First fledglings confirmed

Having seen a juvenile fitted with a colour-ring at Glynn, Larne Lough on 1 July I know that some of our study birds have been fledging for several weeks. Unfortunately, however, I was unable to see the code  on that occasion as the bird was too far away.

Neal Warnock had the same problem at Glynn a couple of weeks later, when on 14 July he was unable to read the ring on a juvenile due to the heat haze - the problems of birdwatching in Northern Ireland!

Finally, last week I received an email which confirmed not one, but two of my colour-ringed juveniles from Cameron Moore, who recorded 2ADN and 2ASA feeding along the shore at Whitehead, Co. Antrim.

 

 

 

 

 

Both of these birds were ringed on Mew Island, Copelands on 20 June and although, at just over 8 miles, they haven't moved far, these movements show us that some of the birds dispersing from Mew move across Belfast Lough to feed on the north shore.

Red - Mew Island, Co. Down
Blue - Whitehead, Co. Antrim

Many thanks to Cameron for reporting his sightings and sending through the photos.