Lithuanian Visitor...

For the second time this month, I had to remain at home over the weekend, due to having no car.  On Thursday 3rd March, I left my car with a local Tyre Company, which also undertakes small repairs.  The filter on my washer bottle needed attention before the upcoming MOT on the 10th March.  The washer passed, but the car failed on a worn drop link, and a pitted brake pipe running past the fuel tank.  Before that, I missed my weekly visit to Antrim Marina on the 7th March, as I did not get my car back until that afternoon, which by then, was too late to head up to Antrim.

Having failed the MOT, I rebooked my car for repairs at the Tyre Company, but they could not take the car in until Thursday 17th March.  By midday Saturday afternoon, there was no word of the car, as they only work a half day on a Saturday, which meant I was grounded for another weekend.  Happily, Suzanne Belshaw offered to cover Antrim Marina on Monday 21st March.  Well into the afternoon that Monday, I phoned to see what was happening with my car.

The owner, informed me, that his mechanic failed to turn in on Friday, Saturday or on that day, Monday.  This meant, I had been grounded, whereas I could have got out, seeing as my car was available.  Late on Tuesday afternoon (22nd March), came the phone call to say my car was ready to be collected.  I will not rebook an MOT test until Monday the 28th, which will ensure I can get out this weekend, and make my final weekly visit for this winter to Antrim Marina.  From next Monday, visits to Antrim Marina will be made on a random basis, beginning from the end of April, in order to record the resident breeding Black-headed Gulls.

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Antrim Marina - Monday 21st March 2022 (Suzanne Belshaw)

As I once again had no car, Suzanne Belshaw volunteered to undertake this weeks visit to Antrim Marina, which was very much appreciated.  I had to cancel my weekly visit on the 7th March 2022, as I had no car, and it would not have looked good having missed two visits during this important time.  Many of the Black-headed Gulls at Antrim Marina, have now departed towards their breeding sites, so having dates for last sightings are a vital part of my study here, and helps to build up profiles for each bird, whether they are year round residents, or winter visitors, whereby a picture can be built up concerning their return and departure dates.

During Suzanne's visit which lasted in excess of two hours,  Suzanne reported, there were never more than 35 Black-headed Gulls present at any time.  Over the course of those couple of hours, a total of 12 Colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls were recorded, the most significant being that of -  2FIJ .  This gull was the last of 15 Black-headed Gulls which I caught and ringed during the winter at Antrim Marina, and it had not been recorded here since I ringed it on the 10th January 2022.  At the time of ringing, I had to rescue the gull, as a Mute Swan had stood on it, pinning it to the slipway.  It is now 2 months and 11 days, since I ringed -  2FIJ , so I was well pleased about this re-sighting.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FIJ   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (21 Mar 2022)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

As -  2FIJ , was the last gull to be ringed at Antrim Marina, in contrast, Suzanne also recorded the first Black-headed Gull to be ringed at Antrim Marina -  2AAA .   2AAA , was caught and ringed here as an adult male, on the 12th November 2012.  Over the years, it has been established that -  2AAA  is a year round resident to the Marina, and likely nests on the nearby 'former' Torpedo Platform.  During World War Two, the platform was used to test out torpedoes.  Today's sighting of -  2AAA , takes it's duration since being ringed, to 9 years, 4 months and 9 days.

Belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study, which lasted from November 2012, until June 2018, many of the birds which Adam ringed, have now fallen by the wayside.

Black-headed Gull  -   2AAA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (21 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 12th November 2012, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

During my visit to Antrim Marina last Monday (14th March 2022), none of the gulls which have been re-sighted in other countries were recorded, so I stated that many will now be on their travels.  Having said that, Suzanne recorded two of those gulls, which are still present.  The first of these, was -  2ACV , which has been reported in the past, at the RSPB Leighton Moss Reserve, in Lancashire England.  The latest date that -  2ACV , has been recorded at Antrim Marina, prior to it's departure, was made by Neville McKee, on the 2nd April 2015. 

The Leighton Moss sighting, was made on the 24th April 2016, and remains the only sighting record away from Northern Ireland.   2ACV , was ringed as a juvenile here at the Marina, on the 21st October 2013, which now take's it duration to 8 years and 5 months since being ringed.

Black-headed Gull  -   2ACV   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (21 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Juvenile, on the 21st October 2013, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

The second bird which still has not departed is -  2CSL .  I caught and ringed this bird as an un-sexed adult, here at the Marina, on the 24th December 2017.  It's final sighting at the Marina during the winter of 2017/2018, was made on the 19th March 2018.  10 days later, on the 29th March 2018, it was spotted in Olsztyn, in Poland, which still remains as being the only sighting record away from Antrim Marina.  For now, it is presumed that the gull nests in Poland.  The duration since being ringed is now 4 years, 2 months and 25 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2CSL   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (21 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 24th December 2017, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

There was no sign of the two Black-headed Gulls that I recorded at Antrim Marina last Monday (14th March 2022),  2K48  from England, or  527908  from Iceland.

There was no mention of Lesser Black-backed, Herring or Common Gulls by Suzanne, but she did have an interesting sighting of an adult Mediterranean Gull in full summer plumage, which as far as I know, would be a first for Antrim Marina.  When not chasing the Black-headed Gulls, the Med Gull would perch on the roof of the Gateway Centre, so Suzanne was not unable to get a good photo.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded by Suzanne Belshaw on Monday 21st March 2022

2ABS	2FHL	2FHX	2FFA	2CSL	2ACV
2AAA	2FFL	2AAB	2FHP	2CJT	2FIJ

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

No details were included regarding other species or numbers, but Suzanne did record both of the metal-rung Mute Swans -  Z78580  and  Z78574 .  I am still hoping for the return of another Mute Swan -  W34156 , but if this bird was at the Marina, I'm sure Suzanne would have got it.

Mute Swan  -   Z78580   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (21 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Juvenile, on the 15th November 2020, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Mute Swan  -   Z78574   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (21 Mar 2021)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Juvenile, on the 8th November 2020, at Ballyronan NR, Ballyronan, Co. Londonderry)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

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From Suzanne Belshaw

Not only did Suzanne cover for me at Antrim Marina, she has been busy recording rings elsewhere, having recorded five colour-ringed Gulls.

On the 12th March 2022, Suzanne recorded juvenile Common Gull -  2HBK , at Groomsport Harbour in County Down.  This was one of 21 chicks ringed on Big Copeland Island in County Down, on the 13th June 2021, which was the first of three planned visits to ring chicks there.  However, I ran into a problem during that visit, so I had to cancel my proposed 2nd and 3rd visits.  Having ran across the island's gamekeeper, unknown to me, the permissions to visit the island had changed from father to son, and the son did not want visitors.  I've tried without any luck, to obtain the son's phone number to plead my case for access.  At present, visits this coming summer are not looking good.

Until recently, -  2HBK , had been the only one of those 21 chicks to have been re-sighted.  Suzanne's sighting, is actually the fourth sighting of the young gull since it was ringed.  It's first re-sighting was made by Jonathan Clark on the 29th August 2021, at Ballyholme Beach in County Down.  John O'Boyle, along with Dermot Hughes, spotted -  2HBK , at Luke's Point at Ballyholme on the 1st October 2021.  On the 22nd October 2021, the young gull had moved slightly around the County Down coast, when it was recorded at Groomsport Harbour by George Gordon.

Suzanne's latest sighting, takes the duration since being ringed, to 8 months and 27 days.  Big Copeland Island is visible from Groomsport.

Juvenile Common Gull  -   2HBK   -  Groomsport Harbour, Groomsport, Co. Down  (12 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 13th June 2021, on Big Copeland Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

A colour-ringed Black-headed Gull -  TRX9 , from Poland, has remained at Luke's Point at Ballyholme throughout the winter, this being the first time it had been recorded in Northern Ireland.  With four previous re-sightings here, I had hoped for another sighting before it departed for home, and Suzanne has got it.

The gull was first recorded on the 12th September 2021, followed by further sightings on the 3rd October 2021, 25th December 2021, and the 17th February 2022.  The gull is due to head back to Poland, and hopefully it will return to the County Down coast next winter.

 TRX9 , was ringed as a chick, on the 5th June 2019, on Ptasia Wyspa Island, on Lake Rynskie in Northern Poland.  The only other re-sighting record before it appeared in Northern Ireland, was made on the 4th August 2019, when spotted at Ringstone Edge Reservoir, in West Yorkshire, England.

The distance from Poland to Groomsport Harbour, is 1,760 kms / 1,093 miles (W), and the duration since being ringed, is 2 years, 9 months and 12 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   TRX9   -  Luke's Point, Ballyholme, Co. Down  (17 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 5th June 2019, on Ptasia Wyspa Island, Lake Rynskie, Northern Poland)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

A visit by Suzanne to Kinnego Marina on the 18th March 2022, resulted in three ring sightings.  The first of these was one of four colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls belonging to Adam McClure's former NI Study, which were ringed at the Marina.  I had noted, that there was a distinct lack of records for these four birds in recent times, possibly effected by the 'Covid Lockdowns'.  More recent visits, had seen the re-sightings of -  2BPN  and  2BPT , but until today,  2BPS , was last recorded on the 30th April 2021.  The only one now missing is -  2BPV , last recorded at Kinnego Marina, on the 30th December 2019.

None of these four gulls have ever been recorded away from Kinnego Marina, and this latest sighting record for -  2BPS , is now the 64th record at the site.   2BPS , was ringed as an adult female, on the 31st October 2014.  The duration since being ringed is now 7 years, 4 months and 18 days.  As always, it is great to add more time onto longevities.

Black-headed Gull  -    2BPS   -  Kinnego Marina, Lough Neagh, Co. Armagh  (18 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as an Adult Female, on the 31st October 2014, at Kinnego Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

The metal ring of an adult Black-headed Gull, was next to be read.  Ringed -  EN52966 , this bird has been a regular winter visitor to Kinnego Marina.  The gull was ringed as a chick, on the 3rd June 2009, on Blacker's Rock Island, just off the County Tyrone shore of Lough Neagh, whereas Kinnego Marina, is situated on the southern shore of the Lough.

I first recorded -  EN52966 , at Kinnego Marina on the 31st October 2015.  Between Suzanne and myself, we have recorded the bird every winter since.  This latest sighting by Suzanne, is now the 18th record overall on my Ring Reading Spreadsheet.  Good to know that the gull is still going strong, with the duration since being ringed, is now 12 years, 9 months and 15 days.  Kinnego Marina, lies 17 kms / 10 miles (SE), from Blacker's Rock.

Black-headed Gull  -   EN52966   -  Kinnego Marina, Lough Neagh, Co. Armagh  (18 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 3rd June 2009, on Blacker's Rock Island, Lough Neagh, Co. Tyrone)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

I'm sure that the metal ring read on a juvenile Black-headed Gull, would have given Suzanne quite a thrill.  Having successfully photographed the ring, the bird -  HA56.034 , was from Lithuania.  I supplied Suzanne with an email address, so she could report her sighting directly to Lithuania, and duly received a reply.

 HA56.034 , was ringed as a chick, on the 5th June 2021, on an island on Lake Kretuonas, in Eastern Lithuania.  The duration, as of Suzanne's sighting, was 9 months and 13 days, and the distance from Lake Kretuonas, is a whopping 2,076 kms / 1,289 miles (W).

As always, my thanks goes to Suzanne for these sighting records, along with the photos.

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -  Lithuania   HA56.034   -  Kinnego Marina, Lough Neagh, Co. Armagh  (18 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 5th June 2021, at Lake Kretuonas, Lithuania)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

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From Steven Fyffe

Steven Fyffe was out at Copeland Bird Observatory on the 18th March 2022, where he noticed two colour-ringed Common Gulls.  As Steven edged closer to read the rings, the gulls would rise and then land again a little further away.  After some persistence, Steven eventually captured the codes on both rings.

The first of them was -  2ACJ , a bird belonging to Shane Wolsey's former Common Gull Study on Big Copeland Island, the largest of the three islands that make up the Copeland Islands.  The bird observatory is situated on Lighthouse Island, and the much smaller Mew Island is the third.

 2ACJ , was ringed as a breeding adult, on the 14th May 2010, on Big Copeland.  This sighting by Steven, is the first time that the gull has been recorded on any of the islands since the day it was ringed.  The gull is very familiar to myself, as all previous sighting records bar one, have been made by me.  It's very first re-sighting occurred on the 22nd December 2016, on Kinnegar Beach, on the County Down shoreline of Belfast Lough, some 22 kms / 13 miles (W), of Big Copeland.  Other sightings are :-

14th July 2017, on the seafront at Donaghadee Harbour - 2 kms / 1 miles (S), from Big Copeland.

30th July 2017, on the seafront at Donaghadee Harbour.

18th November 2018, back on Kinnegar Beach, Belfast Lough.

22nd April 2019, on the seafront at Donaghadee Harbour - by Suzanne Belshaw.

12th October 2019, Kinnegar Beach, Belfast Lough.

18th April 2021, on the Millisle seafront, County Down - 8 kms / 5 miles (S), from Big Copeland.
3rd October 2021, Kinnegar Beach, Belfast Lough.

17th October 2021, Kinnegar Beach, Belfast Lough.

I visited Big Copeland Island in 2020 and 2021, and had hoped to record -  2ACJ  among the breeding population there without success.  This latest sighting by Steven on the Observatory (Lighthouse) Island, may possibly be an indication that the gull actually breeds on that island.  It would be fantastic, if this could be confirmed during the coming breeding season.

Lighthouse Island, lies within 2 kms / 1 mile (N), of Big Copeland Island, and the duration since being ringed, is now 11 years, 10 months and 4 days.

Common Gull  -   2ACJ   -  Lighthouse Island, The Copeland Island, Co. Down  (18 Mar 2022)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Steven Fyffe)

The second gull to be recorded was -  2HHJ .  I now hold the colour-rings which were used by Shane Wolsey, and I have supplied a small number of these to the Copeland Bird Observatory, including -  2HHJ .  It was caught and ringed at it's nest, via the use of a 'Lobster Trap', on the 19th May 2018, on the Observatory Island.  The gull was re-sighted a year later (20th May 2019), back at the same nest-site, where the code was successfully read.  Reports reached me last summer, that a colour-ringed Common Gull was seen at the site again, but the code could not be read in order to confirm the birds return.

This latest sighting however, proves that -  2HHJ  is still alive and well, and I'm hoping that someone will record the gull at it's nest this summer.  It has now been 3 years, 9 months and 27 days, since being ringed.

My thanks goes to Steven, for both sighting reports.  I'm glad his efforts to capture the codes paid off.

Common Gull  -   2HHJ   -  Lighthouse Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down  (18 Mar 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Breeding Adult, on the 19th May 2018, on Lighthouse Island)

(Photo Courtesy of Steven Fyffe)

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From David Nixon

I mentioned above in Suzanne's sightings report, about a juvenile Common Gull, which until now, had been the only one of 21 chicks ringed last summer on Big Copeland Island, that had since been re-sighted.  On the 19th March 2022, David Nixon reported on the sighting of -  2HCH , on the beach at Kinnegar, on the County Down shore of Belfast Lough.  This is the second of those 21 chicks which have so far been re-sighted.  On the 24th March 2022, David returned to Kinnegar Beach, where he spotted -  2HCH  for the second time in five days.  This time, the gull was on the small pond, which lies just across an access road from the beach itself.

Ringed as a chick, on the 13th June 2021, the duration as of the 24th March 2022, is now 9 months and 11 days.  Kinnegar is situated 22 kms / 13 miles (W), from Big Copeland Island.

David also recorded three other colour-ringed birds on the 24th March 2022, at Kinnegar, but I will hold back on reporting these until my next post, by which time, I hope to have the ringing details for all three.  The birds concerned, are all new sightings in Northern Ireland, belonging to an Icelandic Oystercatcher, a Norwegian Common Gull, and an English Black-headed Gull.

For now, my thanks goes to David, for his two sightings of juvenile Common Gull -  2HCH .

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