nibirding

Hmmm, thayer's gull shots anybody?

2012-02-07T20:22:00.001Z

No chance. Some may think that Derk has achieved his life's ambition and turned this into a gull blog. I would have to disagree. There may have been over 19,000 gull photos in the last week or two but as long as there are some of us still alive prepared to fight the good fight then there may yet remain a glimmer of hope for the human race. Thanks then to norfolk based anti gull stalwart Ken Clegg for this Marsh Tit shot. Not for him the vagaries of treading that disreputable path into the foul fishy-smelling abyss of hell or sometimes even Portavogie. Not for him having to take out credit card loans to buy Veda Bread in bulk only to throw it all into some harbour in the hope of a vent shot of a Kumlien's x yoghurt pot hybrid. You don't see Ken Clegg jumping into the car and heading to Killybegs at least 7 times in the last 3 months (that's at least 2000 miles) to see aberrant members of the Herring Gull complex. At this rate you'll be able to tick a herring gull ssp. depending upon which county you're in. Co. Antrim Gull - drunken and greasy. Co. Down Gull - A suave sophisticate. Tyrone Gull - boggy and gregarious. Armagh Gull - crepuscular hypochondriac. Londonderry/ Derry Gull - we're scared to talk about them. Fermanagh Thayer's Gull - Howwww are ye?!?!, which it will no doubt be saying by now if it's been listening to the local Herring Gulls.
Anyway I think driving that many times to Donegal is at least 149 times worse than driving twice to Belmullet to dip an Upland Sandpiper. Actually, now that I think about it ......it's not. Anyway Ken Clegg takes nice shots of Marsh Tits doesn't he? (I'm still winning the Gull War - no surrender!!!)

Short Eared Owl

2012-02-07T14:43:00.004Z

Many thanks to Ronald Surgenor for saving the day again! This baby is wintering at Killard Point not far from the Gull hot spot of Ardglass!

All the Fun of the Thayers!!

2012-02-07T13:56:00.007Z

Gull War?? Andrew has no idea what forces of evil are with me. Here are more shots of the Thayers Gull!

Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane?

2012-02-07T12:34:00.009Z

No its the Hillsborough Park Lake Cattle Eejit!! We were nearly too embarressed to post these but John Denver started crying on the phone when we told him his photos were awful. John made the point that they are better than the Nobirds photos! He has a point!

Adult Kumliens Gull

2012-02-07T11:38:00.006Z

Its the time of year that Andrews chickens are starting to lay eggs again, i should know as i went round last night and bagged myself a dozen free ones and very tasty they are too compared to the battery farm hens. Its also time of year for rare gulls and they dont come much better than adult Kumliens Gulls!

Fright Shots RBG Rocket Launcher

2012-02-07T11:32:00.009Z

Many thanks to Herbie Mulligan for these flight shots of the adult Ring Billed Gull at Portrush which loves Veda Bread and Chips. His doctor has told him to stay off the Chips but he cant help himself! No seagull can resist free chips!

Joss Stone

2012-02-07T10:49:00.011Z

Unfortuneatly we dont have any pictures of Joss Stone but we do have pictures of the Bonaprats Gull standing on a Stone!! Which kind of reminds me where are the missing 28 Bonaprats Gull photos? Its a complete mystery and nothing but silence from the Nobirds camp. Think we need to call the Fraud Squad in!

Glaucous x Herring Hybrid

2012-02-07T10:40:00.007Z

Only a complete numbskull would call this out as a Kumliens Gull if they seen it!! Most likely its a Glaucous x Herring hybrid from Iceland! nice way to start a Wednesday!
Anyway had a twee to say that one other poor unfortunate hasnt seen the Richards Pipit either but he wants to remain anonymous in case people start laughing at him and throw rotten tomatoes at his car. My mother has even seen it how embarassing for me.

Bird News Tuesday 7th February

2012-02-07T10:38:00.003Z

Thanks to Ian Dickey for this photo, Ian remains the only sane person in all this gull madness!

In Co.Down: The Black Redstart, 5 Iceland and 2 Glaucous Gulls remain at Ardglass (David Murphy)

The Richards Pipit was still at Killard Point (am i the 0nly one in Northern Ireland who hasnt seen it!!)

In Co.Antrim: An Iceland Gull was at Botanic Avenue in Belfast

Follow the Yellow Legged Gull

2012-02-07T08:47:00.002Z

Dorothy once sang
"Follow the yellow legged gull
Follow the yellow legged gull
Follow follow follow, follow the yellow legged gull"
And she was right. Now many people scoffed when news of a Yellow Legged Gull in deepest Fermanagh was broadcast many Larrys said there is more chance of a Thayers turning up down there but luckily Tristan Reid has produced the eveidence and i concur its a bloody Yellow Legged Gull! Amazing!
ps its the gull at the back looking a bit lost

Thayers Gull

2012-02-07T08:45:00.005Z

Many thanks to Tristan Reid for these superb photos of the possible, wholly unconfirmed, showing characteristics, probable definate Thayers Gull in Enniskillen!

Ronald to the Rescue!!

2012-02-07T08:38:00.002Z

Many thanks to Ronald Surgenor for saving this blog from gull oblivion with 3 classic photos, and no the first one is not a load of bats!! Thanks Ronald!

No Gulls Please We Aren't Perverts

2012-02-06T20:07:00.000Z

Boner, Ross's and Thayers Gull. An all-out assault by a prevert Larid deity that hates me. I'll have to cut off my own leg to beat the Vile Horde off the front porch. If they break in I've a box full of chickens balanced on top of the door - I feed them on live rats. If the second wave gets through I've covered the hall in flypaper and exploding loaves of veda bread. The third wave gets a blast from Big Betsy.

Thanks to Alwyn Spence for this shot taken somewhere in yankland and unfortunately not in a garden in Newcastle, Co. Down. Visit Alwyn's website - if there's any gull shots on there it's probably a glitch

www.alwynspence.com

We havent any pictures of this for a while!!

2012-02-06T14:10:00.008Z

Yes the blog hasnt been the same for a week or so but luckily Ian Wray has come to the rescue with some new Ross's Gull photos although im not actually sure about the first one!! Thanks Ian.

This weeks Ardglass Iceland Gulls!

2012-02-06T14:02:00.013Z

A nice selection of images of Iceland Gulls kindly sent in by Benjamin Loyd. What can we do but we are screaming out for some Guillemot pictures or something!

Its Dark, but its not right!

2012-02-06T13:55:00.007Z

More shots of the dark boy thats at Ardglass. At first sight you think it has to be a Kumlin jobby but in flight the primary pattern isnt correct. You should close your eyes when you see birds like this and pretend they are not there. Otherwise catch them and sell them to Chef Vealz who no doubt has several top menus already in his head for birds like this "Hybrid Stew and Gullattooi!"

Bird News Monday 6th February

2012-02-06T11:51:00.007Z

Location of the Canada Geese per John Edwards!! Isnt technology wonderful!!

More Redshank Madness by Ian Dickey!! Thanks Ian

In Co.Fermanagh:
The THAYERS GULL is still at the Round O Tower in Enniskillen (The Chef and Mrs Veale)
4 iceland gulls were also present.

In Co.Antrim: The Marsh Harrier was still at Portmore Lough

In Co.Londonderry: An adult Iceland Gull was at the River Bann Coleraine

In Co.Down:
A small and large type Canada Geese were with the Greylags near Anns Point Greyabbey. These may be wild individuals (John Edwards)
The Richards Pipit was seen again at Killard Point. I really really hate it!

A Black Redstart and some lovely Northern Gulls were at Ardglass.

At Loughisland Reavy Castlewellan a male Goosander had returned

The probable Rough-legged Buzzard was seen again yesterday at 13.15 (Richard Weyl) Here's some pics

Had enough Buzzard shots? Here's some Redwings from Alistair Prentice

http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/

Anyone lost a Cute Family Cat?

2012-02-06T11:08:00.000Z

Thanks to Patti Smith for this absolute classic!! Who needs Thayers Gulls!

Thayers Gull Video!

2012-02-06T10:35:00.001Z

Video clip of the Thayers Gull! Many thanks to Tristan Reid, he is not a bad old sort!!

Here's the video clip (best viewed in 1080p HD):
http://youtu.be/XBs2QbMrb74

Lard's out for the tits ...

2012-02-06T09:58:00.000Z

Thanks to Stephen Maxwell

Lost Memory Card

2012-02-06T09:50:00.001Z

A memory card was found at Killard Pt. yesterday with the name L. McGarry on it. If you are that McGarry you can claim it back with a finders fee of ten pounds. We will not accept a complimentary nobirds membership as this have a value of 2 shillings. Seeing as we are currently in possession of the aforementioned device we've taken the liberty of publishing these two mcgarry photos of the Richard's Pipit. They were in a folder entitled 'My best ever Richard's Pipit photos'

Thayers Gull Enniskillen

2012-02-06T09:47:00.011Z

It seems improbable that a Thayers Gull is alive and kicking and in Co.Fermanagh! Here is the eveidence as crazy as it may seem!

Chariots of Fire...Cheap Remake Begins Shooting

2012-02-06T08:54:00.002Z

Thanks to Brian Douglas

Bird News Sunday 5th February

2012-02-05T18:00:00.007Z

In Co.Fermanagh:
The Thayers Gull was at Enniskillen Town near the Tound O Tower (Keith Bennett) And yes its a Thayers Gull!Where Noclue Nobirders get the word Probable from is once again beyond me.

An adult and 1stw Iceland were at Enniskillen Tip (Keith Bennett)

The male Smew was still at Drumgay Lough

In Co. Down:
The Ross's Gull was seen again at Ardglass (this sighting cannot be confirmed in fact its very stringy, a whole big ball of stringy, as is the reported Great White Egret!!!!!)

2 1stw Kumliens, 10 Iceland and a Glaucous were definately seen!

The Richard's Pipit and the Short-eared Owl were at Killard Pt. 4 Goosander were also seen.

A probable juvenile Rough-legged Buzzard was hunting over Chapel Island before flying off in Mountstewart direction at 9.40am (Richard Weyl / Dot Blakely)

A Peregrine flew up Newcastle Beach (Leonard Charles)

A 1st winter Glaucous Gull and 3rd winter Iceland Gull were off Newcastle Harbour (Bob Shaw) A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at Annalong

The Cattle Egret was at Hillsborough Park Lake (K.Bennett et al)

The 4 Russian Whitefronts were still near Annes Point and 16 Slavonian Grebes were at nearby Greyabbey Bay (Richard Weyl)

10 Slavonian Grebe were at Greyabbey Bay (James Robinson)

In Co. Antrim:
The Bonaparte's Gull was at Drains Bay (T. Reid, C. Hind)

The adult Ring Billed Gull was at Portrush East Strand Car Park, nearby Corbally Dam had a 1stw Kumliens Gull, 2 3rdwinter Kumliens, 17 Iceland and 5 Glaucous (C.Hind T.Reid) I do hope those boys have photos to prove that haul of goodies!!! Dodgy boys!!

300+ Whooper Swans and the Marsh Harrier were at Portmore Lough RSPB

In Co.Armagh:
2 Pinkfoots were at Reedy Flat

In Co.Donegal: the White Phase Snow Goose was at Big Isle, Letterkenny ( the dodgy twins T.Reid, C.Hind)

Bird News Saturday 4th February

2012-02-04T11:32:00.002Z

In Co. Fermanagh:
The 1st winter Thayer's Gull and 2 Iceland Gulls were at Enniskillen dump (B. Robson)

The male Smew, a Carrion Crow and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were at Drumgay Lough (C. Hind, T.Reid)

In Co. Down:
The 3rd winter Iceland Gull was off Newcastle harbour (Bob Shaw's cousin)

South of Anne's Point 4 white-fronts (subspecies uncertain- possible Russian? - (but photo attached for consideration). Also a red kite with a white right wing tag at Herring Bay. (Richard Weyl)

In Co. Antrim:
An Eastern Jackdaw and 3 Twite were at Glenarm. A Carrion Crow was at Ballygally and a Mediterranean Gull was at Drains Bay.

A 2nd winter Iceland Gull was at Glynn station and a Dark-bellied Brent Goose was at Church Bay, Larne Lough

Here's some wonderful non-seagull pics from Stephen Maxwell

...and yet more non-gull pics from Alistair Prentice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/

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'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions

Bird News Friday 3rd February

2012-02-03T17:56:00.000Z

In Co. Down:
The Richard's Pipit and the Short-eared Owl were still at Killard Pt. (C. Sharpe)

A 1st winter Kumlien's, 15 Iceland and 3 Glaucous were at Ardglass (T. Reid, C. Hind)

The Cattle Egret was roosting at Hillsborough Lake at 16.40 (E. McGuiggan, E. Rolston)

In Co. Fermanagh:
The 1st winter Thayer's Gull, 2 1st winter, a 3rd winter and an adult Iceland, an adult Mediterranean Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were at Enniskillen dump (T. Reid, C. Hind)

A male Smew was at Drumgay Lough (B. Robson)

Here's some delightful non-gull shots from Nigel Snell. Check out Nigel's website or go boil your head
http://www.nigel-snellphotography.com/

Can you resist Thayer's Gull?

2012-02-02T21:19:00.003Z

According to googlemaps this will cost you £15.65 from Belfast. Is this worth it? Well, unusually for me I will have to submit. This is my Islandlwana, an utter and uncompromising defeat in the war against gulls. Ross's Gulls look nice in the book (all pink and horny) but when you compare spending £15.65 to £10 on a nobirds membership this might actually be a tick worth having. Pay no attention to the fact that it buggers off for weeks - go dip it twice and hit it on the third time! - it's a Thayer's Gull so it's still more value then 3 years nobirds super mcgarry inc. club membership. It's a Thayer's Gull. Are you a believer? Are you true to the cause?

Just in case you missed it - it's kind of a browny thing.

Be interesting to see who crawls out of the woodwork now......for a brown paper bag at Enniskillen dump. Gull people require little in the way of coercion - they live by following the scent of detritus. At least if you're travelling from Belfast you can have the joy of travelling through 'Augher, Clogher, Fivemiletown'. I've no idea why but those three towns said in that order excite strange stirrings in the bowels of people from Northern Ireland. They make cheese in Fivemiletown as well. Somebody once told me Clogher had a railway museum but I thought they meant the one in Armagh. Come to think of it I'm not even sure if there is a railway museum in Armagh. There is a planetarium though - yer man Lembik 'Tripod' Opik's dad used to work there.There's a good chippy in Aughnacloy which if you ask will tell you they fry their chips in dripping. Could be man-fat at the same time knowing what they get up to in them parts. There's lots of standing stones and cows to look at as well. Watch out for the way they talk out there too - they don't say hello, they say 'Howwww are ye?!', all the time, it's great. The whole border thing can be a bit confusing - one minute you're in the north, then in the south then back again. Just keep your eye out for Veda bread and then you know you're in the north (it's a prohibited substance in the Republic of Ireland).
If you're in the Lisnaskea area keep a look out for a Collins bird guide that I left on the roof of my car in 2007 - it might still be in the Spar car park, it has my name and address on the inside cover. You could pop by my house on the way back to the ferry in Belfast but don't expect any tea because I don't drink the stuff. You can have a biscuit. See?! There's a million and one things better to do in Northern Ireland than go and see a chip wrapper.

Mr Wray does the business again!

2012-02-02T15:45:00.015Z

Many thanks to Ian Wray from Portadown for yet more Ross's Gull photos that even Andrew couldnt complain about. Mr Wray says that he has to draw the curtains every evening, turn off the lights, hide behind the sofa because a McGarry rings his door bell every hour between 5pm and 9pm Monday to Friday and then shouts through the letterbox asking for Bird Photos. Mr Wray rightly asks us "What have the McGarrys ever done for us?"

Cheeky Boy

2012-02-02T15:41:00.007Z

This second winter Iceland Gull nicked this Mackeral off a Glaucous Gull, he then kung foo kicked several herrings before stabbing a great black backed in the eye. Strange thing was he wasnt even hungry and was just doing it for kicks!

However he was a bit taken aback by the latest bit of Nobirds Education saying that the Richards Pipit is giveing a sparrow like shreep call, rather like a Skylark then! We know that a few people have been ticking off Skylarks that they are flushing! I was there myself when two boys happily ticked a flushed Skylark, i await my first ever Richards Pipit however. I badly need to rejoin the Nobirders get my list up a bit!

End the week with some hot Glauc action!

2012-02-02T15:21:00.009Z

I know you cant get enough of these bad boys, its definately lock up your chickens if one of these yolks come a calling!

Bird News Thursday 2nd February

2012-02-02T14:56:00.006Z

Thanks to Ian Dickey for this non gull photo, this is before Ian became obcessed with gulls!

News from yesterday: The first winter gull from Enniskillen Dump shows characteristics of Thayers Gull. First seen briefly by Brad Robson photos show that it could be the second Thayers Gull to be seen in Northern Ireland following a bird at Belfast on 1st - 7th March 1997

In Co.Down: The Ring Billed Gull was still at Groomsport (David Rafferty)
The Richards Pipit and Short Eared Owl were both seen at Killard
3 1stwinter Kumliens, 3 Glaucous and a multitude of Iceland Gulls (15+) were sstill at Ardglass. No sign of the Ross's Gull (Ronald Surgenor)

In Co.Antrim: An adult Iceland Gull was at Glynn Station along with 3 Grey Plover (Cameron Moore)
A 2ndwinter Ring Billed Gull was at Whitehouse Lagoon

In Co.Donegal: A female type Ring Necked Duck was at Durnesh Lough Rossknowlagh (Brad Robson)

Enniskillen Gull

2012-02-02T13:06:00.004Z

More photographs of the interesting gull at Enniskillen Dump showing characteristics of Thayers Gull.

Blownapart Gull!!

2012-02-02T08:35:00.009Z

Ian Dickey is going to have to get plastic surgery as Andrew has issued a Fatwha against him for sending me these fantastic photos of the Blownapart Gull that is currently at Ballygalley. I also recommend that Ian stays away from Chickens for the forseeable future!!

Ardglass Gulls

2012-02-02T07:57:00.017Z

Opps i may have to make a tactical retreat as these are the last photos i have of Ardglass Iceland, Kumliens Gull and Nobirdskumliens Gull! Flip i will have to book a week off work and camp out at Ardglass and also get a bank loan for 5000 loaves of Pats Pan.

February Gull War Has Started!!

2012-02-02T07:49:00.009Z

Thanks to the efferfecent Ian Wray from Portadown who has joined me in the battle against Chicken Features from Newcastle and to be fair this is nearly a knockout punch. Thanks Ian. Ian said that he is also getting bombarded with creepy emails from an unknown source and has had to change his email address!

Bird News Tuesday 1st February

2012-02-01T11:22:00.001Z

In Co. Down:
The Ross's Gull is still off the end of the pier at Ardglass

The Richards Pipit was seen again at Killard Pt. (John Edwards / Dermot Hughes). An adult Little Gull was on Benderg Beach and a Little Egret flew over the headland (Dermot Hughes)

The Cattle Egret again came into roost at Hillsborough Park Lake at 5pm
A 1stw Iceland Gull was at Kinnegar Shore

In Co. Fermanagh:
Enniskillen dump had a very dark 1st winter Kumlien's Gull. Two 1st winter, two 2nd winter, a 3rd winter and 2 adult Iceland Gulls (Stanley Bowles)

In Co.Antrim: An Iceland Gull and 5 Long Tailed Duck were off Greenisland
40 Snow Buntings continue to be seen at Hightown Road Newtownabbey

In Co.Armagh: A Chiffchaff was seen briefly between the Kinnegoe Hide and the Centre at Oxford Island unfortunately it was not heard to call. The long staying hybrid male and female Ferruginous typre were off Kinnego Hide

A little insider Nobirds Birdy has told me that Nobirds McGarry Incorporated have upgraded the femeale hybrid to a full Ferruginous and the Chiffer to a Siberian!!! So here is there chance to "Eduacte us!!" Would be great to see the photos of the Ducky and hear the sound recording of the Chiffer we look forward to both appearing in next few days. Go Nobirds!

Look at us!!!!! We've gone all nobirds again and haven't put any pictures on. This will fool the nobirds super mcgarry inc. team, who are currently cloning us, into cloning us again and thus reverting to their tired and tested no photographs format. This is surprising given that there's 28 Bonaparte's Gull photos that they haven't put on. This learning thing is fun nobirds - we are here to educate you.

Fox In Socks Attack

2012-02-01T11:21:00.001Z

Derk, fuelled by rage at my Gull Hating antics, has commissioned a Fox in Socks commando raiding party on my henhouse. This shows the purely callous nature of the man as he lashes out and tries to strike at what I hold dearest. Luckily I have my house geared up with the latest in camera and imaging technology and was able to record the event....although I'm not sure how it got past the trenches, punji pits and machine gun nests.

"This must be the right place - Hens clucking on the left, baby crying on the right!"

"Ah Ha, there's the coop with the door open, just like Derk said it would be!"

"Here goes little chickadees, you won't be clucking in a minute!"

"Deeelicious - I particularly enjoyed that Quail for dessert - Derk will be so pleased with me!!"

I would personally like to thank my private security firm for their diligence in getting these images to me so fast. The Fox in Socks in currently being held in a detention centre - a bit of water-boarding and a few electric shocks and he'll spill the beans on Derks planned Gull Armada.

The War Continues Unabated

2012-02-01T08:30:00.000Z

I write this in my command bunker under heavy fire from Derk and the insurgent Gull Liberation Army. I must continue my fight for no other reason than GLA is such a stupid name for an organisation - couldn't they have thought of something a bit more marketable than GLA? Anyway, if it comes down to it I'm going to go on a suicide mission and become a chronic alcoholic.....in the meantime, through the correct deployment of resources I will be able to outwit and leave him totally besmirched. See below for a picture of a Peregrine from Ardglass by Peter Phillips. This is possibly the only non-gull photograph to emerge from there in the last month and shows that I am winning the war against white-winged terror. As if you didn't need more proof take a look at the battle map from the latest conflagration earlier on today. Needless to say I won even though I was hopelessly outnumbered. I've awarded myself 9 VC's.

Real Gull Free Zone

2012-01-31T19:00:00.001Z

If you see a message, email, text or post from Derk Charles please ignore it. This will save embarrassment on behalf of the aforementioned sufferer. Derk is having a rough time lately, as evidenced by his countless forays to Killybegs to see gulls that he could just as easily see off the end of Ardglass pier. You see, apparently Derk is suffering from several, as yet poorly described, conditions relating to the fact that he thinks he's a seagull. The boot of his car is filled full of empty tins of mackerel that he throws out for himself at the East Strand car park at Portrush. He hops about with a plastic bag on his head and eats the mackerel off the ground without any hands. Then he jumps on the bonnet of his car and poops on the roof. The unanimous opinion is that he's making it all up and just doing this to impress his girlfriend. Given that seagulls are considered vermin Derk is no longer protected by the European Convention of Human Rights and shrewd businessmen have spotted an opportunity to have him stuffed and put on display beside John Merrick. All is not lost however as a plan is being hatched to put six bantam eggs in the wardrobe in his bedroom - after a few days Derk will hopefully be overtaken by an irresistible urge to incubate and the social services can load the whole lot onto a flatbed truck and take him to a specially prepared area at Dargan Road where all old gulls go to die.

Poor Derk, they might even have to put him down. Anyway, here's something that definitely isn't a gull from Ken Clegg.

Gull Free Zone

2012-01-31T10:58:00.010Z

We have decided to make the Blog a Gull Free Zone (at least for one day) and to celebrate we have a Wildfowl Special!! Thanks to Ian Dickey for the Little Grebe and Brent Geese pictures and to Shirley Valentine (it is February after all) for the rest of the Ducky type photos!

Bird News 31st January

2012-01-31T10:11:00.003Z

Thanks to Tom Price for this photo from his garden in Ahoghill

In Co.Down:
The Richards Pipit and Short Eared Owl were at Killard this morning, AARRRGGGHH!!!

The 2ndw Ring Billed Gull and Black Throated Diver were still at Groomsport (Paul Rafferty)

The Ross's Gull was once again in the Harbour at Ardglass (Jack Davidson)

In Co.Antrim:
The adult Bonapartes Gull was on the slipway at Ballygally (Honk Van Jarlsberg)

Think this is the watershed Nobirds copying our sightings and putting on photos from Donegal and making up names!! They have turned into clones of us, only clones with no sightings and no humour!! It might be time to quit!

Stop this gull nonsense!!!!

2012-01-31T08:59:00.001Z

Right, that's it - it really isn't funny anymore. Fine, lots of gulls about , even a Ross's Gull, but it's got to stop. I understand that you're an addict Derk so I'll allow you some time to cool off so you don't get the heebie-jeebies and to reduce the risk of relapse. It's not what your doctor would recommend but I would suggest dabbling in something a little less addictive than gulls - heroin would be a good start and then gradually wind yourself down to a gram or two of weed and smooth out the rough edges with a couple of valium and a shot of vodka before you go to bed. It's not something that I would be partial to but, in your case, self-flagellation might work. Alternatively only go out birding with a cardboard box over your head any time you're within three miles of the coast. You can beat this Derk, in the meantime here's a superb non-gull pic from Ken Clegg.

Last Gull Photos of the Month

2012-01-31T08:54:00.007Z

Can you believe that these will actually be the last gull photos on this Blog this month? Its almost enough to make you cry. These photos of our prize visitor have kindly been sent in by Colin Ingram and they bring the total of Ross's Gull photos on this blog to a mind blowing 150!!! Yes 150!!! This month there has also been an additional 70 Bonapartes Gulls photos, 373 other gull photos, 120 other bird pictures, 26 mischiveous photos and 2 Chicken Photos bringing the total to a whooping 741! Did we manage to beat the Nobirds? We are not sure because we cant bring ourselves to look at but im sure it was a close run thing!

Ardglass Kumliens Gull (so says Orcilla)

2012-01-30T12:34:00.012Z

About 700 people turned up for Orcillas weekly Gull Masterclass at Ardglass on Sunday and everyone was delighted with this Kumliens Gull that Orcilla called in by whistling through her nose. It then landed on her head so that everyone could see his vent and lovely chocolate brown primaries.Orcilla only charges £5 a day (much less than the Nobirds) and this includes a 4 course lunch cooked by Dave.

Enniskillen Gull

2012-01-30T12:09:00.005Z

Gull experts have come up with a new formula form the tricky Kumliens / Thayers / Iceland 1stwinter headache! This gull seen in Enniskillen would easily score 22-23 which makes it a gulp!! But is it really?
http://www.tertial.us/gulls/tkg.htm

However Nobirds Incorporated have their own formula which they have been useing at Ardglass for birds of all ages!! Contary to their recent posts there have been 3 different first winter Kumliens, no 2ndw Kumliens and 2 adult Kumliens seen at Ardglass, their plan to educate us all falls apart again!

Glaucs are noisy hungry hooorrrsss!

2012-01-30T11:56:00.014Z

And here is the evidence!!!!!! The PSNI continue to issue the warning that you are not allowed to approach a Glaucous Gull with a child under 20 years old unless you are in an armoured vehicle.

Bird News Monday 30th January

2012-01-30T11:51:00.005Z

Thank goodness for Geoff Campbell sending us a picture of a Great Northern Diver. You can view more of Geoffs photos at gcampbellphoto.co.uk

In Co.Down:
He is a sticker i give him that, the 2nd winter Ring Billed Gull is again at Groomsport Harbour (Frank Rafferty) A Black Throated Diver was also seen

The Ross's Gull was still in the harbour at Ardglass. A 1st winter Iceland Gull was at Ardglass and a Velvet Scoter was off Murlough. The Cattle Egret came in to roost at 16.35 then buggered off and then came back again at 5.00pm (W. Veale, D. Brookes)

A Velvet Scoter was at Murlough and a Short Eared Owl at Killard

A Little Egret was at Stormont Estate.

and this little fella was visiting a garden near Dundrum, in Co. Dundrum (D. and J. Constable)

and for more proof that Co. Down is much better than all the other counties of Northern Ireland here's Ronald Surgenor's meanderings and pics from today
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronaldsurgenor/

"On my wanders today from Bangor to Groomsport and back and had, 6 purple sandpiper and 2 Goldeneye and a male black-cap at Stricklands glen/coast path to Bangor, Ballymacormick point produced a female merlin, buzzard, little egret and 11 purple sandpipers and a small flock of approx 40 Light bellied brent. Groomsport harbour had the 2nd winter Ring -billed gull still present and a sandwich tern off-shore."

In Co. Antrim:
A Buzzard was at Whitehouse Lagoon
At Portrush East Strand Car Park the adult Ring Billed Gull was seen. At Corbally Dam a 3rdw Kumliens Gull, 5 Glaucous and 12 Iceland Gulls were present (M.Tickner)

In Co.Fermanagh:
55 Whooper Swans were between Rosslea and Lisnaskea (Mark Smyth, P.Cush)

In Co.Armagh:
75 Whooper Swans were close to Oxford Island (Mark Smyth, P.Cush)

In Co.Donegal:
1 Kumliens Gull, 10 Iceland and 2 Glaucous Gulls were at Killybegs (P.Doherty)
The Black Throated Diver was still off the pier at Mountcharles

Ward Park Black Duck (The Proof)

2012-01-30T08:58:00.004Z

I for one never doubted the Nobirds and the Ward Park Black Duck and now my sleeper in the Nobirds Organisation has slipped me the evdience (if evidence was needed!) that there was a Black Duck at Ward Park. My sleeper has also told me that the Nobirds Record Committee have accepted the Baikal Teal (they rushed the record through it only took 8 years) and that a big fanfare announcement will be made in their new Bird Report which will cover the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. It is currently at the printers and will be ready anyday now!! You heard it here first and they are also going to have a few surprises in the report my spy says that there might even be a little article about Hen Harriers!! Hey i might even join myself!! Expect a Spy Hunt to begin!!

They're Back

2012-01-30T08:15:00.006Z

Yes rather like Rosso himself its the return of the Ross's Gull pictures kindly sent by John Armitage from Dundalk, many thanks John. Anyone else got any they want to send us? We will post them all!

Bird News Sunday 29th January

2012-01-29T19:00:00.001Z

It's raining - only people who like gulls are outside

In Co.Fermanagh:
A first winter Kumliens Gull, 3 Iceland Gull (1stw, 2ndw and 3rdw) and a 2ndw hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull were at Enniskillen Dump.

A female Scaup was at Ports

In Co.Down:
The Ross's Gull was back at Ardglass Harbour. A 1stw Kumliens and the assorted array of Iceland Gulls were seen (Pat Marshall)

The Cattle Egret was roosting at Hillsborough Lake

In Co.Antrim: The adult Iceland Gull was seen again at Ballygally (Stephen Foster)

In Co.Donegal:
A Black Throated Diver was close in at Mountcharles

Here's a shot of an Iceland Gull by Mark Killops
http://www.flickr.com/people/natmak/

and here's more gull shots from Stephen Maxwell

......I can keep on going in this fashion all day - my inbox is jammed with gull pictures. If the CIA hack my account they'll think I'm some kind of prevert.

Gull Guru Exposed

2012-01-29T11:58:00.000Z

Some of you may have noticed that Derk isn't here today - his whereabouts have often been top secret these last few weeks. Well, now I can expose him for the fiend he is - here's Derk dressed as Santa with a whole group of under-age gulls. Now, at first glance it may look like he's molesting them but surprisingly he's not - he's training them.

Long suspected by a wide range of people, some of whom aren't liars, this is the conclusive proof - I'm previewing it with you now before I send it on to the Daily Express, Sunday World and the Mourne Observer. Get all those white-winged gulls off your list - they're all trash and here is the evidence. Mr Charles - what have you got to say for yourself now?!?!

Bird News Saturday 28th January

2012-01-28T18:59:00.000Z

In Co. Armagh:
The male Red-crested Pochard was at Lurgan Park this morning. It was hanging out with a female Pochard. (Stephen Foster)

A female Ferruginous Duck was at the Kinnegoe Hide, Oxford Island. A Chiffchaff was also present

In Co. Down:
In Strangford Lough between Anne's Point and Gransha Point in excellent condtions a red-necked grebe (Herring Bay), 26 Slavonian grebe (24 in Greyabbey Bay and 2 south of Monaghan Bank), 2 black-throated diver (off Chapel Island and south of Monaghan Bank), 3 great-northern diver (south of Monaghan Bank), a pink-footed goose (Anne's Point) and 2 long-tailed duck (a pair in Greyabbey Bay). (Richard Weyl)

The Cattle Egret was roosting with with Cormorants at Hillsborough Lake

In Co. Antrim:
The Bonaparte's Gull was at Ballygally

A female Black Redstart and an Iceland Gull were at Whitehead

A Merlin, a Smew and the Marsh Harrier were at Portmore Lough RSPB

In Co. Donegal:
At Killybegs, low number of gulls, one 1st winter and 2 3rd winter Kumlien's, 25 Iceland, 12 Glaucous. 1st winter Kumlien's probably the one seen by J. Jones (Derk)

No photos today but that's because we want to help the confidence of the nobirds team. Only 1900 days until the publication of the next nobirds report lads - you've reached a milestone.

Bird News Friday 27th January

2012-01-27T12:30:00.000Z

In Co. Antrim:
The 1st winter Iceland Gull was back at Lagan Wier in Belfast for its breakfast (Ronald Surgenor)

Yes, Co. Antrim is quite good but it doesn't have a........

Co. Down:
Ross's Gull at Ardglass!!! As well as 3 first winter Kumlien's Gulls (the crappy ones), 20 Iceland Gulls and 3 1st winter Glaucous (seen by Derk....the man responsible for turning this blog into the centre of a giant seagull whirlpool. Honestly Derk, I feel like I'm drowning.....and thanks for all the support everybody - just what I needed, more gull photographs. Thanks.)

A Mediterranean Gull was also seen.

No reports from Co. Dundrum recently.....or is it all a giant act of suppression?

and here's some jack attack pics from Alistair Prentice
http://www.flickr.com/photos/awprentice/

.....and would you look at this?!? A non-gull photograph. Thanks to Ken Clegg for this one!

Cantona Gull

2012-01-27T10:05:00.001Z

The world has been taken over by gulls! Check this out from Stephen Foster

Hi Arnold and Derk,

I know that you have been getting lots of photos of gulls from Ardglass, especially Ross's and Kumlien's. However I don't think you've got any photos of a Cantona's Gull! The gull is named after the French former Man United football player Eric Cantona. Today is the 17th anniversary of the famous Cantona kung fu kick. Apparently the first year Iceland Gull it is attacking is a Crystal Palace fan.

All the best

Stephen

Cheap Laughs! Anyone for a Shag????!!!

2012-01-27T09:00:00.002Z

We just cant help ourselves! A couple of great photos kindly sent in by Ronald Surgenor!

American Herring Gull?

2012-01-27T09:00:00.001Z

When i seen this photo i near choked! Looks like an American Herring Gull but its all a trick of the light, its actually one of the 1stw Kumliens Gulls thats at Ardglass! Check more of Geoffs photos at gcampbellphoto.co.uk

We really cant help ourselves

2012-01-27T09:00:00.000Z

A few more from Ian Wray before he gets nobbled by the lads! Thanks Ian!

Yer Assemblie

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000Z

Thanks to Ian Dickey for this great Dunlin Photo

We havent heard from the Ulster Scots Brigade for a while, this is another extract from a Goverment Pamphlet (yes, mine and your other people's taxes are paying for this!)

Yer Assemblie
gies out a Veesits Prograam for scguils an curns as bes for learnan anent the Norlin Airlan Assemblie. Hot gies out ler graith for graith for tae gie uphauld for the leiran forby.

Thar an outrax program forby, at peys veesits tae hamelie commonties for tae set furth wittins anent the Assemblie!

Creepy Nibirding

2012-01-26T19:40:00.000Z

Yes by now you've all heard the latest scandal about how Team Nobirds McGarry Inc. alias the Not Interesting Boring Association have been sending creepy emails to people. I have no idea what the actual content of said email actually is but I don't have to worry because Derk is in possession of a copy. So all I have to do is sit back with a bottle of gin and re-read it again and again. I apologise in advance for succumbing to extirpation from laughter and the ensuing termination of this blog. Anyway, in the meantime (which will still be less time than it takes to knock together a Nobirds Report) here's what I would say if I was a McGarry emailing you for a picture of a Ross's Gull

Hiya!

Captain Stinko here - you remember? ONLY ONE OF YOUR GREATEST FRIENDS IN THE WHOLE WORLD!! I so enjoyed being your friend for all these years and I think you're brilliant. In fact, I think so highly of you I'd like to tell you about our secret club - The Super Larry McGarry Allstars. How do you get in this club you say? An rightly you would because you're so clever and that means you get automatic membership if you send us ten pounds. Wow! Can you imagine being so cool? Well, you are already because we think you are otherwise we wouldn't be your friend! In fact we adore you and people like you - we think it takes a special type of nice person to be able to be so trusting as to hand over 3 times as much for a bird report as we advertise. We love you. It's so true!!

PS Can you send us a photo of the Ross's Gull so we can help educate the needy

Kissy Kissy xoxoxoxo

Stinko 'Committee Ex-Chairman but really isn't...... but might be asked to resign....... but that's another story' McGarry'

Bird News Thursday 26th January

2012-01-26T09:59:00.004Z

Thanks to Cecil Smyth for these goosey photo!

In Co. Antrim:
2 male Goosanders were on the R. Main in Randalstown - between the town and the weir upriver (Dermot Hughes)

In Co.Armagh:
A Brambling and 2 Blackcaps were in Portadown(Alastair Prentice)

In Co.Down:
The 2nd winter Ring Billed was at Groomsport Harbour (Colin Rafferty)

The Richards Pipit was flushed at close range at Killard Point and a Short Eared Owl was also seen (Richard Weyl)

The Ross's Gull was seen from 12.45 - 3pm (P.Doherty)

Had you worried

2012-01-26T08:26:00.015Z

Had you worried that we were not going to post any Ross's Gull photos today but luckily Ian Wray from Portadown has sent us this selection. Ian said that he is expecting the creey email from the Nobirds asking for photos but Ian said "why dont they offer the photographers a free years membership!" Good point Ian but we pointed out you dont actually get anything for your tenner Ian replied "why dont they offer 2 years free membership" to which we had to point out you dont get anything for £20 quid either!! This could go on all night! Anyway Ians promised to send us the creepy email when it arrives and it will! In the meantime here are 15 photos from Ian which is one more than the Nobirds have managed in total it could almost make you cry if it wasnt so funny! Thans Ian

Cold Turkey

2012-01-25T10:24:00.011Z

We just cant go Cold Turkey on you and not post any Northern Gull photos. You are all addicted so what can we do, we cant be responcible for a record number of admissions to A+E. Thanks to Malcolm Cooke for these babies from Ardglass and they include a new species known to man the NobirdsKumliens Gull pictured above!

Its not these ones

2012-01-25T10:18:00.009Z

These are not the missing Bonapartes Gulls photos because Ian Wray says he doesnt send any to the Nobirds. Ian says that the Nobirds dont appear to like bird photos and also they dont make up any funny stories although he admits they do make us all laugh occasionaly! Thanks Ian

Bird News Wednesday 25th January

2012-01-25T10:16:00.005Z

Thanks to Geoff Campbell for these Ross's Gulls photos, Geoff has more photos both on flickr and website, its worth a look.

http://www.gcampbellphoto.co.uk/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gcampbellphoto/

In Co.Down: Its omnipresent, the 2ndw Ring Billed Gull is still at Groomsport (David Rafferty)

The Ross's Gull and at least 3 Iceland Gulls, 2 Glaucous and 1 Kumliens Gull were at Ardglass Harbour (Richard Hoy)

In Antrim: An adult Kumliens Gull was at Sandy Bay, Larne
An adult Meditterean Gull was at Antrim Road Waterworks Belfast

More Intermission

2012-01-25T09:30:00.000Z

I write this on the night of the 24th January Two Thousand and Twelve knowing full well tomorrow morning Derk will have the blog stuffed full of gull photos. So thanks to Ken Clegg for this pic of a Bittern. Now I ask you - if you had the choice between (what I predict will be) some manky oul Kumlien's gull on the blog today and a Bittern, which would you choose? It's a no-brainer.

Ronalds Travels

2012-01-25T09:02:00.013Z

Ronald Surgenor set out yesterday for the North Coast however at Centrel Station a guy selling Veda Bread directed Ronald to the wrong bus and instead Ronald ended up in Ardgalss, As there were no buses back for 7 hours he took a walk along the pier and snapped a few seagulls. Anyone any idea what they are?

No idea

Ivory Gull?

Still no idea?

Bonapartes Gull

Black Headed Gull?

Dark thing

Darkie McStravick

A bit paler looking

Med Gull?

Seagulls

Hold on a minute, this ones from the Lagan Weir, whats going on!!
Thaanks Ronald!

Statistics

2012-01-25T09:00:00.002Z

So far this month on the blog we have posted 103 bird photos (not gulls!), 25 Miscellaneous or more like Mischevious pictures, 2 Chicken Photos, 62 Boanaparte Gull photos, 93 Ross's Gull photos and 318 other gull photos making a grand total of 603!!! Many thanks to Tom Sheppard for these 14 Ross's Gull photos which take us over the ton and ironically is exactly half of the missing Bonapartes Gulls photos!

Pale 1stw Kumliens Ardglass

2012-01-25T09:00:00.001Z

There is nothing as exciteing as a pale Kumliens Gull, judge for yourself! Thanks to Johnny Bradshaw for these shots of a bird at Ardglass, where else?

Dark first winter Kumliens Thingy!

2012-01-25T09:00:00.000Z

The only thing more exciting than a pale Kumliens is a dark one! Judge for yourselves, more photos ccoutesy of Johnny Bradshaw, anone fed up with gulls yet?

Bird News Tuesday 24th January

2012-01-24T19:04:00.000Z

Thanks to Sherman McClelland for this super Goldfinch photo. Sherman hates gulls he tells us!

In Co.Down:
The adult Ross's Gull is still at Ardglass (Paul Kelly, Andrea Kelly, irishbirdimages)

Bob Shaw has been out and about and has spotted the Ring-billed Gull at Groomsport. No sign of the missing Rafferty family however!

The Cattle Egret came in to roost at Hillsborough Lake at 15.53. A Chiffchaff was at Milltown (c 1 km east of Maghery) (Richard Weyl)

Ross's Gull Intermission

2012-01-24T18:57:00.001Z

It's time for a break from flying-rat-plastic-bag pictures - here's some Blackcap shots from Nigel Snell.

http://www.nigel-snellphotography.com/

Isn't that really nice on your eyes after days (weeks even) of looking at white bloody birds? Ah, lovely......I think I'll stick an extra nobirds report on the fire tonight (only 234 to go)

Dirtbag Bob Shaw Again

2012-01-24T18:51:00.002Z

Bob Shaw - you are a dirtbag...and there is nothing you can say to make it otherwise. A liar and a cheat - that's what you are. Fine, everybody gets a bit hot under the collar about a Ross's Gull and it goes to their heads but you? You sir are a fiend of the highest order - you espouse all that is bad about humanity, you are a traitor. I take back everything I said about Derk and his gull problems - you sir are the Devil himself Mr. Bob Shaw........and you're not funny either. Take solace only in that I say this to your face (not like the nobirds and all the things they say about the Co. Down Pantymime Horse behind his back). Oh and by the way - these pictures are rubbish, you really have no shame - I'll post these but only to show people how low you have stooped. Away and join the nobirds team ye dirtbag.

LAGAN WEIR

2012-01-24T09:30:00.000Z

'It might just be round the corner from Du Barry's....

.....but you'll never get a date, looking as scruffy as that son.'

Black Guillemot with just the fag end of winter left upon him. (Warning::Dirty Snigger only available to Belfast folks of a certain vintage)

Thanks to Brian Douglas for the above!!!

Oh No! More Ross's Pics!

2012-01-24T09:22:00.001Z

Thanks to Gerry O'Neill for these pics of the star attraction. Much appreciated.

Just while I'm on here - what is going on with our Fatbirder ranking, it went up to 65! Flip me - highest ever, funny what a plastic bag or two can do. Incidentally, the nobirds website is in the top 1000 rankings - at around 1799. And another thing - 'nobirds, we don't think it's fair that you slag the Co. Down Pantymime Horse off behind his back - do it to his face or apologise! APOLOGISE NOBIRDS!!!'

Fake Ross's Gull, Newcastle Co. Down

2012-01-23T21:22:00.001Z

Yes, less than a fortnight after having a fake Ivory Gull in my back garden now look what turns up! A fake Ross's Gull in full summer plumage (note black neck collar and pinky suffusion to the breast)

Fantastic - up yours Derk, you're behind the pack as usual......although you're not a patch on the nobirds lads who creepily emailed as many people as they could to get Ross's Gull photos.
You know the routine, all false-friendly and all that, talk behind your back etc, make up lies about you etc. then come creeping around the place like a bad smell etc....and then back to their bad old selves. Now, if memory serves me right what was it the Larry McGarrys used to say about the Co. Down Pantymime Horse? Oh yes, that's right - they spent an entire weekend in Scotland boring the arse off me with him as the topic of ridicule. A whole weekend - there was no other craic, a group of middle-aged men acting like a bunch of bitter schoolgirls. Best of all they pretend to be his friend just in case he sends them picture of a pipit or something. Ooooh, the things they said about the Pantymime Horse - scandalous (it never pays to be nasty nobirds - looks like you can add that to the list of apologies you owe the world) APOLOGISE NOBIRDS - APOLOGISE NOW TO THE PANTYMIME HORSE!!!

2nd w Iceland Gull

2012-01-23T14:34:00.010Z

This is one of 2 dark 2ndwinter Iceland Gulls currently at Ardglass. Thanks to Seamus Totten for these nice pictures

We are running low!

2012-01-23T14:23:00.013Z

Andrew tweeted to say that we are running low on Ross's Gull photos, so it was lucky that Ian Wray from Portadown sent us these, probably the last Ross's Gull photos you will see on this blog!

Kumliens Gull 1st winter

2012-01-23T14:20:00.004Z

Thanks to Michael O'Shaunnesy for these nice images of a dark 1stw Kumliens Gull at Ardglass

Sunday Hat of the Day

2012-01-23T14:18:00.002Z

Prize for Hat of the Day on Sunday went to the unamed Peter Peruvio who was visting from Lima f0r the day!!

Police arrest Drug Traffickers at Ardglass

2012-01-23T14:15:00.003Z

It was mad at Ardglass on Saturday with people straining to see a Ross's Goose or something and the PSNI arresting two of NI's biggest Drug Traffickers, Dave and Arnold. This photo was taken seconds before undercover drugs officers dressed as 2nd winter Kumliens Gull swooped and arrested Dave and Arnold who had just smuggled 50kg of Cocaine inside a Ross's Gull. The Gull was also arrested and released without charge.Dave and Arnold wwill get bail and no doubt get off but Dave has been charged with Posession of a Woeful Stripey Hat a rap that even Colin Duffys Lawyers couldnt get him off!

Gull Gurus in Action

2012-01-23T14:08:00.003Z

Gull Guru to the Stars Orcilla Hadrick was at Ardglass on Saturday giving a masterclass in Northern Gull identification, if only Willy was still alive! Participents on Orcillas course included Klaus Melling Olsen and Leonard Charles. Orcilla who always keeps a live Kumliens Gull in her Red Handbag found and identified many rarities at Ardglass on Saturday (although she didnt find any 2ndw Kumliens, only the Nohope Nobirders can see them!) These included a Big Seal Gull and 1stwinter Herring thingy. After 5 minutes everyone went to the nearby cafe where Orcilla bought everyone a cup of tea and a malteser square. It was indeed a gull masterclass. Here Orcilla can be seen giving KMO a refresher course on the inside / outside primary coverts of a Thayersthing Gull. Orcilla also won the hat of the day competition.

Bird News Monday 23rd January

2012-01-23T10:54:00.005Z

Thanks to Ian Dickey for this cracking photo, wish we knew what they were!!

In Co.Antrim:
The 1stw Iceland Gull is still at Lagan Weir (Ronald Surgenor)

A 1stw Iceland Gull was seen in flight at Glengormley this morning!

A first winter Iceland Gull was at Belfast Road Waterworks this morning

In Co.Down:
The Ross's Gull is still present at Ardglass. 3 Kumliens Gulls were present (although Flapline say there are 5, do the Nobirders not talk to each other?) 8 Iceland and 3 Glaucs were also present

The Richards Pipit was refound at Killard Point nearby!

A Green Sandpiper was at Ballylough Castlewellan.

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'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions

Daves Ardglass Gulls

2012-01-23T09:10:00.011Z

Many thanks to Dave Hadrick for his snaps from Ardglass of Assorted Seagulls. Fair play Dave not bad for a Box Brownie Camera. Dave is sending them to the Nobirds for identifaction, he wont show them to Orcilla as she will snap the head off him and call him stupid, Daves in enough trouble after stealing Orcillas after eights on Saturday Night.

All Hail Orcilla

2012-01-23T08:57:00.018Z

The highlight of the Northern Ireland Birding this weekend was the appearance of International Gull Guru Orcilla Hadrick at Ardglass Harbour. Dave also appeared with his new guide "Cafes of Co.Down" The crowd at Ardglass hung on Orcillas every word as she called out Argies, Kums etc etc. Orcilla has kindly sent us her pictures from Saturday and she told us to apologise to Eric as most of the pictures are faceing left again!

Bird News Sunday 22nd January

2012-01-22T15:02:00.004Z

In Co. Down:
The Ross's Gull is still at the mouth of Ardglass Harbour. Two 1st winter Kumliens Gull, adult Kumliens and approx 15 Iceland and 1 Glaucous also remain in the harbour.

Contary to what the Nobirds say the 2 2ndwinter Kumliens reported on their site are in fact Iceland Gulls, those naughty naughty Nobirders.

Orcilla Hadrick would like to thank evryone who turned up at her popular weekly "Gull Masterclass" on Saturday.

A Buzzard was at Closkelt (Stephen Maxwell)

A Black Redstart was at Killough

At Ballyquintin Point a 1st winter Glaucous Gull, 3 Gannet and 2 Little Egret. At Portaferry a 2nd winter Iceland Gull. (Richard Weyl)

The 2ndw Ring Billed Gull was at Groomsport Harbour

The Cattle Egret was seen comeing into roost at Hillsborough Forest Park at 4pm

In Co.Antrim: the first winter Iceland Gull was still at the Lagan Weir (Ronald Surgenor)

The Bonaparte's Gull was at Larne an an adult Iceland Gull was seen at both Drains Bay and Glenarm

A male Smew and Marsh Harrier remain Portmore Lough RSPB Reserve. An escaped Baranacle Goose was nearby

The Snow Bunting flock remains at Glengormley Landfull site

In Co.Londonderry: Two Iceland and 2 Mediterranean Gull were at Myroe

In Co.Armagh: 3 Pinkfooted Geese were at Reedy Flat Lough Neagh.

A Brambling was art Richill.

No photos today!...oh alright then - here's some Lesser Redpolls by Andrew Poots

and here's some vulture pics from Stephen Maxwell

Bird News Saturday 21st January

2012-01-22T12:08:00.000Z

In Co. Dundrum:
Earth-shattering news as usual - the 3rd winter Iceland Gull is still off Newcastle Harbour

In Co. Down:
The adult Ross's Gull is still coming to the mouth of Ardglass Harbour

At Burial Island a 1st year Pomarine skua was chasing kittiwakes, a gannet and a common scoter. At Millisle the hybrid Ring-billed gull and a gannet (Richard Weyl)

In Co. Antrim:
The Bonaparte's Gull was along the Bay Road, Larne

Here's a pic from Stephen Maxwell

Yet more torture!

2012-01-21T22:22:00.000Z

I really have had enough of this - here's a picture of that thing at Ardglass. At the same time it is a really nice pic and nobody can take that away from Mark Killops. However, when you gaze in awe at this waif off the end of a stinky harbour in Co. Down (best birding county in northern ireland second only to it's own subsite of Co. Dundrum) please bear in mind Eric Randall's thoughts below.

http://www.flickr.com/people/natmak/

Dear sirs
I would like an explination for the extraordinary bias towards photos of the Ross's Gull facing left. Why is this? Personally I suspect some left leaning political bias is subconciously being played out by the nibirding duo. Blimmin trots.

I don't know what he's talking about as I am a complete fascist.

The Cloaca 21st January

2012-01-21T13:22:00.001Z

Hello people of the universe and welcome to our irrelevant letters page - The Cloaca. A mixed bag of letters this week but the general theme is the same - would the nobirds team please hand back the stolen money from people they have tricked in their giant pyramid bird report scheme and where are the missing 28 Bonaparte's Gull photos?

Dear Pricks,

How dare you slur my good friends the McGarry Brothers! They are quite the most honest and genuine people I know and your accusations of impropriety regarding the late publication of their bird report is monstrous. I am quite prepared to wait another four years for the production of their 2009 report but that's because I'm absolutely loaded - I use ten pound notes to clean my bottom. All of those people who are complaining about having to fork out £10 per year for the last 3 years in order to receive a single report are scum as far as I'm concerned. 

Yours smuggly,

Mr. Fred Goodwin

Dear Nobirds,

I hope I have got the right address as there seems to be some confusion between yours and another website. I would just like to ask when your bird report is coming out as I have a table with a wonky leg and need something to prop it up. In fact, I don't want to spend ten pounds but rather would like one of the many hundreds of unsold reports that you have produced in the past. That is, of course, unless you've thrown them all in the bin. If you can't help I believe there is a man living in Co. Down who has over 150 of them. I might ask him instead. Can I have my ten pounds back please?

Yours Sincerely,

Arthur Scargill.

Dear Sirs,

Can you please explain to me what your website is all about? I have no f~cking idea.

Yours faithfully,

Stephen Hawking

Yo Birdwatching People,

Where are all these Bonaparte's Gull photos the nobirds team claim to have? I think you should take the piss out of them something rotten. They deserve it - all this talk about 'we are here to educate' when they couldn't even educate a fart. Well done so far - keep sticking it to them, I'll have a word with the big man up there and see if I can talk him into visiting a plague on them or something.

Take it easy dudes,

Moses

Saturday Morning

2012-01-21T07:00:00.000Z

Saturday Morning
Doing Fine
Head down to Garry McGarry's for a Bottle of Wine
OOOO Have a Good Time
OOOO Buckfast Wine

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-20T21:12:00.001Z

Not more bloody Ross's Gull photos - has everybody lost the plot???? Thanks very much Stephen Maxwell......cheers, more gull photographs.......thanks very much. Nice one. The email I recieved was entitled 'Rossi' - does anybody remember Mr. Rossi? - surely that's more interesting than the Herring Gull spp. hybrid agg. below?!?! Click on the link for some real entertainment - custard cakes, coffee breaks? No? Of course, you might say 'Not on your Nelly!' but that might be construed as taking credit for other peoples' bird sightings. I would go as far to say as that could be a new verb - 'to Nelly', 'Look at yer man Nellying about the place!'. Could be.........or could be I'm a Walnut?

Bird News Friday 20th January

2012-01-20T12:53:00.003Z

Thanks to Ian Dickey for this Brent photograph!

In Co.Down:
The Ross's Gull is still performing at the entrance to Ardglass Harbour

An
In Co.Antrim:
4 Glaucous and 4 Iceland Gulls were at Corbally Dam, Portrush (Richard Hoy)

Email: nisightings@googlemail.com

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....if you don't look at this, you're mental - Binocularface

'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions

Overload!!

2012-01-20T11:20:00.018Z

Why not!! These will keep you going until the "Missing 28 Bonapartes Gull Photos" show up! Who has them, its a mystery!! Nobirds probably already have 200 Ross's Gulls photos lets hope they dont go missing, i couldnt take it!

Ross's Gull Photos

2012-01-20T09:45:00.023Z

I am not defeated (yet)

2012-01-19T19:51:00.001Z

What can I say? -I've been floored by a Ross's Gull, I'm going to have to lay low for a while as there isn't much comeback to that. I did predict a Ross's Gull yesterday on the blog (under the pic of the Reed Bunting, it's true) so that is a strike back at Derk and his gull posse. I'm not on the run (like the nobirds team) it's merely a tactical retreat. Anyway - Derk has at least 1300 photographs of the Ross's Gull to come so anybody with any sense will find a rock to hide under. For those intrepid explorers who want to know what it's like outside the tent I can confirm it's a complete whiteout. We're trapped here for at least the next three months. Plastic bags all round. Here's a couple of pics, they could be the last cocks you see on this blog for a while - it's Ross's Gull pics from here on in!!!!

Coq au Vin

Pollo al ajillo

Of course, the real turn up for the books is what a dirtbag Bob Shaw is. Two-faced, no-good, handsome, gull-loving, turncoat swine! You can't trust anybody in this day and age but just you wait Bob - I'll be spilling the beans on you soon enough, your card is marked.

Bird News Thursday 19th January

2012-01-19T17:00:00.000Z

Thanks to Ronald Surgenor for this Iceland Gull which is stalking him at the Lagan Weir

In Co.Dundrum:
Top news of today is, of course, the 3rd winter Iceland Gull still present off Newcastle harbour - follow directions on birdguides, please park sensibly, do not approach the locals (they bite) and leave a five pound note in the donation box (or get bitten). However, some of you may be more interested in this......

In Co. Down:
The adult Ross's Gull is still at the mouth of Ardglass Harbour (Lucky B's). Showing well all afternoon, as if the world needed more proof that Co. Down kicks ass. Co. Antrim sucks.

Also present were three Kumlien's Gulls, 15 Iceland Gulls and 4 Glaucous Gulls.

A Sandwich Tern was at Killard Pt. and a Jack Snipe at Tullyratty Dam (Richard Weyl)

Here's some shots from John Edwards - cheers John!

In Co.Antrim:
The first winter Iceland Gull is at the Lagan Weir (Ronald Surgenor)

In Co.Armagh:
The male Red Crested Pochard and hybrid Ferruginous Duck were still at Oxford Island (Dave Allen)

1 Barnacle Goose, 2 Pink-footed Geese and 280 Greylag Geese were at Ardmore Shore, Lough Neagh. The R C Pochard was still at Oxford Island as well as a Chiffchaff (Joe Devlin)

In Co. Fermanagh:
18 Woodcock were at Brougher Mountain (The Bee Man)

Email: nisightings@googlemail.com

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....if you don't look at this, you're mental - Binocularface

'Nobirds', 'Team Nobirds McGarry Inc.', 'Not Interesting Boring Association' and 'You've been stiltoned!' are © Nibirding Productions

Best Ross's Gull Pics Ever?

2012-01-19T14:17:00.004Z

Definitely not!!!! - these were sent to me by Bob Shaw. I'll be up front about this - Bob these are crap, I'm not even sure the first two of these are a Ross's Gull and the one that is? It's pathetic. I bet you think you're a clever old sod, don't you Bob? Well, you're not - you're a traitorous dog, an untrustworthy fiend and a general all round plonker. Up yours Bob - you can send this crap to Derk from now on as I won't be putting any of it on.

And another thing - the gull war is not over. Seen one Ross's Gull and you've seen them all - I vow to fight on to the death.

MEGA ALERT UPDATE

2012-01-19T08:54:00.001Z

The Ross's Gull is present again in the harbour at Ardglass! Some people are at work boo hoo!

MEGA SEAGULL ALERT

2012-01-18T16:03:00.001Z

An adult Ross's Gull has just been found in Ardgalss Harbour, bloody hell! More details to follow!! (Tom Ennis, Tony Dodds) Seen off the main pier at the harbour mouth present until c.17.00

92 accepted records in Britain and 18 in Ireland - most recent published record for Co.Down was in 1998. Take that nobirds!! We can nick things from Birdforum too, you've been outflanked yet again!! And while I'm at it whatever happened to those 28 missing Bonaparte's Gull photos?!

..........And here's a pic courtesy of one of the finders Tom Ennis! Cheers Tom.

What has happened Ian Dickey?

2012-01-18T12:32:00.005Z

Ian Dickey used to send us lovely photographs of Redshanks, Gannets and assorted warblers. The nearest to a seagull he ever photographed was a lovely Fulmar or two. However the white wing gull influx has frazzled his mind. Mrs Dickey tells us that Ian has boubgt an all white suit, painted every room in the house white and bought a white BMW 4 series. She has also noticed that he is stealing 3 or 4 rounds of bread a day and she followed the trail of crumbs to the shed. The only other thing she found in the shed was "Gulls of North America" She also says that instead of putting the rubbish in the bin he just throws it all over the back garden. The place is infested with Rats and the Council have been on already but all Ian says is "If Newport Rubbish Dump can attract an Ivory Gull so can i"
Many thanks to Ian for these Iceland Gull photos.

nibirding

Hmmm, thayer's gull shots anybody?

Short Eared Owl

All the Fun of the Thayers!!

Is it a Bird? Is it a Plane?

Adult Kumliens Gull

Fright Shots RBG Rocket Launcher

Joss Stone

Glaucous x Herring Hybrid

Bird News Tuesday 7th February

Follow the Yellow Legged Gull

Thayers Gull

Ronald to the Rescue!!

No Gulls Please We Aren't Perverts

We havent any pictures of this for a while!!

This weeks Ardglass Iceland Gulls!

Its Dark, but its not right!

More Hot Video Action!

Bird News Monday 6th February

Anyone lost a Cute Family Cat?

Thayers Gull Video!

Lard's out for the tits ...

Lost Memory Card

Thayers Gull Enniskillen

Chariots of Fire...Che​ap Remake Begins Shooting

Bird News Sunday 5th February

Bird News Saturday 4th February

Bird News Friday 3rd February

Can you resist Thayer's Gull?

Mr Wray does the business again!

Cheeky Boy

End the week with some hot Glauc action!

Bird News Thursday 2nd February

Enniskillen Gull

Blownapart Gull!!

Ardglass Gulls

February Gull War Has Started!!

Bird News Tuesday 1st February

Fox In Socks Attack

The War Continues Unabated

Real Gull Free Zone

Gull Free Zone

Bird News 31st January

Stop this gull nonsense!!!!

Last Gull Photos of the Month

Ardglass Kumliens Gull (so says Orcilla)

Enniskillen Gull

Glaucs are noisy hungry hooorrrsss!

Bird News Monday 30th January

Ward Park Black Duck (The Proof)

They're Back

Bird News Sunday 29th January

Gull Guru Exposed

Bird News Saturday 28th January

Bird News Friday 27th January

Cantona Gull

Cheap Laughs! Anyone for a Shag????!!!

American Herring Gull?

We really cant help ourselves

Yer Assemblie

Creepy Nibirding

Bird News Thursday 26th January

Had you worried

Cold Turkey

Its not these ones

Bird News Wednesday 25th January

More Intermission

Ronalds Travels

Statistics

Pale 1stw Kumliens Ardglass

Dark first winter Kumliens Thingy!

Bird News Tuesday 24th January

Ross's Gull Intermission

Dirtbag Bob Shaw Again

LAGAN WEIR

'It might just be round the corner from Du Barry's....

.....but you'll never get a date, looking as scruffy as that son.'Black Guillemot with just the fag end of winter left upon him. (Warning::Dirty Snigger only available to Belfast folks of a certain vintage)

Thanks to Brian Douglas for the above!!!

Oh No! More Ross's Pics!

Fake Ross's Gull, Newcastle Co. Down

Chariots of Fire...Cheap Remake Begins Shooting

.....but you'll never get a date, looking as scruffy as that son.'

Black Guillemot with just the fag end of winter left upon him. (Warning::Dirty Snigger only available to Belfast folks of a certain vintage)