2AFD Returns...

Having left my car in for repairs on Thursday, I was rather surprised at receiving a phone call early on Friday morning, to say the car was ready.  The housing for both rear shock absorbers were replaced, as were the shock absorbers themselves.

 

I did not get out this weekend, as once again, I had to babysit the wife's two cats.  Along with her sister, they took themselves off to the markets in Belfast, and had booked an overnight stay.

 

At present, I'm having a lot of bother with my laptop.  The left hand hinge seized closed, and I had to partially break the lid to open it.  I can now see bare wires, and I'm now wondering if this could be the cause of several problems, the most notable, is the screen 'freezing'.  Sometime this week, I'll have to pop down to Curry's to purchase a new laptop.  A £100 pound gift voucher which I received for 5 years of service at work, will now be handy.  Last week, I used my £100 Government card, to purchase a new TV for the wife for a Christmas present.  The things we do to keep our wives sweet!!!!

 

I'm holding back on several ring sightings by other observers, and hopefully, I will be able to get these onto my next post.

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Antrim Marina - Monday 22nd November 2021

The traffic leading into Antrim Town was very slow this morning, and I eventually reached the Marina at 09:25.  After a heavy overnight frost, the jetties were covered in ice, though the morning was calm and sunny.  Just 29 Black-headed Gulls were present, with numbers steadily increasing throughout the morning.  As usual, judging by the ringed birds, some gulls were coming and going throughout the morning, but around midday onwards, at least 120 to 130 gulls were present.

Having caught and ringed another Black-headed Gull on Monday last week, today I was on the lookout for 49 colour-ringed birds which have either returned for the winter or have been ringed over the past number of weeks.  Also during this visit, I needed to check on the age of two birds in particular that I ringed recently, one being ringed as a 2nd year bird, and the gull that I ringed last week, being an adult.  Both were re-sighted today.

 

The first of these two, was -   2FHX , my ninth sighting of the morning at 09:50.  I ringed this bird on the 8th November 2021, as an un-sexed 2nd Calendar bird.  The following week (last Monday - 15th), I took my first photo of the bird.  Before putting photos onto my blog, I edit them to make them look sharper, by changing the colour and contrast slightly.  This made the legs of -   2FHX , looking more red, as those of a full adult.  Having looked at -   2FHX  again today, I'm now happy that it is a 2nd year bird.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FHX   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (22 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed 2nd Calendar Year Bird, on the 8th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 

My 16th sighting of the morning at 10:10, was the second of the two gulls of interest -   2FIA .  I caught and ringed this one last Monday, recording it as a 'feisty' adult.  Today, I got my first photo of the gull, and have now changed my mind as to it's age.  I've now put this one down as also being a 2nd year bird.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FIA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (22 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed 2nd Calendar Year Bird, on the 15th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 

The 31st of today's 34 ring sightings at 11:50, had me rushing back to my car to collect the camera.  I had just spotted the return of -   2AFD  from Latvia.  Worse still, he had landed on the top rail of the short concrete jetty, where a woman, along with her daughter and grand-daughter, were reaching over the rails to feed the ducks.  I was panicking, just in case she would disturb -   2AFD , who was perched about four feet away to the left of the woman.  I asked her not to move, as I needed to take a photo of the gull - so no problems, I got my photos.  Explaining that the bird in question had arrived back from Latvia, the lady said that they often fed the birds here, and had noted the gulls with the colour-rings.  I explained about what I was doing, and showed them the rings that I use.

 

 2AFD , was caught and ringed as an adult male, on the 12th February 2014, at Antrim Marina.  We assume that it breeds in Latvia, having been seen there in April 2015, and again in April 2016.  The bird is a rather late returnee to Antrim each winter, with earliest of the return dates being recorded on the 1st November 2015.  In the more recent years,   2AFD  began to visit the Marina less often, and during the winter of 2018/2019, the gull was not recorded here at all.  At that point, I was beginning to think the bird had perished, until I fell in with it by chance.  On Sunday 10th March 2019, whilst driving through the town of Antrim on my way to County Down, I noticed a large number of Black-headed Gulls perched on a rooftop beside the Castle Way car park.  With a couple of loaves on the back seat, I drove round to the car park and began throwing out bits of bread.  Down came the gulls including -   2AFD .

 

This winter, knowing that -   2AFD  was due back, I had already visited the Castle Way car park on two occasions without any luck.  My only sighting of -   2AFD  last winter, was made exactly one year ago today (22 Nov 2020), at Castle Way.  With the second Covid Lockdown beginning on the 4th January 2021, Antrim was beyond my ten mile limit for travel, so I had no chance of recording the bird again or even to visit Antrim Marina.

 

The key dates for -   2AFD  are as follows :-

 

Ringed - 12th February 2014, no further sightings.

Wakehurst Playing Fields, Ballymena - 13th November 2014 (15 kms / 10 miles (N)).

Return to Antrim Marina - 15th November 2014, Departed after the 22nd March 2015.

4th, 5th & 11th April 2015 - Getlini Eko Landfill Site, Riga, Latvia (Richard Bonser & Eddie Fritze).

Return to Antrim Marina - 1st November 2015, Departed after the 6th March 2016.

26th & 27th April 2016 - Getlini Eko Landfill Site, Riga, Latvia (Eddie Fritze).

Return to Antrim Marina - 13th November 2016.

 

From this point, sightings of -   2AFD  became less frequent at Antrim Marina, until I discovered that the gull now preffered to remain in the town of Antrim (Castle Way car park).

 

Last seen at Antrim Marina on the 18th December 2016.

Return to Antrim Marina - 5th November 2017, Departed after the 19th February 2018.

No return date for 2018 - Departed after the 10th March 2019, when found at Castle Way in Antrim.

15th December 2019 - Recorded at Castle Way.

Recorded at Antrim Marina - 3rd February 2020, Departed after the 16th March 2020.

Recorded at Castle Way on the 22nd November 2020 - only sighting last winter.

Today (22 Nov 2021), back at Antrim Marina.

 

I was thrilled to see -   2AFD  back again for another winter.  The duration since -   2AFD  was ringed, is now 7 years, 9 months and 10 days.  The distance from Antrim to the Latvian capital of Riga, is 1,921 kms / 1,193 miles, making this bird one of our longest distance travellers.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2AFD   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (22 Nov 2021)

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

 

Shortly before departing, I had another go at catching a bird or two.  They were not really 'biting' which was of no surprise.  Several folk visited the Marina throughout the morning, so the gulls may have got more than their fair share.  I got lucky, as one of the swans stood on a juvenile, so, not only did I save it from injury, I even ringed it for it's troubles -   2FIC .  With the arrival of -   2AFD , and the ringing of -   2FIC , I'll be looking for 51 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls on my next visit.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 22nd November 2021

2FDK	2FHN	2CJT	2AAB	2BRA	2AAK	2FDJ	2FFA	2FHX
2CSA	2FFF	2ABN	2FFL	2AAN	2CSK	2FIA	2FDV	2ABK
2FFC	2ABS	2FHP	2FHC	2AAR	2CSJ	2FHV	2ABL	2CSL
2FFJ	2FDT	2FHA	2AFD	2CTC	2ACV	2CSB

Black-headed Gulls Recorded or Ringed This Autum/Winter but Absent Today

2AAA	2ABA	2BRD	2CSR	2CSX	2CTA	2FFN	2FFP
2FFT	2FFX	2FHF	2FHH	2FHJ	2FHK	2FHL	2FHT

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

Last week saw the highest number of Common Gulls at the Marina this winter.  A total of seven birds were noted, which included the second sighting this winter of -   EY64036 , which was ringed in Scotland as a chick in June 2013.  Today, just four adults appeared - 09:43, two at 09:50, and -   EY64036  at 10:34.  An adult Herring Gull arrived at 09:54, but was not the usual bird that I've recorded here over the last couple of months.  A juvenile Herring Gull arrived at 11:40.  This bird was not used to having people around and soon left.

8 adult Mute Swans were on the slipway when I arrived, the most adults so far recorded this winter.  Not long afterwards, two swan upriver, whilst four swam out towards the Lough.  Of the two remaining birds, my friend parked himself as usual beside my car.  At 10:18, a pair of swans along with four large cygnets arrived in from the Lough.  Resting up on the small sandy beach, the adults readily walked up to me for bread.  Their cygnets, remained on the water's edge, and hissed at me as I approached them.  There was no doubt in my mind, that these four have never been here before, as they were clearly not used to people.  None of the swans were ringed.

Around 40 Mallards were present on my arrival, with numbers quickly rising to about 80 birds altogether.  As usual, most were checked for rings.

 

Just 5 Jackdaws, were the only other species recorded today.

 

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Car Problems...

By late Friday afternoon, this post was ready to be published, when an email arrived from Cameron Moore.  It included two ring sightings, and I really wanted to include these in this post, especially as a juvenile Black-headed Gull was of significance.  I could not work on the sightings as I was preparing for work.

Earlier on Friday afternoon, I called by Ballymena Tyres, where the mechanics also undertake repairs.  For just over a week now, a problem has developed within the wheel arch on the passenger side of the car.  It appears the housing holding the rear shocks has cracked and will need replacing.  This has meant that I have had to remain at home this weekend, as I don't want anything drastic happening.  The car has now been booked in for repairs next Thursday and Friday, and for now, I'm only using my car to go to Antrim Marina, and to work.  I've also booked those two days as holidays, which will give me some more time in the garden, and to free up time for my next blog post.

Yesterday (Saturday), and most of the day today, I have indulged heavily into the football and darts programmes on Sky TV.  Being a big fan of darts, I've been following the exploits of Fallon Sherrock.  Only now, am I finishing this weeks post.

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Antrim Marina - Monday 15th November 2021

This week's visit saw me arriving later than normal, as I had an early morning appointment.  Therefore, I got to Antrim Marina around 10:40, and stayed until 2:30pm.  Usually, I would go home to grab an hour or two's sleep which sets me up for the evening shift at work, but today, meant I had to forget that idea.

The morning was calm and sunny, with plenty of blue sky, although it was not that warm.  After last week's visit to Antrim Marina, five additions were made to this winter's list of colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, after another returnee was recorded and a further four birds were caught and ringed.  My list now had 48 birds altogether.

On my arrival, around 50 Black-headed Gulls were present, and numbers more or less remained the same until just after midday, when numbers quickly climbed to around the 120 to 130 mark.  There was no quickfire reading of codes today, as birds were checked off the list slowly throughout the morning.  The ring of   2BRA , was first to be read at 10:45, and my 31st and final ring -   2FHX , was read at 2:20pm just prior to my departure.

 

  2FHX , was one of the four to be captured and ringed last Monday, and the other three caught last Monday, were all recorded today as well - these being -   2FHP  my 11th sighting at 11:25,   2FHV  my 14th sighting at 11:48 and   2FHT  my 26th sighting at 1:13pm.  I managed to obtain my first photos for all four birds.  Interestingly, I had ringed -   2FHX , as an un-sexed 2nd winter bird, but on today's photo, the red legs make it appear to be a full adult.  The photo is edited slightly, where I had changed the colour and contrast slightly to make the photo look sharper, which may have changed the leg colour.  Perhaps this gull is a full adult, so I'm making a note to re-check this bird on my next visit.  The photos for all four birds caught and ringed last Monday, have been added here.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FHP   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (15 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Juvenile/1st Winter Bird, on the 8th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FHT   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (15 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Juvenile/1st Winter Bird, on the 8th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FHV   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (15 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 8th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FHX   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (15 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 8th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 

Last Monday's returnee -   2FFT , was my 30th ring sighting at 2:20pm, just seconds before -   2FHX .    2FFT  was caught and ringed on the 21st December 2020, but was not heard of again until it arrived back last week.

 

Once birds had arrived in numbers, many decided to perch on the roof of the 'Gateway Centre', so most legs were out of view.  This is a major problem on calm days, whereas, windy days help to keep the gulls off the roof.  There were 17 absentees today, and the final five birds on the list, were birds caught and ringed this winter, two of which have not been seen since they were ringed.

 

With it being such a nice day, the gulls were not approaching to closely on my attempts at catching a few more to add to my project.  After several attempts, I eventually managed to catch another adult.  This 'feisty' bird, was ringed -   2FIA , and becomes the 49th gull to be added to this winter's list.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 15th November 2021

2BRA	2FDV	2CSK	2FFA	2FHA	2AAB	2AAK	2AAN
2ABS	2ABK	2FHP	2FFF	2CTC	2FHV	2AAR	2FDT
2CJT	2FHJ	2FDJ	2FFL	2CSL	2ABL	2CTA	2FFX
2ACV	2FHT	2CSJ	2FDK	2CSA	2FFT	2FHX

Black-headed Gulls Recorded This Autumn/Winter but Absent Today

2AAA	2ABA	2ABN	2BRD	2CSB	2CSR	2CSX	2FFC	2FFJ
2FFN	2FFP	2FHC	2FHF	2FHH	2FHK	2FHL	2FHN

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

Today, saw a nice jump in Common Gull numbers.  Up until today, just a maximum of three un-ringed gulls had been recorded at any one time, and a fourth metal-rung bird had not been seen since the 16th August 2021. 

 

Seven Common Gulls was today's maximum, with the small Scottish-rung female being the sixth of those, and was spotted at 12:55.    EY64036 , was ringed as a chick, on the 20th June 2013, at Hunterston in Ayrshire, Scotland.  The bird was first spotted here as a juvenile/1st winter bird on the 9th February 2014.  Since then,   EY64036  has returned to winter here every year since.  My sighting in August past, was the earliest return to be recorded over the years, and the latest sighting before departing, was made on the 15th March 2015.

 

At times, the gull is not a frequent visitor to the Marina itself, but is obviously remaining on Lough Neagh, which is Britain's largest freshwater lake.  The gull has yet to be recorded away from Antrim Marina, which is not surprising, as metal-rings can be difficult to read.  Even today, I could not manage to capture the last digit on it's metal.  The duration since being ringed, is now 8 years, 4 months and 26 days, and the distance from Hunterston, is 141 kms / 87 miles (SW).  

 

Common Gull  -    EY64036   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (15 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 20th June 2013, at Hunterston, Ayrshire, Scotland)

 

Four Mute Swans, were on the slipway when I arrived today.  I'm certain, these are the same four birds recorded here last Monday, consisting of a pair, and two unrelated individuals.  One of those two, is the same bird which sits beside my car every time I come here.  As is the case every week, passers by find it amusing that the swan is so friendly.  The bird knows that I would have bread with me, so is always looking for it's share.  When I move away from my car, it follows me about, and would grab a beak full of bare flesh on my arms as if to say feed me now.  

 

Again, there was no sign of any of the cygnets.  There were two family groups, with six and two cygnets, plus I had one further cygnet which I think was independent.  So far this winter, swan numbers have remained pretty low.  Last winter, Debbie Nelson ringed four cygnets at Antrim Marina, and I had hoped that some of them might arrive back this winter, but no joy so far.

 

Mallard numbers started off fairly low, with just 24 birds present.  As the morning wore on, numbers easily reached the 80 to 90 mark, but still no rings.

 

An adult Herring Gull arrived at 11:10, and spent most of it's time perched on the long wooden jetty.  This one, was not the usual adult, which has not appeared of late.  A juvenile Herring Gull, which arrived just after midday, is likely to be the same individual previously recorded here.  This bird, was willing enough to approach people, which makes me believe it was the same youngster.

 

Just 5 Jackdaws and 1 Hooded Crow, were the only other species noted.  A Kingfisher could be heard out on the river, but wherever it was, I could not see it.

 

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Sunday 14th November 2021

Having problems with the car, I was going to stay at home for the weekend, but ended up going out for a short time today.  Starting at Cushendall, I planned to work my way southwards towards Carrickfergus.  After reaching Whitehead, the rain began to fall heavily, so I then called it a day and headed for home.

Only two ringed Oystercatchers were spotted, the first being a second sighting this winter at Carnlough Bay, of the Icelandic bird - OO-W(AA).  A metal-rung Oystercatcher at Sandy Bay in Larne, was likely to be -   FH84092 , which had been ringed in 2014 in the Orkney Islands in Scotland.  Although I was within distance to photograph the ring, very poor light prevented me from capturing any of the digits.  The whole afternoon was governed by low cloud which sat on the hilltops, plus showers of light drizzle.

At Whitehead, I came across Cameron Moore.  Together, we had a laugh about him sending me the wrong photos for the Danish  Black-headed Gull, which I reported on in my previous post.

 

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From Cameron Moore

Just as I was preparing to publish this post late on Friday afternoon, an email arrived from Cameron Moore.  Cameron was reporting on two gull sightings, which he made the previous day and today.  The gull from yesterday, just simply had to be included in this post, as it was now the third sighting this winter of  juvenile Black-headed Gull - (White) 2503.

White 2503, was ringed as a chick, on the 17th June 2021, on Goat's Island, Lough Ree, County Longford in the Republic of Ireland.  The youngster's first re-sighting was made by me on the 28th August 2021, when I came across the bird at the Mill Ponds at Carrickfergus Leisure Centre in County Antrim, which was a distance of 189 kms / 117 miles (NE) from Lough Ree.

On the 20th October 2021, David Morrow then reported - (White) 2503, at Dungannon Park in County Tyrone.  The distance from Lough Ree, was now 127 kms / 78 miles (NE), and Brian Burke who is the ringing co-ordinator for the Lough Ree Gull Project, suggested that the juvenile may be working it's way back home.  The distance from Carrickfergus to Dungannon, saw the youngster moving around 66 kms / 41 miles (SW).

 

Cameron's sighting of - (White) 2503, on the 18th November, took both Brian and myself by surprise - I stated 'Brilliant', and Brian stated 'Wow'.  The bird had returned to Carrickfergus, where Cameron photographed the youngster on the seawall at Rhanbouy Park, which is private residential housing on the southern edge of the town, and overlooks Belfast Lough.  Brian gave a distance of 187 kms / 116 miles (NE) from Lough Ree, and the duration since being ringed, is now 5 months and 1 day.

 

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  2503  -  Rhanbouy Park, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim  (18 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 17th June 2021, on Goat's Island, Lough Ree, Co. Longford, Republic of Ireland)

(Photo Courtesy of Cameron Moore)

 

No photos were included for Cameron's second ring sighting.  On the 19th November, juvenile Herring Gull -   GY32616 , was spotted on the seafront at Whitehead in County Antrim.  On entering the number on the BTO's DemOn Ringing Database, the ringing details have not been submitted as yet.  However, on the 29th August 2021, Suzanne Belshaw recorded a juvenile Herring Gull rung -   GY32604  in Lisburn, Co. Antrim.  It took a couple of week's before the ringing details arrived for that bird.

 

It is therefore likely that both birds were ringed on the same date, which was on the 10th July 2021.  The ringing site was at Lighthouse Island in County Down, which is home to the Copeland Bird Observatory.  The duration for   GY32616 , would now be 4 months and 9 days since being ringed, and the distance to Whitehead, is around 13 kms / 8 miles (NW).

 

My thanks to Cameron for both of these ring sightings, especially that of the juvenile Black-headed Gull.  This just goes to show how some juveniles tend to wander during their first few months, and there is still the possibility that a couple of juveniles which I've ringed at Antrim Marina in recent weeks, may be spotted somewhere, as they have not been seen since they were ringed.

 

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Juvenile Dane Returns...

Between one thing and another, I failed to get out at all last Saturday and Sunday, so my visit to Antrim Marina, was my only contribution to this weeks post.  Thankfully, a few ring sightings were reported by other observers, which has helped to 'beef' up this post.

 

In my last post, I mentioned that my bank account had been compromised.  Congratulations to the bank for spotting this so quickly and freezing my account.  Between us, we discovered two transactions that did not belong to me, and during the week I received a new bank card.  I spent the next couple of days, updating my online accounts, and then yesterday, I discovered that my new banking details had been frozen again.  With my phone on silent, I missed a text message from my bank requesting if a certain transaction belonged to me.  Due to not receiving a reply, the bank froze my account.  At the minute, I have not checked to see what the problem is, but surely I cannot have been compromised again so soon.

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Antrim Marina - Monday 8th November 2021

It's days like today, where I'm so grateful to the Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, to allow me to take my car into the front car park at Antrim Marina.  Access to this car park was originally halted, as folk would park 'willy nilly' all over the place, which hindered the Lough Neagh Rescue Service from launching their rescue boat.  The reason I was so grateful, was that heavy rain fell until around 11am, where it slacked off to a drizzle, and then stopped about 11:30.

To keep my optical equipment dry, I had to view the gulls from inside my car for most of the time.  From where I park, I can view the gulls to my right, either perched on the short concrete jetty, the now heightened former low wooden jetty, or standing around on the car park itself.  To view the gulls on the long wooden jetty, I occasionally walked over to the shelter of the 'Gateway Centre' to scope the gulls from there.

On my arrival just before 09:20 this morning, around 50 Black-headed Gulls were present, with numbers quickly increasing to around the one hundred mark.  As the morning wore on, maximum numbers easily reached the 120 to 130 mark.  Having ringed another adult last Monday, today I was on the lookout for 43 colour-ringed gulls, comprised of 37 re-sightings for this autumn/winter, and 6 birds which have been ringed over recent weeks.

 

By the time that I departed just after 12:15, 27 colour rings had been read, with the two Polish returnees -   2AAR  (at 09:21) &   2CSL  (at 12:05), being the first and last to be recorded.  The adult that I caught and ringed last Monday -   2FHN , was my 9th sighting at 09:43, which gave me the first opportunity to photograph the bird.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FHN   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (08 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 1st November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 

My 22nd colour-ring sighting at 11:33, had me racing back to my car to grab the camera.  Sitting right in the middle of a large bunch of gulls standing in the car park, was another returnee -   2FFT .  I knew as soon as I saw the gull, I had not seen it so far this winter, which was confirmed as I checked my hand written list.  On each visit now, I write out a new list which contains every ring code recorded this winter, to which I add the time for each re-sighting for each gull recorded during the current visit.

 

On returning home and checking my spreadsheet, I was in for a bit of a surprise.    2FFT , was one of 18 Black-headed Gulls that I caught and ringed here last winter.  The bird was ringed as an un-sexed adult, on the 21st December 2020, but was never seen or heard of again until now, hence the surprise.  Surely, this bird must breed in some foreign country.  It has now been 10 months and 18 days since I ringed -   2FFT .  

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2FFT   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (08 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 21st December 2020, at Antrim Marina)

 

Among the absentees,   2CSX  stands out.  This gull has not been recorded here since the 19th September, and I have a suspicion, that it may now be at the former Waterworks in Belfast.  In the past, I have two record sightings made by Suzanne Belshaw, where she recorded -   2CSX , at the Waterworks, on the 18th October 2019, and on the 28th September 2020.

 

Two of the final four absentees,   2FHF  &   2FHK , which were juveniles when caught and ringed in recent weeks, have not been seen since being ringed.  Juveniles do tend to wander during their first winter, so I'm hoping both are still alive and well, and that someone, somewhere will spot them.

 

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 8th November 2021

2AAR	2ABK	2CSK	2FFF	2AAK	2CJT	2FFL	2FDK	2FHN
2FHJ	2CTC	2FFA	2CSA	2AAN	2FDV	2ABN	2ABL	2CSB
2BRA	2FDJ	2FHC	2FFT	2FFX	2CSJ	2FDT	2FHA	2CSL

Black-headed Gulls Recorded This Autumn/Winter but Absent Today

2AAA	2AAB	2ABA	2ABS	2ACV	2BRD	2CSR	2CSX	2CTA
2FFC	2FFJ	2FFN	2FFP	2FHF	2FHH	2FHK	2FHL

Once it had stopped raining at 11:30, I made four attempts at catching birds to be ringed, and was successful on each.  Perhaps the wet overnight conditions helped, as the gulls were really 'biting' today, hence birds being caught so much easier.  The first two caught, were both juveniles, now ringed as -   2FHP  &   2FHT .  An adult was next to be caught -   2FHV , and -   2FHX , was fitted onto the first second winter bird (a chick from 2020), to be caught and ringed this winter.

With these four additions, plus the return of -   2FFT , I will be on the lookout for 48 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls during my next visit, and fingers crossed, for further returning birds.  I'm a bit disappointed, that no foreign rung birds have appeared here so far, but it is still early days as far as this winter is concerned. 

 

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

When I arrived, just two un-related Mute Swans were on the slipway.  Once I parked my car beside the short concrete jetty, one of these birds walked over to my door.  This is a now regular occurrence with this swan, as if to say 'Gary's back'.  It knows that I will have bread with me, and I joke with passers by, that it likes to listen to the 'Steve Nolan' show on the car radio.  An adult pair of Mute Swans, swam in from Lough Neagh at 09:45, and today, not a single cygnet was to be seen.

 

Just 24 Mallards were present on my arrival, with numbers quickly increasing.  As usual, most legs were checked for rings.  Later in the morning, I became too pre-occupied with the gulls, and somewhat ignored the ducks.  A quick glance round as I departed, I reckon the overall total reached the 100 mark.

 

The first of three adult Common Gulls arrived at 10:23, the second at 11:00, the third at 11:18.  Again, there is no further sign of the small Scottish-rung female.

 

At 09:53, as I was sitting in my car, I could hear the chirping of a Dipper.  I got out in time to see it flashing by the jetty flying out towards the breakwater at the entrance to the Lough.  I have seen Dippers here in the past, but sightings are a rare event.

 

Just 1 Hooded Crow, and six Jackdaws, were the only other species to be seen here today.

 

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From Suzanne Belshaw

Back in late September, Suzanne Belshaw copied me in, to a Ringed Plover sighting, which she reported to it's owner in Germany.  Recently, Dominic Cimiotti replied to Suzanne's sighting.  The bird was ringed as an adult male, on the 26th May 2021, at the Beltringharder Koog Nature Reserve, close to the border with Denmark, in northern Germany.  Apparently, the plover was also fitted with a 'GPS Radio Tracker', which, looking at Suzanne's photos, has clearly fallen off, as there is no sign of the antenna.

The bird is ringed White over Black on both it's Tarsus, with Red on the left Tibia, and the metal ring is on the right Tibia.  Suzanne's sighting was the first for the bird, occurring 4 months and 4 days after being ringed.  I submitted Suzanne's sighting to the BTO, but so far the offical recovery details have not arrived back.  I estimate the distance as being 945 kms / 587 miles (W).

My thanks to Suzanne for this sighting report, along with the photos.  Incidentally, this is the first Ringed Plover to be entered onto my spreadsheet.

 

Colour-ringed Ringed Plover - Tyrella Beach, Co. Down  (30 Sep 2021)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 26th May 2021, at Beltringharder Koog Nature Reserve, N. Germany)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

 

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From David Nixon

David Nixon has been in touch again, with another big gull re-sighting.  On the 6th November 2021, Herring Gull -   952:D , was spotted at the high tide roost, at Dundrum's South Inner Bay, on Strangford Lough, Co. Down.  This is the bird's second Northern Ireland sighting, as David previously spotted the gull at Ardglass Harbour in County Down, on the 26th March 2021.

   952:D , was ringed as a chick, on the 22nd June 2019, on Lambay Island, just off the County Dublin coast, in the Republic of Ireland.  The gull's first re-sighting, before David's two sightings, was made on the 26th October 2020, when Jan Rod recorded the gull at the Skerries Beach in County Dublin.

 

The duration since being ringed, is now 2 years, 4 months and 15 days.  The distance from Lambay to Dundrum, is 86 kms / 53 miles (N).

 

My thanks to David, for this latest sighting report, along with the photos.

 

Herring Gull  -    952:D   -  Dundrum Inner Bay, Strangford Lough, Co. Down  (06 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 22nd June 2019, on Lambay Island, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland)

(Photo Courtesy of David Nixon)

 

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From Cameron Moore

Cameron Moore was recently in touch about a gull sighting which he made at Rhanbouy Park on the outskirts of Carrickfergus in County Antrim.  Having checked the attached photos in his email, I ran the ring number through my spreadsheet, only to discover that the photos were the same ones sent to me back on the 4th January 2021.  The bird concerned was that of a juvenile Black-headed Gull from Denmark, which was metal-ringed -   VA5454 .

None the wiser, about what gull Cameron had spotted recently, I replied, stating he had sent me photos of a juvenile from earlier this year.  A couple of days passed, and then another email arrived.  Apologizing about the previous photos, the latest photos was that of the same bird -  VA5454 .

 

Returning now for the second winter in a row,   VA5454 , had been ringed as a chick, on the 25th May 2020, on Hirsholm Island in Denmark.  The distance from Hirsholm, is 1,064 kms / 661 miles (WSW), and the duration since being ringed, is now 1 year, 5 months and 10 days.

 

These new type metal rings are really good and easy to read, as the code reads upwards, and is repeated twice around the ring.  I also recorded a juvenile Danish Black-headed Gull at Antrim Marina last winter.  At one point, that juvenile was just inches away from being caught and colour-ringed.  Looking at the records on my spreadsheet, Danish Black-headed Gulls tend to be late arrivals into Northern Ireland, usually from November onwards.  With this in mind, perhaps my bird will return to Antrim Marina.

 

My thanks again to Cameron, for this latest sighting of -   VA5454 , along with the correct photos.  For comparison, I've also added Cameron's photo of the bird taken in January 2021.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    VA5454   -  Rhanbouy Park, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim  (04 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 25th May 2020, at Hirsholm Island, Denmark)

(Photo Courtesy of Cameron Moore)

 

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -    VA5454   -  Rhanbouy Park, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim  (04 Jan 2021)

(Photo Courtesy of Cameron Moore)

 

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From Jonathan Clark

Jonathan Clark has been in touch recently, with the sighting of a colour-ringed Black-headed Gull at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in County Down.    2ARL , was spotted on the Wader Lagoon at the Wetland Centre on the 9th November 2021, and had been ringed as a chick at Castle Espie, on the 15th June 2015.  The bird belongs to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study, where 214 Black-headed Gulls were ringed at Castle Espie altogether.

I now respond to sightings of Adam's former project birds, but these day's, sightings are few and far between.  Not many winter sightings of gulls belonging to Castle Espie arrive with me, but many of the colour-ringed gulls tend to be reported at the Castle Espie colony during the breeding season.  Jonathan's sighting, is only the sixth confirmed record since -   2ARL  was ringed as a chick, and the first winter sighting which would confirm that the bird is a likely year round resident to that area.

The first two re-sightings occurred in May 2018, followed by two in April 2019, where -   2ARL  was spotted within the breeding population, though no breeding season reports came in for 2020 or 2021.  Outside of the breeding season, Suzanne Belshaw spotted -   2ARL  at the nearby Islandhill car park, on the 31st August 2020, and I had a 'dodgy' sighting on the 29th August 2021, where I took a long distance photo of the gull on the mudflats in front of the hide at Castle Espie.

This sighting by Jonathan, confirms that the gull is still alive, and the duration since being ringed, is now 6 years, 4 months and 25 days.  Such sightings are important, as they add many days to the longevities for each bird.

 

My thanks goes to Jonathan for this sighting report, along with the photo.

 

Black-headed Gull  -    2ARL   -  WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Strangford Lough, Co. Down  (09 Nov 2021)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 15th June 2015, at Castle Espie)

(Photo Courtesy of Jonathan Clarke)

 

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