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.