I have just received details of the colour-ringed Mediterranean Gull 'Red YHE8' that was present in Bracelet Bay on the 13th October. Apparently this is the first Serbian bird to be seen in Wales. Also present that day were 'White 34H2' and 'White 38J0', both Belgian birds; White 34H2 (ringed as a chick in 2002) is quite well travelled having been seen in France and Germany as well as visiting a number of sites in South Wales. White 38J0 appears to simply commute between Belgium and Swansea.
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'Red YHE8' still present today, also 'White 35J7'.
Good work Barry - its an interesting subject as our Med Gulls seem to come from various different parts of Europe, but do you know if have we had any UK bred birds in Glamorgan?
Hi Neil, not that I can recall. Most seem to be Dutch or Belgian birds, though I do seem to remember one I saw locally did take up residence at Dungeness one season. Also a Belgian colour-ringed bird attempted to nest at WWT Llanelli recently, though I am unaware of any successful breeding attempts in Wales to date.
Hi Barry,
Thanks for the update. I think a pair or two have tried at Cemlyn Lagoon but I am not aware of any success there. There was a pale green ringed adult at Kenfig Pool this morning but unfortunately it was spooked before I had chance to read the number.
Just checked: White 2E01 which was ringed as a pullus at Lady's Island, Ireland in 2004 has summered at WWT Llanelli since 2006. It has made several unsuccessful breeding attempts, usually with immature birds. One day...
Given the number of passage and wintering birds we get, I'm amazed that we haven't a breeding attempt in Glamorgan. I guess lack of a Black-headed Gull colony doesn't help...
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