Guernsey Ringed Great Black-backed Gull Seen in Vendee, France

News came in recently of one of my Great Black-backed Gulls, Yellow 0.KK1, which was ringed as a chick on the islets to the north of Herm in June 2010. It was sighted at the well-known gull wintering area of Le Tanchet, Les Sables d’Olonne, Vendee, France on 03/12/2010 by Michel Fouquet. While quite a few “Guernsey-ringed” Herring Gulls have been seen on this coastline in the autumn/winter period, this is the first of our Great Black-backed Gulls to be reported from the area. Although the GBBG project is in its early stages, most sightings of chicks ringed in the islands have so far come from the south-west of England (Cornwall and Devon).

GBBG Yellow 0.KK1 The Humps, Herm - June 2010 - PKV