Highlights from Larne and Rathlin 2016

This was going to be the year I'd finally find that mega on Rathlin. In the end I only managed 10 visits to the Island, which is considerably less than my first year taking part in 2013, when I recorded 121 species over 30 visits.  Looking back, I'm not sure how I managed it back then. Nevertheless, among the species recorded in 2016, were some absolute crackers.  A close encounter with a White-tailed Eagle on a fine spring day will be forever etched in my memory. Setting off in hope of a glimpse, ending up floored in the heather looking straight to the heavens, listening to its wingbeats as it fended off ravens, hooded crows, buzzards and a peregrine, making each appear like a speck on the horizon. 

White-tailed Eagle



Unringed and untamed

Cruising the thermals above the north cliffs, with a Raven giving chase



WTE dwarfing Buzzard

Other visits produced some decent birds like Whinchat, Cuckoo, Gadwall (rare on the Island), White-fronted Goose, Snow Bunting, Barnacle Goose, Hen Harrier and Twite.  Plus some patchgold in the form of my first Mistle Thrush in eight years!

Common Scoter flying by Rue Point

Male Whinchat at Craigmacagan Lough

The year ended on 96 species for 120 points and a pathetic comparative score of 82.8%. My comparative target for 2017 is 135 points which gives me some hope of reaching 100%.  Someday that mega will fall. 

 

As for Larne, it was gulls, gulls and more gulls.  Here's a selection seen on patch this year.

Several Little Gulls appeared throughout the year around Larne Harbour

First fledged Black-headed Gull seen at Sandy Bay on 2nd July - over 5000 pairs bred this year

This Kumlien's Gull was first found off patch but eventually made its way to Glynn

Amazing views of Med Gull guaranteed

Standing out from the crowd

 

Several Iceland Gulls were seen but strangely I couldn't find a Glaucous Gull this year. Another six point larid was a Ring-billed Gull at Glynn Station on 28 February. There wasn't much else to shout about, but other decent birds seen included Goosander, Jack Snipe and a patchtick White-fronted Goose.  A nice run of birds in November added my first ever patch Velvet Scoters, a flyover Skylark, a patch scarce Stonechat, a couple of Long-tailed Ducks and a Slavonian Grebe.  The year ended on 121 species for 158 points and a comparative score of 96.3%.  A decent enough effort.

I have signed up both patches for 2017 and look forward to seeing what I can find.  Here's a few other bits and pieces from around Larne.

Patchtick Greenland White-fronted Goose, Glynn, 12 March

White Wagtail, Sandy Bay

House Martin, Glynn

Common Tern, Glynn

Knot, Sandy Bay

A tale of two patches - Larne and Rathlin review 2014

This was my second year taking part in the Patchwork Challenge on Rathlin Island and as I enjoyed it so much last year, I decided to enter a second patch – the north end of Larne Lough, to try and resurrect my appetite for birding around my home town.  Apart from trips to the Bridges of Ross, Tory Island and Portugal, I did very little birding outside my patch boundaries.  A fact supported by plotting my Birdtrack records for the year.  As well as competing against around 340 other patches across the UK and Ireland, I was also keen to see which of my own patches would come out on top.

 

Sedentary birding, via Birdtrack

 

Some of you may have read recently about plans to have an ‘island mini-league’ in 2015 to include rarity hot spots which receive large falls in spring and autumn.  Thankfully, this rules out Rathlin! You see, both my patches occupy somewhat of a migration dead zone prone to autumnal bypasses most years.  However, for me this is exactly what makes patch birding so addictive; that new patch tick, a patch gold bird, heaven forbid a local rarity – all come at such a cost that I don’t mind not getting more than 2 points for most of them! The joy comes from what they mean to you.

I managed 121 species for 151 points on Rathlin in 2014 (you can read a review of the year here), so I had a comparative score to aim at this year.  My target for the Larne patch was 120 species.  Here’s how I got on:

Larne Lough Highlights

The first highlight of the year came in the form of a most unexpected patch tick, following a phone call about a Crane seen flying south along the Antrim coast.  A full 72 minutes later I intercepted it attempting to land at Glynn Station.  You can read more about my ‘Mourinho antics’ here.  This has to go down as one of my finest moments in birding.

Ah yes, that'll be the Crane!

 

In what was a poor year for white-winged gulls in Northern Ireland, finding a couple of Kumlien’s Gulls in the spring was noteworthy, considering these were just about the only records of this fine (sub) species recorded anywhere in NI this year.  However, I had to wait until mid-December to see an ‘ordinary’ Iceland Gull after dipping one earlier in the year.  It was also a great year for Little Gull sightings on patch, with at least 4 different birds seen during the year.

Iceland Gull

Little Gull

Kumlien's Gull

 

The events of the 6^th April will live long in the memory, when no less than three patch ticks were watched side by side at Glynn Station.  A Glossy Ibis had been loitering around the south end of the lough for a few weeks, tantalisingly outside the patch boundary – it was only a matter of time before it appeared at Glynn I thought.  During the first week of April it was reported at Glynn on a few occasions by other birders, but despite numerous searches I just could not see it.  I arrived at Glynn Station on 6^th April for another look ­­and was rewarded by close up views of a male Pintail, shortly followed by finding a Slavonian Grebe – in full breeding plumage no less.  As more local birders arrived to see these, someone uttered the immortal words “isn’t that the Glossy Ibis standing at the point”.  Indeed it was and I still wonder to this day how it got there without being noticed!  All three of these species were patch ticks and I blogged about the experience here.

 

 

Following this unprecedented start to the year, things went quiet, very quiet.  My hopes were eventually lifted by the sight of a pair of Roseate Terns in full display mode off Glynn Station on 14^th June. 

 

In the site guide I wrote (see here) at the beginning of the year, I mentioned Larne being good for “Gank, Gulls and Goosanders” and this year has done little to change my mind.  However, were it not for the lack of alliteration, I could also now add ducks to that list.  An amazing 13 species were recorded, all seen from the same spot at Glynn Station.  These included patch scarce Scaup, Long-tailed Duck and Common Scoter. To complete the story – it was indeed another good year for Goosanders with several birds making an appearance during the year.

Another thing I discovered through patch birding around Larne was that it made me aware of a number of glaring omissions from my patch list, owing to a complete lack of ever looking for them before.  You may be surprised to learn that Water Rail, Bonxie and Sand Martin were all patch ticks this year!  Other noteworthy sightings were second patch records of Curlew Sandpiper (24^th September, Sandy Bay) and Jack Snipe (15^th November, Glynn Rugby Club Lagoon).

The most glaring species not seen this year were Fieldfare and Whitethroat, while Pink-footed Goose, Greenland White-fronted Goose, Ruff and Spotted Redshank (missed by about 2 minutes) were seen by others.  The year ended with totals of 129 species or 168 points, 2028 records and 33 lists were added to Birdtrack.  A total of 7 species were added to my overall patch list, which now stands at 154 species.

 

Larne species accumulation via Birdtrack

 

Rathlin Island Highlights

I spent a total of 25 days on the island this year (compared to 30 last year) and I did not manage any visits during June or July due to survey commitments at work.  Nevertheless, I managed to add a further 8 patch ticks during 2014, including some great birds.

The first good day of the year came on 18^th April when my second patch record of Golden Eagle, was backed up by full (fat) patch ticks of Whinchat and Gadwall.  On the 11^th May I was stopped in my tracks by a call I was not familiar with and after a series of rubbish views, I managed to work out it was some sort of Sylvia warbler.  I recorded the call on my iPhone and emailed it to Niall Keogh just in case it was anything mental.  Niall got back to me to say it was a Lesser Whitethroat and I returned that afternoon when the bird eventually came into full view (for about 5 seconds).  Just my second patch record of this species (in exactly the same place as the first!) and it was good to become familiar with the call.  Another measly point in the bag! 

The big story of the year came from the now infamous Corncrake which turned up in mid-May only to be disturbed by a visiting helicopter (full story here).  I heard the bird on 24^th and 30^th May, but by the next day it had vanished.  During one of these visits it dawned on me that I had seen or heard all the species illustrated on the RSPB information panel on the same day; for the very first time.

 

 

There was not a lot to shout about during September barring my first patch Bar-tailed Godwit on 6^th and four Pink-footed Geese at Ushet Lough on 27^th which were nice to add to the year list after somehow missing them last year.

My now customary early October trip once again delivered in spades.  Mediterranean Gull, Little Gull and Sooty Shearwater were all patch ticks thanks to being on the island in half decent seawatching conditions.  However, I will remember the trip for my time spent in the company of a juvenile Brent Goose – which fed around my feet as I sat eating lunch.  It was a profound experience as I was most likely the first human it had ever encountered.

 

 

The late autumn period served up another two patch ticks in the form of a Tree Pipit on 17^th October and a Short-eared owl on 8^th November.  The pipit was particularly pleasing as judging by numerous old records from the island, it appeared I was failing miserably in my attempts to connect with this species.  Another measly point!

The year ended on 114 species or 146 point leaving my comparative score tantalisingly close to last year’s mark on 96.7%.  A total of 1165 records and 19 lists were added to Birdtrack.  My overall island list now stands at 148 species, a total that has increased by 19 in just two years of increased effort thanks to the patchwork challenge. 

Rathlin species accumulation via Birdtrack

 

In my own private mini-league I was amazed that Larne came out on top, though I suspect Rathlin would well and truly trounce Larne if I spent more time there.  Out of interest, I worked out that the combined scores for both my patches was 149 species or 199 points. Perhaps County Antrim isn’t such a migration dead zone after all.

A Month of Sundays on Rathlin – Review 2013

 

The weather has beaten me and I have been unable to visit the patch at all during December; so it’s time now to reflect on the year that was, the year that could have been and look forward to the year that’s to come.   During 2013, I spent a total of 30 days on Rathlin and my efforts resulted in a total of 121 species (151 points or 118.9%) being recorded, which included no fewer than 11 patch ticks, a first island record and numerous highs and lows. 
 

I outlined my hopes and aims for the patch birding year (here) and this is how I got on:

1.    Visit more often particularly in winter and spring – Outcome - doubled the number of usual annual visits.

2.    Go in search of commoner species which I may not have looked for otherwise – Outcome – you have no idea the lengths I went to see a Moorhen this year! See previous posts (here and here).

3.    Increase my chances of finding those all important double scoring rarities – Outcome – epic fail.  Not even close.

4.   Increase my island and self-found lists – Outcome – with 11 patch ticks this year, my patch and island list (as I rarely venture beyond the patch boundaries!) now stands on 138.  Redstart was a most welcome addition to my Irish self-found list, this species is now a Northern Ireland rarity – the birds I had on Rathlin account for 2 of the 3 records in the country in 2013!

5.    Improve my patch seabird list via some seawatching – Outcome – got this all wrong. Just about got Bonxie on the year list and they breed on the island! Noted a submarine as a highlight during one seawatch.



Fair and Torr Heads from Doon Bay on Rathlin

Patch Ticks (in order of appearance):

 

Common Scoter, Goldeneye, Purple Sandpiper, Long-tailed Duck, Grey Wagtail, Long-tailed Tit, Yellow Wagtail, Redstart, Black Redstart, Collared Dove and Brambling.

The fact that 10 of these species were found in winter or spring says a lot about how the year went; an exceptional spring (for NI standards) was followed by a somewhat disappointing autumn, not helped by me going to Portugal for the one week in September when good birds were being found at all corners of Ireland.



The East Light from Coastguards

 

First Island Record:

 

Black Redstart, 5 May. This was the first documented record for the island, found in exactly the spot I have long predicted this species would turn up; at the base of the West Pier in Church Bay.  This was the 190^th species to make it onto the island list I’ve been putting together.

 

Patch Mega

 

 

Dips and Glaring Omissions:

The only species I missed on patch (that I’m aware of) that were seen by others were Pomarine Skua, Hen Harrier and Whinchat.  The most obvious omissions to the year list included Mistle Thrush, Great Crested Grebe (not seen one since about 2008 at Lough Ushet), Bar-tailed Godwit, Arctic Tern and Pink-footed Goose.

Some Highlights:

1.    On an atrocious mid winter day, when only a complete fool would have been out birding, I sat huddled amongst rocks in Mill Bay sheltering from the elements as it began to snow.  Birding for the avid patch worker stops for nothing and through the snow – a vision of the distant bobbing head of a Purple Sandpiper appeared like an apparition though my misty eyed bins.  My first patch record.

2.    It’s early October, lashing down outside and I’m setting off from the Manor House while it’s still dark to hike to the East Light for a seawatch.  Standing sodden underneath one of the few streets lights in Church Bay was a Wheatear.  I began to wonder what this tiny migrant might have been through that night to end up puffed up and shaking under a street light on Rathlin.  Somehow my hike to the East Light seemed very easy afterwards.

3.    I had already seen a Yellow Wagtail at the east end cattle fields (patch tick) and would have been quite happy to call this one of the highlights of the spring. Yet, the patch had even better in store – a cracking breeding plumaged male Redstart seen all too briefly at Ballycarry Pool. I had only added this species to my Irish list the previous spring on Saltee!

4.    Finally seeing a Moorhen after 5 months of trying only to see one with a chick the following visit.

5.    Late evening at the East Light in October as Meadow Pipits and Wheatears dropped in from nowhere and Silver Y moths buzzed around the heather.

6.    The look I received from a Merlin as it flew passed me at close range clutching one of the above pipits in its talons.

7.    Pinning down the hangouts of a spectacular Rathlin Golden Hare and getting a decent photo.

Redstart - you may need to squint

 

Moorhen - a contender for bird of the year!

 

Wheatear from the late evening fall in October

 

Golden moment captured

 

As I never managed to find a bird deemed rare enough to trouble the multiplier effect column on the score sheet here are some of the other species not mentioned so far, which I consider good birds for the patch which were seen this year: White-fronted Goose, Jack Snipe, Grasshopper Warbler, Mealy Redpoll, Woodpigeon, Spotted Flycatcher, Garden Warbler, Snow Bunting and Lapland Bunting.

 

I must make a particular effort to stress just how good the migration buzz was on the island on some days during the spring.  Species like White Wagtail, Rock and Meadow Pipits passed through the island in their hundreds. Birds such as Skylark and Wheatear were seen bombing over the East Light and some decent falls of common migrants were also noted; day totals for Willow and Sedge Warblers peaked at 50 and 27 respectively.

Twite and cow - on territory

 

 

On the breeding bird front, I was involved in an all island Twite survey carried out by the RSPB, which revealed several breeding pairs of Northern Ireland’s rarest breeding finch and one of my favourite birds.  Unfortunately, soon after discovering a pair visiting a probable nest site, a large gorse fire tore through the area, obliterating all in its path.  The small breeding population of Lapwing continues to struggle, with only a couple of fledged juveniles seen from the 6 pairs which bred on the patch.  The Black-headed Gulls failed at the previously known colony due to spring flooding, but I located another small colony (25-30 pairs) elsewhere on the patch which fared much better and for the first time in many years a few pairs of Sand Martins bred, making use of a landslide in Doon Bay which revealed some nice muddy banks.

Eider congregate and display in the harbour...

 

Then pair up...

 

And produce plenty of these

Several species remain on my wish list for next year, but I need to up my game and be on the island during autumn when things are moving and I really must try some seawatching in a proper north westerly – lots of island ticks and points are available.  The mega find on the island still evades me, but I’m having a bloody good time trying.

Thank you and goodnight