Mediterranean Gull goes the way of the Little Egret

While on a birding trip at Terceira Island, Azores, Simon Buckell was lucky enough to see a colour ringed Med Gull on 09/02/2011. This species is very interesting as they can, and do, move from country to country very easily. This bird is no exception.


Med Gull, White 30V2, otherwise known as 616158 was ringed as a chick on 17/06/2010 at Slijkplaat, Hellevoetsluis, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands 51'51N 4'05E. It was then seen again on the Med Gull hotspot that is, the seafront at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on 16/10/2010. Amazingly this bird was next seen on the beach at Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island, Azores 38'42N 27'03W! The longevity record for a British Med Gull is 15 years so hopefully we'll be able to track its movements back and around the rest of Europe for years to come.


View Med Gull in Azores in a larger map

We have had 12 previous reports of UK bird ringed birds in the Azores and we have had 1 Med Gull before, seen 3 times. After the Little Egret previously posted, who knows what species will be next.

Thanks to Simon for letting us know and letting us use his photo (http://shorebirder-waderworld.blogspot.com)