More 1st's...

I couldn't get away on Saturday, and therefore decided to use the whole of Sunday, surveying the north, on the search for rings.  This should have culminated, with a visit to the East Strand, in Portrush, where a 'metal-rung' BHG, should have returned by now.  The afternoon ended a 'tad' short of my plans, though I was well pleased recording my first ever 'colour-ringed' Curlew, and two Sanderlings, 'to boot'.

Visiting Antrim Marina, on Monday, instead of Sunday, really gave me a bit of a headache.  The new construction work at the Marina, does not offer me the peace and quite, which a Sunday would afford me, and I really need time to look for 'ringed' birds elsewhere.

Weeks day's are of little or no use, as not only do I have to contend with a lot of traffic, but I have to return home in good enough time to prepare myself to go to work.  A few hours out, during weekday's, is not long enough, and adds to the fuel bill of my car, which is'nt good either.

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Antrim Marina - Monday 26th November 2018

Not getting out at all on Saturday, I again decided to put off my weekly visit to Antrim Marina, electing to go on Monday, instead of Sunday.  This left all day on Sunday, to visit other sites on the search for rings.

Arriving at the Marina, just after 09.20, it was a nice calm sunny morning, with an almost complete blue sky.  The temperature gauge in my car read 1.5°C, having read -1.0°C, when I departed from my house.  A good number of Black-headed Gulls, were already present at the Marina, with around 60 birds on site.  Having so far, recorded 30 'colour-ringed' BHGs this winter, I re-sighted 13 birds, within the first half hour of my arrival.

After this time, my latest visit, turned into something of a disaster.  Firstly, two men arrived onto the slipway, with a boat, and took well over an hour, to prepare and launch it onto the river.  During this time, they set up a GPS system on a tripod, placed onto the short concrete jetty.  Immediately, this prevented the gulls from landing onto one of their favourite perching spots.

On asking one of the two men what they were doing, I was told that they were surveying the depth of the river, which flows past the Marina, into Lough Neagh.  According to them, it is looking likely, that the river will have to be dredged at some point in the near future.

Just prior to their boat being launched, a small digger and a dump-truck, arrived on the site.  The men here, then started digging the green, just outside of the compound, where the new cafe is being built.

All this disturbance, meant the gulls would not settle, and I only recorded another five 'colour-rings', when I finally called it a day, at 11.50am.  Black-headed Gulls, did arrive in some large groups, but just flew on, due to all of the activity.  Some did remain, but they just congregated on the low wooden jetty, close to the Crack Willow tree, and never numbered any more than around 50 birds.

Two Black-headed Gulls, that I had hoped to record today -   2AFD &   2CSC , never appeared.  Even if they have returned, it would not surprise me, that they never landed due to all of the activity.  The only highlight of this visit, was my 18th re-sighting, which was the 2nd appearance of   2ANS , this winter. 

Colour-Ringed Black-headed Gulls at Antrim Marina, on Monday 26th November 2018

2CSJ	2CJT	2BRA	T35J	2AAR	2CSL	2AAN	2ABK	2ABS
2CSA	2AAK	2AAP	2CSR	2CSH	2ACV	2CSK	2AAT	2ANS

Today's Absentees

2AAA	2ABN	2ADJ	2AAB	2ABL	2ABF
2AAV	2ADV	2BRD	2CSB	2CSF	2CSS

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

The sub-adult Herring Gull, and an adult Common Gull, were already present on my arrival this morning.  But due to the disturbance around the Marina, they became irregular visitors until my departure.  A second adult Common Gull, arrived just after 11am, but this too, did not favour what was going on.  No sign, of the 'metal-rung', Scottish Common Gull, a bird which I cannot confirm, though I'm sure it is   EY64036 .

The first Mute Swan, arrived from the Lough at 10.23.  It did come ashore onto the slipway, for a short time, before departing towards the Lough soon afterwards.  This bird was not ringed, but the arrival of another Swan at 10.55, turned out to be    W34158 , which is seen on a fairly regular basis.  A pair of un-ringed birds, appeared from the Lough at 11.20, and were still present, along with   W34158 , when I departed.

Mallard numbers, are still on slight high.  35 birds, increased to 47 ducks, by 10.20, and numbered around the 60 mark, by the time of my departure.  Again, most were checked for rings, but still no luck this winter.

There was a slight increase in Jackdaw numbers this week, with 9 birds being counted at one point.  2 Hooded Crows, parked themselves beside my car for long periods.  One of these two, readily took bread from the wing mirror of my car, a habit a bird did last winter.  Other than these, a single male Pied Wagtail, was the only other species recorded.

Normally, after leaving the Marina, I would visit three other sites around the town of Antrim, but I took a lazy fit, and didn't bother with these today.

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Ringing Details Received

On Saturday the 10th November, I spotted a Herring Gull, on Kinnegar Beach, which was 'colour-ringed' -   T8ZY .  This gull, which had been ringed on the Isle of Man, was reported to both the BTO, and Mark Fitzpatrick, who is the ringing secretary, for the Manx Ringing Group.

The ringing details from the BTO, arrived with me, before Mark, replied to my email.  Between, ringing and my re-sighting,   T8ZY , had been spotted on three other occasions :-

03 Feb 2014 - Clougherhead, Co. Louth, Republic of Ireland.
21 Dec 2014 - Cruisetown, Co. Louth, Republic of Ireland.
17 Oct 2018 - Clougherhead, Co. Louth, Republic of Ireland.
10 Nov 2018 - Kinnegar Beach, Co. Down (my sighting).

My thanks goes to Mark, for forwarding these re-sightings.

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I have received an email, from Graham Prole, in Dublin.  He has just received a reply from Germany, concerning a Black-headed Gull, which he spotted at Sean Walsh Park -   X35P   (20 Nov 2018).  Apparently, there is a long delay in replies, due to a staffing shortage.

Graham Prole, was providing me with a 'heads up', as he knows, that I'm waiting for a reply, on Black-headed Gull -   X82N .  Graham McElwaine, spotted   X82N , on the 1st November 2018, at Millquarter Bay, in County Down.  Hopefully, an email, will arrive with me soon. 

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A Sighting from Preston, England

Arriving home from work, in the early hours of Saturday morning (24th Nov), I checked my emails, finding a couple in my Inbox.  One of these was intriguing, as I was being informed of a gull, which was not one, that I had ringed.  Admittedly, the observer who wishes to remain anonymous (initials - I.S.), only knew the bird as a 'gull'.  Trying to find the owner of the gull through BTO links, led 'I.S.' to contacting me.

The gull in question, was a Black-headed Gull, with a 'Blue Darvic', the code reading   2F02 .  As 'I.S.', reported seeing the gull at Preston Docks (Lancashire, England), my thoughts went back to a Black-headed Gull, spotted by Suzanne Belshaw, with the same or similar code.  On checking my spreadsheet, Suzanne, had spotted   2F05 , at Lurgan Park, in February 2017, this bird having been ringed at Preston Docks, in December 2012.

The Blue 2F(number),(number), series of ring codes, are registered to a different ringer.  The Blue 2F(letter),(letter) series, are registered to me, with both sets of rings, to be used only on Black-headed Gulls.

I replied to 'I.S.', suggesting that he should contact, both the BTO, and the registered ringer, with the details of his sighting, and provided links to each.

After getting out of bed on Saturday morning, I decided to undertake some detective work.  I checked out the Grid Ref, on the BTO's recovery details, that had been sent to Suzanne, and located SD5129, online, on Bing Maps.  Zooming into the same location on Google Maps, brought me down to a street view of Preston Docks.  In no time at all, I pinpointed from where 'I.S.', had taken his picture.

  2F02 , had it's photograph taken, in the car park, at Mariners Way, in Preston.  'I.S.', happened across   2F02 , whilst on his lunch break.  Armed, with all the information that I needed, I created a 'finding site', on my DemOn account with the BTO, and duly reported 'I.S.'s', sighting on his behalf, adding, his name and email address.

As with   2F05 , spotted by Suzanne, at Lurgan Park, I reckon,   2F02 , was caught and ringed on (or around), the same date as   2F05 , which was on the 17th December 2012.  I suggest, that these gulls were caught by hand, using bread, or something similar as a lure, either within the car park, or at the nearby Marina.

I have just received the ringing details for   2F02 , from the British Trust for Ornithology.    2F02 , was indeed ringed, on the 17th December 2012, in the Docks area of Preston.

Black-headed Gull  -    2F02   -  Preston Docks, Preston, Lancashire, England  (23 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 17th December 2012, at Preston Docks)

(Photo Courtesy of I.S.)

Black-headed Gull  -    2F05   -  Lurgan Park Lake, Lurgan, Co. Armagh  (03 Feb 2017)

(Ringed as a 1st Winter Bird, on the 17th December 2017, at Preston Docks, Preston, Lancashire, England)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

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From Cameron Moore

Having been pushed for time, to publish my previous post, I can now report on two Black-headed Gull sightings, which have been forwarded to me by Cameron Moore.

On the 10th November, Cameron, spotted one of Adam McClure's Study birds, on the seafront at Whitehead.    2AFF , had been ringed as a chick, on the Copeland Islands, in June 2013.  I have two previous re-sightings on my spreadsheet, the first, was on the 5th May 2014, when   2AFF , was spotted at Whitehouse Lagoon, on the edge of Belfast.

Adam McClure, spotted his own bird at Whitehouse Lagoon, on the 14th September 2015.  It's interesting to note, that this gull has re-surfaced just over three years, since last seen by Adam.

Black-headed Gull  -    2AFF   -  Whitehead, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (10 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2013, on Mew Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Cameron Moore)

Having received my text message, concerning the return of the Danish Black-headed Gull - (White) 5HA, on the 18th November 2018, Cameron, called by the seafront at Whitehead, the following day, and saw (White) 5HA, for himself.

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  5HA  -  Whitehead, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (19 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as a 3rd Calendar Year Male, on the 28th March 2015, at Gentofte, Denmark)

(Photo Courtesy of Cameron Moore)

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Sunday 25th November 2018

Having not been able to get out and about yesterday, I decided to make a day of it today, starting at the Inch Levels, in County Donegal, and working my way along the north coast, to finish at Portrush, Co. Antrim.  By the end of the afternoon, I only got as far as the Bann Estuary, having fell in with faces, old and new.

On reaching the Inch Levels by 9am, I could see small pockets of Whooper Swans, dotted around the fields, below my viewpoint on the main road, at Burt.  Most of the Whoopers, were situated well away from any of the side roads, except for two small flocks.  The first flock, which numbered around 50 birds, were in a grass field, along with between 300 and 400 Greylag Geese, and two Barnacle Geese.

Scoping all these, not a single neck-collar, was spotted on any of the Greylags, the Barnacle's were too far away, and the grass hid the legs of most Whoopers.  The legs of the Whoopers, could only be seen as they walked along.

The second field, was sort of divided into two parts, one of grass and the other, which appeared to be ploughed over.  The grass area, had a few Whooper Swans, a nice sized flock of Canada Geese, numbering 50 to 60 birds, amongst which, a few Greylags were also present.  Unfortunately, the grass, was far too high for legs to be checked for rings.

The ploughed area, had Whoopers and a few Greylags.  It was here, that I spotted a 'colour-ring' and a 'metal' only, on two of the 40 to 50 Whooper Swans.  The 'metal', was of no use to me, but I soon captured the code on the 'colour-ring' -   YPY .

On returning home on Sunday evening, I checked out my Whooper Swan sighting on the cr-birding website, to find that   YPY , had been ringed by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.  Sending an email, reporting my sighting, I received a reply from Kane Brides, just before 9am on Monday morning.

  YPY , had been ringed as an adult female, on the 24th February 2016, on the WWT Reserve, at Caerlaverock, in Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland.  Away from Caerlaverock,   YPY , had only been spotted at two other locations, both in Norfolk, England.  On the 14th November 2016, it was seen on another WWT Reserve, at Welney, and then on the 21st January 2017, was re-sighted on the nearby Hilgay Fen.

My thanks goes to Kane, for the quick reply, and information provided.

Whooper Swan  -    YPY   -  Inch Levels, Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland  (25 Nov 2018)

(Ringed aa an Adult Female, on the 24th February 2016, at Caeraverock, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland)

Leaving County Donegal, my next stop, was on the Myroe Levels, situated on the eastern shore of Lough Foyle.  The first thing that struck me, was where had all the Whooper Swans gone.  I came here, not so long ago, and there were hundreds of Swans dotted about on the Levels and nearby farmland.  The only ones, that I saw here, were steadily gaining height having just taken off, as I approached the Levels.  This group, consisting of around 15 birds, flew westwards towards Eglington.

Driving along the track of the seawall, which separates Lough Foyle, from the Levels, I could see a small number of Greylag Geese and a few dozen Curlews, which were well spread out, over a very lengthy grass field.  Scoping the Greylags first, no 'neck-collars' were seen, so I then scanned through the Curlews.  At the far side of the field, I spotted my first ever 'colour-ringed' Curlew.  I was in trouble with this one, as those who can testify and know the area, can tell you, just how long these fields are.

I even drove around to the road, over on the far side, only to find that I was blanked out, by the embankment of the Coleraine to Londonderry railway line.  Returning to my previous position, I played a waiting game, hoping my Curlew, would at least get to somewhere near, to the middle of the field.

Bit, by bit, the Curlew got closer - to a point, that my new camera, managed to capture the 'colour-rings', even though I was well into digital mode.  Bright sunshine, reflecting off, the grass did not help, but a number of photos were taken.  Pausing to look at what I had captured, my bird had one 'colour-ring', on it's right leg, and two 'colour-rings', on the left leg.  What was worse, was that one of the two 'colour-rings', had a code, which read either '8Y' or 'BY'.

Even after returning home, and downloading the photos onto my laptop, I was still undecided about the code.  Knowing, that if I could track down the ringer, they would know what the correct code should be.  I decided to email the photo, to Richard Du Feu, who seems to know everything about ringed waders, along with photos of two 'colour-ringed' Sanderlings, that I came across, later that afternoon.

Richard, as usual, 'came up trumps', sending carbon copies to the ringers concerned.  Next, came a reply from Hywel Maggs, who is the Senior Conservation Officer, for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, based in their East Scotland office.

The Curlew, was 'colour-ringed', as a chick, on the 19th June 2015, with White(BY), over Yellow, on the left leg, and Green, over it's 'metal ring', on it's right leg.  My sighting of this bird, was a first, having been ringed in the Strathdon area, in Aberdeenshire.  Understandably, I was well pleased, to have my first ever 'colour-ringed', Curlew sighting, confirmed.

Hywel, asked, if he could include my photo, in their next news letter, to which I gladly agreed.  My thanks goes to Richard and Hywel, for their help on this bird.

Curlew  -  W(BY)Y-G  -  The Myroe Levels, Lough Foyle, Co. Londonderry  (25 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2015, at Strathdon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland)

I spent a long time on the levels, and also checked the estuary, where the River Roe, enters Lough Foyle.  On the whole, I was very disappointed, with the number of gulls and waders present.  Normally, numbers would be far higher than they were today.  Oystercatchers and more Curlews, were scoped, these being present in higher numbers, and even more surprising, was the sighting of a single Brent Goose.

A couple of cars, containing other birdwatchers, were busy travelling up and down the gravel track.  I recognised a couple of these birdwatchers, one of which asked me, had I seen the 'Lesser Yellowlegs'.  I knew of the presence of this rarity, before my visit here, having read about it on the NIBA website.

I had seen Redshank and Greenshank, but according to the NIBA website, the Lesser Yellowlegs, was re-sighted here today.  Even at that, I have no interest in rarities, unless they are ringed.  A ringed bird, tells a story, whereas an un-ringed bird, no matter how rare it is, means nothing to me.

I had spent a lot of time on the levels, with little reward, so I moved on to the Bann Estuary, parking on the Castlerock side of the River.  After initially scoping loads of waders, especially Curlews, on the southern side of the hide, which overlooks the River Bann, I returned to my car, to put on my walking boots.

I had spotted a number of gulls, and a small number of waders, to the north, and needed to walk along the shore, to cut down on the distance.  On my way back to the car, I came across what I thought was another birdwatcher, but in a later conversation, this guy was interested in wildlife photography.  Next, I ran into my ringing trainer John Clarke, and fellow ringer Ken Perry.

They were here, on hearing news, that another 'Lesser Yellowlegs', had been spotted on this estuary.  John, knowing me for my passion of 'Ring Reading', informed me, that he had spotted a 'colour-ringed' Sanderling, nearby, on a recent visit here.

Having, donned my walking boots, I headed off north towards the gulls, and straight away, fell in with a group of Sanderlings.  Scoping these, I spotted a 'colour-ringed' bird, which I found out later, was the very bird John, had told me about.  I took a few photos, and carried on towards the gulls.  Having scanned through them several times, and some nearby Cormorants, no more rings were spotted, and I made my way back.

Stopping to chat to the photographer, we eventually got around to talking about other things, other than wildlife.  It turned out, this guy, Mervyn Graham, was at the same secondary school, around the same time, when my ringing trainer, John and I, attended.  It's a small world at times.

Whilst talking to Mervyn, another Sanderling caught my eye, which was 'colour-ringed', but this one had 'red rings', unlike the bird I had seen previously.  With further photos taken, it was getting late, and Mervyn and I, returned towards our vehicles.  We came across John & Ken, who had no luck in sighting the 'Lesser Yellowlegs'.

I mentioned to John, that I had spotted two 'colour-ringed' Sanderlings, the second of which, was possibly the same bird, that had been spotted by a National Trust Warden.  By the time that I had returned home, John had emailed photos, of his, and the Warden's photos.  My two sightings today, were of the same two birds.  John, also mentioned a website, called 'Animal Track', where the Sanderling sightings, could be entered, which leads to the birds life histories.

The system used to code the 'colour-combinations', seems to be a trifle confusing, but I have decided to use the given codes for each of my sightings.  Note, that 'G1' and 'G4', actually refers to the position of the 'Green Flag', on each birds leg.

The first Sanderling - G4YWBG, was ringed on the 22nd May 2016, at Sandgerði, in S.W. Iceland.  There had been no recorded sightings until this month (November), where it has now been noted on three occasions.  Barring my sighting today, John Clarke, spotted it here on the 18th, whilst Richard Donaghey, saw it on the nearby Portstewart Strand, on the 23rd.

Sanderling  -  G4YWBG  -  Bann Estuary, Co. Londonderry  (25 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 22nd May 2016, at Sandgerði, S.W. Iceland)

The second Sanderling, rung - G1RRYW, was ringed on the 10th May 2011, also at Sandgerði, S.W. Iceland.  It is slowly gathering an interesting re-sighting history :-

May 2011 - Sandgerði, S.W. Iceland.
May 2012 - Sandgerði, S.W. Iceland.
May 2016 - Háubakkar, N.E. Iceland.
May 2017 - Ardivachar, South Uist, Scotland.
Oct 2017 - Bann Estuary, Co. Londonderry, N. Ireland.
Oct 2018 - Magilligan Point, Co. Londonderry, N. Ireland.
Nov 2018 - Bann Estuary, Co. Londonderry, N. Ireland. 

Sanderling  -  G1RRYW  -  Bann Estuary, Co. Londonderry  (25 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 10th May 2011, at Sandgerði, S.W. Iceland )

Having not made it as far as Coleraine and Portrush, today proved quite rewarding, having spotted my first 'colour-ringed' Curlew, also my first 'colour-ringed' Sanderlings.  Last year, I missed out on two 'colour-ringed' Sanderlings at Portrush.  Photos were taken of these two, whilst standing on one leg.  However, two young lads just happened along, one of which unknowingly scared the birds away, by throwing stones.

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Good Days - Bad Days...

A hurried post this week, as I've had little time, to sit and write this out.  With a poor outing on Saturday, I postponed my weekly visit to Antrim Marina, until Monday, only to find I could not undertake the visit, hence, forcing a first ever Tuesday visit, which I could have done without.  I've had to leave out the 'Ringing Details Received', article, and another sighting by Cameron Moore.  These, I'll add to my next post.

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Antrim Marina - Tuesday 20th November 2018

I once again, chose to visit Antrim Marina, on the Monday, instead of Sunday.  This gave me more time, on Sunday, to check sites, on the east Antrim Coast, finishing off, at Kinnegar Beach, Holywood, in Co. Down.  It also allowed me to re-visit some of the sites that I covered on Saturday afternoon, having recorded no rings, during a very poor day, weather-wise.

Arriving at the Marina, at 09.15, on Monday morning, to my horror, there was a lorry parked in the middle of my observation area, with two men busy power-hosing, the slipway and jetties.  I didn't stand a chance of recording any of the 'ringed' gulls, so I moved on, and checked the other three sites in Antrim Town.

Two 'colour-rings', were spotted at Antrim's Baptist Church.  One, was the Polish Black-headed Gull - (White TY43), and the other, was   2AAB , from Adam McClure's Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study.  Having decided, to visit Antrim Marina, on Tuesday,   2AAB , was one of the absentees.

Black-headed Gull's  -  (White)  TY43  &    2AAB   -  Antrim Baptist Church, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (19 Nov 2018)

This was the first time ever, that I have undertaken my weekly visit to Antrim Marina, other than on a Sunday or a Monday.  Tuesday morning, saw a fairly calm day, the temperature reaching 8°C, though it felt a lot colder, with the slight breeze, coming in from an easterly direction.

Throughout my visit, Black-headed Gull numbers, ranged from around 80 to a maximum of around, 120 to 140 birds.  Having recorded 30 'colour-ringed' individuals so far this winter, there was still no sign of   2AFD .  Going by past return dates, from Latvia,   2AFD , should be back again by now.  Hopefully, he is in the area, or perhaps just late in returning.  I'd hate to think, he hasn't survived his journey's to or from Latvia this summer.

Another gull, that I'm waiting on, is   2CSC , a bird I caught and ringed last winter.  With the Black-headed Gulls, now readily feeding from my hand, whilst in flight, I know if   2CSC , should return, this gull will actually perch onto my hand - the wait continues.

  2BRC , is a gull that I don't think I've mentioned so far this winter.  This is one of four Black-headed Gulls, which was caught and ringed, when I first met Adam here, on the 1st February 2015.    2BRC , is a rare visitor to Antrim Marina, each winter, but if it has survived the summer, I would expect to see this bird at some point over the next few weeks.  I actually, caught this bird by hand for ringing, so it has some significance to me, as it was my first capture of a BHG.

By the time of my departure, around 1pm, 25 of the 30 'colour-ringed' Black-headed Gulls, recorded so far this winter, were recorded today.  I was glad to see both of last week's latest returnees -   2CSF   &   2CSH .  Another returnee, which has not been recorded, over the past couple of weeks -   2ADV , was also spotted today.

Colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls at Antrim Marina, on Tuesday 20th November 2018

T35J	2BRA	2AAT	2CSA	2CSB	2AAK	2CSK	2CJT	2ABS
2ABL	2AAR	2AAP	2CSH	2ACV	2ADJ	2CSJ	2ABK	2CSR
2ABN	2ADV	2AAA	2CSF	2ABF	2AAN	2CSL

Today's Absentees

2AAB	2AAV	2BRD	2ANS	2CSS

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

Mute Swan -   W34158 , was present throughout today's visit to Antrim Marina.  It was joined, by another two Mute Swans, at 11.45, both un-ringed.  Mallard numbers, were slightly up this week, with around 40 birds at first, increasing to around the 80 mark, on my departure.  Once again, most were checked for rings.

Two adult Common Gulls, and the near adult Herring Gull, were also present throughout my visit.  A further two adult Common Gulls, arrived at 12.24 and 12.33, taking the total to four.  There was no sign of the small 'metal-rung' female, from Scotland.  As yet, I have not been able to confirm her ring number -   EY64036 .

The only other birds recorded during my visit, were 2 Hooded Crows and 4 Jackdaws.

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Saturday 17th November 2018

What an awful day.  Finally, getting out early on Saturday afternoon, I decided to cover the coast, starting at Ballycastle, and hopefully reaching Carrickfergus, before dark.  I say before dark, but the whole afternoon, appeared to be like 'twilight'.  It was heavily overcast, and everywhere appeared 'gloomy', looking much like a thin fog.

The highlight of my afternoon, was when I neared my first stop, Ballycastle.  The sun broke through, several holes in the cloud, which produced a stunning 'Kaleidoscope', of colours, mixed through the gloom, unbelievable to look at - even stunning.

As I say, this was my highlight.  By the time I reached Carrickfergus, the light was failing at a rapid rate, and night-time was upon me.  I don't know, whether the strong wind, was a factor, but all the way down the coast, very few gulls were to be seen, and not a ring was found.  A long and cold afternoon, produced nothing.

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Sunday 18th November 2018

Compared to yesterday, Sunday was glorious, with plenty of sunshine, a mostly clear sky, but I still had to contend with that chilly breeze.  I decided, it would be better to postpone my weekly visit to Antrim Marina, until tomorrow, as I had that feeling, that I would find rings today.  How true this was, as I recorded rings at every stop I made, with several re-sightings and a couple of new birds - the highlight being my first ever 'colour-ringed' Shelduck.

I back-tracked slightly today, starting at Glynn, just south of the port of Larne.  The tide, had begun to recede, which normally means, plenty of gulls.  Instead of the hundreds, I was hoping for, only a few dozen appeared, along with a handful of waders.

In the company of another couple of birdwatchers, I waited on the platform of Glynn railway station, scoping the gulls on Larne Lough.  A long way out, I eventually spotted a 'Yellow Darvic'.  Moving well into 'optical mode', my camera captured the code -   2H22 .

This was now my 4th sighting of this Common Gull, and the 6th record for it, on my spreadsheet.  Ringed as a chick, in June 2016, Cameron Moore, made the initial sighting, when he spotted the juvenile, at Whitehead, Co. Antrim, in September 2016.  By December 2016,   2H22 , had moved northwards, a short distance, to Sandy Bay, in Larne, where I recorded the gull for the first time.

The next two sightings, came in July 2017, where I found   2H22 , even further north, at Carnlough Bay, in County Antrim.  That was it, until last month (15th October 2018), when Cameron Moore, again recorded   2H22 , here at Glynn, the scene of today's sighting.

Common Gull  -    2H22   -  Glynn, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 26th June 2016, at Glenscorrodale, Isle of Arran, Ayrshire, Scotland)

My next stop, was at the coastal town of Whitehead.  I came here yesterday, by which time, dusk was setting in.  Only a few Black-headed Gulls were present, but I was on the lookout, for a Danish bird, which according to my spreadsheet records, should have returned by now.  No sign of it yesterday, but this morning, with a larger number of gulls present, there it was - the Danish (White) 5HA.

Although (White) 5HA, was ringed as an adult male, in March 2015, all re-sightings of this gull, have been at Whitehead - the initial record, being in November 2016, when spotted by Cameron Moore.  5HA, remained at Whitehead, until the 26th February 2017, when spotted independently of each other, by Stephen Foster & myself.

I recorded the return of (White) 5HA, on the 14th November 2017, the gull having arrived back for a 2nd winter running.  It remained at Whitehead, until last spotted by Ian Enlander, on the 26th February 2018.  I'm well pleased to see this bird's return for what is now the 3rd winter in a row.

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  5HA  -  Whitehead, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as a 3rd Calendar Year Male, on the 28th March 2015, at Gentofte, Denmark)

It was on to Carrickfergus harbour for my next stop.  Here, I was hoping to record a couple of Adam McClure's Study birds.  The only one, that did appear, was   2ADD .  I was really pleased to see this Black-headed Gull, as I failed to record it at Antrim Marina, during the breeding season, this past summer.

  2ADD , is known to winter at Carrickfergus, where it had been caught and ringed, by Adam, in November 2013.  I discovered, through my visits, to Antrim Marina, and other sites, around Antrim Town, that   2ADD , has an unusual pattern of movements.

Just prior to the breeding season,   2ADD   would leave Carrickfergus, and spend a few weeks, at the car park, of the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet, on the outskirts of Antrim Town.  It would then move on to the Marina, where it undoubtedly breeds on the nearby, former, 'Torpedo Platform'.  After the breeding season has ended,   2ADD , would again spend a few weeks at the KFC car park, before returning to Carrickfergus, for another winter.

However, not only, did I not record   2ADD , at the Marina, the gull never appeared at the KFC, in the weeks after this summer's breeding season.    2ADD , was recorded at the KFC car park, from the 29th January, until the 19th March 2018.  Did, he even breed on Lough Neagh, or did he choose a different site, this year?  At least, with today's re-sighting, I know   2ADD , is alive and well.

Black-headed Gull  -    2ADD   -  Carrickfergus Harbour, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 29th November 2013, at Carrickfergus Harbour)

Moving on from the harbour, to the nearby Rhanbouy Park, I was hoping to spot the Norwegian BHG -   JJ02 , for the second time this winter.  No problems here - after throwing bits of bread over the sea wall onto the beach, I soon had an audience, which included my target.

This is the second winter running, that I have recorded   JJ02 , here at Rhanbouy Park.  During the winter of 2016/2017, I did spot a 'Green Darvic', fairly close to Rhanbouy Park, which may well have been   JJ02 , but the code was not read until last winter (14th Nov 2017).    JJ02 , was last seen on the 10th February 2018, and was then re-sighted in Oslo, on five occasions during April 2018.  My first sighting of   JJ02 , this winter, was on the 19th August.

Black-headed Gull  -    JJ02   -  Rhanbouy Park, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as an Adult Female, on the 12th June 2014, at Oslo, Norway)

Next stop, was the beach at Whiteabbey.  With plenty of gulls about, I was hoping to spot at least a few rings, but ended up with one re-sighting.  I paid especial attention to the Black-headed Gulls, as it was a year ago today, since I spotted one of Eoin McGreal's birds, from his former project, at Lough Mask, in the Republic of Ireland.  At the time, my sighting, was a first for the gull, which had been rung with a 'Yellow Darvic', in 2007.  No sign of it today, but hopefully it'll turn up soon.

The re-sighting, was that of Common Gull -   2AIP .    2AIP , has now been recorded, once a month here since August 2018.  Ringed as a chick, in 2012, it went un-recorded until October 2015, when I first spotted the gull at Whiteabbey beach.  Since then,   2AIP , has been spotted at Whiteabbey, every winter.

As I wrote this, a thought came into my head.  How come, I record very few ringed birds at Whiteabbey, which is situated on the northern side of Belfast Lough, whereas, at Kinnegar beach, to the south, I always seem to record a far greater number of rings.  Kinnegar beach, is more extensive, and does attract a greater number of birds, but proportionally, Whiteabbey, should be producing a few more ringed birds then it actually does.

Common Gull  -    2AIP   -  Whiteabbey Shoreline, Whiteabbey, Co. Antrim  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 11th June 2012, on the Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

Leaving Whiteabbey, a few minutes drive, took me to Whitehouse Lagoon.  There was far fewer gulls and waders present here than normal.  Just the one 'colour-ring', was spotted, and this was my third sighting this winter, of (White) T56W, a Black-headed Gull, from Poland.  Ringed in June 2012, it has been recorded at Whitehouse Lagoon, each winter, since it's initial sighting, during the 2014/15 season.  My first sighting this winter, was on the 26th August, here on the Lagoon.

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  T56W  -  Whitehouse Lagoon, Belfast  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed, 2nd Calendar Year Bird, on the 16th June 2012, at Bielinek, Poland)

A wealth of gulls and waders, were feeding on the mudflats at Dargan.  Scoping for what seemed like an eternity, I eventually spotted an Oystercather, with a combination of 'colour-rings'.  I could not make out the colour of the (presumably) two rings on the birds left leg, or the code on the single 'White Ring', on the right leg.  The Oystercatcher, was walking up to it's knees, in deep mud, which plastered all the rings.  I do know, this is an Icelandic bird, and may have been OR-W(NC), spotted here on the 20th October 2018. 

Plenty of gulls and waders, were scoped, and I was hopeful for another Oystercatcher, or even Black-tailed Godwit, as there were plenty of these birds about.  I then had a look at the ducks, as Dargan, always always attracts a number of Wigeon and Shelduck, along with the more common Mallards.

Just by luck, I spotted the tip of a 'Yellow Ring', poking out of the mud.  It was on a Shelduck, who was busy preening.  A long wait ensued, before the duck eventually straddled towards a pool of water.  As it walked, the ring kept disappearing into the mud.  Although, I could read the code -   CH , through the viewfinder of my camera, I kept missing the code when pressing the shutter.  With persistence, I captured the photo that I needed, for confirmation.

Returning home, I reported my sighting through the BTO's DemOn Database, and after checking the 'cr-birding database', sent an email to the Axe Estuary Ringing Group, in Devon, England.  On Tuesday, a Mike Tyler, replied to say that the Shelduck, had been ringed on the Seaton Marshes, in the south of the County.  Mike, stated that he would pass on my sighting, to their database manager, who would get back to me.

I haven't heard from him yet, but I have received the ringing details from the BTO.  My Shelduck, was ringed as a juvenile, on the 11th December 2011, on the Seaton Marshes.  6 years, 11 months and 3 days, have elapsed, since   CH , was ringed.  I then entered the duck's 'metal-number', onto the DemOn Database, and could see that it was re-sighted the day after being ringed, plus twice in January 2012, and once in February 2012.  Offhand, I guess those re-sightings were made on or around the ringing site.

  CH , is my first ever 'colour-ringed' Shelduck sighting, the bird having travelled 477 kms / 296 miles (NNW), to reach Dargan.  Now that I know of it's presence, I'll certainly keep an eye out for future re-sightings.

Shelduck  -    CH   -  Dargan Mudflats, Belfast  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as a Juvenile, on the 11th December 2011, on the Seaton Marshes, South Devon, England) 

I was driving through the Belfast Harbour Estate, when I noticed a large group of gulls, on Connswater, situated alongside Belfast's Victoria Park.  Scoping the gulls at distance, I noticed a 'White Darvic'.  Leaving the car, I walked opposite to where the gulls were resting on the mud, and soon captured the code - (White) THR7.  I knew, by the letter 'T', that this was a Polish Black-headed Gull, and this was a another new sighting for me.

Having entered the code, onto the 'Live Polish Ringing Database', I received an email on Monday afternoon, informing me, that my sighting had been accepted, which allows me access to the ringing and re-sighting details.  My gull was a first re-sighting, since being ringed as a breeding male, on the 8th May 2018, in the Zawadka.  (White) THR7, has flown 1,765 kms / 1,096 miles (WNW), to reach Connswater - 6 months and 10 days, after ringing.

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  THR7  -  Victoria Park, Belfast  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as a Breeding Male, on the 8th May 2018, at Zawadka, in Southern Poland)

Finishing off the afternoon, with another visit to Kinnegar Beach, I spotted two 'colour-ringed' gulls, but more surprisingly, none of the ringed birds spotted here last week, were to be seen.  Again, Black-headed Gulls, far outnumbered any other species, but as yet, I've still to find a 'colour-ringed' bird amongst these.  Last week, not even a 'metal' was spotted, but today, one BHG did have a 'metal-ring', which going by it's size, is probably that of a British-rung bird.

The first of the two 'colour-rings' spotted, was a 'Green Darvic', on a Mediterranean Gull.  I had to walk out onto the beach, as the processor in my new camera, could not cope with the lighting conditions, caused by the near setting sun.  I held my breath, hoping the much nearer BHGs, would not take flight.  Moving slowly, and stopping every now and again, I got close enough to capture the code on the Med Gull.

Ringed -   AETC , this was a bird that I've known about, for a very long time, and this was my first sighting of it.    AETC , was captured and ringed, on the nest, whilst incubating 4 eggs, on the 24th May 2008, at Stade, in Germany.  It is no stranger to the shores of Northern Ireland though.

Oct 2008 - Carnlough Bay, Co. Antrim - Neal Warnock.
Feb 2010 - Whitehead, Co. Antrim - Cameron Moore.
Feb 2010 - Whitehead, Co. Antrim - George Gordon.
Oct 2016 - Whitehead, Co. Antrim - Cameron Moore.
Jan 2017 - Donaghadee, Co. Down - Stephen Foster.
Nov 2018 - Kinnegar Beach, Co. Down - my sighting today.

Prior to today's re-sighting, the last record of   AETC , was on the 26th March 2017, when the gull was spotted back home, in Stade.  The duration since being ringed, is now 10 years, 5 months and 25 days, having flown 1,011 kms / 628 miles, to reach Kinnegar.

Mediterranean Gull  -    AETC   -  Kinnegar Beach, Holywood, Co. Down  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed, 3rd Calendar Year Bird, on the 24th May 2008, at Stade, Germany)

The second 'colour-ring' spotted, was one of those problematic 'Blue Darvic's', on a Common Gull.  Although the ring has deteriorated slightly, the code was captured, being -   2ACJ .

Ringed by Shane Wolsey, as part of his former study, between 2009 and 2014, the only person to have recorded this gull, is myself.  I first recorded   2ACJ , on this very same beach, on the 22nd December 2016, before spotting it twice, at the Community Centre car park, in Donaghadee, Co. Down (14th & 30th July 2017).

  2ACJ , was ringed as a breeding adult, on the nearby Copeland Islands, in May 2010.  The duration since ringing, is now 8 years, 6 months and 4 days.  Looking at the condition of the ring, it will not be too long, until reading the code, may present some problems.  At least for now, I've added more time to this gull's longevity record.

Common Gull  -    2ACJ   -  Kinnegar Beach, Holywood, Co. Down  (18 Nov 2018)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Breeding Adult, on the 14th May 2010, on the Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

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