the next few weeks, more of the gulls will be arriving for the winter and it shouldn't be too long before continental birds start to arrive in Northern Ireland.

Part of a group of 50 BHGs hiding from me on the grass behind the cafe.

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Other Birds

I was talking to a young lady by the name of Caroline, who regularly visits the Lough and she noticed me taking photos of the Mute Swans and their two cygnets last Sunday. Apparently they have lost one of their youngsters in the last week or two, as they did have 3 young. The small female Mute Swan from last Sunday (Z91984) was present throughout my visit and another pair joined her later on. A line of 11 Mute Swans swam past the entrance of the Marina from South to North, but never thought on paying me a visit.

Every now and again, Common Terns could be seen and heard on the Lough. A Cormorant could be seen from time to time diving for fish at the entrance of the Marina. Swallows and House Martins were fly-catching along the trees, the flies obviously trying to avoid the rain. Only the one Herring Gull about today. Very few people arrived to feed the ducks, but Rooks, Jackdaws and Magpies were always about to grab their share. Wood Pigeons could be seen darting into the trees, they would still be breeding at this time of the year. A pair of Grey Wagtails with three juveniles, put in a quick appearance.

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All My Own Work

Originally, I began this blog in support of the Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study, which was started by Adam McClure in the winter of 2012. Having become heavily involved with his project, I eventually began searching for rings elsewhere in Northern Ireland, documenting findings through my blog. All of this, also led to my re-training as a bird ringer, and eventually, I began my own colour-ringing project in 2017, concerning Common Gulls, based mainly on Rathlin Island.

Common Gulls had become a big favourite with me, and early in 2017, I took over control of Shane Wolsey's former Common Gull project, which was based on Big Copeland Island, with birds rung there between 2009 to 2014. I'm also the ringing co-ordinator for this project too.

Sadly, through the pressures of work and family commitments, Adam had to give up on his Black-headed Gull Study in June 2018. I have taken over the role as the ringing co-ordinator for Adam's former project, and can now respond to sightings.

One of the aims of this blog, is to encourage other birdwatchers to take up the task of 'Ring Reading'. There are any amount of birdwatchers around, but dedicated ring readers are in the minority. As can be seen through my blog, although Northern Ireland is a tiny country, there are lots of rings out there to be found.

There is no copywrite concerning my blog. Anyone wishing to use any of the content, are free to do so, and an acknowledgement would be appreciated. However, photos belonging to other observers, in reality belong to them, therefore permission to use their photos can be arranged through myself.

Gareth D.A. Platt.

plattgareth@yahoo.co.uk