I managed to get out on both Saturday and Sunday last weekend, which meant my weekly visit to Antrim Marina, was made on Monday morning, It was actually, 'touch and go', whether I would get out at all, as my left shoulder has been giving me problems again. I already knew, that I've slight Arthritis in both shoulders, possibly caused by being a goalkeeper in my younger days, but on two occasions over the last few years, I've suffered with Tendonitis. A scan on the first occasion that I had it, showed scarring, which meant I had seriously injured the shoulder at some point years ago. I have had that many 'knock and dumps' over the years, I cannot remember anything concerning my left shoulder. By the time that I returned from Antrim, my shoulder was so bad, I've ended up taking the week off work, on the sick.
It rained throughout Saturday and Sunday, but Saturday was coupled with a very strong wind, which made scoping pretty difficult. Even so, a couple of nice re-sightings were added to this winter's list of returnees, and I also recorded three birds which were new sightings for Northern Ireland. During the week, I had to leave my car in, as I've developed a 'blow-out' in the exhaust. A while back, my mechanic said that I'd need to replace the steering-rack before my car's MOT in January, so I've requested to have both fixed. It will be touch and go, whether I'll get my car back in time for this weekend. As I write, my shoulder is just about clear of pain, so getting out would be a nice distraction, before returning to work on Monday night.
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| Black-head Gulls at Antrim Marina - Monday 16th November 2020 |
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This week's weekly visit to Antrim Marina, was again made on Monday morning, but kind of started on the evening before, when I received an email from Debbie 'Doolittle' Hanna. Debbie runs a refuge centre for sick or injured wildlife in Northern Ireland, and was at Antrim Marina yesterday (Sunday 15th November). An event which was organised, had to be cancelled at the last minute, due to the heavy rain which fell all afternoon. So as not to disappoint those that had attended, instead, Debbie and Aidan Crean presented a ringing demonstration, where four of the cygnets were duly processed. This presented me, with the added task, of recording those cygnets during today's visit.
Having taken my wife to work first, I arrived at Antrim Marina, at just gone 09:10. It was dull, cloudy, and a fairly strong wind was blowing in from the Lough, which made for a chilly feel. Two workmen were busy on the low wooden jetty. On my previous visit, the walkways, both on the low jetty, and on the long wooden jetty, had been lifted. No further change was noted on the long wooden jetty, but the workmen were actually raising the height of the low wooden jetty. Their presence, forced the gulls to steer well away from this part of the Marina.
Around 80 Black-headed Gulls were already present on my arrival, with maximum numbers reaching the estimated 120 mark around 10:30. Altogether 21 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls were re-sighted today. 2CSX and 2AAR , which returned last week from Belfast and Poland respectively, were both recorded today, as were the two juveniles, that I caught and ringed as well last week - 2FDT & 2FDV .
2FDV , is the English bird, that was metal-rung in July, in the Stockton-on-Tees area. When it first appeared here, the bird looked tired and ragged, and I did not think it would survive. Now, it is full of life and energy. For the second week running, there is no sign of the Danish metal-rung BHG, which is a shame, as previously, I had come so close to catching that one too.
There is still no word from either 2AFD or 2CSH , who are both well overdue to return. Yesterday, I paid a visit to the Castle Way car park in the town, which is a known haunt of 2AFD , which we know breeds in Latvia.
An email arrived with me, late on Monday afternoon from Debbie Hanna. On the 13th November, Debbie took charge of 2CSS , which was found sick, in the Massereene area in Antrim Town. Massereene is about one and a half kilometres away from the Marina, but so far this winter, the bird has not ventured this far. According to Debbie, 2CSS , was frequently seen in the town's Springfarm Estate, which is something that I did not know. 2CSS is responding to medication and healthy food, and appears to be on the up. The gull had a case of suspected Botulism.
Debbie reported 2CSS to Adam, not knowing, that he had given up his project in June 2018. 2CSS , was ringed as a first winter bird, on the 7th January 2018, and the duration as of the 13th November 2020, is 2 years, 10 months and 6 days.
If 2CSS , had visited the Marina, my overall total of colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, would now be standing at 30 for this winter, the total being inclusive of the three juveniles which have been caught and ringed recently. Due to the now severe pain in my shoulder, I could hardly lift the binoculars, never mind trying to catch one or two for ringing. Better luck on my next visit, hopefully.
Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls at Antrim Marina Today - Monday 16th November 2020
| 2BRA | 2AAR | 2FDV | 2CSR | 2FDK | 2CSJ | 2CJT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2FDT | 2ABK | 2ABL | 2AAB | 2FDJ | 2CSK | 2AAN |
| 2ABA | 2CSA | 2AAK | 2CSB | 2CSX | 2ABS | 2ABN |
| 2AAA | 2AAV | 2ACV | 2BRD | 2CSL | 2CTA | 2CTC | 2FDP |
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These are the Three Gulls Which Have Been Caught and Ringed This Autum/Winter
| 2FDP | 2FDT | 2FDV |
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Other Birds at Antrim Marina
As mentioned above, the Mute Swans were going to be a focus for me on today's visit. Unknown to Debbie, I had purchased metal-rings to be used on the swans, but as yet, for one reason or another, none had been ringed. Yesterday, Debbie and Aidan ringed four of the cygnets, with three also receiving the only colour-rings Debbie had with her.
On my previous visit, I had a winter high of 20 Mute Swans - 10 adults and 10 cygnets. 9 of the cygnets, could be accounted for, due to earlier visits, being a brood of six along with their parents, and a brood of three, plus their parents. I therefore assumed that the smaller single cygnet, was there with it's parents, but today, I discovered that this was not the case.
It now seems, that this single youngster, is here on it's own. I had the 10 cygnets again, but only six adults. Two of them, were 'Lumpy' and her mate, which I know, did not have any youngsters, and therefore the four remaining adults belong to the two larger broods.
I took photos of all four cygnets which were ringed yesterday. The young bird that is here without it's parents is now rung - NJZ .
Mute Swan - NJX - Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim (16 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as a Juvenile, on the 15th November 2020, at Antrim Marina)
Mute Swan - NJY - Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim (16 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as a Juvenile, on the 15th November 2020, at Antrim Marina)
Mute Swan - NJZ - Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim (16 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as a Juvenile, on the 15th November 2020, at Antrim Marina)
Mute Swan - Z78580 - Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim (16 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as a Juvenile, on the 15th November 2020, at Antrim Marina)
Today, also saw the largest number of Common Gulls to visit the Marina so far this winter. The first to arrive, was an adult at 09:40, followed by a 2nd Calendar year bird at 09:43. At 10:03, three adults were counted, four at 10:38, and five at 10:47. Then at 11:21, a second, second Calendar year bird appeared, followed by a sixth adult at 11:51. To be sure, to be sure, I did a re-count, and I had a total of 8 birds. There was however, no sign of the small Scottish metal-rung female, who arrived back for the first time this winter, on my previous visit. The juvenile Herring Gull, which has been a regular here for weeks, was present throughout my visit.
Around 30 Mallards were present on my arrival, but overall numbers would not have topped the 50 mark. A few weeks ago, numbers had reached in the region of 100 birds, but has dropped off for some reason.
The only other birds noted today, were a high of 7 Jackdaws, a single Magpie, one Hooded Crow, and a male Pied Wagtail.
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| Saturday 14th November 2020 |
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Saturday was a terrible day weather-wise. Once the rain started, I was limited, to what I could do from my car. No matter, how I positioned the car, the rain kept on blowing in. In more open areas, the strong wind, kept pushing against my telescope, which certainly did not help.
I started the afternoon, overlooking Larne Lough, from the platform of Glynn station. Arriving as the tide began to recede, I remained for quite a while. Gull and Wader numbers were significantly lower than I had hoped for, but no rings were spotted. Throughout the afternoon, I tried to read rings at several sites, but for most, I had to give up due to the conditions. I eventually reached Kinnegar Beach, where the birds were so far out, they just looked like tiny specks. Although by this time, the rain had begun to ease, there was no way that I was going to walk out to cut the distance down, as it was so windy, I knew the scope would not stay still.
By this time, I was beginning to wish, that I had stayed at home. It was now getting late into the afternoon, but I decided to try the nearby Connswater Mudflats, to see if I would have any luck there. To my relief, the trees beside the footpath, acted as a break from the wind, and the now drizzly conditions.
Wow, how pleased was I, that I decided to try my luck here. Six colour-rings were recorded altogether, which included four re-sightings, and two new birds. I scoped a nice sized flock of Lapwings, estimated to be around 40 birds in all. No luck with these, but last winter, I had noted two metal-rung Lapwings, though I had no chance of reading those rings.
Around 100 Black-headed Gulls, were spread out at the far end of the mudflats. Scoping through these, I first noticed an Orange Darvic, which I knew, would either be 2AKJ or 2AJV , but decided to leave this one for the present. A Yellow Darvic, then caught my attention. A few weeks ago, I had noted a Black-headed Gull with a Yellow Darvic, but only the top of the ring could be seen. As the tide was incoming, the bird simply floated off, and I never got to read the code. Since then, I have been back twice, if memory serves me right, and the bird was not present then. I had wondered, if the ring belonged to a Polish bird - T7V6 , which I had spotted on the nearby Dargan Mudflats in 2018.
I had not seen that gull since, but on moving closer to photograph this bird, I instantly knew the code - TU5P , was a new sighting. On returning home, I checked my spreadsheet first, and this was definitely a new bird. I reported my sighting directly onto the Polish Ringing Database, and on Monday afternoon, I received the ringing details.
TU5P , was caught and ringed as an un-sexed breeding adult, on the 21st May 2020, on an island, on Lake Dąbie, in NW Poland, close to the border with Germany. Today's sighting, was the first, since the gull was ringed. The duration, is just 5 months and 24 days, and the distance to the Connswater Mudflats, is 1,342 kms / 833 miles (WNW). Has TU5P , been here in previous winters before it was ringed? Perhaps, we'll find the answer to that one, next winter.
Black-headed Gull - TU5P - Connswater Mudflats, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate (14 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Breeding Adult, on the 21 May 2020, at Lake Dąbie, Lubczyna, Poland )
With having taken a few photos of TU5P , my attention went back onto the Orange Darvic. This bird was so far off, I barely caught the code - 2AKJ . 2AKJ , was ringed as a chick, on the 15th June 2015, at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in County Down, and today's sighting, is just my sixth record for this bird.
My first sighting of 2AKJ , was made on the 4th September 2016, at Victoria Park, which is situated beside these mudflats. My second sighting was made on Christmas Day in 2018, on the Connsbank Road, where I had parked my car, before walking to the mudflats here. My 3rd, 4th and 5th sightings were all made on the Connswater Mudflats, in October 2019, February 2020, and on the 3rd October 2020. The duration since being ringed, is now 5 years, 4 months and 30 days, and the distance from Castle Espie, is 16 kms / 9 miles (NW).
Black-headed Gull - 2AKJ - Connswater Mudflats, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate (14 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as a Chick, on the 15th June 2015, at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Co. Down)
At this point, I then spotted two colour-ringed Oystercatchers, but more on them later. Having sorted both Oystercatchers, I began scoping the Black-headed Gulls again, and then spotted a White Darvic. I had barely took a couple of photos, when the bird then flew off. I tried to read the code on the photos, but without my glasses, all I could see was a 'blur'. It was not until I got back home - glasses on - that this was my third sighting this winter, of the Dutch-rung - (White) EAK9.
(White) EAK9, was ringed in Holland, on the 13th June 2012. The gull has a long history of re-sightings, but was first recorded here in Northern Ireland by Adam McClure, on the 10th January 2014. Using an old Word File which was sent to me in the past, I have up-dated it, and created a new PDF File to include all sighting that I know of (Read PDF). The distance from Zoetermeer in Holland, to the Connswater Mudflats, is 746 kms / 463 miles (WNW), and the duration since being ringed, is now 8 years, 5 months and 1 day. (White) EAK9, was spotted in France, on a single occasion, otherwise, all sightings have either been made in Holland, or here in Northern Ireland.
Black-headed Gull - (White) EAK9 - Connswater Mudflats, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate (14 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as a 3rd Calendar Year Male, on the 13th June 2012, at Benthuizerplas, Zoetermeer, Holland)
Shortly after my BHG with the White Darvic flew off, I then spotted another White Darvic, a little ways off, from where I saw the previous bird. Just to be sure, I took more photos, in the event my previous ones weren't up to scratch. Once again, I could not read the code, but after returning home, I was in for quite a surprise. Glasses on - this gull was the Norwegian-rung (White) J2UP, a bird that I've previously spotted once, on Christmas Day, a few years back - this being the only record for Northern Ireland, until now.
Checking my spreadsheet, the date was, the 25th December 2017. I remember the occasion well, as when I was looking for my Christmas Day bird - the Norwegian-rung (White) J4TJ, not only did I get it, a second Black-headed Gull landed, which I thought, was the Dutch (White) EAK9. This one was (White) J2UP, and strangely enough, I did not record (White) EAK9 that winter. Each year, I go looking for my Christmas Day Black-headed Gull, (White) J4TJ, on Christmas Day, as it is the only time of the year, when the Connswater Shopping Centre car park is empty.
Prior to today's sighting of (White) J2UP, I knew the bird was still alive, as it had been recorded in June 2020, at a breeding colony in Norway. (White) J2UP, was ringed as a third calendar female, on the 8th April 2013, at Lake Langvannet, Oslo, Norway. The distance to the Connswater Mudflats, is 1,169 kms / 726 miles (SW), and the duration since being ringed, is 7 years, 7 months, and 6 days (PDF).
Incidentally, talking of my Christmas Day gull - (White) J4TJ, it should be in Belfast now, as it was spotted in Co. Durham, England, on the 31st October 2020 (PDF). With any luck, I'll record it at the Connswater Shopping Centre, this coming Christmas Day.
Black-headed Gull - (White) J2UP - Connswater Mudflats, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate (14 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as a 3rd Calendar Year Female, on the 8th April 2013, at Langvannet, Akershus & Oslo, Norway)
As mentioned above, I recorded two colour-ringed Oystercatchers, both from Scotland. I knew by the position of the colour-rings, I had recorded similar rings in the past. In fact, the first one photographed, was my third sighting of Red(Y1)-Red. Originally, this Oystercatcher, was caught and ringed with only a metal-ring, on the 29th March 1996, as an un-sexed adult, on the River Spey, at Newtonmore, in Scotland.
A Nigel Buxton, earlier this year, was supposed to dig up the history for this Oystercatcher, but he must have forgot, until I reported today's re-sighting. What I do know, is that the original metal - FA73649 , was replaced with FP48164 , on the 17th March 2018, and the colour-ring Red(Y1)-Red, was also fitted. The re-capture was made in Scotland.
My first sighting of Red(Y1)-Red, was made on nearby Kinnegar Beach, on the 11th August 2019, and my second sighting, was made on these mudflats, on the 23rd February 2020. This bird is now getting on in years, the duration now being 24 years, 7 months and 16 days, and the distance from the River Spey, is 295 kms / 183 miles (SSW).
Oystercatcher - Red(Y1)-Red - Connswater Mudflats, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate (14 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 29th March 1996, at Newtonmore, Highlands, Scotland)
The second Oystercatcher, rung - Red(J1)-Red, is a first re-sighting for me. Nigel, said he would get back to me about both birds, but as yet, I've heard nothing. Due to the delay, I decided to go ahead and report Red(J1)-Red to the BTO, in the hope that they already have this birds details on their database - the wait continues.
Oystercatcher - Red(J1)-Red - Connswater Mudflats, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate (14 Nov 2020)
(Waiting for the Ringing Details)
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| Sunday 15th November 2020 |
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On Sunday morning, I was beginning to struggle, as my left shoulder was really getting bad, but I went ahead with my visit to the outer Ards Peninsular. My main target, was to try and re-sight my oldest Northern Ireland rung Black-headed Gull, which had been metal-rung in 1998. My last sighting of this bird, occurred just over a year ago, when at that time, the duration was 21 years, 4 months and 26 days. When I got to Ballywalter Harbour, there was no sign of this gull, but one bird reminded me of my target, as it 'bossed' the other gulls. When last seen, this gull had a very large gap in the ring, which may have fell off, or it could be possible, that the gull is now dead. For now, I'll not give up on it, and will try again during this winter.
Despite checking loads of gulls and waders for rings, only three were recorded. The first was Black-headed Gull - 2BAL . 2BAL , belongs to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Study, and was ringed as a chick, on the Copeland Islands, on the 22nd June 2014. Today's sighting, was made on the seafront at Donaghadee in County Down, where it is a regular winter visitor. During the breeding season, 2BAL is known to nest on platform two, at the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve in Belfast. Today's sighting, is now my 15th record for 2BAL , since it was ringed. The duration, is now 6 years, 4 months and 24 days, and the distance from Lighthouse Island, on the Copeland Islands to Donaghadee, is just 4 kms / 2 mile (S).
Black-headed Gull - 2BAL - Donaghadee Seafront, Donaghadee, Co. Down (15 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as a Chick, on the 22nd June 2014. on Lighthouse Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)
Arriving at the seafront at Millisle, the beach at the north end of the car park, was crammed packed, with gulls and waders. Despite scoping through the Black-headed and Common Gulls, surprisingly, not a single ring of any sort was spotted. Even more so for the Common Gulls, as Millisle is supposed to be a hotspot for rings on these birds. Although Herring Gulls were fewer in number, I had drove past a metal-rung bird, which would have been - GA00153 , but I decided to leave it until later, as I was more interested in the other birds. I was actually busy looking through Dunlins, when a colour-ringed Herring Gull, landed in front of me.
I couldn't ignore this one, though I knew it was a regular here. Ringed 4M:W , today's sighting was my 13th record for the bird, with all sightings having been made on this seafront. 4M:W , was ringed as an un-sexed adult, on the 6th May 2015, on nearby Big Copeland Island. The duration, is now 5 years, 6 months and 9 days, and the distance from the Copeland Islands, is 8 kms / 5 miles (S). Before leaving the seafront, I went to photograph my suspected - GA00153 , but the gull was not to be found.
Herring Gull - 4M:W - Millisle Beach, Drumfad Bay, Co. Down (15 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 6th May 2015, on Big Copeland Island, Co. Down)
There was a nice flock of Dunlins, which I estimated, numbered around 80 birds, along with some 30 Turnstones, and at least 6 Purple Sandpipers. I had my work cut out for me, trying to follow these around with my telescope. All of them, were speeding along, like 'clock-work' toys, and eventually I spotted a White Flag, on a Dunlin.
Now using my camera, trying to find and follow this bird, was extremely difficult. I knew, most photos would probably be useless, due to the ongoing movements of the bird, but I did capture the code - (White) 468. I tried to look up the bird on the spreadsheet, which I had downloaded, belonging to the International Wader Study Group, but could not find a definite match. I then sent an email to Richard du Feu, who is an expert on wader rings. In no time at all, I received a reply, to say this bird was from a Polish Project.
I entered my Dunlin onto the Online Polish Ringing Database, and on Monday, I received confirmation of my sighting. (White) 468, was ringed as an un-sexed adult, on the 30th July 2019, at UJście Wisły, situated to the east of Gdańsk, on the northern coast of Poland. My sighting, was a first for this bird, occurring 1 year, 3 months and 16 days, since being ringed. The distance to Millisle, is an impressive 1,572 kms / 976 miles (WNW), which is not bad for such a small wader.
Dunlin - (White Flag) 468 - Millisle Beach, Drumfad Bay, Co. Down (15 Nov 2020)
(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 30th July 2019, at UJście Wisły, Pomorskie, Poland)
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