Probably the last post for 2018.

Ian MacLean sighted two of our GBBGulls on the Axe Estuary P:64B on the 3rd December an Axe regular.

GBBG 628 seen on Portland on the 8th December, it has now moved along the coast to the Axe seen there on the 16th December.

Keith Pritchard and Lee Collins just to mention two of our regular contributeurs of sightings find it easier to send in list at regular intervals rather than every 5 minutes.

Lee monitors the Colour ring Birds at Dawlish Warren on the Exe Estuary Devon and Keith monitors the Gulls on Portland both for their relevant studies.

There is not enough space to mention every highlighted siighting so we have gone for a Franco Anglaise P:38B seen in Courselles sur Mer in August and on Portland 2nd November.

As we aproach the festive season another post is unlikely, so may Steve Hales, myself Terry Coombs and our team wish everyone


A Very Merry Christmas and  A Happy New Year 2019 and thankyou for your sightings

Radipole Lake Weymouth Herring Gull sightings from Dave Bishop seen on the 21st December,

742, 744, 773, & 784

On the same day Dave foot sighted  Herring Gull 744 & 729

                729 has an over shot upper mandible, while not common it does occur. Unfortunately the quality allowed on the blog does not have the clarity of the original photo by Dave Foot ©

These 5 Herring Gulls were all ringed in and around Weymouth, although  not our main study we ring the urban Gull's if they come our way.

Great Black Backed Gull P:82B has made a return visit to Little Marlow Gravel Pits Buckinghamshire on the 11th December sighting by Adam Bassett.

Ringed in June 2015 it has been sighted on and at, Axe Estuary Oct 2017, Little Marlow Dec 2017, Stratford sub Castle Salisbury March 2018, followed by two sightings back on Portland before returning to Little Marlow.

An inland Gravel Pit is not where we would expect to find GBBGull's, Adam tells us that on the 12th December there were 125 GBBG's present at Little Marlow not as strange as we thought.

Great Black Backed Gull P:15A ringed June 2012 one of our first ringed GBBG’s. Dropped out of sight in August 2015 after a visit to Bernieres sur mer, Calvados France. 

Thanks to sighting from Dave Foot at West Knighton Gravel Pits Dorset on the 9^th December  ( East of Dorchester in the Frome valley) it is back producing sightings. 

Previous sightings have come from Boulogne sur Mer France, the Otter Estuary Devon and West Bexington Dorset.

Herring Gull 744 is continuing to use the Swannery Car park in Weymouth to have a wash and brush up after a busy day doing what Herring Gulls do. It was sighted by Neil Price on the 9th December.

Great Black Backed Gull P:50C is continuing its tour of the Channel Islands, having visited Chouet Beach on Guernsey. It called into Corblets Bay on Alderney, seen there on the 6th December by Paul and Catherine Veron.

May be it wished to have a look at the newly established Bird Obs on the Island or Paul...!!!!

Great Black Backed Gull P:62C is a regular visitor to Cornwall having been seen in and around the Lizard, with a return visit to Portland in September.

A new Sighting by Jane Duffy along with Stan Christophers at Pentween Beach, St Austell, Cornwall on the 6th December 2018.

Herring Gull 473 was back on the Axe Estuary on the 21st November seen by Ian MacLean.

Great Black Backed Gull P:78C ringed this year on the Break Waters, was sighted by Wayne Turner at Rocquaine Bay Guernsey on the 25th November, sighting passed on by Paul Veron.

                                                  Wayne Turner ©

Nick Adams and Peter Rock have an additional landfill to monitor for Gulls and our Herring Gull 568 appears to have found it first....!!!! Seen there on the 30th November.

Martin Collins on a visit to the Weymouth area sent in sightings of our Weymouth ringed Herring Gulls.

We don't intentionally target the Gulls in the town but if we come across them we do ring them in addition to our main study on the Break Waters.

Herring Gull's

729 on the 24 Nov
744 back on the 24 Nov
737 on the 26 Nov.

Herring Gull 744 ringed in Weymouth this year, was back at Radipole Lake 18th November seen by Jim Rose.

                                                        Photo Jim Rose ©


Liam Lngley sighted Herring Gull 420 in Hayle Cornwall also 18th November, this Gull is well established in the area of Hayle.

Matt Ames on a visit to Portland found two of our Great Black Backed Gulls in the Gull flock on East Cliff.

                                           GBBG   P:01A  Matt Ames ©

                                               GBBG P:07B Matt Ames ©

Allan Reese on a visit to Radipole Lake Weymouth, along with three French Med Gulls he sighted one of our herring Gulls 744 seen 13th November.




Great Black Backed Gull P:35B has been seen back at la Coruna North West Spain thanks to Antonio Lopez Porto seen there 13th November 2018. Antonio also sent a sighting which he had from 23rd December 2017  but was unable to send at the time due to a internet problem.

                                            GBBG P:36B  Antonio Lopez Porto ©

On the 12th November 2108 Perry Sanders sighted Great Black Backed Gull P;76B at Slapton Sands Devon.

Perry Sands ©

Happier news with Herring Gull sightings 7th November at Lower Compton Land fill near to Bristol sent in by Nick Adams. The Gulls are there to feast on the left over Pizza and now Kebabs have been added to the menu to delight the Gulls.

Herring Gull's 509 & 568 from our study.

9th November at Radipole Lake Weymouth, Allan Reese took time out from ringing blue Tits and sat in the car Park checking the Gulls three Meds and two of our Herring Gulls.

                                                 Photo Allan reese ©
Oh where have you been since we ringed you in June 20102 as this is our first sighting??????
Keeping it company was HG 729 ringed this year in Weymouth.

Matt Ames 7th Nov sightings from Portland continued.

GBBGull P:01A

Photo Matt Ames 

  This was the second GBBG ringed by us at the start of our study in June 2012

Nov 8th at Radipole Lake Weymouth a sighting of P:08C  from Edmund Mackrill. A sad sight and unfortunately all to often seen.

Photo Edmund Mackrill ©

Trailing fishing line and a large hook

New sightings from Portland sent in by Matt Ames on the 7th November 2018.

Great Black Backed Gulls.
P:83B

                                                     Photo Matt Ames

Photo Matt Ames ©

Great Black Backed Gull P:83B was seen in a field near to Portland Bill on the 1st of November sighting by Matt Ames.

                                                      Matt Ames ©
             

Herring Gull 759 has returned to Weymouth Harbour, seen there 4th November 2018 by Alex Bayley.                                               

We have only two sightings of Herring Gull 622 since it was ringed in June 2016 on the Break Waters.

Edmund Mackrill had the latest sighting on the 3rd October at Radipole Lake Weymouth.

                                               Edmund Mackrill ©

Great Black Backed Gull P:15D ringed June this year. Was sighted at Southerly point on the Lizard Cornwall 18th September, sent in by Mark Grantham West Cornwall Ringing Group.

Photo and sighting by Terry Thirlaway ©

A regular up date from Ian MacLean sightings from the Axe Estuary Devon.

All Great Black Backed Gulls
Oct 18th P:62A & P:88B
Oct 23rd P:13A, P:64B, P:97A & P:84C ringed in June this year
Oct 26th P:97A present once more, P:08A very regular visitor and P:79A




Herring Gull 735 ringed in Dorchester this summer was seen at Radipole lake Weymouth on the 278th October.

                                             sighting Steve Hales & photo Terry Girling ©

Moira Jackson sent in three sightings of our Gulls.

Great Black Backed Gull P:62B sighted near to Portland Bill 18th October, ringed on the Break waters June 2015.
Only previous sighting was at Coverack in Cornwall during February 2016, where has it been????

Also two sightings of our Weymouth Herring Gulls 729 & 744 both ringed this year, seen at Radipole Lake Weymouth.

Peter Rock had a sighting of Herring Gull 509 seen on the 19th October, it was ringed in June 2014 on the Break Waters.

Three sightings of this particular Herring Gull all from Lower Compton Landfill, one in 2016 & two in 2018 no sighting from 2017 although it may have been present. Logging colour rings in a cloud of  milling and feeding Gulls  is not an easy task.

Peter Rock and Nick Adams do so on a regular basis to monitor the Gulls on this Landfill.

Neil Pritchard regularly sends in sightings of our Gulls on Portland, 11 Great Black Backed and 1 Herring Gull were the latest sightings.

Great Black Backed Gull P:31A has moved along the coast  from the last sighting which was on the Axe Estuary in Devon, and previously it was seen 7 miles out to sea off Brixham.

Ian MacLean sent in 3 Great Black Backed Gulls and 2 Herring Gull sightings from the Axe estuary.

All very useful information for us.

Liam Langley came across Herring Gull 420, seemingly now a resident of Hayle in Cornwall. First sighted there in September 2012, ringed in the previous year.

Some observers are of the opinion its stay has something to do with Pasty shop on the quay....!!!!

Our locally ringed Herring Gulls are providing the sightings for the moment on Radipole Lake.

            

Photo & sighting by Edmund Mackrill © 11th October

Photo & sighting by Edmund Mackrill © 11th Oct

    

Sightings from Derek Julian of  our Weymouth ringed Herring Gulls all at Radipole Lake on the 7th Oct.

Herring  Gulls 724, 729, & 744

                                              Herring Gull 724 Derek Julian ©

Sightings from Edmund Mackrill on the 7th Oct Herring Gull 699 also at Radipole Lake.

Additional sightings from Edmund on the 8th Oct
Herring Gulls 687 & 694 both at Radipole Lake.

Also on the 8th Oct Herring Gull 721 on the Beach at Weymouth

                                                  Edmund Mackrill ©

Great Black Backed Gull P:21C was seen at Portland Bill by Matt Ames ( the southern end of the Isle of Portland) on the 3rd October.

Ringed in June 2017 it has been sighted on the Axe Estuary, Torquay, Dawlish Warren, Beesands Torbay and now back at Portland.




Herring Gull 729 ringed in July this year, visited Radipole Lake Weymouth, sighting from Edmund Mackrill on the 4th October.

                                                HG 729 Edmund Mackrill ©

Lee Collins regularly sends us colour ring sightings from Dawlish Warren on the Exe Estuary Devon.

Great Black Backed Gull P:53C seen post fledging on Portland 8th September and subsequently at Dawlish on the 28th September.

Great Black Backed Gull P:87B is a regular at Dawlish with the occasional move along the Devon coast to the Axe Estuary.

Our records show of 80 sightings of this Gull, 77 have come from Dawlish, with 3 from the Axe.
The latest sighting is from Dawlish on the 22nd of September, all since ringing in June 2015.

One of this years Herring Gulls 744 ringed in Weymouth was at Radipole Lake  1st October.

                                               Photo and sighting by Edmund Mackrill ©

We ring Herring Gulls in the Weymouth area in addition to out on the Break Waters.

                                                               Herring Gull 758

                        Seen at Radipole lake Weymouth 28th September Edmund Mackrill ©

Herring Gull 759 was seen in Weymouth Harbour on the 29th September by Neil Price.

Both Herring Gulls were ringed in August this year, in Weymouth.

Our Great Black Backed Gulls recently sighted on the Axe Estuary Devon by Ian MacLean.

P:30B seen 14th Sept, last sighting was on the Axe in Jan 2018
P:64B seen 17th Sept, a regular visitor to the Axe
P:68C seen 18th Sept, a regular visitor to the Axe
P:95B seen 17th Sept, Last sighting was on Radipole Lake Weymouth and now back on the Axe
P:08A seen 19th Sept, last sighting was in Jan 2018 also on the Axe where it has been in between for the moment is a mystery.
P:31A seen 20th Sept, last sighting was 7 miles seaward of Brixham Devon

Malcolm Chapman sent in a sighting of P:76B seen at Broadsands Paignton Devon on the 6th September. Previous sighting was at Coverack Cornwall in January 2016.

P:76B was back at Broadsands on the 24th September sighting by Steve Hopper.

                                                Steve Hopper ©

Local to Portland sightings of our Great Black Backed Gulls thanks to Keith Pritchard

19th September
P:49B still present
P:74B
P:87C first sighting since ringing on the 19th June 2018

20th September
P:83 ringed June 2015

Great Black Backed Gull P:11B, ringed June 2013 was seen back on the Axe Estuary Devon on the 9th September.

Sighted by Mike Lock and sent in by Ian MacLean.

Keith Pritchard, whilst conducting his own Gull study sends in regular sightings of our Gulls from the Portland and Weymouth area.

Great Black Gull
P:49B seen on the 1st & 4th September on Portland
P:53C seen 8th September also in the Portland area.

Steve Lister on his  visit to Cornwall always looks out for Herring Gull 420, ringed December 2012 a regular in and around Hayle Cornwall. Steve's 5th sighting of this Gull was on the 6th September.

Rumour has it that its continued presence may have something to do with the Pastie shop on the Quay in Hayle.

Gulls are starting to move preparing for the winter, Ian MacLean has sent in a list from late August into early September from the Axe Estuary Devon.

Herring Gull 613 14^th August.  Second sighting since ringing

Herring Gull 476 20^th August.   Ringed locally in Seaton Devon

GBBGull P:77A 14^th August.  Last sighting was in  2016

GBBGull P;79A 14^th & 30^th August.  Axe regular

GBBGull P:81A 14^th August.  Ringed 2014

GBBGull P:64B 21^st August.   Ringed 2015

GBBGull P:11B 24^th, 28^th  August & 7^th September.   Ringed 2013

GBBGull P:88B 24^th August.  Ringed 2015

GBBGull P:87B 7^th September.  Ringed 2015

Great Black back Gull P:68C was seen at Dawlish Warren on the 7th September by Lee Collins.  Previous sightings from The River Otter, Axe Estuary and Dawlish all in Devon.

Great Black Backed Gull P:22B is still enjoying the delights of Saint Guenole Finnistere France, seen in August by Pierre Salaun. Although a leg injury sustained in May 2015 seems to have returned.

                                                     Pierre Salaun ©

Herring Gull 668 is still enjoying the IOW seen back at Shanklin Beach on the 4th September by Dave Kelsall.

Great Black Gull P:21C was seen at Beesands Devon on the 8th September by Nigel Hewston who found our details on the c-r birding web site.

Back in June Kevin Harris sent us a photo of one of our Great Black Back Gulls, with a question was it P:82A or P:62A?

After a good look at the photo or so we thought, it was decided that it was P:82A. Fine until 2nd September when Kevin sighted and photographed GBBG P:62A .

                                                  Kevin Harris ©

Back to the original photo which had a red tail making it look like an 8 although after turning and enlarging we decided that the original was also P:62A. Both seen at Chard reservoir Somerset not the usual place to see a GBBGull.

Robin Morrison was presumably on boat 7 miles of Brixham Devon early morning 2nd September where he sighted Great Black Back Gull P:31A.

                                                   Robin Morrison ©

Along with re-sighting's on Portland of Great Black Backed Gull's P:49B & P:74B Keith Pritchard has sent in a sighting of Great Black Backed Gull P:41C ringed in June 2016.

P:41C has visited Rotherhithe Dock London, Axe Estuary Devon, Bexley tip near London and now back on Portland seen 27th Aug.

Where next??????

Seen in and around the island of Portland Dorset.

Great Black Backed Gull's
P:89C 12th August   first sighting since ringing in June 2018
P:49B 18th, 21st & 23rd August
P:74B 21st August
P:56B 23rd Agust  first sighting since ringing in June 2016

Sightings sent in by Keith Pritchard

Sightings from the 20th August , Weymouth Harbour Herring Gulls 687, 731 & 741 sent in By James Gale.

At Lower Compton the same day  Herring Gull 659, sent in by Nick Adams who monitors the Landfill near to Bristol with Peter Rock.

Keith Pritchard has gone through his records amassed in his own Gull study and sent us 28 sighting's of our Great Black Backed Gulls and Herring Gulls.

Great Black Backed Gull P:38B last seen at Shoreham Airport.

Was seen in Courseulles sur mer Northern France on the 14th Aug by Chris Grobbe who lives in the Netherlands.

Herring Gull 668 ringed as a Pulli June 2016, visited Lyme Regis Dorset in October the same year.

Followed by a visit in February 2017 to Falmouth Cornwall.

This year it was seen on Shanklin Beach I.O.W on the 7th August by Terry Elburn.

Great Black Back Gull P:82C was one of the first Pulli ringed this year on the Break Waters of Portland Harbour, ringed on the 12th June.

It was still on the Break Water a week later, fledging date unknown. Where it has been between in the intervening time and the 7th August when Tim Farr sighted it at Sutton Bingham Reservoir has to remain a mystery. Sutton Bingham is to the south of Yoevil in Somerset

GBBGull's are rarely seen in land, although occasionally one turns up in unexpected places.

Tim can be found on Twitter where he posts his Bird sightings.

A young man out with his Dad around Weymouth Harbour sighted Herring Gull 731, ringed on the 16th July in Weymouth and sighted on the 6th August in Weymouth Harbour.

A great start in ring reading for this young man all of 8 years old, well done Master Price, and thanks to Dad Neil Price for sending the sighting in.

Sightings up date.

1st August Herring Gull 453 was back at Lower Compton near Bristol thanks go to Peter Ingram for the sighting and Peter Rock and Nick Adams for forwarding the sighting.
Herring Gull 659 was also there on the same day.

2nd August Herring Gull 744 was at Radipole Lake Weymouth seen by Edmund Mackrill.

3rd August  Herring Gull 453 again at Lower Compton seen by Peter Rock and Nick Adams.
also Herring Gull 659. In June 2017 this Gull was seen twice in Rotherhithe Docks in London, now a regular at Lower Compton.

also on the 3rd August Great Black Back Gull P:48C was seen at Ferry Bridge Portland Harbour, sighting by Edmund Mackrill.

4th August Herring Gull 687 seen at Radipole Lake Weymouth

                                                  sighting and photo Edmund Mackrill©

5th August Herring gull 743 seen in Weymouth Harbour sighting by Ed Chivers.

Herring Gull 591 ringed on the Break Waters June 2016, has produced its first sighting thanks to Dan Beadles seen 16th July on Lowland Sands, Coverack, Cornwall. Sighting passed on by Mark Grantham West Cornwall Ringing Group, our thanks to them both.

Luke a member of our group sighted Herring Gull 460 back at Radipole Lake Weymouth on the 29th July, where it goes in between visits is still a mystery but one day......

Lee Collins took a reading of a Metal BTO ring MA34768 one of our GBBGull's and a regular visitor to Dawlish Warren and the Exe Estuary, seen on 25th July.

                                             Photo Lee Collins ©

Which has prompted our deviation away from the normal sighting post's.

At some point this Gull has lost its left foot severed most likely by fishing line becoming wrapped around the foot, This Gull is lucky in a way as it is still able to survive.

All to often we see Gulls trailing several yards of line from their legs, occasionally we and others can catch them remove the line and hooks and release the Gull back to the wild.

An article on the BBC news web site mentioned a Gull tangled in line, a Gentleman who we assume was experienced in entering the River and handling Gulls was able to do something.

                       This is not something to take on with out correct training.

It is not only carelessly abandoned fishing line that causes problems and death of Sea Birds. On one of our visits to the Portland Harbour Break Waters in June this year the team found a fishing net on the seaward side of the Break Water. Cut adrift from a Fishing Boat or broken free from where it was set.

The net stretches between our two team members and took four people to compact it and transport to a safe storage area where it can do no more damage.

Although to late for this Sea Bird which became trapped in the net.

On your travels out and about if you see discarded fishing line or the likes please collect it and dispose of it in safe place.

Peter Rock and Nick Adams read colour rings on Gulls at Lower Compton Land fill which is near to Bristol on a regular basis. Hence we receive up dates on the presence of our Gulls there, Herring Gull 453 is rapidly becoming a resident enjoying mans leftovers.

Latest sightings of our Gulls Edmund Mackrill sighted Herring Gull 687 which has moved over from Weymouth Harbour to Radipole Lake on the 25th July.

Lee Collins read rings on a total of  9 Mediterranean Gulls, 6 Sandwich Terns, a Black Headed Gull and 6 Great Black Back Gulls including 4 from our study, on Wednesday evening the 25^th July,

Of our GBBGull’s 2 are regular visitors to Dawlish Warren Devon and the Exe Estuary Devon, they are P:81A & P:87B. 

P:89A is a regular to the Otter Estuary Devon and the Axe Estuary Devon, this is the first visit to Dawlish Warren. 

Then we have P:09A the tenth GBBG we ringed on our second season on the Break Waters in June 2012, the sighting Wednesday evening is the first since then…. Where has it been hiding for the last 6 years…..?????????????

First photo from this years ringing of Gulls although not our first sighting.

Herring Gull 721 seen 21st July on the Swannery Car Park Weymouth ringed 16th July Photo and sighting Edmund Mackrill ©

Herring Gull 453 is still enjoying the delights of Pizza at Lower Compton Landfill near to Bristol on the 19th July.

                                            Photo and sighting Nick Adams© 453 center

First sighting from the Gulls hatched and ringed this year, is from Herring Gull 693.

Ringed in Weymouth on the 10th July 2018 and seen in Wyke Regis Weymouth on the 15th July.

This has to one of our fastest controls.

Herring Gull 684 ringed August 2017 seen on Lodmoor Weymouth 11th July 2018

                                                Photo and sighting by Edmund Mackrill ©

This is the first sighting we have received since ringing.

Herring Gull 674 is paired and has two young in the Castletown area of Portland, seen 9th July 2018 by Kien Thompson.

Herring Gull 460 was ringed at Radipole Lake Weymouth back in February 2013 all sightings to date have come from there.

                     Latest sighting 9th July 2018 sighting and photograph by Edmund Mackrill ©

Our Herring Gulls continue to guard their passion for left over Pizza at Lower Compton Land fill near to Bristol.

I am not sure if the love of pizza is something we impart to the Gulls when we ring them or if it is something that comes naturally?????

Herring Gull's, 453 ringed July 2015 and 659 ringed July 2016. Both seen on the of 3rd July.

Our thanks go to the Nick Adams and Peter Rock for the sightings.

Edmund Macrill sent in another sighting later on the 25th from Radipole Lake Weymouth of Herring gull 454.

Sightings near or far as we always say, are always of interest to us.

Two of our Herring Gulls were seen by Keith Pritchard following a shoal of fish near to portland Bill on the 25th June.

H Gull 582 ringed June 2015 and H Gull 592 ringed June 2016.

Our thanks to Edmund Mackrill for passing on the information.

Great Black back Gull P:22B was seen again at St Guenole Fish Port in Brittany on the 28th May 2018. Sighting sent in by Thomas Biteau and Gaeton Guyot.

Thomas sent a photo with sighting but at the moment it can't be loaded, when the problem is solved it will be added to the post.

Nick Adams monitors the Gulls on Lower Compton Landfill near to Bristol with Peter Rock.

A Herring Gull ringed by our group in Weymouth 453, is a frequent visitor to the site. We are all in agreement that it is the plentiful supply of left over Pizza that attracts our HG along with many others.

Chard Reservoir in Somerset is not the normal location to find a Great Black Back Gull, occasionally one drops in briefly then departs.

Kevin Harris noticed a GBBGull around the 30th May and it was still present by the 11th June. No more than unusual until it took to the air and he noticed it was colour ringed.

P:82A ringed on the Break Waters in June 2014 photo Kevin Harris ©. This is the first sighting since ringing.

Tom Russel out in Mid Channel out of Swanage in Dorset attending to his Lobster pots, has regular visits from Great Black Back Gull P:75B. Taking the bait out his pots......

Ringed June 2015 seen twice at Looe Island Cornwall Feb 2016 and Jan 2017.

Two Herring Gull sightings from two rather different habitats and sites.

Herring Gull 454 ringed in Weymouth July 2015, was seen at Radipole Lake Weymouth on the  8th June by Allan Reese. this is the first sighting of this Gull since it was ringed.

Herring Gull 537 ringed on the Portland Break Waters in June 2015. Has returned to the Mud Banks of the Thames by the O2 Arena in Greenwich London seen on the 9th June by Richard Bonser.

                      Photo Richard Bonser ©  Richards third sighting of this particular Herring Gull

Edmund Mackrill sent in sightings of two Herring Gull's he observed at Radipole Lake Weymouth.

Herring Gull 674 ringed August 2016, this is the  second sighting on the 8th June 2018

Herring Gull 449 ringed June 2012 we have 6 sightings 5 from Radipole and 1 from George Green in Bucks.

A recovery of one of our Great Black Back Gulls which was found dead on the beach in a nature reserve on the Cote D'Amor in France 6th June 2018.

Up until the 26th May this year Great Black Back Gull P:63B has been seen on the Axe and down to the Lizard in Cornwall. Now we have our first sighting of it from the east, on Dungeness Beach with the Fishing Boats where else for a Gull.

                                               Martin Casemore ©

Great Black Back Gull P:48C has made a return visit to Ferry Bridge bordering Portland Harbour on 24th May, last seen there in February 2018. Sighting by Edmund Mackrill

Two sightings from April on the Axe Estuary Devon from Ian McLean.
Of GBBGull P:64B seen 23rd April and GBBGull P:83A seen 25th April after which P:83A moved over to Ferry Bridge as mentioned in a previous blog.

Herring Gull 453 originally ringed in Portland Harbour has returned to Lower Compton Land fill near to Bristol, sighting by Nick Adams and Peter Rock on the 17th May.

Herring Gull 559 was seen at Radipole Lake Weymouth on the 21st May . GBBGull P:83A was seen at Ferry Bridge the gateway to Portland and opposite the Break Waters where it was hatched in June 2014, both seen by Steve Hales. Having a change from its normal sight on the Axe Estuary Devon.

Thanks to Pascal Bounie we are getting regular up dates on GBBGull P:22B still enjoying the delights of Saint Gounole in Brittany and the fish landing quay.

                            P:22B and friends happily dining on the quayside, Pascal Bounie ©

Herring Gull 655 ringed in Portland Harbour July 2016 promptly moved to Swanage in Dorset. Latest sighting 8th May 2018 all sightings have come from the Swanage area.

                                          Swanage Beach photo Edmund Mackrill©

                                         

Herring Gull 674 was ringed in August 2016 in Portland Harbour, it has visited a Portland Garden regularly during the last two years, last seen 3rd May 2018.

Photo Georgina Rumble ©

Herring Gull 566 ringed in Weymouth in 2016 was back at Radipole Lake 28th April

                                              Photo & sighting Edmund Mackrill ©

Great Black Back Gull P:62C returned to Cornwall this time seen at the Lizard on the 29th April, sighting sent in by Terry Thirlaway.

Herring Gull 622 produced the first sighting since being ringed in June 2016 on the Portland Break Waters. It was seen at Abbotsbury Swannery Dorset by Joe Stockwell on the 19th April.

Yann Carasco sent in two GBBGull sightings from Quiberville Seine Maritime France both seen  on 15th July 2017

P:39B the Last sighting prior to the  July 2017 one, was on the Otter Estuary Devon  in November 2016, prior to that twice on the Axe Estuary and Twice on the Exe Estuary since it was ringed in June 2015.

P:95A this was the first sighting since it was ringed in July 2013.

Great Black Back Gull P:22B seems to be very happy in the Fishing Port of Saint Guenole, Brittany, France, seen again on the 6th & 16th April 2018 by Pascal Bounie.

Pascal is of the opinion it is the quality of the Sardines landed at the Port that is keeping the Gull's interest there.

                                            Pascal Bounie ©

Recent sightings on the Axe estuary Devon sent in by Ian McLean.

GBBGull P:79A first sighting after ringing was at Dawlish Warren Devon October 2013 the next 59 sightings so far have been at the Axe Estuary including the latest on the 22nd of March and 9th April 2018.

GBBGull P:28A ringed in June 2012 has had a varied voyage in life visiting sites in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Guernsey, Channel Islands. Latest sighting was on the Axe on the 30th March 2018.

Herring Gull 473 was ringed in Seaton Devon June 2014 was on the adjacent Axe Estuary on the 6th April 2018.

GBBGull P:50C was see for the first time since it was ringed as a Pulli in June 2017.

Seen by Paul Veron at Chouet Land  fill Beach Guernsey on the 3rd April 2018.

Our GBBgull P:82B who decided to fare sake Little Marlow for Stratford sub Castle to the North of Salisbury has returned there, seen on the 29th March once more by Robert Blamey.

                                                      Robert Blamey ©

On the 16th March 2018 came the first sighting of Herring Gull 561 since it was ringed as a Pulli in June 2015.

Lee Collins ©

Thanks to Lee Collins for the above  sighting from Dawlish Warren Devon.

Great Black Back Gull P:82B was at Little Marlow, Bucks on the 21st March, by the morning of the 22nd March it was seen at Stratford Old Castle North of Salisbury by Robert Blamey.

                                                         Robert Blamey ©

Great Black Back Gull P:22B is once more at Saint Guenole, Brittany, France seen on the 21st March 2018 sighting from Pascal Bounie.

Ringed June 2014, seen by Pascal in May 2015 at Saint Guenole with a leg injury and badly oiled. Still able to fly it wasn't possible to catch it, but later somebody did manage to catch it. Luckily for our Gull it was returned to full health, and we have received regular sightings from Saint Guenole mostly from Pascal.

March sightings to date.

On the Axe Estuary Devon sightings by Ian McLean
GBBGull P:64B seen 7th March regularly seen on the Estuary
P:79A seen 21st March another regular visitor to the Estuary

Herring Gull 568 remaining at Lower Compton Landfill near to Bristol seen 19th March, sighting from Nick Adams and Peter Rock.

GBBGull P:82B returned to Little Marlow Gravel Pits, Bucks, seen 21st March sighting by Adam Bassett. Last seen there December 2017.

Saturday 17th March Luke one of our team, sighted GBBGull P:95B at Radipole Lake Weymouth.

This is the first sighting since August 2016 when it was seen on the Axe Devon by Steve Waite, originally ringed June 2015 as a Pulli.

Herring Gull 589 was still present at Dungeness on 9th March 2018, thanks to a sighting sent in by Jamie Partridge.

Previously seen there on the 5th March 2018.

Ed Macrill sent in two sightings of our Gulls both ringed as Pulli June last year on the Break Waters.

Herring Gull 687 making a return visit to Radipole Lake Weymouth on the 11th March.

                                                         Herring Gull 687 Ed Macrill ©

GBBGull P:48C first sighting since ringing seen at Ferry Bridge, Portland Harbour 13th March.

 

GBBGull P:48C Ed Macrill ©

Herring Gull 568 having sampled the delights of Lyme Regis in Dorset, has made the return trip to Lower Compton Landfill near to Bristol.

Seen 8th march by Nick Adams and Peter Rock

Herring Gull 659 is continuing it's stay at Lower Compton landfill near to Bristol seen by Nick Adams and Peter Rock 5th March 2018.

Showing liking for left over Pizza.....!!!!

Luke a member of our ringing team sighted Herring Gull 460 at Radipole Lake Weymouth on the 3rd of March 2018. Originally ringed at the Lake as an adult in February 2013, seen several times up to March 2014, then nothing until Luke's new sighting.

Two Herring Gull sightings thanks to David Walker Warden at Dungeness Bird Observatory.

Herring Gull 675 ringed as an adult at Portland Harbour Aug 2016 first sighting since being ringed was at Radipole Lake Weymouth 26th Feb 2018

Herring Gull 589 ringed on the Portland Break waters June 2016 first sighting since being ringed was on the 5th March 2018  at Dungeness

Sighting from the Otter estuary Devon of GBBGull P:89A returning to the estuary on the 3rd March 2018. The last sighting was also on the Otter Estuary in Jan 2016 both sightings sent in by Peter Bennett.

Two Great Black Back Gull sightings from the Otter Estuary in Devon sent in by Peter Bennett.

Both seen on the 11th February 2018

GBBGull P:20B last seen on the Axe Estuary Devon in May 2016 until Peters sighting.

GBBGUll P:88B A regular visitor to the Axe Estuary Devon, now moving along the coast to the Otter Estuary.

The Herring Gull part of our study was running for 10 years before being incorporated it into the wider Study we know have.

Richard Bonser who normally sends us sightings from the London area of our Gulls, has sent in a sighting of a Herring Gull ringed in Weymouth by Steve Hales during July 2006.

Richard read the BTO metal ring on Radipole Lake Weymouth during a February 2018 visit probably to see the Ross's Gull. A previous sighting also a reading of the Metal BTO ring was in January 2015 by Richard Taylor.

Amazing what can be done with modern optics and loads of patience, well done fella's.

Great Black Back Gull P:35B ringed June 2015 on the Break Waters has been seen on two occasions at Dawlish Warren Devon in 2015 and in 2016.

Three times at La Caruna North West Spain during 2016 with a round trip to Dawlish in between two of those sightings and was seen again at La Caruna on the 24th Feb 2018 by Manu Santa- Cruz.

It holds the distance record as far as we know in our Portland Gull study.

A Herring Gull we ringed as a Pulli on the Break Waters in June 2014 has only been seen twice to date.

First sighting was by Peter Rock at Lower Compton Landfill  near Bristol and was in December 2016
The second sighting also by Peter Rock along with Nick Adams was at the same site was on 23rd February 2018.

A very discrete Herring Gull...!!!!

A first sighting of one of the Herring Gulls we ringed in June 2017 on the Portland Break Waters.

                                                                     Richard Cope ©


Herring Gull 687 photographed at Radipole Lake RSPB Reserve Weymouth Dorset 18th Feb 2018 thanks to Richard Cope for the sighting and photo.

Herring Gull 659 remains in the Lower Compton area near to Bristol.

Thanks to Nick Adams and Peter Rock for the sighting.

Great Black Back Gull P:41C was sighted at Bexley Landfill on the 18th Feb 2018 its second visit to the Thames and London area.

Previously being seen at Rotherhythe  with a visit to the AXE Estuary Devon in between.

Thanks to Rowland -Jan Buijs for the sighting along with Jim Spooner and Peter Rock for forwarding the sighting to us.

Herring Gull 568 has forsaken Lower Compton Landfill near to Bristol and returned to Lyme Regis in Dorset, seen 11th Feb 2018 by Sue Murphy

                                                                     Sue Murphy ©

Herring Gull 472 ringed in Seaton Devon was also seen by Sue Murphy on the adjacent Axe Estuary on the 13th Feb 2018.

Sue Murphy ©