Stranraer & Ballintoy...

At this time of the year, my attention turns towards my Common Gull Study based on Rathlin Island which is situated just off the northern coast of County Antrim.  With around 100+ pairs nesting on the island, I began a colour-ringing project during the summer of 2017.  Chicks were ringed with the aim to see how many survive to maturity to return and integrate into the overall breeding population.

The number of chicks ringed each year has varied widely due to several factors.  A couple of years saw a limited output of chicks reaching the fledging stage, possibly caused by the islands infestation of Rats and Ferrets, which is currently being addressed.  One exceptionally warm summer may have also added to the problem, as was the possibility of a lack of food.  The lifting of Covid restrictions at the end of June 2020, meant many chicks had already fledged by the time I was able to visit the island.  The UK suspension of ringing activities due to 'Bird Flu' did not help either.

Over the years since 2017, a few notable 'traits' have been identified.  It is very rare for any chicks to return to the island as 2nd Calendar Year birds.  A small number do return as 3rd Calendar Year birds, but, as they have not reached maturity, they visit colonies to prospect nest-sites with some building nests but not actually laying.  The majority of the colour-ringed gulls would return in their 4th Calendar Year as mature birds and breed for the first time.

This means, each summer, there are lots of Rathlin colour-ringed Common Gulls spread around the country and no-one spots them.  Post breeding season, nearly of the gulls depart Rathlin for the winter, and again, very few if any are spotted.  During this past winter, only one bird was spotted and this was in Newcastle in County Down.  Only one of my colour-ringed Common Gulls has been identified as a year round resident on Rathlin.

It's only when the gulls return to the island, that many are re-sighted back on their colonies.  Figures suggest that as few as 10 to 20% of the gulls are surviving to return as 3rd Year Birds or as Adults.  With islands in Scotland lying just north of Rathlin, some gulls are possibly nesting there, and I check small Common Gulls colonies on the County Antrim mainland for any colour-ringed gulls.

Recently, two adults have been spotted, one in Scotland, and the other on the County Antrim coast.  

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From Ruth Eastwood

On the 20th April 2025, Ruth Eastwood re-sighted -  2BNF  on the beach at Stranraer Harbour.  I was delighted with this sighting as the gull has a bit of history.

 2BNF , was ringed as a chick, on the 24th June 2019, at the Arkill Bay colony on Rathlin Island.  The first re-sighting was reported on the 23rd July 2021, when discovered on the shore in Dundalk Bay in County Louth, 143 kms / 88 miles (S) from Arkill Bay.

The next two sightings in April and May 2022, came as a complete surprise.  As a 4th Calendar Year bird, it was now of breeding age, and was spotted on the East Pier at the former Stranraer Ferry Terminal which served the route between Scotland and Northern Ireland.  The ferries now operate from the nearby terminal of Cairnryan. 

By September 2022 (two sightings),  2BNF  was back in Dundalk Bay again.  March and April 2023, saw many sighting being reported by Ruth and Dr. Brian Henderson.  Brian had witnessed courtship display, and suggested that the gull was likely breeding on the roof of the former ferry terminal (this area is currently fenced off).

With no sightings at all since April 2023, this latest sighting was much appreciated.  I have told Ruth that the gull was likely nesting on the ferry terminal and further sightings will be welcomed.  The duration since being ringed, is now 5 years, 9 months and 27days, and Stranraer is situated 85 kms / 52 miles (ESE) from Rathlin Island.  My thanks goes to Ruth for the sighting report along with the photo.

Common Gull  -   2BNF   -  Stranraer Harbour, Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland  (20 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 24th June 2019, at Arkill Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

(Photo Courtesy of Ruth Eastwood)

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Ballintoy Harbour

Every summer, I make three or visits to Ballintoy Harbour situated on the north coast of County Antrim, where I check on a small Common Gull colony.  Lying just 12 kms / 7 miles (WSW) from Rathlin Island, there was always going to be the possibility that one of my Rathlin gulls might breed here.  Today, I struck lucky as I scoped one bird with a Blue Darvic.  Moving closer to obtain a few photos, the code was read -  2BSP .  I knew straight away, that this gull has never been seen since the day that it had been ringed.

On returning home, I checked my records, and this was one of just 9 chicks colour-ringed when the 'Covid' restrictions were lifted.  Ringed on the 4th July 2020 at the Arkill Bay colony, the duration since being ringed, is now 4 years, 9 months and 20 days.  This bird would have reached maturity last year and may been overlooked here, or one of the nearby rocks..

Ballintoy Harbour is famous as being one of the locations used for the hit series 'Game of Thrones', and it is extremely popular with many worldwide tourists.  The Common Gulls around the harbour are extremely comfortable with the large number of people, and they actually nest on their own tall rocky island which holds around 20 pairs.  On todays visit, many were sitting on eggs.  A few smaller rocky islands nearby also has the odd few pairs.

Another largish colony is situated on a very large rock island towards White Park Bay, beside a rock known as 'Elephant Head'.  The rock is too far offshore to get anywhere near close enough to it.  No colour-ringed Common Gulls have been spotted there yet, but even so, I would doubt if my camera would have the reach to read the codes there.

Common Gull  -   2BSP   -  Ballintoy Harbour, Ballintoy, Co. Antrim  (24 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 4th July 2020, at Arkill Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

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From Cameron Moore...

From Cameron Moore

It has been a long time since I've heard from Cameron Moore, but recently, Cameron sent me three ring sightings.  Cameron lives in the coastal County Antrim town of Whitehead and is keen birdwatcher.  Not only does he cover the Whitehead area, he would also keep an eye out on Larne Lough, and all the way up to Larne as well.  Over the years, Cameron has spotted many less than common species and occasionally spots some birds that are ringed.

When I first met Cameron, he had stopped reporting ringed birds, as he either did not know who to report them to, or failed to receive replies from some ringers.  Ever from that meeting, Cameron now sends me his ring sightings and I try to find the relevant project leads.  Normally every autumn, Cameron would spot a wealth of ringed Terns along the Whitehead seafront, but since 'Bird Flu' struck around the British Isles, very few Terns are reaching Whitehead.

Cameron's latest ring sightings, were all spotted at Ballycarry Bridge on Larne Lough.  When the tide goes out, a large expanse of mudflats are revealed.  On the 8th April, a 2nd calendar year Black-headed Gull was spotted with a Blue Darvic, rung -  TJP9 .  On receiving the sighting, I knew straight away that it was a Polish bird, due to the code starting with the letter 'T'.

The Poles have an online system for reporting ring sightings, but due to a fault in trying to add the location (wrong country and county), I decided to report the sighting by email.  A few days later, I received a reply to confirm the sighting with a link added.  When I clicked onto the link, the ringing details were available, but the finding details still carried the same error as when I tried to submit online (country and county), though Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough and the Latitude & Longitude were correct.

Cameron's Black-headed Gull was ringed as a chick, on the 20th June 2024, on Lake Jezioro in north-west Poland.  This was a first re-sighting for this young gull, having flown 1,512 kms / 939 miles (WNW) to reach Larne Lough.  The duration since being ringed, was 9 months and 19 days.

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -   TJP9   -  Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (08 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 20th June 2024, at Lake Jezioro, Wągrowiec, NW Poland)

(Photo Courtesy of Cameron Moore)

On the 14th April, Cameron sent me photos of a Red Knot spotted at Ballycarry Bridge.  This bird had an Orange Flag (type of ring), above a plain White ring on the left leg, and a normal metal-ring on the right leg.  The Flag appeared to be coded, though the digits were not entirely clear.

Without researching the bird, I directed Cameron's sighting to Peter Knight who rings Knots in the Merseyside area of England.  My hunch, was that the bird belonged to Peter, and if not, he would know who to send the sighting to.  A reply soon came back, and this bird was one of Peter's.

He too, was not sure what the code read, but suspected that it was either -  08X  or  09X , with both rings having been used at the same catch made on the 25th August 2024.  Peter took a stab at the bird being -  09X , which was ringed as a juvenile on the Dyfi Estuary on the west coast of Wales.  Asked if possible for further photos, Cameron returned to Ballycarry Bridge the following day, and after relocating the Knot, the new photos revealed -  09X . 

The distance to Ballycarry Bridge from the Dyfi Estuary, is 273 kms / 169 miles (NW), and the duration since being ringed, was 7 months and 20 days.  Peter says that Red Knots nest in Greenland and Canada, but as immatures, they normally remain in British waters over the summer.  My thanks goes to Peter for all of the details.

Red Knot  -  O(09X)W  -  Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (15 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Juvenile, on the 25th August 2024, at Ynyslas Point, Dyfi Estuary, Wales)

(Photo Courtesy of Cameron Moore)

Whilst trying to relocated the Knot on the 15th April 2025, a large flock of an estimated 112 Black-tailed Godwits had arrived.  Searching through these, one was spotted with a combination of coloured rings on the birds upper legs.  Having received photos, the left leg had a long Orange Ring with three Black Dots, and on the right leg, two plain Orange Rings sat above a plain Yellow Ring.

I have had a 'Guide' to colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwits, but looking through it, I could not find a match for the Long Orange Ring with three Black Dots.  I spent ages online trying to find the relevant project and eventually found an updated version for the 'Guide' I had been using - the old version was dated 2015, the new version 2021 -  PDF.  On page 24, I duly found the correct combination and sent an email to Pierre Rousseau in France.  Pierre replied to say that the bird did belong to his project, and sent me a link to submit Cameron's sighting.  On doing this, I also had access to the bird's ringing and re-sighting history.

O(●●●)-OOY, was caught and ringed, on the 26th September 2022, at Moeze in France.  I do not have permission to go into this birds history, but it normally winters around the Du Teich Reserve in France, and was once spotted during the breeding season in Iceland.  Other than France and Iceland, the Northern Ireland sighting was a first.

The distance from Moeze in France to Ballycarry Bridge, is 1,040 kms / 646 miles (NNW), and the duration since being ringed, is 2 years, 6 months and 20 days.

My thanks goes to Cameron for these three interesting ring sightings, along with his photos.

Black-tailed Godwit  -  O(●●●)-OOY  -  Ballycarry Bridge, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (15 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as an Adult, on the 26th September 2022, at Moeze in France)

(Photo Courtesy of Cameron Moore)

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Too Fat & Common Gulls...

Black-headed Gull  -   2FAT

On the 8th April 2025, I received an email from a Dorothy Jones.  Earlier that say, Dorothy visited the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust's Slimbridge Reserve in Gloucestershire, England.  Whilst at the Reserves Rushy Hide, she spotted one of my Black-headed Gulls - ringed,  2FAT .

I instantly knew that this was a first re-sighting of a chick that I ringed on Inch Island Lake in County Donegal.  Other than at Antrim Marina, Inch Island is the only other site where I have ringed Black-headed Gulls with my Blue Darvics.

Checking my data,  2FAT  was ringed on the 4th June 2019, and the duration since being ringed was now 5 years, 10 months and 4 days.  The distance from Inch Island to Slimbridge, is 497 kms / 309 miles (SE).  Since 'Covid' times, I have not been able to get back onto Inch Island to ring more chicks.

Replying to Dorothy, I asked had she managed to obtain a photo for blog purposes, but she said that the gull was too 'flighty' and was not seen again.  This would not surprise me, as we are into the breeding season now.

This sighting was very interesting in itself.  Many gulls return to their natal colonies to breed, but here we have one that may well be nesting at Slimbridge.  Another point of interest, is that this gull has been out and about for nearly six years before being spotted.  I'm hoping now, that someone else will spot this bird again in the future.

My thanks goes to Dorothy for the unexpected sighting.

Inch Island Lake to WWT Slimbridge  -  497 kms / 309 miles (SE)

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Rathlin Island Common Gulls

Since early March, Ric Else and Hazel Watson, have been sending me emails reporting on the return of Common Gulls to their nesting colonies on Rathlin Island, along with sightings of some of my colour-ringed birds.  Ric and Hazel are residents on the island, and work with the RSPB at their Reserve at Bull Point.  When off duty, they travel around the island documenting sightings for their Rathlin Bird Report, as well as keeping an eye out for my gulls.

When the breeding season ends, virtually all of the gulls leave the island and do not return until the following spring.  What perplexes me, is where do these gulls go to, as nobody spots these colour-ringed birds.  With the exception of one gull, only one other of my gulls was spotted from the end of June 2024 until March 2025, having been seen in Newcastle, Co. Down in December 2024.  The exception, is -  2BXA , who appears to be the only year round resident on Rathlin, normally being spotted in Church Bay or Mill Bay.

I have not had time to blog on Ric's previous sightings, but here I have included the latest batch of four.

 2BBC , was ringed as a chick, on the 24th June 2017, at Doon Bay on Rathlin (2017 was the year I began my colour-ringing project here).  The gull has been recorded during the winter months at Dundrum South Inner Bay in County Down in 2018, 2021 & 2023.

It's first re-sighting back on Rathlin was recorded by Ric Else in April 2020, when spotted back at it's natal colony at Doon Bay, and has been recorded breeding here every year since then.  This year, Ric spotted -  2BBC  back at Doon Bay on the 30th March.  The duration since being ringed, is now 7 years, 9 months and 6 days.

Common Gull  -   2BBC   -  Doon Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (30 Mar 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 24th June 2017, at Doon Bay, Rathlin Island)

(Photo Courtesy of Ric Else)

 2CDK , was ringed as a chick, on the 19th June 2022, at the Rue Point colony on Rathlin Island.  As yet, there have been no sightings of this gull away from the island.  The first re-sighting was made by me on the 27th May 2024, when I discovered the gull back at Rue Point.  At this point, I reckon that it had returned to 'prospect' a nest site, as it would not reach full adulthood until 2025.

This year,  2CDK  was spotted back at Rue Point on the 8th March 2025, and was recorded there again on the 6th April.  The duration since being ringed, is now 3 years, 9 months and 18 days.

Common Gull  -   2CDK   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (06 Apr 2025)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Ric Else)

 2CFT , was ringed as a chick, on the 21st June 2022, at the Arkill Bay colony on Rathlin Island.  There were no sightings of this bird until the 5th May 2024, when I recorded it at the Rue Point colony on Rathlin, where Ric Else also spotted it on the 27th May 2024.  Another bird which had not reached full maturity, therefore another 'prospecting' bird.

This year, Ric recorded it's return to Rue Point on the 24th March, along with this latest sighting on the 6th April.  It looks 'nailed on' that -  2CFT  will breed at Rue Point, which is 2kms south from it's natal colony at Arkill Bay.  The duration since being ringed, is now 2 years, 9 months and 16 days.

Common Gull  -   2CFT   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (06 Apr 2025)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Ric Else)

 2CHV , was ringed as a chick, on the 21st June 2022, at the Arkill Bay colony on Rathlin Island.  Ric's sighting on the 6th April 2025 of this gull at the Rue Point colony on Rathlin, is the first for this bird since being ringed, the duration being, 2 years, 9 months and 16 days.  Now of breeding age, it will be interesting to see if it stays at Rue, or move 2kms north to it's natal colony at Arkill Bay.

Common Gull  -   2CHV   -  Rue Point, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (06 Apr 2025)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Ric Else)

During the summers of 2023 and 2024, the Common Gulls on Rathlin have had very poor breeding seasons, and during my visits in 2024, I noticed that many nests were failing during the 'incubation' period in May.  This became more obvious, when many of my colour-ringed gulls disappeared off the island without making any attempts to have replacement clutches.

Just 20 chicks were colour-ringed in 2023, and 16 in 2024, compared to an excellent total of 84 in 2022.  Currently, there is an ongoing project to exterminate Ferrets and Rats on the island, and recent news suggests that the Ferrets have been eliminated, with now attention focusing on the Rat problem.

As just mentioned, 2022 was a good year as far as colour-ringing went.  If even 20% of those youngsters have survived to reach maturity, around 17 should be recorded back on Rathlin this summer.  Ric has already recorded a couple of them.  Now that I'm returning to normality after my recent illness, I'm looking forwards to making my first visits to read rings at the colonies.    

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Antrim Marina - Monday 31st March 2025...

Antrim Marina - Monday 31st March 2025

I still have not fully recovered from my illness, and an offer to cover this week's weekly visit was offered by Suzanne Belshaw, which was easily accepted.  Being the last day of March, Suzanne's visit saw the conclusion of this winter's weekly study which began on the first weekend of August.  No visits will be made during April, as many gulls will be busy courting and building nests.  Once the first eggs are laid, off duty adults will venture out looking for food, so summer residents are more easily recorded in May, also in June by which time chicks will be hatching out.  My thanks to Suzanne for covering my final visit and also for her photos.  Just for the record, my doctor has given me a sick-line until the end of April.

Suzanne's visit lasted for two and a half hours, arriving at 10am and leaving around 12:30.  The maximum number of Black-headed Gulls never passed the 20 mark during the visit.  Six colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls were recorded, 5 of which are known to be residents, the exception being -  2ACV .  I was surprised by this sighting, as in the past, the gull has been seen at breeding colonies in Leighton Moss in Lancashire, England, and also at the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve in Belfast.  Last summer -  2ACV  landed on a bonnet of a car at Carrickfergus on the 14th July 2024, which suggested the gull was enroute to the Marina for the winter (present on the 4th August 2024).  Could it have nested in Leighton Moss last summer, or had it moved north from Belfast?

Black-headed Gull  -   2ACV   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (31 Mar 2025)

(Ringed as a Juvenile/1st Winter Bird, on the 21st October 2013, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Resident Black-headed Gull  -   2BRA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (31 Mar 2025)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Resident Black-headed Gull  -   2CJT   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (31 Mar 2025)

(Ringed as a Juvenile/1st Winter Bird, on the 4th December 2016, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Resident Black-headed Gull  -   2CSR   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (31 Mar 2025)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Resident Black-headed Gull  -   2FIF   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (31 Mar 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 23rd November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Resident Black-headed Gull  -   2FIJ   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (31 Mar 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 10th January 2022, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

Driving along the avenue towards the Marina, a pair of Oystercatchers were seen feeding on one of the playing fields of Antrim Forum.  At the Marina, four Sand Martins were checking out the Swift nestboxes which have been incorporated high on the wall of the Gateway Centre.  The Sand Martins used these for the first time last summer, and a few boxes are still available for more pairs.

Other species spotted around the Marina, were Buzzard (1), Sparrowhawk (1), Great-crested Grebe (1), Grey Wagtail (2), an immature Common Gull and the pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

Around 20 Mallards were present, and though no numbers were given for Mute Swans, Suzanne did record the regular ringed bird -  X4707 .  This swan was ringed as an adult male, on the 5th April 2024, at Bartins Bay on the eastern shore of Lough Neagh.  The distance to the Marina, is 21 kms / 13 miles (NNE), and the duration since being ringed, is now 11 months and 26 days.

Mute Swan  -   X4707   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (31 Mar 2025)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 5th April 2024, at Bartins Bay, Lough Neagh, Co. Antrim)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

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