Gobbins boat trip

A late evening run to the Gobbins with Brian Meharg gave a lot of birds and a lot of scenic views. Despite a lack of sunshine it was good weatherwise, mainly dry and not too lumpy. This trip  is never "as expected". I have done it quite a few times and no two trips are ever the same. This year we saw all the usual species but added Manx shearwater and peregrine which are not guaranteed. Only one gannet but 25+ puffins. We also noticed two dead auks which were lifted from the water and brought back for scientific analysis to see why they died. They were not underweight and had no obvious injuries. It was fascinating to get a close up view of both birds in terms of shape, colour, bill etc.. I had the good camera but only a  55mm lens this time, but I am quite pleased with the results. Just for clarification the first shot was taken on a Gobbins trip in 2009, just to illustrate the varying weather conditions this trip can produce!! It is better than any of the 2026 shots.

There is a wee update on Cockle Island as of June 17th at the end.

2009 sunset with gannet

Blackhead lighthouse

Lesser black-backed gull

Setting sun over Islandmahee

Minesweeper off Bangor

Auks for Science

Razorbill

Guillemot

Puffin ledge, you need 600mm for this one

Herring gull

Guillemot

Muck Island

Muck Island

Cockle Island arctic tern update.

Things moved quickly since the last post and I will try and summarise it briefly.

• An otter was spotted on the trail cam.
• The Trust sent a team to erect a two strand electric fence and keep off notices (for humans, not the otter!). This caused major disturbance as the terns left their nests. Two cockle pickers were observed after the notices were erected and again this disturbed the colony.
• It is probable that some nests were lost.
• Good news is that the terns settled and chicks have been seen. 
• I'll update on future posts and do a wrap at the end of the breeding season.

2026

150: Corncrake

151: Manx shearwater

152: Peregrine falcon