Bird Flu Strikes...

Again another late post, but there is plenty to read here.  With ringing activities having been suspended due to 'Bird Flu', I have been busy cutting down the bushes beside my home.  They were getting ridiculously high, and I have even been borrowing my neighbours brown recycling bins to put all the cuttings into.  When time allowed, I have been flying my new drone, and what a bit of kit it is.  I have really enjoyed the experience, especially a long distance flight where I checked a Raven nest-site on Slemish Mountain.  On reaching the nest ledge, they had not nested there this year  and even if they had of done, the chicks would have fledged by early May.  This year, the Ravens must have nested on the front face of the mountain, which will now be my next long distance flight.

Monday 1st August, will see me at Antrim Marina again to begin my weekly visits throughout another winter.  With gulls now returning to their wintering sites, my blog will return to weekly publications once again.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Rathlin Island

Lack of time has seen me falling behind with my visits to Rathlin being posted, but here is a summary of my final visits before the BTO suspended all seabird ringing activities in Northern Ireland due to an outbreak of 'Bird Flu' here.

By the 27th June 2022, I had colour-ringed a total of 81 Common Gull chicks.  At this stage, I was on the push to reach the 100 mark, which would have been an excellent total after the poor breeding seasons of 2020 and 2021.  With a high tide, it was extremely difficult to find chicks at the Doon Bay colony, as many of the rocks become small islands when the tide is in.  Despite a lot of clamouring about, I could not find any chicks at all.

A very large gathering of mostly immature Great Black-backed Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls were resting on rocks further out.  Scoping through these, a colour-ringed Herring Gull was spotted.  Zooming out with my camera, I easily captured the code -  M66:M , this being one from the Isle of Man.  Having reported my sighting to Mark Fitzpatrick, I still have not received a reply.  The Isle of Man, is at present clear of 'Bird Flu', so no doubt Mark will be busy ringing gull chicks on the Calf of Man, and will reply at some point.

Herring Gull  -   M66:M   -  Doon Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim  (27 Jun 2022)

(Waiting for the Ringing Details)

Whilst at Doon Bay, I walked over to the headland where a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls were nesting.  On the 19th June, I attempted to find and ring the chicks.  Three large youngsters were found, but only two received metal rings.  The third chick was hiding on a ledge directly above a big drop, so I made no attempt to catch it just in case it jumped.  This time, I hoped to find it, but despite the adults alarm calling, I could not find any of them.

I then made my way to the Common Gull colony at Rue Point.  Most large chicks that I caught were already colour-ringed, but a further three were found and duly ringed, taking the overall total to 84 chicks.  Eventually leaving Rue Point, I then tried to locate three chicks that had been seen on the edge of Ushet Lough, belonging to two pairs of Common Gulls.  Two chicks on the eastern edge of the Lough simply swam out of reach, whilst the chick on the western shore could not be found at all, so was well hidden amongst the vegetation.

On the 28th June, I was accompanied by Suzanne Belshaw and we headed off to the Arkill Bay colony.  With a very strong easterly wind blowing, when we reached Arkill Bay, large waves were crashing over the rocks.  I decided that no attempt to ring chicks would be wise, as larger youngsters would have attempted to go out to sea, and may have been injured in the process.  We spent the rest of our visit that day exploring parts of the island that we have never visited before.  Suzanne was really delighted to hear her first ever Corncrakes calling, with two separate birds heard.

On the 30th June, came the announcement from the BTO, that all seabird ringing activities in Northern Ireland had to be suspended.  This meant that my fourth and final week of ringing could not be undertaken.  The 84 chicks that were colour-ringed, was the best ever total since I began my project in 2017.

As for returning adults coming back to breed on the island, I was hugely disappointed at the lack of returning birds that were ringed as chicks in 2019 (Returning Birds).  Once the 'Bird Flu' suspension came into force, no further visits were made to Rathlin. 

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

From Francis Young

Francis Young, is a fisherman who operates at sea just off the coast in County Down, here in Northern Ireland.  On the 6th June 2022, a colour-ringed juvenile Great Black-backed Gull landed on his boat around 2 miles east from the village of Cloughey, Co. Down.  Francis managed to take a photo of the gull using his iPhone.

 P03:M , had been ringed as an unsexed juvenile, on the 3rd September 2021, on the Calf of Man, Isle of Man.  The distance from the Calf to Francis's boat, is roughly 58 kms / 36 miles (NW), and the duration since being ringed. is now 9 months and 3 days.

One previous re-sighting, had been reported by another fisherman - Brian Chambers.  On the 23rd December 2021,  P03:M , landed on his fishing boat 5 miles east of Kilkeel Harbour, also in County Down.

Both Francis and Brian, have contributed with several gull sightings whilst out on their boats.  I had suggested to Katherine Booth Jones (BTO NI), about the possibility of placing notice boards at our main fishing ports, to alert fisherman and the public about colour-ringed gulls and how to report their sightings.  Although Katherine thought this was a great idea, nothing has come about of my suggestion.  I think a great opportunity for more ring sightings are being missed here.

My thanks once again goes to Francis for reporting his sighting, along with his photo.  All sighting records are really appreciated by the various project leads. 

Great Black-backed Gull -   P03:M   -  At Sea, Two Miles East of Cloughey, Co. Down  (06 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as a Juvenile, on the 3rd September 2021, on the Calf of Man, Isle of Man)

(Photo Courtesy of Francis Young)

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

From Geraldine Seymour

On Friday 17th June, I received an email from Geraldine Seymour, concerning her sighting of a colour-ringed Black-headed Gull which she spotted beside the Inver River in the town of Larne, Co. Antrim.  Geraldine and I met each other some time back at Sandy Bay in Larne, and as Geraldine knew that I was a 'Ring Reader', she contacted me to see if I could obtain the gull's history.

This was an easy one to sort out, as it belongs to my study at Antrim Marina, which I began in support of Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study (2012 until 2018).   2AAN , was among the first Black-headed Gull's to be ringed by Adam, with his initial project birds being ringed at the Marina.  Having become involved with Adam's project, I began studying the wintering gulls at the Marina and still do so.

 2AAN , was ringed as an adult female, on the 21st December 2012, at Antrim Marina.  Over the years, it has been established that -  2AAN  was a winter visitor at Antrim Marina, and until now, all 271 sightings of the gull have all been made at the Marina.  In most years,  2AAN  departs around mid March, and in most years, has already returned by the time I commence my weekly visits to Antrim Marina at the beginning of August.  In 2014, 2015 and 2016,  2AAN  has been recorded in the month of July, suggesting that it had already completed it's breeding season.

With Geraldine's sighting in Larne, we now know -  2AAN  breeds in Northern Ireland, and may well be nesting on Blue Circle Island on nearby Larne Lough.  The distance from Antrim Marina to Larne, is 31 kms / 19 miles (NNE), and the duration since being ringed, is now 9 years, 5 months and 26 days.

My thanks goes to Geraldine for her sighting plus photo.  After all these years, it's great to know where another of the Antrim Marina Black-headed Gull's goes to, in the breeding season.

Black-headed Gull  -   2AAN   -  Inver River, Larne, Co. Antrim  (16 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as an Adult Female, on the 21st December 2012, at Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim)

(Photo Courtesy of Geraldine Seymour)

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

Antrim Marina and Portmore Lough - Saturday 18th June 2022

By the time I got out today, it was well into Saturday afternoon, so I decided to visit Antrim Marina and the RSPB's Portmore Lough Reserve.  At Antrim Marina, I recorded 8 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, 7 of which belongs to my winter study at the site.  The odd one out was -  2K48 , which I spotted here on the 14th March 2022.   2K48 , was caught and ringed as an unsexed adult, on the 25th January 2022, on the seafront at Southport on Merseyside, England.

With this latest sighting of -  2K48 , it now looks as if this bird is breeding here, and winter's in England.  Only time, and a few more sightings will help to confirm this.  The distance from Southport, is 241 kms / 149 miles (NNW), and the duration since being ringed, is now 4 months and 24 days.

Black-headed Gull -   2K48   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (18 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 25th January 2022, at Southport, Merseyside, England)

Of the other seven birds, four carried Orange Darvics, whilst the other three were bearing Blue Darvics.  The Orange-rung birds were ringed by Adam during his time running his Northern Ireland Study.  These birds,  2AAA ,  2AAB ,  2ABS  and  2CJT , have long been established as year round residents to Antrim Marina.

Having retrained as a ringer, and having run out of Adam's Orange Darvics, I now ring Black-headed Gulls using Blue Darvic's, with the -  2F**  series been transferred from use on Common Gulls, now to be used on Black-headed Gulls.

With these Blue Darvics having been used over the last couple of years, I'm still building up profiles of the gulls comings and goings.   2FHA , was ringed at the Marina as an adult bird in December 2020, and now looks to be a year round resident to the Marina.  The other two,  2FHJ  and  2FIF , were both ringed at Antrim Marina last winter.

 2FHJ , was ringed as a juvenile/1st winter bird, on the 6th September 2021.  Although it is still at Antrim Marina now, this is no guarantee that it will be a year round resident.  Juveniles on the whole, tend not to revisit their natal colonies until their 3rd calendar year, so I cannot look too much into it's continued presence here at the moment.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FHJ   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (18 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as a Juvenile/1st Winter Bird, on the 6th September 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 2FIF , was caught and ringed here, as an unsexed adult, on the 29th November 2021.  It's continued presence now suggests this bird could well be a year round resident.  Further summer sightings over the next couple of years will be needed to confirm it's residency status.

Black-headed Gull  -    2FIF   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (18 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 29th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

RSPB Portmore Lough Reserve

Leaving Antrim Marina, I drove south to the RSPB's Portmore Lough Reserve.  Here, I attempted for the second time, to capture the code on the Orange Darvic of a Black-headed Gull.  Having spotted the colour-ring on my previous visit, I was hoping that it was -  2BKN , a gull that I had recorded breeding here back in May 2019.  Due to 'Covid Lockdowns in 2020 & 2021, the reserve was closed to visitors.   2BKN , had been ringed as a chick, on the 19th June 2014, at the WWT's Castle Espie Wetland Centre in County Down.

Despite a lengthy visit to Portmore today, there was absolutely no sign of my target bird, though unknown to me at that time, Suzanne Belshaw spotted -  2BKN , the day before my visit (sighting report below).

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

From Suzanne Belshaw

Over the past number of weeks, Suzanne Belshaw has been in touch several times with a number of ring sightings.  These are listed below in date order.

RSPB Portmore Lough Nature Reserve - Friday 17th June 2022

I have been to Portmore Lough on two occasions, hoping to re-sight a colour-ringed Black-headed Gull which I had spotted on one of the nesting platforms on the 12th May 2019.  Due to 'Covid Lockdowns', the RSPB closed the reserve in both 2020 and 2021, so I had no chance to follow up on the gull concerned -  2BKN .

On the 28th May 2022, I made the first of two visits, to try and re-sight -  2BKN .  I briefly spotted a Black-headed Gull with an Orange Darvic, but after a lengthy wait, I didn't see the bird again.  I then made a second attempt on the 18th June 2022, but there was no sign of the gull.  Unbeknown to me at that time, Suzanne Belshaw had visited Portmore Lough the day before (17th), and she spotted -  2BKN .  Although, she was unable to obtain a clear photo of the ring, she was one hundred per cent sure about her sighting.

This was great news to hear, as the sighting has added another three years to the gull's longevity, and one to look out for next summer.   2BKN  was ringed as a chick, on the 19th June 2014, at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in County Down.  The distance to Portmore Lough from Castle Espie, is 38 kms / 23 miles (W), and the duration since being ringed, is now 7 years, 11 months and 23 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2BKN   -  RSPB Portmore Lough Reserve, Co. Antrim  (17 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 19th June 2014, at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Strangford Lough, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Belfast Waterworks - Wednesday 22nd June 2022

Suzanne's visit to the former Belfast Waterworks on the 22nd June, saw three colour-ringed birds being recorded.  One of these was a juvenile/2nd Calendar Year Black-headed Gull, and Suzanne copied me into an email that was sent to Kjeld Tommy Pedersen in Denmark.  The young gull was being reported as being (White) 717, but I was very suspicious about the sighting.  Suzanne had stated that the gull never left the water, so the whole of the ring could not be seen.  Even so, I checked the cr-birding site, and entering the Species, Colour-ring Type, Colour-ring Colour and Colour-ring Code, I came up with the same result, as obviously made by Suzanne (read). 

On looking at the ring, the top of it reached the birds knee, therefore it would have been longer than it appeared to be, and likely concealed another digit, either a number or a letter.  My immediate thoughts, was that it was a British-rung bird and with all British Black-headed Gulls and Common Gulls, the first digit would always be a '2'.  This meant Suzanne's gull would be (White) 2717, and would therefore belong to the Lough Ree Gull Project, in County Longford in the Republic of Ireland.  I redirected Suzanne's email to Brian Burke, who is the ringing coordinator for the Lough Ree Project.

In Brian's reply, he was more than happy to confirm that it was indeed one of their birds, giving the time of year, and the character font used on the rings.  (White) 2717, was ringed as a chick, on the 18th June 2021, on King's Island, Lough Ree, Co. Longford.  On submitting Suzanne's sighting to the BTO, the official distance from Lough Ree to Belfast, was given as 179 kms / 111 miles (NE), and the duration since being ringed, was 1 year and 4 days.  This was also the first sighting of the young gull since being ringed.  Our thanks goes to Brian for supplying the information. 

Juvenile/2nd Calendar Year Black-headed Gull -  (White)  2717  -  Belfast Waterworks, Belfast  (22 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 18th June 2021, on Lough Ree, Co. Longford, Republic of Ireland)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

There was no problems reading the colour-ring of a Lesser Black-backed Gull -  A:C77 .  This time, Suzanne copied me into an email to Dave Grant.  A number of days passed, but Dave replied giving the ringing and re-sighting history for the bird.

 A:C77 , was ringed as a chick, on the 3rd July 2014, on Lady's Isle Nature Reserve, in South Ayrshire, Scotland.  The official distance came back from the BTO, as being 127 kms / 78 miles (SW), from Lady's Isle to Belfast.  The duration since being ringed, was 7 years, 11 months and 19 days.

Over the years, the gull has been recorded on numerous occasions, though I noted that none of these had been submitted to the BTO, as Suzanne's sighting was the first to be recorded on the BTO's DemOn Ringing Database.  Anyway, it was recorded in NW Spain in November and December 2014, in Portugal in June and August 2015, at Bishop's Burn in Dumfries & Galloway in Scotland - July & September 2016, and finally back in Portugal in November 2021.

Our thanks goes to Dave Grant for supplying the history for this well travelled bird. 

Lesser Black-backed Gull  -   A:C77   -  Belfast Waterworks, Belfast  (22 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 3rd July 2014, at Lady's Isle Nature Reserve, South Ayrshire, Scotland)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Suzanne's sighting of Greylag Goose (White) 039, happened to be her fifth sighting for this bird.  Although we knew the bird was probably ringed locally, in the past I have had problems submitting these type of Greylag rings as the ringing data had not been submitted, or incorrectly submitted.  Suzanne's previous sightings were made on the 1st & 28th September 2020, 17th November 2020, and on the 10th September 2021, all here at Belfast Waterworks.  What may have happened in the past, is that the ringing details could have been submitted to the BTO, but the 'colour-marks' used, may have been omitted.

However, with Suzanne's latest sighting of (White) 039, Suzanne also photographed the metal number -  5215209 .  This time, I submitted the goose by it's metal number and we got our result.  (White) 039, had been ringed at the Waterworks, as an unsexed 2nd Calendar Year bird, on the 5th March 2020.  The duration since being ringed, is now 2 years, 3 months and 17 days.  So, nothing really spectacular about this Greylag, but a result is a result.  

There are two other Greylag Geese on my 'Main Ring Reading Spreadsheet', which have been recorded by Suzanne in the past at the Waterworks.  Both birds - (White) 016 & (White) 017, were last recorded by Suzanne on the 3rd December 2021.  These two will not be submitted, until their metal numbers are read, but if they are still alive, the challenge is on to obtain those numbers.

Greylag Goose  -  (White)  039  -  Belfast Waterworks, Belfast  (22 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed 2nd Calendar Year Bird, on the 5th March 2020, at Belfast Waterworks)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Lisburn - Sunday 3rd July 2022

Sightings of ringed or colour-ringed Lesser Black-backed Gulls, are usually few and far between here in Northern Ireland, but Suzanne recorded her second one in recent weeks.  All credit is due, when Suzanne managed to capture the number on a metal ring - and what a nice one it was.

The gull -  LV19833 , was ringed in Portugal.  The gull was spotted close to Suzanne's home in Lisburn, County Antrim, and has been submitted to the BTO.  Past experience tells me that it may be a few weeks before we obtain the recovery details, but what an excellent result.

Lesser Black-backed Gull  -  Portugal   LV19833   -  Lisburn, Co. Antrim  (03 Jul 2022)

(Waiting for the Ringing Details)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Sprucefield - Monday 4th July 2022

On the 4th July 2022, Suzanne recorded Black-headed Gull -  2ACP , in the car park of the McDonalds outlet at Sprucefield Shopping Centre near Lisburn.  The bird was one of the earliest to be ringed, belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study.

 2ACP , was ringed as an unsexed adult, at Sprucefield Shopping Centre, on the 9th February 2013.  This latest sighting, is now the 31st record for this bird,  27 of which have been recorded at Sprucefield.  The other four sightings were made by Suzanne close to, or at her home in Lisburn.  To date, we have no idea as to where -  2ACP  breeds at, but it probably is not that far away.  Looking at the birds re-sighting history, there are no records covering the months March to June.  The latest pre breeding season sighting, was made on the 29th February 2016, and the earliest post breeding sighting was made on the 17th July 2018, so this latest sighting now becomes the earliest return recorded.  The duration since being ringed, is now 9 years, 4 months and 25 days.

My thanks goes to Suzanne for this list of ring sightings, along with all of the photos.  Some really interesting and useful sightings were made, which also added to the longevities for some birds.

Black-headed Gull  -   2ACP   -  Sprucefield Shopping Centre, Co. Down  (04 Jul 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 9th February 2013, at Sprucefield Shopping Centre)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

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

Black-headed Gull in Iceland

On the 30th June 2022, Paul Roper from the Thames Gull Group, re-directed an email sent to him on the 29th June, concerning one of my Black-headed Gulls which had been spotted in Iceland.   2FHV , had been photographed by Ólafur Larsen on the 26th June 2022, at Akureyri, near the north coast of Iceland.  The gull was reported by Aevar Petersen on behalf of Ólafur.

 2FHV  belongs to my study at Antrim Marina, where I am monitoring a wintering population of Black-headed Gulls.  Each winter, I catch and colour-ring new birds to add to my study, and -  2FHV  was caught and ringed as an unsexed adult, on the 8th November 2021.  After ringing, I recorded -  2FHV  on the 15th & 22nd November, but the gull seemingly disappeared for a while, until being spotted by Graham McElwaine at Antrim Marina, on the 24th February 2022.  This was it's final sighting before turning up in Northern Iceland.

I do not have an official distance from the BTO, as I believe the bird's sighting has been submitted directly to the BTO by Aevar, which leaves me waiting for the recovery details.  Having said that, back on the 12th July 2018, another one of my Antrim Marina BHGs -  2CSF , was also recorded at Akureyri, a distance of 1,381 kms / 858 miles (NNW) from Antrim Marina.  Sadly,  2CSF  has not been seen since 11th March 2019, when it was last recorded at Antrim Marina.  The duration for -  2FHV , since being ringed, is 7 months and 18 days.

An interesting series of emails then passed between Aevar and myself concerning Black-headed and Common Gulls in the Eyjaförður region where Akureyri is situated.  Very little ringing is undertaken for either species, but both species are monitored every fifth year.  Common Gulls are a relatively new breeding species to the Eyjaförður area, and numbers are increasing steadily.  Aevar liked my idea of a colour-ringing project there for both species, and has even suggested ideas for such interesting projects, though students or birders have not been hooked so far.  For us here, it would be a welcomed addition, as normally it is not easy to read metal rings on most gulls.

For now, it will be interesting to record -  2FHV  returning to Antrim Marina for another winter.  My thanks goes to Aevar, Ólafur and Paul.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FHV   -  Akureyri, Eyjafjordur, Iceland  (26 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 8th November 2021, at Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim)

(Photo Courtesy of Ólafur Larsen)

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

Sunday 26th June 2022

My main aim today, was to undertake my fifth attempt to read a colour-ringed on a Mediterranean Gull that I spotted on the 11th June 2022, at the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve in Belfast.  On my way I stopped by Antrim Marina for a couple of hours to record some of colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, which belong to my wintering study at the site.

Gulls bearing Blue Darvics have been ringed within the last couple of years, so I am trying to build profiles on their residential status.  Today, I recorded three gulls with Blue Darvics, though -  2FIF  flew off before I could obtain a photo.   2FIF , is a recent addition to my Antrim Marina Project, having been ringed on the 29th November 2021, as an unsexed adult.  It's last winter season sighting was made on the 14th March 2022, though I recorded the gull 8 days ago here at the Marina.  Looks like -  2FIF , is going to be a year round resident.  It is now 6 months and 28 days, since the gull was ringed.

 2FHA , was ringed at the Marina, as an unsexed adult, on the 28th December 2020.  Breeding season sightings were recorded at the Marina in April, May and July 2021, and now two sightings in June 2022, shows that -  2FHA , is another year round resident.  The duration for this gull, is now 1 year, 5 months and 29 days since being ringed.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FHA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (26 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed Adult, on the 28th December 2020, at Antrim Marina)

 2FIA  is also a recent addition to my study at Antrim Marina, having been ringed here as an unsexed 2nd Calendar Year bird, on the 29th November 2021.  My last sighting of -  2FIA , was back on the 14th March 2022, though this latest sighting also suggests that this will be another year round resident.  The duration since being ringed, is now 7 months and 11 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FIA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (26 Jun 20220

(Ringed as an Un-Sexed 2nd Winter Bird, on the 15th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

 2CSK , was ringed at Antrim Marina, as an unsexed adult, on the 17th December 2017.  There is no doubting that this bird is a year round resident, as it has over the years since being ringed, has been recorded on numerous occasions here during the breeding season.  It is now 4 years, 6 months and 9 days, since -  2CSK  was ringed.

Black-headed Gull  -   2CSK   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (26 Jun 2022)

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

Today's sighting of -  2CTC , has left me wondering.  Does this gull breed locally, or has it returned early?   2CTC , was ringed as a juvenile/1st Winter Bird, here at Antrim Marina, on the 24th December 2018.  Although it is recorded here every winter, there were no breeding season sightings in 2019, 2020 or 2021 (based on the months of April, May and June).   2CTC , was spotted at Antrim Marina by Kate McAllister, on the 15th July 2021, but this posed the question - had it returned early after the breeding season, or was the gull breeding locally all along?  

Although today's sighting is the first during the breeding season, I'm not really convinced with it's residential status.  It may have bred elsewhere, and returned early, possibly having failed.  More summer sightings will be needed for this bird.  The duration since being ringed, is 3 years, 6 months and 2 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2CTC   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (26 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as Juvenile/1st Winter Bird, on the 24th December 2018, at Antrim Marina)

RSPB Window on Wildlife Reserve

Whilst on the lookout for colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls at the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve in Belfast, on the 11th June 2022, I spotted a colour-ringed Mediterranean Gull dropping onto the nesting platform directly in front of the Visitor Centre.  The gull then fed two chicks, but it's legs were hidden from view, due to the height of the vegetation.  I then asked the staff that were present, did they know that one of the Med Gulls bore a Yellow Darvic ring?  This was news to them, as despite the Med Gulls being regularly monitored, nobody had reported seeing a colour-ringed bird on the platform.

On returning home, I emailed Derek Polley, who volunteers at the centre every Thursday.  Derek was surprised to hear about my sighting of the colour-ringed gull, and said they would keep an eye out for it.  For me, this was a 'must get' ring sighting, seeing as it was a Mediterranean Gull.  I knew Adam McClure had obtained some Yellow Darvics from Sean Kingston, who used them on Med Gulls at Lady's Island Lake in County Wexford.  Adam used his on Med Gull chicks at the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve on Larne Lough.  Was this, one of those birds?

This was my fifth try, to read the ring on this Med Gull.  Today, I used 'Hide One' to look back towards nesting platform one, which meant that I was looking at the edge of the platform, where three pairs of Med Gulls were evenly spaced along the edge.

Patiently waiting, I eventually spotted a Black-headed Gull with a Blue Darvic, which I reckoned would be one of my Antrim Marina birds.  Having grabbed my camera, the gull had already flown off.  Eventually, the bird reappeared again, standing on something submerged beside the platform.  This time, I managed to capture -  2FFX .

 2FFX , was ringed at Antrim Marina, on the 21st December 2020, as a juvenile/1st winter bird.  My last sighting of the young gull that winter, was made on the 12th April 2021, and then the gull returned for a second winter on the 9th August 2021.  Having remained at Antrim Marina throughout the 2021/2022 winter, my final sighting was made on the 14th March 2022.  At 1 year, 6 months and 5 days, I reckon the gull is not mature enough to be breeding, so may well be prospecting for a breeding site next year.  The distance from Antrim Marina to the WoW Reserve, is 25 kms / 15 miles (ESE).  

Black-headed Gull  -   2FFX   -  RSPB Window on Wildlife Reserve, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate (26 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as a Juvenile/1st Winter Bird, on the 21st December 2020, at Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim)

The wait continued for my Mediterranean Gull, and despite it being late into the afternoon, I then saw a bird close to the platform seemingly taking a drink of water.  Keeping a very close eye on it, it then flew onto the platform where I managed to capture the code -  2XT6 .  I was thrilled that my attempts had finally paid off, but when I returned home, I was in for a treat.

Although, I did not recognise the code, after consulting my spreadsheet, I had recorded -  2XT6  once before.  The bird had been ringed by Adam McClure, as a chick, on the 16th June 2017, on RSPB Blue Circle Island on Larne Lough, as I had expected.  My previous sighting was made on the 14th September 2019, when I came across -  2XT6  on the beach at Millisle in County Down (photo).  To date, these are the only two sightings for this gull.  The distance from Blue Circle Island to the WoW Reserve, is 22 kms / 14 miles (SSW), and the duration since being ringed, is now 5 years and 10 days.

I sent copies of my photos to Derek Polley, who replied - Well Done.  Maureen, and the volunteers at the centre had spent a lot of time scouring the platform without any success.

Mediterranean Gull  -    2XT6   -  RSPB Window on Wildlife Reserve, Belfast Harbour Industrial Estate  (26 Jun 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 16th June 2017, on RSPB Blue Circle Island Reserve, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

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

Glynn and Glenarm - Sunday 3rd July 2022

Today I decided to visit the Glynn foreshore on Larne Lough.  With many young Black-headed Gulls having fledged, this would be a good time to search for colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls belonging to Adam McClure's former project.  A total of 242 Black-headed Gull chicks had been ringed on the nearby RSPB Blue Circle Island, but 202 of these have never been re-sighted.  To me, this figure is far too high, and surely there has to be more surviving birds.

The platform of Glynn railway station overlooks Larne Lough, with the Glynn River, providing fresh water for the birds to drink and bathe in.  Scoping through a fair number of gulls, and smaller numbers of waders, the first ring spotted, belonged to one of my Rathlin Island Common Gulls.  This was a first re-sighting of -  2BVC , which had been ringed as a chick, on the 22nd June 2021, at the Arkill Bay colony on Rathlin Island.  Only 31 Common Gulls chicks had been colour-ringed on Rathlin Island during the summer of 2021, as the gulls had a very poor breeding season.  This sighting of -  2BVC , is just the third one of those 2021 youngsters to have been recorded in 2022.  The distance from Rathlin Island to Glynn, is 56 kms / 34 miles (SSE), and the duration since being ringed, is 1 year and 11 days.

Common Gull  -   2BVC   -  Glynn, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (03 Jul 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 22nd June 2021, at Arkill Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

One of Adam's former Black-headed Gulls was spotted, but not one that I was expecting to see.   2ABT , had been ringed as an adult male, on the 24th January, at Luke's Point at Ballyholme in County Down.  Today's sighting is the 28th sighting record for the bird, which regularly winters at Ballyholme.  During the breeding season,  2ABT  is normally recorded at Sandy Bay in Larne, which is quite close to Glynn.  We have always assumed that -  2ABT  could be nesting on Blue Circle Island.  This sighting today is as close as you'll get to the island.  The distance from Ballyholme to Glynn, is 21 kms / 13 miles (NNW), and the duration since being ringed, is now 9 years, 5 months and 9 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2ABT   -  Glynn, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim  (03 Jul 2022)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 24th January 2013, at Luke's Point, Ballyholme, Co. Down)

Having spotted no more rings, I then headed towards Carnlough in the hope of recording some more Common Gulls.  On reaching Glenarm, I pulled into the harbour to see what was about.  A large number of Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls of varying ages were resting on the shore next to the harbour, along with a handful of Black-headed Gulls.  Scoping through the big gulls, not even a metal ring was to be seen.  Turning my attention onto the small number of Black-headed Gulls, I was surprised when I spotted an Orange Darvic.

Having taken a few photos, I thought I had recorded a bird that I did recognise -  2CBK .  What an earth was a Castle Espie bird doing at Glenarm Harbour?  Returning home, I checked my spreadsheet, to see that -  2CBK  was last seen at Castle Espie in 2018.

When I went to label and edit my photos, I then realised I had made a mistake, and this gull was actually -  2CRK .  Returning to my spreadsheet,  2CRK  was one of 202 chicks that had been ringed on Blue Circle Island, that had not been seen since the day they were ringed.  Ironic, that I'm looking for these unrecorded birds at Glynn, and then one turns up in Glenarm.

 2CRK , was ringed as a chick, on Blue Circle Island, on the 16th June 2017.  Today's sighting, takes the duration since being ringed to 5 years and 17 days, not bad for a first re-sighting.  The distance from Blue Circle Island to Glenarm, is 21 kms / 13 miles (NW).  On finishing the day at Carnlough, very few gulls were to be seen, no doubt disturbed by the many walkers on the beach.

Black-headed Gull  -   2CRK   -  Glenarm Harbour, Glenarm, Co. Antrim  (03 Jul 2022)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 16th June 2017, at RSPB Blue Circle Island Reserve, Larne Lough, Co. Antrim)

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