Dispersal of 2017 chicks

Back in the summer, we managed to visit two of our study colonies to ring young Black-headed Gulls. A total of 79 young birds were colour-ringed at WWT Castle Espie on Strangford Lough in Co. Down and RSPB Blue Circle Island, on Larne Lough in Co. Antrim.

Blue - RSPB Blue Circle Island, Larne Lough
Green - WWT Castle Espie, Strangford Lough

Since ringing, we have received re-sighting reports of four of the 2017 birds.

All four originated from Blue Circle Island and all the sightings have been from the east Antrim coast. One bird has moved slightly north, and three have moved south to various sites along the north shore of Belfast Lough.

Orange - Re-sighting locations of 2017 birds ringed on Blue Circle Island (Blue marker)

2CLV at Whitehead, August 2017
Photo by Cameron Moore

2CPN at Whiteabbey, September 2017
Photo by Gary Platt

2CNB at Sandy Bay, November 2017
Photo by Gary Platt

2CPS at Carrickfergus, November 2017
Photo by Paul McCullough

Many thanks to everyone who continues to report colour-ringed birds to us. All reports are greatly appreciated.