Antrim Marina - Sunday 10th August 2025...

Antrim Marina - Sunday 10th August 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2ACV	2CSR	2FFA	2FFT	2FJT

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

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

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

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

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

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

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Just Like Buses...

Black-headed Gull - Orange 2ALT

You know the old saying - Your Waiting for a Bus, Then Two Arrive at the Same Time.

Well, that is exactly what has happened concerning the sighting of a Black-headed Gull belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study (2012 to 2018).  I now respond to sightings of Adam's Gulls.

Black-headed Gull -  2ALT , was ringed as a chick, on the 15th June 2015, at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre in County Down.  Since being ringed, the bird managed to pass the years by without being spotted until the 6th July 2025.  Timothy Kinch photographed the gull at Hilbre Island Nature Reserve on the Dee Estuary in Merseyside, England.  10 years and 21 days had slipped by since being ringed at this point.

Richard Smith, who informed me of Timothy's sighting, sent another email on the 4th August 2025.   2ALT  had been spotted again at Hilbre Island by Alan Hitchmough.  Alan has given me permission to post his sighting and graciously allowed me to add the photograph which he took.

The duration since being ringed, has risen to 10 years, 1 month and 20 days, and Hilbre Island is situated 206 kms / 128 miles (SE) from Castle Espie.  Always great to receive sightings of gulls after so many years, and hopefully a few more for this one in the future.

My thanks goes to both Timothy and Alan for their sightings and photos, also to Richard for contacting me.  Richard has his own Blog Post - Dee Estuary Birding (Read Here).

Black-headed Gull  -   2ALT   -  Hilbre Island, Dee Estuary, Merseyside, England  (04 Aug 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 15th June 2015, at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Alan Hitchmough)

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Antrim Marina - Sunday 3rd August 2025...

Antrim Marina - Sunday 3rd August 2025

Today marked my return to Antrim Marina to begin this winter's series of weekly visits studying the wintering population of Black-headed Gulls on the site.  Some of these gulls have been colour-ringed over past winters and efforts will be made to add additional gulls to my study this winter.

During the summer, not a single gull was spotted in foreign countries.  Prior to the onset of the breeding season -  2FJF  was spotted in Scotland (17th January 2025), and -  2FFH  was found dead at a breeding colony in The Netherlands (suspected 'Bird Flu', but results did not come back to me).   2FFX , was spotted several times at the RSPB's Window on Wildlife Reserve in Belfast, where it once again nested on platform one.   2FFX  has now returned to the Marina, being the 9th of 13 colour-rings recorded today.

I arrived at the Marina at 10am this morning, leaving just after 2pm.  Over my four hour visit, there was a continued mix of cloud and sunshine, with the temperature gauge in my car reading 20ºC.  As the morning wore on, a light breeze turned into a quite strong wind with some gusts felt pushing against my car.

The reading of colour-rings was a very slow and drawn out affair.  Finishing on a total of 13, this represents around of the total which I expect to record over the next couple of months.  I know that there were a number of cases of 'Bird Flu' recorded over the summer, but to what extent it has affected my study birds will be revealed as the winter progresses.

On my arrival, around 40 Black-headed Gulls were present, including three juveniles.  Over the four hours, numbers continued to fluctuate with a maximum of around 60 and a low of 12.  Just four juveniles at any one time, which is already telling me that the Black-headed Gulls have had a poor breeding season locally.  This comes as no surprise, as continuing issues on Lough Neagh, is no doubt influencing the insect population.

Of today's 13 ring sightings, two especially stood out.  The first was that of -  2FHV .  Caught and ringed at the Marina in November 2021, it was spotted twice in a breeding colony in northern Iceland in June and July 2022.  Every five years, a full breeding census of the Black-headed and Common Gulls in Iceland is carried out, hence the sightings of -  2FHV .  No further sightings have been recorded there since, which comes as no surprise (always hopeful).

At the Marina, I have discovered that -  2FHV  uses the site as a 'Staging Point' before moving on to it's wintering site which as yet is unknown.  Normally in February, the gull returns to the Marina on it's way back to Iceland.  The gull had me 'wondering' earlier this year, as it do not return (had it died???).  Last seen on the 19th October 2024 at the Marina, I was so glad to see it back today.  It is now 3 years, 8 months and 26 days since I ringed this gull.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FHV   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (03 Aug 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 8th November 2021, at Antrim Marina)

Talking of Icelandic Black-headed Gulls, the metal-rung -  543335  could well return for a third winter running on my next visit.  Ringed in Iceland in July 2023, it first turned up at Antrim Marina on the 21st August 2023.  Last year, I recorded it's return on the 11th August 2024 and was last seen on the 10th March 2025.

The second Black-headed Gull of interest today, was the rarely spotted -  2FFT .  I ringed this gull in December 2020.  Up until the 12th January 2025, it has only been recorded here on 13 occasions.  With no summer sightings at the Marina, this gull definitely nests elsewhere, perhaps in Europe.  It's appearance at the Marina over the winter can happen at any time, which suggests it does stay somewhere around the town of Antrim.  Always nice to record another sighting, it is now 4 years, 7 months and 13 days since it was ringed.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FFT   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (03 Aug 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 21st December 2020, at Antrim Marina)

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Sunday 3rd August 2025

2CSR	2FJA	2FFA	2FIL	2FJN	2FJK	2FJT
2FHV	2FFX	2AAN	2ACV	2FFT	2CJT

During my random summer visits to record the resident Black-headed Gulls, one bird I made mention of due to it's absence was -  2AAB .  This gull was among the first to be ringed belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study (2012 to 2018).  Ringed in December 2012, over the following years, I became quite attached to this gull.  When present, I could easily walk up to it and hand feed it with bread.  Last seen on the 3rd March 2025, it was at that time, the oldest living Black-headed Gull belonging to Adam Study.  A year round resident, with no summer sightings and it's absence today, things do not look good.   2AAN , recorded today, would now become the oldest.

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

As I parked beside the short concrete jetty, the female Mute Swan -  X4707 , was on the slipway along with her six cygnets.   X4707 , was ringed in April 2024 at Bartins Bay on Lough Neagh and first appeared here in May 2024.  At that time, she was paired, but in late June 2024 her partner was found dead and she disappeared for a while.  Returning in August 2024 with a new partner, they have remained here since then.

During the summer, several people informed me that a pair of Mute Swans had a nest further upriver from the Marina, but I did not know -  X4707  was involved until she arrived with six tiny youngsters on the 22nd June 2025.  All six cygnets are doing really well, and two of them actually took brown bread from my hand, though the other four are still a bit wary.  The male arrived in from the Lough at 10:50.  I have metal rings for the cygnets, but a continuing back problem rules out any chance to get them ringed.  I'm having thoughts about contacting another ringer from the Belfast and North Down Ringing Group, to see if they would be interested.  For now, I'll wait until all of the cygnets are confident with being around people.

Mallards were present in good numbers, with around 60 birds throughout my visit.  Not long after arriving, I could hear a chick calling.  Looking through my binoculars at the opposite river bank, I could not locate it.  Just before 11am, it and it's mother walked up the slipway and onto the concrete jetty in front of me where they both took a rest.  The chick was tiny, so a very late season hatch.  Later on, both returned to the slipway where the chick could be seen feeding to the delight of three small children.  Not bothered by people, one of the children was able to pet the chick.  It would have made a nice photo, but not likely with children involved.

Female Mallard along with a Single Chick  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (03 Aug 2025)

A pair of Lesser Black-backed Gulls were present throughout my visit, though they moved around between the Marina and the nearby Play Park.  The resident male Herring Gull also arrived just before 11am, and a short time later, the distinct calling of a juvenile was heard.  It was on the long wooden jetty, and soon joined up with it's father on the slipway.  No Common Gulls appeared today.

Juvenile Herring Gull  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (03 Aug 2025)

The Sand Martins are still present and nesting in the Swift holes just below the roof of the Gateway Centre.  Two Jackdaws were the only other species noted today.

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Gulls On The Move...

In my previous post, I was undertaking my final summer visit to Antrim Marina in order to record the resident colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls.  In the days before the visit, I had noticed a build up of Black-headed Gulls in my home town of Ballymena.  With gulls appearing in my own estate, and at the nearby People's Park, I knew these were the first to return to Ballymena from their breeding sites.  There are no breeding colonies around Ballymena.

Whilst at Antrim Marina, the return of -  2FJA  was noted.  It was last seen at the Marina on the 25th February 2025 and was not seen during any of my random summer visits, which also ties in with the summer of 2024 where no sightings were made during five random visits.   2FJA  is definitely nesting outside of the Antrim area - but where?

Over the past couple of weeks, other sightings of Black-headed Gulls on the move have been reported - the details of these can be found below.

Going back to my previous post, on leaving Antrim Marina, I drove to Antrim's Junction One shopping Centre in search of another one of my gulls -  2FDK .  Last winter, it failed to return to Antrim Marina so I wrote it off as having died.  I had to 'Un-Kill' the bird on the 8th June 2025 when it appeared back at the Marina during a random visit.

The idea of searching the Junction One Shopping Centre, was to check if Black-headed Gulls were nesting there.  A few years back, they nested on derelict buildings behind the Asda Shopping Centre, but as far as I knew, these buildings had been knocked down.  At Junction One, I noted a lot of Black-headed Gull activity on top of the tall Enkalon building, but there was no way of proving that they bred up there.  Having drove around looking for -  2FDK , there was no sign of the bird.

However, on the 17th March 2025, I received an email from Emma Inzani who has a PhD Project through The University of Exeter, concerning Urban Herring Gulls.  Emma was redirecting an email sent to her by Emma Tweed concerning -  2FDK .  Emma Tweed had been at the Junction One Shopping Centre the day before, and unfortunately found -  2FDK  with it's colour-ring having slipped over it's ankle.

Emma Inzani, stated that she has released Herring Gulls whose legs had been caught up in netting, also noting that the legs suffered no permanent damage.

The slipping of colour-rings is very rare, and hopefully the ring will fall off soon.  Emma Tweed had enclosed a photo which saw the lower leg looking black, but I'm sure this was just caused by a shadow rather than a circulation cut off.

A few years back, we had another gull at Antrim Marina which had the same problem.   2ABL  was ringed at Antrim Marina by Adam McClure as part of his former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study.  Ringed in January 2013, the gull was proved to be a year round resident at the Marina, but during a random summer visit on the 8th July 2016, I noticed it's colour-ring had slipped over it's ankle.

The colour-ring remained there until the 2nd January 2017, by which time it had fallen off.

The gull suffered no 'ill effects', and was recorded regularly (metal ring read) until the 8th March 2023.  Despite rings slipping, they are not tight enough to cause serious problems, so I'm hoping that -  2FDK  manages to discard the ring as soon as possible.  I shall be resuming my weekly visits to the Marina shortly, and if possible will try and catch the gull.  Also, I'll keep a look out for any gulls with metals only, just in case it is -  2FDK .

Below are the birds reported to me over recent weeks :-

Saturday 5th July 2025

Black-headed Gull -  2CLV , is another bird from Adam McClure's former NI Study, and was spotted on the grass in front of the 'Café Cod' fish and chip shop in Bangor, Co. Down by Leslie Crawshaw, on the 5th July 2025.

The gull was ringed as a chick by Adam, on the 16th June 2017, on the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve on Larne Lough in County Antrim.  Over the years since 2017, this bird has often been recorded wintering at Luke's Point in Ballyholme, which is only a short distance away from the centre Bangor.  As yet, the breeding site of -  2CLV  is unknown.

This latest sighting takes the duration since being ringed to, 8 years and 19 days, and Bangor lies 18 kms / 11 miles (SE) from Larne Lough.

My thanks goes to Leslie for the sighting report along with the photo.

Black-headed Gull  -   2CLV   -  Bangor, Co. Down  (05 Jul 2025)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Leslie Crawshaw)

Also on the 5th July 2025, Suzanne Belshaw visited the Sprucefield Shopping Centre in County Down when she spotted the return of Black-headed Gull -  250B .  Suzanne has known this gull for a long time and surely must have been excited to see it back again.

 250B , was ringed as a chick, on the 6th June 2008, on Lough Mask in County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland.  First recorded at the Sprucefield Shopping Centre in July 2013, the gull has returned every autumn since then.  This gull usually moves on towards it's wintering site in August or September, but so far we do not no where that is.  In the past, I've drawn a straight line from Lough Mask, through Sprucefield, which would lead through to Scotland - so you never know.

On the odd occasion,  250B  has returned to Sprucefield on it's return journey to Lough Mask where it has been recorded during the breeding season at the village of Cong close to the Lough.

The duration since being ringed, is now a very impressive 17 years, 1 month and 4 days, when Suzanne had a second sighting on the 10th July 2025 (see below).  The distance from Lough Mask to Sprucefield, is 232 kms / 144 miles (ENE).

Black-headed Gull  -   250B   -  Sprucefield Shopping Centre Car Park, Co. Down  (05 Jul 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 6th June 2008, at Lough Mask, Co. Mayo, Republic of Ireland)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Sunday 6th July 2025

On the 6th July 2025, I received an email from Richard Smith who has a blog site called (Dee Estuary Birding).  Richard was reporting the sighting of a colour-ringed Black-headed Gull that had been spotted earlier that day be a Timothy Knich, having been spotted at Hilbre Island on the Dee Estuary in Merseyside, England.

Checking my records, this was a first re-sighting of -  2ALT .   2ALT , is another one from Adam's McClure's former study and was ringed as a chick, on the 15th June 2015, at the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Reserve in County Down.  I now respond to sightings of the gulls from Adam's Study.

The duration for this first re-sighting comes after 10 years and 21 days since being ringed.  The distance from Castle Espie, is 206 kms / 128 miles (SE).  I still find it amazing when gulls pass by all of that time without being seen.

My thanks goes to Timothy for the sighting report and photo, and to Richard for getting in touch.

Black-headed Gull  -   2ALT   -  Hilbre Island, The Dee Estuary, Merseyside, England  (06 Jul 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 15th June 2015, at WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Timothy Knich)

Thursday 10th July 2025

Suzanne Belshaw records -  250B  for a second time this autumn (read above).

Black-headed Gull  -   250B   -  Sprucefield Shopping Centre Car Park, Co. Down  (10 Jul 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 6th June 2008, at Lough Mask, Co. Mayo, Republic of Ireland)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Monday 14th July 2025

Suzanne Belshaw makes a brief visit to my study site at Antrim Marina, where she records two of my colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls.  The first was -  2FJK , another returnee, but again, it's breeding site is unknown.  I caught and ringed -  2FJK  at the Marina as an unsexed adult, on the 3rd December 2023.  It was last recorded here on the 10th March 2025.  The duration since being ringed, is now 1 year, 7 months and 11 days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FJK   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (14 Jul 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 3rd December 2023, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

The second Black-headed Gull was -  2FJN .   2FJN , was also ringed at the Marina on the 3rd December 2023 as an unsexed adult.  Random summer visits during the breeding season in 2024 and this summer, firmly establishes this gull as being a year round resident.  Again, it is 1 year, 7 months and 11 days since being ringed.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FJN   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (14 Jul 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 3rd December 2023, at Antrim Marina)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Wednesday 16th July 2025

On Wednesday 16th July 2025, Suzanne visited the tidal Whiteabbey Lagoon on the edge of Belfast Lough, where she spotted another returning Black-headed Gull.  (White) 2BVL, was ringed as chick, on the 8th June 2020, at the Broad Law colony situated on the Moorfoot Hills in the Borders Region of Scotland.

Two previous sightings of this gull at Whitehouse Lagoon occurred in December 2020 (myself) and in September 2023 (Suzanne).  Having been in touch with Tom Dougall, these three sightings are the only one's to date.  The duration since being ringed, is 5 years, 1 month and 8 days, and Whitehouse Lagoon lies 220 kms / 136 miles (WSW) from Broad Law.

Tom stated, that no further chicks have been ringed over the last two summers.  If memory serves me right, I think the breeding site no longer exists. 

My thanks goes to Suzanne once again for the sighting reports along with her photos.

Black-headed Gull  -  (White)  2BVL  -  Whitehouse Lagoon, Belfast Lough, Co. Antrim  (16 Jul 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 8th June 2020, at Broad Law, Moorfoot Hill, Borders Region, Scotland)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Thursday 17th July 2025

David Nixon has been in touch concerning a Great Black-backed Gull that he recorded on the high tide roost at the South Inner Bay, Dundrum, Co. Down.   7J7:D , was ringed as a chick, on the 9th July 2023, on Ireland's Eye Island in County Dublin, Republic of Ireland.

One previous re-sighting was made by Declan Clarke, on the 31st December 2023, at Ardglass Harbour in County Down.

The distance from Ireland's Eye Island to the South Inner Bay at Dundrum, is 98 kms / 60 miles (N), and the duration since being ringed, is 2 years and 8 days.

My thanks goes to David for the sighting along with the photo.

Great Black-backed Gull  -   7J7:D   -  Dundrum South Inner Bay, Dundrum, Co. Down  (17 Jul 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 9th July 2023, on Ireland's Eye Island, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland)

(Photo Courtesy of David Nixon)

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Antrim Marina - Wednesday 2nd July 2025...

Antrim Marina - Wednesday 2nd July 2025

Today saw me making my fifth random summer visit to Antrim Marina to record the resident colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls.  In the days leading up towards today's visit, Black-headed Gulls have appeared around my home in Ballymena, which tells me these gulls are now on the move towards their wintering sites.  Even at my local park (The Peoples Park), around a dozen Black-headed Gulls were perched on the roof of the former 'Cottage Hospital' which overlooks the park's lake.  They have obviously completed their breeding season, whether they failed or were successful in rearing chicks.

Arriving at Antrim Marina just before 12:30pm, I departed at 3:45pm.  Altogether, 8 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls were record, 7 of which have been recorded during previous random visits.  The exception was the third to be recorded -  2FJA .  I caught and ringed -  2FJA  at Antrim Marina as an unsexed 2nd Winter Bird on the 19th December 2022.  During random summer visits in 2023 and 2024, the gull was absent, so I assumed that it nested outside of the Antrim area, returning to the Marina on the 31st July 2023 and 4th August 2024.  Today's sighting is now the earliest return date.  Having spotted it resting on the short concrete jetty early on, it was still there when I departed.  Although healthy looking, perhaps it was having a good rest.  It is now 2 years, 6 months and 13 days since it was ringed.  My last sighting of -  2FJA  at the Marina, was back on the 25th February 2025.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FJA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (02 Jul 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed 2nd Calendar Year Bird, on the 19th December 2022)

Black-headed Gulls were present throughout my visit, with numbers ranging from around 20 birds to 60 / 70 altogether.  There is still no sign of -  2AAB  which does not look good.  My next visit to Antrim Marina will be on the 3rd or 4th August 2025 when I will resume my weekly winter visits running through to the end of March 2026.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Wednesday 2nd July 2025

2FIF	2FJN	2FJA	2FIL	2BRA	2FFA	2CJT	2FJL

A look at the 'Live Camera' situated on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform' before leaving home, I noticed that many gulls have now departed, with very few chicks visible.  From what I've seen this summer, it looks as if the gulls have had a poor breeding season.  At the Marina today, two juveniles made brief appearances, whilst others flew overhead calling, with at least one parent following.

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (02 Jul 2025)

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

Parking at my usual spot beside the concrete jetty, the absence of Mute Swans immediately caught my attention.  Around 2pm, a male flew in from upriver, landing on the water in front of the jetty.  About 10 minutes later, his mate, ringed -  X4707  swam in from upriver along with her six cygnets.  They have fairly grown since I last saw them, and they are already very comfortable with people around them.  Children really enjoy being so close to these youngsters.

The Mallard with three newly hatched chicks seen on my previous visit, were nowhere to be seen.  Mallard numbers were down from last week's visit, two counts giving me 25 and 28 birds.  Just before 2pm, a Mallard arrived from upriver along with four large chicks.  She made her way to the slipway and turned around and swam towards the opposite side of the river along with her youngsters.

Female Mallard along with Four Large Chicks  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (02 Jul 2025)

A juvenile / 2nd Calendar Year Common Gull was present throughout my visit, likely the same bird as on my previous visits.  An adult un-ringed Common Gull arrived on several occasions which looked to be the same bird each time.

Both the resident male Herring Gull and his mate made repeated visits but never together.  I reckon each time they managed to obtain a feed, they headed off to their nest site most likely on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform'.  Lesser Black-backed Gulls also made numerous visits, with a high of five at one time.

9 Jackdaws were present at one time, and a juvenile made a brief visit.  2 Rooks and 1 Hooded Crow, were the only other visitors.

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On leaving Antrim Marina, I drove to the Junction One Shopping Centre with the aim to find Black-headed Gull -  2FDK .  With no sightings last winter, I had wrote this bird off as 'Dead'.  With a surprise sighting at Antrim Marina on the 8th June 2025, I had to 'Un-Kill' this bird.  The last sighting of this gull was at the Junction One Shopping Centre (McDonalds Outlet), on the 13th July 2024 hence the search today.

In the past, a small colony of Black-headed Gulls nested on derelict buildings behind the Asda outlet, but I heard these buildings had been demolished.  On today's visit, those buildings are gone, but a large number of Black-headed Gulls were flying above the roof of the tall Enkalon building next to the demolished buildings.  Although so high up, no fledged youngsters could be seen, so I'm not sure if the gulls are nesting there.

Whilst in the area, I drove slowly looking at other buildings.  When I got to Ferguson's Way, I could hear the distinct calls of Common Gulls.  Turning in between the outlets, plenty of Commons were flying about, but again, I could not get a view onto the roofs to confirm nesting.  No chicks were heard, but surely with so many birds here they are bound to be nesting.

Finishing up at the McDonalds Outlet, just a handful of Black-headed's were present, but no -  2FDK .

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Antrim Marina - Sunday 22nd June 2025...

Antrim Marina - Sunday 22nd June 2025

Today, I undertook my fourth random summer visit to Antrim Marina to record the presence of colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls.  The aim is to record the resident gulls which are nesting in the area, especially on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform'.

Arriving just after midday, I departed at 3:30pm.  Over the course of my visit, I recorded 8 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls, all of which have been seen during most of my three previous random visits.  I had hoped to get another sighting (plus photo) of -  2FDK , which appeared on my previous visit.  Although this gull was a proven all year round resident, it didn't appear at the Marina at all last winter during my weekly visits from August through to March.  On my Antrim Marina Spreadsheet, I had struck it off a 'Dead', and had to 'Un-Kill' it again.

It was last seen on the 13th July 2024, at the McDonalds Outlet at the Junction One Shopping Centre at the northern edge of Antrim Town.  I'm now wondering, if this bird is frequenting the Shopping Centre more often now.  I must investigate this, as there was a small breeding colony of Black-headed Gulls nesting on derelict building behind the Asda Supermarket there.  I think these buildings were demolished a couple of years ago, but it will do no harm to check.

Over the course of today's visit, Black-headed Gull numbers ranged from around 20 and up to 60, with quite a number of these (up to a third), being juveniles which hatched out last summer.  With no additions to the summer list, I'm becoming more concerned about -  2AAB .  A year round resident, ringed here in December 2012, it is/was the oldest surviving bird belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study.  I last saw it here on the 3rd March 2025.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Sunday 22nd June 2025

2BRA	2FFA	2FIF	2FJN	2FIL	2CSR	2CJT	2CSK

With the breeding season well into it's latter stages, I'm still waiting on sightings from other countries.  The way things are looking, the gulls might start arriving back to the Marina having escaped the attention of a multitude of bird-watchers.

Before leaving my home in Ballymena, I took a look online at the 'Torpedo Platform' near Antrim Marina where a 'Live Camera' shows a limited view of the nesting Black-headed Gulls.  I was curious to see if there were any large chicks about since I last looked at the site.  Viewing for around ten minutes, not a single youngster was seen.  This was a bit odd, as at this time of the summer, there should be numerous chicks close to fledging.  Are the gulls having problems out there?  Even birds that appeared to be sitting on nests fairly close to the camera have gone, and the nests are empty.

However, shortly before I departed from the Marina, I spotted a juvenile on the river by the opposite edge.  It appeared to be on it's own with no parents in attendance.  It just watched what was going on, on my side of the river, probably wondering what all of the commotion was all about as folk fed the ducks and swans.

Before publishing this post (Friday 27th June 2025), I had another look at the 'Torpedo Platform', finally, I could see a few large Black-headed Gull chicks on the move.

Below, I have added a link to the camera.  At times, there are 'streaming' problems, but keep trying or follow the onscreen links to previous days viewing.

Torpedo Platform

Juvenile Black-headed Gull  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (22 Jun 2025)

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

On arriving at Antrim Marina, I drove over to my usual parking spot beside the small concrete jetty.  On the slipway beside the jetty, the adult pair of Mute Swans along with their 6 cygnets were present.  They first appeared on the river just as I was about to leave on my previous visit, though they remained on the river.  Once parked, I noticed that one of the adults had a metal ring.  Grabbing my camera, I had to walk around the bird to capture it's ring number, and surprise, surprise, it was -  X4707 .

This bird was ringed as an adult male, on the 5th April 2024, at Bartins Bay further south on the eastern shore of Lough Neagh, from the Marina.  It first appeared here on the 21st May 2024, and has remained here since.  At one point, it's then partner disappeared and the bird went missing for a while before returning on it's own.  Since then, it gained a new mate and this was the pair I was told about nesting a short distance upriver from the Marina.  Although I had always suspected the bird to be a female rather than a male, seeing the pair together today, clarifies that it is a female.  It is now 1 year, 2 months and 17 days since being ringed, and Antrim Marina is situated 21 kms / 13 miles (NNE) from Bartins Bay.  No other swans appeared today, but, if any had approached, they would have been chased off. 

Mute Swan  -   X4707  with 6 Cygnets  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (22 Jun 2025)

(Ringed as an Adult Male, on the 5th April 2024, at Bartins Bay, Lough Neagh, Co. Antrim)

An unusually large number of Mallards were present today, and a count revealed a total of 61 birds, most of which were lying down behind the fenced off area enclosing the short concrete jetty.  This fence has been in place since last autumn, as there is a plank missing on the wooden part beside the concrete jetty, and would pose a safety risk.  Gulls and ducks are offered a bit of peace and quite behind the fence which is great for me when sitting in the car. 

There was a very strong westerly wind blowing in from the Lough today, with a few light showers of rain.  Whilst sorting out my Mute Swan, I noticed three young Mallard chicks keeping tight to the wall of the concrete jetty.  By the look of them, they hatched out earlier today or perhaps yesterday.  With their mother present, it looks as if she was keeping them safe by sheltering them beside the wall.

At one point, I feared for their survival as four Lesser Black-backed Gulls landed on the water close by.  They had been attracted to a large crusty loaf floating on the river, but the mother and her three chicks took shelter underneath the jetty until the danger had passed.

The three ducklings swam beside the jetty the whole time during my visit.  I wondered how long they could do this before coming ashore to take a rest. 

Mallard with 3 Chicks  -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (22 Jun 2025)

The resident male Herring Gull was present throughout my visit, and his mate made several brief visits.  This is telling me, that she has hatched chicks, most likely on the 'Torpedo Platform'.  Lesser Black-backed Gulls came and went, and the highest total at any one time, was seven birds.

A juvenile Common Gull was also present throughout today's visit.  I'm convinced that it is the same bird that was here previously, as it is very comfortable being around people.  A single adult made brief appearances, but there was no sign of the colour-ringed -  2AJP .

Common Terns frequently flew up and down river searching for fish.  Conditions would be much calmer than out on the Lough with the rolling waves.

Sand Martins are still present, though less obvious than on my previous visit.

Three Jackdaws, were the only other species to be recorded otherwise.

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Antrim Marina - Sunday 8th June 2025...

Antrim Marina - Sunday 8th June 2025

Today saw me undertaking my third random visit to Antrim Marina this summer to record the colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls.  The gulls belong to a wintering study, but these random summer visits identify which gulls are year round residents.

Most of the other gulls from my study, leave the Antrim area, with several birds having bee spotted in numerous foreign destinations.  For some of these birds, where they go to nest is still not known.  As I write, no sightings have been reported this summer, since -  2FFH  was found dead in a breeding colony in the Netherlands on the 27th April 2025.  The finder, Maarten Hotting, said the gull was to be tested for possible 'Bird Flu', but having requested a result of the findings, nothing has come back to me so far.

I arrived at Antrim Marina just before 11:25. Having parked in my normal spot beside the small concrete jetty -  2FFA  landed on top of the fence next to me.  Calling at me, he knows me only too well.  I grabbed a few bits of bread and promptly hand fed him where he stood.

After a quick feed, I began to look for other rings, and was gobsmacked when I spotted -  2FDK .  This bird is a known resident, but I wrote it off as 'Dead', as it never appeared at the Marina at all last winter.  It's last sighting was made on the 13th July 2024, when the gull landed on the bonnet of a car belonging to a Liz Payne, who was surprised to see a gull with rings.  The happened at the McDonalds outlet at the Junction One Shopping Centre in the north end of Antrim Town.  Goodness knows where this bird has been, or what it has been doing.  I tried to get a photo of this gull, but it flew off as I was zooming in and did not return.

A total of 8 colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls were recorded today, the last being -  2FJL  at 1:34pm.  For the next two hours on further rings were recorded, and for my final hour at the Marina,  2FJN  was the only one present.

Black-headed Gull numbers varied widely during my four hour visit.  From a handful of birds, at one point around 1pm, as many as 70 appeared which was surprising.  Even last winter, there were days where numbers never reached that mark.

The absence of -  2CJT  was very noticeable today.  It is not often when you come here and this gull is not about.  The absence of -  2AAB  is starting to cause me some concern, as it was the oldest surviving Black-headed Gull from Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Study.

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Sunday 8th June 2025

2FFA	2FDK	2CSK	2BRA	2FJN	2CSR	2FIF	2FJL

As I write today, I took a look at the 'Live' camera which overlooks the nesting Black-headed Gulls breeding on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform'.  Interestingly, there are no chicks running about, which is surprising.  I would have thought that they would be far further into their breeding season for this time of the year.  Unfortunately, the camera offers a limited view of the platform, and a link to the camera can be found on my post published on the 7th May 2025 (link).

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

The resident male Herring Gull was present on my arrival.  Over the course of my visit, he returned on several occasions having managed to obtain feeds from passers by.  No doubt, his mate is sitting on a nest on the 'Torpedo Platform'.

Lesser Black-backed Gulls were frequent visitors, though I'm not sure whether they were the same birds each time.  The highest number of adults were 6, whilst the occasional 3rd calendar year birds would also make brief visits.

A juvenile Common Gull remained throughout my visit, and at 1:05, I could hear an adult calling whilst chasing Black-headed Gulls.  This bird turned out to be -  2AJP , which also appeared during my previous visit (read here).  This was the only adult recorded today, and the juvenile was not impressed, when -  2AJP  went into courtship display (go away, I'm too young).

Common Gull  -   2AJP   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (08 Jun 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 29th June 2013, on Big Copeland Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

The highest count of Mallards gave a total of 24 birds, but still no ducklings as yet.

Three adult Mute Swans were present throughout my visit, with a 4th bird arriving from the direction of Lough Neagh at 3:02.  All four birds remained around the slipway, but as I was about the depart, all 'hell' broke loose.  Having thought I heard a cygnet calling, a male Mute Swan came into view having been hidden by the low wooden jetty.  Wings arched, he began to chase the other four swans out towards Lough Neagh, and then his partner appeared with six youngsters.

I knew this pair had a nest upriver, so it was nice to see these chicks.  Apparently, they hatched out chicks last year, but all (I believe 4 chicks) perished soon afterwards.  It will be interesting to see what happens here over the next few weeks.

Female Mute Swan with 6 Cygnets, Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (08 Jun 2025)

Other birds often making brief appearances, were 1 Hooded Crow, 3 Jackdaws, 1 Rook, 1 male Pied Wagtail and a male Grey Wagtail.  

Two Kingfishers were spotted flying at speed towards the breakwater, but I reckon one was chasing the other away from it's nesting territory further upriver from the Marina.

Common Terns flew silently up and down river whilst searching for a fish supper. 

Sand Martins now appear to be using the 'Swift Nest-holes' close to the roof of the 'Gateway Centre'.

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