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.

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

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'.

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

Antrim Marina - Monday 26th May 2025...

Antrim Marina - Monday 26th May 2025

Today, I undertook my second random summer visit to record the colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls to see which ones are year round residents at Antrim Marina.  At this point, I have not received any sightings of my gulls which nest in foreign colonies.

With 12 known residents, I recorded nine of these during my previous visit.  With just six colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls recorded today, one was not seen during my last visit -  2FFA  which takes the total to 10.  The two absentees are -  2AAB  and  2AAN .

 2AAB , is the oldest surviving Black-headed Gull belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study, with the original first birds ringed at Antrim Marina.  Ringed at the Marina on the 11th December 2012, it was last seen here on the 3rd March 2025.

 2AAN , was added as a resident last summer.  Also ringed in December 2012, it would disappear each summer, but a sighting in June 2022 in Larne, Co. Antrim, suggested it could be nesting on Blue Circle Island on Larne Lough.  The reason for it remaining at the Marina last summer, might possibly be due to it pairing up with a local resident.   2AAN , had been ringed as an adult female.

Black-headed Gull  -   2FFA   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (26 May 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed Adult, on the 23rd November 2020, at Antrim Marina)

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Monday 26th May 2025

2BRA	2FIJ	2FFA	2FJL	2FJN	2CSK

Today's visit lasted from just after 12 noon until around 3:30pm.  Throughout my visit, Black-headed Gull number ranged from just a handful of birds to a maximum of around 50.  There were plenty of feeds from people arriving to feed the ducks.

In my previous Antrim post on the 7th May, I added a link to a 'Live' camera situated on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform'.  At the time, it was off air, but it is now working properly.

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

Having recorded Black-headed Gull -  2BRA  first at 12:39, at 12:48, the appearance of a Common Gull with a Blue Darvic had me excitedly racing to the car to collect my camera.  I knew who this bird would be, but I needed a photo of the ring in case it flew off.  I needn't have worried as it remained for around an hour.

 2AJP , had been ringed as a chick, on the 29th June 2013, on Big Copeland Island in County Down.  As a juvenile, it was recorded on three occasions in March 2014, at Poppintree Park in the City of Dublin.

From then, it was not seen again until the 13th June 2016, when recorded by Suzanne Belshaw here at Antrim Marina.  Over the years since, the gull as accumulated a number of sightings, all in the Antrim area and commonly during the breeding season or early into the autumn.  Interestingly, there were no sightings during the years of 2019, 2020 and 2021.  It may have nested elsewhere during those years.  It would be brilliant if we could get a winter sighting now, just to see where it goes to, or does it still travel down to Dublin.

The distance from Big Copeland Island to Antrim Marina, is 46 kms / 28 miles (W), and the duration since being ringed, is now 11 years, 10 months and 27 days.  It was really nice to see that this bird is still going strong.  I noticed that there is slight damage at the base of the colour-ring.  Should the ring ends up disintegrating, the gull is calm enough around people, that it's metal-ring could be read instead.

Common Gull  -   2AJP   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (26 May 2025)

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

Full Ringing and Re-Sighting History for Common Gull -  2AJP 

 2AJP , was the only adult Common Gull to put in an appearance.  Probably the same juvenile / 2nd Calendar Year Common Gull made repeated visits.

The arrival of a juvenile Herring Gull, was likely to be the same youngster which was reared locally last summer, spending all winter here usually in the company of it's father, though mother arrived on some occasions.  This juvenile is very comfortable being around folk feeding the ducks.  His father arrived at 12:19 but did stay too long.  He may well have a nest on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform'.

At times, I had up to three pairs of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, and at one point, two 3rd Calendar Year Lesser Black-backed's were also present.  I do not have a clue as to where these gulls are nesting at now, as the gulls have successfully been deterred from nesting on the roof of the Tesco Warehouse at Kilbegs on the edge of the town of Antrim.  The colony there easily numbered 100 to 150 pairs formerly, along with smaller numbers of Herring, Common and Black-headed Gulls.  A handful of Common Terns and Oystercatchers also nested on those roofs.

3 Mute Swans were present throughout my visit, though none were ringed.  There are still no sign of any Mallard ducklings, and talking to Danny who is a volunteer with the Lough Neagh Rescue Service, he had not seen any as yet.  With just 17 Mallards present during my visit, 14 of them were males.

The only other species recorded, were three Jackdaws and a single Hooded Crow.  This crow made repeated visits feeding on the remains of a dead fish.  After each feed, it would fly across the river into the woodland surrounding Antrim Boat Club, where it is obviously nesting.

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

Recent Sightings...

From John Clarke

John Clarke is my former 'Ringing Trainer', and recently he sent me a photo of a colour-ringed Dunlin that he had spotted on the Bann Estuary situated on the north Londonderry coast.  My task then, was to find the owner of the project, which ended with a surprising outcome.

On searching for the Dunlin on a copy of a spreadsheet produced by the International Wader Study Group, I discovered that the Dunlin belonged to a project in Spain.  I replied to John with the good news (nice one - ringed in Spain), as well as copying in the email address for the project.

A few days later, we received a reply from a delighted Paloma Peon Torre.  He said the bird had been ringed on the Villaviciosa Estuary in Asturias, Northern Spain.  However, he went on to say that the bird could not be identified as an individual, as the Dunlins on the Estuary are ringed with the same combination of colour rings.  What we do know, is this bird was one of 275 colour-ringed between the 5th May and 1st December 2022, using this combination of 'Yellow' above a 'Red Flag'.

Under this system, it is more about where these birds go to rather than identifying them as individuals.  The metal ring on the birds right 'Tibia' would need to be read otherwise.

A PDF File was attached to the reply, which detailed the ringing and sightings of these Dunlins.  Looking through it, I noticed that two sightings of this 'Colour Combination', were reported here in Northern Ireland in 2019 - the first on 6th August at Larne, County Antrim, the second on the 17th August at Bangor, County Down.

I worked out the distance from the Villaviciosa Estuary to the Bann Estuary, as being 1,301 kms / 808 miles (N).

Dunlin, Bann Estuary, Castlerock, Co. Londonderry  (22 May 2025)

(Photo Courtesy of John Clarke)

John also contacted me about a colour-ringed Herring Gull which he spotted on rocks between the north coast towns of Portrush and Portstewart - ringed -  143:C .

This on was quickly sorted as it was on my 'Main Ring Reading Spreadsheet'.  The bird belongs to Roisin Kearny's relatively new project based on the Old Lighthouse Island in County Down, which is the home of the Copeland Bird Observatory.  The project involves colour-ringing chicks of Lesser Black-backed Gulls as well as Herring Gulls.

 143:C , was ringed on the 1st July 2023, on Lighthouse Island.  Previous sightings occurred in August 2023 at The Skerries in County Dublin, January 2024 at Portballintrae in County Antrim, and July 2024 on Rathlin Island also in County Antrim.

John's sighting at Port Gallen near Portstewart is 93 kms / 57 miles (NW) from the Copeland Islands.  This is a direct line measurement, though the gull would have travelled a far greater distance flying around the coasts of County Antrim and County Londonderry.  The duration since being ringed, is 1 year, 10 months and 22 days,

My thanks goes to John for the sightings and photos and to Roisin for supplying the history for -  143:C .

Herring Gull  -   143:C   -  Port Gallen, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry  (23 May 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 1st July 2023, on Old Lighthouse Island, The Copeland Islands, Co Down)

(Photo Courtesy of John Clarke)

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

From Rachelle Regan

On the 24th May 2025, I received and email from Rachelle Regan, reporting the return of a colour-ringed Black-headed Gull belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study.

Rachelle works as a warden on the RSPB's Hodbarrow Nature Reserve in Cumbria, England.  The Black-headed Gull -  2BJT , was recorded on two occasions, the first on the 25th March and then within a breeding colony on the reserve on the 29th April 2025.

 2BJT , had been ringed as a chick, on the 19th June 2014, at the Castle Espie Wetland Centre in County Down.  The gull then went unrecorded until the 22nd May 2018, when I spotted it as a breeding adult back at Castle Espie.

Despite further visits to Castle Espie during the following breeding seasons up to the outbreak of the 'Covid-19 Virus', there were no further sightings at Castle Espie.

Roughly 6 years had passed, when, on the 8th May 2024, Rachelle reported her first sighting of -  2BJT  at the Hodbarrow Reserve.

Having reported her latest sightings, Rachelle asked if the gull had been seen since last year, which it hadn't.  It's not often that we hear of gulls relocating to other colonies, which makes these sightings very interesting.

RSPB Hodbarrow lies 162 kms / 100 miles (ESE) from Castle Espie, and the duration since being ringed, is now 10 years, 10 months and 10 days (as of the 29th April 2025).

My thanks goes to Rachelle for the sighting reports and the photo.  It would be nice to know where this gull spends it's winter days.

Black-headed Gull  -   2BJT   -  RSPB Hodbarrow Nature Reserve, Cumbria, England  (25 March 2025)

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

(Photo Courtesy of Rachelle Regan)

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

Antrim Marina - Wednesday 7th May 2025...

Antrim Marina - Wednesday 7th May 2025

Today I undertook the first of my random summer visits to Antrim Marina.  The object is to record the resident colour-ringed Black-headed Gulls which breed in the Antrim area, with most nesting on the nearby 'Torpedo Platform' which was formerly used to test torpedo's during World War Two.  The gulls belong to my study at Antrim Marina, where I study a wintering population from the months of August through to March each winter.

Over the summer months, other Black-headed Gulls from my study, head off to their own countries to breed with sightings being reported in Iceland, Sweden, Latvia, Poland, England and in Belfast.  Two other countries - Germany and recently, the Netherlands were added to the list, where two of my gulls were found dead within breeding colonies.  The German gull tested positive for 'Bird Flu', and I'm waiting for test results for the Dutch bird.

Several other gulls from my study are always absent at the Marina over the summer months, though their countries of origin are not known, and I have to wait for any sightings.  Each autumn and winter, these gulls return to the Marina.

Today's visit lasted for four and a half hours, arriving at 12:15 and departing at 16:45.  With 12 known residents, 9 of these were recorded during today's visit.  Last winter, I caught and colour- ringed four new Black-headed Gulls, but none of them were recorded today.  The main aim for these summer visits, is to establish the residential status for the gulls which have been ringed more recently.

The 3 resident gulls that were absent today, are -  2AAB ,  2AAN  and  2FFA .   2AAB  is the oldest surviving Black-headed Gull belonging to Adam McClure's former Northern Ireland Black-headed Gull Study, and was colour-ringed here at the Marina in December 2012.  When last seen here on the 3rd March 2025, the duration since being ringed, was 12 years, 2 months and 20 days.

 2AAN  joined the residential list last summer.  Also ringed at the Marina in December 2012,  2AAN  was absent every summer and where it went to was unknown until June 2022, when it was spotted in Larne on the County Antrim coast.  That sighting suggested that it could be nesting on the RSPB's Blue Circle Island Reserve on Larne Lough.   2AAN  broke it's routine last summer, as it remained at Antrim Marina indicating a change of breeding site.

Of today's 9 sightings, visits of  2BRA  and  2FIL  were so brief, I did not get photos of them. 

Colour Ringed Black-headed Gulls Recorded at Antrim Marina on Wednesday 7th May 2025

2CSK	2CJT	2FJL	2BRA	2FJN	2FIF	2FIJ	2CSR	2FIL

Black-headed Gull  -   2CSK   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 May 2025)

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

Black-headed Gull  -   2CJT   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 May 2025)

(Ringed as a Juvenile / 1st Winter Bird, on the 4th December 2016, at Antrim Marina)

Black-headed Gull  -   2FJL   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 May 2025)

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

Black-headed Gull  -   2FJN   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 May 2025)

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

Black-headed Gull  -   2FIF   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 May 2025)

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

Black-headed Gull  -   2FIJ   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 May 2025)

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

Black-headed Gull  -   2CSR   -  Antrim Marina, Antrim Town, Co. Antrim  (07 May 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed 2nd Winter Bird, on the 24th December 2017, at Antrim Marina)

The number of Black-headed Gulls present during my visit varied widely ranging between 10 to around 50 birds.  At times, perhaps half were 2nd year birds having hatched out last summer and therefore are immatures.  A fair number of people arrived to feed the ducks and swans, with the gulls managing to get more than their fair share.

There is a live camera on the 'Torpedo Platform', but when I checked it today (15th March), it was not available.  With access via YouTube, I found that it was working on the 13th March.  I have added the link here, so keep trying it :-

Torpedo Platform Livestream - Lough Neagh Partnership

Other Birds at Antrim Marina

The resident male Herring Gull made a brief visit, as well as an adult Common Gull.  Lesser Black-backed Gulls were frequent visitors, with a maximum of three at any one time.

Around 30 Mallards were present throughout my visit, but no broods of ducklings appeared to my surprise.  As some Mallards would lay eggs in March, they would have hatched by now.  Talking to a couple of regular visitors to the Marina, they had not seen any ducklings either.

A pair of Mute Swans were quickly joined by 5 others which swam in from Lough Neagh.  A further three swans attempted to join them, but were chased back out towards the Lough.  A couple of people told me that a swan was sitting on a nest just a short distance upriver from the Marina.  Last year, birds in that area apparently hatched chicks, but they soon perished for some reason.  The problem might be due to the reduction of insects/flies due to the problems with algae during the previous two summers.

Suzanne Belshaw reported on the return of Sand Martins on the 31st March 2025.  Last year, they were nesting in the holes high up in the walls of the 'Gateway Centre'.  These holes were created to attract Swifts to nest in.  Although Sand Martins were seen occasionally, they did not appear to be using the nest holes.

The only other birds to appear, were three Rooks.

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

From David Nixon and Suzanne Belshaw...

From David Nixon

David Nixon was in touch regarding two immature Great Black-backed Gulls that he spotted on the high tide roost at Dundrum Inner Bay (South), on the 30th April 2025.  With codes reading - (White) P:13H and -  003:M , these were not the usual 'run of the mill' gulls normally recorded here belonging to the Manx Ringing Group (Isle of Man) or the Irish Midland Ringing Group (Co. Dublin).  

On checking the codes on the cr-birding site birding site, these gulls had been ringed in England and Scotland respectively.

(White) P:13H, was exceptionally interesting due it's long north-westerly movement.  A first re-sighting, the gull was ringed as a chick, on the 27th June 2023, on the breakwater of Portland Harbour in Dorset, England.  I contacted Guy Hayden who is one of the project leads for the Portland Gull Project.  A sizeable colony of Great Black-backed Gulls nest on the breakwater along with Herring Gulls.  Each year, over 50 Great Black-backed Gull chicks are colour-ringed, and David's sighting was only the second to be reported in Ireland, and the most northerly.

The distance from Portland to Dundrum, is 470 kms / 292 miles (NW), and the duration since being ringed, was 1 year, 10 months and 3 days.  Our thanks goes to Guy for supplying the ringing info.

Great Black-backed Gull  -  (White)  P:13H  -  Dundrum Inner Bay South, Dundrum, Co. Down  (30 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 27th June 2023, at Portland Docks Breakwater, Portland, Dorset, England)

(Photo Courtesy of David Nixon)

The second immature Great Black-backed Gull -  003:M , was also a first re-sighting.  Having contacted Mark Oksien from the Isle of May Bird Observatory, he replied with the ringing details.   003:M , was ringed as a chick, on the 18th July 2024, on the island of Isle of May in Fife, Scotland.  The distance to Dundrum, is 299 kms / 186 miles (SW), and the duration since being ringed, was 9 months and 12 days.

Looking through my 'Main Ring Reading Spreadsheet', this was the fourth Great Black-backed Gull from the Isle of May, which has been recorded in Northern Ireland.  David and I offer our thanks to Mark for his speedy reply, along with the gull's ringing details.

My thanks goes to David for his sightings and photos.

Great Black-backed Gull  -   003:M   -  Dundrum Inner Bay South, Dundrum, Co. Down  (30 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 18th July 2024, on the Isle of May, Fife, Scotland)

(Photo Courtesy of David Nixon)

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

From Suzanne Belshaw

Suzanne Belshaw has been in touch again with her latest 'Big Gull' sightings.  As a 'Ring Reader' myself, nothing gives me greater pleasure than managing to read 'metal-rings'.  Suzanne has become very good at reading metal rings and very little escapes from her these days.

What's even better, is the confirmation of birds previously recorded, and one such Portuguese Lesser Black-backed Gull, returned to Lisburn in County Antrim to pay Suzanne another visit.   LV19833 , was first recorded by Suzanne on the 3rd July 2022, with a second sighting on the 31st July and a third on the 21st August 2022, with the gull being spotted near Suzanne's home address.

In 2024, the gull returned to the same spot in Lisburn, on the 4th August, and Suzanne's latest sighting occurred on the 20th April 2025, again close to home.

 LV19833 , was ringed as a third calendar bird, on the 22nd January 2020, at Sítio das Hortas, Santarém, Portugal.  The distance to Lisburn, is 1,764 kms / 1,096 miles (N), and the duration since being ringed, is now 5 years, 2 months and 29 days.  Although, Suzanne failed to capture the number '1' when reading the ring this time, there is no doubting that it is the same bird.

Lesser Black-backed Gull  -   LV19833   -  Lisburn, Co. Antrim  (20 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as an Unsexed 3rd Calendar Year Bird, on the 22nd January 2020, at Sítio das Hortas, Santarém, Portugal)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

Suzanne's second two sightings were juvenile Herring Gulls that were ringed as chicks, on the 1st July 2023, on Old Lighthouse Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down.  They belong to a relatively new project belonging to Roisin Kearney.

 021:C , was spotted by Suzanne at the Commons in Donaghadee in County Down on the 21st April 2025.  The Commons is just around the corner from Donaghadee Harbour.  The distance from the Old Lighthouse Island, is just 6 kms / 3 miles (S), and the duration since being ringed, was 1 year, 9 months and 20 days.

One previous sighting of -  021:C, was recorded by Graham McElwaine on the 20th January 2025, when he spotted it on the seafront a Millisle, just a couple of kilometres south from Suzanne's sighting.

Herring Gull  -   021:C   -  The Commons, Donaghadee, Co. Down  (21 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 1st July 2023, on Old Lighthouse Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

The sighting of -  146:C , was a first for this Herring Gull.  It was also spotted on the 21st April 2025, but was found at Groomsport Harbour in County Down.  The distance from the Old Lighthouse Island to Groomsport, is 7 kms / 4 miles (WSW), and the duration since being ringed, was 1 year, 9 months and 20 days.

Again, my thanks goes to Suzanne for her sighting reports and photos.  Really good of the Portuguese Lesser Black-backed Gull to pay Suzanne another visit.

Herring Gull  -   146:C   -  Groomsport Harbour, Groomsport, Co. Down  (21 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 1st July 2023, on Old Lighthouse Island, The Copeland Islands, Co. Down)

(Photo Courtesy of Suzanne Belshaw)

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

BHG - 2FFH Found Dead...

Black-headed Gull  -   2FFH

On Sunday morning - 27th April 2025, an email arrived from Maaten Hotting who lives in the Netherlands.  Earlier that morning, one of my Black-headed Gulls from Antrim Marina was found dead on the island of Marker Wadden on Lake Markermeer in the north of the country.  The island is one of several man made islands made to increase the Biodiversity on the lake.

 2FFH  was found within a breeding colony of Black-headed Gulls and was taken away to be tested for 'Bird Flu'.   2FFH  was caught and ringed at Antrim Marina, as a juvenile / 1st winter bird on the 7th December 2020.  After being ringed, I recorded it over the next two weeks (14th & 21st), and then it disappeared before turning up again on the 19th April 2021.

The next sighting was reported by David Morrow on the 12th October 2021, when he spotted the gull at Ballyronan Marina in the north-west corner of Lough Neagh some 19 kms / 11 miles (W) from Antrim Marina.  With no further sightings in 2021, 2022 and 2023, I wrote the bird off as dead on my Antrim Marina Spreadsheet.

To my surprise,  2FFH  reappeared at Antrim Marina on the 6th October 2024 (Read), which was the only sighting over the 2024/2025 winter.  At the time, I could not place the bird, but wondered if it was one of two which have relocated to Whiteabbey Beach on Belfast Lough.  Having posted about the gull's unexpected return, I asked the question, was this possibly a foreign breeding bird?

That question has now been answered, and this is the first from Antrim to be associated with the Netherlands.  It now looks likely that this gull was reared at Marker Wadden prior to it's arrival at Antrim Marina as a juvenile.

The distance from Antrim Marina to Lake Markermeer, is 800 kms / 497 miles (ESE), and the duration from ringing to being found dead, is 4 years, 4 months and 20 days.  My thanks goes to Maaten for reporting the bird to me.  I have asked Maaten to send me a copy of test once he obtains the result.

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

Stranraer & Ballintoy...

At this time of the year, my attention turns towards my Common Gull Study based on Rathlin Island which is situated just off the northern coast of County Antrim.  With around 100+ pairs nesting on the island, I began a colour-ringing project during the summer of 2017.  Chicks were ringed with the aim to see how many survive to maturity to return and integrate into the overall breeding population.

The number of chicks ringed each year has varied widely due to several factors.  A couple of years saw a limited output of chicks reaching the fledging stage, possibly caused by the islands infestation of Rats and Ferrets, which is currently being addressed.  One exceptionally warm summer may have also added to the problem, as was the possibility of a lack of food.  The lifting of Covid restrictions at the end of June 2020, meant many chicks had already fledged by the time I was able to visit the island.  The UK suspension of ringing activities due to 'Bird Flu' did not help either.

Over the years since 2017, a few notable 'traits' have been identified.  It is very rare for any chicks to return to the island as 2nd Calendar Year birds.  A small number do return as 3rd Calendar Year birds, but, as they have not reached maturity, they visit colonies to prospect nest-sites with some building nests but not actually laying.  The majority of the colour-ringed gulls would return in their 4th Calendar Year as mature birds and breed for the first time.

This means, each summer, there are lots of Rathlin colour-ringed Common Gulls spread around the country and no-one spots them.  Post breeding season, nearly of the gulls depart Rathlin for the winter, and again, very few if any are spotted.  During this past winter, only one bird was spotted and this was in Newcastle in County Down.  Only one of my colour-ringed Common Gulls has been identified as a year round resident on Rathlin.

It's only when the gulls return to the island, that many are re-sighted back on their colonies.  Figures suggest that as few as 10 to 20% of the gulls are surviving to return as 3rd Year Birds or as Adults.  With islands in Scotland lying just north of Rathlin, some gulls are possibly nesting there, and I check small Common Gulls colonies on the County Antrim mainland for any colour-ringed gulls.

Recently, two adults have been spotted, one in Scotland, and the other on the County Antrim coast.  

_______________________________________________________________________

From Ruth Eastwood

On the 20th April 2025, Ruth Eastwood re-sighted -  2BNF  on the beach at Stranraer Harbour.  I was delighted with this sighting as the gull has a bit of history.

 2BNF , was ringed as a chick, on the 24th June 2019, at the Arkill Bay colony on Rathlin Island.  The first re-sighting was reported on the 23rd July 2021, when discovered on the shore in Dundalk Bay in County Louth, 143 kms / 88 miles (S) from Arkill Bay.

The next two sightings in April and May 2022, came as a complete surprise.  As a 4th Calendar Year bird, it was now of breeding age, and was spotted on the East Pier at the former Stranraer Ferry Terminal which served the route between Scotland and Northern Ireland.  The ferries now operate from the nearby terminal of Cairnryan. 

By September 2022 (two sightings),  2BNF  was back in Dundalk Bay again.  March and April 2023, saw many sighting being reported by Ruth and Dr. Brian Henderson.  Brian had witnessed courtship display, and suggested that the gull was likely breeding on the roof of the former ferry terminal (this area is currently fenced off).

With no sightings at all since April 2023, this latest sighting was much appreciated.  I have told Ruth that the gull was likely nesting on the ferry terminal and further sightings will be welcomed.  The duration since being ringed, is now 5 years, 9 months and 27days, and Stranraer is situated 85 kms / 52 miles (ESE) from Rathlin Island.  My thanks goes to Ruth for the sighting report along with the photo.

Common Gull  -   2BNF   -  Stranraer Harbour, Stranraer, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland  (20 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 24th June 2019, at Arkill Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

(Photo Courtesy of Ruth Eastwood)

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

Ballintoy Harbour

Every summer, I make three or visits to Ballintoy Harbour situated on the north coast of County Antrim, where I check on a small Common Gull colony.  Lying just 12 kms / 7 miles (WSW) from Rathlin Island, there was always going to be the possibility that one of my Rathlin gulls might breed here.  Today, I struck lucky as I scoped one bird with a Blue Darvic.  Moving closer to obtain a few photos, the code was read -  2BSP .  I knew straight away, that this gull has never been seen since the day that it had been ringed.

On returning home, I checked my records, and this was one of just 9 chicks colour-ringed when the 'Covid' restrictions were lifted.  Ringed on the 4th July 2020 at the Arkill Bay colony, the duration since being ringed, is now 4 years, 9 months and 20 days.  This bird would have reached maturity last year and may been overlooked here, or one of the nearby rocks..

Ballintoy Harbour is famous as being one of the locations used for the hit series 'Game of Thrones', and it is extremely popular with many worldwide tourists.  The Common Gulls around the harbour are extremely comfortable with the large number of people, and they actually nest on their own tall rocky island which holds around 20 pairs.  On todays visit, many were sitting on eggs.  A few smaller rocky islands nearby also has the odd few pairs.

Another largish colony is situated on a very large rock island towards White Park Bay, beside a rock known as 'Elephant Head'.  The rock is too far offshore to get anywhere near close enough to it.  No colour-ringed Common Gulls have been spotted there yet, but even so, I would doubt if my camera would have the reach to read the codes there.

Common Gull  -   2BSP   -  Ballintoy Harbour, Ballintoy, Co. Antrim  (24 Apr 2025)

(Ringed as a Chick, on the 4th July 2020, at Arkill Bay, Rathlin Island, Co. Antrim)

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