Ring Watching At Antrim Marina: Christmas Greetings...

Monday 24 December 2018

Christmas Greetings...

Wishing all my readers around the World & in Northern Ireland, a very Merry Christmas and New Year.

Whilst everyone is enjoying the day, I'll be in Belfast, on my annual visit to the Connswater Shopping Centre. The things you do, just to record one gull in particular - a Norwegian Black-headed Gull - (White) J4TJ. Should I get it, this will be, for the fourth Christmas in a row. Last year, a second Norwegian BHG, turned up - (White) J2UP. It will be interesting to see if it also returns.

My next post, will not be published till Thursday, or most likely Friday. It will feature, a few new ring sightings, as well as a couple of re-sightings and my latest visit to Antrim Marina.

Enjoy your day.

Gareth.

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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