From Sandy and Lindsay...

From Sandy McWilliams

An email arrived with me on Wednesday 20th September 2023, from Sandy McWilliams who was one of my two original Ringing Trainers back in the mid 80's.  Earlier that day, Sandy was visiting the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve on the Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate, when he spotted a Cormorant with an Orange Darvic.  On scoping the bird, Sandy was able to read the ring -  222 , and he then took a couple of photos.

On Sandy's behalf, I checked the online cr-birding site, and duly sent an email to the project lead, Kieran Foster.

The next morning, Kieran replied, to say that the Cormorant had been ringed as a chick, on the 2nd June 2023, at Burnt Hill in the Halton area of Cheshire, England.  I submitted the details to the BTO, and the recovery gave an official distance as being 249 kms / 154 miles (NW).  The duration since being ringed was 3 months and 18 days.  Kieran said the Cormorants at Burnt Hill, are tree nesters, and this sighting was their first Cormorant to be reported from anywhere in Ireland.

My thanks goes to Sandy for the sighting report, and to Kieran for his speedy reply.

Cormorant  -   222   -  RSPB Window on Wildlife Nature Reserve, Belfast  (20 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 2nd June 2023, at Burnt Hill, Halton, Cheshire, England)

(Photo Courtesy of Sandy McWilliams)

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From Lindsay Hodges

Lindsay Hodges was in touch with me on Tuesday 26th September 2023, to report the return of Black-headed Gull -  2ABT , spotted at Ballyholme a short time earlier that day.   2ABT , was ringed as an adult male on the 24th January 2013 at Ballyholme, and is one of the earliest birds to be ringed belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study.

This latest sighting by Lindsay, is the 24th sighting record since the gull was ringed.  It is well known that -  2ABT  spends every winter in the Ballyholme area.  Summer breeding season sightings at Sandy Bay in Larne, Co. Antrim, led to a suspicion that it could be nesting at the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Nature Reserve, situated on nearby Larne Lough.

With no near access to Blue Circle Island, a sighting that I made at the Glynn foreshore on Larne Lough in July 2022, meant that -  2ABT  was just a 'stones throw' away from the island.  The duration since being ringed, is now 10 years, 8 months and 2 days, and the full re-sighting history can be read (here).

My thanks goes to Lindsay for this latest sighting, along with the photo.

Black-headed Gull  -   2ABT   -  Luke's Point, Ballyholme, Co. Down  (26 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 24th January 2013, at Ballyholme)

(Photo Courtesy of Lindsay Hodges)

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Antrim Marina - (Monday 25th September 2023)

Antrim Marina - Monday 25th September 2023

Today saw me undertaking my ninth weekly visit to Antrim Marina to record the wintering Black-headed Gulls, some of which are colour-ringed.  On my arrival at 10:50, the sky was fairly dark with cloud, a very strong wind was blowing in from the west, and the temperature gauge in my car was reading 15°C.  During my visit there were a couple of short but heavy showers of rain, but by 1pm, the wing had calmed down slightly and the sun broke through the cloud. 

With the return of -  2ABN  during last Monday's visit, the overall total of colour-rings recorded so far had risen to 22.  The first ring to be read today, was that of -  2AVC  at 10:52, and just under an hour later at 11:49, the arrival of -  2AAN  took the total to 17 rings read.  I thought I was doing well, but at that time, I did not know that no further rings were to be read over the next two and a half hours, except for those already read.  The ring of the Icelandic Black-headed Gull -  543335 , which has been here since the 8th of August, was read at 11:31.  Last Monday also saw the arrival of another Icelandic Black-headed Gull -  527948 .  This bird was a very wary gull, and was clearly not used to being in close proximity to people, therefore it's absence today did not surprise me.

On arrival, 47 Black-headed Gull were present, with counts at midday, 1pm, 1:30pm and 2:15pm, giving 46, 70, 83 and 95 birds altogether.  The gulls were clearly coming and going, and later on many gulls were returning with grass plastered around their legs.  The council were cutting the grass areas, much to the delight of the birds, as it meant easier foraging in the lawn areas.

With no further returnees, my total of colour-rings recorded so far during this autumn/winter season remains at 22.  Another couple of attempts to catch new birds to be ringed failed, but it will be fairly soon before the birds are hungry enough where they can be caught.  A lack of juvenile Black-headed Gulls remains a big feature, with just three present today.

Seeing as many of my colour-ringed gulls have failed to return, and the lack of juveniles present, once again points to a very poor breeding season where 'Bird Flu' seems to have taken it's toll.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 25th September 2023

2ACV	2FFA	2AAB	2FIA	2CSR	2BRA	2CSK	2FIL	2FIF
2ABN	2CJT	2FHV	2FIK	2FHC	2FJA	2FIP	2AAN

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina This Autumn/Winter but Absent Today

2BRD	2FDK	2FHT	2FFX	2FIJ

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

The Mute Swan family, along with their four cygnets did not appear at all today.  On my arrival, 5 adult Mute Swans were present.  Four of them remained throughout my visit, the fifth flying out towards the Lough about 30 minutes after my arrival.  None of the five were ringed.

Around 30 Mallards were counted on my arrival, and the overall total dropped to 22 birds just before my departure at 2:30.  This was a big drop in numbers from previous weeks, and still no rings recorded on these birds.

No Herring or Common Gulls today, and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull was present throughout.  A second adult Lesser Black-backed arrived at 13:04, and was constantly being hassled by the first bird.  Despite this, it was also present by the time of my departure.

Four Jackdaws were the only other species to be recorded.  I reckon cemeteries are far busier than the Marina is today.  When I first started coming here back in September 2013, you would have been tripping over the birdlife here.  Just goes to show how things have changed over the years since.

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Antrim Marina - (Monday 18th September 2023)

Antrim Marina - Monday 18th September 2023

Today saw me undertaking my eighth weekly visit to Antrim Marina to study a wintering population of Black-headed Gulls, some of which have been colour-ringed here.  I arrived just before 11am, departing just before 3pm when a second shower of rain began to fall.  At first, there was 50/50 cloud cover, with a fairly strong wind, but as the day progressed the blue sky disappeared and the wind became very strong.  The maximum temperature was 18°C, according to the gauge in my car.

With the sightings of two more returnees last week, I was looking for 21 colour-ringed gulls, plus any further returning birds.  I was also looking out for an Icelandic metal-rung Black-headed Gull which has been seen here since the 8th August.  Due to the strong wind, all of the gulls remained in and around the jetties, and most spent their time lying down.  A count at 11:20 gave a total of 83 BHGs, a second count at 12:30 gave 104 birds, and a final count around 14:30 saw a total of 109.

The total of colour-rings read in my first hour increased steadily, with -  2AAB  being my 13th ring to be read at 12:00.

At 12:02, I scoped a Black-headed Gull with a tall metal ring on it's right leg.  I knew straight away that this was a new bird, as the Icelandic metal-rung -  543335  has it's ring fitted on the left leg.  Grabbing my camera, I walked across the car park to cut the distance down.  Although I was nowhere near the gull, it was very nervy as I began to take photos, and kept moving about the low wooden jetty.  In a way, this was very useful, as I was able to get pictures without having to move about myself.  Having taken lots of photos, I returned to my car to work out the ring number.  With just about catching the first digit, I had another Icelandic Black-headed Gull ringed -  527948 .

On returning home, I edited my photos to crop out the ring number, stitched the number together and overlaid it onto a photo of the bird itself.  I reported my sighting to the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, and a recovery was received the next day.

 527948 , was ringed as a chick, on the 19th June 2021, at Stokkseyri, situated on the south-west coast of Iceland, and my sighting was a first for this bird.  The distance to Antrim Marina, was given as 1,314 kms / 816 miles (SE), and the duration since being ringed, was 2 years, 2 months and 30 days.

With the arrival of this new bird, it meant that I had three Icelandic Black-headed Gulls today.   2FHV , which I caught and ringed here at the Marina in November 2021, was spotted in Iceland in June and July 2022.   2FHV  was my 7th sighting today.

Black-headed Gull  -  Iceland   527948   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (18 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2021, at Stokkseyri, SW Iceland)

Whilst sitting in my car, working out the ring number, I noticed an Orange Darvic in front of my car.  A quick look with my binoculars revealed another returnee -  2ABN .  Normally over past years,  2ABN  would have arrived back to the Marina by late July or early August, so this return is surprising late.   2ABN , was caught and ringed at Antrim Marina as an adult female, on the 23rd January 2013, and was among the earliest gulls to be ringed belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull study.

I consider -  2ABN , to be a non-resident, with all but one of 235 sighting records having been recorded at the Marina.  On the 15th March 2022, Ronan Owens spotted -  2ABN  at Peatlands Park in County Armagh, which lies 36 kms / 22 miles (SW) from Antrim Marina.  By continuing the line of flight from Peatlands Park, it could be possible that this gull may be nesting in Upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh or even further away.  During the breeding months of May and June, there has been one sighting at Antrim Marina, which was made in June 2017.  I reckon that this early return, was due to either the gull completing it's nesting attempt, or having failed.

 2ABN , was the only returning bird to be recorded today, which means I will be looking for 22 colour-rings next week, plus any further returning gulls.  The duration since -  2ABN  was ringed, is now 10 years, 7 months and 26 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2ABN   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (18 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as an Adult Female, on the 23rd January 2013, at Antrim Marina)

Having recorded the return of -  2ABN  at 12:10, my final three sightings took my total for the day to 17 colour-rings read, with 5 absentees.  As usual, the other Icelandic BHG -  543335 , was also recorded again.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 18th September 2023

2FFA	2FIA	2FIP	2CSK	2CSR	2AAN	2FHV	2FIK	2ACV
2FJA	2CJT	2FFX	2AAB	2ABN	2FIL	2BRA	2FIF

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded This Autumn/Winter at Antrim Marina but Absent Today

2BRD	2FDK	2FHT	2FHC	2FIJ

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

On parking at my usual spot beside the concrete jetty, a Mediterranean Gull caught my eye.  I would be fairly certain, that this was the same bird that I spotted here on the 28th August.  On two occasions, I made attempts at catching new gulls for ringing.  This Med Gull and the Icelandic -  543335  came tantalisingly close to being caught.  Although my -  2F**  series of rings are registered for use on Black-headed Gulls only, I would not hesitate on colour-ringing the Med Gull.

Mediterranean Gull  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (18 Sep 2023)

One adult Common Gull was present on my arrival, and a single adult Herring Gull was also present.  The Common Gull was present throughout the visit, with s second adult arriving at 14:36.

The Mute Swan family with their four cygnets were present throughout my visit, along with another adult bird.  A second adult swam in from the direction of Lough Neagh at 11:30.  Shortly after I arrived, a Mallard count gave a total of around 70 birds, with that total remaining more or less static.

Other than 7 Jackdaws, no other species were recorded.

A major topic over recent weeks, has been the appearance of Blue-Green Algae around Lough Neagh, which is being linked by some people to the death of fish and birds.  The state of the Lough was also the subject of a report on Sky News of late, and has been discussed in detail several times on the Steve Nolan show on Radio Ulster.

Antrim Marina has also seen more than it's fair share of the Algae in recent weeks, but the stormy conditions today has broke it up.  One thing that I have noticed, is that the birds here at the Marina appear to be unaffected by the Algae.  I have watched many people throwing bread out for the ducks and swans, which became coated by the Algae before being eaten.  I keep a watch out for dead birds, especially the gull's, due to the effects of 'Bird Flu' during the breeding season.  One thing that I am certain of, is that the Black-headed Gulls suffered a very poor breeding season out on the nearby torpedo platform.  Last week, I counted 5 juveniles, and today there were 3 juveniles.

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Ooops - Mis ID...

Bann Estuary - 30th August 2023

On checking photos on my camera on the 10th September, I found a couple taken on the 30th August, which I had completely forgotten about.  On the 29th August, I visited the Bann Estuary at Castlerock in County Londonderry to search and photograph a colour-ringed Osprey which had been present in the area since mid August.  Before I found the Osprey, I fell in with a large flock of Sandwich Terns at rest on the shore.  Working my way through the flock at distance with the camera, I took photos of nine colour-ringed 'Sannies', with three eventually being dismissed, as the codes looked too 'iffy'.

I decided to go back on the following day, but this time, the majority of the terns were on the opposite side of the river.  To get to the opposite side, would involve a long drive, followed by a long walk, so I parked myself at the same spot where I was the day before.  Eventually, a small group of Sandwich Terns landed near me, with just one colour-ring being read -  4F7 .

The day before, one of the Tern's that I had recorded was -  3A5 , which belonged to Roisin Kearney's project on Blue Circle Island on Larne Lough, so with number, letter, number, I thought -  4F7 , was another one of Roisin's birds.  Roisin replied to my email, to say her rings all start with the number three, whereas those starting with the number four, belongs to Hugh Thurgate who rings on Strangford Lough in County Down.

Apologizing for my error, I then sent an email to Hugh.  The reply came two days later, to say that -  4F7  was ringed as a chick, on the 11th June 2021, on Swan Island.  Swan Island is situated directly beside the ferry terminal at Strangford village on Strangford Lough.  Just two previous sightings were made on the 30th July 2023, and again on the 11th August 2023, at the Dee Estuary which borders the coast of England and Wales.

The distance from Swan Island to the Bann Estuary, is 117 kms / 72 miles (NW), and the duration since being ringed, is 2 years, 2 months and 19 days.  My thanks goes to Hugh for the details.

Sandwich Tern  -   4F7   -  Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (30 Aug 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 11th June 2021, on Swan Island, Strangford Lough, Co. Down)

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From Suzanne Belshaw

It seems as if a Herring Gull sighting made by Suzanne has settled a case of mistaken identity.  The Herring Gull -  S15:M , was ringed on Kitterland Island (Isle of Man), on the 23rd June 2018, apparently as a Great Black-backed Gull chick.  One previous re-sighting was made on the 22nd September 2021, at the high tide roost at Dundrum Inner Bay (South).  From what I can gather reading between the lines, on that occasion, there was some unsurety concerning the species involved, though Mark Fitzpatrick asked me to submit the sighting as a Great Black-backed Gull.

Suzanne's photo, settles any lingering doubt as to what species is involved.   S15:M , was spotted by Suzanne at the eastern end of Tyrella Beach in County Down, which is situated roughly 64 kms / 39 miles (NW) from Kitterland Island.  The duration since being ringed, is now 5 years, 2 months and 15 days.

My thanks again goes to Suzanne for the sighting and photo.

Herring Gull  -   S15:M   -  Tyrella Beach, Co. Down  (07 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 23rd June 2018, on Kitterland Island, Isle of Man)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

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From Declan Clarke

Declan Clarke has managed to photograph another two Herring Gulls at Ardglass Harbour using his phone.  The first bird -  G55:M , was ringed as a chick, on the 4th July 2022, on the Calf of Man, Isle of Man.  One previous sighting, was also made at Ardglass Harbour, by David Stirling, on the 4th March 2023.  The duration since being ringed, is now 1 year, 2 months and 4 days.

Herring Gull  -   G55:M   -  Ardglass Harbour, Ardglass, Co. Down  (08 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 4th July 2022, on the Calf of Man, Isle of Man)

(Photo Courtesy of Declan Clarke)

As with -  G55:M  above,  G58:M , was also ringed as a chick, on the 4th July 2022, on the Calf of Man.  Declan's sighting was a first for this bird, coming 1 year, 2 months and 4 days since being ringed.  The distance from the Calf of Man, to Ardglass Harbour, is 57 kms / 35 miles (WNW).

My thanks to Declan for both sightings along with the photos, and to Mark Fitzpatrick for supplying the ringing histories for both gulls.

Herring Gull  -   G58:M   -  Ardglass Harbour, Ardglass, Co. Down  (08 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 4th July 2022, on the Calf of Man, Isle of Man)

(Photo Courtesy of Declan Clarke)

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From Cameron Moore

An email from Cameron Moore arrived with me on the evening of the 12th September 2023.  Earlier that day, Cameron spotted a Black-headed Gull rung (White) 2503, on the seafront at Rhanbouy Park in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim.  The email was pretty brief, so I'm not sure whether Cameron realised that he has recorded this bird in the past.

(White) 2503, was ringed as a chick, on the 17th June 2021, on Lough Ree in County Longford in the Republic of Ireland.  I made the first re-sighting of the then juvenile, on the 29th August 2021, at the ponds at Carrickfergus Leisure Centre.  By the 20th October 2021, (White) 2503, had flown south-west and was recorded by David Morrow at Dungannon Park Lake in County Tyrone.  With this sighting, the ringing coordinator for the Lough Ree Gull Project, Brian Burke, though this young could be making it's way back to County Longford.

Almost a month later, on the 18th November 2021, that idea had been 'blown out of the water', when Cameron Moore made his first sighting of this young bird at Rhanbouy Park in Carrickfergus.  Cameron recorded the gull again at Rhanbouy Park on the 14th February 2022.  By the 27th April 2022, (White) 2503 was still in Carrickfergus, having been recorded back at the Ponds of the Leisure Centre, having been recorded by Paul McCullough.

Last winter, the gull was recorded on just one occasion, this being at Rhanbouy Park on the 2nd January 2023, having been recorded by Cameron for a third time.  This latest sighting, takes the duration since being ringed, to 2 years, 2 months and 19 days.  The distance from Lough Ree to Carrickfergus, is 188 kms / 116 miles (NE).

Having sent an email to Brian Burke, who is the ringing coordinator for the Lough Ree Gull Project, a reply eventually arrived with me this evening (Sunday 17th August).  Apparently, no sightings have been reported since Cameron's sighting in January 2023.  Thanks Brian, and to Cameron for his sighting report.  Normally, Cameron would send a photo, but this time, none have come through.

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Antrim Marina - (Monday 11th September 2023)

Antrim Marina - Monday 11th September 2023

Today saw me undertaking my seventh weekly visit to Antrim Marina, where I am studying a wintering population of Black-headed Gulls, some of which are colour-ringed.  Again, choosing a later start time, I arrived just before 11am, departing at 3:07pm.  There was full cloud cover, with the sun breaking through shortly before I departed, and a very light breeze.  Parking in my usual spot, not a single Black-headed Gull was present.  I then looked at the roof of the 'Gateway Centre' thinking the gulls had parked themselves up there, but there wasn't a bird to be seen.

At 11:05, the first small flock arrived onto the concrete jetty, with -  2FIA  being the first ring read.  After this, there was a steady stream of arrivals, and despite the calm conditions, the gulls remained on the ground and around the jetties where legs were easily checked.  With very few people arriving to feed the ducks, the gulls were well settled, making counts far easier.  Counts at midday, 1:00pm and 2:15pm, gave totals of 71, 85 and 78 Black-headed Gulls.

Before today, 19 colour-ringed Black-headed Gull had been recorded this autumn/winter season, out of total of just under 50 from last winter.  My 17th and final ring to be read, was that of -  2FIF  at 13:02, with no further arrivals over the next two hours.  The Icelandic-rung -  543335 , appeared at 12:18, and once again, I was inches away from catching it, to fit it with a colour-ring.  Having first recorded this bird back on the 8th August, I am convinced that this bird has been wintering here in the past, and was on it's way to the Marina, when caught and metal-rung in Iceland on the 14th July 2023.

The more the weeks pass by, the more I feel that we have lost quite a number of gulls due to 'Bird Flu'.  However, at 11:32, my 10th ring sighting saw the return of -  2CSR , while my 13th ring sighting at 11:42, saw the return of -  2FDK .  With these two returnees, I will be looking out for 21 colour-ringed gulls next week, plus any further returnees.

 2CSR , was caught and ringed at Antrim Marina, as an unsexed 2nd Winter Bird, on the 24th December 2017.  Today's sighting is the 144th sighting record overall, with all sightings having been made here.  I am still not sure about the residential status of -  2CSR , but there has been two breeding season sightings made at the Marina, one back in May 2021, with the second having been recorded here by Suzanne Belshaw in June 2023.  With today's sighting, the duration since being ringed, is now 5 years, 8 months and 18 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2CSR   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (11 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as an Unsexed 2nd Winter Bird, on the 24th December 2017, at Antrim Marina)

As with -  2CSR , the residential status of -  2FDK  is also uncertain.   2FDK , was ringed at Antrim Marina, as an unsexed adult bird, on the 18th November 2019.  Today's sighting, is the 92nd sighting record here overall, with no sightings away from the Marina.  Breeding season sightings in June 2020, and in May 2021, suggests that this gull may well be a year round resident.  The duration since being ringed, is now 3 years, 9 months and 24 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FDK   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (11 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 18th November 2019, at Antrim Marina)

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 11th September 2023

2FIA	2FFA	2FIL	2AAN	2FJA	2FIP	2FHV	2ACV	2AAB
2CSR	2FIK	2CJT	2FDK	2FFX	2FHC	2CSK	2FIF

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina This Autumn/Winter but Absent Today

2BRA	2BRD	2FHT	2FIJ

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

Two adult Mute Swans were on the slipway on my arrival.  The resident pair along with their 4 cygnets, swam in from the direction of Lough Neagh, at 13:13.  On my arrival, and with no gulls about, I made a reasonably good count of the Mallards which resulted in around 90 birds altogether.  Numbers went down slightly once some had a good feed of bread.

The Herring Gull pair was present throughout my visit, and rested on the boat moored on the long wooden jetty.  An adult Lesser Black-backed Gull arrived at 11:21, and would come and go at intervals, though it often stood on a lamppost in the main car park beside the play park.  I'm sure this is the same bird seen over recent weeks.  Having recorded my first Common Gulls for this winter during last Monday's visit (juvenile + adult), I'm certain that the adult which arrived at 12:32, was the same bird which was recorded last week.

4 Jackdaws, 1 Hooded Crow and a male Pied Wagtail, were the only other species seen today.

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Recoveries & Oystercatcher...

Three Sandwich Tern Recoveries

Tony Murray has replied, concerning my sightings of two County Wexford colour-ringed Sandwich Terns recorded at the Bann Estuary on Tuesday last week (29th August), with both birds proving interesting due to the long gap in their sightings.  Both terns belonged to a long running study at Lady's Island Lake.

(White) KSK, was ringed as a chick, on the 23rd June 2015, and my sighting was a first for this bird, coming 8 years, 2 months and 6 days after being ringed.

(White) K7B, was ringed as a chick, on the 17th June 2016.  After fledging, the young tern was spotted on four occasions in September 2016, on the coast of County Wexford.  In May 2017, it was spotted at the Mile 4 Saltworks in Namibia.  The final sighting until recently, was made way back in August 2017, when it was recorded on Ainsdale Beach in Merseyside, England.  The duration for this bird, is now 7 years, 2 months and 12 days.

The distance from Lady's Island Lake to the Bann Estuary, is 330 kms / 205 miles (N).  My thanks goes to Tony Murray for the details for both birds.

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On Monday this week, the ringing details of Sandwich Tern -  C50  were emailed to me by Bart Donato, with this bird also being recorded on the Bann Estuary last Tuesday (29th August).   C50 , was ringed as a chick, on the 21st June 2021, at the RSPB's Hodbarrow Nature Reserve in Cumbria, England.  The distance to the Bann Estuary is, 250 kms / 155 miles (WNW), and the duration since being ringed, is now 2 years, 2 months and 8 days.

Although I do have this birds full re-sighting history, there are data restrictions in place.  All I will say on this, is that the tern has been seen in Merseyside in England, Wales and Namibia.  My thanks goes to Bart for supplying the ringing details.

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From John Clarke

My former Ringing Trainer - John Clarke contacted me concerning an Oystercatcher that I recorded in the past.  The bird is rung - Grey (UY), on the right leg, with black over yellow on the left leg.  On the BTO's DemOn Ringing Database, the letter S is used for Grey/Silver, while N for Niger, represents black. - therefore this bird is NY-S(UY).  On waders, the colour-rings on the left leg precede those on the right leg.

NU-S(UY), was ringed as a chick, on the 25th July 2019, at Víðir (football stadium) at Garður in south-west Iceland.  The first two re-sightings were made at Portballintrae on the north coast of County Antrim, on the 31st December 2019, and on the 12th February 2020, by Paul Tout and Donna Rainey.  My only sighting, which was third for this bird, was made on the 15th August 2020, having spotted it on the Bann Estuary, near Castlerock, Co. Londonderry.

By the 6th November 2020, the bird had made it's way east along the Northern Ireland coast, where John had his first sighting at Portrush in County Antrim.  The Oystercatcher was not seen again until June 2022, when spotted at Bergvötn in south-west Iceland, this being the only sighting so far back on native soil.

On the 13th January 2023, John recorded the bird back in Portrush, and now it has returned for another winter.  The distance from Garður to Portrush, is 1,328 kms / 825 miles (SE), and the duration since being ringed, is now 4 years, 1 month and 10 days.

My thanks goes to John for the sighting and photos.

Oystercatcher  -  NY-S(UY)  -  Portrush, Co. Antrim  (04 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 25th July 2019, at Víðir (football stadium), Garður, SW Iceland)

(Photo Courtesy of John Clarke)

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Antrim Marina - (Monday 4th September 2023)

Antrim Marina - Monday 4th September 2023

This week's weekly visit to Antrim Marina, saw the hottest day since I resumed my weekly visits at the beginning of August.  At 3pm this afternoon, the temperature gauge in my car was reading 24°C.  The sun shone in an almost cloudless sky, and there was practically no wind.  As usual under such conditions, the gulls 'parked' themselves on the roof of the 'Gateway Centre', and I had no idea as to how many were up there, and of course, I'm not able to see their legs.

With the return of -  2FHT  during last week's visit, today I was on the lookout for 19 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls recorded so far this winter, plus any further returnees.  Today, I arrived at the Marina at 11:30, and departed four hours later.  Several groups of people arrived to feed the ducks, which helped to lure the gulls down, and slowly and steadily the list of re-sighting grew.  My fifteenth and final sighting of the afternoon, was made at 15:03 with the arrival of -  2BRA .  I therefore had four birds absent, and no further returnees.

The metal-rung Icelandic Black-headed Gull -  543335  appeared for a matter of minutes at 2:49pm.  The ringing details arrived with me on Thursday of last week.  I first noticed this gull on the 8th August 2023, and on that occasion, I failed to obtain the last two digits of the ring number.  The gull appeared again on the 21st August, and this time, I managed to scope the final two digits ' 35 ', having left my camera at home.  I did photograph the whole ring number again, on the 28th August.

 543335 , was ringed on the 14th July 2023, just 25 days before I first saw the bird on the 8th August.  It was ringed at a small village/town called Laugarvatn, beside a lake bearing the same name.  This area lies inland in southern Iceland, but I have a feeling that the gull was already moving from northern Iceland before getting caught in a Woosh Net.  The distance from Laugarvatn to Antrim Marina, is 1,332 kms / 827 miles (SE), and with today's sighting, the duration is now 1 month and 21 days since being ringed.

The Icelandic Institute of Natural History are going to reprimand the ringer concerned, because, on looking at my photos, they noticed that the 'butts' of the ring were not closed together properly.  They know that I will try to catch this gull to fit it with a colour-ring, and if I do, they have requested for me to close this birds metal ring.

Altogether, from the number of gulls that I could see at any one time, I reckoned there were less than 50 Black-headed Gulls present, with just two juveniles among them.  As each week passes, I feel that the low numbers is the result of 'Bird Flu' having taken it's toll at many breeding colonies.  Even around my home in Ballymena, we have had no Black-headed Gulls at all, whereas they usually start to appear in late July.  Even in my local park, Black-headed Gulls numbers are around the 20 mark, but normally, numbers should be around one hundred plus.  Things are not looking good.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 4th September 2023

2CJT	2FHC	2FFX	2FHV	2AAB	2FIJ	2FIK	2FIF
2CSK	2FFA	2FJA	2FIA	2FIP	2ACV	2BRA

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

2AAN	2BRD	2FHT	2FIL

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

At last, today saw the presence of the first Common Gulls.  A juvenile which was present on my arrival, remained throughout my visit.  I think this one has been here for at least a few days, as it seems to be quite comfortable being close to people.  An adult Common Gull arrived at 1:10pm and was perched on the end of the long jetty when I departed.

A Lesser Black-backed Gull made a few appearances at the waters edge, but often perched on a lamppost over in the main car park.  The Herring Gull pair, remained on the roof of the 'Gateway Centre' throughout my visit today.

The Mute Swan family was back today, along with their four cygnets.  A very small female Mute Swan appeared around 2pm, and often got chased by the resident male.  Mallard numbers were down again this week, with around 35 birds, but by the time of my departure, around a dozen remained.

The six Jackdaws counted today, was the highest number recorded so far, but far fewer in numbers compared to this time in previous years.  Two Hooded Crows were the only other species, to have been noted today.

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Osprey Challenge...

Bann Estuary - 29th August 2023

Since mid August, I have been following the extensive list of sightings of a colour-ringed Osprey that have appeared on the NIBA website.  The bird concerned - (White) EY, has decided for now, to make the Bann Estuary it's home.  Having said that, the bird will make a move to Africa sometime soon.  With the addition of a couple of colour-ringed Sandwich Terns having also been reported at the estuary, on Tuesday 29th August, I decided to visit the Bann Estuary myself later that afternoon to see what I could get.

Arriving mid afternoon, the tide was coming in, which meant the terns were being pushed closer towards me.  With my camera fixed onto my tripod, I slowly panned through the terns taking photos of every ring spotted.  Eventually, the beach disappeared under the water and the terns had moved on.  My next task was to find the Osprey, to see if I could capture the bird and the details on it's ring.  I have never seen an Osprey before, and as a rule, I would not go looking new sightings or rarities.  But, as this Osprey was ringed, I was challenging myself to capture the code.

A successful afternoon of ring reading, saw me capturing the codes on 6 Sandwich Terns, with a further three being dismissed as the codes looked a bit 'iffy', 'and of course', I got my Osprey.

The Osprey, was ringed as a female chick, on the 23rd June 2012, at Dornoch in the Sutherland Region of Scotland.  Although I have reported my sighting to the Osprey Project in Scotland, I am waiting on a reply.  Having said that, some details have come through from some of our local birdwatchers who have been watching this bird.  I now have the birds metal number, and apparently it has been sighted in the past in Gambia in Africa.  It was also one of two chicks ringed at the nest.  I checked the metal number on the BTO's DemOn Ringing Database, and there was just the one sighting listed, which was on the 13th January 2020.

The duration since being ringed, is 11 years, 2 months and 6 days.  I do not have an official distance from the BTO, but I estimate the distance is roughly 343 kms / 213 miles (SW).

Osprey  -  (White)  EY  -  Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (29 Aug 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick (Female), on the 23rd June 2012, at Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland)

Sandwich Tern -  C50 , is registered to a project in Cumbria, England.  I sent an email to Bart Donato of Natural England, but received an 'out of office' reply.  I will just have to sit back and wait on this one for now.

Sandwich Tern  -   C50   -  Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (29 Aug 2023)

(Waiting for the Ringing Details)

The following two Sandwich Terns - (White) KSK and (White) K7B, are from Lady's Island Lake in County Wexford in the Republic of Ireland.  I sent an email to Tony Murray, who is yet to reply.  The last time I sent Sandwich Tern sightings to Tony, he eventually found them in his 'Spam Box'.  Normally, Tony would be very quick to reply.

Sandwich Tern  -  (White)  KSK  -  Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (29 Aug 2023)

(Waiting for the Ringing Details)

Sandwich Tern  -  (White)  K7B  -  Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (29 Aug 2023)

(Waiting for the Ringing Details)

The pick of the bunch, was Sandwich Tern -  N57 .  It was ringed as an unsexed adult, on the 29th March 2023, by a Dutch Ringing Team, at La Langue de Barbarie in Senegal.  My sighting was the first since being ringed, 5 months ago to the day.  I estimate the distance from Senegal to the Bann Estuary, as being 4,442 kms / 2,760 miles (NNE).  My thanks goes to Ruben Fijn, for his super quick response with the birds details.

Sandwich Tern  -    N57   -  Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (29 Aug 2023)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 29th March 2023, at La Langue de Barbarie, Senegal)

Sandwich Tern -  EFC , belongs to the Grampian Region in Scotland.  I have emailed Ewan Weston, but it may be some time before I receive a reply.  Around this time a couple of years ago, Ewan was working on a project in China.

Sandwich Tern  -   EFC   -  Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (29 Aug 2023)

(Waiting for Ringing Details)

Sandwich Tern -  3A5 , is from a new Sandwich Tern colour-ringing project, based at the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Nature Reserve, on Larne Lough, Co. Antrim, with this bird being ringed as a chick, on the 11th June 2021.  Having contacted the project owner - Roisin Kearney, the full history was received.

Three previous re-sightings were reported from Stranraer in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland (two in July), and at Port Seton in the Lothian Region, Scotland (August 2022).  As of my sighting today, the duration is now 2 years, 2 months and 18 days since -  3A5  was ringed.  The distance from Larne Lough to the Bann Estuary, is 75 kms / 46 miles (WNW).  My thanks goes to Roisin for the details.

Sandwich Tern  -   3A5   -  Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (29 Aug 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 11th June 2021, on RSPB Blue Circle Island NR, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

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From Declan Clarke

Declan Clarke was at Ardglass Harbour in County Down, on the 30th August 2023, when he came across two colour-ringed Herring Gulls, taking photos with his mobile phone.

One was a juvenile -  037:C , which belongs to the new big gull colour-ringing project on Old Lighthouse Island, which is home to the Copeland Bird Observatory.  I contacted Roisin Kearney, who replied to say that the gull was ringed as a chick, on the 1st July 2023.  Declan's sighting was a first for this bird, having been made 1 month and 29 days since being ringed.  Ardglass Harbour is 48 kms / 30 miles (S) from the Old Lighthouse Island.  My thanks to Roisin for the details.

Looking at the ring, it looks as if something, perhaps a piece of wood, has slipped inside of the colour-ring.  It should not be a problem, but the sooner it falls out, the better.

Juvenile Herring Gull  -    037:C   -  Ardglass Harbour, Ardglass, Co. Down  (30 Aug  2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 1st July 2023, on Old Lighthouse Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Declan Clarke)

The second Herring Gull was an adult -  T8YW , and this was the bird's fifth sighting in County Down.   T8YW , was ringed as a chick, on the 3rd July 2019, on the Calf of Man, Isle of Man.  The birds first re-sighting was made on the 13th July 2020, when spotted by Graham McElwaine at Millquarter Bay in County Down.  Graham, also had the second sighting, on the 26th August 2020, with the bird being recorded here at Ardglass Harbour for the first time.

The third sighting was also at Ardglass Harbour, when David Nixon spotted the gull on the 10th March 2021.  On the 8th August 2021, the gull was back at Millquarter Bay having been spotted again by Graham.  Having reported Declan's latest sighting to Mark Fitzpatrick, who is the ringing co-ordinator for the Manx gulls, Mark replied with an updated history for -  T8YW .  This included a further five sightings which were made in January and February 2022, with the gull having been recorded at Queens Park Lake in Blackburn, England.

The duration since being ringed, is now 4 years, 1 month and 27 days, and Ardglass Harbour is situated 57 kms / 35 miles (WNW) from the Calf on Man.  My thanks goes to Declan for his sightings, along with the photos, and to Mark for supplying the updated history.

Herring Gull  -   T8YW   -  Ardglass Harbour, Ardglass, Co. Down  (30 Aug 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 3rd July 2019, on the Calf of Man, Isle of Man)

(Photo Courtesy of Declan Clarke)

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From Suzanne Belshaw

Whilst visiting Whitehouse Lagoon on the 1st September 2023, Suzanne Belshaw recorded two returnees.  The first is a regular wintering Oystercatcher from Iceland - GW-GfN.  Two of this birds colour-marks have disappeared - there used to be a 'Green Flag' above the Black ring, but it fell off and the Green Ring above the White ring, actually slipped inside of the White ring.

This Oystercatcher was caught and ringed as an unsexed breeding adult, on the 5th June 2015, in the Eystri Rangá region in southern Iceland.  The first re-sighting was made on the 5th September 2015, when the Oystercatcher turned up here at Whitehouse Lagoon.  This bird has returned to the Lagoon every winter since 2015, with a number of re-sightings made at the Lagoon every winter.  Over the years, there have been occasions when GW-GfN, has been spotted back on it's breeding grounds.

This latest sighting by Suzanne, takes the duration since being ringed, to 8 years, 2 months and 27 days, and the distance from Iceland to Whitehouse Lagoon, is 1,294 kms / 804 miles (SE).  Suzanne has reported her latest sighting to Boddi in Iceland, but I know from past experience, any summer sighting reports will not have been dealt with just yet.

Oystercatcher  -  GW-GfN  -  Whitehouse Lagoon, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (01 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Breeding Adult, on the 5th June 2015, at Mjóanef, Eystri Rangá, S. Iceland)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Suzanne's sighting of a Black-headed Gull - (White) 2BVL, turned out to be one that I had also recorded here at Whitehouse Lagoon as a juvenile bird.  (White) 2BVL, was ringed as a chick, on the 8th June 2020, at the Broad Law colony in the Moorfoot Hills in Scotland.  I came across the then juvenile (photo below), on the 20th December 2020.  Suzanne has sent an email to Tom Dougall, but we are still waiting for a reply.  Therefore, at the minute, we are in the 'dark' as to further re-sightings.  I checked up on the gull's metal number on the BTO's DemOn Database, but my previous sighting is still the only one entered.  The duration since being ringed, is 3 years, 2 months and 24 days, and the distance from Broad Law to Whitehouse Lagoon, is 220 kms / 136 miles (WSW).

My thanks goes to Suzanne again for her sightings and photos.  Suzanne now has her Nikon P900 back again, having successfully recuperated from 'major surgery'.  There will be no stopping her now!!! 

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  2BVL  -  Whitehouse Lagoon, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (01 Sep 2023)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 8th June 2020, at Broad Law, Moorfoot Hills, Borders Region, Scotland)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  2BVL  -  Whitehouse Lagoon, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (20 Dec 2020)

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