The Return of Another Long Distance Migrant Herring Gull

I have commented before on this blog that while a significant proportion of both immature and adult “Guernsey” Herring Gulls winter in France, a small minority migrate even further distances and have been observed in northern Spain and even northern Portugal. One such gull is White 7M6 (now 2.AP6). Originally ringed by Jamie Hooper as chick on Pleinmont Cliffs, Guernsey in the summer of 2003, this bird has regularly wintered in northern Spain. Last year it was last seen at Chouet on 29 July 2010. From 29 August to 28 September it was observed at Jata’s landfill, Lemoiz, Vizcaya, Spain (Dominguez Robledo). On 21st February this well travelled Herring Gull was back at Chouet!

Herring Gull White 7M6 (now White 2.AP6) - a well-travelled bird!