Ring Watching At Antrim Marina: Antrim Marina - Tuesday 28th January 2025...

Tuesday, 28 January 2025

Antrim Marina - Tuesday 28th January 2025...

Antrim Marina - Tuesday 28th January 2025

On Friday and Saturday 24th & 25th January 2025, Northern Ireland was hit by the strongest storm since 1998. Named 'Storm Éowyn', it caused major disruption throughout Northern Ireland, with thousands experiencing power-cuts and damage to buildings. Many trees were toppled, which could account for tens of thousands throughout the country.

On Sunday morning I made my way up to Antrim Marina to make my weekly visit as normal. Driving down the avenue leading to the Marina, the road was closed off at the golf club. I assumed there were trees down further down the avenue, so I decided to postpone my visit until Tuesday morning, as I had to take my son to Whiteabbey Hospital on Monday for an out-patients appointment.

Today, I headed off to Antrim from my home in Ballymena. On driving down the Avenue, the road was still closed off at the golf club. This time I decided to investigate what was happening further on down the road. I parked my car in the golf club car park, grabbed my binoculars and camera, and began walking down the avenue. The sound of chainsaws were ringing out all over the place. I was taken aback by the number of trees that had fallen across the avenue and on the golf course. No doubting these guys have been busy since Sunday trying to clear the area.

As I walked down, trees that had been cleared were piled up at the sides of the avenue, to be removed at a later date. On reaching the main car park, tree surgeons were busy cutting away trees still lying across the avenue leading to the 'Gateway Centre'. The 'Centre', is also home to the Lough Neagh Rescue Service, therefore the road badly needs clearing just in case of a call-out.

I took a few photos showing areas already cleared and the areas still needing to be cleared. Walking down to the slipway, I counted 21 Mute Swans including the metal-rung bird - X4707 . Around 20 Mallards were present, as well as a handful of gulls. These numbered, 3 Common Gulls and 5 Black-headed Gulls and non were ringed. I thought the lack of gulls might be due to the lack of food available since the storm. The much decreased footfall would mean fewer people are arriving to feed the birds with bread and pellets, forcing the gulls to find food elsewhere. As the doors of the 'Gateway Centre' were locked, there was no chance of shelter or the toilets if needed.

There was no point in hanging around, so I decided to cancel the visit. Hopefully most of the damage will be cleared away by next Sunday.