Bird Ringers

[willk]

I got a call on Friday from donegaldan who asked me if I'd care to stand in for him on a Bird Ringing Cruise that he had to pass on due to taking a Tyne to Troon (?) I explained that I was as happily married as it is possible to be and he explained that I was a terwat and once we had that sorted out I jumped at the chance to suit up and crew for wildwords (on here) who was delivering some ornithologists to Inishtrahull, the most northernly island in/off Ireland.

It was to be a strange, but hugely enjoyable day. Other than being a passenger on a big diesel Redbay (on Official Business) the first bit that really tickled me was intercepting Portnahaven who was attempting to slip into the Swilly without notifying the appropriate Authorities (me ). Having stamped his visa and chewed the fat, we headed east, into, well, Fog.

Photo of Malin included for Portnahaven, who was Interested.

[willk]

When I say foggy, I mean that viz was around 100m. Less at times. However, thanks to Black Box Technology, we made Malin and collected our five Bird Lovers, their 43 boxes of gear and delivered them to Inishtrahull, where conditions had improved.

There I got a walk about, took a few photos, spied a Minke Whale, a few seals and a couple of local birds....

[willk]

So a fantastic day, all told. Probably a 60Nm round trip in mostly excellent conditions. A few more photos:

Many thanks to wildwords for the opportunity to get back on the water.

[GJ0KYZ]

Bird ringing's cool. I take the local ringers to the Minquiers Reef a couple of times a year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb-l-Ew35v4]

[kerny]

Bet it was interesting ringing them birds nice day for it as well

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by kerny

Bet it was interesting ringing them birds nice day for it as well

Aye, better than Mrs Willk ringing (sic) his neck

[Boatnomad]

Great shot of the Oystercatcher

[The Black Pig]

Looks like a great day Willks.
And a good story

[jumpinjack]

No way he can hide..... I too spotted port na haven heading out of a flat calm swilly on Sunday morning!

[whisper]

Originally Posted by willk

I got a call on Friday from donegaldan who asked me if I'd care to stand in for him on a Bird Ringing Cruise that he had to pass on due to taking a Tyne to Troon (?) I explained that I was as happily married as it is possible to be and he explained that I was a terwat and once we had that sorted out I jumped at the chance to suit up and crew for wildwords (on here) who was delivering some ornithologists to Inishtrahull, the most northernly island in/off Ireland.

It was to be a strange, but hugely enjoyable day. Other than being a passenger on a big diesel Redbay (on Official Business) the first bit that really tickled me was intercepting Portnahaven who was attempting to slip into the Swilly without notifying the appropriate Authorities (me ). Having stamped his visa and chewed the fat, we headed east, into, well, Fog.

Photo of Malin included for Portnahaven, who was Interested.

Thats a nice slipway, we should have it twinned with Calshot Obviously we would need a party

[HughN]

Is bird-ringing where you give them a quick re-spray, change the number-plates and get them down to the auction as soon as possible?

[willk]

Originally Posted by HughN

Is bird-ringing where you give them a quick re-spray, change the number-plates and get them down to the auction as soon as possible?

I'm afraid that your question has revealed my Ignorance. I'm more than a little hazy on the subject and was just ferrying the main players to the island.

I gather that they go out after dark with nets and old records and work out how far the birds will go?

[Portnahaven]

Originally Posted by paulbryson75

No way he can hide..... I too spotted port na haven heading out of a flat calm swilly on Sunday morning!

Can't get away with anything.
Managed to get 0 runs and 0 strikes from the tope that weekend .
But the White Harte was up to the usual standards

[jumpinjack]

That's what you call being a week late!!! Over 60 got the previous weekend! Never mind tope though we couldn't even catch a mackerel- not one all day tried using coalie as bait to no avail!

[Portnahaven]

Was at the festival previous week and returned 4 tope. Great to see the numbers back.
We could only get a handful of mackerel after 2 hours fishing for them.
Last weekend no macks at all.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by willk

.................and work out how far the birds will go?

Bacardi breezers or Lambrini never fail in Barnsley, get a few of them down 'em & it's all the way

[mick]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Bacardi breezers or Lambrini never fail in Barnsley, get a few of them down 'em & it's all the way

And boy can they swear has a run in with an old couple in Barnsley on tues and never heard an old woman swear as much

[willk]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Bacardi breezers or Lambrini never fail in Barnsley, get a few of them down 'em & it's all the way

Thanks PD, those nobbers left me hangin'...

[kerny]

Originally Posted by mick

And boy can they swear has a run in with an old couple in Barnsley on tues and never heard an old woman swear as much

Rough lot you Yorkies

[mick]

Originally Posted by kerny

Rough lot you Yorkies

Yep they threatened to smash my windows in and the customers as well blocked us in with there motor silly feckers