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.

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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.

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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.

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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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