Ring Watching At Antrim Marina

Sunday, 20 September 2026

Antrim Marina - Week Ending 20th September 2026

Antrim Marina

I had to forget about this week's weekly visit to Antrim Marina. I had planned on a Wednesday visit, but due to a 'frozen' left shoulder, it was wiser to stay at home. I first felt signs after getting up on Tuesday morning and the shoulder progressively got worse as the day wore on. As I write this today (Sunday 20th September), my shoulder is just about back to normal.

One bit of news. The ringing recovery for the female Mallard - GJ31095 arrived with me on Tuesday 15th September. The duck was ringed at Kiltonga Nature Reserve in Newtownards, County Down, on the 23rd February 2024. The distance from Kiltonga to Antrim Marina was given as 36 kms / 22 miles (WNW) and the duration since being ringed was 2 years, 6 months and 17 days. This was the bird's first re-sighting since being ringed.

Female Mallard - GJ31095 - Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim (09 Sep 2026)

(Ringed as an Adult Female, on the 23rd February 2024, at Kiltonga NR, Newtownards, Co. Down)

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

All My Own Work

Originally, I began this blog in support of the Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study, which was started by Adam McClure in the winter of 2012. Having become heavily involved with his project, I eventually began searching for rings elsewhere in Northern Ireland, documenting findings through my blog. All of this, also led to my re-training as a bird ringer, and eventually, I began my own colour-ringing project in 2017, concerning Common Gulls, based mainly on Rathlin Island.

Common Gulls had become a big favourite with me, and early in 2017, I took over control of Shane Wolsey's former Common Gull project, which was based on Big Copeland Island, with birds rung there between 2009 to 2014. I'm also the ringing co-ordinator for this project too.

Sadly, through the pressures of work and family commitments, Adam had to give up on his Black-headed Gull Study in June 2018. I have taken over the role as the ringing co-ordinator for Adam's former project, and can now respond to sightings.

One of the aims of this blog, is to encourage other birdwatchers to take up the task of 'Ring Reading'. There are any amount of birdwatchers around, but dedicated ring readers are in the minority. As can be seen through my blog, although Northern Ireland is a tiny country, there are lots of rings out there to be found.

There is no copywrite concerning my blog. Anyone wishing to use any of the content, are free to do so, and an acknowledgement would be appreciated. However, photos belonging to other observers, in reality belong to them, therefore permission to use their photos can be arranged through myself.

Gareth D.A. Platt.

plattgareth@yahoo.co.uk