Antrim Marina - (Sunday 23rd June 2024)

Antrim Marina - Sunday 23rd June 2024

Today saw my latest random visit to Antrim Marina to record the resident colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls.  Up until now, just 12 Black-headed Gulls with colour-rings have been recorded here whilst breeding on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform'.  Around 20 Black-headed Gulls were present on my arrival, with numbers ranging from 0 to around 30 birds.  Just five colour-rings were recorded, all of which had been recorded over previous visits.  The first flying juveniles were also seen, but this could be the same youngster spotted at different times.  It made no attempt to remain at the Marina seeing as it is not used to people being around.

The live camera on the 'Torpedo Platform', is still showing a limited view of the nesting area, and I had hoped the operators would reposition the view to include the whole platform.  One thing to note, is the lack of nesting Black-headed Gulls on view.  Going by what can be seen, perhaps the Black-headed Gull population is well down from previous year (Live Camera).

With many of Antrim Marina's Black-headed Gulls away to their own countries to breed, I have yet to receive any sightings this summer.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Sunday 23rd June 2024

2FIF	2FJN	2AAN	2BRA	2CSK

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

The highlight of this visit was the sighting of the first of two Common Gulls spotted today.  Noting it had a Blue Darvic, I immediately thought - was this  2AJP ?, and after taking a photo, the code was confirmed.  The gull was present at the Marina for three summers in a row between 2016 and 2018, but it had not appeared at the Marina since, though I did record it at Antrim's KFC outlet in August 2022, which was the last sighting until today.

 2AJP , had been ringed as a chick, on the 29th June 2013, on Big Copeland Island in County Down.  As a juvenile, the gull was spotted on three occasions in March 2014, at Poppintree Park in the City of Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland.  No further sightings were made until the 13th June 2016, when it was recorded for the first time at Antrim Marina by Suzanne Belshaw.   2AJP  would have reached breeding age by 2016, and possibly nested on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform' or on the roof of the Tesco Warehouse on the outskirts of Antrim Town.  Perhaps the gull's choice of mate brought it back for the breeding seasons of 2017 and 2018 as well.  

Just to think it has been almost 6 years since this gull was lasted spotted here.  The duration since being ringed, is now 10 years, 11 months and 25 days.  The full history can be read (here).

Common Gull  -   2AJP   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (23 Jun 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 29th June 2013, on Big Copeland Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

As well as the two Common Gulls, two Lesser Black-backed Gulls made brief appearances, as well as the resident male Herring Gull.  A Common Tern or Tern's, frequently flew up and down the river that flows past the Marina.

The same pair of Mute Swans as in other recent visits were present, which included the metal-rung female -  X4707 .  This is now the 4th record of -  X4707 , since first being spotted on the 21st May 2024.  I have submitted all of the sightings, but no recovery has been received.  The ringing details are not on the BTO's DemOn Ringing Database.

Around 30 Mallards were present, and surprisingly, there are still no ducklings to be seen.  The Sand Martins are still busy flying about, and one was spotted lifting nest material on the small sandy beach.  This must mean a new nest is being prepared for a second brood.  A male Pied Wagtail, a single Hooded Crow and two Jackdaws were the only other species noted today.

*******************************************************

Fourth 2024 Visit to Rathlin Island...

Rathlin Island - Wednesday 19th June 2024

I was hoping to make two visits to Rathlin Island this week, but our recent run of unsettled weather meant I could not get to Rathlin until today.  Although yesterday (Tuesday) was dry, a strong northerly wind was not ideal to visit nesting colonies, as the wind direction would mean that temperatures would be lower, which would reduce time spent in the colonies considering that there would be gulls still on eggs or small chicks.  Instead, I spent a few hours at a Peregrine nest site on the east coast of County Antrim to obtain a head count of the number of chicks.  Even with my telescope set up to view the cliff ledge, it was continually being swayed by the wind.  An initial two well feathered chicks, eventually saw a third appearing.  Being greedy, I wanted four, but with a feed being quickly dropped onto the ledge by the female, I had to settle for just the three.

The weather today was forecasted to be dry and warm with just a light westerly wind, and this was exactly what I got.  My plan for the day, was to visit the Common Gull colony at the Rue Point Lighthouse, both to read colour-rings on the adults. and to ring chicks large enough to take a colour-ring.  From there, I would scope the Common Gulls on the small islet on Ushet Lough, drop down to the shore at Roonivoolin to look for and ring chicks belonging to a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls, and if I had time, a quick visit to the Doon Bay Common Gull colony before returning to catch the ferry.

As things panned out, this was going to be one of those days where nothing goes to plan.  Leaving the ferry, I walked the two and a half miles to Rue Point, and on my arrival, people were already walking through the centre of the colony to get to the lighthouse.  I sat down a short distance away and waited.  My plan now, was to sit until the area cleared, let the gulls settle down for half and hour, before going in to look for ring-able chicks and a quick read of rings on the adults.

The time passed by, as people were leaving, others were arriving.  This was constant through to around 2pm, when finally the gulls were able to get a bit of peace and quiet.  I attempted to read colour-rings from a distance, but once again, I was defeated by a heavy heat haze and only three colour-rings were readable out of a number of photos taken.

The very first ring to be read, was that of my favourite Common Gull -  2BCL .  Having been ringed as a chick in 2018 on Ushet Lough, I recorded it on three occasions away from Rathlin Island as a juvenile and second calendar year bird in three different counties - Antrim, Down and Londonderry.  All sightings since 2020, have been made on Rathlin.   2BCL  is nesting exactly in the same spot as last year, on the shoreline just to the north from the main Rue Point colony, where it raised two chicks (PDF).

Common Gull  -   2BCL   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (19 Jun 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 18th June 2018, at Ushet Lough, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

Common Gull -  2CIP , is what I consider, to be a prospecting gull as it is not at full breeding age having hatched in 2022.  I was able to watch this bird and it's partner for quite some time, and was convinced that they do not have a nest.  This is my second sighting this summer of -  2CIP , having been spotted back on Rathlin's Rue Point on the 27th May 2024.  Only a short time before this, the gull was spotted on the Isle of Mull in Scotland (PDF).

Common Gull  -   2CIP   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (19 Jun 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 27th June 2022, at Rue Point)

Common Gull -  2BVC , is another bird which I have recorded on two occasions away from the island before it's return in May 2023.  Ringed at Arkill Bay in June 2021, I spotted the gull at two different locations on the east coast of County Antrim in July 2022.  On the 7th May 2023, I recorded it's return to Rathlin, when I spotted it on the tiny rocky islet on Ushet Lough.  As it was still an immature, I reckoned that it was prospecting a nest site for 2024.  However, when I recorded it today, it has chosen to nest on the rocks between Rue Point and the Smugglers Cottages (ruined buildings).  Perhaps it decided that the rocky islet on Ushet was too densely populated and decided for a quieter seaside view instead (PDF).

Common Gull  -   2BVC   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (19 Jun 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 22nd June 2021, at Arkill Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

With the gulls having had time to settle for a while, I grabbed my ringing gear and went looking for large Common Gull chicks to ring.  A short while later, five chicks had been colour-ringed when I accidently flushed two Oystercatchers chicks.  One was able to fly off, whilst the second decided to 'leg it'.  After a brief chase, I managed to catch the youngster and walked back to where the rest of my gear was lying.  This should have included my second ringing box which holds larger metal rings for larger birds.  Having rummaged around the inside of my rucksack, I realised that the box was still sitting on my kitchen table back at home.  I decided to take a photo before taking the chick back to where it was flushed and it quickly shot off on foot.

Fully Grown Oystercatcher Chick, Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (19 Jun 2024)

Having lost so much time at Rue Point waiting for it to clear, I did not have time to visit the Common Gull colony on Ushet Lough, and due to the fact that I did not have my larger rings with me, there was no visit to the Great Black-backed Gull nest site on the Roonivoolin shore.  I did have a little time on my way back to the harbour to scope the Greylag Geese on Ushet Lough.  I was looking for one bird with a neck collar -  BVJ , which I found.  This is my second sighting of this bird here this summer and my 6th sighting overall since 2018.  It was ringed on Rathlin Island as an adult male, on the 10th February 2017 - the duration since being ringed, is now 7 years, 4 months and 9 days. 

Greylag Goose  -   B|VJ   -  Ushet Lough, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (19 Jun 2024)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 10th February 2017, on Rathlin Island)

As I made my way back to the harbour, my thoughts returned to the Common Gulls nesting at Rue Point.  In my years since first visiting the colony, I had never seen so much disturbance as to what I had witnessed today.  At one point, there were 10 people at the lighthouse.  Some of the folk even ventured onto the rocks and none of them had a clue that the gulls calls were actually alarm calls.  Something really needs to be done here, with the nesting area cordoned off a short distance away.

*******************************************************

Third 2024 Visit to Rathlin Island...

Rathlin Island - Tuesday 11th June 2024

Today saw me undertaking my third visit to Rathlin Island to read colour-rings on the Common Gulls.  I began my colour-ringing project back in 2017, with the aim of seeing how many chicks survive until adulthood to integrate into the overall breeding population of around 100 pairs.

I had hoped to visit the island last week, but I had no car as it needed new front brake pads and my mechanic was overloaded with work ahead, leaving me with a long wait.  Arriving on the island today, there was a very strong westerly-north-westerly wind blowing onto the west side of the island.  Luckily for me, the Common Gull colonies that I visited, were down on the rocks on the east side of the island, which afforded calmer conditions.

Scoping the gulls from the hillside, I was still catching a fair breeze, though down on the rocks, it was actually so calm that a slight heat haze was visible.  Due to this, zooming into colour-rings to take photos of the codes was very awkward and many rings-codes just could not be read for certain.

Today, I focused on the Arkill Bay and Doon Bay colonies, and one thing that struck me about both sites, was that many of the nesting gulls have simply vanished with notably reduced numbers.  There were small chicks dotted around the sites, though it will be at least two weeks before they are large enough for colour-rings to be fitted on their legs.  After today's visit, I'm fearing that this might well turn out to be another poor breeding season.

Just five of eleven colour-rings recorded today were legible.  Three of these were birds that would be immature and therefore likely to be prospecting nest sites for next year -  2CFA  (PDF),  2CFK  (PDF) and  2CFL  (PDF).  The remaining two gulls are breeding for the first time -  2BTL  (PDF) and  2BXJ  (PDF).

Common Gull  -   2CFK   -  Doon Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (11 Jun 2024)

Before leaving home, I made a last minute decision to take some rings with me just in case.  Although no Common Gull chicks were ringed, I did ring four Great Black-backed Gull chicks, two at Arkill Bay and the other two at Doon Point.  It was good to get these out of the way, as during future visits I can focus solely on the Common Gulls.  At Doon Bay, a Lesser Black-backed Gull appears to be sitting on a nest.  On Rathlin, the Lesser Black-backed's tend to nest in the main colonies, and I'm now hoping to ring chicks at Doon Bay at some point over the next few weeks.

Several pairs of Oystercatchers were alarm calling, but their chicks are normally very difficult to pin down.

*******************************************************

Antrim Marina - (Friday 7th June 2024)

Antrim Marina - Friday 7th June 2024

Today, I made my third random summer visit to Antrim Marina to record the resident colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, with these likely to be nesting on the nearby Torpedo Platform.  Since my previous visit, Suzanne Belshaw has stopped by the Marina, recording 6 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, adding -  2AAB  to this summers list of residents.

Arriving just after 12:40pm, around 30 Black-headed Gulls were spread around the car park and jetties.  At times, no gulls were present, and when they did appear, maximum numbers never exceeded the 30 to 35 mark.  At 2:30, two paddleboarders arrived and set out upriver from the Marina, this of course scared off all of the gulls.  I had planned to stay till 4pm, but with light rain falling and a lack of gulls, I decided to call it a day at 3pm.

Altogether, 9 colour-rings were read, the first two at 12:40 and 12:45 were those of   2FJL  and  2FJN  both caught and ringed as adult birds last winter.  The third gull at 12:52 was a new addition to this summers list -  2BRA , which raises the overall total of resident gulls recorded so far this summer to 12.   2BRA , has long been established as a being resident gull and was ringed at the Marina as an adult female, on the 1st February 2015.  The duration since being ringed, is now 9 years, 4 months and 6 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2BRA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 Jun 2024)

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

Out on the Torpedo Platform, there is a live camera with a limited view on the nesting Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns (Live Camera).  Surprisingly for this time of the year, no Black-headed Gull chicks could be seen running around.  Perhaps the wet and windy weather conditions through the spring has held them back in their breeding attempts.

So far, there has been no sightings from abroad concerning Black-headed Gulls caught and ringed at the Marina.  By now, these birds will be back on their breeding sites having slipped under the 'radar' of fellow 'Ring Readers'.  Hopefully, a sighting or two will filter through over the next few weeks.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Friday 7th June 2024

2FJL	2FJN	2BRA	2CJT	2CSR	2FFA	2FIF	2FIJ	2FIL

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

As usual, after the Black-headed Gulls, the Mute Swans are the next species to be checked.  Just two Mute Swans were present today, these being a pair.  The female which is ringed -  X4707 , was first recorded here on my second summer visit on the 21st May 2024, and also recorded by Suzanne Belshaw during her visit on the 24th May 2024.  When I submitted the sightings onto the BTO's DemOn Ringing Database, I noted that the ringing details had not been submitted by the ringer.  No doubt, the BTO will have contacted the ringer concerned, but we are still waiting for details.

Having took a photo of the swan, I then zoomed into the ring to find that the address side of the ring was facing me, which meant the ring number was on the other side.  Happily enough, the ring number was also showing on the 'Ring Butt' a feature I had not noticed before.  This feature is really handy, and not possible on the thinner rings that are normally used.  This 'tall' size of a ring would be used on Golden Eagles and the like.

Mute Swan  -   X4707   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 Jun 2024)

(Waiting for the Ringing Details)

Just about all of the Mallards were nicely settled on the concrete jetty area which had been fenced off for some time.  A count soon after my arrival, gave a total of 32 birds, with just five being females.  There is still no sign of any ducklings which is unusual seeing as we are into the month of June.  Not so long ago, I was on Rathlin Island where I noticed several broods of ducklings, which included a brood of four on the sea at Mill Bay - the others were on inland lakes.

I did not take times of sightings today, but the resident male Herring Gull was noted, as well as four Lesser Black-backed Gulls and two Common Gulls.  Singles of Rook, Hooded Crow and Jackdaw were also seen.

The constant 'chatter' of Sand Martins could be heard as they flew around the Marina catching flies.  These are new nesters here, having commandeered the 'Swift Nest Blocks' which have been incorporated into the wall of the Gateway Centre.  I had meant to obtain a photo previously but forgot.  I made a point of taking one today.  There are seven nest holes in the side wall of the building, with an eighth situated between the two ariel masts just around the corner.

Sand Martin Nest Holes Spaced out Along the top Edge of the Gateway Centre  (07 Jun 2024)

*******************************************************

Rathlin Island - Monday 27th May 2024

Rathlin Island - Monday 27th May 2024

Today I made my second visit for this summer to read the colour-rings on Common Gulls at their breeding colonies, with the sub-colonies at Doon Bay, Rue Point and Ushet Lough being today's targets.  Previously, I visited the colony at Arkill Bay on the 15th May.

Despite many gulls sitting tight on their nests a total of 14 colour-rings were read today, 4 at Doon Bay, 9 at Rue Point, and none on Ushet Lough. One was spotted feeding at Mill Bay.  Scoping these sub-colonies from a distance, I spotted two nests with newly hatched chicks at the Doon Bay colony.  This gives me a date of the 10th June 2024 onwards to begin colour-ringing this year's chicks.  

Another thing that I noticed today, was the number of juvenile / 2nd calendar year birds present.  In the past, the odd one or two would appear, but today I had two at Doon Bay, around a dozen at Rue Point and three on the islet on Ushet Lough.  Not a single one was ringed.  If they were reared on the island, then quite a few are being missed around the time of ringing.

As more nests hatch out, the colour-rings on the adult gulls will be readily read.  Many partners of birds currently sitting on nests were absent, and no doubt were away feeding.

Seven of today's colour-ring sightings were of full adults which have been breeding here over the past few years, and their full histories can be seen in the PDF files :-

 2APT  - Ringed as a chick at Rue Point, on the 12th June 2017.  Recorded today at Rue Point, the duration being 6 years, 11 months and 10 days(PDF).

 2BBC  - Ringed as a chick at Arkill Bay, on the 24th June 2017.  Recorded today at Doon Bay, where it has been a regular nester, the duration being 6 years, 11 months and 3 days(PDF).

 2BBK  - Ringed as a chick at Rue Point, on the 16th June 2018.  Recorded today at Rue Point, the duration being 5 years, 11 months and 9 days.  I saved this bird from certain death back on the 2nd May 2021(PDF).

 2BBL  - Ringed as a chick at Doon Bay, on the 26th June 2018.  Recorded today at Doon Point, the duration being 5 years, 11 months and 1 day(PDF).

 2BJK  - Ringed as a chick at Rue Point, on the 18th June 2019.  Recorded today at Rue Point, the duration being 4 years, 11 months and 9 days(PDF).

 2BPL  - Ringed as a chick at Rue Point, on the 26th June 2019.  Recorded today at Rue Point, the duration being 4 years, 11 months and 1 day(PDF).

 2BXA  - Ringed as a chick at Doon Bay, on the 29th June 2021.  Recorded today feeding at Doon Bay, though it breeds at the Rue Point colony, the duration being 2 years, 10 months and 29 days(PDF).

The remaining seven gulls have appeared on the island for the first time this year since being ringed in 2022.  2022 was a very good breeding season, with 84 chicks being colour-ringed that summer.  Non of these birds returned to Rathlin in 2023 as juvenile / 2nd calendar years birds.  The reason they are here now, is that they are prospecting nest sites for when they reach full maturity next year (2025).

In alphabetical order, the re-sighting of -  2BXX  was a first ever for this bird.

Common Gull  -   2BXX   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 May 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 12th June 2022, at Rue Point)

The sighting of -  2CCT , was the first on Rathlin, but I did recorded this one on Kinnegar Beach on Belfast Lough, on the 9th April 2023.  Kinnegar Beach lies 74 kms / 45 miles (SSE) from Rathlin.

Common Gull  -   2CCT   -  Doon Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 May 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2022, at Doon Bay)

 2CDJ , was also a first ever re-sighting since being ringed.

Common Gull  -   2CDJ   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 May 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2022, at Rue Point)

 2CDK , another first ever re-sighting.

Common Gull  -   2CDK   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 May 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2022, at Rue Point)

The sighting of -  2CFK , was the second for this bird since being ringed.  Although I spotted it today at the Doon Bay colony, the first sighting was made by me on the 15th May 2024 at Arkill Bay which lies 2 kms to the north.  During that sighting it appeared as if it was in courtship display with -  2CFL  which was not seen today.  As an immature, it looks as if this gull is having a look at other colonies as well as it's own natal colony.

Common Gull  -   2CFK   -  Doon Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 May 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 21st June 2022, at Arkill Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

My sighting of -  2CFT  at Rue Point, was it's second record here, as islander Ric Else made the initial sighting at Rue, on the 5th May 2024.

Common Gull  -   2CFT   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 May 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 21st June 2022, at Arkill Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

My favourite sighting of the day was that of -  2CIP .  Although spotted away from the island recently, I did not think it would return so soon.   2CIP , had been spotted by a Jack Morris during a visit to the Isle of Mull in Scotland, on the 10th April 2024.  Laggan Bay on the west coast of the Isle of Mull, lies 135 kms / 83 miles (N) from Rathlin Island.

Common Gull  -   2CIP   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 May 2024)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 27th June 2022, at Rue Point)

Whilst I had no luck with the Common Gulls on Ushet Lough, on scoping through the Greylag Geese on the Lough, I spotted one with an Orange Neck Collar.  Zooming in with my camera, it was a bird that I first recorded here on the 18th June 2018, with further sightings here in 2019, 2022 and 2023.

 BVJ  was ringed along with his partner -  BVI , on Rathlin Island on the 10th February 2017.  He has a new partner now as  BVI  has not been seen since 2019.  Although there were plenty of Greylag broods on the lake, this pair does not have any chicks of their own.  It has been 7 years, 3 months and 17 days since -  BVJ  was ringed.

Greylag Goose  -   BVJ   - Ushet Lough, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 May 2024)

Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 10th February 2017, on Rathlin Island)

******************************************************