Ardglass gives welcome to very rare bird indeed

Ardglass gives welcome to very rare bird indeed

25 January 2012 - by JOANNE FLEMING

ARDGLASS is welcoming a rare winter visitor to its shores.

Recent Arctic storms have resulted in several uncommon species of birds heading south — and the one that’s caught the eye of eager bird watchers is the rare Ross’s Gull.

With its distinctive pink underside and diamond shaped tail, wildlife enthusiasts have been gathering at Ardglass harbour where the arctic birds are enjoying the rich fish pickings.

Because of their scarcity and beauty, Ross’s gulls are one of the most sought-after birds among bird watchers in north-western Europe and the US, where enthusiasts can travel thousands of miles for a sighting.

Named after naturalist and polar explorer James Clark Ross, the gull has not been seen in Ireland for many years.

It is thought its discovery by local birdwatcher, Tom Ennis, might be connected with recent, severe storms in the Arctic Ocean.

Chris Murphy, from Killough, a member of the Northern Ireland Bird Records Committee, believes exceptional weather conditions or a collapse in their food supply are the most likely reasons why so many rare species of gull are currently to be seen in Ardglass.

He added that the unique topography of Ardglass was a draw for the birds who were shunning other nearby harbours.

“They are attracted to the fishing boats and Ardglass is a place where fish is landed not just prawns,” he said. “Therefore it is not happening in the likes of Portavogie.

“It is the same in Kilkeel. The rocks and little islands at Ardglass provide a resting place and it is a sheltered harbour.”

As many as 20 Iceland gulls, which actually come from Greenland, four Kumlien’s gulls from Arctic Canada and five Glaucous gulls from Iceland are currently following the Ardglass fleet.

“Apart from being far to the south of their normal range, what all these birds share is their large size and mostly pure white wings, making them quite easy to pick out among the hordes of more familiar species,” said Chris, who works as a wildlife tour operator.

“But it is the little Ross’s Gull that is really setting pulses racing. Its enigmatic life and genuine beauty make it a most sought-after species, and its discovery anywhere outside the arctic is always a revelation.”

Similar arctic birds are currently being spotted in areas such as Killybeg in Donegal and parts of northern Scotland.

Stressing the unusual nature of the visit, Chris added: “The Ross’s Gull normally lives among the polar bears, this does not normally happen.”