Norwegian Lesser Black-backed Gull at Chouet

Two wonderful highlights at Chouet this morning were the return of Lesser Black-backed Gull Black 2.N9 from its wintering grounds near Agadir, Morocco, and the sighting of a Norwegian ringed Lesser Black-backed Gull Black J7HY migrating back from its wintering site in Western Sahara to its breeding area in Vest-Agder, Norway. Both birds were seen in February 2012 by the Norwegian gull team which visited NW Africa to record colour ringed gulls in February this year! In December 2010, I saw Black 2.N9 myself near Agadir, so it is one of my very special LBBGs! The only disappointment this morning was missing a LBBG almost certainly ringed in 2006 on Flat Holm, near Cardiff, Wales - but the ring was turned with only the join visible.

  LBBG Black J7HY in illustrious company at Chouet!

 LBBG Black 2.N9 back from Morocco

LBBG Pale Green probably from Flat Holm, Wales