2ANX - what we know so far

In January 2016, we caught and colour-ringed a bird which was already sporting a German metal ring. 

The same bird had been recorded at Carrickfergus, Belfast Lough during previous winters but by adding the colour-ring we were hopeful it would increase the number of re-sightings of the bird.

In the 22 months since we colour-ringed 2ANX, we've had some excellent results.

I've set out below what we know of 2ANX:

May 2008
Ringed as an adult at Bohmke, Germany

November 2013 
Recorded at Carrickfergus Harbour - metal ring read

January 2016
Caught and colour-ring 2ANX added (see here)

February 2016
Re-sighted at Carrickfegus

March 2016
Re-sighted at Swinoujscie, NW Poland (see here)

July 2016
Caught by ringer at Swinoujscie, NW Poland as by catch - he was actually trying to catch a crow! (see here)

Photo by Lucasz Borek

December 2016
Re-sighted back at Carrickfergus, where it was recorded again in January and February 2017

May 2017

Photographed at breeding colony at Bohmke, the colony where it was originally ringed, at a nest with 2 young.

2ANX at breeding site at Bohmke, NE Germany
Photo by Simon Piro

June 2017
Photographed back at Swinoujscie, NW by same ringer who had recorded it at same site in 2016.

2ANX in flight behind Lukasz's son
Photo by Lukasz Borek

November 2017
Re-sighted back at Carrickfergus for another winter.

The map shows known wintering location of 2ANX at Carrickfergus, Bohmke in NE Germany where it breeds and the site it visits at Swinoujscie just over the border in NW Poland.

Many thanks everyone who has reported this bird and if you happen to visit the car park by Carrick Castle, please keep an eye out for our colour-ringed birds and let us know via bhgni@ymail.com