Antrim Marina - Sunday 10th August 2025...

Antrim Marina - Sunday 10th August 2025

Last Sunday (3rd August 2025), I made the first of my weekly visits to Antrim Marina to record the wintering population of Black-headed Gulls with some birds having been colour-ringed in previous winters going as far back as to 2012.  During my first visit, I recorded 13 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls which forms the basis of this winters list.  If all of last winter's birds return, the total should just surpass the 30 mark.  

Two years ago, there was a catastrophic loss of returning gulls.  With an expected total of around 50 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, only half of that total returned.  I suspected that 'Bird Flu' struck many breeding colonies during the summer of 2023, causing many of the loses, and one bird -  2FFC  was found dead in Germany's largest breeding colony and later tested positive for Bird Flu.

On the Tuesday (5th August) after my first winter visit to Antrim Marina, I received an email concerning one of my Marina study birds -  2FJX , along with a 'Post Code' for where it had been sighted.  The use of a post code for a location was a first, as most birdwatchers would include a Grid Reference.  The code read - BT41 4NU, and BT actually covers the whole of Northern Ireland.  Entering an online search of the postcode, it turned out to be in Antrim Town, more specifically around the Junction One Shopping Centre, which includes a McDonalds and a Burger King fast food outlet.  On asking the finder, was the gull spotted at either one, the bird was seen in the car park adjacent to McDonalds outlet.

 2FJX , was ringed as a juvenile / 1st winter bird on the 1st December 2024 at Antrim Marina where it was last seen on the 3rd March 2025.  Although not spotted last Sunday or during my latest visit, at least I know it is still alive and well.

Arriving at Antrim Marina at 10am this morning, my heart sank when I pulled up to the barrier leading to the front car park.  A lorry parked beside the 'Gateway Centre' belonged to the team that power-hoses the building every three months, cleaning windows and to remove cobwebs etc.  With noise of the power-washing motor and that of the hoses, not a single gull was present, though this did not effect the ducks or swans.  Parking beside the low wooden jetty, I was caught in two minds - go and come back tomorrow or just wait it out.  After a short period of time, I settled for the latter.

Power Washing in Progress  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (10 Aug 2025)

Whilst waiting, a group of 8 Black-headed Gulls landed briefly beside my car at 11:09, two of which were colour-ringed -  2AAN  and  2CJT , with both having been recorded during my previous visit.  A minute or two later, they all took off.

At 11:34, another gull arrived on it's own and turned out to be -  2FJA , also recorded last week.  It was still present when just before midday, the team began to pack up.  On speaking to the boss, they started work at 6am, and he had me in mind hence the early start - very generous of him.  

I had to depart at 2pm, so I was left with just two hours to record any rings.  With no noise and the lorry gone, the gulls began to trickle in.  By 1pm, the total had reached the 40 mark and slowly decreased thereafter.  By the time of my departure, just 10 rings were read which included two additions to the winter's list.

The first at 12:02, was that of -  2CSK , which is a year round resident to the Marina and was recorded during my random summer visits to record the resident gulls.   2CSK  was ringed at the Marina as an unsexed adult on the 17th December 2017, and today's sighting takes the duration since being ringed, to 7 years, 7 months and 24 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2CSK   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (10 Aug 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 17th December 2017, at Antrim Marina)

The second addition to this winter's list, was -  2FJV .   2FJV , was caught and ringed at the Marina last winter, having been ringed as an unsexed adult on the 1st December 2024.  It remained at the Marina through to the 10th March 2025 and was not recorded during my random summer visits.  It may therefore be possible that it could be a foreign nester and looking at it's 'ruffled' appearance today, you would think it has just landed after a long flight.  It is now 8 months and 9 days since I ringed this one.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FJV   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (10 Aug 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 1st December 2024, at Antrim Marina)

With the addition of the two latest sightings, this winter's list now stands at 15 colour-rings altogether.  Not a great visit today due to the circumstances.  On the plus side, there was a significant rise in the number of juveniles.  Today I had 12, as compared to a maximum of 4 last week.  All of the juveniles seem to be fairly comfortable being around people feeding the ducks and a few of them have already 'clocked on' to folk approaching the pellet dispenser.  They know they will have an opportunity to grab some pellets whilst being thrown out to the ducks.

I was hoping to record the return of the metal-rung Icelandic Black-headed Gull -  543335 .  I kept a keen eye for any metal-only gulls and hopefully better luck next week.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Sunday 10th August 2025

2AAN	2CJT	2FJA	2CSK	2FFX	2FHV	2FJK	2FJV	2FIL	2FJN

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

2ACV	2CSR	2FFA	2FFT	2FJT

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

The Mute Swan family with six cygnets were present throughout my visit, the female being ringed -  X4707 .  When they all came ashore onto the slipway, it gave me a chance to see how confident the youngsters are.  Holding a fistful of bread, they had to work at trying to pry bread from my hand.  Four of the six youngsters were confident to do so.  A young lady watching was fascinated so I handed her some bread and explained what to do.  On dong so, I told her she would be able to stroke the chicks which left her leaving very delighted.  I think her hubby/boyfriend was surprised that she actually had the courage to feed the youngsters.  I got a huge 'Thank You' from her.

Around 60 Mallards were present at all times.  As normal, most if not all legs were checked for rings.

The adult male Herring Gull arrived briefly at 10:32, and returned with his youngster just after the cessation of the power-washing.  Both were still present when I departed.  No sign of the female yet, but it was a similar situation last winter with last year's chick remained with dad, with the female making the odd appearance every so often.

No Common Gulls today, and a 3rd Calendar Year Lesser Black-backed Gull arrived at 13:18, staying for just 10 minutes.

The nesting Sand Martins are still present, and five Jackdaws were the only other birds recorded.

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