International Day...

What an interesting weekend or should I say Sunday, I've just had.  Having bemoaned on not getting out on Saturday afternoon, the visit to Antrim Marina, to ring cygnets ended up being a 'Ring Reading' session, with my planned visit to the Ards Peninsula, having to be dis-regarded.  In fact, having recorded so much during Sunday, I did not dare go out on Monday, as I had already gathered more than enough information to work on for this week's post.

 

It can take an unbelievably long time to sort out a multitude of photos, especially when it comes down to those of metal-rings.  Every photo needed, to crop out the metals, needs to be labelled, with the cropped rings then having to be 'stitched' together, and added to the main photo of the bird itself.

 

As stated before, every ringed bird that I record, has it's own folder.  Every photo which I use, can be found in that folder, along with BTO recoveries, PDF Files, and copied replies to emails.  This proves to be invaluable, as in the case of juveniles, which happen to 'pop up' again, years later.

 

I have been requested to write articles for the Northern Ireland Seabird Report, and the Rathlin Island Bird Report, but where do I find the time.  Unless, you're sitting where I'm sitting, the time needed to work the field for subject matter for my blog posts, working with spreadsheets/databases, photographs, ring submissions and writing and replying to emails, is unimaginably time consuming.

 

I've only myself to blame, but having taken up the challenge of 'Ring Reading', my blog is the 'driving force' behind this chosen branch of Ornithology.  I shudder to think, how much information on our ringed birds, would have passed by un-recorded, had I not travelled down this route.  What I do record, is only a fraction of what's out there, but I know that the results for Northern Ireland, on the BTO's Online Ringing Report, have increased significantly over recent years.  Again, and I've said this often,  I hope my blog will encourage others to take up 'Ring Reading', as there's so much more out there to be discovered.

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Black-headed Gulls at Antrim Marina - Sunday 25th October 2020

Having remained at home on Saturday, I completed a belated blog post, but before publishing it, I had earlier cleared up some well overdue chores.  It was also my youngest son's birthday, but he was sure, that he would be in good enough condition, so as to begin the process of ringing the cygnets at Antrim Marina on Sunday morning.

 

On Sunday morning, Adrian was up and on the go before me.  I wondered, had he forgot to put his clock back an hour, but on second thoughts, most devices these days, does so automatically.  Anyhow, Adrian headed off to Antrim in his own car, which in a way was perfect, giving the rules on social distancing, but his idea was to visit Asda after giving me a hand at the Marina.

 

Although it was dry and bright, a strong westerly wind was blowing in from Lough Neagh, which drove temperatures down to a point, where my fingers turned white.  My plan for today, was to get a few of the cygnets ringed, and on parting our ways, I would head of to County Down, to work the outer coast of the Ards Peninsular.  I would therefore undertake my 'Ring Reading' of the gulls tomorrow (Monday) morning.

 

Having caught our first cygnet, we soon ran into difficulties.  Neither pair of my ringing pliers, could get enough grip on the lip of the metal ring, which needed to be bent closed.  After several attempts, we had to let the cygnet go, so as not to distress the bird too much.  Having said that, this young bird was very calm.  We retreated back to my car, to discuss the problem.  Soon afterwards, the male and female swans, who are my second pair of regulars strolled up to the car for a feed of brown bread.  The female of this pair, I call 'lumpy', as she does not have a smooth beak.

 

Adrian and I, then attempted to ring these two first, beginning with the male, but once again ran into problems trying to close over the lip of the ring.  We gave up, with the suggestion of coming back next Sunday, and bringing an ordinary pair of pliers with us.  The type of metals that I had purchased to be used on the swans, are the broader type, which are used on eagles., but can be used on swans as well.

 

Sitting back, and having a further discussion, the Black-headed Gulls present, was already around the 100 mark.  I hadn't intended for this to be a 'Ring Reading' session, but that's exactly what it turned out to be.  Adrian stayed with me for a couple of hours helping me to read rings, before heading off to Asda, and then home.  He had to work this evening, but needed to get back to bed for a couple of hours.

 

As I say, this was not an intentional visit to read rings, but what happened over the next few hours of my visit, was only what I could explain, as being 'Manic'.  Having complained about the poor visits over recent weeks, Antrim Marina was 'Crazy' today.  My visit now lasted from 8:45 until around 2pm.

 

It was the sighting of a Blue Darvic, which triggered off this 'Manic' session of Ring Reading.  Scoping in to read the code, it was   2FDJ  - a first re-sighting here for this winter.  Up until this point, I had recorded 21 individuals since beginning this, my eigth winter of Ring Reading at Marina, which commenced on the first weekend of August 2020.    2FDJ , was the first of four returnees recorded today, of birds ringed here as part of Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Project.  Despite Adam leaving the project in 2018, I have continued to colour-ring Black-headed Gulls here, so as to further my own study on the site, which was also an integral part of Adam's former project.

 

As stated, there were four returnees today, but these did not include   2AAR  or   2ADV , the former, which should have returned by now, and the latter is due to return.  As the morning wore on, more and more Black-headed Gulls kept arriving, which by midday, took the overall number to around 200 birds.  Except for   2CSX , which we know was last seen at the former Waterworks in Belfast, I spotted all 20 of the other gulls which have been recorded here, so far this winter.  These included   2AAB , which would frequent Antrim's Baptist Church, and   2AAV , who frequents Antrim's Elim Church.  In fact,   2AAV  was the last to be recorded, just before 2pm.  I assume both had decided to come here, after attending the Sunday Service!!

 

On top of all these, the juvenile Black-headed Gull, I spotted here two visits ago had returned.  This one bearing a tall metal ring, was likely to be of Scandinavian or Icelandic origin.  The metal-rung juvenile, I recorded on my previous visit was still here, and to top everything off, a colour-ringed juvenile Black-headed Gull, that I recorded here last winter, originating from County Longford, also put in an appearance.  Having had an exceptional visit to Antrim Marina, I headed up to the centre of Antrim Town, checking for   2AFD .  Although he is not due back for a couple of weeks yet, I had even more success in reading rings there.

 

  2FDJ , the first of today's returnees, was ringed here as a 2nd Winter bird, on the 18th November 2019.  It went on to be recorded on 11 occasions, up until the 9th March 2020, which was the last sighting until today.  Although it will take a couple of years to build up a profile for this bird, recording it's coming and going's, it's arrival now suggests that   2FDJ , may perhaps be a foreign winter visitor.  The duration since being ringed, is now 11 months and 7 days.  Being a young bird of known age, there's ample time to learn about this gull, and it's movements. 

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FDJ   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed 2nd Winter Bird, on the 18th November 2019, at Antrim Marina)

 

My 10th bird recorded today, saw the return of   2CTA .  I caught and ringed   2CTA , as a 2nd Winter Bird, on the 10th December 2018, here at the Marina.  My first re-sighting of   2CTA , was on the 24th December 2018, which was to be the last time that I recorded the gull for the remainder of the 2018/2019 winter.

 

On the 28th October 2019,   2CTA  returned to Antrim Marina, a date similar to that of today's re-sighting.  Could   2CTA , be another foreign winter visitor?  After the return of   2CTA  last winter, it was only recorded on a further six occasions, including the 24th February 2020, when spotted here by Graham McElwaine.  The duration since being ringed, is now 1 year, 10 months and 15 days.  Once again, we have a young bird of known age, which should provide years of re-sighting data.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2CTA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed 2nd Winter Bird, on the 24th December 2018, at Antrim Marina)

 

  2CSL , was my 16th ring sighting of the day, and my 3rd returnee.  It had crossed my mind, that this bird had possibly died, as it's return, is very late this year.   2CSL , was caught and ringed here as an adult, on the 24th December 2017.  The bird is special, in that we already know, it is a foreign breeding bird having been recorded in Poland.  The key history dates for   2CSL , is as follows :-

Ringed - 24th December 2017, Final 2017/2018 Winter Sighting - 19th March 2018.

29th March 2018 - Reported in Olsztyn, Poland - 1,740 kms / 1,081 miles East.

Returned - 20th August 2018, Final 2018/2019 Winter Sighting - 11th March 2019.

Returned - 19th August 2019, Final 2019/2020 Winter Sighting - 13th March 2020.

Returned - 25th October 2020.

 

As can be seen above, the gull is two months late in returning.  There is always the chance, that it had arrived back sooner, but had that been the case, surely it would have been re-sighted before now.  My son Adrian, was still with me at this point, and he seemed a trifle bemused, just how much information that I can 'rattle off' about the gulls here.  Anyways, I was only too happy to see the return of   2CSL , and the duration since being ringed, is now 2 years, 10 months and 1 day.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2CSL   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 24th December 2017, at Antrim Marina)

 

My 21st ring sighting, was that of my fourth returnee   2BRD .    2BRD , was my main target bird, two weeks ago, when I went to Lurgan Park Lake in County Armagh.  That visit to the lake, made on the 11th October, was almost a waste of time, as there were between 200 and 250 disinterested Black-headed Gulls bobbing about on the lake.  There were plenty of people feeding the ducks and swans with bread, but perhaps the gulls had already received their share before my arrival.

 

  2BRD , was caught and ringed at Antrim Marina, as an adult male, on the 1st February 2015.  This was the day, that I first met Adam McClure face to face, and during our visit there together, we caught and ringed four Black-headed Gulls -   2BRA ,   2BRB ,   2BRC  and   2BRD .

 

I reckon that   2BRD , is a resident breeding bird to Northern Ireland, but exactly where is not as yet known.  What we do know, over several years of re-sightings, is that   2BRD  does winter in the Antrim area, but prior to the onset of the breeding season, would move south to the lake at Lurgan Park.  At Lurgan Park, it would stay through the months of February and March.  We only have one breeding season record (months April, May, June), and this occurred on the 26th June 2017, when Suzanne Belshaw spotted   2BRD  at Lurgan Park.  So, did   2BRD  breed in the Lurgan area, or did it re-appear after a successful or failed breeding season?  There's no doubting, that more breeding season sightings are needed for this bird.

 

The duration since being ringed at Antrim Marina, is now 5 years, 8 months and 24 days.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2BRD   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 1st February 2015, at Antrim Marina)

 

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls at Antrim Marina Today - Sunday 25th October 2020

2FDJ	2CJT	2CSA	2CTC	2CSR	2AAN	2ABK	2AAK
2CSJ	2CTA	2ABS	2CSK	2CSB	2ABL	2ABA	2CSL
2AAA	2AAB	2BRA	2FDK	2BRD	2ABN	2ACV	2AAV

The only Absentee at Antrim Marina Today

2CSX

Note :-    2CSX , was recorded on six occasions at Antrim Marina this autumn/winter (16th August 2020, until 20th September 2020), and was then spotted at the former Belfast Waterworks, on the 28th Spetember 2020, by Suzanne Belshaw.  For now, it is presumed that   2CSX , is still in Belfast.

 

On my visit to Antrim Marina two weeks ago, I spotted a juvenile Black-headed Gull, which bore a tall metal ring, which I assumed was from either Scandinavia or Iceland.  As I was about to take photos of the gull and it's ring, a young woman, along with her two children, arrived to feed the ducks.  I lost the young gull in the melee and never found it again.  I had hoped, it would appear again on my previous visit, but had no joy.

On today's visit, it did turn up again, and this time I had no problems photographing the bird and it's ring.  I captured the code -   VA6110 , and my bird was from Denmark.  After editing my photos at home on Sunday evening, I sent an email to Kjeld Pedersen, who replied at 11:30 that evening - now how's that for service!!!  No mucking about here, as I've experienced with a couple of our own ringers of late.

  VA6110 , was ringed as a chick, on the 14th June 2020, on the island of Hirsholm, situated just off the coast of Denmark.  Kjeld, also accepted my sighting made on the 12th October, despite not being able to read the ring.  No distance was forwarded by Kjeld, but I recorded another one of his chicks from Hirsholm at the Marina in 2018.  For that one, ringed  VA4235 , the BTO gave the distance, as 1,088 kms / 676 miles (WSW).  The duration since   VA6110  was ringed, is now 4 months and 11 days.  My thanks goes to Kjeld, both for the ringing details and the quick reply.

 

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -    VA6110   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 14th June 2020, on Hirsholm Island, Denmark)

 

Another two juvenile Black-headed Gulls were recorded on my last visit to Antrim Marina.  One bird was colour-ringed -   2EN5 , whilst the second bird was just metal-rung -   EZ78694 .    2EN5 , was not present on today's visit, but Iain Livingstone, has supplied me with further re-sighting data for the young gull.

 

  2EN5 , was ringed as a chick, on the 24th June 2020, at Elvanfoot, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.  Prior to my sighting of   2EN5 , here on the 19th October 2020, the bird was recorded at Strathclyde Country Park, on the outskirts of Motherwell, in North Lanarkshire, on the 26th July 2020.  The distance, was a short 45 kms / 28 miles (NW).  My thanks to Iain, for the additional info.

 

The second youngster -   EZ78694 , was still here today.  Last week, there was little in the way of activity with this youngster, as it looked worn and drawn out.  I even wondered, if it would survive, but today it proved me wrong.  It was very active, and fought for it's share of bread, and even made several close approaches to my car, where I threw out some bits of bread.  As mentioned last week, there has been a large increase in juveniles, and today was no exception.  All of the gulls were very hungry, and eager to get at the offerings of bread.

 

It will only be a matter of time now, when they become so keen, that I will be able to catch a few more individuals to be ringed.  It would be a massive bonus, if I could catch and colour-ring the Danish youngster, and   EZ78694 .

 

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -    EZ78694   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 13th July 2020, at Marsh House Farm, Stockton-on-Tees, England)

 

Adrian was looking through the gulls with my binoculars, when he shouted over - there's a bird with a White ring.  Grabbing my camera, and walking over to the low wooden jetty, I quickly captured the bird and it's code - (White) 2122.  I immediately recognised the code, having recorded this bird as a juvenile last winter.  On returning home and checking my spreadsheet, I had spotted (White) 2122, on the 24th February 2020, and Graham McElwaine, also recorded the bird during his visit to Antrim Marina, later that same day.

 

I reported my latest sighting of (White) 2122 to Brian Burke, who replied to say, that the gull had not been re-sighted anywhere, since last our last sighting.  (White) 2122, was ringed as a chick, on the 10th June 2019, and belonged to a new ringing project, being carried out on Lough Ree, County Longford, in the Republic of Ireland.  The distance to Antrim Marina, is 168 kms / 104 miles (NE), and the duration since being ringed, is now 1 year, 4 months and 15 days.

 

Below, I've included both photos of (White) 2122.  It shows the difference in the same bird over eight months.  The question now, is, will it winter every year in the Antrim area - time will answer that question.  My thanks goes to Brian Burke for the info, and he too, was delighted by this latest sighting.

 

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  2122  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (24 Feb 2020)

 

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  2122  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 10th June 2019, at Lough Ree, Co. Longford, Republic of Ireland)

 

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

As mentioned at the beginning of this post, the family party of Mute Swans, which contain six cygnets, were present throughout my visit today, as was a second pair, which have now become regulars here as well.  The new pair, that was present last week, did not show at all today.

 

I did not pay too much attention to the Mallards, as I was so busy with the gulls.  Not many legs were checked, though I reckon maximum numbers were around the 80 mark.

 

Both the adult and juvenile Herring Gulls were present on our arrival this morning, but they were both quick to move on, when an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, followed shortly afterwards, by a juvenile, appeared.  Four adult Common Gulls, plus a juvenile, are, if I'm correct in saying so, is the highest total for this species so far.  There is still no sign of the small Scottish-rung female, who should be back in the area by now.  Hopefully, she is still alive, and will appear some time soon.

 

With so much going on, what with the number of gulls present, and by late morning, the number of people coming and going, there wasn't much scope for other species, other than the 1 Hooded Crow, and 3 Jackdaws.

 

Other Sites Around the Town of Antrim

By the time I departed from Antrim Marina, it was not worthwhile heading off to County Down, so instead, I decided to check out some of the other sites, before heading to Belfast, where I would finish the afternoon.  My first stop, was at the car park, situated beside Castle Way in Antrim.  Although, it was still early to record the return of the Latvian -   2AFD , I thought I'd check anyway.  Being a Sunday, I had the whole car park to myself, and began throwing out bits of bread.

 

Within seconds, Black-headed Gulls came 'bombing' in, as if they'd just hit the jackpot.  The more timid birds kept their distance, which included a metal-rung bird.  I remembered having seen a metal-rung bird here last winter, which also had a BTO sized ring.  I now had quite a job on my hands, trying to both feed and photograph my metal-rung bird.  Every time people or a car appeared, the gulls took flight.  It took quite a while, to obtain loads of pictures of the metal, but one thing I did realise, was that this was a German-rung bird.

 

Whilst concentrating, on this gull, a second with a Yellow Darvic touched down briefly, and I was quick to capture the code on that one (read below).  I had decided, that I must have captured the full number for this German bird, but decided to check the photos once I had returned home.

 

Back at home that evening, I went through my photos, and thought I had captured the ring number as being   IA200371 , before it dawned on me, that the ring with   371 , was on the birds left leg, instead of the right leg - a second metal-only gull had landed without me realising it.  I carried on looking through my photos, and finally ended up with the number -   IA200180 .

 

  IA200180 , was actually the same gull that I recorded for the first time ever, on the 4th October 2020, at Antrim Marina.  I'm still waiting for the ringing details for this bird, having reported it, direct to Germany, and our own BTO.  I've now submitted today's sighting to the BTO as well.  Only when I receive the ringing details, will I know whether this could have been the same bird which I spotted in this car park, on the 15th December 2019.

 

Black-headed Gull  -  Germany    IA200180   -  Castle Way Car Park, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Still Waiting for the Ringing Details)

 

The code -   2EA1 , on the second Black-headed Gull, did not register with me, but on returning home, and running the code through my spreadsheet, I had recorded this one, as a then juvenile, back in 2017.  I had actually photographed it on the roof of the Elim Church, in Antrim's Parkhall Housing Estate, no doubt when checking for   2AAV .

 

  2EA1 , had been ringed as a chick, on the 19th June 2017, at the Forvie National Nature Reserve, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.  I recorded the youngster on the 16th October 2017, at the Elim Church, having flown 390 kms / 290 miles (SW).  That was the last time I saw the gull until today.  I emailed Calum Campbell, reporting my re-sighting of   2EA1 , and the following day, I received his reply.

 

Since my sighting in 2017,   2EA1 , has been recorded on the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire, on two occasions - 25th April 2018 & 23rd October 2019.  Ythan Estuary is situated right beside the Forvie NNR, where the gull had been ringed.  My latest sighting, takes the duration to, 3 years, 4 months and 6 days, since being ringed.  Calum,was of course delighted by my re-sighting.  The only question now, does this bird winter in Antrim every year.  I will of course, try to answer that one.

 

Below, is my photo from 2017, and my latest picture of the bird.

 

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -    2EA1   -  Elim Church, Parkhall Housing Estate, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (16 Oct 2017)

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2EA1   -  Castle Way Car Park, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2017, at Forvie National Nature Reserve, Aberdeenshire, Scotland)

 

All I was left to do now, was check to see where my mystery bird had come from.  With a tall metal, it was likely, that the gull was from Scandinavia or even Iceland.  Comparing this ring to photos of those from other countries, I found a match.  My mystery bird was from Sweden.  I'll try again for this one in a couple of weeks time, by which time   2AFD , should be back.

I went on to check the KFC car park, and Antrim's Baptist Church, but no other rings were recorded.  Having said that, today was one hell of an 'International Day', around the town of Antrim, with several countries linked to today's sightings.  Now it was time to move on to Belfast.

 

Black-headed Gull  -  Sweden    ****371   -  Castle Way Car Park, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

 

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Sunday 25th October 2020

Having spent most of the day on Sunday, around the town of Antrim, I did not have time to work the outer Ards Peninsular in Co. Down.  With the afternoon, fast disappearing, I headed to Kinnegar Beach, on the southern side of Belfast Lough.  The tide was well on it's way in, and very few birds were to be seen.  No doubt, looking at the number of cars parked, overlooking the beach, the gulls and waders, were more than likely disturbed on a regular basis.  On a personal note, I think the foreshore here, should be turned into a nature reserve, with no public access being granted to go onto the beach.  This would give a couple of thousand gulls and waders, peace to feed and bathe.  It would also be a bonus for us birdwatchers to observe the birds, if they are not frightened off on a frequent basis.

 

With so few birds present now, I scoped the Black-headed Gulls, at the roost on the nearby Kinnegar Pond, but not a single ring was spotted.  I then quickly made my way over to Whitehouse Lagoon.  Here, there were several hundred gulls and waders, but most were still distant, as the lagoon, was only beginning to fill again, with the incoming tide.

 

Scoping through the birds, I recorded two very distant colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls.  With my camera, well into digital mode, I captured the codes on both.  The first of these, seemed to be   2BPA , but on a closer look at the photos, I'm sure this was actually   2BPX .  Checking both codes via my spreadsheet, 2BPA, has yet to be re-sighted since being ringed as a chick, which is a pity.    2BPX , however, has been recorded around Belfast on a few occasions.

 

  2BPX , was ringed as a chick, on the 1st July 2013, at the RSPB Blue Circle Island Reserve, on Larne Lough, Co. Antrim.  It's first re-sighting, was made on the 26th May 2014, when Paul McCullough recorded the gull on the ponds at Carrickfergus Leisure Centre, 12 kms south of Blue Circle Island.  The six remaining sightings since then, have all been made by me.

 

My first encounter with   2BPX , occurred on Christmas Day in 2015, when I spotted the gull on railings at the Petroleum Gas Terminal, on Belfast's Harbour Estate.  The following four sightings since, had been made on the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve, which is also on Belfast's Harbour Estate.  Having been spotted twice in 2019 (3rd March & 4th May), and twice in March 2020 (7th &15th), there's no doubting, that   2BPX , breeds on the reserve.  The Coronavirus 'lockdown' prevented further visits to the reserve during the past breeding season.

 

Today's sighting at Whitehouse Lagoon, comes after, 7 years, 3 months and 24 days, since being ringed, and the distance from Larne Lough, is 20 kms / 12 miles (SSW).

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2BPX   -  Whitehouse Lagoon, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

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

 

The poor photo for the second Black-headed Gull, still captured the code (White) T56W.  Something spooked the birds just seconds later.  This is my second record for (White) T56W, this winter, having recorded it's return on the 4th October 2020 - having tried to re-sight it on several visits beforehand.

 

(White) T56W, was first recorded wintering here, back in January 2015, having been ringed in Poland in 2012.  The gull has now been recorded at Whitehouse Lagoon, every winter since 2015.  Ringed on the 16th June 2012, the duration is now 8 years, 4 months and 9 days.  The distance from Bielinek, is 1,325 kms / 823 miles (WNW).

 

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  T56W  -  Whitehouse Lagoon, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (25 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed 2nd Calendar Year Bird, on the 16th June 2012, at Bielinek, Poland)

 

By now, the light was fading fast.  This was a real shame, as among the gulls and waders, a flock of Knots were also present, numbering some 250 to 300 birds altogether.  Despite the Lagoon filling quite fast, and the birds being pushed ever closer to me, the light became so poor, that I had to give up.  It was time to head back home, and begin the process of sorting, labelling and emailing photos of today's key sightings.  What a day this was!!!

 

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From David Nixon

David Nixon, was touch with me again, on the 24th October 2020, and this time he sent me a photograph of a Common Gull, which he has recorded on the Inner Bay at Dundrum in County Down.  The code, which began with the letter 'J' instantly told me that this was a Norwegian bird.  I submitted David's sighting, through their 'Live Ringing Database', which instantly provides the ringing and re-sighting history.

(White) JH119, was ringed as a juvenile, on the 24th July 2018, in the Porsgrunn area of Telemark, in Norway.  Telemark, would be known by many of us older generation, due to the 1965 film, Heroes of Telemark, which among others, starred Kirk Douglas and Richard Harris.  Seriously!!!, lets get back to David's sighting, which just so happens, to be a first re-sighting since being ringed.

The duration, is now 2 years, and 3 months, the distance being 1,089 kms / 676 miles (SW).  This is now the second Norwegian Common Gull, which has been recorded this month.  On the 10th October 2020, I spotted (White) JE334, at Glynn, on Larne Lough in County Antrim.  Back on August 18th 2020, David also recorded a German colour-ringed Common Gull, on the Inner Bay at Dundrum.  It is, as far as I'm aware, the first German Common Gull, ever to have been spotted in Northern Ireland.

My thanks goes to David once again, as he has produced a few nice sightings recently, and better still, has photos to go along with these.

Common Gull  -  (White)  JH119  -  Dundrum Inner Bay, Dundrum, Co. Down  (24 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as a Juvenile, on the 24th July 2018, at Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway)

(Photo Courtesy of David Nixon)

 

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From Kevin Kirkham-Brown

Another email, to which I was copied in, arrived with me recently, from Kevin Kirkham-Brown.  I've known of Kevin for quite some time, via Adam McClure's former NI Black-headed Gull Study, which I now respond to.  Kevin, was reporting a Herring Gull, ringed   0P:W , which he spotted on the shore, at Islandhill in County Down.

  0P:W , was ringed as an un-sexed adult, on the 23rd May 2014, on Big Copeland Island, situated just off the County Down coast.  The gulls first two re-sightings, actually occurred away from Islandhill, which now appears to be it's regular haunt.  In October 2015, Graham McElwaine spotted   0P:W , at Knockinelder Bay, on the County Down coast, whilst I recorded   0P:W , at Whitehouse Lagoon in Belfast, on the 7th February 2016.

All re-sighting records since 2016, that I'm aware of, have now come from Islandhill, which is some 17 kms / 10 miles (SW) from Big Copeland Island.  My thanks goes to Kevin, for reporting his sighting, along with the brilliant photo.  Katherine Booth Jones (BTO NI), is the new ringing co-ordinator concerning the Copeland Herring Gulls, should anyone comes across these birds.

 

Herring Gull  -    0P:W   -  Islandhill, Strangford Lough, Co. Down  (24 Oct 2020)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 23rd May 2014, on Big Copeland Island, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Kevin Kirkham-Brown)

 

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