Limited Opportunities...

We are now all living in difficult times, due to the worldwide Coronavirus Pandemic.  Here in Northern Ireland, cases have gradually increased, which is not good news for everybody.  As folk are being encouraged to 'social distance' themselves from other people, many of the leading birdwatchers in this country do that anyway, as we tend to be a solitary 'type of species' on the whole.  I for one, always go about my hobby of 'Ring Reading' on my own, but do request help from others at ringing time, whilst searching for young gulls among the rocks for ringing.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, have been in touch to say they have closed their visitor centres for the foreseeable future.  Sadly, this will not help me to record the nesting gulls at their Belfast and Castle Espie Reserves.  I had been hoping to record colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls from Adam McClure's former project, in my quest to keep his former study updated as best as I can, especially adding to the longevity of individuals.

Even my own Common Gull Project on Rathlin Island, looks as if it could be postponed this summer, but more on that can be read below.

An idea worth considering, is comparing the outbreak of Coronavirus, to the flu - 'Influenza'.  Looking at Wikipedia, the yearly outbreaks of the flu, number between three and five million cases around the world, leading to between 290,000 and 650,000 deaths.  My view for a start, is that the world is already far too populated and needs thinning, thus leading to less pollution throughout the natural world, and secondly, such viruses should be allowed to run their course.  Among us humans, there will always be winners and losers, and a less populated world would inevitably lead to a healthier planet for everyone, and animals alike.

I will try to continue my 'Ring Reading' if possible, as many of the sites where I go to, are normally void of large gatherings of people, and therefore much easier to stay away from other's should they appear.

As Northern Ireland, is a fairly rural country, people are not living on top of each other as such, unlike those in the big cities where contact and possible contamination can easily occur.  Be safe wherever you are, and hopefully this pandemic will diminish over the coming weeks and we can all get back to our normal routines.

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Antrim Marina - Monday 23rd March 2020

Having spent limited time out on Saturday and Sunday, I again chose Monday morning for this weeks weekly visit to Antrim Marina.  Arriving just after 8am, this is my penultimate visit for this winter.  Next weekend, will see my final visit, and during the summer months, visits will be made on a random basis.  Having decided to retire myself from Raptor Survey work, I've been planning to work more on gulls, especially my own Common Gull project.

On my arrival, I discovered the workmen were back, and this led to yet another disappointing visit.  A machine was in use, cutting up the tarmac beside the new 'Gateway Centre', so as to set new picnic tables into place.  All of the noise, and the men in their hi-vis jackets obviously had an effect on the number of gulls present.

Weather conditions were perfect, being relatively warm, dry though cloudy, and just a slight breeze.  The only two Black-headed Gulls present, quickly headed off towards the breakwater at the entrance to Lough Neagh, where other gulls were resting.  I drove round to try and read rings there, but most of the gulls were on the opposite side of the banking, where their legs were not visible.

Returning and parking fairly near to my usual spot, gulls would arrive in small numbers, but would quickly depart again.  At 10am, peace and quiet was restored, as they workmen returned to their vehicles for a tea break.  For 30 minutes, gulls began to arrive in good numbers, but just after 10:30, work restarted and the gulls were gone.

Having read the rings of just 7 of the 37 study gulls recorded this winter, I lost patience and departed.  Before I went, I had a quick look at the former 'Torpedo Platform', where the gulls would nest, but today it was deserted, apart from a large gathering of Cormorants and a couple of pairs of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.  A couple of large 'rafts' of Black-headed Gulls were spotted on the waters of Lough Neagh, fairly close to the platform.

Of the seven colour-rings I did record, was another sighting of   2CSS , who had recently re-appeared at the Marina, having not been seen since March 2019.  I had hoped to record the return of   2ADD , who has parked himself at Antrim's KFC outlet for the last few weeks, but there was no chance of recording him at the Marina under today's circumstances.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 23rd March 2020

2FDK	2AAB	2CSR	2CJT	2CSJ	2BRA	2CSS

Although next week will see my final weekly visit to Antrim Marina for this winter, and despite the workmen being present today, I believe that I've seen the last of many colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, until they arrive back after this summer's breeding season.

One gull, which has only appeared at the Marina on a single occasion this winter, is   2ANS .    2ANS , had been caught and ringed at the Marina, as a juvenile/1st Winter bird in November 2015.  Over the remainder of the 2015/2016 winter, and the following winter of 2016/2017, it was regularly recorded here.  As this bird then became older, winter visits to Antrim Marina, had become infrequent.  Yesterday, I spotted   2ANS   at another location, which possibly provides some explanation about it's habits (read below).

Black-headed Gulls Re-sighted or Ringed at Antrim Marina this Winter, but Not Recorded Today

2AAP	2AAK	2AAA	2ABN	2ABK	2ABS	2ABA	2AAN	2ABL	2AAV
2AAR	2ACV	2ADV	2AFD	2BRD	2ANS	2CSA	2CSB	2CSH	2CSK
2CSL	2CSX	2CTA	2CTB	2CTC	2CTR	2FBA	2FDJ	2FDL	2FDN

Other Species at Antrim Marina

On my arrival at the Marina this morning, the swans grabbed my attention, as there was precious little about in the way of other birds.  9 adults were present, with no change in numbers by the time of my unwilling departure around 10:30.  Eventually, I managed to see the legs of all the swans, and at last - a metal-ring.  Straight away, I knew this bird had to be either   W34156   or   W34157 , the return of both birds being well overdue.

Walking around with my camera to get a good angle on the ring, this was indeed one of my late arrivals -   W34156 .  Today's sighting came just two day's short of my last record for this swan on the 25th March 2019.    W34156 , had been caught and ringed at the Marina, on the 17th March 2014, during a 'Ringers' learning session led by Ken Perry.  The swan had been ringed as a male, but as my photo clearly shows,   W34156   is a female, standing behind her partner.

I was delighted to record this bird's return, and in the process, added almost a year to it's longevity.  The duration since being ringed, is now 6 years, and 6 days.  I checked the BTO's 'Live Ringers DemOn Database', but there has been no reported sightings of   W34156 , since I recorded it here in March last year.

Mute Swan  -    W34156   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (23 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 17th March 2014, at Antrim Marina)

The pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, which appeared here a few weeks ago now, spent most of their time out on the breakwater.  They appeared briefly beside the slipway, as the workmen were on their tea break.  The adult Herring Gull which has been here for most of the winter, arrived at 9:51.  Interestingly, the female which appeared here just recently, with a juvenile still in tow, did not put in an appearance.

A juvenile Common Gull arrived at 9:38, followed by two adults at 9:58 and 10:02.  All three remained until the workmen's tea break was over, and then they flew off as well.

Just a single Mallard on my arrival, was joined by seven others soon afterwards.  Although they were not fazed by the noise going on around them, no other birds arrived during the remainder of my visit.

Just three Jackdaws, and a pair of Pied Wagtails, were the only other species noted.

The Other Three Antrim Town Sites

Leaving the Marina, I proceeded to the Elim Church at Parkhall, hoping to record   2AAV .  Not a single gull was to be seen, though not surprising, as there was road works there, and again, a lot of noise.

Stopping into the car park of the KFC outlet, it was for some reason fairly packed with cars, and loads of people about.  I didn't hang around, as there were again, no gulls to be seen.  I had no idea what was going on here, but it seemed very strange, as folk were supposed to be 'social distancing'.

My final stop, at Antrim's Baptist Church, saw less than twenty Black-headed Gulls about, and having drawn most of the into the car park at the Church, no rings were seen.

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From Ric Else on Rathlin Island

I received an email from Ric Else, who resides on Rathlin Island, and works at the RSPB's Reserve at the West Lighthouse.  The visitor centre on the reserve has been closed down, as has the rest of the island.  Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the islanders have gone into lockdown, to prevent the Pandemic from reaching the island.  The express ferry is cancelled permanently, and the vehicle ferry is now making two sailings a day, and is only permitting residents, supplies and the emergency services on board.

This at present, is a big blow for me, as it will hinder my Common Gull Project on the island.  I had began the project in the summer of 2017, colour-ringing chicks, with the first surviving returnees due to breed on the island for the first time this summer.  I had planned to visit the island on several occasions during mid to late May, whilst the gulls were on eggs, in order to read the colour-ringed birds.  Further visits from mid to early July, would see this year's chicks being colour-ringed.  On top of all this, a number of 2018 rung chicks, should also re-appear this summer to prospect nest sites for next year.

Although I'm not very hopeful, I will try and get permission to carry on with my project.  Barring the trip over on the ferry, once I reach the harbour at Rathlin, I'd wouldn't be in contact with any of the islanders, as I can head off on my own to each of the breeding sub-colonies.  It's early days at present, and a month or two may make a difference, as the islanders decide on who they will allow to come and go.  Even if I was to cancel my May visits, to get a chance to ring this years chicks, would be an enormous step forwards for my project.

With Ric having more free time on his hands now, he has been watching the gulls around the island.  There has been a large build up of returning Common Gulls at each of the sub-colonies, which also included two colour-ringed birds, having not been seen since last summer on the island.  On the 17th March 2020,   2BAH   &   2BAJ , were recorded at Rue Point and Ushet Lough.  Both were ringed as chicks when I began my new project in 2017, and the re-sighting histories can be read here (2BAH) & here (2BAJ).    2BAJ  , has been seen on the tiny island on Ushet Lough, and Ric also recorded the gull there on the 22nd March.

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Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd March 2020

Throughout February which saw quite a bit of stormy weather, through to now, rain has been a regular feature, but Saturday and Sunday had a more spring like feel to it.  Indeed, this was the first time this year, where I had an opportunity to get some much needed work done in my garden.  I therefore decided, to conduct two daily visits to Glynn overlooking Larne Lough, before returning home to do some much needed gardening.

I timed my arrival on both days, to coincide with the retreating tide, being in position to see the gulls as they came in to both feed and bathe.  Despite good numbers of gulls on Saturday, which included many Common and Black-headed Gulls, no rings were spotted.

On Sunday, three colour-rings were recorded, which included one of my study Common Gulls, with this one being so distant, I had much trouble trying to obtain the code.  First to be spotted, was another first sighting of one of Adam McClure's Black-headed Gulls -   2CHC .  In my previous post, I had reported on the first sighting of   2CHP , which belonged to a 'data blackspot', and   2CHC   was another bird from that problem, which has now been sorted.

As with   2CHP ,   2CHC   was ringed as a chick, on the 25th June 2016, on the nearby Blue Circle Island Nature Reserve, owned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.  The duration from ringing, is now 3 years, 8 months and 26 days.  It looks as if   2CHC   will nest on it's natal island this summer.

Black-headed Gull  -    2CHC   -  Glynn, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (22 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 25th June 2016, on the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

Continuing to scope through the gulls, I then spotted one of my own Common Gulls bearing a Blue Darvic.  This bird was very distant, and presented me with a lot of problems in trying to capture it's code.  The gull was probing through shallow water looking for food, with just the tip of the ring visible.

I decided to search for other rings, returning to my Common Gull every so often.  I then spotted a second Orange Darvic, and on zooming in with my camera, had a very pleasant surprise.  This Black-headed Gull -   2ANS , was one of my study birds from Antrim Marina.    2ANS , was caught and ringed as a juvenile at Antrim Marina, on the 12th November 2015.  It was recorded on a fairly regular basis, for the remainder of that winter, and as a 2nd winter bird the following year (2016/17).

During the winter of 2017/2018, visits to the Marina became less frequent as the gull became older.  Continuing the downward trend,   2ANS   was recorded on just two occasions during the 2018/2019 winter at the Marina, and on a single occasion during the 2019/2020 winter (11th November 2019).

Having spotted the gull here at Glynn, suggests that   2ANS   may now be wintering in the Larne area, and it is likely that the gull could have been reared as a chick on the RSPB's Reserve at Blue Circle Island, before moving on to Antrim Marina as a juvenile.  With today's sighting of   2ANS   here at Glynn, it will no doubt breed on Blue Circle Island.  A further sighting or two during the breeding season, would confirm this.

The duration since being ringed, is 4 years, 4 months and 10 days, and the distance from the ringing site at Antrim Marina, is 32 kms / 19 miles (ENE).  Blue Circle Island, can easily be seen from the station platform at Glynn.

Black-headed Gull  -    2ANS   -  Glynn, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (22 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Juvenile/1st Winter Bird, on the 12th November 2015, at Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim)

With a second Black-headed Gull sorted, and no other rings spotted (not even a metal), my attention returned to my Common Gull.  On picking up the bird again with my telescope, it had moved even further away, along with the retreating tide.  The gull, was just a tiny speck in the distance now.

I fixed my camera onto the tripod, zoomed in, and followed it's every move.  When possible, as the ring came fully into view, I would take a picture or two.  Having taken several photos, my gull was now too far out, and even at full digital zoom, I knew I would not obtain any clearer images.

I returned to my car to 'don' my glasses, and looked through the photos.  Although most were of little use, a couple of images showed that this juvenile was ringed -   2BNT .  Returning home, and consulting my spreadsheet,   2BNT   was ringed as a chick, on the 26th June 2019, at the Rue Point colony, on Rathlin Island.  This first re-sighting, occurred 8 months and 25 days since being ringed, and the distance from Rue Point to Glynn, was 54 kms / 33 miles (SSE).

  2BNT , is the second of my 2019 rung Rathlin chicks, to be recorded here at Glynn.  On the 28th September 2019, I recorded   2BKX   on this same shore.  With   2BNT   having survived it's first winter, hopefully it will return to Rathlin Island, at least by next year to prospect a nest site.

Juvenile Common Gull  -    2BNT   -  Glynn, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (22 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 26th June 2019, at Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

After Saturday's disappointment here at Glynn, Sunday's return visit was very pleasing, with two new sightings, and the welcomed information gained by the sighting of   2ANS .  I headed off home, and continued with much needed work in the garden.

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Forgotten Post...

It's now the Sunday evening of the 22nd March, and I've just realised, that this post has not been published.  I can remember now, that I was to run this article through a wordprossor to check for spelling mistakes before posting.  I've been so busy between one thing and another, it completly slipped my mind.  The reason for this lapse of memory, came to light, as I'm just about to set up the template for my next post.

The current virus circulating around the world, looks as if it could have an unwanted impact on this summer's 'Ring Reading' and 'Ringing Projects', but more of that in my next post.

Apologies for the delay in this post.

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Antrim Marina - Monday 16th March 2020

Before going into detail about my weekly visit to Antrim Marina on Monday morning, I must make mention about an email I received later on Monday evening.  A Fulton Somerville reported seeing Black-headed Gull -   2CSL   at Antrim Marina on Friday the 13th March.    2CSL , is known to go to Poland for the summer, and this gull was my final sighting during last Monday's visit to Antrim Marina (9th March).  I had expected that sighting, along with that of   2AAR  (also Polish), to be the last for this winter, as both were due to depart.

  2CSL , had been caught and ringed at the Marina, on the 24th December 2017, and final re-sighting dates over the last two winter seasons, were recorded on the 19th March 2018, and on the 11th March 2019.  As both   2CSL , and   2AAR , were not recorded during today's visit to Antrim Marina, I'm pretty certain that they are on their way back home.  Hopefully, one or both will be spotted once they get back to Poland.

I arrived at Antrim Marina just on 8am, following a frosty night.  Initially quite cold, it soon warmed up a little, as a near perfect blue sky, allowed the sun to warm us all up.  On arrival, around 12 Black-headed Gulls were present, with numbers quickly building up to the 100 mark, which was then consistent throughout the remainder of my visit.  It was also evident, that judging by the colour-marked gulls, birds were coming and going quite rapidly.

I called it a day around 11:30, having just recorded 15 out of 37 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls from my Antrim Study this winter.  The 15th bird was   2AAP , which was recorded at 10:40.  I reckon that many of the absent gulls, have moved on towards their breeding sites, whether these are local or far away.  The resident gulls will be recorded here at some point over the next couple of weeks, or during random summer visits.

Of today's 15 re-sightings, three were of special interest, no more so than my sixth sighting made at 8:20.  On the slipway was   2CSX , which was last seen by Suzanne Belshaw, at the former Belfast Waterworks on the 18th October 2019.    2CSX , had been caught and ringed at Antrim Marina, on the 3rd December 2018, and had been recorded on a fairly regular basis at the Marina, until the 11th March 2019.

Having begun my winter season of 2019/2020, back on the first weekend of August 2019,   2CSX   did not appear until the 2nd September.  My last sighting of the gull, was made on the 11th October, before it decided to move on to Belfast.  Being one of my study birds, I was well pleased to see it back today.

Black-headed Gull  -    2CSX   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (16 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Juvenile/1st Winter bird, on the 3rd December 2018, at Antrim Marina)

  2CSS , was also recorded again today, appearing at 9:35.  Having not been seen here since the 25th March 2019,   2CSS   was finally recorded back at the Marina on the 3rd February 2020.  Ringed at the Marina, as a juvenile in January 2018, today's is the 5th sighting of late.  It makes me wonder, where has this gull been, was it always somewhere close by, or like   2CSX   mentioned above, disappeared to another location.  Oh!!, how we need more 'Ring Readers' in Northern Ireland.

  2AFD , was the third of today's sightings of interest.  A couple of weeks ago, I went looking for the gull in the middle of Antrim Town, hoping to record it for one final time before it heads off to Latvia.  I failed to find the gull, but it gave me a surprise last week, when it showed up here at the Marina for only the second time this winter.  To record this gull two weeks in a row, is a surprise.

Going by it's past record, the latest I've ever recorded   2AFD , was made on the 22nd March 2015.  This means, that there is a slight chance, that I might record   2AFD   on my next visit, but in reality, I think   2AFD   will not now be seen until next winter.  Hopefully, it will survive it's journey's and the tough breeding season ahead.

Black-headed Gull  -    2AFD   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (16 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 12th February 2014, at Antrim Marina)

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 16th March 2020

2CJT	2CTC	2BRA	2CSR	2ACV	2CSX	2AAB	2CSK
2AAA	2CSJ	2ABS	2CSS	2FDK	2AFD	2AAP

Black-headed Gulls Re-sighted or Ringed at Antrim Marina this Winter, but Not Recorded Today

2AAK	2ABN	2ABK	2ABA	2AAN	2ABL	2AAV	2AAR
2ADV	2BRD	2ANS	2CSA	2CSB	2CSH	2CSL	2CTA
2CTB	2CTR	2FBA	2FDJ	2FDL	2FDN

Other Species at Antrim Marina

One of the first things that I noticed arriving at the Marina this morning, were the Herring Gulls.  The female, which arrived here last week along with a juvenile, was alongside the male, which has been here for most of this winter.  The juvenile appeared at 8:10, but was quickly chased off by the male.  After this, the juvenile kept it's distance, and all three birds were still present on my departure.

The pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, were also present throughout my visit.  I think the female of this pair, now realises that she is a Lesser Black-backed, and now reframes from trying to pair with the male Herring Gull, as witnessed a couple of weeks ago.  Anyhow, he's now more interested in the new arrival.

Not a single Common Gull was present on my arrival, but two juveniles arrived at 8:10 & 8:26.  A total of four adults, were recorded altogether.  The first arrived at 9:13, two were present at 9:27, three at 9:53, and four at 10:04.  There is now way of knowing whether these were the same birds throughtout my visit, and I can only judge by the number of individuals seen at any one time.  It has been several weeks now, since I recorded the small metal-rung Scottish female, so, perhaps she has moved back home.

There was no sign of the cygnet today, as just five adult Mute Swans were present.  A pair arrived from up-river at 8:50, but were quickly chased off towards the Lough.  This is I'm sure, the worst spring in my seven winters recording the swans here, as numbers have remained on the whole, consistently low.  There is still no sign of two metal-rung swans, which should have returned weeks ago.

Talking of consistently low,  Mallard numbers are practically non-existent.  Just two drakes on my arrival, grew to nine birds which included two females, before dropping down to four drakes by the time of my departure.

The only other species recorded, were a pair of Pied Wagtails, and just five Jackdaws.

I forgot to mention in my previous two posts, was the conversation I had with Mark, from the Lough Neagh Search and Rescue Team.  Mark informed me about the latest plans in the pipeline for Antrim Marina.  Now that the new 'Gateway Centre', has opened, which includes a resturant and cafe etc., the Marina is next to get a 'facelift'.

Apparently, new jetties and berthing bays are to be constrcted, beginning this summer, to update the facilities available to boat owners.  It is also reckoned, that the new cafe/resturant, will also attract more visitors by boat from other parts of Lough Neagh.  I'm now left wondering, how this will impact on the gulls, and whether the construction work will be completed in time for my 8th winter of 'Ring Watching at Antrim Marina'.

The Other Three Sites at Antrim Town

Having departed from the Marina slightly earlier than planned, I made my customery visits to the other three sites around Antrim Town.  Stopping first at the Elim Church, in the town's Parkhall Housing Estate, there was no sign of   2AAV , among just 12 Black-headed Gulls.

Moving on to the nearby KFC Car Park, not a single gull was to be seen.    2ADD , which winters at Carrickfergus, had moved here a few weeks ago, and I had expected to see it at Antrim Marina today.  Perhaps, it has already been to the Marina, and due to it's absence today,   2ADD   might now be on the former 'Torpedo Platform', where a large number of Black-headed Gulls could be seen today, looking across Lough Neagh, from the Marina.    2AAV   may also be there.  As both are summer residents, they will be recorded at the Marina, but I would like to record   2ADD   before my final winter visit, on the 29th March.

Around 100 Black-headed Gulls were on the 'greens' close to Antrim's Baptist Church.  Again, no sign of the Polish - White TY43, but I did see one bird with a metal.  All I could get with my camera, was the final two digits ' 19 '.  This is certain to be the Scottish bird   EW39319 , which has been recorded here for the third winter running.  I couldn't get peace to photograph the gulls here, as a man was busy cutting the grass with a motorised lawn-mower.

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Result of BTO Data Request

In last week's post I reported on my sighting of Black-headed Gull -   2CHP , which was a first for this bird.  Having taken charge of Adam McClure's former project on this species, I realised that   2CHP   belonged to a 'data blackspot', as I had no record of this bird.

A couple of months ago, I attempted to account for all of the colour-rings used in Adam's project, from the   2A** ,   2B**   &   2C**   series, along with their relevant metal-ring numbers.  I discovered that a large block of the   2C**   series of rings were unaccounted for, and these were also missing from Adam's Black-headed Gull Database, from which he had sent me a copy.

Having reported my sighting of   2CHP   to the BTO, via the ringers DemOn ringing database, I also sent an email requesting a copy for the metal rings -   EZ66501   to   EZ66600 .  Many of the metals within this series had been used on the 25th June and on the 3rd July 2016, at the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve, where I had no information as to the colour-rings used, and knew that the block of   2C**   colour-rings that were unaccounted for would have been used on those dates.

The BTO sent me the recovery details for -   2CHP , which showed it had been ringed with metal number -   EZ66566 , on the 25th June 2016, at Blue Circle Island, and therefore confirmed my suspicions.

Later this week, Bridget Griffin from the BTO, sent me an email concerning my data request about the metal rings used.  She had contacted Adam's Ringing trainer Neville McKee, and asked would he mind, if I could be allowed access to his DemOn account, to which he agreed.  Logging on to my DemOn account, I found that I was now an Associate to Neville's account, and found all of the missing data that I needed.  All of the missing block of   2C**   series of rings were there.

Thinking I had finally got everything I needed concerning the colour-rings used, I then discovered, that many mistakes had been made when the original ringing data was submitted to the BTO.  In some instances, the wrong ringing dates or sites were given, some colour-rings had been duplicated to different metal-ring numbers, and so on.

Even Wesley Smyth, who had initially taken charge of Adam's former project, had incorrectly submitted data, which included Adam's Orange Darvic's, having been used on Mediterranean Gulls, whereas these colour-rings had already been used on the Black-headed Gulls.

I've spent most of this week, cross checking between Neville's DemOn account, Adam's own database and even Adam's own blog, to identify all of the mistakes.  I can now see why Adam abandoned his former study.  It will take much time to correct everything, plus submit the hundreds, possibly a thousand or two re-sightings to the BTO, but I'm determined to bring the whole project up to date.

The future ringing of Black-headed Gulls will continue, but not to the depth as outlined by Adam when he began his study.  Many of the gulls may well outlive me, as I'm getting on in my years, but I do hope to have everything sorted and in place, should anything happen, whereby someone else can continue without complications, or even if Adam himself can find the time to resume his study.  Far too much information would be lost otherwise.

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Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th March 2020

On Saturday, I could not leave home, until my wife finished work at 4pm.  Expecting a visit from our local Police, someone needed to be at home.  Last night (Friday), at about 7:30 in the early evening, a crowd of young children apparently went on the ramage in the local community.  Having damaged properties, which included some windows being broken, whilst my wife was taking a shower, these youngsters destroyed the fencing in my front garden.  I had started work at 7pm on Friday evening, and after finishing at 3am, I arrived home to find my fence missing.

With limited time to get out, I decided to make a 'flying visit' to the Myroe Levels.  Recently, up to 250 Whooper Swans, were reported feeding on the harvested potato fields.  When I arrived, just 40 or so birds remained.  Having checked the legs on most birds, between 15 to 20 of these took off, and I watched them flying off north into the distance (heading for Iceland?).

I then went looking for the Brent Geese, and found a flock of around 250 birds further north.  I hadn't parked for two minutes, when they too took flight, landing on the water's of Lough Foyle.  With the light beginning to fail, this visit had been a complete waste of time.

Sunday also saw a delayed start, as low tide was around 9am.  I needed the gulls and waders closer to me, so I waited until midday before heading off, firstly to Glynn on Larne Lough.  Only a small group of gulls were present, all being slowly pushed closer to me by the incoming tide.  Within the group, were a good number of Common Gulls, but the only ring to be spotted, was a metal on a Mediterranean Gull.  Only recently, I noted two other Med Gulls here, but neither of them were ringed.

I now proceeded on, as quickly as possible to Whitehouse Lagoon, on the outskirts of Belfast.  I arrived in good time, as around two-thirds of the lagoon was now flooded with the incoming tide.  A good 250 Knots and around 100 to 130 Dunlins caught my eye, along with smaller numbers of Black and Bar-tailed Godwits.  I believed, a few colour-rings would be found among that lot, and you can imagine my disappointment, with none being recorded, as the last few feet disappeared under water.

A quick stop at Belfast's Waste Transfer Station, revealed no rings on the 50 to 60 Black-headed Gulls resting on the roof, so it was on again, this time to Kinnegar Beach.  On arrival, little of the beach remained clear of water, so I parked along-side the pond, which is used as a high tide roost.  Just two rings were spotted here, both on Black-headed Gulls.

One was fitted with a tall metal-ring, and an inprint of a number could be seen on the top left.  Matching this up, with metals for other foreign Black-headed Gulls, I reckoned that this was a Swedish bird.  However, it was too far away, to make any further progress at capturing the whole number, and even at that, there was no way I could obtain photos from other angles.  I do wish, that both the ringers in Sweden, and those in Finland, would start colour-ringing their gulls.  Far too many gulls from these two countries, are being spotted, with very little chance to read the metal-rings.

The colour-ringed Black-headed Gull, was -   2CJF   the second of the two, and had been recently recorded on Kinnegar Beach (8th March 2020).  This is now my seventh sighting of this gull which was ringed as a chick in July 2016.  In March and April 2019, it was spotted on the nesting platform at the nearby RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve, which I was heading to next.

Black-headed Gull  -    2CJF   -  Kinnegar Pond, Belfast Lough, Co. Down  (15 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 3rd July 2016, at the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

At the Window on Wildlife Reserve, I entered hide one, which overlooks nest platform two.  I re-sighted all three colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, which have recently been recorded on this same platform.  All three were in courtship display with their partners.  Three Mediterranean Gulls were also present, two of which were a pair.  No rings on any of these, and I wonder if we'll see the return of the metal-rung Dutch birds, or the colour-ringed French gull, which nested here last summer.

Going into the visitor centre, a number of Black-tailed Godwit's were feeding directly in front of the main window, which looks onto nest platform one.  I spent quite a bit of time scoping the Black-headed Gulls, hoping to see   2AFF , without luck.  There was another Orange-rung BHG on the far side of the reserve, but this one beat my camera.  In full digital zoom, the code on the ring was just a little too hazy.

Black-headed Gull  -    2ASF   -  Nest Platform Two, RSPB Window on Wildlife Reserve, Belfast  (15 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 18th June 2013, at the RSPB Blue Circle Island Reserve, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

Black-headed Gull  -    2BAL   -  Nest Platform Two, RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve, Belfast  (15 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 22nd June 2014, on The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

Black-headed Gull  -    2BPX   -  Nest Platform Two, RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve, Belfast  (15 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 1st July 2013, at the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

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More Oldies...

For the first time in five weeks, I was able to get out on every day over the weekend, with my weekly visit to Antrim Marina, taking place on Monday morning.

It was an interesting weekend, with several re-sightings of gulls, which have not been recorded for a while, plus a few new birds.  Re-sightings are brilliant to observe, as these add a lot of extra days to each birds longevity and is one of my main objectives each winter.  Among the new sightings, were a couple of metal-rung gulls, and I always feel a sense of achievement, when completing the ring numbers on these.  Not only that, the reward, was a couple of oldish ones, who's numbers were read for the first time since being ringed.

Adam, has now passed over the remaining colour-rings which he was holding, and surprise, surprise, he had the next in the series, the unused   2D**   rings.  During the week, I've also worked some more on Adam's former Black-headed Gull Project, transferring sightings to my own spreadsheet, as well as copying over some of my sightings onto Adam's Database.  As mentioned before, this will undoubtedly take months to complete, and all 'key re-sightings', are also being submitted to the BTO.  The BTO, will have to revise all of their recovery totals for Northern Ireland, as the extra info gradually filters through to them.

______________________________________________

Antrim Marina - Monday 9th March 2020

Making the full use of my weekend, my weekly visit to Antrim Marina, again took place on Monday morning.  Arriving just after 8am, it was a cloudy start to the day, though overnight rain had ceased.  A fairly brisk westerly wind was blowing in from Lough Neagh.  As the morning wore on, the wind became stronger and by 11:10, heavy rain started falling.  At this point, I was sitting on 19 re-sightings, and decided to depart once I recorded my 20th.    2CSL , was that gull, recorded at 11:27.  Having departed slightly earlier than planned, I made quick visits to the other three sites around the town of Antrim, before heading home.

43 Black-headed Gulls were counted upon my arrival, and numbers quickly increased to top the 100 mark.  Later in the morning, totals reached around 120 birds, but some of these, were clearly coming and going.

So far this winter, I've recorded 37 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls belonging to Adam's former Northern Ireland Project.  31 were gulls ringed before the winter of 2019/2020, with the capture and ringing of a further 6 gulls this winter making up the new total.  Departing early due to the weather, 20 of the 37 were re-sighted, with the 'stand out' sighting being that of   2AFD .

I went looking for   2AFD , in the middle of Antrim Town, last week without success.  In the past   2AFD , has been spotted in Latvia, and likely breeds within the country.  Having been caught and ringed at Antrim Marina,   2AFD   is now a rare visitor here, seemingly preferring to remain in the centre of town.  Today, is only the second time this winter, that   2AFD   has ventured down to the Marina.

Having expected to record the return of   2AFD   in mid November, I went looking for the gull at Castle Way in Antrim, on the 15th December 2019, and found it.  I had wanted to record   2AFD , at least one more time before he departs, so I was well pleased, when he chose to visit me here today.

Another gull, which is due to depart, is   2AAR .  In the past, he has been recorded at a breeding colony in Poland, but it's been a long time now, since   2AAR   has been recorded away from the Marina.  One of my more recently ringed Black-headed Gulls -   2CSL , is also known to go to Poland, so new sightings of either of these two, would be very welcome.

I was expecting to record   2ADD , which winters at Carrickfergus, but he did not show up.  He has 'parked' himself at the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet in Antrim, since the 17th February 2020, and I did record him there after departing from the Marina.  Should he reach the Marina by next Monday, he'll be he 38th study bird to be recorded.

Looking over my spreadsheet, some of this winter's re-sightings, have not been recorded for a few weeks now.  There's little doubting, that they have now moved on towards their breeding sites.

Black-headed Gull  -    2AAR   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (09 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 21st December 2012, at Antrim Marina)

Black-headed Gull  -    2AFD   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (09 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 12th February 2014, at Antrim Marina)

Colour-Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 9th March 2020

2CSA	2ABS	2AAR	2CTC	2CTB	2ABL	2CJT	2ACV	2CSK	2BRA
2CSJ	2CSR	2AAB	2FDJ	2AAP	2AAA	2FDK	2AFD	2ABK	2CSL

Black-headed Gulls Re-Sighted or Ringed at Antrim Marina this Winter, but Not Recorded Today

2AAK	2ABN	2ABA	2AAN	2AAV	2ADV	2BRD	2ANS	2CSB
2CSH	2CSS	2CSX	2CTA	2CTR	2FBA	2FDL	2FDN

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

7 Mute Swans were on the slipway when I arrived this morning.  A pair arrived from upriver at 8:41.  The total reached 11, when another adult and the usual cygnet, arrived together from upriver at 9:15.  This at the time, equalled the highest total for Mute Swans recorded here this winter, but another adult slipped in un-noticed taking the overall total to 12.  All legs were checked, but there is still no sign of two metal-rung swans, which should have returned weeks ago.

Mallard numbers were again practically non-existent.  Just two males were present on my arrival, increasing to eight birds shortly afterwards.  Only one female was present among these, and she had a difficult time, being chased after by three males.  If it were me, I'd prefer it the other way around.  By the time of my departure around 11:30, I was once again left with two males.

The first Common Gull to be recorded, was a juvenile at 8:32, this bird remaining throughout my visit.  Just two adults were recorded, these arriving at 8:48 and 11:17.  The usual adult Herring Gull and the recently arrived Lesser Black-backed pair, were present on my arrival.  At one point, the Herring Gull and the female Lesser Black-backed, went into a half-hearted attempt at courtship display.

Interestingly, a second adult Herring Gull, along with a juvenile, arrived together at 9:08.  The resident male Herring Gull, made quite a bit of fuss at the newly arrived female, and tried his best to gain her attention.  The juvenile in the meantime, had to move a short distance away, but I don't know what the outcome was, as all were still present by the time of my departure.

An adult Moorhen was also present on my arrival, and this bird 'potted' about all morning.  As seen in the past, I observed the bird eating Black-headed Gull and Swan 'poo', which would obviously delight the BBC nature presenter Chris Packham, who has expressed his interest in 'poo'.

Other birds recorded during my visit, were two Hooded Crows, which were the first in several weeks.  Just 7 Jackdaws, 1 Magpie and a male Pied Wagtail, were also spotted.

____________________________________________  

Antrim's Elim Church, KFC Outlet and Baptist Church

Moving on from Antrim Marina, I made quick visits to the other three sites around Antrim Town, which I would normally visit.  As   2AAV   was not at the Marina, the Elim Church was my first stop.  Parking beside the footpath in my normal spot,   2AAV   landed beside me before I had a chance to turn the engine off.  A few slices of bread later, and no other rings gulls to be seen, I headed off to the nearby KFC outlet.

Just four Black-headed Gulls were present, and   2ADD , also made his presence known, landing beside my car.  Surely this bird will move on to Antrim Marina, by the time of my next visit.  There was no sign of   2ANB , which was a surprise sighting last week.

Despite, 50 to 60 Black-headed Gulls being present at Antrim's Baptist Church, not a single ring was seen.  I reckon the Polish bird (White) TY43, has now returned home.  On writing this part, I checked the 'Live' Polish Ringing Database, but TY43 has not been recorded there so far.

Black-headed Gull  -    2AAV   -  Antrim's Elim Church, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (09 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 28th December 2012, at Antrim Marina, Antrim Town)

Black-headed Gull  -    2ADD   -  Antrim's KFC Car Park, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (09 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 29th November 2013, at Carrickfergus Harbour, Co. Antrim)

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From Brian Henderson

An email from Brian Henderson on the 5th March 2020, was very pleasing.  Earlier that day Brian spotted a Black-headed Gull from Adam's former study, colour-ringed   2BRS , at Bishop Burn, in Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway in Scotland.

The reason for this sighting to be so pleasing, is that very few chicks which were ringed at the Inch Island colony in County Donegal, have ever been re-sighted, and Brian's report of   2BRS , was a first for this particular bird.  It was ringed on the 22nd June 2016, on the small island on Inch Lake.

This colony was a new ringing site in 2016, where Adam colour-ringed 122 chicks in total, with a further 39 youngsters being ringed with metals only, during three visits to the colony.  I was also present during these visits, as part of my re-training as a ringer, and no doubt had   2BRS   in my hands.

Only recently, I was nominated to become to new contact for Adam's former project, and   2BRS , is the first gull to be reported direct to me via the site.  Brian stated that he had originally reported the bird via the 'bhgni' email address, but it bounced.  On checking the cr-birding website, he was able to get in touch with me.

As of the 5th March 2020, it had been 3 years, 8 months and 12 days, since   2BRS was ringed, and Brian also re-sighted the gull at the same location three days later, on the 8th.  The distance from Inch Island to Bishop Burn in Stranraer, is 160 kms / 99 miles (E).  My thanks to Brian for his sighting and the photo.

Adam's blog entry about the visits to Inch in 2016, can be read (here).  Although Adam, has given up on his project for now, it's good that his blog is still available online.

Black-headed Gull  -    2BRS   -  Bishop Burn, Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland  (05 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 22nd June 2016, at Inch Island Lake, Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland)

(Photo Courtesy of Brian Henderson)

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Saturday 7th March 2020

Today was the first Saturday in several weeks in which I have been able to get out.  This was largely due to poor weather conditions, where we have had three named storms, and included a very wet and windy day two weeks ago.  Today was not really ideal either, as there was quite a strong wind, with the odd few showers of rain.  Such conditions does not suit the use of a telescope on a tripod, as I constantly had to put up with some shaking.

I started the day, at the railway platform at Glynn, which overlooks Larne Lough.  Arriving as the tide was beginning to recede, plenty of gulls, though very few waders began to arrive to bathe around the Glynn River, which flows over the shore and into the Lough.  I was pleased with the numbers of Common Gulls which were arriving, as I have my own colour-ringing project concerning this species.  Just one metal-rung Common Gull was spotted, which was fairly disappointing.

Black-headed Gulls, were also appearing in good numbers, no doubt preparing for the new breeding season on nearby Blue Circle Island.  Adam McClure, over the course of his former project, has colour-ringed a large number of chicks on the island, so there's always every chance to record returning birds which will breed there.

One such bird was spotted, just at a time when I was planning on departing, with the tide now quite far out.  Zooming into the tiny dot in the distance, I just about managed to capture the code -   2CHP .  On returning home later in the day, I ran the code through my spreadsheet and then through a database, which had recently been sent to me by Adam, but could find no record for this gull.

I then realised   2CHP , belongs to a data 'blackspot', as research carried out by me a few months ago, identified a series of metal rings which had been used, but the colour-codes used were not given.    2CHP , would have been ringed as a chick on the nearby Blue Circle Island, on the 25th June 2016.  The metal numbers used that day, were   EZ66520   to   EZ66570 .  On the 3rd July 2016, a further visit to Blue Circle, saw the metals   EZ66571   to   EZ66585 , having been used as well.

Also discovered during my research, a solid block of the   2C**  series of colour-rings are unaccounted for.  These were   2CDC   through to   2CJD , which no doubt were used on Blue Circle Island, and belong to those gulls whose metal numbers are given above.  I have reported   2CHP   to the BTO via it's colour code, and have made another data request for a copy of the whole metal ring series used -   EZ66501   to   EZ66600 .  Hopefully, I'll then learn which colour-codes where used along with each of the metal rings, which will also identify   2CHP .

Just this week, Adam has passed over the remaining colour-rings which includes the last 33 rings from the   2C**   series, and previously unknown to anybody and unused so far, the completely unused   2D**   series.  Each series has 256 colour-rings.

As I can identify the date on which   2CHP   was ringed, the duration for this first re-sighting, is 3 years, 8 months and 11 days, and I reckon the gull will nest on it's natal island this summer.

Footnote :- Having reported   2CHP   by it's colour-code to the BTO, via the Ringers DemOn Ringing Database, the recovery details arrived with me on Tuesday 10th March.    2CHP , was ringed with metal number EZ66566, on the 25th June 2016, on Blue Circle Island, therefore confirming my assumptions. 

Black-headed Gull  -    2CHP   -  Glynn, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (07  Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 25th June 2016, on RSPB Blue Circle Island NR, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

Moving on the Whitehead, very few gulls were present, and after a quick check with my binoculars, I headed on to Carrickfergus.  On passing the harbour there, I could see plenty of gulls flying about, so swung into the car park.  The only ring recorded was that of   2ADB , a gull which is always present here.  In fact,   2ADB , along with   2ADD , appear to be the only survivors of a handful of Black-headed Gulls, which were ringed at the harbour, during the early stages of Adam's former study.

At present,   2ADD   is in the town of Antrim, just a stone's throw away from Antrim Marina, where he'll breed at during the summer (read above).  Where   2ADB   breeds at, is so far unknown, but after locating a rooftop colony of nesting gulls at Carrickfergus last summer, it may be possible that   2ADB   might be breeding there.  I'm definitely going to check this out over the coming summer, as the gull has been recorded at the harbour during past breeding seasons.

  2ADB , who has a long list of re-sightings, was ringed as an adult male, on the 25th November 2013.  The duration is now 6 years, 3 months and 11 days.

Black-headed Gull  -    2ADB   -  Carrickfergus Harbour, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim  (07 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 25th November 2013, at Carrickfergus Harbour)

Calling by Rhanbouy Park, on the outskirts of Carrickfergus, I was hoping to obtain a final sighting of the Norwegian Black-headed Gull -   JJ02 , before it returns home.  Having recorded the return of this bird for the third winter running, (October & December 2019), there was no sign of it here today.

Quickly moving on to the beach at Whiteabbey, the tide was now well out, but there were surprisingly few gulls about.  Having had to scope the gulls, I spotted a Herring Gull with a 'Yellow Darvic'.  Zooming in with my camera, I captured the code   2N:W .  This code was not recognised by me, but on returning home and running it through my spreadsheet, I had recorded this gull on one previous occasion.

  2N:W , had been ringed as an un-sexed adult, on 5th May 2015, at the Copeland Islands in County Down.  It's first and only re-sighting until today, was made by me, on the 18th March 2018, at Kinnegar Beach, on the opposite - southern side of Belfast Lough from Whiteabbey.  The duration since ringing is now 4 years, 10 months and 2 days.  The distance from Big Copeland Island to Whiteabbey, is 23 kms / 14 miles (W).

Herring Gull  -    2N:W   -  Whiteabbey Beach, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (07 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Breeding Adult, on the 5th May 2015, on the Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

Moving on from Whiteabbey, stops were made at Whitehouse Lagoon, the Dargan Mudflats and to Kinnegar Beach, but again, there were surprisingly few gulls about.  With the afternoon passing on, I called by the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve, which was to be my final stop, before returning home.

Going into hide One, which overlooks nesting platform two, a fortnight ago, only a few Shelducks were present.  Last week, saw a big change, as some 60 to 80 Black-headed Gulls were now on the platform, many of which were in courtship display.  Today saw similar numbers, perhaps even topping the 100 mark, and there were also two un-ringed Mediterranean Gulls present, though they were clearly un-paired.

There was no sign of BHG -   2BAL , which I recorded last week, but another two returnees were spotted.  The first of these was   2ASF , whose last sighting was made on this very same platform, on the 21st April 2019.  Today's sighting makes this the 5th year running that   2ASF , has been recorded here - March 2016, April 2017, March 2018 and in March and April 2019, and now March 2020.

Outside of the breeding season,   2ASF , has been recorded only on the nearby Whitehouse Lagoon - August & October 2015, September, October & December 2016, and finally in August 2018.  Despite several visits to the Lagoon during this past winter,   2ASF   was not noted.  Ringed as a chick, on the 18th June 2013, at the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve at Larne Lough, the duration is now 6 years, 8 months and 18 days.  The distance from Blue Circle to the Window on Wildlife Reserve, is 22 kms / 13 miles (SSW).

Black-headed Gull  -    2ASF   -  RSPB Window on Wildlife Reserve, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate  (07 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 18th June 2013, on the RSPB Blue Circle Island NR, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

The second Black-headed Gull recorded on the nesting platform, was   2BPX .    2BPX , was also ringed as a chick on Blue Circle Island, during a second visit to the island by Adam, on the 1st July 2013.  The initial sighting of   2BPX   after being ringed, was made by Paul McCullough, almost a year later, when the gull was recorded at the ponds of Carrickfergus Leisure Centre (May 2014).  It's next sighting occurred on Christmas Day 2015, when I spotted the gull on railings at the Gas Terminal on the Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate, which is a short distance away from the Window on Wildlife Reserve.

  2BPX , then went un-recorded until last summer, where I recorded it on nesting platform two, on the 3rd March 2019, and again on the 4th May 2019.  The duration is now 6 years, 8 months and 6 days, since being ringed.

Black-headed Gull  -    2BPX   -  RSPB Window on Wildlife Reserve, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate  (07 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 1st July 2013, on the RSPB Blue Circle Island NR, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

Although Saturday was not a great day weather-wise, or for the number of birds to be seen, it was good to re-sight a few more gulls, adding to their longevities.

****************************************

Sunday 8th March 2020

Sunday was a far calmer day, although there were a few showers of rain.  I elected to postpone my weekly visit to Antrim Marina, until the following day, so as to make the full use of Sunday in County Down.  I began the day, starting from where I had left off yesterday, visiting Kinnegar Beach and the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve, before moving on down the coast to finish at Millisle.  I had hoped to make it as far as to Ballywalter, but ran out of time.

Arriving at Kinnegar, to co-inside with the receding tide, I spent the best part of an hour here, before a heavy shower of rain persuaded me to move on.  Just the one colour-ring was recorded at Kinnegar Beach, this being Black-headed Gull -   2CJF .

Today's, was my sixth record for   2CJF , which had been ringed as a chick, on the 3rd July 2016, on the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve, at Larne Lough.  My first sighting of   2CJF , occurred on this very same beach, on the 26th August 2018.  I remember this sighting well, as it was another one of those young gulls from the data 'blackspot' mentioned above, concerning   2CHP .

Although not having reached breeding age,   2CJF   was recorded twice on nesting platform two, at the RSPB Window on Wildlife Reserve, on the 30th March and 13th April 2019.  The final two sightings before today, were also made here on Kinnegar Beach, on the 21st July & 18th August 2019.  I reckon my next sighting of this gull will be at the RSPB WoW Reserve, where it will likely breed for the first time this summer.

It has been 3 years, 8 months and 5 days, since   2CJF   was ringed, and the distance from Blue Circle Island, to Kinnegar Beach, is 22 kms / 13 miles (SSW).

Black-headed Gull  -    2CJF   -  Kinnegar Beach, Belfast Lough, Co. Down  (08 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 3rd July 2016, at RSPB Blue Circle Island NR, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

My next stop was at the town of Bangor, where I was hoping to find an old favourite which bred in the Antrim Marina area in 2016.    2ALH , was known to winter at Bangor's Ward Park and the nearby Ballyholme beach, so when it turned up at Antrim Marina, this was totally unexpected.    2ALH , is a 'people friendly' gull, and is nowhere near being frightened by close approach.

Last winter, having not recorded   2ALH , since the 11th March 2018 at Ward Park, I went looking for the gull on the 17th February 2019.  Having failed to locate it at Ward Park, I went to Ballyholme beach - and there it was.  Today, I went to Ballyholme beach first, and recorded three ringed gulls, but no sign of   2ALH , though I did locate it a bit later on.

Arriving at Ballyholme, I drove down to park at the end of the cul-de-sac overlooking the beach.  On my way down, I was certain I could see a slight bulge on the leg of one of a pair of Herring Gulls standing on top of a lamppost.  Unable to park close by, I grabbed my camera and walked back.  Indeed, one of the pair bore a metal-ring, and I managed a few photos from distance, before a family with boisterous two kids, scared the gulls off towards the beach.

Keeping an eye on my target, I retrieved my tripod, went onto the beach, and took more photos from different angles.  Later, having sorted out another two ringed gulls on the same beach, I discovered my Herring Gull could be a quite oldish bird - rung   GA00167 .

Later, on returning home and entering the ring number onto the BTO's new DemOn Ringing Database, there was no record of that number.  This would suggest, that the number has not even been entered, which would mean the BTO having to search the old paper schedules.

I have recorded a similar number at Millisle.  This Herring Gull - rung   GA00153 , had actually been ringed as a Lesser Black-backed Gull chick, on the 22nd June 2005, on the Copeland Islands, also in County Down.  It might just be possible, that   GA00167 , was ringed on the same date, and at the same location.  If true, then the duration would be 14 years, 8 months and 15 days.  It would be a real 'shocker', if the recovery arrives back for   GA00167 , to say it was ringed as a LBB Gull chick.

Herring Gull  -    GA00167   -  Ballyholme Seafront, Bangor, Co. Down  (08 Mar 2020)

(Waiting for the Ringing Details)

Having taken enough photos of my metal-rung gull, I began scanning through the rest of the gulls with my binoculars, and spotted one with a 'Yellow Darvic'.  With my camera already on the tripod, I took a few photos of the ring which read -   B24:W .  I instantly knew this bird belonged to another new Northern Ireland Project which began last year.

I contacted Katherine Booth-Jones from the BTO's Northern Ireland Office, who is the ringing coordinator.  A total of 15 gulls (7 Herring & 8 Lesser Black-backed's), have been fitted with these   B**:W   series of rings.  Some of the gulls, including   B24:W , have been fitted with GPS Tags.  Clearly, my photo of   B24:W , does not show the GPS tag, but apparently they can be hard to spot.

  B24:W , was ringed here at Ballyholme, as an Adult Male, on the 15th June 2019, and has only been physically spotted on one previous occasion, and that was 12 days later, also at Ballyholme.  However, Katherine sent me a map of the GPS data obtained during the breeding season of 2019.  It clearly shows a large cluster of sightings at Ballyholme to the west, while another large cluster of sightings to the east, suggests that   B24:W , was breeding on Big Copeland Island.

My thanks to Katherine for the information and the map.  This certainly adds to the interest in these gulls, so it would be great to record some of the others.  It is now 8 months and 22 days, since   B24:W  was ringed.

Herring Gull  -    B24:W   -  Ballyholme Beach, Bangor, Co. Down  (08 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 15th June 2019, at Ballyholme)

GPS Tracking Plots of Herring Gull  -    B24:W   -  During the Summer of 2019

(The Cluster of Dots on the Right, is no doubt the Breeding Site on Big Copeland Island)
(GPS Map Courtesy of Katherine Booth Jones)

A number of Black-headed Gulls were well spread throughout the beach, but there was no sign of   2ALH .  So as to be sure, I returned to my car, and grabbed a loaf of bread.  Throwing out bits in front of me on the beach, the Black-headed's were quick to arrive.  No colour-ringed birds were present, but a metal-rung bird was within range of my camera.

Taking loads of photos of it's ring, I returned to my car to check the rings of this bird, and the earlier Herring Gull.  I had easily captured the number on both birds, with the Black-headed Gull's number reading -   EG55577 .  I knew '  EG ' would mean that this was quite an old ring, and entering the number on the DemOn Ringing Database, revealed that the gull had been ringed as a chick on the 10th June 2006, and this was it's first re-sighting.  This does not surprise me, as very few birdwatchers are equipped or have the desire to read rings, never mind these harder to read metals.

As the DemOn Database, does not give the locations of both ringing and re-sighting locations, I had to wait for the recovery details to arrive from the BTO.

  EG55577 , was unsurprisingly ringed on the nearby Copeland Islands, and the duration was now 13 years, 8 months and 27 days, since being ringed - another excellent result.  Other birdwatchers can chase all the rarities they want, but always remember - rings tell a story!!!

Black-headed Gull  -    EG55577   -  Ballyholme Beach, Bangor, Co. Down  (08 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 10th June 2006, on the Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

Well pleased having recorded three rings at Ballyholme Beach, I moved on to Ward Park, in my search for   2ALH .  Walking down to the ponds armed with my loaf, not a single gull was present.  I then walked round to view the roof of Bangor Academy, situated across the road from Ward Park.  Here, between 60 to 80 Black-headed Gulls were perched.  Despite the very long distance from the roof to where I was standing, scanning through the gulls with my camera just about maxed out in digital mode, there it was -   2ALH .

  2ALH , had been ringed as a chick, on the 19th June 2013, on Mew Island - one of the three islands which make up the Copelands.  This bird is building up quite an interesting re-sighting history over the years.  It's first three sightings were made at Ward Park, on the 14th January 2014, by George Henderson, 3rd February 2015, by Suzanne Belshaw, and on the 21st September 2015, by Jonny Andrews.

The fourth sighting, was again made by Suzanne Belshaw, on the 15th October 2015, this time at Ballyholme.    2ALH , was then unexpectedly sighted at Antrim Marina, on the 3rd June 2016, and had undoubtedly bred on the nearby former 'Torpedo Platform'.    2ALH , was then recorded on numerous occasions, especially during my weekly winter visits to the Marina, which begin in the first weekend of August.  The final sighting at Antrim Marina, was made on the 11th September 2016, and   2ALH   has never ventured back there since.

With   2ALH   now departed from Antrim, I went looking for the gull at Ward Park, on the 18th December 2016, and wasn't disappointed, also recording it at Ward Park for a second time on the 24th December 2016.  In order to add to it's duration, I successfully recorded   2ALH , on the 23rd December 2017 and on the 11th March 2018, both times at Ward Park.  With   2ALH   being absent at Ward Park on the 17th February 2019, I discovered it on the nearby Ballyholme Beach.

I was understandably thrilled to record   2ALH   once again today, with the duration now being 6 years, 8 months and 11 days.  Where this gull breeds now, is anyone's guess, but I will be on the lookout for this bird in Bangor next winter.

Black-headed Gull  -    2ALH   -  Bangor Academy (Rooftop), Bangor, Co. Down  (08 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2013, on Mew Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

My final stop of the day, was at the seafront car park at Millisle, which has been called a 'hotspot' for the number of Common Gulls spotted there.  I've noticed a big decline in numbers here both last winter and this winter, with today being no exception.  Just two ringed Common Gulls were present today, and Herring Gull numbers far exceeded Common or Black-headed Gulls.

I had great difficulty in trying to read rings, as far too many people were moving through, many with dogs.  I had to ignore a metal-rung Herring Gull, which would have been   GA00153 , as well as a metal-rung Black-headed Gull, probably   EW48510 , which was last recorded here on the 10th November 2019.

The first of the two Common Gulls, was colour-ringed, and though the ring is in very poor condition, it was   2ACA .  When I last recorded   2ACA , on the 30th June 2019, I did not expect the ring to remain in place much longer, but 'there you are', it's still here.    2ACA , was ringed by Shane Wolsey, during his former Common Gull Project on Big Copeland Island, which ran from 2009 until 2014.  The gull was a breeding adult, when rung, on the 14th May 2010.    2ACA , has a long list of re-sightings over the years, all of which, have been made here at Millisle.

The duration, is now 9 years, 9 months and 23 days, and Big Copeland is situated 8 kms / 5 miles to the north of Millisle.

Common Gull  -    2ACA   -  Millisle, Drumfad Bay, Co. Down  (08 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Breeding Adult, on the 14th May 2010, on the Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

The second Common Gull, had a metal ring, and I tried my best to obtain as many photos as possible.  Despite all of the disturbance by passers-by, I was only able to capture -   EX3812* , and missed out on the final digit.  I do know from ringing records which I hold,   EX38120   to   EX38129 , were all used on Common Gull chicks, ringed on Big Copeland Island, on the 2nd June 2010.

On my spreadsheet, I have a single sighting of   EX38128 , which I recorded here at Millisle, on the 16th July 2016.  There's no way of knowing, whether this is that same bird or another individual, but the duration for   EX3812* , would be 9 years, 9 months and 6 days - you can't win them all!!!

Common Gull  -    EX3812*   -  Millisle Seafront Car Park, Co. Down  (08 Mar 2020)

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Wednesday 11th March 2020

Recently, I reported on the return of a female Lesser Black-backed Gull at my local park, The Peoples Park, in Ballymena, County Antrim.  This was now the 6th year running, that I've recorded this gull at the park.  When I spotted her back, on the 24th February 2020, she was on her own.  Every time I drove past the park, I would glance over to the Park's Pavilion, but she was still on her own.

On Monday this week (9th March), whilst I was driving past, on my return from my weekly visit to Antrim, I could now see a pair of gulls on the roof.  Not having the time to stop by, I went to the park on Wednesday afternoon, and confirmed that   GC27112   was still present, along with a male.  Having been ringed as a chick, on the 1st July 2006, the duration for   GC27112 , has risen to 13 years, 8 months and 10 days.  During my visit, I discovered that the male could also be identified as an individual, due to a problem or two with it's right foot.

Lesser Black-backed Gull  -    GC27112   -  The Peoples Park, Ballymena, Co. Antrim  (11 Mar 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 1st July 2006, at Horse Isle Nature Reserve, Ayrshire, Scotland)

Having taken photos of the pair, plus close up's of the females metal ring, I happened to notice a problem with the right foot on the male.  On returning home, I took a closer look at the his foot, and discovered it was missing a toe-nail, and also bore some kind of tumour.

This led me to take another look at photos taken over the past few years, to try and ascertain the possibilty, that this was the same male that   GC27112 , has been paired to throughout that time.  Alas, just one photo provided evidence of the same problem, and that was taken on the 23rd February last year.  At least, in the future, not only will I be able to record the return of   GC27112 , but I'll also be able to confirm her current partner as well.

The Right Foot of the Male Lesser Black-backed Gull, Showing the Missing Toe and Tumour

(Left Photo taken on the 11th March 2020, the Right Photo taken on the 23rd February 2019)

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