ringed Mediterranean Gull (Larus melanocephalus L.), Eastney, Hampshire 7th Feb 2014

Before the month is out, I should not forget to post about the BTO ringed adult Meditteranean gull, which I photographed at Eastney on the 07/02/14 - as the history of the bird has now been obtained from the BTO ringing scheme.

On the day, I could only take a hasty shot to capture the leg ring details, before the gull was flushed by a dog walker. Although no detailed observation could be made of the metal ring (RBM), I was able to secure the details of the second ring i.e. LBY (2E28).

          Having sent the record off to BTO on the night of the 7th, I received the following information the next day:

The bird (metal ring No. EG61729) was ringed as PULLUS 09/07/10 in Old Moor, Barnsley, South Yorkshire GB by Dave Waddington - it was later recorded as a JUV at another site in South Yorkshire on 11/08/10.

Interestingly, all subsequent reported sightings of this gull have been from Hampshire.

The first of which, was when it was observed as a 2w bird on 21/01/12 at Hayling Island. As an adult bird, it has then been recorded eight times. Seven of which were by the same observer at Titchfield Haven between the dates 03/03/13 - 29/04/13. The last by myself as per the information provided 08/02/14.

Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis L.), Gosport; and others ..

I caught up again, with the ring-billed gull, at Walpole Park, Gosport; now wintering in Hampshire for its 11th consecutive year.

Having gatecrashed a couple of family groups busy feeding the gulls - I achieved more interesting photos than I could have hoped for, than when stalking the bird alone.

On the way home, I took a walk along Southsea sea-front between Clarence Pier and South Parade Pier. I was able to pick out a single kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), and four mediterreanean gulls (Larus melanocephalus) - amongst a long and straggling roost of black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) just off shore between Clarence Pier and Southsea Castle.

I was delighted to find three little gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus) (2ad and 1w), hawking along the shoreline at Southsea Castle.



ring-billed gull

 

 

 

little gull 1w and ad

Little Gull (Hydrocoloeus minutus L.), Southsea

A probable six little gull along Southsea seafront today

Amongst the gulls - Eastney, Portsmouth

two Mediterranean gulls (Larus melanocephalus)
in a mixed roost with black-headed gull
(Chroicocephalus ridibundus) and common gull (Larus canus)

black-headed gull & common gull



Mediterranean gull in flight